The Raymer enterprise., 1919-07-10
CHAPTER v-Continued.

The door opened and Rickard cam,
In. Almost simultaneously the cute
door opened to admit Hardin. Wit
would Introduce the new general man
ager to the dismissed one? Tn,
thought flashed from MacLean to 81
lent, to the telegraph operator. Bode
feldt doubled over the checkerboard
pretending not to see them. Confu
sion, embarrassment was on ever
face. Nobody spoke. Hardin was
coming closer.
Hello. Hardin"
Hello. Richard"
II appeared friendly enough to tht
surprised of1ce. Both men were glat
that II was over.
mice Offices" remarked Hardin. his
egs ontspread. his hands In his pock
cts.
"Ogilvie Is satisfied with them
The men rather overdId the laugh.
"Finding the dust pretty tough?" In
NuHtd IlhTulu.
Il spent month In San francisco
last summer !" was the rejoinder
This Is a haven. though, from the
street. Thought Id loaf for today
Was Harain game to do the right
thing. Introduce Nm as the new CHIEF
to bis subordinatesl Nothing, It de
yeloped, was further from his inten
ton. Hardin. his legs outstretched
kept before his face the bland, i'm
penetrable smile Of the oriental. Il
was clearly not Richards move. Tn,
checker players hdgeted Rickard'.
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
He WIS of middle height. SLENDER
Mexicaa with Castlian 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
snuh his other opportunity. He had
betrayed to 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
Ing everyone that rupture with
Maitland, one Of the directors of the
reorganized company. had made II
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 hts 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 valleyi"
THAT makes me brother OF the
talleg"-Estrada' smile was sensitive
and sweet.
Estrada looked at Hardin. hesltated.
then passed on to the checker players
and addressed MacLean:
81 saw your father In Los Angeles.
He has been chosen to ill the vacancy
made by Maitland's death"
MacLean's eyes wavered toward
Hardin, whose nonehalnnce had not
faltered. Had he not heard. or did
he know. already?
"fd like to have a meeting. con-
ference. tomorrow morning" Rickard
was speaking. "Mr. Hardin. will you
set the hour at your convenience"
Because 1t was so kindly done. Har.
din showed his first resentment. at
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 II
shnt way" he expostulated. concern In
zach sensitive feature.
"I'll take orders from him. but he
gave me 0one.' growled Hardin. Its
7ot what you think. I'm not sore. But
| don't like him. He's fancy dude
He's not the man for this job"
"T'hen you knew him beforeT II
Ans Il surprise to Estrada.
-At college. He was my-er-in'
stY,,etor. Marshall found him ln the
ejsssrsa0 theory singer"