The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1910-01-06
CHAPTER XIV.

-
"HE Durant gun works was IN a
fever of excitement. Ever since
the forging Of thr Sommcrs
gun events Of Importance had
happened In such close succession that
about the works generally was the
feeling of stunned amazempnf. The
Office force and even the hands when
they met would look nj each other
fearfuIly. What would happen next:
Nolone could fell. But all were sure
something dreadful might be expected
First had come the fight In the fur.
mace room. when Sommers was nearly
killed: then the discharge Of Smith.
but with the rumor that he had gone
10 work In another plant controlled by
Mr.. Durani: next had followed ter.
rible explosion Of the Sommers gun,
and now was fhe shlpwreck. the won
derful rescue through tbe bravery OF
Sommers and Frances Durant. finally
TO eliminate in a rigid investigation "a
be held 10 the Durant works. SO Nc
wonder the thousands connected df
rectly and indirectly with the Durani
works were 10 a fever Of excitement.
The story Of The heroic rescue had
been told over and over again. AZ
knew how Frances voluntarily had
stayed behind on the wrecked yacht q.
ohara arnarantlw ...rfatt. aa..sh sxtsf
the heroic young naval nffi,rr. u VII.
plain Thar she loved hiTA and he ioves
her. and All the gossips were sfrainins
their imaginations 10 conjure just
what would he the result when tbs
girls lover was tried AZ the couri mar
fiaI for the loss Of his gun. forged 10
her fathers works.
As som as the Mongolian reached
New York The survivors ~ fhe irressa
had landed Pinckney hurried 10 I'ifts
burg 90 the first train. hut sommer,
stayed over few hours 70 make tbs
trip with Frances and her mother
Mr.. Duranf had met them there. and
all came on Together The steel mar
was not given 10 many words Som
mers waS equally undemonsiraiive
They had wrnHg each others hands
with mutual rpSflerf and esteem. llni
there tad lpepn 10 words ~ the rrla
lion which all know must exist ~.
tween the varng officer and Frnnrex
The girl had said noihin- Even be-
mother was not IN her ccnfdenre.
on The frir from New Y,.s 10 PITTS
burg Mrs. Ilnram tad f"S time q
take NJ the subject with her nn~land.
"lt's no use. George" she said "Ed
ward hasn't ehance. That wrecl
Killed any fpeliug she ever had W.
were MI IN the wireless rupm. an
when be Ieran 10 hungie and send
foolish messages Mr. sonmerv in~
caught him ~ The collar. pulled hin
away from the key and mt him ont
side. n yuu had seen Frnnres' fae'
then ron would know Edward wal
done. You must give Sir. Snmners "
cry opportunity 20 clear himself o.
blame"
George nurant nodded 10 agreement
-i'Il give him every chance. m,
dear be sald. give him chance
that's all anv man can ask
Now the day ~ sommers' chanc,
was NJ hand. for Mr.. Durant had pn
bis books ard the entire force 81 IN,
works In charge Of Bradley 10 ferrp
out The truth.
pInckney. with few hours start
hurried ~ the syorks NJ fast NJ posi-
blr. lie wanted 10 meet Marsh bcfm'
the Investigation hogan. tie mus
know what Marsh bad told Bradley
Their stories must agree. Rnt the firs
blurted uuextlon brought another sur
prise 10 The chief conspirator.
u kaven'f seen any secret servic,
man. There hasn't been any aroun,
here" protested Marsh.
PlnckDey shook his head impatient
~.
"Don.t te foolish. Marsh. You sav
him and talked TO him. lie qupsiione,
you here nearly q month ago. III
name was RradIey.y
Marsh. thoroughly frightened NJ IN
idea ~ sp.ref service men working or
a ease. could only rcdoublc bis pro
test.
= haven't spen him. ! haven't takes
to anybody didn't know 10 a month
pinckney gave relieved sigh.
Then he blnfred me-" he saId. "Bu
now listen. This investigation n com
Ing % to-day. We're al right. N 20,
keep your bead for bali M hour 20,
can't 60 wrong And we begin worI
on government contract for III
RbInestrom tomorrow"
what must ssyY' inquired the 10