The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1919-02-13
CHAPTER VI.
Red Tape.


At ten o'clock the next morning Har.
din, entering the office, again the gem
eral managers, found there before him
George MacLean, the new director, and
Percy Babcock, the treasurer, who had
been put in by the Overland Pacific
when the old company was reorgan-
lied. They had just come in from Los
Angeles, the trip made in MacLean's
private car, to attend a directors meet
ing.
Rickard entered few minutes later,
Estrada behind him. Ogilvie followed
Rickard to his desk.
Ogilvie explained lengthily that he
had the minutes Of the last meeting.
leave them here" Rickard waved
him toward Estrada, who held out his
hand for the papers.
Reluctantly the accountant relin.
quished the papers. His retreGting
coattails looked ludicrously whipped
but no one laughed. Hardin's scoM
deepened.
Showing his power" he thought.
@He's going to call for new pack
Estrada pushed the minutes through
with but few unimportant Interrupt
tions. He was sitting at the same desk
with Rickard. Hardin. sensitive and
sullen, thought he saw the meetirs
managed between them.
Several times he attempted to bring
the tangled affairs Of the water .om.
panies before the directors. Rickard
would not discuss the water compa:
MES.
Because he's not posted He's be-
ginning TO see what he's up against. I
ran Hardin's stormy thoughts.
He was on his feet the next min
with q melton to complete the Han
headgatc. Violently he declaimed Ec
Babcock and MacLean his wrongs, the
Injustice that had been done him. Mar
shaIi had let that fellow Maltlaad con-
vince him that the gate was not prac-
ticable; had it not been for him the
gate would be in place now; all fDts
time and money saved. And the Mnit-
land dam, built instead! Where was
it? Where was the money the time,
put in that little toy? Sickenlng! His
face purpled over the memory. why
was he allowed to begin again with.
tie gate? answer me that. Why.
was l allowed to begin again? It's all
child's play, that's what 1t is. And
when 1 am in it again up to my neck
he pulls Ele off ]"
This was the real Hardin, the un-
cOuth, averaged Lawrence student!
The new manner was just veneer.
Rickard had been expecting it to wear
thin.
81 Think" interjected Rickard, "that
we all agree with Mr.. Marshall, Mr..
Hardin, that wooden headgate on silt
foundation could never be more than
q makeshift. | understood that the
first day he visited the river with you
he had the idea to put the ultimate
gate, the gate which would control the
water supply Of the valley, up at the
Crossing on rock foundation. Mr.. Mar
shall does not expect to finish that IN
time to be of first use. He hopes the
wooden gate will solve the immediate
problem. 1t was case Of any port IN
a storm. He has asked me to report
my opinion"
"Why doesn't he give me chance
to' go ahead then?" growled the de-
posed manager. Instead Of letting
the intake widen until it will be an Inn
possibility to confine the river there
at all%
$50 you do think that 1t will be an
impossiblity to complete the gate as
plannedl"
Hardin had run too fast. IT didn't
mean that" he stammered. II mean
1t will be difficult If we are delayed
much longer"
"Have you the force to re-begin
work at once?" demanded Rickard.
"I had It," evaded Hardin. Il had
everything ready to go on-men, ma
terial when we stopped the last
time"
Answer my question, please
"I should have to assemble them
again." admitted Hardin sulkily. I
Rickard consulted his notebook. II
think we've covered everything. Now
want to propose the laying of spur
track from Hamlin's Junction to the
Heading" His manner cleared the
stage of supernumeraries; this was
the climax. Hardin looked ready to
spring.
"And in connection with that the de-
velopment of quarry in the e
hills back Of Hamlins," cont
ard, not looking at Hard
Instantly Hardin wa
His fist thundered on