The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-11-18


could still get the business and not
gouge the government Sommers is an
officer In the navy and can claim no
royalty. II would reduce the cost of
every twelve inch gun Sl2.0OO."
Pinckney bowed in agreement. then
suggested:
"You are partly right. Mr.. Durant.
but II they took his gun there would
be no certainty about our getting the
order. We would have to compete In
the open. and some one might under
bid us"
I'VE can't help that" replied his
chief. rs Sommers' gun better than
oursg"
Pinckney looked up Indignantly.
"Of course not" he exclaimed. "but
Sommers has influence. and do not
trust him., I think he'd be capable Of
any dirty trick to have our gun turned
down."
Durant laid his hand on the young
managers arm In kindly fashion.
Now. now. Edward" he said mean.
ingly. Il like your enthusiasm: it's
good for the business. but you must
not let your enthusiasm lead you TO
foolish hatred. This young Sommers
seems 10 me TO be very decent sort
OF young fellow. | never saw him be-
fore tonight. but was quite fayorably
impressed Frances also seems TO like
him very much"
$50 you've noticed that. too. have
youg" sneered the manager.
Frances father looked up sharply.
/ Yes: nav. you:" be- asked
Again pinekney hesitated. IL was
time for careful work now. lie could
not afford 10 make an open rupture or
say anything about direct explana-
ton. 20 he began using all his diplo-
macy. suggesting by look and gesture
rather than by open accusation what
he meant.
/ Yes. have noticed II. Mr.. Durant,"
:, he said. Il hoped ! was mistaken.
would hate 10 see anything like that
because you know my Interest In ev.
erything that concerns you. and par
ticularly In Frances" He hesitate.
for a moment. wondering just how 10
| go on.
"Yes. understand your interest"
said Durant kindly. Il understand
that"
Thank you. sir" exclaimed Plnck-
ney gratefully. .You know. then. how
hard II Is for me 10 see her associated
with such a fellow as Sommers and
what a blow Il would be II be were TO
make her fond of him
Durant looked nj the younger man
keenly.
do you mean there's anything
against this young fellow he asked
"any reason why Frances should avoid
himy'
I'D rather not say. Mr. Durant. :
hesitated Pinckney.
Durant was a straightforward old
fighter who liked 10 have people come
right out
If you cant say right out. why d.
you intimate. Edward be demanded
sternly. Il don't like people who beat
about the bush. II you have anything
on this young fellow. come right out
and say 50. BE prepared TO prove II
aud don't beat about the bush and
suggest All sorts Of things against him
merely because hes paying attention
20 Frances
/ Pinckney rose and drew himself up
TO his full height.
I'm very sorry. Mr. Durant. that
you should think me capable Of such a
thing" be said with dignity n
thought my interest was too well
proved for you 10 think that would
do anything undetermined. say moth
ing against this fellow sommers now.
because I'm not prepared 20 prove u;
|. but. remember this. Mr. Duranf. he's
, no good. and sooner or later you'll find
II out ! only hope II won't be too
late"
Durant looked NJ his young manages
keenly. lie had no reason 60 suspect
that Plnckney would lie or do any
thing malIciousiy underhanded merely
! 20 put rival ont Of the way. lie had
known Edward from boy and found
him always apparently devoted 20 the
Durant interests. All this made him
iisdge kindly when from another maj
he would not have tolerated mer,
backbitinr.
|. "All right. Edward" he said kindly
you've proved yourself devoted q
me. think this is Just n little over
. enthusiasm IN the Durant interests
As q general rule. i've found these ma
val chaps Straightforward. decent
young fellows. and 10 hate 10 believe
: otherwise. However. we'll watch him
, and see Come TO me II you get any.
! thing on him. but you know will not
: stand for mere rumors and suspi.
cions"
He stopped abruptly. for the door
opened and the man OF whom they
/. were speaking. with frances. came In.
The quick eye Of the girl caught her
I fathers angry mood.
, whats the matter. dndT' she asked.
The old man turned TO her. with a
; smile
1 Nothing at all. little one. except
/ Edwards been saying some things
tlat interest me greatly. aud 10 show
| him what think I'm going 70 ask him
70 come 20 the study aud continue tho
!. conversation. I'll leave you 10 enter.