The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1919-04-24
CHAPTER v--continued.

The door opened and Richard came
IN. Air sst simultaneously the outer
door opened to admit Hardin. Who
would Introduce the new general man
ager to the dismissed oneI The
thought flashed from MacLean to 81
TENT, 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"
"Helle. Richard"
II appeared friendly enough to the
surprised Office. Both men were glad
that IL was over.
mice Offices" remarked Hardin, HE
legs outspread, his hands In his pock-
cts.
"Ogilvie IL satisfied with them"
The men rather oyerdid the laugh.
"Flnding the dust pretty tough3' In
CURED Hardin.
II spent a month In San Francisco
iast summer" was the rejoinder.
This is a haven. though, from the
street. Thought I'd loaf for today
Was Hardin game to dc the right
thing, Introduce him as the new chief
20 his subordinatesf Nothing. 1t de-
veloped. was further from his inten-
fion. 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 idgeted. Richards
silence was interrogatiye. Hardin
still SMILED.
The outer door opened.
The newcomer. evidently a favorite,
walked into a noisy welcome. the
"boys' embarrassment overriding II.
Me was OF middle height, slender-a
Mexican with Castllian ancestry writ
ten in his hlgh-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
snHb his other opportunity. He had
betrayed TO everyone his deep hurt
his raw wound. When he had
stepped down. under cover Of q resig-
nation. he had saved his face by tell
eng everyone that a rupture with
Maitland, one of the directors Of the
r~eerganixed company. had made It
impossible for them to serve together,
and that Maitland's wealth and Inn
portance to the company demanded his
Dwn sacrifice. Two months before
Richards appearance Maitland had
bees discovered dead In his bath In a
les Angeles hotel. Though no M
had been witless enough to speak or
teesr hope TO Hardin. he knew that
hA his force was daily expecting his
reinstatement. Richards entrance
was another stab to their chief.
''yAe son OF the generalr" The new
manager held out his hand. General
Estrada. friend Of Mexican liberty.
founder OF steamship companies M
fasher Of the Imperial valleyr
THAT makes me a brother Of the
Nafey"-Estrada's smile was sensitive
and sweet.
Estrada looked Mt Hardin. hesitated.
khen passed on to the checker players
and addressed MacLean:
Il saw your father In Los Angeles.
He has been chosen to all the vacancy
bmade by Maitland's death"
MacLean's eyes wavered toward
Hardin. whose nonchalance had not
faitered. Had he not heard. or did
Ne know. already
@rd like to have q meeting, q con-
eerence. tomorrow morning" Richard
was speaking. "Mr. Hardin. will you
net the hour at your conveniencer
Because II was 90 kindly done, Har-
din showed his 0rst resentment. 1T
win not be possible for me to be there.
TIN going to Los Angeles In the morn
ing. He turned and left the once,
E9strada following him.
sOh. Nj. Hardin. Jon mustn't take It
mat way" he expostulated. concern In
zach sensitive feature
I'm take orders from him. but he
nave me nons,- growied Hardin. sits
rot what you think. I'm not sors. But
4 don't like him. He's . fancy dude.
He's not the man for this JOB"
ssTyhen you knew him beforsr' 1t
vas 4 surprise to nstrada-
81 college. He was my-er--lnr
stx,.xtor. Narshall found him y the
e.-~-soom 4 thsary slinesEs"