“CHURSTONS”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16335, 26 January 1921, Page 5

“CHURSTONS”

By

PAUL TRENT

(Author of “ The Vow,” “ Adam,' eto. etc.) CHAPTER I--44 Wo shall have to cut our price,” Mark Lendridge 6aid with decision. The owner of the aeroplane works— James Churston—looked doubtfully at his young manager, and did not answer for a while. « “ I don’t like it,” he said at last. “ The margin of profit iB ..small enougn as it is-” . “ If we don’t lower our price Crosby will get the contract.” tit * As he spoke, Lendridge rose and looked down from his height at his employer. Some thirty years of age, his manner and bearing spoke of great confidence in himself, and yet there was no undue assurance. James Churston was a pioneer in the ( manufacture of aeroplanes and their engines. For generations his family had been engineers, and had been content v to pled along quietly, but although no longer a young man. he had at once seen the great possibility/ that lay ahead for a man with courage, and so lie had invested his fortune in the , conquering of the air. ! Through many difficulties he produced a really sound and reliable engine, so that the “ Churston ” acquired a well-merited fame among flying-men. But a few months ago a dangerous rival hnd sprung up. Among his staff • of designers was a young rna n —Julian Orosbv—exceptionally clever, and very ambitious. Tf he had been patient ho might have been given the partnership which he had demanded as a right, j Churston, who was a man of quick j temper, had “ shown him the door. ' I \ Crosby had already prepared for this i eventuality, nnd had laid his plans. > Within a week the foundations had j been laid for a large factory, and now ! he was producing an engine that was equal to the “Churston.” In fact it j was so good that he had received many j orders that would otherwise have gone j to the older firm. ! “I should like to know how much capital the man has behind him and the name of his ‘backer,’” Churston said impatiently. “Whoever he is, no has sunk a great deal of money, ana will havo to sink more There will be no profit for either of us, so loi'S a 3 this insane competition goes on.'* Lendridge sat down and produced a paper from his pocket. “I have the tests of the new engine,” he remarked quietly. “1 didn’t know you had her on the bench* What’s the result?” Technical figures were read by the manager, to which Churston listened with the closest attention, finally giving a grunt of satisfaction. “It sounds nil right,” he muttered. “It is all light, sir. Ten per cent more power from an engine of equal weight to our present one.” “We owe that improvement to you, Lendridge. By the by, we will have a talk very shortly. Crosby took me by the throat and demanded a partnership. You’ve plaved the game right through, and you shall find that it has paid “Thank you, sir,” Lendridge answeiecl quietly. The expression of his face did not change, and there was no undue elation. In fact, he gave one the impression of being a man who always held himself well in hand. His grey eyes were very steady, while his mouth was firm, though in no way hard ; Previous to entering the manufacturing side of aviation, he had acquired some fame as a flying man, and this experience had helped him considerably. A man of few friends, he was very reserved, and his manner rather forbidding. Yet those who knew him well liked and trusted him. “Is fhere anything more, sir? Tf not. T will go and watch the test. The engine has been running for over thirtv hours.” “ There is nothing more nt present, f shall be leaving early, and will come and took at her before I go- My daughter returns homo to-night. She is coming to stay.” “Hus she finished at the University P” “Yes, thank eroodness.” Lendridge walked through the outer I office, but when he reached the door, a man of his own age came in. “The guv’nor about?” the newcomer asked casually. “He is in.” Lendridge answered, and then turped to a clerk. “ Ask Mr Churston if ho will see Mr Crosby,” he snid curtly. “ f hear you’ve got a now engine on the bench—how’s she going?” Crosby asked with calm insolence. A small slender man, with piercing l black eyes, he earned himself jauntily. “Mr Churston will give you any information he thinks fit. That is. if he consents to see you,” Mark added drvly. To his surprise, the c-lerk came back and asked CVosTjv to go to the private office. Lendridge was surprised, but with a shrug of the shoulders went away to his work. As a matter of fact, Ohurstaon’s first impulse was to refuse to see his visitor, hut it was not his habit to net upon the impulse of the moment. No harm could come from an interview, and it might bo just ns well to listen to what the man had to say. Crosby swaggered into the room, and without awaiting an invitation, subsided into an arm-chair. “ Do you object to my smoking?** he asked as he emitted a cloud of smoke. “You ought to know I do. There isn’t an nsh tray, but the fireplace will do—thank you.” Mr Churston added, when the cigar was thrown away. “ Now, Crosby, what do you want? T am busy.” “So am T. But T rather imagine it may pay us both to spare an hour. I’ve come to talk about this Featherston© contract. It’s prettv big. Isn’t there enough in it fer both of u«P” “ My works are capable of fulfilling the whole contract,” Churston answered decisively. “I jrn.s afraid you would take that lino. Isn’t it rather a pity? If you were only reasonable, we might he making a fair profit instead of working at a loss. If we go oil long enough Qfie of us must break, and it won’t be “We shall see about that. Listen to me, Croshv. All the training you've got you owe to me. Your engine i« prnetioaiy our design ** “With certain improvements—you’ll admit that.” _“ I always treated you generously You were paid a big si lory ” “I know that, hut.l could not work for another man. I always meant to he my own ‘ boss.’ T came to you frankly and made an offer—which you refused to entertain. That rofijsnl has cost you something, and will cost you more unless you come to terms with me.” “ Whv have you come to me to-day, unless it’s because you are reaching the end of your capital? 1 can afford to fight for n long time to come.” “ I’ve come to von because your daughter returns to-dnv. I’ve been in love with her from the first time I saw her. . That was why I wanted n partnership, 1 knew yon would never let her marry one of your emplovco.fi And that is why I started in opposition. T think I’ve proved myself a man. We are more or less on equal terms. I’m not asking yon to come to an agreement because T ? m afraid of you. As n matter of fact, my barker has unlimited faith th me. and he'll finance me so lonjj as I want money.” “ Your impudence i« colossal,” Chursfcon said nsigrfl.v ** Mr Churston, you ar© not a young man. and yon have no son. My suggestion is that you give me a chance of winning your daughter’s love. Tf she accepts me, then I propose we amah gamut© otir business. I prophesy there will he no engine in the market to touch the Crosby-Churston.” (To be Continued.)