The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-09-18
CHAPTER I.
JUST suPPosrNe.

- | w%RoM the brow of the hill above
 the Durant works Lieutenant
 Sommers, United States navy,
 looked over, the city of steel stretched away at his feet.
 He saw the acres of huge buildings, their hundreds of chimneys belching forth streams of black smoke; the long streets lined with the houses of the workmen and here and there figures that seemed in the distance pygmies hurrying to and fro.
 Faintly the roar of the furnaces, the distant clang of the huge hammers and the clamor of the steel came to him. It was scene to stir the blood of a man who loved action. For few min utes the naval man looked in silence; then he drew long breath and turned to the girl at his side.
 And all this will be yours some day,'' lie said.
 Frances Durant looked up with smile
 ..Yes; it does seem quite a lot for one wee bit of girl to have, doesn't 1t? But can depend upon dad to make some arMngements for running it. The steel works are his pride, you know, and he is going to leave them monument to the name of Durant." Lieutenant Sommers half sighed.
 'Pinckney is lucky dog" he said ir- relevantly
 Lucky dogg' The girl arched her eyebrows as she asked the question. "Why do you say that, MT. Sommers? don't understand"
 Sommers smiled at her puzzled look, though she really had right to be puzzled, for why man, young, strong good looking and an officer in the navy, with medal for bravery al- ready to his credit, should call another man lucky dog" was enough to pug gle any girl of nineteen who was as pretty and independent as Frances 2 Durant.
 T mean. exclaimed Sommers, .4that he's lucky dog because any man who is young and the manager of place like this and has the prospects ahead of working throughout his life for you. must be a lucky dog. Can't you seer'
 The girl laughed in pleased fashion.
 Very clever, Mir. Sommers. But just now you are twice as lucky as Ned Pinckney, for the Durant steel plant is working for you, turning out the gun that is going to make you rich and famous"
 The officer shook his head, smiling somewhat sadly.
 Famous, hope, Miss Durant," he said, but not rich. I am an officer in the navy, and whatever we navy men do, you know, belongs to Uncle Sam. He took us and licked us into shape, and hs gives us our chance, and we must work for him all our lives.''
 Well, anyhow, we are working for you now,n she said with satisfaction, land from all I can hear about the works your gun is going to be a mar vel. It's something to make a gun, I tell you, but it's more to invent one. Ned Pinckney makes them-makes lots of themrbut you've invented one, so think you are the lucky dog, not be-"
 Her admiration was so genuinely sincere that Sommers, against his will, had to take it seriously.
 Tt wasn't just that I meant, Miss Durant," he said. A naval officer has lot, know. I thought he had every thing in the world he could wish until these last few weeks, since I came here to superintened the casting of my gum
 "What has made you changer she asked.
 The man looked straight at her.
 "I've met you,' he said.
 The girl bit her lips, for she knew her face had grown suddenly red, and that irritated her. So she tossed hen head after the fashion of girls of nine x teen and pretended she did not. under stand
 T don't see why that should alter matters she protested airily. q should think meeting me and meeting other people here would make .you more in love with your own free, splen- did life''
 The navy man shook his head, and his smile was just little grim.
 Perhaps it might make me in love, but not with navy life" he suggested. Don't you see? The navy is wonder fuI The life is the finest on earth. But let's suppose little from the other side, and then you'll understand why said Ned Pinckney's a lucky dog.s
 ..Yes.'
 ssSuppose a man Is young and good $ AL