The Ordway new era., 1919-05-02
CHAPTER v-contlnued.

u.
door opened to admit Hardin. Who
would introduce the new general man
ager to the dismissed one7 The
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 every
face. Nobody spoke. Hardin was
coming closer.
Hello. Hardin"
~Hello, Richard"
1t appeared friendly enough to the
surprised ofBce. Both men were glad
that 1t was OVER.
"Nice Offices" remarked Hardin, his
Jegs outspread, his hands in his pock-
cts.
"Ogilvie Is satisfied with them"
The men rather overdid the laugh
"Findlng the dust pretty tough7" In
quired Hardin.
81 spent n month In San Francisco
last sunmerl" was the rejoinder.
This is aaven, though, from the
street. Thought I'd loaf for today"
Was Ha.ain game to do the right
thing. introduce hza as the new chief
to his subordiDates? Nothing. 1t de-
veioped, was further from his inten-
ton. Hardin, his legs outstretched
kept before his face the bland, i'm
penetrablc smile of the oriental. It
was clearly not Richards move. The
checker players fidgeted. Richards
silence was interrogative. Hardin
still smiled.
The newcomer, evidently fav0rite,
walked Into noisy welcome, the
"boys'" embarrassment OVERRIDING It.
He IVES 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.
"A1r. Estrada, Mr.. Richard"
Everyone In tie 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 resig-
nation, he had saved his face by tell
ing everyone dlut u Iuptuie With
Maitland. one Of the directors of the
reorganized company. had made 1t
impossible for them to serve together.
and that Maitlnnd's wealth and i'm
portance to the company demanded his
own sacrifice. Two months before
Richards appearance Maitland had
been discovered dend in his bath In n
Los Angeles hotel. Though no one
had been witless enough to speak OF
their hope to Hardin, he knew thar
NIL his force was daily expecting his
reinstatement. Richards entrance
wns another stnb 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 valleyf"
''That makes me brother of the
valley"-Estrada's smile was sensitive
and sweet.
Estrada looked Mt Hardin. hesitated,
then passed on to the checker players
and addressed MncLean:
81 saw your father In Los Angeles.
He has been chosen to fill the vacancy
made by Maitland's DEATH"
MacLean's eyes wavered toward
Hardin. whose nonchalance had not
faltered. Had he not heard. or did
he know. already?
I'D like to have meeting, con-
ference. tomorrow morning" Rickard
was speaking. "Mr. Hardin. will you
set the hour at your convenience?"
Because 1t wns so kindly done. Har-
din showed his first resentment. "It
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 Il
shat way" he expostulated, concern II
zach sensitive feature.
"Tll take orders from him. but HI
gave me none." growled Hardin. "It'i
aot what you think. I'm not sore. Blu
don't like him. He's n fancy dude
He's not the mnn for this job"
''Then you knew him before?" !
aas II surprise TO Estrada.
AT college. He was my-er-in
efrrctor. Marshall found him In tn
cj,s~rons 4 theory Singer"