The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1909-12-30

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
officer turned on the manager of the
works with fierce contempt.
mo wonder you keep Smith drunk
on the jobr' he exclaimed. Haven't
you got sense OF shame enough not to
take his daughter in that Office before
all these menf"
Pinckney understood the mistake,
but 1t was anything to gain time now.
What business is that Of yoursT"
he retorted angrily.
"Well, I'll make II my business"
came the fierce reply. ITS my bust
ness when such conduct threatens to
ruin my work AZ well as ruin a girls
name. You ought to be ashamed of
yourself. Now. get her out quick.
Then take Smith or 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
fixed up by the doctor and now, with
n bandaged head. had returned to the
works inst IN time to see Pinckney and
the girl With Sommers at the bottom
Of the steps, 0Leary, too, misunder-
stood.
"Mr, Pinckuey," he yelled, watch
me! cross myself. l know what
you've done to others, but you can't do
It to my girl. cross myself, and with
It goes an oath that I'm going to kill
you with my bare hands,
He rushed forward. and Pinckney
jumped back before his 6erce 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 OLeary.
The wounded o'Leary stopped.
aghast.
Miss Durant"' he said slowly. In
amazement. Sominers 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 OLeary 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 a touch Of surprise in 1t that any
explanation would be needed.
O'Leary stepped back awkwardly.
"Yes. sir. ! beg your pardon for me
hasty speech"
The general manager turned tC
Frances.
"Comel Let's 60. Frances"
The girl had been looking at Som
mers and he at her. Both knew that
something more was needed. Some
thing more must be said before the
perfect understanding between then
could he restored.
Finally, with II half sigh. she turned
and started to walk away. Sommer'
stepped close to Pinckney.
IF you don't explain aloud at once
why you attempted TO put Miss Du
rant in an awkward position by lock
ing that door I'll break your head
How dared you lock that door? You
with your reputation about these
works! Speak"
"The door wasn't locked" retorteC
Pinckney aloud.
Frances heard. She stopped short
her face flushed with shame. Was 1
possible that Sommers thought ther,
was anything wrong In her beinl
there? Then anger at herself for com
ing and at him for letting himself pro
woke scene swept her to action. Sh'
turned and stepped back quickly t.
the two men.
Don't say a word. Mr. Pinckney.'
she ordered sharply. 81 forbid you t.
speak. Lieutenant Sommers can thinl
for moment what his manner Seems
to imply. | refuse to give him any
explanation. must also refuse t.
even see him in the future"
Sommers looked at her aghast.
Miss Durant. you don't under
= stand" he exclaimed.
The girl looked him coldly up ant
: down
81 do understand. Mr.. Sommers
l Good day" And, turning she walke'
, quickly away.
: Sommers looked after her for
t moment, then, seeing the hopeless
/ ness Of the misunderstanding. turne,
! back to the furnaces AS he did s
for the first time he noticed his GU
being transferred to the temperin
bath.
, Here! What's this?" he shouted
! But before he could say more Smit
) had stepped in front of him.
The foreman was wild with drunB
en- glee now. He had won, he fell
; and there was nothing TO do but hol