Gilpin observer., 1916-04-13

1
tervals 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,
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,
1 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 It 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 1t 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
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
and poise that claimed instant at
tention. He removed his soft hat,
holding 1t 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 nuzzle with small.
white patch nosed his elbow aside.
John Daily?"
|
question.
From the head of the nearest table
| giant OF man. easy natured, lax
| featured, loose joints banded together
| by steel sinews. rose lumberingly.
''Im him." he said.
The man in the door brought his
eyes sharply to focus on his face, read
ing it with lightning rapidity.
'Tm the Dillingworth Lumber COM
pany-or most of it," he said clearly.
and I've come to stay. Where shall
I 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, Mr."
He waited easily. as II 1t 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
"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 well 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 standins in
side the rude building. with high.
headed air of force. of personality THAI
made itself felt in the most stolid ma
ture present. He glanced down the
double line Of faces and for a second,
just fractional. tieeting moment,
seemed to hesitate. Then he laid his
hat on the small table. walked round
to Daily's empty seat, swung le~.her
puttec and n well-built shoe over the
bench and sat down. He was in place,
and vague feeling of adjustment. OF
solidity, accompanied him. as II he
was there. as he said. to stay. Every
man in the room felt IL; and one OF
those strange sensations of portent
communicated itself 10 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 a 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 80,
: IL L.. sl.-A