Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1904-04-21
CHAPTER II.
Darrell '"PREsENTS HIS COMPLI-
MENTS"


MENTS."
AS Darrell climbed into his blackboard
the man in corduroys rode past on a
calico cayuse. To the saddle cantle
was strapped a well-worn travelling
bag.
Darrell caught the stranger survey
ing him cOyertly. The mans gaze
was quickly averted, however, when the
other parried the scrutiny with a keen
look.
There's certainly a heavy load on
that fellows mind" thought Darrell as
he gathered up the lines and fiicked
the whip lash between the bronchos
ears.
The galloping cayuse was pointed
south and Darrel's plunging team
swiftly carried him abreast of it's rider,
and ahead. Quickly the stranger drew
rein and was still at halt when the
blackboard and it's single passenger
topped rise and vanished on the other
side.
In those days all sorts and condi-
tions of men were to be met in that
section, so Darrell scarcely gave the man
in corduroys a further thought. you
may be honest, but you cannot be
honorable" were the words that passed
and repassed through his mind.
Rarely, indeed did this freeance al
low anything to weigh upon his spir-
its. But there was something in the
MeXicanas statement that struck cru
ely against desire to be little differ
cnt and little better than he knew
himself to be.
AN honorable man must be honest"
thought Darrell but an honest man is
not necessarily honorable" He smiled
to himself. That is what the sonora
would imply and she is not consistent"
Ali the way to Sandy Bar he solilo-
quized, coming to himself abruptly
when he sighted the Eponay below
him and made out the huddled build
ings of the camp. With a shrug he
dismissed his unpleasant reflections
and gave attention to the work that
confronted him.
Where will | find Murgatroyd?" he
asked of the man who took charge of
his team at the camp corral.
That's tellin'," was the answer, as
a pair of speculative eyes travelled
over the newcomer. "By ten an after
you can generally find Murg at Hawk
bi!ls. Sometimes durin' the day he's
at his minin' office"
where is the office?"
up stairs over Kaliper's place See
that buildin with the lamps in front?"
The man pointed down the street as
he put the question.
Yes" replied Darrell. as that Kali
ipers?"
Nav, that's Hawkbill's. Kaliper's
is the next buildin' north"
Thank YOU"
Darrell started Immediately, his
slight, graceful figure watched curious
ly by the man at the corral. "A tin
horn, If | know the brand" the man
muttered, shaking his head foreboding-
ly as he began unhitching the team;
"he looks it all right, and besides he
asked for Murgatroyd."
At that hour of the day Sandy Bar
was quiet and orderly. Night brought
the miners out of the hills and the
gambling gentry from their lurking
places, the games and the excitement
beginning simultaneously.
While passing the cluster of lamps
that arched above the sidewalk Dar-
rel took note of the temple of chance
behind them. Such establishments al
ways interested him professionally, and
this one, with its elaborately painteCS
front, it's fulsome display of red
globes and its air of prosperity, was
plainly favorite rendezvous.
Kaliper's place was a restaurant, at
least a sign indicated that 'meels"
were to be had at all hours. A narrow
stairway led to the second floor and |
at the top of the flight Darrell was con-
fronted by door bearing the words:
Il. Murgatroyd, Mines and Mining |
Stocks"
Without moments hesitation, Dar- |
rel opened the door and stepped with |
in. a sallow-faced young man sat at |
the table, writing.
The clerk was alone, but off to the