Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-10-30
over to beg o'Leary to take


good natured stenographer encouraged.
"rn just get out and give you a chance
at him when be comes. When are you
going to get married. anyhow"
Lucy blushed and hesitated.
Il don't know exactly" she said
| 1--WE haven't talked much about it."
Maize O'Brien smiled.
"weu, it's about time you're getting
busy with that line OF conversation,
/, think. Don't do TO trust any Of these
steel hands. Two weeks is long enough
for any girl to be engaged. III get
out now and leave you alone" she
ended as O'Leary, establishment and
worry showing on his begrimed face,
entered the Office.
What's the matter, LucyT' be asked
anxiously.
The girl turned to him with eager
ness.
ITS about father. Is he very badT'
The man hesitated.
well. he's got few drinks In" he
confessed at last. But there hasn't
been much trouble up to date"
Hes pretty ugly. amt he7" asked
the girl.
O'Leary laughed grimly.
You know what your dad is when
he's dru1k. Lucy He's tried 10 pick
one or two scraps tonight. but the men
are keeping away from him. I'll do
my best to keep down trouble, you
know that Lucy"
The girl nodded.
Yes, 1 know. Joe, you're mighty
good" she said. but If anything hap
/ pens tonight you know he'll lose his
job sure. I'm awful afraid. and moth
er's worse than 1 am. so l just came
over 10 get you 10 look out for him.
Is he doing his work all rightT7
OLeary shook his head regretfuuy.
That's what bothers me-" he con
| fessed. The SOmmers gun S been in
the fire too long now. II IL don't come
out of the furnace soon the gun n be
no good at all"
The girl made a hopeless gesture.
What do you think OF THAR she
complained. And he's the best man
over here when he's sober. Can't you
do anything. joey
Il am doing all l can" he urged. as
though I'm justification, but IL that
gun 5 put I'm the oil bath after being
too long in the fire the tempering will
be bad"
Lucy wrung her hands despairingly.
Let's get Mr. Marsh" she begged.
"Mr. PiEckney amt here. but Mr..
Marsh can take dad Off the job and
keep him from running everything.
Sommers is such nice man. too, and
Miss Frances likes him. Oh, what
are we going 90 do. Joeg"
o'Leary looked at her blanlIly The
situation was too much FOR him 70
manage
TMarsh's acting funny. too" be com
planned. He must know how Smith
is. but he keeps away and don't say
nothing 20 him. Guess he's afraid"
Maybe I could go in and beg him
Couldn't l do that. JoeT' pleaded the
girl.
She turned and started Tor the door
which led into the works. but before
she could reach IL the door was push
cd open and Smith. drunken and more
enraged than ever. lurched into the
office Al sight OF Lucy and O'Leary
together he Strengthened up. caught
hold OF the door a moment for sup
port then burst on them with a tor
rent OF anger.
What are you doing heref" he roar
ed. why did you come IN this OF
fee, Lucy2 What business you got
here. O'Leary? Amt / seeing vow
hanging around my house enough
without getting that girl In the officer"
I've got your dinner. father.
brought II over 20 you" faltered Lucy.
And why didn't you bring IL TO me
rightf' he shouted. "And why do You
let this fellow In the office here be
talking 10 your"
"Joe's all right. father" the girl
urged. He don't want you to make
no mistake with the Sommers gun.
that's all"
The drunken foreman turned on his
assistant with fury.
"Oh. you don't. don't your Look
here, you keep that mug OF yours out
OF my affairs OF I'll break IL. DO you
hearT'
But Joe o'Leary did not come OF the
race that could be bluffed As Smith
lurched toward him the assistant
straightensd into a position OF de-
Tense. waiting for him.
Do' waste your breath trying to
scare me. Smith," be shouted. YOU'D
better be getting that gun out Of the
fire before 1t spolIs"
The sudden opposition S9bered the
drunken man for a mOmeh.
Il got tine assistant. amt II" be
sneered. Trying 10 tell me my bust
hess. l know what you're up to. You
sneaked in here To talk {, her; that's
what you did. Now. you keep away
from her after this. / tell you. Don't
you come near her or I'll break you
in two"
O'Leary looked the larger man up
and down with fine Irish scorn.
Break me IN twor' he sneered. eff
you was TO break me in two either
piece Of me would get up and knock
your block of. tell you, If you ever
lay a hand on me III kill you"
In wild fury Smith rushed nm