The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1915-11-04

! he heat of the great steel range.
! The eating room was long and ma
row, it's pine floor innocent of cover
ing. From end to end ran two Tong
,ables, neat in white oilcloth, with in
;ervals of catchup bottles, pepper
sauce, sugar bowls, cream pitchers,
and solidly built receptacles for salt
and pepper. Along both edges stood
an army of white earthenware plates,
banked 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 a window,
with rocking chair in proximity
one OF those low, old-fashioned rock
ing chairs that old women use and
that invariably hold a 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 won't
to say, though land knows / don't
get to set in it moren 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 floor, Siletz came and went. set
ting the substantial viands in the
open spaces left in the expanse of
white oilcloth, She exchanged a 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 op top, between Jim
Anworthy and 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
pair of big dark ones peered anxious
ly. while a black muzzle with a 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 a 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 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 the best foreman
in that region. He got himself loose
from the end bench and walked over
TO the door.
"All right, Mp"
He waited easily, as If it was per-
fectly natural for strangers to drop
rom hilltop and announce them
selves the ruling power Of. the country,
or more strictly speaking one of the
'uling powers, for there were two.
"Sandry," finished the other, wal {
er Sandry-from New York"
Come in. Mr.. Sandry-you're just !
n time" {
Daily turned back to the lighted /
'oom I
"Siletz, give Mr.. Sandry my place. 5
Harrison, I'll have to take your filing
he'd for tonight Tomorrow we'll fix o
hings in better shape" &
The saw-filer an important person
ge and one to be conciliated, frowned n
n his plate, but the foreman had lost v
light of him. He reached out huge
ard hand and took the bridle-rein
rom the newcomer. r
Already this man was standing in
ide the rude building. with a high IL
eaded air of force, of personality that IL
iade itself felt in the most stolid ma W
IRE present. He glanced down the b.
ouble line of faces and for a second, al
list fractional, feeting moment. II
eemed to hesitate. Then he laid his re
at on the small table, walked round re
} Dailys empty seat. swung leather
lttee and a well-built shoe over the Ia
ench and sat down. He was in place, in
I'd vague feeling of adjustment. OF WI
'lidity, accompanied him, as if he ne
as there. as he said. to stay. Every til
an in the room felt it; and one of ra
lose strange sensations of portent te
itself to them. as when II
e everyday affairs of life come to ST.
turn in the road.
Daily's was on the eve of a change. :rt
The girl was putting thick. white
ate. hot from boiling water, before
m, deity laying the simple cutlery, ir,
lshing back an intruding dish M
here was an air of detachment about ref
" No portion of her garments wa
uched him. She was always so,
oof in quiet way Now, as she
nded the stranger silently, one of yo