The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-07-18

ished stone portals Of the Cochise,
hotel 50 spacious In its interior and 50
richly appointed in its furnishings that
New Yorker, waking up there, might
easily imagine himself on Fifth ave
nue..
II was hardly a place TO be looked
for IN the West, and as Bud led the
way across the echoing lobby to pair
OF stuffed chairs he had q vague feel
ing OF being in church Stained-glzss
windows above the winding stairways
let in soft light, and on the tower
ing pillars Of marble were emblazoned
prickly-pears as an emblem Of the
West From the darkened balconies
above, half-seen women looked down
curiously as they entered, and in the
! broad lobby below were gathered the
prosperous citizens Of the land.
There were cattlemen, still wearing
their boots and overalls, the better TO
attend to their shipping; mining men,
| just as they had come from the hills;
and others more elegantly dressed
but they all had a nod for Henry Kru-
ger. He was a man OF mark, as Bud
could see in minute; but If he had
] other business with those who hailed
| him he let it pass and took out a rank
brier pipe, which he pulled while Bud
/ smoked a cigarette.
They were sitting together in a
! friendly silence when Phil came out of
the dining room. but as he drew near
the old man nodded to Bud and went
over to speak to the clerk
who was that old-timer you were
talking to?" inquired Phil, as he sank
down in the vacant chair Looks like
the-morning-after with him, don't it?'
"Um," grunted Bud; reckon 1t is.
Names Kruger
"What-the mining mann"
That's right"
Well" exclaimed Phil, what in the
world was he talking to you about?''
"Oh, some kind OF a mining DEAL %
grumbled Bud. Wanted me to go
down into Mexico!"
"What'd you tell him?" challenged
the little man, sitting up suddenly in
his chair. Say. that old boys got
rocks!"
He can keep EN- for all Of me-" OBJ
served Bud comfortably. You know
what think about Mexico
Sure; but what was his PROPOSE
IAOA W Adl u1u Ne WALL you " w
Search met He was mighty mys-
ferrous about it. Said he wanted a
man he could trust"
We'll, holy Moses, Bud!" cried Phil.
wake up! Didn't you get his PROPOSE
tion?"
NO, he wasn't talking about it. Said
it was a good thing and he'd pay me
well, or let me in on the deal; but
when he hollered Mexico 1 quit I've
got a plenty"
Yes, but" the little man choked
and could say no more. We'll, you're
one Jim dandy business man, Bud
Hooker!" he burst out at last. You'd
let"
We'll, what's the matter?" demand
ed Hooker defantly. DO you want to
go back into Mexico? Nor me, neither!
What you kicking about?"
You might have led him on and
got the scheme, anyway. Maybe
| there's a million in it Come on, let's
go over and talk to him. I'd take a
chance, If it was good enough
'Aws don't be a fool, Phil" urged
the cowboy pIaintively- We've got no
call to hear his scheme unless we want
to go in on it Leave him alone and
he'll do something for US on this side.
Oh, cripes, what's the matter with
your"
He heaved himself reluctantly Up
out of his chair and moved over TO
where Kruger was sitting.
Mr. Kruger" he said, as the old
man turned to meet him, I'll make
you acquainted with Mr.. De Lanceyl
my pardner. Ny names Hooker"
Glad to know you, Hooker" re-
sponded Kruger, shaking him by the
hand. "How'do, Mr.. De Lancey."
He gave Phil rather crusty nod as
he spoke, but De Lancey was dragging
up another chair and failed to notice
Mr.. Hooker was telling me about
some proposition you had, to go down
into Mexico" he began, drawing W
closer while the old man watched him
from under his eyebrows. That's one
tough country to do business in right
now, but at the same time"
THE country's perfectly quiet" put
in Kruger-"perfectly quiet"
We'll, maybe so,'' qualified De Ian
cey; but when 1t comes to getting in
supplies"
Not a bit of trouble in the world,
said the old man crabbedly. Not &
bit"
We'll" came back De Lancey
what's the matter, then? What ID
the proposition, anyway"
: Henry Kruger blinked and eyed hin
intently.
1--WE stated the proposition to Hook
err" he said, land he refused it That's
enough. amt it?''
De Lancey laughed and turned away
We'll, yes, 1 guess it is" Then, IL
passing, he said to Bud: GO aheaC
and talk to him."
He walked away, lighting a cigarette
and smiling good-naturedly, and tn,
oId-timer turned to Bud
: That's a smart man you've got 70
pardner," he remarked. "A smar
man. You want to look out" he added
"or he'll get away with you"
Nope said Bud. You don't know
. him like I do. He's straight as die.
a man can be straight and still &c
away with you" observed the vetera-
shrewdly. Yes, indeed" He pause
u I