The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-11-04
CHAPTER 1.
Jusr suPposING.


"ROM the brow Of the hill above
the Durant works Lieutenant
Som.aers, United States navy
looked over the city Of steel
stredhed away at bis feet.
Hesaw the acres Of huge buildings,
their hundreds Of chimneys beiching
forth streams OF black smoke; the long
streets lined with the houses Of the
woreaan and here and there figures
that seemed In the distance pygmies
hurrying to and fro.
Family the roar Of the furnaces. the
distant clang of the huge hammers and
the .clamor Of the steel came to him.
II was a scene to stir the blood Of q
man who loved action. For few min
utes the naval man looked In silence;
then he drew long breath and turned
to the girl at bis side.
And all this will be yours some
day" he said.
Frances Durant looked up with q
smile.
Yes: IT does seem quite lot TO-
one wee BIT Of girl to have. doesn't
IT. But / can depend upon dad TO
make some arrangements for running
II. The steel works are bis pride. you
know. and be is going TO leave them Q
monument TO the name Of Durant"
Lieutenant Sommers half sighed.
"Pinckney Is lucky dog" he said ir.
relevantly.
Lucky dogT The girl arched her
eyebrows as she asked the question.
why do you say that, Mr. sommersi
don't understand
sommers smiled at her puzzled look,
though she really had right to be
puzzled. for why man. young. strong
good looking and an officer In the
navy. with a medal for bravery al
ready TO his credit. should call another
man lucky dog" was enough TO pus.
xle any girl OF nineteen who was as
pretty and independent as Frances
Durant.
Il mean exclaimed Sommers. 'tha,
he's lucky dog because any man whc
Is young and the manager Of place
like this aud has the prospects aheae
Of working throughout his life for yor
must be a lucky dog. Can; yot
seeY
The girl laughed In pleaged fashion
very clever. Mr. Sommers. But
Just now you are twice as lucky AZ
Ned Pinckney. for the Durant stee
plant Is working for you. turning out
the gun that is going 10 make you rict
and famous"
The officer shook bis head. smiling
somew hat sadly.
Famous. hope. Miss Durant," be
said. but not rich. am an officer IL
the navy. aud whatever we navy met
do. you know. belongs 10 Uncle Sam
He took Us and licked as Into shape
and be gives Us our chance. and VI.
must work for him all our lives"
well. anyhow. we are working fOi
you now" she said with satisfaction
and from all ! can hear about The
works your gun Is going 10 be a mar
vel. It's something 70 make q gun, ]
tell you. but its more to invent one
Ned Pinckney makes theIn-makes lots
Of them-but you've invented one. 8,
think you are the lucky dog. not be-
Her admiration was 50 genuinely
sincere that sommers. against bis VIII
lad 20 take II seriously.
III wasn't Just that ! meant, Mis-
Durant,. be said. "A naval ofncer has
o lot know. I thought be had ever
thing In the world be csuld wish unit
these last few weeks, since came
here to superintened the casting Of N,
0sn."
-whst has made you changer she
aske&
The man looked straight az bef.
Tive met you." he said.
Tbs girl BIT her lips. for she knev
~ face had grown suddenly red. and
that irritsted her. So she tossed her
bad after the fashion Of girls Of nine
teen and pretended she did not under
stand.
J. Il don't see why that should alter
mstters,s she protested slrily. y