Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1919-03-13
CHAPTER N-contInusd.

CHAPTER M-contInusd.
Ths dsoe opened and Richard came
IN Almak simultaneously the outer
6o0f opened to admit Hardin. Who
would introduce the new general man.
ager to the dismissed one? The
thought flashed from MacLean to 81.
lent. to the telegraph operator. Bode.
eeldt doubled over the checkerboard
pretending not to see them. Confu.
sion, embarrassment was on every
eaes SoDody spoke. Hardin wal
ssming closer.
Hello. Hardin"
Hello, Richard"
1t appeared friendly enough to the
surprised ofiice. Both men were glad
that 1t was over.
'sNice Offices" remarked Hardin, his
legs outspread, his hands in his peck.
cts. "a.
"Ogilvie Is satisfied with them.'
The men rather oyerdid the laugh.
''Finding the dust pretty tough?" in.
qyired Hardin.
II spent a month In San francisco
last 1summer!" was the rejoinder
This is 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 subordlnates? Nothing, 1t de.
seloped, was further from his inten.
ton. Hardin, his legs outstretched
Kept before his face the bland, i'm.
penetrable smile Of the oriental. II
was clearly not Richards move. The
checker players ,ndgeted. Rickard'a
silence wac lnterrogatlve. Hardin
still smiled
The onter door opened.
The newcomer, evidently a favorite
salked Into a noisy welcome. the
boys" embarrassment OVERRIDING It
He was Of middle height, SLENDER
Aexican with Castilian ancestry writ.
ten in his high-bred features. his grace
and his straight. dark hair"
"GoOd morning, Estrada" said Har.
din with the same meaningless smile
Good morning, gentlemen" The
Aexican's greeting paused, at Rickard
'Mr. Estrada. Mr.. Richard"
Everyone in the ONCE saw Hardin
snub his other opportunity. He had
betrayed to everyone his deep. hurt
Oils raw wound. Wnen he had
stepped down, under cover Of resig.
nation, he had saved his face by tell.
Ing everyone that rupture with
Maitland, one Of the directors Of the
seorganized company. had made II
impossible for them to serve together,
and that Maitland's wealth and Inn
portance to the company demanded his
own sacrifice. Two months before
Richards appearance Maitland had
been discovered dead In his bath In q
Los Angeles hotel. Though no one
had been witless 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 generai?" The new
manager held out his hand. General
Estrada, friend of Mexican liberty.
founder Of steamship companies and
father Of the Imperial valley?"
That makes me q brother Of the
valley" -Estrada's smile was sensitive
and sweet.
Estrada looked at Hardin. hesitated.
chen passed on to the checker players
and addressed MacLean:
Il saw your father In Los Angeles.
He has been chosen toSfill the vacancy
made by Maitland's DEATH"
MacLeanss eyes wavered toward
Hardin. whose nonchalance had not
4aItered. Had he not heard. or did
he know, already7
I'D like to have meeting, a con-
ference. tomorrow morning" Richard
was speaking. ''Mr. Hardin. will you
ret the Hour, at your convenience"
Because It was so kindly done, Har-
din showed his first resentment. '.Il
will not be possible for me to be there.
I'm going to Los Angeles In the morn.
ing. He turned and left the Office
Estrada following him.
.Oh. Mr.. Hardin, you mustn't take II
that way" he exposruIatad, coacern IN
each sensitive feature.
sI'll take orders from him, out he
gave me none" growled Har6A. ats
not what you think. I'm not Acre. But
i don't like him. He's, fsAcy dude
He's mot the man, for this Job
sNJ,hor wnyv kysavv hin, tnfnrn - n