Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1915-12-09

and pepper. Along both edges stood
| an army of white earthenware plates,
| hanked by bone-handled knives and
| forks and tin spoons
At the west, beside an open door,
was high pine desk Uttered with pa
pers, telephone hung at one side. A
small table stood before window,
I with rocking chair in proximity
| one of those low, old-fashioned rock
| ing chairs that old women use, and
| that invariably hold patchwork
cushion with green fringe, and white
knitted tidy. That rocker was part OF
Daily's camp. 1t had followed the
march of progress as the camp cut its
way into the hills.
IT'S my one comfort" Ma was wont
to say. though land knows l don't
get to set in it more'n a quarter what
I'd like"
AS the loggers slid noisily on to the
benches, their caulks giving up the
mud they had held purposely for the
swept fioor. Siletz came and went, set
ting the substantial viands in the
open spaces left In the expanse of
white oilcloth. She exchanged word
here and there. always a sensible
word, something of the work. the day.
or the men themselves. She was put
ting plate of cookies, sugar-sanded.
with currants on top, between Jim
Anworthy and black-haired Pole.
when foot struck the step at the
west door. There was something in
the sound that drew every head
around at once. A stranger stood
against the misty darkness between
the jambs.
He was young, apparently about
twenty-five or six, well set up, with
straight shoulders above narrow hips
apd poise that claimed instant at
tention. He removed his soft hat,
holding it in his hand, while his
bright blue eyes looked impersonally
over the room. Over his shoulder a
pair of big, dark ones peered anxious
ly, while black muzzle with small,
white patch nosed his elbow aside.
John Daily?"
1t was call that demanded, not a
question.
From the head of the nearest table
giant Of man. easy natured, lax
featured, loose joints banded together
by steel sinews, rose lumberingly.
Pm him." he said.
The man in the door brought his
eyes sharply to focus on his face, read
ing it with lightning rapidly
I'm the Dillingworth Lumber COM
pany-or most of it," he said clearly,
land I've come to stay. Where shall
| put my horse?"
There was a startled silence after
these amazing words. An unexpressed
ejaculation went from face to face up
and down the tables. Then John Daily |
showed why he was tina best foreman
in that region. He got himself loose
from the end bench and walked over
10 the door
"All right, Mr."
He waited easily, as Il it was per-
fectly natural for strangers to drop
from hilltop anc announce them |
selves the ruling power Of the country, /
or more strictly speaking one of the |
ruling powers, for there were two.
"Sandry." finished the other. wal |
ter Sandry-from Na.v York"
Come in. Mr. Sandry-you're Just
in time"
Daily turned back to the lighted
room.
''Siletz. give M. Sandry my place |
Harrison, I'll have 20 take your fling |
shed for tonight. Tomorrow we'll fix |
things in better shape
The saw-filer. an important person
age and one to be conciliated. frowned |
in his plate, but the foreman had lost |
sight of him. He reached out a huge.
hard hand and took the bridle-rein !
from the newcomer.
Already this man was standing in
side the rude building, with a high. |
headed air of force. of personality that |
made itself felt in the most stolid ma
ture present. He glanced down the
double line of faces and for a second.
just fractional. feeting moment,
seemed to hesitate Then he laid his |
hat on the small table, walked round I
to Daily's empty seat, swung leather |
puttee and well-built shoe over the I
bench and sat down. He was in place,
and vague feeling of adjustment. of
solidity, accompanied him, as if he
was there. as he said. to stay Every
man in the room felt it; and one of
those strange sensations of portent |
communicated itself to them. as when
the everyday affairs of life come to
a turn in the road.
Daily's was on the eve of change
The girl was putting thick, white
plate, hot from boiling water, before
him, deftly laying the simple cutlery.
pushing back an intruding dish.
There was an air of detachment about
her. No portion of her GARMENTS
touched him. She was always 40,
aloof in quiet way. Now, as she |
tended the stranger silently. ono OF
her long braids slipped over her snoul-
der and fell across his hand. He drew
away from the contact sharply and q
n -. - -.~ 4