Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-11-06
SATURDAY. 800. NOV. o, 1909.

Smith on the job. even though he was
drunk. 1t all seemed simple. smith
must buy imshpuity from punishment
in this shameful fashion.
Contempt FOR Piuckuey and rage that
he should run the risk Of being ruined
by the dirty work Of such men reused
Sommers 10 fierce anger He turned
back and ran again up the steps to the
little office, knocking fercely this time
on the door
"Piuckney. come cut Of there at
once be shouted
The command was 50 fercelv given
the general manager could not bet
obey. He opened the door. coming out
slowly and I'm response TO SommerS'
gesture OF command. followed him
down the steps
Frances. her face partly covered
with the shawl. came after Pinckney.
At the bottom OF the steps the navsl
officer turned on the manager Of the
works with fierce contempt
NO wonder YOU keep smith drunk
on the jobr' be exclaimed. Haven't
you got sense OF shame enough not TO
take bis daughter in that office before
all these menT"
Pinckncy understood the mistake.
but &c was anything to gain time now.
What business is that OF yoursg'
he rctortcd augrily.
Well TN make 1t my business"
came the Ccrcc reply. Its my bust
ness when such conduct threatens to
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 OF this Job"
He turned his back coutemptuously
on Piuckney and the girl just I'm time
Go meet the blazing. wrathful face OF
Joe OLeary.
The assistant foreman had been
Fixed up 10y the doctor and now. with
a bandaced head had returned 20 the
works just in time 70 see Pinckney and
the girl with Sommers at the bottom
OF the steps. OLeary. too, mlsunder-
stood
"Mr. Pincbncy" be yelled. watch
mo. cross myself know what
you've doue Co others. hut you can't dc
ID &C. my Eir. rruS~ myself. and with
% r'.'~ uu oath tuai I'm going to kill
500 ouu ul uar, hands"
lir rushed forward aud Pmckuey
jum"d bacG before bis hcrce attack
Bu r~caIe would have been hopeless
bad nut Frauc~. drawing huck the
shaw from nrr head. stepped iu b,..
twrvu. See tuat she faced both Som
mcrs aud OI.eary.
The wounded OLeary stopped.
aghast
Miss Durantr' he said slowly. In
omazement Sommers stsred, startled.
not knowing what TO say. Then he
saw the expression on the mems faces
and that forced him TO speak.
"Mr. Pinckncy. explain all this at
once. for the sake OF O'Leary and
these men"
Pinckncy shrugged his shoulders.
There's nothing 10 explain" be said.
Miss Durant wanted 10 see the som
mers gun made. and she borrowed one
Of Lucy Smiths dresses so as not 10
excite comment that's ALL"
His tone was cool. collected. with
just n touch OF surprise In it that any
explanation would be needed.
O'Leary stepped back awkwardly.
Yes. sir. 4 beg your pardon for me
hasty speech"
The general manager turned TO
Frances.
Come! Let's go. Frances"
The girl had been looking at Som
tnerS 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 a half sigh, she turned
and started 10 walk away. Sommers
stepped close TO Pinckney.
III you don't explain aloud at once
why you attempted to put Hiss Du-
rant in an awkward position by lock
ing that door I'll break your head.
How dared you lock that door7 You
with your reputation about these
works, Speak"
1.-THE door wasn't locked" retorted
Pinckney aloud.
Frances heard. She stopped short
her face hushed with shame Was Il
possible that SOmmers thought there
was anything wrong 10 her being
there? Then anger at herself for COM
ing and at him for letting himself pro-
woke scene swept her to action She
turned and stepped back quickly TO
the two men.
Don't say word. Mr.. Pinckney."
she ordered sharply. II forbid you to
speak. Lieutenant Sommers can think
for a moment what his manner seems
to imply. 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.
II do understand. Mr.. 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