The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1909-07-27


hind which rushed a food carrying
plunging logs. He peered into the
swirling waters on one side. and on
the other down the rough wall of rock
and mortar. The mill. silent and un
calmly, stood half way from the tor
of the further hill, and Just on the
bend. In the ravine below the dam,
where the dark still hung. was the
mill camp-the cook house. the bunk
house, the office-and. scattered to-
gether, cottages OF the two or three
families. Lool a : ut these. the watch
er stopped and struck his fist on
the wall Of rock, never needing the
bleeding bruise made by the blow. and
between his thumb and forefinger test
ed a bit of mortar.
The man rose--an uncertain figure
In the stealing dawn--and went down
the path into the ravine above which
the dam loomed.
Pausing at little shackround whose
step were signs OF the flowers that
come in the early spring, he opened
the door.
Are ye awake, Maggie 7" he asked,
moving softly in, and subtly conscious
OF the murky corners OF the small
room that made his home.
Sure. Jim Cebrian, you know
can't sleep. an you out In the dark an
rain" answered Maggie, stirring un-
der the bedclothing. Her white
gowned arms thrown above her head
moved, and she half sat up, support
ing herself on her elbow what is
1t, Jim?" she asked in voice born
OF the nights suspense and anxiety.
Jim came over and went on his
knees at the side OF the bed. Mag
Maggie, grill" he exclaimed,
with conyulsive breath.
With her free arm Maggie drew to
her shoulder she shaggy black head.
why, Jim." she said, soothingly, Il
amt never seen you like this be-
fore"
"Sh! Don't you wake Jimty!" Jim
cautioned. In catastrophe still remem-
hering the small things. AS he spoke
he looked beyond the bed to the rough
trundle that he himself had knocked
together. and ON which was dimly re-
vealed the figure Of a sleeping child.
I'm not thinkin' of Jimty!' Maggie
brought Jims face to hers, and he felt
the tearG ON her cheeks. "The child's
all right-but you. you!--roamin' in
the night time an where to don't
know!" she accused.
I've got to tell somebody" he
whispered. his tune turned to des-
perate straits.
Maggie, tell ye can't stand it no
longer guess the preachers the
best human bein' there is, an after
wards the boys may string me up If
they want to- Maybe"-jealousy--
maybe Helms'll git ye after all-no!
can't bear that! I'd ruther die to-
gether. Come, Maggie, my brains all
burned up"
When he returned blue-eyed little
Mrs. Cebrian had arisen and had
dressed little Jimty.
Accustomed to sudden summons.
John Rickard, the travelling evangei-
ist. came into the room where the
little family huddled.
Preacher" the man began clumsily,
Il ain't slept for week, an I'm like
one in the sremens for drink. But il /
was dyin' the truth would be easy. be.
cause why. l couldn't think O. nothin'
eise.''
Yes, my man, 80 on encouraged
John Rickard. clear -visioned in his vp-
cation. Amy man could have trusted
him--tall. smiling-faced. and with
spiritual eye. Jim Cebrian trusted
him.
Because was big an strong.
Helms put me at work on the dam.
When he first knew me was q chop |
per. an afterwardp among the ma
chinery here at MIL No. 3. Out OF a
good many men he chose me on the |
dam. an then be made me boss !
there an could give the orders. You
know the turn the creek used 10 make |
q ways upf Well. by bringin' 1t this !
way. the logs an timber gets a pretty |
straight shoot from ali the mills along |
the line"
Mr.. Richards nodded understanding
" as Jim paused and wet his lips.
while Jimty'a fist beat his fathers
shoulders.
"One day" Jim went on. "scotty
come to me. Scotty's head o. the
teamsters. He says. 'Jim,' says he.
this here clay an gravel you're order
m comes from long way he says. !
an It's hard work teamin' over the I
grades. Besides. I'D like to make a
hurry lob. fer I've another contract
pushin'.' Yes says to him. but
Helms Is set on the stun. Helms saws
I sticks together when it's wet an
aardens like cement, an makes a safe
lam. Helms says It fastans the rocks
ike they'd growed Scotty SAYS.
Shot Helms is blow. can git as /
,ood clay an gravel a lot higher.
1.-TWO or three days before that I'd I
Ieen Helms take notice to my wife.
iere. an'--sn I'm jealous dog. sir
M IT helped me listen to Scottv,
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