Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-22

yourself Now. get her out quick.
Then take Smith off this job"
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
bandaged head. had returned to the
works just in time to see Pinckney and
the girl with Sommers at the bottom
Of the steps. O'Leary. too, misunder-
stood.
'Mr. Pinckney." he yelled. watch
ME! / cross myself ! know whas
you've done to others, but you can't do
1t to my girl. L cross myself, and with
it goes an oath that I'm going to kill
you with my bare handsr'
He rushed forward, and Pinckney
jumped buck 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 Son.
mers and O'Leary.
The wounded O'Leary stopped,
aghast.
Miss DurantT' he said slowly, in
amazement. Sommers stared, startled,
not knowing what to say. Then he
saw the expression on the mems faces,
and that forced him to speak.
"Mr. 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"
His tone was cool, collected, with
just a touch Of surprise in it that any
explanation would be needed.
O'Leary stepped back awkwardly.
Eyes. sir. beg your pardon for me
hasty speech"
The general manager turned to
Frances.
"Comel Let's go, Frances"
The girl had been looking at Som
mers and he at her. Both knew that
something more was needed. Some
thing more must be said before the
perfect understanding between them
could be restored.
Finally, with half sigh, she turned
and started to walk away. Sommers
stepped close to Pinckney.
eff you don't explain aloud at once
why you attempted to put Miss Du-
rant in an awkward position by Iock-
ing that door I'll break your ~-ad.
How dared you lock that door? You
with your reputation about these
works! Speakw
'grhe door wasn't locked" retorted
Pinckney aloud.
Frances heard. She stopped short,
her face flushed with shame. Was 1t
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-
woke a scene swept her to action. She
turned and stepped back quickly 'to
the two men.
Don't say a word. Mr.. Pinckney,"
she ordered sharply. 81 forbid you to
speak. Lieutenant Sommers can think
for moment what his manner seems
to imply. / refuse to give him any
explanation 1 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.
81 do understand, Mr. Sommers
Good day" And, turning, she walked
quickly away.
Sommers looked after her for 6
moment, then. seeing the hopeless
ness Of the misunderstanding, turned
back to the furnaces. AS he did sc
for the first time he noticed his CUR
being transferred to the temperins
bath.
Here! What's thls?" 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 off a minute longer.
What do you think Of it nowT' he
shouted. Your girl was locked III
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 jeerinS word came out
Sommers swung wildly. Smith stag
gered, then came back with the iroI
bar raised. In an instant he haC
brought it crashing down upon the
lieutenant's head, Then. as the nava