The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1910-01-15

officer turned on the manager Of the
works with. fierce contempt. s.5G. u
mo wonder you keep Smith drunk
on the jobv' he exclaimed. Haven't
you got sense Of shame enough not to
take his daughter in that Office before
all these men?' " u. '~.&
Pinckney understood the mistake,
but it was anything to gain time now.r
y what business is that Of yo,lrs7"
he retorted angrtly. = L.. 81,
"Well, I'll make it my business"
came the fierce reply. tits, my bust
ness when such conduct threatens to
ruin my work as we'll as ruin a girls
name. You ought to be ashamed of
yourself. Now, get her out quick.
Then take Smith of this job"
He turned his back CONTEMPORARY
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
a bandaged head, had returned to the
works just In time to see Pinckney and
the girl with Sommers ut the bottom
Of the steps. OLeary, too, misunder~
stood. . =. -.
"Mr. Pinckney," he yelled, watch
me! cross myself. know what
you've done to others, but you can't do
it to my girl l cross myself, and, with
it goes an oath that I'm going to kill
you with my bare handsw s.,
He rushed forward, and Pinckney
jumped back before his fierce 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 O'Leary.
The wounded O'Leary stopped,
aghast. -..
Miss Durant!' he said slowly, In
amazement. Sommers 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 O'Leary 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 it that any
explanation would be needed.
O'Leary stepped back awkwardly.
Eyes, sir. beg your pardon for me
hasty speech
The general manager turned to
Frances.
"Come! 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 them
could be restored. :
Finally, with a half sigh, she turned
and started to walk away. Sommers
stepped close to Pinckney. 49,
If you don't explain aloud at once
why you attempted to pat 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!'
1.-THE door wasn't locked" retorted
Pinckney aloud.
Frances heard. She stopped short,
her face flushed with shame Was 1t
possible that Sommers thought there
was anything wrong in her being
there? Then anger at herself for COM
ing and at him for letting himself pro-
woke scene swept her to action. She
turned and stepped back quickly to
the two men.
."Qon't say a word, Mr.. Pinckney,"
she ordered sharply. II forbid you to
speak. Lieutenant Sommers can think
for moment what his manner seems
to imply. refuse to give him any
explanation. I must also refuse to
even see him in the future"
Sommers looked at her aghast.
"Miss Durant, you don't under
stand" he exclaimed. -.
The girl looked him colby up and
down.
II do understand, Mr.. Sommers.
Good day." And, turning, she walked
quickly away. IS
Sommers looked after her for a
moment. then, seeing. the hopeless
.l|4 a ~ =.