The Washington times., 1903-02-01
By Lieut.. C. DE H. BROWNE.

Z OS ALMENDROS, an inland city
of California, was enjoying he
- peculiarly subtle onslaught of a
boom when Mr.. Stanley Flint
alfghted at the gaudIIy painted station
from a passing train. ImperceptibIy and
without warning it had crept upon the
place almost. as it were, in a single
night. On the signboards and dead walls
nothing else was seen. Among the peo-
pie it was dominant to the exclusion of
all other conversational topics The TT
tie white survey stakes. which every
where dotted the green fields, seemed
TO spell it out and bIazen it TO the world.
The very atmosphere was teeming with It
with that which words are inadequate
to describe, but which can best be uken-
ed TO the an-pervadfng eTervescence Of
the human mind-a boom
Tall, of strong yet graceful build, md
not penniless, as was evidenced by the
neat and even fashionable attire partial
". but not wholly, concealed beneath
the folds Of a long buster. Stanley was at
once surrounded with a crowd of vocifer-
atfng hackmen. From his features. dark,
weather bronzed. and rather handsome, he
might have seen thirty or fifty years
albeit his eyes possessed a certain ag-
gressive fire which age Is supposed to
veil: end by the same token also he ap-
peared bussfuIIy unconscious Of the
shouts that were being hurled at his
head.
Slowly his gaze wandered over 1he
adjacent buildings-most of them time
worn, but some bearing the unmistak-
able stamp of sudden land perhaps tenn
porary) prosperity. Thence his eye rang
ed to the fields and vineyards beyond,
strayed even farther, to a small lake in
the distance, and across its surface to
the first slope Of the wooded foothills,
and then dropped TO the faces Of those
about him.
'Assuredly, gentIemen-a carriage.'
he said in gracfousIy meIlifuent tone.
accompanied by an induIgent smile. not
unlike that which a politician bestows on
his constituents. But, averse to the
manifestation of individual favoritism.
possibly you will concede me the privi-
iege Of a selection from the vehicular
equipages."
The words that glided nonchalantly
from his lips were. apparently. as unin-
teHigible to those soliciting his patron
age as would have been an address in the
Washoe dialect With a blank stare,
however. they unconscfously drew back
at which Mr. Flint smiled again-and
walking leisurely through their ranks he
approached the lire Of carriages. enter
ing that which among them presented
the best exterior appearance
eMoral-poIteness, like music hath its
charms was his bland observation to
the driver, who FASTENED to close the door
behind him. Then he laid OBTAINING
hand on the mans arm. The biggest
hotel" he added. in more business-like
tone. you understand? Not necessarily
the best. but the biggest-the highest
priced-in fact. the boomiest."
Presumably the man did understand,
for he nodded and climbed toward his
seat, while Stanley settled himself com
fortabIy on the cushions. The next in
slant there was sharp crack from with
cut, loud. spltefuI and more vicious than
that Of whip. With z careless disre-
gard for the already moving wheels. he
threw open the door and leaped back 70
the platform.
The cab drivers. hotel runners and
other fotsam and jetsam Of the station
were huddIed close TO the carriages. as
If in fear, while IN the open space, only
g few yards distant, young girl, her
face devoid of every trace of color. and
her eyes blazing with hard. determined
light, was pointing a pistol. already
smoking, at the figure Of man who was
running swiftly down the street
Like fash Stanley took in the situa-
ton. and HIS long buster glided through
the frightened crowd as a yacht sweeps
through the water. Again the girls
finger pressed the trigger, but his hand
elosed on her wrist. and the bullet sped
harmlessly sIyward
''Very-very foofish.' he said. in a
low tone. quietly taking the weapon
from her hands. You might hit some
one, you know"
Then he glanced apprehensively at the
crowd. which. the danger at an end. at
once began TO congregate. and grasping
her. arm. he quickly drew her toward the
waiting cab.
"Drive-drive anywhere. but don't
stop" was his command 20 the driver.
Hastily closing the door. he allowed
the girl TO sink down on the opposite
cushions For a brief interval. as they