The Huttig news., 1916-01-08

der, creaked heavily from oven to pine sink, her piacid face flaming with the heat of the great steel range.
 The eating room was long and mar row, its pine floor innocent of cover Ing. From end to end ran two fong tables, neat in white oilcloth. with in terVals of catchup bottles, pepper sauce, sugar bowls, cream pitchers i and solidly built receptacles for salt i and pepper. Along both edges stood 1 an army of white earthenware plates, i flanked by bone-handled Knives and l forks and tin spoons.
 At the west, beside an open door, was high pine desk filtered with pa- 1 pers, telephone hung at one side A i small table stood before window, l with rocking chair in proximity one ot those low, old fashioned rock i 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 1 Bailys camp. It had followed the march of progress as the camp cut it's way into the hills
 It's my one comfort" Ma was wont l to say. though land knows i don't get to set in it more'n a quarter what I'd like"
 As the Ioggers 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 entrants on top. between Jim Unworthy and a 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 and 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 a black muzzle with a small. white patch nosed his elbow aside.
 John Daily?"
 It was call that demanded. not 8 question.
 From the head of the nearest table 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 l put my horse2"
 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. 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, Mir Sandry-you're 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 fix things in better shape
 The saw-fler, an important pVson' age and one to be conciliated, drowned 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 na ture present. He glanced down the double line of faces and for second just a fractional, fleeting moment seemed to hesitate. Then he laid his hat on the small table. walked round to Dailys empty seat. swung 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 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.
 Dailys was on the eve of a change,
 The girl was putting a thick, white plate, hot from boiling water, before him. deftly laying the simple cutlery. pushing back an intruding dish.