They are started, on bed-rock," replied Neale.
"Bed-rock!" he repeated, and remained gazing at Neale fixedly. Then
he turned to Lodge. "Do you remember that wild red-head cowboy--
Neale's friend--when he said, 'I reckon thet's aboot all?' ... I'll
never forget him ... Lodge, say we have Lee and his friend Senator
Dunn come in, and get it over. An' thet'll be aboot all!"
"Thank Heaven!" replied the chief, fervently. He called to his
porter, but as no one replied, General Lodge rose and went into the
next car.
Neale had experienced a disturbing sensation in his breast. Lee!
Allison Lee! The mere name made him shake. He could not understand,
but he felt there was more reason for its effect on him than his
relation to Allison Lee as a contractor. Somewhere there was a man
named Lee who was Allie's father, and Neale knew he would meet him
some day.
Then when the chief walked back into the car with several frock-
coated individuals, Neale did recognize in the pale face of one a
resemblance to the girl he loved.
There were no greetings. This situation had no formalities.
Warburton faced them and he seemed neither cold nor hot.
"Mr. Lee, as a director of the road I have to inform you that,
following the reports of our engineer here, your present contracts
are void and you will not get any more.
Pages:
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393