New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1919-03-28
CHAPTER V-Continued.

In. Almost simultaneously the QUITE
door opened to admit Hardin. VII
would introduce the new general mar
ager to the dismissed one? TIL
thought flashed from MacLean to S
lent. To the telegraph operator. Bodt
fcldt doubled over the chcckerboard
pretending not to see them. Confl
sion, embarrassment was on ever,
face. Nobody spoke. Hardin wa
coming closer.
Hello. Hardin"
"~II"llo. Ricknrd."
1t appeared friendly enough to tn
surprised office. Both mrn were glat
That it was over.
"Nirc Offices remarked Hardin. hi,
legs %outsprcad, his hands in his peck
cts.
"Ogilvie is satisfied with them
The men rather overdid the laugh.
"Finding the dust pretty toughi" in
uuired Hardin.
Il spent n month in san Francisco
last summer" was the rejoindcr
"Th1s is Il haven. though, from the
street. Thought I'd loaf for today
Was Hardin game to do the right
thing. introduce him as the new chief
to his subordinates? Nothing, it de.
velopcI was further from his intcn-
fion. Hardin. his legs outstretched
kept before his face the bland, i'm
penetrnbl" smile of the oriental. II
was clearly not richards move. The
checker players tidgctcd. Richards
silence was in~tcrrogntivc. Hardin
still smiled.
The outer dOOr opened.
Til" newcomer, evidently n favoritc,
walked into II noisy welcome. the
boys" embarrassment OVERRIDING it.
He was of middle height, slendcr-a
Mexican with taStilian ancestry writ
ten in his high-brcd features. his grace
and his straight, dark hair"
Good morning, Estrada" said Har-
ain with the same meaningless smile.
Good morning, gentlemen" The
MeXican's greeting paused mt Richard.
"Alr. Estrada, Mr.. Itickard."
Everyone in the office saw Hardin
snub his other opportunity. He had
betrayed to everyone his deep hurt,
his raw wound. When he had
stepped down. under cover Of Il resig-
nation, he had saved his face by tell
Ing everyone that Il rupture with
Maitland. one of the directors of the
r~eOrganized company, had made 1t
impossible for them to serve together,
and that Maitlnnd's wealth and i'm
portance to the company demanded his
own sacrifice. Two months before
Richards appearance Maitland had
been discovered dead in his bath in n
Los Angeles hotel. Though no one
had been wltless enough to speak of
their hope to Hardin. he knew that
all his force was daily expecting his
reinstatement. Richards entrance
was another stab to their chief.
"The son of the general?" The new
manager held out his hand. General
Estrada. friend of Mexican liberty.
founder of steamship companies and
father of the Imperial valleyT"
THAT makes me n brother of the
vnlley"-Estrada's smile IA sensitive
and sweet.
Estrada looked at Hardin, hesitated,
then passed on to- the checker players
and addressed MacLean:
II saw your father in Los Angeles.
He has been chosen to fill the vacancy
made 10y Maitland'S death"
MacLean's eyes Wavpred toward
Hardin. whose nonchalance had not
faltered. Had he not heard. or did
he know. already? ;
I'D like 10 have a meeting, q con-
ference. tomorrow morning" Richard
was speaking. "Nfr. Hardin, will you
set the hour at your convenience?"
Because IT was so kindly done, Har-
din showed his first resentment. ut
will not be possible for me to be there.
Tim going to Los Angeles in the morn
ing. He turned and left the Office,
Estrada following him.
"Oh. Mr.. Hardin, you mustn't take it
way" he expostulated. concern In
each sensitive feature.
"Tll take orders from him. but he
gave me none" growled Hardin. ats
not what you think. I'm not sore. But
| don't like him. He's a fancy dude.
He's moi the man for this job"
Then you knew him before?" 1t
a surprise to Estrada.
AT college. He was my-er-in-
Marshall found him in the
A theory singer"
Estrada's thoughtful glance rested
the angry face. Was this genuine.
,r did not Hardin know of the years
had served on the road; of
he job in the heat-baked barrancas
" Mexico. where Marshall had found"
him? But he would not try again to
persuade Hardin to give up his trip
Los Angeles. 1t might be better.
all, for the new manage to take
with his predecessor out of
he way.
"NncLean's coming down tonight"
threw out, still watching Hardin's
zee with Babcock." :
Il won't be missed" Hardin's