The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-02-10

ana sOldly Duilt receptacles Tor salt
and pepper Along both edges stood
an army of white earthenware plates.
tianked 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.
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 a white
knitted tidy. That rocker was part OF
Daily's camp. II 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 ! don't
get to set in II 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 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 a sensible
word, something Of the work the day
or .he men themselves. She was put
ting a plate OF cookies. sugarsauded
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. 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 poise that claimed instant at
tenticn. He removed his soft hat
holding II In his hand, while hts
bright. blue eyes looked impersonally
over the room. Over his shoulder
pair of big dark ones peered anxious.
ly, while black muzzle with a small
white patch nosed his elbow aside.
John Daily?"
1t was a call that demanded. not
question.
From the head OF the nearest table
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 II 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?'
these amazing words. An unexpressed
ejaculation went from face to face I'D
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 II II was per
fectly natural for strangers to drop
from a 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-youre Just
in time"
Daily turned back to the lighted
room.
"Siletz. give MIR. Sandry my place
Harrison. I'll have to take your filing
shed for tonight. Tomorrow we'll 6x
things in better shape"
The saw.tiler. 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 a second.
just a fractional, heeting moment.
seemed TO hesitate. Then he laid his
hat on the small table. walked round
to Daily's empty seat. swung a leather
puttee and a well-built shoe over the
bench and sat down. He was in place,
and a vague feeling Of adjustment. OF
solidity, accompanied him, as II he
was there. as he said. to stay. Every
man in the room felt t.; and ore 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. 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 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
doxAp naira NJ avaa aa No tka aotto..