The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-04-02

He approached her threateningly.
"Oh, you're on their side, are you? !
thought sol"
Again he went close to her, almost
as If he meant to do her some VIC.
lence. His face was black with rage,
his fists were clenched.
Il never did believe in you. told
the men this morning. For all we
know, you've been working for the in.
terests of the trust all the time!"
Her wrath was boiling fiercely now,
and she showed the stuff of which she
was made. She went closer still to
Higgins, never wavering; giving back
no inch, although he lowered above
her, shaking with wrath, and worked
his clenching fingers ominously.
THAT will be about enough now
Higgins; you get out of this Office"
I'D like to see anybody try to put
me out till I'm ready to co." he shout.
ed.
To his amaZement and to hers, it
now developed that they had had lis
tener. An unexcited voice spoke from
one side.
Good morning, Miss Richards"
She whirled, recognizing instantly
the tones. Good morning, Mr.. Jones'
Higgins stood there speeches., gaz.
ing at the newcomer with dropping
jaw. Jackson waited not a second aft
er he had greeted Josie, but marched
f0 70
stood facing him. small but deter
mined, not six inches from the power
full, redshirted figure.
Instantly the foreman's manner
changed. From the bully he became
the fawner. ooh, hello, Mr.. Jones! l
didn't know you were in town."
Eyes, you did," said Jackson slowly,
coldly; Miss Richards just told you.
I've been standing out there listening
to what you had to say. I remember
you, Higgins. The only good thing
remember of you was that you were
funny when you had cramps in the
swimming hole. You always were a
crouch and forever nosing in other
peoples affairs. Now, l want to tell
you something. This pant belongs "a
me, and it's nobody's business wheth
er I keep it, or sell it, or give it away
Do you understand"
WELL" said Higgins, half in apology
half DULY, "the men asked me to come
here and get the information
They didn't ask you to come here
and insult this girl, did they? Now
I'll put you out of the Office, and throw
you out of the plant, and drive you out
of the town if hear any more red.f1re
talk out Of you
He paused, and Higgins stood, quite
humbled.
"The trust isn't going to buy this
plant" Broadway continued, while not
only Higgins, but Josie, gazed t. him
intently, gratefully, startled by the
overwhelmingly good news, "for the
simple reason that it isn't for sale, and
you can go and tell the men said So
Higgins now was much abashed
I'm sorry I was hasty, Mr.. Jones.
didn't mean to lose my temper"
"You don't want to lose your job, DE-
your
mo, sir"
Then go on; get out of here"
Yes, SIR" The big workman turned
to Josie. II hope you'll forgive me
Miss Richards. know I've got rot
ten disposition, but my hearts in the
right place."
Il understand" said Josie, who had
known him all her life.
iii tell the men what you said, Mr.
JONES'" he said to his employer-that
employer who had, in the past, EN-
ployed no one more important than a
butler, a chauffeur, Jap cook, or, tenn
porarily, a waiter or bellboy. 1t gave
Broadway quite little shock. Gosh
What relief it will be to them all =!
It's made a different man out of me al
ready"
To their amazement he broke down
blubbering like mammoth child.
We'll, what are you crying about?'
said Jackson, utterly nonplussed.
Because I'm happy" said the con
Trajectory Higgins. "There'll be 9th
ers to cry outside. You don't know
what it means to us-it saves ou1
homes and families, too, maybe" With
that and still intently numbering, be
left them.
Can you beat that?" asked Broad
way, turning back to Josie. Hes a
nice, cheerful little fellow! I'd like to
be around him whole lott"
CHAPTER x.
There was another than the foreman
who was happier than ordinary words
would have expressed, now that Jack.
son Jones had stated With vhot