The Pulaskian., 1919-03-28

ginning to sec what he's up against ; ran Hardin's stormy thoughts.
 He was on his feet the next minute l with I motion to complete the Hardin headgate. Violently he acclaimed to l Babcock and MacLean his wrongs, the I injustice that had been done him. Mar l shall had let that fellow Maitland con- vince him that the gate was not prac- ticable; had it not been for him the gate would be in place now; all this time and money saved. And the Matt land dam, built instead Where was ltE Where was the money, the time, put in that little toy? Sickeningl His face purpled over the memory. Why was he allowed to begin again with the gate? Answer me that. Why was I allowed to begin again? It's all child's play, that's what it is And when I am in it again up to my neck he pulls me off p
 This was the real Hardin, the un- couth, averaged Lawrence student l! The new manner was just veneer. Rickard had been expecting it to wear thin
 T think" interjected Rickard, "that We all agree with MT. Marshall Mir. Hardin, that a wooden headgate on silt | foundation could never be more than 1 q makeshift. I understood that the first day he visited the river with you gate, the gate which would control the water supply of the valley. up at the Crossing on rock foundation Mr. Mar shall does not expect to finish that in time to be of first use. He hopes the wooden gate will solve the immediate problem. It was q case of any port in a storm. He has asked me to report my opinion"
 Why doesn't he give me a chance to go ahead then?' growled the de- posed manager. 'Instead of letting the intake widen until it will be an im- possibility to confine the river there at all?"
 "So you do think that it will be an impossibIity to complete the gate as planned?"
 Hardin had run too fast. q didn't mean that" he stammercd. q mean it will be difficult if we are delayed much longer"
 Have you the force to re-begin work at once?" demanded Rickard.
 T had it." evaded Hardin. T had everything ready to go on-men, ma terial - when we stopped the last time."
 Answer my question, please" 1 T should have to assemble them again." admitted Hardin sulkily.
 Rickard consulted his notebook. q think we've covered everything. Now 1 want to propose the laying of spur track from Hamlin's Junction to the Heading His manner cleared the stage of supernumeraries this was the climax. Hardin looked ready to spring.
 | And in connection with that the de veIopment of quarry in the granite hills back of Hamlin's,' continued Rick ard, not looking at Hardin. Instantly Hardin was on his feet His fist thundered on the table. q shall oppose that" he fiared. Ut is ab. solutely unnecessary. We can't afford it. Do you know what that will cost gentlemenY
 "One hundred thousand dollars p Rickard interrupted him. 'I want an appropriation this morning for that amount. It is, in my opinion, abso- lutely necessary if we are to save the valley. We cannot afford not to do it | MT. Hardin p
 Hardin glared at the other men fol support; he found MacLean's face 8 blank wall; Estrada looked uncom fortable. Babcock had pricked up his ears at the sound of the desired appro. priation; his head on one side, he looked like an inquisitive terrier Hardin spread out his hands in help less desperation. You'll ruin us," he said. "It's your money, the o. P.'s but you're lending it, not giving it tc us. You are going to swamp the Des ert Reclamation company. We cant throw funds away like that" One hun dred thousand dcllarsi Why, he could have stopped the river at any time ii he had had that sum; once a paltry thousand would have saved them q didn't ask the O. F. to come in and ruin us, but to stop the river; not tc throw money away in hog-wild fash ion.' He was stammering inarticulate ly. 'There's no need of a spur-track if you rush my gate through"
 "If," Rickard nodded. Granted Ii we can rush it through. But suppose it fails? Marshall said the railroad would stand for no contingencies. The interests at stake are too vital"
 Interests! !" cried Tom Hardin "What do you know of the interest al stake? You or your railroad? Coming in at the eleventh hour, what can you know? Did you promise safety to thou sands of families if they made theil homes in this valley? Are you responsi