Evening star., 1922-09-03

to buy cigars. But McAn was tired
of the McAll Company. If 1t had been
failure. he would have found 1t ex-
citing. 1t was 80 successful that 1t
was dull enough to hand over to
staff Of youngsters who still enjoyed
the sport. In addition to this, Bob
McAll had suffered. A man of this
kind does when his wife goes OF to
Europe and writes back asking what
he proposes to do II she starts suit
for divorce in Paris.
He was free now. He came to
Washington to help. He did not come
to ruin Jenkins Pulver's life. That Is
sure. He had lost track of Pulver
years ago. when they had graduated
from private SCHOOL, military
school-hating each other because
Pulver's record was perfect and
McAlrs was fearful.
The first time he came into Pulver's
ONCE he never expected that this
Pulver was that Pulver. He was as
founded. my stars" he said after
talking a few minutes. II saw you
looking at me. You aren't Jenk
Pulver?"
YES. Mac. The same. I didn't
know you at first. Where have you
been?"
Back home-in Omaha. You've
seen those glass jars filled with"
"And the blue and yellow label?"
Yes That's me. The packing
business"
THEY stood looking at each other
again. after nearly a fifth of
century. A great deal Of the old con-
trast was still there. Frances Strong
could see it. One of them was tall.
grave, precise, cautious; the other
browner, with eyes less worn out,
less dull, and movements full Of active
energy. Pulver looked like a young
Gladstone, almost old enough for q
frock coat. But McAll was still evad
ing life's final catalogue of speci-
mems
"You know why I've come, don't
you?" McAll asked.
ITO see the bureau" Pulver said
| coldly and with a note Of suspicion
yes: I'm the man who will put you
out of business if I can" McAll said,
| laughing good-naturedly.
He heard Frances Strong's exclama
| ton of horror. That, no doubt. is why
| he first gave her a complete assay.
| Her glance toward Pulver, and Pull
ver's strange little retreat toward her.
| suggestive of a boys retreat toward
| his mother when attacked. did not
escape him. He looked at the red
| brown of her hair. at the black dress
/ yxyif yh "a ~ nr
wholly efficient and unweighted fig
ure.
This bureau was built up through
| many years." said Pulver. severely
| and precisely. TT is not a mushroom
l know we'll enough that many
| bureaus here in Washington have no
| function. or are badly managed. I
| understand the waste that goes on.
But. Mr.. McAll, this year shall not
| require less money; 1 shall ask for a
| larger appropriation! You will and
our bureau is an exception"
The challenge in his words and
manner were evident. His voice was
| vibrant with anger.
| McAll answered brutally, perhaps
He announced: "Oh, that's what they
all say"
Pulver grew icy cold.
OF course you have the authority
to investigate and recommend. 1 do
not think. however. that my long
acquaintance with Congress-
McAll laughed. Lets look first"
he said
Pulver was important. His work
that day was important; very impor-
tant. He said hastily: Miss Frances
Strong, the secretary of the bureau,
has a complete knowledge of its
work. Of the files. of personnel and
our accounts. She will"
Thanks" said the business man
That's fine,"
AS he took Frances' timidly offered
hand, Jenkins Pulver regretted the
haste of his thoughts and words. Too
late! He went back to work in his
methodical manner.
He took up a letter from a peach
grower asking, first, for information on
'excess-profits income tax and. second
ly, for certain facts about the gov
ernment's control or influence on mo-
bile labor and the distribution of the
unemployed. Pulver might have an
swered the latter question in an in
dependent communication, but he wrote
on the letter: Routed to Department
12A Bureau, by error. Route to Treas
ury 81 and ask for return to this bu-
reau to complete action" He had be-
come impatient with departures from
section 412 of the regulations. Some
one had to stand for regularity!
Otherwise everything would go helter-
skelter. He had burned his fingers in
the early days trying short cuts or
relying on his own resources; he had
learned that the fate of officials and
bureaus depended not on what they
enough not to do.
Miss Strong had led McAll into the
far room. The clatter of the type
writer's prevented his hearing what
they were saying. but he saw smile
on the face Of the young man from
Omaha.
A T the end of three days McAll came
in little before twelve-thirty.
1t was no cool day. Spring had come
in Washington. Sometimes it comes in
lazy, listless fashion. like a lover who
is sure of allurements. but sometimes,
more rarely, it jumps the Potomac like
ar object of prey, passing swiftly. and
pursued hotly by summer. McAll, an
active man, wiped his forehead with
his handkerchief and stared out Of the
window at the shimmering, tremuloas
sunlight.
WELL" said Pulver, trying to make
his malice sound like friendly, tndul-