The Pulaskian., 1919-03-28
CHAPTER v-continued.

The door opened ana RlcktrQ came in Almost simultaneously the outer & door opened to admit Hardin. Who 8 wouId introduce the new general man. N aeer to the dismissed one? The thought flashed from MacLean to Si- lent. to the telegraph operator. Bode- 4 feldt doubled over the checkerboard # pretending not to see them. Confu- sion. embarrassment was on every face. Nobody spoke. Hardin was T coming closer.
 Hello, Hardin"
 Hello, Rickard."
 It appeared friendly enough to the surprised office. Both men were glad that it was over
 "Nice offices" remarked Hardin, his logs outspread his hands in his pock- GUS.
 eOgilvie is satisfied with them.n The men rather overdid the laugh.
 'Finding the dust pretty tough?" in quired Hardin.
 T spent a month in San Francisco last summerr' was the reioinder. This is q haven. though, from the street. Thought I'd loaf for today" Was Hardin game to do the right thing, introduce him as the new chief to his subordinates? Nothing, it de yeioped, was further from his inten- tion. Hardin, his legs outstretched, kept before his face the bland im- penetrable smile of the oriental It was clearly not Richards move. The checker players fidgeted. Richards silence was interrogative. Hardin still smiled
 The outer door opened.
 The newcomer, evidently favorite walked into noisy welcome, the boys embarrassment overdoing 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 liar din with the same meaningless smile.
 Good morning, gentlemen" The Mexican's greeting paused at Rickard.
 MT Estrada, Mr. Rickard"
 Everyone in the 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 a resig- nation, he had saved his face by tell ing everyone that a rupture with Maitland one of the directors of the reorganized company, had made 1t impossible for them to serve together, and that Maitland's wealth and im- portance to the company demanded his own sacrifice. Two months before Richards appearance Maitland had been discovered dead in his bath in 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 ms 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 makes me brother of the Valiey"-Estrada' smile was sensitive and sweet.
 Estrada looked at Hardin, hesitated' then passed on to the checker players and addressed MacLean:
 T saw your father in Los Angeles He has been chosen to fill the vacancy made by Maitlands 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 a meeting, con ference, tomorrow morning" Rickard was speaking .Mr. Hardin, will you set the hour at your convenienceY
 Because it was so kindly done, liar din showed his first resentment. I'll Will not be possible for me to be there m going to Los Angeles in the morn Ing. He turned and left the office estrada following him.
 Oh, MT. Hardin, you mustn't take Il that way" he expostulated, concern II each sensitive feature.
 I'll take orders from him, but ne gave me none, growled Hardin. "lt'S fot what you think. I'm not sore. Bu1 l don't like him. He's fancy dude he's not the man for this job"
 Then you knew him before?" I Was a surprise to Estrada.
 At college. He was my--er--in slructor. Marshall found him in th' classroom A tl,aarv slinrer,,