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HAWKINS
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CHAPTER II.
Uncle Richard Takes Notice.

Dick Bennington was loyal surpris-
ingly large number of other words might
be used to describe other phases of his
versatile personality, but the handspring
of most of his actions was loyalty. Many
Of his private problems came from clashes
between old loya3ties' and new: but as
Dick was still filled with the boyish de-
light in the limitless variety which smiled
on him from every side. he seldom went
to the bottom of things. and so was
scarcely conscious Of the power which his
own active fidelity held over him. He
was an enthusiastic believer in free Will.
and would have vehemently resented the
theory that he was not ruled by cold,
calculating reason. instead Of having his
every action biased by his own deep
seated loyalty.
Dick felt things keenly and quickly. and
as he caught the sarcasm in his uncie's
voice his loyalty to his new friends I'M
pelled him to their instant defense, while
his more seasoned loyalty to his uncle
restrained him from taking sides against
him. Dick found a distressing number
of rocks and whirlpools in his navigation
of the sea of life.
II think, taking everything into consid-
GRAFTON, that the expenses OF my tour or
the world were extremely moderate, he
said. slowly and with much dignity
An amused smile played behind the keen
features of his uncle, without quite MAX
ing its appearance on the surface Yes.
he responded, gravely. taking everything
into consideration, your expenses were
moderate: but l am rather OF the opinion
that there are three things which l wish
you mad not taken into consideration But
| that's all right, Dick. You've had your
| education and your trip. Now, tnen:
when will you be ready to start to work.!
II have already started to work: for,
| in sober truth, uncle, this last year has
been spent in preparing for and planning
my life work.
| I'm glad to see you in earnest. Dick;
| but I'm always a bit suspicious or that
'life-work' talk. and you've used 1t sew
eral times already. AS a general rule.
when any one is about to launch on some
| sort OF freakish adventure he calls 1t
life work. I'd little sooner you hitched
the words other end to. Your work HE
good and ready for It, When Will you be
ready, Dick, to start your education in
] the Bennington steel plant"
| The LOYALTY which Dick felt called on to
! feel for the steel plant was now present,
ing its side Of the case. and his eyes fell
to the carpet. which he appeared to study
| thorS..ehIy Il haven't thought of this
for years." he answered, slowly. ITO tell
you the truth, uncle. don IKE the steer
business
you don't. huh:" exclaimed that gen
tIeman. sharply. We'll, 1T has done q
| heap for you, and now it is up to you
| to do something for it. What do you
think life is? One continuous vacation?
| You have been perfectly aware all your
| life that at twenty-five you were to take
| your place in the plant. and since your
| fathers death. both your place and his.
| Think of your opportunities, Dick. You
| will have the controlling interest. You
will outweigh me. YOU Well. what in
thunder did you expect to do?'
"Oh. in a vague sort OF way. ! was re-
signed to going into the plant up to the
last year or So" replied Dick. as though
confessing fault. but now 1t seems
sordid sort of existence. want to de-
| vote myself to broader held. l want
work which will call forth every atom OF
my energy-physical, mental and moral"
i An expression OF surprise. bordering on
disgust crossed the uncle's face. Great
Scott, boy. This is exactly what the
plant offers. It doesn't stop at offering;
| it demands it, He paused. fumhled with
q newspaper for a moment. and then re-
sumed, in a conciiiatory tone: Have
you ever heard Of the National steel
mills. Dick?"