Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/84

 away with,” mumbled Stanley, shifting uneasily from foot to foot.

“And that is your idea?” continued Hatton in the same voice.

“Yes; I know it isn’t much. It seemed a good one when I first thought of it,” surrendered Stanley. “But I can see now that if it were any good a man of your experience would have thought of it. So, I’ll get my time and quit. Good-by, Bub.” And he turned aside as he extended his hand; for he had grown to love Bub without knowing it, and he feared that tears would fill his eyes and cause him to appear unmanly.

“McPherson,” called Hatton loudly. “Put another man on the loading gang in place of Reddy. He’s going north on the cruise. And, McPherson, send the surveyor up to the office and get me figures on a couple of miles of sewer pipe. Hope you have a good trip, Whitten. Don’t come back unless you win out.”

Neither of the astounded trio could believe his ears. Hatton had nearly gained his office before a word was said, and then Abner yelled, “Wal, I vum!”

“Why, Stan, it means you’re going!” fairly screamed Bub, as the true situation finally filtered through his head.