Hot Coals; A Story of Today

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1910. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XII STEEL MEETS STEEL On The morning after the visit of Luke Woodburn to Bardwell's Pride, Douglass McLeod was working in his factory when word came to him that a visitor was waiting in the office to see him. He washed his hands and went in to meet the caller. With a start he recognized the manager of Mark Bardwell's mills. Why should Luke visit him? Recovering somewhat from his astonishment, Douglass frankly reached out his hand. You were not expecting to see me here, Douglass. Of course not. But I wanted to see how you are coming on. I do not forget that you are my old pupil. I am glad to know that you are getting ahead so fast. Oh, I have heard about it on the street. It makes me proud, too! Douglass tried to reply in the old friendlv spirit so characteristic of him. All the while he felt, however, that there was more back of this visit than something appeared on the surface. He must be on his guard. You would not care to let me look about your place a little? I am no spy, understand! My visit is not simply one of curiosity. That you will see before we are done. For a moment Douglass hesitated. Then he answered as if no thought had ever come into his mind that Luke Woodburn might be there to bring him harm. After all, he was not afraid of the man. He would meet him face to face, anywhere. Certainly, I will take you in to see what we have here. It is only a small plant, but it is on the road to better things, sir! So they went out into the shop, and as they passed on, Douglass forgot the misgivings he had had at the start, and left nothing undone to give his visitor a good idea of the resources and the capacity of the factory for doing business. There was a tone of enthusiasm in his manner that impressed Luke more than anything that was sa...