Cheyenne record., 1919-07-24
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
fhce. Nobody spoke. Hardin was
coming closer.
Hello, Hardin"
"Hello, Richard"
1t appeared friendly enough to the
surprised Office. Both men were glad
that it was over.
"Nice Offices" remarked Hardin, his
.egs outspread, his hands in his pock-
cts
"Ogilvie Is satisfied with them"
The men rather ovcrdid the laugh.
"Finding the dust pretty tOugh?" in
Quired Hardin.
Il spent month in San Francisco
last summer" 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 h2a us the new chief
to bis subordinates? Nothing, 1t de-
veioped was further from his inten-
ton. Hardin. his legs outstretched,
kept before his face the bland. i'm
penetruble smile of the oriental. 1t
was clearly not Richards move. The
checker players tidgeted. Richards
silence was interrogative. Hardin
still smiled
The outer door opened.
The newcomer, evidently a favOrite,
walked into noisy welcome. the
"bOys'" embarrassment OVERRIDING It,
He was of middle height. slendcr-a
Mexican with Castilian ancestry writ
ten in his high-brcd 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 Mt Richard.
MIR. 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 n resig-
nation. he had saved his face by tell
ing everyone that n rupture with
Maitland one of the directors of the
reorganized company. had made 1t
impossible for them to serve together,
md that Maitlnnds wealth and inn
portnnce TO the company demanded his
own sacrifice Two months before
Richards appearance Maitland had
been discovered dead in his bath In a
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
reinstntcmcnt 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 valleyT
THAT makes me n brother OF the
Ealley"-EstraGa's smile was sensitive
and sweet.
Estrada looked at Hardin. hesitated.
then passed on to the checker players
and addressed MaCLean:
81 saw your father in Los Angeles.
He has been chosen to fill the vacancy
made ny Maitlnnd's death"
MacLcan'S eyes wavcrcd toward
Hardin. whose nonchalance had not
faltcrcd. Had he not heard, or did
he know. already?
I'D like to have meeting, con-
ference, tomorrow morning" Richard
was speaking. "Mr. Hardin, will you
set the hour at your convenience"
Because it was so kindly done, 1lar-
din showed his first resentment. ut
will not be possible for me TO be there.
Tn 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
rhnt way" he expostulatcd, concern In
ench sensitive feature.
I'm take orders from him, but he
gave me nonc." Erowlcd Hardin. Its
1Ot what you think. I'm not sore. But
don't like him. He's Il fancy dude.
Res not the man for this job"
Then you know him beforeT' 1t
Sa~ II Surpris" to Estrada.
AT CoIlr-e. He was my-er-in-
snu,t"r. Marshall found him in the
clsBs-oNy theory Singer"