The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1906-08-09

more hours riulnE VII Aahe Luem 10
the mine. They can see smoke rising
in the sunny atmosphere telling Of
houses In that quarter. though a ridge
the same that contains the wonder
ful %auriferous deposit that has made
the name Fl Dorado known through
out the whole world-corceals them
as yet from the gaze Of n travellers.
At exactly a quarter to twelve the
cavalcade draws up before the mouth
Of the mine, where thee are greeted
with cheers by the groups Of miners
who, having been warned an hour or
more before, are awaiting to receive
them.
A number Of houses have grown up
near the opening Of the FL Dorado
some Of them dwelling places for the
engineers in charge and their families.
Miss Westerly has been rigidly seven
in her management Of the mine, and
there are no liquor joints within a GER
tain radius. in fact, as far as she con
trolls. Besides. the men employed In
various positions Of trust have been
carefully selected. ard are especially
fitted for their work-most Of them
are Temperance men, and as a natural
result those they employ are to be
trusted. though Of course hypocrites
win creep in at times; wolves in
Sleeps clothing.
Our friends soon make themselves
at home: Dora and her mistress are
taken into the house Of the chief en-
glneer. while Dick and Bob determine
to camp with the men near by. as they
particularly desire 10 e all that goes
on. II the wal that was inaugurated
on Mexican soil on the Alameda Is to
be concluded at the FL Dorado. they
mean to keep posted
The great mine employs scores OF
men, and turns out great quantities
OF the richest ore. Their profits must
be close upon the two million mark
per annum. the way the mills stamp
At out at present. Little wonder. I'M
der such circumstances, that the
greedy old Senior Lopez is exceedingly
anxious TO get control of the whole
business; he hopes to turn both
streams Of gold into his capaoious
pockets. and thus make himself the
wealthiest man in al Mexico.
when Dick and Bob see what Is go
ing on at the mine, they do not won
der at the pertinacitv Of the Mexican
in following Pauline ecross the sea-
surely the wealth Of Croesus is here
disclosed. Guards are everywhere. all
heavily armed. and apparently ready
TO do battle in the interests Of the
cause they serve. A singular scene,
truly. and one the Ike OF whs1h could
not be found anywhere else IN the
world, the soldiers OF a government
hired out TO serve a private eater
prise.
Dick asks quiet questions; It Is his
desire to discover how much Of a hold
the Lopez family NAV have upon the
mine, how deep the influence OF the
willy old s%trategist has gone. He is
surprised at what he learns. Lopez
has been at work and secretly con
trois many Of the men. This he learns
from the engineer in charge.
There is a surprise I'm store for Dick
and one that makes him uneasy. He
is walking among the houses just at
sunset. having seen Pauline home
after a ~fatiguing survey OF the mine.
and declining an Invitation 10 supper
from the chief engineers wife. when
he hears his name spoken In a low
voice.
"senor Dicki"
He starts and looks back. Not a
living being does he see upon the
rough street. Surely he must have
dreamed Il. he sweeps a hand
across his brow and muttors some.
thing about his mind playing him a
scuryy trick. when again & comes. Ike
q zephyr;
"senor Dieki az the window"
An. now he comprehonds. He looks
up and finds himself face 10 face With
the Mexican beauty. Juanita.
How comes the daughter OF Lopez
here? Dick feels a little SILVER pass
yer his flame as e strikes him that
her presence az the El Dorado has
something 20 do with Pauline: he can.
not forget, however. that the black.
eyed hOuri really did what she could
TO save his life ct the time OF the
IRE In Paris, and that ne is thus under
obligations to her.
This Is indeed a surprise;
thought you were sim In the City Of
Mexico" he says. after an awkward.
embarrassing pause.
IT Is nothing new TO- n Lopez 70 be
here. Once we owned the whole OF
this great mine. / have seen Il many
times. ] hear you had much trouble
on the road. senior,
mot We; & was the other parties
who had The rough time. senorita. ne
laughs, his good nature coming to the
rescue.
"will you enter aud tell me about
itq"
He shakes his head; the ny Is dis
posed TO be cautious. and gives as an
eKcnse that his c0mrude viii be walt
ing supper for him a tho same time
ne rapidly sketches the desperate az
fair IN the Valley los Muertas. aud
suanita's head droops as n IN shame.