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

He had warned her time and again 10
keep away from the works, and espe-
cially from Pinckney and the office,
because Smith knew Pinckney and
the advantage which he had taken
OF his position more than once to In
jure girls whose fathers and brothers
depended on him for their livelihood.
The general manager was a little
car in the town. Mr.. Durant did not
come into close personal relation with
the men in the plant, and Pinckney
could take on and put of, make and
ruin men at his will. he had ruined
some, and others. Smith knew, had
plaisance and pretended blindness to
the actions of the general manager.
But the Independent foreman did
not propose to put himself in that
class He loved his family when he
was sober, and no matter what he
might do himself he was determined
that his wife and daughter should go
straight. No wonder, then, the sight
of his daughter talking to Pinckney
in the works before all the men en-
ragged him. With the bar In his hand
he lurched down the long room.
Hey. thereT he shouted when he
had come close. What do you mean
talking to this fellow2 Haven't told
you / didn't want you hanging around
the works and not to talk to him?
Now, you get out of here quickv'
Frances turned. and Smith stepped
back agbast.
'Bfiss Durantr' he exclaimed. "Ex-
mis- fhOfJ0i1f
Lucy"
That's all right, Smith," exclaimed
Pinckney hastily mo trouble now,
remember" And he turned back to
Frances. "Come to the office, Frances.
Come away from here. l will explain
everything to you fully"
Puzzled and q bit uncertain as to
Pinckney's real attitude, the girl ODE
diently followed him up a short flight
OF steps and into Il little Overseer's
office that jutted out into the furnace
room Pinckney closed the door after
him,
Mr.. Sommers' gun is just going
into the tempering bath" he said
He is here experimenting it. So you
understand all must be right. Just
wait mere Il lew anu lnGn
you can see Sommers himself"
The suggestion seemed reasonable.
Frances nodded acquiescence.
"All right. l will wait" she said.
Outside in the furnace room a fu-
rious hustle followed the closing Of
the little office door. Smith gave the
signal, and the big gun, caught In the
chains from the traveller, began to
rise slowly out of the trap furnace
and hung suspended, a huge mass of
white hot steel.
Hustle it up, quick. into the BATH"
yelled Smith. for already Sommers
had appeared at the end of the long
furnace room and was coming quickly
toward him.
The men, driven on by their drunk.
en- boss, worked desperately fast. This
huge traveller carrying the Sommers
gun moved slowly toward the waiting
oil bath. 1t was halfway there when
Smith, the iron bar still in his hand,
met Sommers.
$50 you're coming to take charge Of
this job, are your" he sneered.
The naval officer tried to push by.
but Smith got in front of him.
See here" exclaimed Sommers an.
grily, "wait until you are sober before
you talk to me. Now, get away and
attend to your workY'
The order enraged Smith all the
more.
''Who are you giving orders to-" he
yelled. Come on, now; get out of
herei You'd better beat it up in the
Office" He jerked his thumb toward
the little overseeing Office. Get in
there and talk to Pinckney. He's lock-
ed up there with a lady friend Of
yours"
Sommers' quick temper had begun
to flare at the insolence of the fore
man. He had not come out from the
Office in time. and he did not know
that 1t was his gun which the traveller
was slowly bearing to the waiting
oil bath. He saw only in front of him
an insolent, drunken workman. who
should be discharged for coming on
duty in such condition.
You drunken blackguard! I'll see
Pinckney, and If he doesn't discharge
you I'll kick you out Of here myselfr'
He flung the foreman aside and, run
ming up the steps to the Office, tried
the door. 1t was locked, and his knock
brought no response.
Down below the men looked at each