Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1912-02-20
CHAPTER iii.

CHAPTER III.
It was October when the consulta-
ton was held in the library of the
lold French house on the Hudson;
December was very near on the sunny
morning that Emily drove out to the
factory and sought Bailey in his Of
flee.
Il wanted to talk with you," she ex-
planned, as that gentleman rose to-
receive her. 1--WE have known each
other for a long time, Mr.. Bailey;
ever since came from the Sacred
Heart to live with Uncle Ethan. That
lis very long time"
ITS matter Of five or six years"
agreed the charmed Bailey, contem-
plating her with affectionate pride in
her prettiness and grace "You used
to drive out here with your pony and
spend many an hour looking on and
asking questions. You'll excuse me,
Miss Emily, but there was many
man passed the whisper that you'd
have made fine master OF the
works"
She shook her head, folding her
small gloved hands upon the edge of
the desk at the opposite sides OF
which they were seated.
"At least would have tried. am
quite sure would have tried. But
am only girl came to ask you
something regarding that" she lifted
her candid eyes to his, her soft color
rising "Do you know-have you ever
met any men who cared and under
stood about such factories as this?
Men who could take charge of bust
ness, the manufacturing and racing
and selling, like my uncles? have
reason for asking"
"Sure thing" said Bailey, unexpect.
etily prompt. 1--WE met one man who
knows how to handle this factory bet
ter than do, and I've been at 1t
twelve years. And there he is" he
turned in his revolving chair and
rolled up the shade covering the glass
set door into the next room, my
manager. Lestrange."
The scene thus suddenly opened to
, the startled Emily. was sufficiently
maiter-of-fact, yet not lacking In
certain sober animation Of its own.
Around a drafting table central In the
bare, systematic disorder of the apart
ment beyond. three or four blue-shirt-
ed men were grouped. bending over
q set OF drawings. which Lestrange
was explaining. Explaining with
vivid interest In his task that sparkled
over his clear face in changing play
Of expression almost mesmeric in its
command Of attention. The men
watched and listened intently; they
themselves NO common laborers, but
the intelligent workmen who were to
carry out the ideas here set forth.
Wherever Lestrange had been, he was
coatless and the sleeves OF his cutting
shirt were rolled back, leaving bare
the arms whose smooth symmetry re-
vealed little OF the racing drivers
strength; his thick brown hair was
rumpled into boyish waves and across
has forehead q fine black streak
wrote OF recent personal encounter
with things practical.
sOhl" exclaimed Emily family. And
after q moment, CLOSE the curtain,
please"
None Of the group in the next room
had noticed the movement OF the
shade, absorbed In one another; any
sound being muffied by the throb OF
adjahent machinery. Bailey obeyed
the request, and leaned back In his
chair.
That's Darling Lestrange," he
stated with satisfaction. That's his
own design for an oiling system he's
busy with, and it's a beauty. He's
entered for every big race coming this
season, starting next week In Geor
ria. and meantime he oversees every
department in every building as II
never was done before. The man FOL
me, he Is"
Emily made an unenthusiasdc sign
OF agreement.
AT meant very different man from
Mr.. Lestrange," she replied, her dig
nifty altogether French. Il have nc
doubt that he Ia all you say, but
was thinking OF another class.
meant-well, meant gentleman"
"Oh, you meant a gentleman" 70
piled Bailey, surveying her oddly. =
didn't know, you see. No; l DOM
know any one like that"
THANK you. Then win go. IA
does not matter"
She did not go, however. but ~
manned leaning on the arm Of hel
chair in troubled reverie. her lonl
llashes- lowered Bailey nat - quietly