The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1915-11-05

anu SOIlQly OullC T0C0ptdCIcS lOI salt
and pepper Along both edges stood
an army of white earthenware plates,
fianked by bone-handled knives and
forks and tin spoons.
At the west. beside an open door.
was high pine desk Uttered with pa
pers, a telephone hung at one side. A
small table stood before a window.
! with a 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.
Its my one comfort" Ma was wont
to say, though land knows l don't
get to set in it more'n 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 floor, 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 sensible
word, something of the work. the day,
or the men themselves. She was put
ting a plate of cookies, sugar-sanded,
with currants on top, between Jim
Anworthy and a black-haired Pole.
when a 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
and a 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 a call that demanded, not a
question.
From the head of the nearest table
a giant Of man, easy natured, lax
featured, loose joints banded together
by steel sinews, rose lumberingly.
I'm him." he said.
The man in the door brought his
eyes sharply to focus on his face. read
ing it with lightning rapidity.
I'm the Dillingworth Lumber COM
pany-or most of it" he said clearly,
"and I've come to stay. Where shall
/ put my horse?"
There was 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 the best foreman
in that region. He got himself loose
from the end bench and walked over
to the door.
"All right, Mr."
He waited easily, as if it was per-
fectly natural for strangers to drop
from hilltop and 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 New York"
Come in. Mr.. Sandry-you're just
in time"
Daily turned back to the lighted
room.
"Siletz, give Mr.. Sandry my place.
Harrison, I'll have to take your filing
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 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 second,
just fractional. fieeting moment,
seemed to hesitate. Then he laid his
| hat on the small table, walked round
| to Daily's empty seat, swung leather
| puttee and a well-built shoe over the
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
| turn in the road.
Daily's was on the eve of a change
| The girl was putting. thick, white
plate, hot from boiling water, before
him, deity 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 so,
aloof in quiet way. Now. as she
| tended the stranger silently, one of
her long braids slipped over her shoul-
| der and fell across his hand. He drew
away from the contact sharply and a
4 - r.