The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1919-03-21
CHAPTER V-Continued.

The door opened and Richard came
In Almost simultaneously the outer
door opened to admit Hardin. Who
would introduce the new general man
hger to the dismissed one? The
thought flashed from MacLean to ST.
lent to the telegraph operator. Bode-
feldt doubled over the checkerboard
pretending not TO see them. Confu-
sion, embarrassment was on every
face. Nobody spoke. Hardin was
coming closer.
Hello, Hardin"
Hello, Richard"
1t appeared friendly enough to the
surprised office. Both men were glad
That 1t was over.
Mice Offices" remarked Hardin. his
legs Outspread, his hands in his peck
cts.
"OgiIvie is satisfied with them"
The men rather overdid the laugh.
'Finding the dust pretty tough?" in
CURED Hardin.
81 spent a month in San Francisco
last summer :" was the rejoinder
i'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 subordinates? Nothing. 1T de-
veloped, was further from his inten-
ton. Hardin. his legs outstretched,
kept before his face the bland, i'm
penetrable smile Of the oriental. 1t
was clearly not Richards move The
checker players fidgeted. Richards
silence was interrogative. Hardin
still smiled
The outer door opened
The newcomer, evidently favorlte,
walked into a noisy welcome, the
boys" embarrassment OVERRIDING it.
He was of middle height, slender-a
Mexican 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
Mexican's greeting paused at Richard.
Mr.. Estrada. Mr.. Richard"
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 a resig-
nation, he had saved his face by tell
ing everyone that a rupture with
Maitland, one of the directors of the
reorganized company. had made it
impossible for them to serve together,
and that Maitland'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
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.
1.-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 valley?"
THAT makes me a brother of the
vaIley'-Estrada's smile was sensitive
and sweet.
Estrada looked at Hardin. hesitated.
then passed on to the checker players
and addressed MacLean:
Il saw your father in Los Angeles.
He has been chosen to fill the vacancy
made by Maitland's DEATH
Hardin, whose rsachalance had not
faltered. Had h4 not heard, or did
he know, already
I'D like to haze a meeting, a con-
ference. tomorroG morning" Richard
was speaking. ''Mr. Hardin. will you
set the hour ut your convenience
Because IL way so kindly done. Har-
din showed his first resentment. ut
will not be possible for me TO be there.
I'm going TO Los Angeles in the morn
ing. He turned ard left the office,
Estrada following him.
"Oh, Mr.. Hardin, you mustn't take it
that way" he expostulated, concern in
each sensitive feature.
'I'll take orders from him. but he
gave me none," growled Hardin. Its
not what you think. I'm not sore. But
l don't like him. He's a fancy dude.
He's not the man for this job"
Then you knew him before?" 1t
was a surprise TO Estrada.
AT college. He was my-er-in-
structor. Marshall found him in the
classroom. A theory singer"
Estrada's thoughtful glance rested
on the angry face. Was this genuine.
or did not Hardin know of the years
Richard had served on the road; of
the job In the heat-baked barrancas
of Mexico, where Marshall had found"
him? But he would not try again to
persuade Hardin to give up his trip
TO Los Angeles. 1t might be better.
after all, for the new manager to take
charge with his predecessor out Of
the way.
'MacLean's coming down tonight"
he threw out. still watching Hardin's
lace. with Babcock."