Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-02-01
CHAPTER XIV.

the actions of men, the wheel reversed itself and
the whole world seemed to toward Port Hatch the
City Beautiful, arisen from deathly sornnolence and
again the land of delight for the hoeseeker and the
adventurer in quest of fortune. The influential and
widely read evening papers OF Seattle contained the
nouncement that the far-reachng railway had at the
last moment been compelled, for reasons that were
known itself alone to decide Port Hatch. And in
that marvellous spirit of Seattle that makes of every
"a modest winner but good loser they gracefully
acknowledged the merits of the rival port and wished
it The Northwest Coast, boundless in wealth
and resource, had room for ALL Rivalry, when it devel
oped the cause could after all be nothing more
than friendly.
The morning papers congratulated Port Hatch in is
that carried boats that suddenly resumed
their old schedules and Unexpectedly loaded with
the oldtime crowds seeking the city of promise.
Those who had chung to their investments in that
strange city congratulated themselves on their fore
sight, and those who had sold stampeded and
renew their allegiance.
The syndicate that had been deferred from buying
through the frankness of Burna after he had adopted
his and unyieding of honesty clanor-
ing back to the offices of the Port Hatch Land Com
pany and there met its old rivals the Conover group
which looked glum and distressed because it had
parted from golden opportunity. Others there
waiting, who volubly cursed Burmah Jones, accused
him of having trcked them into selling their holdings
loss, and now and then spared word of condemna-
for the Colonel, all OF which caused Billings busy
remark that it Emusic to the gamblers
hear the loser squeal."
RUT through all this reversal Burah Jones could not
be Anxious and wondering his disappearance
Little Billy and Tommy to Seattle and sought him
the third day after became public that Port Hatch
ndubtably destined to be great city. Like the
indefatigable hound dogs Of their native State they
nosed this way and that, seeking him. At his hotel
they knew nothing, that the morning of the big
he had paid his bill, carefully counted
the change, and delivered his baggage to taxicab.
They ferreed out the taxicab after hours of patient
work. and informed by its chauffeur that he had
taken Burmah to obscure lodging house down by
Smith Dock.
Thither they drove, and battered on the door of
dingy, decrepit, weatherbeaten structure that was
plainly relic of the earlier boom days when Seattle
had been merely transient. A frowzy headed girl who
chewed gum and fought with wsp of unkempt hair,
admitted them and pointed up the stairs
4Top floor back. think, is the gent you want" she
said and they climbed the creakng, dirty steps and
raped on the door at the end of dark hall.
Come in bade a weary voice, and they entered.
OUNGING as utterly tired of effort, and clothed
in gorgeous bathrobe, Burnah his feet in
cased in carpet slippers, and pile of papers scattered
on the floor beside him. Everywhere about him was
confusion and litter The fragments Of letters
the ragged carpet cigar butts the ledge of
the couded windowpane, and the remnants of sand
wches carelessly bestowed the top Of the wab
bly, dresser amid silver and gold toilet articles cup
and saucer, of that thickness affected by boarding
houses where such implements sometimes used
weapons top of his bed, indicating did every
thing else that for at least days he had been
out for his meals.
Hello, Boys!7 he greeted them if but hour
had elapsed since they last parted and this his
usual environment He did not rise from his chair
extend his hand and they that Deep sharp lines
had twisted themselves his face and that hoows
under the that had earessly met all corners and
all vcssitudes There still the old brave poise of
the head. the old reckless tilt of the firm chin, the old
steady pose of the stocky powerful body but in him
was the SUGGESTION of the victor vanduiShed.