CHAPTER XIV--RALPH FAIRBANKS' REQUEST
Ralph felt the sense of a crisis strong upon him. Circumstances hadgiven some stormy features to the morning's progress, but had clearedthe air generally.
He believed, all told, that he had carried off the honors quitecreditably, and was in a measure master of the situation.
When he came to the office door it was partly open, but he knocked.
"Come in," spoke the foreman's voice, a good deal toned down from itsusual accents of asperity.
Tim Forgan stood over near the window, his back turned to Ralph. Hishands, clasped behind him, fumbled nervously. He was palpably in adisturbed mood, and from the vague view Ralph had of his side face henoted it was pale and anxious-looking.
"Sit down," directed the foreman. He stood in the same position fornearly a minute. Then very abruptly he turned, came up to Ralph,extended his hand as if with an effort, and said, almost brokenly:
"Fairbanks, I want to thank you for what you have done for me and mine."
"I am glad I did it," answered Ralph simply.
The foreman sank into a chair, started to speak, arose, paced the floorrestlessly, finally halted in front of Ralph, and looked him squarely inthe face.
"Fairbanks," he said, "I believe I have done you an injustice. Don'tanswer. Let me speak while the mood is on me. I am a proud man, andit's hard for me to root out my settled suspicions. I won't say theyare all gone yet, but after what has happened it would be wrong andchurlish for me to hold back what is on my lips. When you came herethis morning, I was satisfied that you came here as a spy upon myactions."
"Oh, Mr. Forgan!" explained Ralph involuntarily.
"And I prepared to treat you as a spy. I have had trouble with themaster mechanic, off and on--that is, we are rivals in the race for thepresidency of the local labor council, and Ike Slump's father, when Itold him about your card from the master mechanic, scented a plot atonce."
"Why, Mr. Forgan!" exclaimed Ralph in amazement, "I never saw the mastermechanic until night before last, then only for less than two minutes,and my meeting with him was purely accidental."
The roundhouse foreman looked Ralph through and through.
"I believe you, Fairbanks," he said, at length. "You don't look likethe lying, sneaking sort, and Denny says he'd bank his soul on you. Hesays I've got bad, crafty advisers. Maybe so, maybe so," went onForgan, half to himself. "I wish I'd kept out of the labor ring. Itmakes one fancy half his friends enemies. Drop that, though. I've mademy confession, and I believe you're square. I've sent for you toexonerate you from all part in the smash-up, and to tell you that I oweyou a debt I can never pay. I'll try to square some of it, though.Fairbanks, you shall stay here, and I shall give you more than a chanceto forge ahead."
"I thank you, Mr. Forgan," said Ralph gratefully.
The foreman strode over to the window again. Ralph studied this strangemake-up of real force, dark suspicions and ungovernable impulses, butdid not appear to watch him. In a covert way, with a sidelong glance atRalph, the foreman opened the door of a little closet, took out a darkbottle, and Ralph could hear the gurgling dispatch of a long, deepdraught.
He had overheard some of the men in the dog house hinting at the boss'failing, that morning. Now, Ralph knew what it was, and the discoverydepressed him.
The stimulating draught seemed to restore the foreman's equilibrium, forin a minute or two, when he again addressed Ralph, his oldhalf-dignified, half-autocratic manner had returned to him.
"We shall have no more Ike Slump here, father or no father," heobserved. "I'm going to give you a chance, Fairbanks."
"Thank you, Mr. Forgan."
"Keep on as wiper till I get a new helper, and I'll give you a boostinto an extra berth quicker than any boy ever shot up the roundhouseladder before. I tell you, I'll never forget what you've done forme--and my dear little Nora!"
Ralph arose.
"Mr. Forgan," he said, "I am much obliged to you, and I hope I shalldeserve and win your good opinion. But I want to earn my way. I don'twish to slip over one single branch of the course that will make athorough, all-around, first-class railroad man out of me, and too fastpromotion might spoil me."
The foreman understood him, but the liquor had exhilarated him, and hesaid:
"All the same, I'm your friend for life, Fairbanks--and I give you myword, when you ask me a favor, I'll grant it."
Ralph bowed and proceeded towards the door. Forgan was back at thecloset almost immediately, Ralph wavered. He formed a quick resolution,and stepped back into the room just as the foreman turned, wiping offhis lips.
"Mr. Forgan," said Ralph, "you will not be offended at something I feelit my duty to say?"
"Not a bit of it," pledged the foreman.
"You said I might ask you a favor."
"Just name it, Fairbanks."
"I shall, but first, I want to say this: You are in a fine, responsibleposition here, and your control and your influence affect every man inyour service."
"I worked hard for the job," asserted Forgan proudly.
"I know you must have done that," said Ralph, "and I also know you musthave had good abilities to step so high over the heads of others. Butsometimes, Mr. Forgan--you will acknowledge it yourself--your temper,your impulses, your suspicions get the better of you."
Ralph was treading on dangerous ground. He realized it, for a certainquick flash came into Forgan's eyes. It was quenched, however, at anevident memory of the incident of the morning; and the foreman spoke,quite gayly:
"Go ahead, I'll listen. I see your drift."
"You have lots of friends, sir--try and know the real ones. And, Mr.Forgan, now for the favor I have to ask."
The foreman's bushy brows met in a suspicious way, but he declaredpromptly:
"You have only to ask."
"You will grant it?"
"For little Nora's sake, lad, I'd give you half I own!"
"I don't want that, Mr. Forgan. The favor I have to ask is--don'tdrink."
It was out, with an effort--Ralph had placed a pleading hand on theforeman's arm. He felt Forgan start and quiver. Would he burst intoone of his uncontrollable fits of passion and storm and rave, andprobably assault him?
The climax delayed so long that Ralph ventured another appeal.
"For little Nora's sake, Mr. Forgan!" he pleaded.
"Boy, you have said enough--go! go!" spoke Forgan huskily.
He almost pushed Ralph from the room. The door went shut, with Ralphstanding outside, his breath coming quickly, for the episode had beenone of intense strain.
Ralph sighed. Had he gone too far? The sincerity of his wish for theforeman's good told him he had not.
In the little office he could hear Forgan striding to and fro. Suddenlythere was a halt.
Then came a crash. If only for the time being, Tim Forgan had beeninfluenced to a holy, beneficent decision. He had shattered thewretched black bottle to atoms.
"Thank God!" breathed the young railroader fervently.