The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-10-18
CHAPTER II.
Darrell

'> AioA ." NoihbloSo loue past oI Il
calico cayuse. To the saddle cantle
was strapped a well-worn travelling
bag.
Darrell caught the stranger survey
ing him covertly. The mans gaze
was quickly avertcd. however, when the
other parted the scrutiny with a keen
look.
There's certainly a heavy load on
that fellows mind" thought Darrell as
he gathered up the lines n nicked
the whip lash between the bronchos'
ears.
The galloping cayusc was pointed
south n barrels plunging team
swiftly carried him abreast of it's rider.
and ahead. Quickly the stranger drew
rein and was still at a halt when the
blackboard and its single passenger
topped a rise and vanished on the other
side.
In those days all sorts and condi-
tons 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 b.
honorable" were the wore that passed
and repassed through his mind.
Rarely, indeed, did tn is freelance al
low anything to weigh upon his spir-
Its. But there was something in the
MeXicana's statement that struck cru
ely against a desire to be a little differ
cnt and a little better than he knew
himself to be.
An honorable man must be honest.r
thought Darrell. but an honest man is
not necessarily honorable" He smiled
to himself. "Tha is what the sonora
would imply and she is not consistent"
All the way to Sandy Bar he solilo-
quiZed, coming to himself abruDtiy
when he sighted the Eponay below
him and made out the huddlcd build
1ngs OF the camp. With a shrug he
dismissed his unpleasant reflections
and gave attention to the work that
confronted him.
Wher will | find Murgatroyd?" he
asked of the mar who took charge of
his team at the camp corral.
That's tellin'," was the answer, az;
n pair of speculative eyes travelled,
over the newcomer. by ten an after
you can generally find Murg at Hawk
bills. Sometimes durin' the day he's
at his minin' office"
Where is the onicc?"
up stairs owe 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
iper's?"
Nav. that's H~awkbill's. Kalipcr-s
is the next buildin' north"
"Thanll you"
Darrell started Immediately, his
slight, graceful figure watched c%urious-
~ by the man at the corral. "A tim
horn. If l know the brand" the MAI,
muttered. shaking his head f~orebodinr-
ly as he began unhitching the team:
he looks 1t all right. and besides he
asked for M~urGatroyd."
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 lamns
that archcd above the sidewalk. Oar
rel took note of the temple of chance
behind them. Such establishments FL
ways interested him professionally, and
TINS one, with its e~laborately painted
front. its fulsomc display of rcd
Slobes and its air of prosperity, was
plainly a favoritc rendezvous.
NdiIpeI place was q restaurant AZ
least a sign indicated that ..mceIs"
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
1ronted by a doc bearing the words.
H. MurSatroyd, Mines and Mining
Stocks"
Without a moments hesitation. Oar
rel opened the door and stepped with
in. A sallow-faced young man sat at
the table. writing.
The clerk was alone. but off m tho
right was a door, partly aiar. and
marked Private" The scratching of
the clerks pen ceased suddenly when
ne saw a stranger in the Office
stranger with one hand behind him
Under his coat. ~
Well?" queried the clerk.
L V business with SIursatrovd"
answered Darrell.
hes out OF town. said the clerk
"A shadow of disappointment crossed
Darrel $ lace as the hand was with
drawn from under the coat
When viii he returno"
In time for the games at Hawk
biu's." Ha"A-