Gilpin observer., 1919-05-15
CHAPTER v-continued.

SnAH V-SOntlNue0.
The door opened and Rickard came
in. Almost simultaneously the outer
door opened to admit Hardin. Who
would introduce the new general man.
ager 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" D,iF,4
>Hello, Richard" s-Ssl i.+rt
Ii 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 overdid the laugh.
Finding the dust pretty tough?" in
Quired Hardin.
II spent a month in San Francisco
last summer !" was the rejoinder.
This is haven, though, from the
street. Thought I'd loaf for today"
Was Hacain game to do the right
thing, introduce kt., as the new chief
to bis subordiDates? Nothing. it 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. It
was clearly not Richards move. The
checker players hdgeted. 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, 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 Rickard.
"Mr. Estrada. Mr.. Richard"
Everyone In tie Office saw Hardin
snub his other opportunity. He had
betrayed to everyone his deep hurt.
his raw wound.1 When he had
stepped down, under cover of resig-
nation, he had waved his face by tell
ing everyone that rupture with
Maitland. one of the directors Of the
-eorganiZed company. had made 1t
impossible for them to serve together,
and that Maitland's wealth and i'm
portnnce to the company demanded his
own sacrifice. Two months before
Richards appearance Maitland had
been discovered dead in his bath in n
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 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 pakes me brother of the
valley"-Estrada's smile was sensitive
and sweet.
Estrada looked ut Hardin. hestated,
and addressed MacLean:
''I saw your father in Los Angeles.
He has been chosen to fill the vacancy
made by Maitland's death"
MacLean's eyes wavcred toward
Hardin, whose nonchaance had not
faltered. Had he not heard, or did
he know. already?
I'D like to have meeting, n con-
ference, tomorrow morning." Rickard
was speaking. "Mr. Hardin, will you
set the hour at your convenience"
Because It was 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 and left the office,
Estrada following him.
"Oh. Mr.. Hardin. you mustn't take 1t
chat wny." he expostulated, concern In
zach sensitive feature. '
"1'll take orders from him, but he
gave me none,' growled Hardin. "It's
iot what you think. I'm not sore. But
don't like him. He's fancy dude.
lies not the man for this job"
"rhen you knew him before?" II
was n surprise to Estrada.
AT college. He was my--er-ln-
Etructor. Marshall found him In the
e.naxrono~ thanrv ctinvar