Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-11-30
CHAPTER i.
Just Supposinq.

CHAPTER ].
Just Supposins.
From 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 belchinS
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.
Family the roar Of the furnaces, the
distant clang of the huge hammers
and the clamor of tine steel came to
him. 1t was a scene to stir the blood
of a man who loved action. For
few minutes the naval man looked in
silence; then he drew a long breath
and turned to the girl at his side.
And all this will be yours some
day." he said.
Frances Durant looked up with a
smile.
Yes; 1t does seem quite lot for
one wee bit of a girl to have, doesn't
it? But / can depend upon dad to
make some arrangements for running
1t. The steel works are his pride, you
know, and he is going to leave them a
monument to the name Of Durant."
Lieutenant Sommers half sighed.
..Pinckney is a lucky dog" he said
irrelevantly.
Lucky dog? The girl arched her
eyebrows as she asked the question.
"Why do you-say- that hrr-Sem-
mers. / don't understand"
Sommers smiled at her puzzled look,
though she really had right to be
puzzled, for why a man, young,
strong, good looking and an officer in
the navy, with a medal for bravery
already to his credit, should call an
other man lucky dog" was enough to
puzzle any girl of nineteen who was
as pretty and independent as Frances
Durant.
Il mean" exclaimed Sommers, that
he's a 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
see?"
The girl laughed in pleased fashion,
VERY clever, Mr.. Sommers. But
lust 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, L hope, Miss Durant,' he
said, but not rich. ] am an officer IN
the navy. and whatever we navy men
do, you know, belongs to Uncle Sam.
He took us and licked up into shape,
and he gives us our chance, and we
must work for him all our lives
We'll, anyhow, we are working for
YOU now" she said with satisfaction,
"and from all can hear about the
works your gun is going to be mar
vel. It's something to make gun, l
tell you, but it's more TO invent one.
Ned Pinckney makes them-makes
lots Of them-but you've invented one,
so think you are the lucky dog, not
he"
Her admiration was so genuinely
sincere that Sommers. against his will,
had to take 1t seriously.
1T wasn't just that l meant, Miss
Durant," he said. "A naval officer has
a lot, know. I thought he had ev-
erything in the world he could wish
until these last few weeks, since i
came here to superintended the cast
ing Of my gun"
What has made you changer? she
asked.
The man looked straight at her
"Ive 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 her
head after the fashion Of girls Of nine
teen and pretended she did not under
stand.
II don't see why that should alter
matters" she protested airily.
should think meeting me and meeting
other people here would make you
more in love with your own free
splendid life"
The navy man shook his head, anc
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
full. The life Is the finest on earth
But let's suppose a little from the
other side, and then you'll understand
why I said Ned Pinckney's a luck!
dog"
Yes"
Suppose a man is young and good
looking and clever and the manager
of a great plant like your fathers. and
suppose he's in love with you"
TT seems to me that you're great
supposer," laughed the girl.
He nodded.
That's about all 1 can be-a sup
noser. Supposing is just about as fai
as naval lieutenant can ever go WITT
the daughter of a steel millionaire.
The girl shook her head angrily.
Seems to me-" she declared, "tha
naval lieutenants are very queer peo'
pie even II they do wear medals fol