White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1921-01-30
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CHAPTER vi.
Red Tape.

din, entering the Office, again the gen
George MacLean, the new director, and
Percy Babcock. the treasurer, who had
been put in by the Overland Pacific
when the old company was reorgan.
lied. They had just come in from Los
Angeles, the trip made in MacLean's
private car. to attend a directors meet,
ing.
Richard entered n few minutes later,
Estrada behind him. Ogilyie followed
Richard to his desk.
"Well?" inquired the new manager.
Ogilvie explained lengthily that he
had the minutes of the last meeting.
"Leave them here" Richard waved
him toward Estrada, who held out his
hand for the papers.
Reluctantly the accountant relin-
qnlshed the papers. His r~etreating
coattails looked ludicrously whipped
but no one laughed. Hardin's scowl
d~eepened.
SHOWING his power" he thought.
'He's going to call for a new pack"
Estrada pushed the minutes through
with but a few unimportant interrupt
tons. He was sitting at the same desk
with Richard. Hardin, sensitive and
sullen, thought he saw the meeting
managed between them.
Several times he attempted to bring
the tangled affairs of the water CON-
panies before the directors. Richard
would not discuss the water compa-
MES.
Because he's not posted! He's be-
ginning to see what he's up against"
ran Hardin's stormy thoughts.
He was on his feet the mex minute
with a motion TO complete the Hardin
headgate. Violently he detained to
Babcock and MacLean his wrongs, the
injustice that had been done him. Mar
shall had let that fellow Maitland con.
vince him that the gate was not proc-
ticable; had ii 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
1t? Where was the money, the time,
put in that little toy? Stckening! His
face purpled over the memory. Why
was he allowed to begin again with
the gate? answer me that. Why
was l allowed to begin again? It's all
child's play, that's what it is. And
when l am in II again up to my neck
he pulls me off !"
This was the real Hardin, the I'M
couth, averaged Lawrence student
The new manner was just "A veneer.
Richard had been expecting ii to wear
thin.
II think" INTERCEPTED Richard, that
We all agree with Mr.. Marshall, Mr..
Hardin, that a wooden headgate on silt
foundation could never be more than
a makeshlft. l understood that the
first day he visited the river with you
he had the idea to put the ultimate
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. 1t was a case of any port In
q storm. lie has asked me to report
my opinion"
"Why doesn't he give me a chance
to go ahead Them" gr0wled the de-
posed manager. Instead of letting
the intake widen until 1t will be an i'm
possibility to confne the river there
at all?"
$50 you do think that 1t will be an
impossiblity to complete the gate as
plahned?"
Hardin had run too fast. II didn't
mea that" he stammered. II mean
1t will be difficult IL we are delayed
much longer"
"Have you the force to re-begin
work at once?" demanded Richard.
81 had It," evaded Hardin. 81 had
everything ready to go on-men. ma
terial - when we stopped the last
time"
ANSWER my question, please"
81 should have to assemble them
again." admitted Hardin sulkily.
Richard consulted his notebook. 81
think we've covered everything. Now
/ want to propose the laying of a spul
track from Hamlin's Junction to the
Heading" His name cleared the
stage Of supernumeraries; this was
the climax. Hardin looked ready t.
spring.
"And In connection with that the de
velopment Of a quarry In the granite
hills back OF Hamlin's." continued Rick
ard. not looking at Hardin.
Instantly, Hardin was on his feet
His fist Numbered on the table. I"
shall oppose that" he flared. ut Is alb
solutely unnecessary. We can't affort
It,. Do you know what that will cost
gentlemen"
zone hundred thousand dollars 7
Richard interrupted him. II want al