The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-12-04
Neyellsed BY Thenpses Bachsaas From thu
- Successful Play Of tie Same Name :,
cspysithi. 1903. By Frsdssie Thompson.

ScscScNe s:cS~S>N
Frances ratherT' he asked. How
should that interest this feitow!''
The father was plainly put out He
had too long held the idea that the
name Of Durant In the steel: world
would be perpetuated by the marriage
Of Frances and his protege. Edward
Pinckney, for him to hear with equa-
nimity that penniless nava! officer
was paying her any attention.
Now, look here. George Durant,"
exclaimed bis wife Indignantly. don't
you dare to pretend yourself that
Frances is not attractive"
II never pretended any such thing"
he protested.
"You did, she declared insistently.
"But, my DEAR -
'Dfdn't you say you were surprised
that this naval man was paying her
attention? That's the. same thing as
saying she's not attractive. aud want
to tell you that Frances Is the pref
test girl in Pittsburg. even II she Is
your daughter"
George Durant smiled plac1dly.
"Well. my dear. you see. she's bound
to be pretty. Think of her mother"
'Now, don't try to soft soap me just
because I'm your wife. George. Re-
member I've had twenty years Of your
barney and recognize it.
"Al right. my dear" he agreed.
SWELL let it 20 at that. Let the naval
man pay attention to her. 1t won't
do him any good"
II should hope not!' exclaimed his
wife piously. THE idea of any girl
marrying a man who couldn't come
home nights more than one-tenth Of
the timer
Edward Pinckney entered from the
library. where he had been to arrange
some business matters for his chief.
"Your stenographer is ready. sir.
whenever you want her." be said.
Mrs. Durant threw up her hands In
horror.
"Good gracious, George, you are not
going towork on your first night homer
He looked at her in an apoloEetic,
guilty fashion
well. my dear, you see," he hesi-
tated. "the work has to be done some
way. and just wanted to get = start.
! have to 60 over some matters with
Edward about this Rhinestrom gun
and also about this gun invented by
Sommers which we are casting for the
government 1t won't be much work,
and have my stenographer and Sec
rotary all ready"
Before the wife could protest fur
Their Frances and Sommers entered the
drawing room. The old steel man did
not give his wife chance to argue
"Ah, Sommers," he exclaimed gen.
tally, II was just hoping you'd come
in! l OWE you an apology, my wife
says. and l wanted to deliver it."
Apology! For what?" exclaimed
the lieutenant. mystifed.
Durant winked at him.
why. Lieutenant Sommers." he
said, with assumed seriousness, II
thought l owed you an apology FOR
my conversation at dinner discussing
the truck gun work and steel and gun
making generally-those subjects In
which you have no interest and could
not understand"
Sommers. catching the spirit Of the
scene. bowed seriously
Your apology is accepted. Mr.. Du-
rant" he said. Il thought myself it
was rather strange that you should
choose subject on thing neither
one Of US knew anything about: but.
OF course. as you were host / Clipped
in and did the best could | hope
my remarks on the subject weren't
altogether foolish
Durant turned to his wife.
There. my dear. You see I've done
everything you asked. I've apologized.
But really we only talked on that sub.
ject because we both thought 1t was
the one thing you were interested in
so we'll have forgiveness all the way
round. And new | must get to work"
George" she pleaded.
He paused for one second his hand
on the door.
"Only little while. You'll all ex
cuse me?"
sommers and Pinckney bowed, Blu,
Frances laughed out loud.
Dear old dad. what difference wouiC
it make whether We excuse you O,
not? We know you'll 80 any way"
'Well. won't be long," be protest
ed; "really won't"
When the door had closed behtr,(
him Mrs. Durant drew long breath
then she brought her foot down wit,
emphasis that was almost stamp.
I'm going into that study" she de
clared, "and stay there until ! ret biz,
out. The idea OF his beginning bust
ness On the FIRST night home! H,
won't stay long after I come mr.
Indeed be won't" agreed Frances
You. know" she went on, With i.
laughing explanation to Sommers
whenever mother decides that fathe
simply shall not work she goes int,
the room. takes a seat where be i
bound to see her and Just sits tier
starting at him repro@chfully. she call
It moral suasion.'' :.
"'Rut does It. work p asked Sommers