Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-12-31
rai rhsnpsn Copyright Themsn All Rights Reserved

en- boss, worked desperately fast. The
huge traveller carrying the Sommers
gun moved slowly toward the waiting
oil bath. 1t was halfway there when
Smith, the iron bar still in his hand
met Sommers.
so you're coming to take charge OF
this job, are you?" he sneered.
The naval officer tried to push by. but
Smith got in front Of him.
See here" exclaimed Sommers an
grily, wait until you are sober before
you talk to me-, Now, get away and
attend to your work."
The order enraged Smith all the
more.
WHO are you giving orders to-" ne
yelled. Come on, now; get out OF
here! You'd better beat 1t up in the
Office" He jerked his thumb toward
the little overseeing office. Get In
there and talk to Pinckney. He's lock-
ed up there with lady friend of
yours"
Sommers' quick temper had begun to
flare at the insolence of the foreman.
He had not come out from the office In
time, and he did not know that 1t was
his gun which the traveller was slowly
bearing to the waiting Gil bath. He
saw only In front Of him an insolent,
drunken workman. who should be dis
charged for coming on duty in sucn
condition.
You drunken blackguard! I'll see
Pinekney, and II he doesn't discharge
you I'll kick you out Of here myself"
He flung the foreman aside and, rum
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
otner, 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 motioned to him.
The head craftsman came slowly.
He knew how important 1t was to keep
Sommers diverted from the main OBJ
ject and was nerved to play his part
until the gun should be disposed Of.
II wouldn't go In there II were you,
Mr.. Sommers," he suggested. Mr..
Pinckney's in there with 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 Lucy"
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. It 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 fiercely 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 Pinckney. At
the bottom of the steps the naval OFF,
Ger turned on the manager Of the works
with fierce contempt.
mo wonder you kept 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 men,"
Pinckney understood the mistake,
but II was anything to gain time now.
What business Is that of yours?" he
retorted angrily.
We'll, 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 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 of
Joe O'Leary.
The assistant foreman had been fix
ed up by the doctor and now, with q
bandaged head, had returned 10 the
works just in time to see Pinckney
and the girl with Sommers at the bot
tom of the steps. OLeary, too, misun-
derstood.
Mr.. Pinckney," he yelled. watch
me! l cross myself. l know what
you've done to others, but you can't do
1t to my girl. l cross myself, and with
1t 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
mers and O'Leary,
Tne wounded '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 al
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 AIMED, and she borrowed one
of Lucy's Smiths dresses so as not to
excite comment, that's all"
,.,IN