Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 4, 1922 — page 68: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

378 However, he reacted quickly to the Sting, retaining some measure of composure. “Rather soon, that, don’t you think? Take a little time to get located, y’ know, and I thought I’d have a little shooting be- fore I got nose to the grindstone—all that sort of thing.” “T’ve heard there are a few jack rabbits on the flats,’ Hanley commented dryly. ‘‘Don’t know; never investigated for my- self. My instructions are to offer you a position on your arrival.” Hanley re- frained from adding that in the drawer just beneath his elbow were a number of other instructions not intended to strew a carpet of roses on William’s path. “Matter of fact,’ continued William easily, “I’m not sure that I'll remain at all; really don’t care for this place, y’know. Just about decided to draw on the governor for the necessary, and toddle back.” “ My instructions,” Hanley observed yet more dryly, “‘ would not cover the matter of a draft.” William flushed. More impudence! Beastly place was full of it! He was pre- pated to retort hotly to this shot when a shadow passed across the dingy window. William stepped forward, pointing a finger toward the yard where a grimy workman sauntered toward the buildings whence the tram-cars came. “ There he is now—that fellow, Kowal- ski, y'know! Might call him in and have it over with!” Hanley turned in his chair, looking in the direction indicated by the pointing fin- ger. A little smile twitched at the corners of his lips. The change in his manner to- ward William was slight; not less polite, only a trifle more decisive. “ That is unfortunate. Now, if you had chosen some other of our Kowalskis—” “ What!” eried William. This was un- believable! ‘But the man insulted me, y'know! I must insist, under the circum- stances—”’ “Under the circumstances,” Hanley ex- plained patiently, “ discharging this particu- lar Kowalski would probably mean the shut-down of the smelter for an indefinite period. He is one of our most efficient foremen, and in addition is secretary of the ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. local union—a man of considerable influ- ence, with power to call a walk-out at any time.” “Then I take it you refuse my request, absolutely!” “ Absolutely!”? Hanley was rapidly los- ing patience with this young man. “In business personal feelings do not count.” . ‘*T shall appeal—” “Your letters are ready now, Mr. Han- ley!” The atmosphere of the private office, rapidly approaching the boiling-point, sud- denly fell many degrees with the intrusion of that cool, crisp voice. Superintendent Hanley’s retort was never to be: uttered. William was conscious of an impression that the dingy room had suddenly been bright- ened by a glint of sunlight, freshened by the coolness of an errant breeze. The impression was identified with the entrance of a girl, young, attractive, clothed in a businesslike costume of blue serge. Her hair appeared to be an abun- dance of tarnished gold; her hands, extend- ed with a bundle of letters were white and smooth. Her profile, William saw, was cleanly modeled—and there was the tiniest possible smudge of the all-pervading cinder- dust to draw attention to the rose and white of a perfect cheek. When the girl stood beside the superin- tendent’s desk, Hanley rose politely to his feet. : “Miss Ames—Mr. Biddle,” Hanley in- terposed. ‘* Miss Ames is our very efficient secretary. She is the encyclopedia of the Copper Butte.” ; Miss Margaret Ames smiled charmingly, in acknowledgment of the compliment. Her teeth were very white and even; her eyes deep-shadowed and transparent-blue. She extended her hand to the great man’s son without a trace of self-consciousness, murmuring the usual platitudes. She noted in turn that he was rather a nice looking boy, but registered instant objection to the air of petulance not wholly vanished from his face, and the unseemly much-too-tail- ored appearance of his clothes. ‘“‘T am sure,” Hanley continued smoothly, “that Miss Ames will be pleased to. tell you anything you care to know about Cop- COMmMiCMooks.Gom