Cheyenne record., 1916-07-06

t0SASos hO0b IA aWAAtQ 0AiSAOIns WAs4 sAA'
tervals of catchrp 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
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 atone side:
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 a patchwork
cushion with green fringe. and 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.
tits my one comfort" Ma was wont
to say. though land knows don't
get to set in It more'n q quarter what
ia 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 oflcloth. She exchanged word
here and there. always sensible
word. something of the work. the day.
or the men themselves. She was put
ting q 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 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 nuzzle with small
white patch nosed his elbow aside.
John Daily?"
It was q call that demanded, not a
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 1t 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
pct 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 II It 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.
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 tha<
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 les.her
puttec and well-built shoe over the
lAench 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 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. deftly laying the simple cutlery.
pushing back an intruding dish
There was an air Of detachment about
her. No porth Of her garments
touched him. She was always SO.
a1oof n, = o,,lAf vrv Now. aa shs,