The Redwood gazette., 1909-11-10

OIL Datn. lie saw only in front of him
an insolent, drunken workman. who
should be discharged for coming on
duty in such condition.
You drunken backguard I'll see
Pinckney. and if he doesn't discharge
you I'll kick you out of here myself"
He flung the foreman aside and run
ming up the steps to the office, tried
the door. 1t was locked, and his knock
brought 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 back
ground. and 1hotioned to him.
The head craftsman came slowly.
He knew how important it was to
keep Sommers diverted from the main
object and was nerved to play his
part until the gun should be disposed
of.
Il wouldn't go in there if | were
you, Mr.. Sommers," he suggested
MIR. Pinckney's in there with a girl''
Sommers had been about the works
long enough to know Pinckney's repu-
tation 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.
Il think it's Smiths daughter, Lu-
cy,' 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
oncer' 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 fho shawl oomo a ftop D;pcIypov
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
all these men?"
Pinckney understood the mistake,
but it was anything to gain time now
"What business is that Of yours p
he retorted angrily.
"Well, I'll make it my business" !"
came the fierce reply. Its my busi-
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 off this job"
He turned his back contemptuously
on Pinckney and the girl just in time
to meet the blazing, wrathful face CT
Joe O'Leary.
The assistant foreman had been
fixed up by the doctor and now, with
bandaged head, had returned to the
works just in time to see Pinckney and
the girl with SOmmers at the bOtto n
Of the steps. O'Leary, too, misundcr-
stood.
"Mr. Pinckney," he yelled, watch
me! / cross myself. I know what
you've done to others, but you can't do
it to my girl. l cross myself, and with
it goes an oath that I'm going to kill
you with my bare handsr'
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
mers and O'Leary.
The wounded O'Leary stopped,
aghaSt.
Miss Durant!" he said slowly, in
amazement. Sommers stared, startled,
not knowing what to say Then he
saw the expression on the mems faces,
and that forced him to speak.
"Mr. 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 it that any
explanation would be needed.
O'Leary stepped back awkwardly.
Eyes, sir. beg your pardon for me
hasty speech"
The general manager turned to
Frances.
"COmei Let's go. Frances"