The Dolores star., 1924-07-25
CHAPTER TX

retreating form of Transiey. His hat
was OFF. and the perspiratlon stood on
his sunburned face-a face which, in
point OF handsomeness, needed make
no apology to Transley
well, by thunder!" said Linder;
by thunder, think of thatw
Linder stood for some time. thinking
"of that as deeply as his somewhat
disorganized mental state would per-
NIT. For Transley had announced.
with his usual directness, that he
wanted so many men and teams for a
house excavation in the most ex-
elusive part Of the city. So far they
had been building in the cheaper dis
tricts cheap type of house for those
who. having little capital. are the
easier deprived Of what they have.
The shift In operations caused Linder
to lift his eyebrows.
Transley laughed boyishly and
clapped palm on his shoulder.
Il may as well make you wise,
Llnder," he said "We're going to
build house for Mr.. and Mrs. Trans
ley"
"Mlssus?" Linder echoed, incred-
ulously.
That's the good word" Transley
confirmed. "Never expected 1t to hap
pen to me, but 1t did. all of sudden.
You want to look out; maybe It's
catching"
Transley was evidently In prime
humor Under had, indeed, noted this
good humor for some time, but had
attributed II to the very successful
operations in which his employer had
been engaged. He pulled himself to-
gether enough to offer somewhat
confused congratulation.
"And may l ask who Is to be the
fortunate young lady?' he ventured
"iou may" said Transley, but If
you could see the length of your nose
1t wouldn't be necessary. Linder,
you're the best foreman l ever had,
just because you don't ever think of
anything else. When you pass on
| there'll be no heaven for you unless
they give you charge of bunch of
men and teams where you can raise
sweat and make money for the boss.
If you weren't like that you would
have anticipated what I've told you
or perhaps made a play for Zen your
self"
"Zen7 You don't mean Y.D's daush-
ter7
"If I don't mean Y.D.'s daughter /
don't mean anybody. and you can take
that from me. You bet it's Zen. Say,
Linder, l didn't think could go silly
over girl, but I'm plumb locoed.
bought the biggest old sparkler In this
town and sent 1t out with Y.D., II he
didn't lose 1t through the lining of his
vest-he handled it like 1t might have
been box of pills-bad pills, Linder
I've got an architect figuring now
much expense he can put on house
he gets commission on the cost, you
see-and one of these nights I'm going
to buy you dinner that'll keep you
fed till Christmas. never knew be-
fore that Stiffness and happiness go
together, but they do. I'm glad I've
got sober old foreman-that's all
that keeps the business going"
And after Transley had turned away
Linder had scratched his head and
said. "By thunder. Linder,
when you wake up you'll be dead
=. After her practically saying.
The waters fine Well, that's
why I'm foreman, and always will
be-"
But after little reflection Linder
came to the conclusion that perhaps it
was all for the best. He could not
have bought Y.D.'s daughter big
sparkler or have built her fine home
because he was foreman. 1t was
a round circle. He threw him
self into the building Of Transley's
house with us much fidelity as if it
had been his own. He gave his un-
divided attention to Transley's inter
ests, making dollars for him while
earning cents for himself. This atten-
tion was more needed than it ever had
been, as Transley found 1t necessary
to make weekly trips to the ranch In
the foothills to consult with Y.D. upon
business matters.
Zen found her interest in Transley
growing rs his attentions continued
He spent money upon her lavlshly, to
the point at which she protested. for
although Y.D. was rated as million
aire the family life was one of almost
stark simplicity. Transley assured her
that he was making money faster than
he possibly could spend 1t, and even If
not. money had no nobler mission than
to bring her happiness. He explained
the blue-prints of the house, and dis
cussed with her details of the appoint
ments. AS the building progressed he
brought her weekly photographs of 1t.
He urged her to set the date about
Christmas; during the winter contract
ing would be mt standstill, so they
would spend three months In Califor-
mia and return in time for the spring
business.
Day by day the girl turned the STU
ntlon over In her mind. Her life had
been swept into strange and unexpect-
ed channels, and the experience puz-