The Glenwood post., 1914-05-30
(Continued)

ished stone portals Of the Cochise. q
hotel SO spacious in its interior and SO
richly appointed in its furnishings that
New Yorker. waking up there, might
easily imagine himself on Fifth ave
Ge.
1t was hardly . place to be looked
for in the West. and - Bud led the
way across the echoing lobby to pair
of stuffed chairs he had . vague feel
ing Of being In church. Stainsd-Glass
windows above ths winding stairvays
let in . soft light. and on the tower
ing pillars OF RarbAs were emblaSoA0A
prickly-pea - an emblem Of the
West. From the darkened balconies
above, half-sssa women looked down
curiously a. they entered, and in the
broad lobby below were gathered the
Drosperous cittssns 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 nod for Henry Kru.
ger. He was . man Of marx, - Bud
could see in . minute: but II he had
other business with those who hailed
him he let it pass and took out . rank
brier pipe. which he puaed while Bud
smoked q cigarette.
They were sitting together In Q
friendly silence when Phil came out Of
the dining room. but a. 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, a. he sank
down in the vacant chair. Looks like
the-morning-after with him. don't it,"
"Um." grunted Bud; reckon 1t 10.
Names Kruger"
''What-the mining man!"
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 'em for all of me-" OBJ
served Bud comfortably. You know
what think about Mexico"
Sure; but what was his PROPOSE
ton? What did he want you to do?"
Search me! He was mighty mys-
terious about it. Said he wanted
man he could trust"
Well 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 hoilered Mexico | quit. I've
got a plen.y"
Yes. but the little man choked
and could say no more Well. you're
one jim dandy business man, Bud
Hooker!" he burst out at last. You'd
let"
Well. what's the matter?" demand
ed Hooker defiantly. 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"
'Aw, don't be a fool, Phil" urged
the cowboy plaintively. 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
you?"
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 Lancey,
my pardner. My names Hooker"
Glad to know you. Hooker" re-
sponded Kruger. shaking him by the
hand. "How'do. Mr.. De Lancey."
He gave Phil 4 rather crusty nod as
he spoke. but De Lancey was dragging
mp another chair and failed to notice.
"Mr. Hooker was telling me about
some proposition you had. to 90 down
into Mexico" he began. drawing up
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
i1 Kruger perfectly quiet"
well. maybe So" qualified Dc Ian
coy; but when 1t comes to getting In
supplies"
Not bit Of trouble in the world"
said the old man crabbedly. "Not .
bit"
WELL" came back De Lancey.
whats the matter. then? What II
the proposition. anyway"
Henry Kruger blinked and eyed him
intertly.
''rva stated the proposition to Hook
er," he said. "and he refused it. That's
enough, amt it?"