The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1914-06-11
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RIGHT AT The SWITCH
BY JUNE GABlAN.

Sue always kept personal tab on all
newcomers, and when she looked Win
throp over appraisingly the first time
he stood at her desk and asked for a
number.
| Inc general summing up was not so
bad. He was young, rather bald
easterner, with eyeglasses, and a way
of staring inQuiringly at you before
| speaking, but his eyes were brown
and pleasant, and his chin was well
rounded, with deep cleft In it. Also,
his voice was deep and well modu-
lated. and she approved of his taste
In neckties. The fashion in neckties
| around Buffalo Wallow was not espe-
cially artistic, although it showed d.
versified tastes and much individu-
atty.
But Sue had not always lived in
the little struggling town that sort
or dripped over the edge Of the big
mountain, and chung to its sides pre-
cariously. She had been sent down
by the telegraph company when 1t
threw line through from Tuscaloosa,
and had worked down at the station
first. but when the boom hit the town,
and the st. Hubert was built, civic
pride placed the little blonde operator
in place of honor at the switch.
1t was understood locally that Mr..
Tate was the eastern representative
of the particular branch that connect
ed Tuscaloosa and Buffalo Wallow
with the outer world. Also, that the
said company was listening favorably
to Buffalo Wallow's wall that It's name
be changed to something in keeping
with its new financial Importance.
But Sue knew otherwise. She knew
that Mr.. Tate was in daily telephone
communication with Saunders of the
Bucking Bronch mines, and it troubled
her. Two years in Buffalo Wallow
had left her with a very fair estimate
OF everybody's private and public
character. Mr.. Saunders would not
bear close inspection. He had a rec
ord behind him that gave him the full
credit of being the cleverest mine salt
er OF any male in western Montana.
The only trouble was that he got away
with 1t. He sailed so thoroughly and
understanding could realize that the
result was purely artificial. Bucky
Saunders victims always believed that
he meant well. and was sore deceived
even as were they. by Mother Natures
caprices.
DO you know anything about this
Mr. Saunders. Miss Daniels?' asked
Winthrop, casually. one day, after
long-distance chat with Bucky.
1--WE known him for two years" Sue
replied He's tartar. Nobody ever
connects with him except eastern folks.
Don't get In too deep, Mr.. Tate"
"Oh. I'm not getting in at all.
thanks" smiled back Winthrop. only
he interests me. Seems wide awake.
What's his speciality"
He gets people who don't know
any better to put cold cash into mines
that are only skin deep, and then
ducks"
But he owns the Bucking
Broncho."
HE does now. 1t used to be his
partners. too. Half of 1t ought to
belong to AL Baldwin. That's his part
ner's SON." Sue clicked switch
sharply. Some people say that Mr..
Saunders took special pains to push
Mr.. Baldwin over the edge of the can.
yon, but maybe not. He was dead,
anyway. when they found him"
Successful people always make
enemies" remarked Mr.. Tate, pleas
antly. HE seems rather a nice sort
of fellow to me-"
ooh, he's nice" she laughed, only
don't let him sell you any mines I'M
less you like the salt of the earth,
that's all The Bucking Broncho used
to be a good mine, l guess, but It's
all worked out. Bucky's sold 1t about
eight times SO far, and got 1t back
cheap each time. Don't let him hurt
you, Mr.. Tate"
I'm not here after mines." said
Tate. "My business is railroads"
Wei, Bucky deals with them, too"
Sue told him, cheerfully. Hes very
versatile. We'ro trying to name the
town Lewiston. because Lewis and
Clark camped here once, l guess, and
Bucky disapproves. He wants to
found new town over on his side
Of the range, and get the railroad to
take an interest In the Bucking
Broncho."
You're right at the switch. aren't
you, little girl?" smiled Tate.
Sue flushed slightly, but stood her
ground
II IKE the town here" she con-
fessed, and I hate to see a fellow like
Bucky Saunders take its hide. He'd
talk to the Angel Gabriel till he
bought a brass horn for the golden
trumpet Then again, AL Baldwin's
going to the dogs as fast as he can
on account of 1t all"
Amy personal interest there"
ASKED Winthrop. mildly, leaning over
the top OF the desk. Sues honest
blue eyes promptly hid behind long
black lashes. She had liked Al once
upon time, she confessed. but there
wasn't any chance now. because he
was drinking himself to death.
1t was the next day that Tate left
word at the desk for Bucky Saunders
to call him up at 4 sharp. Sue was
to tell him that when he asked over
tho wires for Tate. And Sue noticed
that Mr.. Tate went leisurely down to