The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1919-08-15
CHAPTER v-continued.

The door opened and Richard came
-. Almost simultaneously the outel
Ioor opened to admit Hardin. Who
would introduce the new general man
aEer to the dismissed one? The
thought flashed from MacI.ean to 81
ent. to the telegraph operator. Bode
se!dt doubled over the checkerboard
3retending not to see them. Confu
si0n. embarrassment was on every
nee. Nobody spoke. Hardin was
sOmins closer.
"Hello. Hardin"
"Hello, Richard"
1t appeared friendly enough to the
surprised Office. Both men were glad
hat 1t was over.
"Nice Offices" remarked Hardin, his
eeS outspread, his hands in his peck
sfx.
''Ogilvie lis satisfied with them
The men rather overdid the laugh.
Finding the dust pretty toush?" in
luired Hardin.
Il spent month in San Francisco
asst summer" was the rejonder
This is haven, though from the
street. Thought Id loaf for today
Was Hardin game to do the right
hing. Introduce him as the new chief
- his subordinates? Nothing. it de.
setoped. was further from his inten
ZION. Hardin. his legs outstretched
xept before his face the bland, i'm.
Denetrable smile of the oriental. |,
sas clearly not Richards move. The
checker players tidgeted. Richards
silence was interrogutive. Iardir
AiIl smiled.
The outer door opened.
The newcomer. evidently a favorite
~atkcA int" noisy welcome. the
boys embarrassment OVERRIDING it
He was OF middle height. s!en,ipr-n
Mexican with Castilian ancestry writ.
gen in his high-bred features. his grace
end his straight. dark hair"
Good morning Estrada" said Har.
lin with the same meaningless smile
Good morning. gentlemen" The
Fexican's greeting paused ut Richard
Mr.. Estrada, Mr.. Richard"
Everyone in the office saw Hardin
Nuh his other opportunity. He had
betrayed to everyone his deep hurt
ais raw wound. When he had
stepped down, under cover Of resig.
station. ne had saved his face by tell
ing everyone that rupture with
Aaitlnnd. one Of the directors 1T the
es.Drganized company. had made II
impossible for them to serve together.
aud that Maitlnnd's wealth and i'm.
portanca to the company demanded his
own sacrifice Two months before
Richards appearance Maitland had
Aeen discovered dead in his bath in a
los Angeles hotel. Though no one
sad been witless enough to speak of
fhrir hope to Hardin. he knew that
Ill hts force was daily expecting his
reinstatement. Richards entrance
Wns another stab to their chief.
1.-The son Of the general?" The new
manager held ont his hand. General
estrada. friend Of Mexican liberty
founder of steamship companies and
IN tiser of the Imperial valley?"
THAT makes me a brother Of the
straightforward smile was sensitive
And sweet
Estrada looked Mt Hardin. hesitated.
tl'srs passed on to the checker players
ana addressed MacLean:
y SAW your father in Los Angeles.
rEs .'aS been chosen to fill the vacancy
u,assa by MaitlanI'> death"
NacI.rHn'S eyes NAvcrcd toward
HasHin. whose non"halanre had not
sai'errd Had he not heard. or did
he kroN, already:
It'd like tn have a meeting. a con-
Ees ence. tomorrow morning" Richard
vs,.S speaking. Mr. Hardin, will you
ysat the hour AZ your convenicncet'
Because Ii WAS so kindly done, Har-
Sin showed his first resentment. at
sill, not be possible for me 10 be there.
Tim going to Los Angeles in the morn
Iny He turned and left the office,
Estrada following him.
"Gh. Mr. Hardin, you mustn't take il
tont way" he expoStulated, concern in
oact sensitive feature
@'C,, take orders from him. but he
gave ME none" yrowled Hardin. "lt's
0ot what you think. I'm not sore. But
don't like him. He's fancy dude
nos not the man for this job"
Then you knew him before?" II
us.> surprise to Estrada.
--At college. He was ny-er-tn
ssru..tor. Marshall found him In tAe
2AA1rnasU A theory sli0SSk'