The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-09-30

ruin my work as well as ruin a girls
 name. You ought to be ashamed of yourself Now, get her. out quick.
 Then take Smith off this job."' l He turned his back contemptuously on Pinckney and the girl just in time
 to meet the, blazing, wrathful face of Joe O'Leary
 The assistant foreman had been
 fixed up by the doctor and now, with
 a bandaged head. had returned to the
 works just in time to see Pinckney and
 the girl with Sommers at the bottom
 of the steps. 1O'Leary, too, misunder- stood.
 "Mr. Pinckney," he yelled, "watch
 me! cross myself. I know what you've done to others, but you can't do 1t to my girl. cross myself, and with it goes an oath that I'm going to kill you with my bare tIandsv' He rushed forward, and Pinckney jumped back before his fierce attack. But escape would have been hopeless had not Frances, throwing back the shawl from her head, stepped in be tween. so that she faced both Som- mers and O'Leary.
 The wounded O'Leary stopped, aghast.
 Miss Durantr' he said slowly, in amazement Sommers stared, startled, not knowing what to say Then he l saw the expression on the mems faces, and that forced him to speak. "Mri Pinckney, explain all this at once, for the sake of O'Leary and | these men,"
 Pinckney shrugged his shoulders.
 There's nothing to explain" he said. Miss Durant wanted to see the Som mers gun made, and she borrowed one of Lucy Smiths dresses so as not to excite comment, that's all" l His tone was cool, collected, with just touch of surprise in it that any explanation would be needed. I O'Leary stepped back awkwardly. I '.Yes, sir. beg your pardon for me nasty speech"
 The general manager turned to l Frances.
 Comet Let's go, Frances" The girl had been looking at Som l mers and he at her. Both knew that l something more was needed Some | perfect understanding between them could be restored. Finally, with half sigh, she turned and started to walk away. Sommers stepped close to Pinckney. sIf you don't explain aloud at once | why you attempted to put Miss Du- 1 rant in an awkward position by lock | ing that door I'll break your head. How dared you lock that door? You with your reputation about these l works! Speakr' .The door wasn't locked,'' retorted Pinckney aloud.
 Frances heard. She stopped short, her face flushed with shame. Was it possible that Sommers thought there was anything wrong in her being there? Then anger at herself for com ing and at him for letting himself pro yoke scene swept her to action. She turned and stepped back quickly to | the two men.
 Don't say word. Mir Pinckney," she ordered sharply. q forbid you to speak. Lieutenant Sommers can think for moment what his manner seems to imply. I refuse to give him any explanation must also refuse to even see him in the future" Sommers looked at her aghast.
 Miss Durant, you don't under stand" he exclaimed. The girl looked him coldly up and down.
 q do understand, Mir. Sommers. Good day. And, turning, she walked quickly away.
 Sommers looked after her for a moment, then, seeing the hopeless ness of the misunderstanding, turned back to the furnaces. As he did so for the first time he noticed his gun being transferred to the tempering sbath.
 "Here! Whats this7 he shouted. But before he could say more Smith had stepped in front of him.
 The foreman was wild with drunk en glee now He had won, he felt, and there was nothing to do but hold Sommers of a minute longer.
 'What do you think of it now?" he shouted. "Your girl was locked up with him, wasn't she? Lots of chance you stand against the general man. ager when she'll lock herself in. the office with him.
 As the last jeering word came out Sommers swung wildly. Smith stag gered, then came back with the iron bar raised. In an instant he had brought it crashing down upon the lieutenants head. Then, as the naval officer fell, in rage Smith bent over and seized him.
 What are you doingT' shouted Pinckney.
 But Smith, insane from rage and the sight of blood, was beyond managing. He lifted the half dazed sailor and staggered with him toward an open furnace.
 Naval men are used to hard knocks. Sommers came to. He had dodged partly, and the bar caught him only glancing blow. Now he realized his danger and with a desperate effort tore himself loose.
 Smith had dropped the bar. It was an even thing now. Wildly the fore IzHk -k1