Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-10-30

he meant.
Yes. / have noticed Il. Mr.. Durant. -
he said Il hoped ] was mistaken.
would hate 20 see anything like that
because you know my interest IN Cy.
erything that concerns you, and par
ticularly IN Frances" he hesitate,
for. a moment. wondering just how O,
30 on.
Yes. I understand your interest BE-
said Durant kindly. Il understauD
that"
Thank you. sir" exclaimed Pincb
ney gratefully. You know. then. how
hard &c is for me 10 see her associatcG
with such a fellow as Sommcrs auG
what a blow It would be IL he were O.,
make her fond Of him"
Durant looked at the younger man
keeniy.
"D0 you mean there's anything
against this young fellow he asked
amy reason why Frances should avoid
himT
I'D rather not say. Mt Durant."
hesitated pinckney.
Durant was a straightforward OLD
fighter who liked 10 have people come
right out
III you can't say right out, why Do
You intimate. EdwardFr be demanded
steruiy. 81 don't like people who beat
about the bush. IL YOU have anything
ON this young fellow. come right out
and say SO. BE prepared 20 prove 90
and don't beat about the bush and
suggest an sorts OF things against him
90 Frances"
Pinckney rose and drew himself up
90 his fun height
I'm very sorry. Mr. Durant. that
YOU should think me capable OF such a
thing" ne said with dignity. 81
thought my interest was too well
proved Tor you 90 think that I would
do anything undermined say moth
ing against this fellow Sommers now.
because I'm not prepared 90 prove So:
but. remember this. Mr. Durant. he's
no good, and sooner or later you'll find
&c out ] only hope 50 won't be too
late"
purant looked NJ his young manager
keenly. Tie had no reason 20 suspect
that Pincbney would lie or do any
thing maliciously undetermined merely
90 put rival out OF the way. He had
known Edward from q boy and found
him always apparently devoted 90 the
Durant interests. All this made him
iEdge kindly when from another man
he would not have tolerated merc
backbulng.
All right. Edward" ne said kindly
You've proved yourself devoted 20
me. I think this IS just little over
enthusiasm I'm the Durant interests
As a general rule I've found these ma
val chaps straightforward. aecent
young fellows. and I'd hate to believe
otherwise. However. Wen watch him
and see Come 10 me If you get any
thing on him. but you know will not
stand FOR mere rumors and suspi-
cions"
He stopped abruptly. for the door
opened and the man OF whom they
were speaking. with Frances. came in
The quick eye OF the girl caught her
fathers angry mood.
What's the matter, dad - she asked
The old man turned 10 her. with "a
smile
Nothing at all. little one. except
Edwards been saying some things
that interest me greatly, and to show
him what think I'm going TO ask him
20 come TO the study and continue the
conversation. III leave you TO enter
tain Lieutenant Sommers II you'll ex-
cuse me-"
"Mr. Sommers was just going" said
Frances.
Yes" broke in Sommers, that bad
time when ] must say good night has
arrived"
How much longer VIII you he in
Pittsburg. Mr. SommersT" asked Du-
rant.
only until my gun is forged" re-
piled the lieutenant
Pinckney looked up in surprise.
"Oh. then you !ntend to remain 10
see the forging OF the gun yourself?"
SOmmers smiled at him.
is that surprising? I'm somewhat
interested. you know"
We're glad 10 have you, OF course.
MIR Sommers," spoke Up Durant. "Ev-
erything is at your service. Good
ulElJs SIT
The steel man shook hands and,
turning, started to his study. Pinck-
ney remained q moment behind.
cor coarse" be began rather eau
tiousIy, 1--WE are glad to have you, as
Mr.. Durant says, Mr.. Sommers. but
with your gun so well under way I
don't see how you can possibly be OF
any help to rs"
Just a slight hardening OF his tone
made Pinckney's speech mean only
too plainly. There's no use in your
staying, because we don't want You"
But the naval man overlooked entirely
the Implication. Instead OF taking Of
Tense he smiled courteousIy. 4
81 had no idea OF being OF any help.
Mr. Pinckney. only want to be on
hand when the tempering Is done"
You mean at The work In the fur