THE IMPERIAL ENGINEER Read Online Free PDF

never be frightened of loud-mouthed yokels in a
backwater town. Why I imagine--"
    "That's enough," Tao Ni said, grabbing her arm again, this time tightly enough that
she knew she'd not be able to pull free. "Let's get you home."
    Short of digging in her feet and being dragged along the road, Lulu had no choice
but to go with him.
    Once they were out of earshot, she did dig in her heels. "Stop this, Tao Ni! Let me
go!"
    "Not until I get you home. Great God, Lulu, are you determined to make yourself
a laughing-stock? You're a mess. And don't call me Tao Ni, damn it! My name's Tony. Got
that? Tony Dewitt! I'll take you to the ice cream social, but not until you've cleaned up.
Let's go."
    "You'll take me nowhere," she said, twisting her arm, but unable to free it. "Let me
go!"
    "Will you go home and clean up?"
    "Oh, very well, if you'll turn loose."
    He stared at her for a moment before releasing her.
    Taking one step back, she propped her clenched hands on her hips. "Listen to me
Tao Ni," she said in a low tone, "Tony. Whatever you want to call yourself. I am not your
responsibility. I'm not your sister, not your wife. I'm not even sure I'm your friend. Not
anymore. Not if you're going to treat me as you have today. If you ever, ever humiliate me like that again, I'll...well, I don't know what I'll do, but you won't like it."
    "Like what? Like pulling you away from a crazy woman who was about to bash
your brains out? Getting you away from a mob bent on showing what they thought of your
feminist drivel? Saving you from those miners ready and eager to show you what they do
to women who have no shame? Why you little fool--"
    She raised a hand to slap him and found it stopped in mid-swing by his lifted arm,
as hard and immovable as an iron bar. Fingers tingling, she lowered the hand. "I can handle
boors quite nicely on my own, thank you. There was no need--"
    "No need?" He laughed. "That's not how it looked to me."
    She ground her teeth together. "I am going home now, but not because I am distraught . I need to change my clothes and comb my hair. Later I'll come back
and enjoy the rest of the day. Alone!" Before he could react, she spun on her heel and
strode away, her boots kicking up little puffs of dust with each step.
    Talk about boors! What else would you call a man who saw you as an
     empty-headed, helpless ninny without sense enough to come in out of the rain? A delicate flower
in need of a man's protection?
    Distraught my foot! I'll show you distraught, Tao Ni. I'll show you.

Chapter Three
This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of
communication. The device is inherently of no value to us.
Western Union internal memorandum, 1876.
    ~~~
    On Sunday, Lulu was invited to dine with the Tellers. Once again the Chinese man
drove her there. This time he almost smiled when she greeted him by name. Mr. Teller
opened the door as they arrived, and waited for her to mount the steps. He led her into the
parlor, where his wife sat with an older lady whom he introduced as Miss Petersham, a
teacher in the grade school.
    "I'll see you later, ladies," Mr. Teller said. "Stay out of mischief, now."
    As soon as they were alone, Imajean Teller leaned forward, her expression avid.
"Tell me, Miss King, who was that very good-looking young cave man?"
    Heat flooded Lulu's face. "A childhood friend. He thought he was being
chivalrous."
    "It certainly didn't help the cause. Those barbarians found it hilarious," Miss
Petersham commented acidly.
    "I'm aware of that, and so I told him. I doubt he'll come to my rescue again."
    "I thought it was fine of him," Imajean said. "I saw the tomato strike your face.
Such a terrible feeling, when that happens." She shuddered. "I always dreaded facing an
audience like yesterday's."
    "One becomes used to such things," Lulu said, "although I admit I dislike them
intensely. I've been at many rallies where our detractors threw worse missiles, including
stones."
    "At least one stone