Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-10-21

The man smiled aud shrugged hi
shoulders.
Good for little things. but how
would It work for big one?"
The question WIS lightly put. and al
three were smiling. The smiles on the
mems faces were just II bit set. Got
behind that question both knew there
was II great deal left unsald.
Frances tossed her head lightly, bu,
tho tone Of her answer was vital with
disfnvor.
And on the big ones. too. Mr.. som
mcrs. ] do always what seems best
to me"
f1nckuey turned away sharply. while
the smile In the face OF the naval OIL
Ger became more natural and II inle
broader.
You know ia like to soc this wire
less room" he said. 1T must be a
bully place"
"Oh. it's workroom," the girl in
sisted-"nothing foolish about It. I'm
not as good yet rs Edward at sending
and taking. but then have more time
to practice. and II he doesn't hustle
I'll beat him"
you Halter me-" said Pinckney.
Really Mr.. Sommers. she can beat
me. think, but we do have great
fun working over it."
Yes: Edward and | are more or
less partncrs-in this" agreed Frances
"Partuprsf'
Sommers trtcd to keep his tone light
ly unpcrsonal. but little hardness had
to creep in. The two men were so nat
urally antagonIstlc that probably they
| must have taken opposite sides ON
anything. and the feeling Of each for
the girl only tended to bring out more
keenly their Unborn nntipathy Since
the afternoon when Pinckney inter
rupted the practical love scene between
Frances and Sominers on tue hill above
the works the tension had been greater
than ever between the men. Each
treated the other with Ella horate cour-
tesy but 1t needed only Il word on
either side to bring about real trouble.
The more impusive and domineering
Plnckney had been close to the limit
of endurance several times. and on
each occasion the cool courtesy, the
splendid self control and the good
breeding OF the naval officer had pre-.
vented an outbreak Sommers realized
his position. He knew that Pinckney
was the manager of the works where
his gun was to be cast. He knew
also that Pinckney proha bly, in the end
would marry the girl they both loved.
hn b,I 81 1t; xt,.
of way. All this had made the naval
man circumspect in his dealings. He
could not afford to have an open break
with Pinckney.
An open fight between 4 naval officer
on duty. as Sommers practically was.
and manager OF big gun works
must result in a court martial and the
possible disgrace Of the officer. and un-
less the provocation were great it
would mean bringing the uniform into
disgrace by conduct which might be
construed as unbecoming an officer
and gentleman. Pinckney had no one
except Mr.. Durant to whom he must
account, and Sommers knew that
man rs clever and as INSCRIPTIONS as
he believed Pinckney IN some WAYS to
he would not hesitate to do anything
that might put n rival in an embarrass-
ing position. However. the naval man
could not imagine for Il moment that
the manager could be guilty Of any
conduct that might injure his work.
lie considered the matter between
them entirely n personal fight and he
believed that Pinckney's i'll will would
not go further than some petty spite
to lnJure him or supplant him with
Miss Durant. The thought that pinck.
ney and the girl were partners In
wireless telegraph scheme against his
will irritated the lieutenant.
"Couldn't see the ROOM" he asked
"Ihourh 1t does seem rather queer
your having workroom instead of q
music room or a studio"
"Or dressing room" laughed Fran.
ccs.
''Ics. or dressing room" he agreed
That's the sort Of thing we Nigh.
expect our young women of today to
have"
The girl tilted her chin proudly.
well. Mr.. Doubter. If you will Just
rome with me III show you it's real
workroom."
Indeed will" he agreed eagerly.
The girl arose.
Come on. then"
They had almost renched the door
when she remembered that Pinckuey |
had not been included in her invita-
ton. He was standing over by the |
both hands stuffed in his peck
cts. and was grimly looking into the
fire.
"Oh. | forgot" she exclaimed. "You
want to come too Edward? If you do.
rome ahead"
For second he seemed about to ac-
cept her invitation. Then she added
quickly:
But. then. 1t would bore you. You
ran come up any time"
The manager shrugged his shoulders
with elaborate carelessness
Yes: have something to do" he
confessed
Then. after they had gone, he turned
pack to the fire angrily with NUT
cred exclamation:
"I'ne,y that young cub"
CHAPTER ".
DESPERATE GAME