Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-11-04


should be discharged for coming on
duty in such condition. 49,.
You drunken blackguard. ri 80,
Ptnckney, and IL he doesn't discharge
you III kick you out Of here myself"
He flung the foreman aside and. run
ming up the steps to the office, rriea
the door. 1t was locked and his knock
brMght no response.
Down below the men looked at each
other and. taking the cue from Smith.
laughed at the navy man. Slowly
Sommers came down the steps. What
was wrong? He could not make out
exactly. He saw Marsh, who had
been standing uneasily far in the hack.
ground, and motioned to him
The head craftsman came slowly
lie knew how important it was ID
Keep Sommers diverted from the main
object aud was nerved to plav b,s
part until the gun should be disposed
of.
Il wouldn't go in there IL wers
you, Mr.. Sommers," he suggested.
MIR. Pinckney's in there with girl"
Sommers bad been about the works
long enough to know Plnckney's repu-
tatlon among the men, but this open
haunting in their very faces was worse
than anything he had imagined
who Is it," he asked contemptuous
ly.
II think it's Smiths daughter Lu.
Cyl" hesitated Marsh
Sommers' face famed with anger
He understood now, he thought why
Pinckney had been willing to leave
Smith on the job. even though he was
drunk. 1t all seemed simple. Smith
must buy immunity from punishment
in this shameful fashion.
Contempt for Pinckney and rage that
he should run the risk of being ruined
by the dirty work of such men reused
Sommers to fierce anger. He turned
back and ran again up the steps to the
little office. knocking fiercely this time
on the door.
"Pinckney, come out Of there at
once!' he shouted.
The command was so fercely given
the general manager could not but
obey. He opened the door, coming out
slowly and. in response to Sommers'
gesture OF command. followed him
down the steps
Frances, her face partly covered
with the shawl. came after rinckney.
At the bottom Of the steps the naval
officer turned on the manager OF the
works with fierce contempt.
mo wonder you keep Smith drunk
on the job he exclaimed. Haven't
you got sense of shame enough not to
take his daughter in that office before
all these mem"
Pinckney understood the mistake,
but it was anything to gain time now.
What business is that of yours 2"
he retortcd angrily
well, I'll make it my business"
came the fierce reply. It's my bust
ness when such conduct threatens to
ruin my work as well as ruin girls
name. You ought to be ashamed OF
yourself. Now. get her out quick.
Then take Smith of this job"
He turned his back contemporary
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
n 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. "watci
me, l cross myself l know what
you've done to others. but you can't do
1t to my girl. | cross myself. and with
it goes an oath that I'm going TO Kill
you with my bare hands,"
He rushed forward and Pinckney
jumped back 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 Som
ners and O'Leary.
The wounded O'Leary stopped,
aChaSt.
Miss Durant!" he said slowly. in
plnazement. Sommers stared, startled,
hot knowing what to say. Then he
paw the expression on the mems faces.
and that forced him to speak.
MI 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 touch Of surprise in 1t that any
explanation would be needed.
OIenry stepped back awkwardly.
Yes. sir beg your pardon for me
hasty speech"
The general manager turned to
Frances
Come. Let's 60 Frances"
The girl had been looking at Som
mers and he Mt 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 Ptnckney.
IF you don't explain aloud at once
why you attempted TO put Miss Du-
rant in an awkward position by lock-
Ing that door III break your head.
| How IN re1 Won lock that 1OOrS YoN-