The Huttig news., 1909-09-18

Stone, sir Which served not only to surprise but to please Whispering Smith
 Some of my men were free, con tinued McCloud; q switched some mattresses and sacks around the Y. 1 thinking they might come in play here i for you at the bend. They are at your service if you think you need them"
 Need them," Lance swore fiereely and from the bottom of his heart He was glad to get help from any quar- ter and made no beaes about it. More over. McCloud lessened the embarrass- ment by explaining that he had per sonal interest in holding the channel where it ran. lest a change above mieht threaten the approaches already built to the bridge; and Whispering Smith who would have been on terms with the catfish if he had been flung | into the middle of the Crawling Stone contributed at once, like a re-enforeed spring. to the ease of the situation. Lance again took off his hat and wiped the sweat of anxiety from his dripping forehead. "Whatever differ ences of opinion I may have with your company. I have no lack of esteem personally McCloud. for you sir. by heaven. How many men did you bring?'
 And whatever wheels you Crawling Stone ranchers may have in your heads on the subject of irrigation re- turned McCloud, evenly T have no lack of esteem personally. MT. Dun. hing, for you. I brought 100.'
 Do you want to take charge here? I'm frank, sir; you understand this game and I don't"
 Suppose we look the situation over: meantime. all our supplies have to be brought across from the Y. What should you think, MT. Cunning, of put ing all the teams you can at that end of the work ?"
 Every man that can be spared from the river shall go at it. Come over here and look at our work and judge for yourself"
 They rode to where the forces as. sembled by Lance were throwing tr embankments and riprapping. There aS HUI hC0 QHHlDS tO dliu lIQ, d AiO-
 ent dragging about of willows. and a
 good deal of shouting.
 Cunning, with some excitement, watched McCiouds face to note the effect of the activity on him, but Nc Clouds expression, naturally reserved
 reflected nothing of his views on tht
 subject. Cunning waved his hand at
 the lively scene. They've been at il all night. How many would you take
 lway. sir?"
 "Ycu might take them all away as far as the river is concerned" said i McCloud, after a moment.
 What? He'll All?"
 They are not doing anything are they, but running around in circle ? 1 And those fellows over there might as we'll be making mud pies as riprap- ping at that roint. What we need | there is a mattress and sandbags-
 nd plenty Of them. Bill" directed McCloud in an even tone of business IS he turned to Dancing, see how 1 quick you can get your gangs over here with what sacks they can carry and walk fast. If you will put your men on horses. Mir. Cunning. they can | ae,p like everything. That bank won't last great while the way the | river is getting under it now" Dan 1 cling wheeled like an elephant on his | bronco and slattered away through the mud. Lance Cunning, recovering from | lis surprise started his men back for | the wagons, and McCloud, dismount- 1 ing, walked with him to the waters | edge to plan the fight for what was left of the strip in front of the alfalfa | fields.
 When Whispering Smith got back to the house he was in good humor. l He joined Dicksie and Marion in the l dining room. where they were drink | ing coffee. Afterward Dicksie ordered horses saddled and the three rode to the river. Up and down the bank as | far as they could see in the misty rain, men were moving slowly about more men, it seemed to Dicksie, her life. The confusion and the noise had disappeared No one appeared to | hurry, but every one had something | to do. and, from the gangs who with siedges were sinking .dead-men" among the trees to hold the cables of the mattress that was about to be sunk, and the laps who were diligent- | ly preparing to float and load 1t, to 1 the men that were filling and wheel ing the sandhags. no one appeared ex- cited. McCloud joined the visitors for few moments, and then went back to where Dancing and his men on life lines were guiding the mattress4io it's resting place. In spite of the gloom of the rain. which Whispering Smith said was breaking Dicksie rode back to the house in much better spirits with her two guests: and when they came from luncheon the sun. as Smith had predicted. was shining
 'Oh. come out,n cried Dicksie. at the door. Marion had letter to write and went upstairs. but Whispering Smith followed Dicksie Does every. thing yoI say come true9H she de manded as she stood in the sunshine
 She was demure with light hearted.