Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1919-04-04
CHAPTER v--cOntIuued.

Inc uoof optNti hlu ititktiu cdnt
In. Almost simultaneously the outer
door opened to admit Hardin. Who
would Introduce the new general man
sger to the dismissed one7 The
thought flashed from MacLean 10 81
lent. 70 the telegraph operator. Bode-
feidt doubled over the checkerboard,
pretending not 70 see them. Confu-
sion, embarrassment was on every
face. Nobody spoke. Hardin was
coming closer.
Hello. Hardin"
-Hello. Richard"
II appeared friendly enough 10 the
surprised Office. Both men were glad
thnt 1t was over.
"Nicc Offices" remarked Hardin. his
legs outsprcad. his hands IN his peck
cts.
-Ogflvie IS satisfied with them"
The men rather overdld the laugh.
Finding the dust pretty tough7" In
CURED Hardin.
Il spent a month In San Francisco
last summer y was the rejonder
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
20 HIS subordinates7 Nothing. Il de-
yeloped. was further from his inten.
ton. Hardin. his legs outstretched,
kept before his face the bland. im-
penetrabie smile OF the oriental. II
was clearly not Richards move. The
checker players fidgeted. Richards
silence was interrogatiye Hardin
stIf smiled.
The outer door opened.
The newcomer evidently n fayorlte.
walked into a noisy welcome, the
Noys embarrassment OVERRIDING IL.
He was OF middle height. slender-a
Mexican with Castillan ancestry writ !
ten In his high-bred features. his grace |
and bis straight dark hair"
Good morning. Estrada said Har-
din with the same meaningless smile.
Good morning. gentlemen" The
mexican's greeting paused az Richard.
''sfr. Estrada. Mr.. Richard"
Everyone In the Office saw Hardin
snub his other opportunity. He had
betrayed 10 everyone his deep hurt
his raw wound. When he had
Stepped down. under cover OF a reslg-
nation. he had saved his face by tell
lag everyone that rupture with
Maitland. one or the directors OF the
rex~ganized company, had made II
impossible for them 20 serve together,
ana that Maltland's wealth and Inn
yowtanca to the company demanded his
srn sscrifice. Two months before
Eicksrd's appearance Maitland had
sesn discovered dead In his bath In n
Los Angeles hotel. Though no one
had been wltless enough TO speak OF
tsefr lope TO Hardin, he knew that
al his force was daily expecting his
advancement Richards entrance
was another stab TO their chief
'Tfe 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
.9-hat makes me brother Of the
valley -Estrada's smile was sensitive
and sweet.
Estrada looked at Hardin. hesitated.
then passed on 10 the checker players
and addressed MacI.eaE:
Il saw your father In Los Angeles.
He has been chosen 20 MI the vacancy
made by Maitland's death"
M0eLean's eyes wavered toward
Hardin. whose nonchalance had not
feitered. Had he not heard. or did
be know. already
I'D like 70 have q meeting. a con-
ference. tomorrow morning" Richard
was speaking. '.Mr. Hardin. VITA you
set the hour at your convenience"
Because II was so kindly done Har'
din showed his first resentment. ut
xiii mol be possible for me 20 be there. }
I'm going 10 Los Angeles 10 the morn !
ng. He turned and left the Office, !
Estrada following him.
'.Oh. Mr. Hardin, you mustn't take II I
hat way" he expostuInted. concern IN I
zach sensitive feature. 4
sI1l take orders from him, but he G
gave me none" growIed Hardin. Its b
not what you think. I'm not sore. But
| don't like him. He's a fancy dude. c
He's not the man for this job" /
'sTben you knew him beforer 1t
vas surprise TO Estrada.
at college. He yns my-er--in- q
structor Marshall found him In the G
rlsr<roen theory singer" c