Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-01

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no upprCCiublc Inn

she registered. was assigned Il room
ana nto luncheon to the melancholy
accompaniment Of II three man orchos-
ira struggling vninly with Zach In an
| alcovc OF the dining room. After TINT
she began to make inquiries Neither
clerk nor manager knew uuEht of Char
, first season there. They advised her
TO ask the Storckccpcr
| "MncDoucal will know" they were
agreed. "llc knows everybody around
here and everything that goes on"
The storckrcpcr, II genial. round bod.
! led Scotchmnn. had the information
! she desired.
"Charlic Bcnton?" said he. mo;
+. he'll he ut his camp up the lake. lie
was In three or four dnys back.
mind now he said he'd be down Thurs
day. That's today. But he isn't here
yet, or his boat'd be by the wharf
/ yondcr."
Are there any passenger boats that
call there" she asked.
MncDougal shook his head
"Eot rcg'inr. There's gas boat goes
t tie head of the lake now an then.
she's away now. Yc might hire n
"a launch. Jack Fyfc's camp tenders
about to get under way. But ye
wouldnn care to go OH her, I'm think
In. Shell; lr loaded wi lumhcriucks
every man drunk us lord. most like.
Maybe Ecnt"nil be in before night"
She went back to the hotel. But st.
Allwoods. In its duel capacity of health
and pleasure resort was gildcd shell,
making brave outward show, but
cnpitalizinG chiefly lake, mountains
ana hot mineral springs. Her room
was II bare. rhccrlcss place. She did
not want TO sit and ponder. Too much
real grief lowered In the Immediate
background of her life. 1t Is not al
ways sufficient to he young and alive
10 sit still and think-that way lny
tears and dcsrondcncy SO she went
out and walked down the road and out
upon the wharf which juttcd 200 yards
into the lake.
After Il time she rctraccd hcr steps
Nearing The halfway slip. she saw that
wagon from which goods were being
unlondcd blocked the way 4 dozen
men were strinEing in from tho road
bearing bundles and bags and rolls OF
blankets. They were big, burly men,
carrying themselves with n reckless
swing, with trousers cut or midway
between knee ana ankle so that they
reached Just below the upper OF their
nigh topped. heavy laced boots. Two
or three were singing. All appeared
unduly happy. talking loudly. with
1npn Il l,{
burden nrd executed Il brief clog
SplintcrS flew where the sharp cnlks
bit into the wharf planking. and his
companions applaudcd.
1t dnwnrd upon Stella Benton that
these might he Jack Fyre's drunken
loEEcrs. and she withdrew until the
way should he clear, vitality Interested
because her brother was Il logging man
ana wondering II these were the hui
man tools he used in his business, If
these were the sort OF men with whom
he associated. They We're rough lot,
and some were very drunk. With the
manifestations of liquor she had bct
the most sh&howy ncqrpt,>tahc",, hut
she would have been little less than
fool not to comprehend this.
Then they began filing down the
gangwny to the boats deck One slip.
ped and came near falling into the Wa
ter, whcrcnt his fellows howled glcc-
fully. Precartously they negotiated
tho slantinS passage, MI but enc. He
sat him down at the slip head on his
bundle and began Il quavering chant.
The wagon backed out, and the way
was clear save for the logger sitting on
his blankets. wailtng his fugubrious
song. From below his fellows urged
him to come along. \ bell changed in
tho pilot house. The exhaust of n gus
engine began 10 sputter through the
bonts side. From her after deck
man hailed the logger sharply, and
when his call WAS UNDECIDED he ran
lightly up the ship. \ short, squnrely
built man he was. as light on his feet
as n dancing master.
"IIurry ahoard Mike: we're walt
ing!' he said impuficntty.
The logger rose. waved his hand airi-
ly and turned AZ if TO retreat down the
wharf. The other ,ulGht him by the
arm and spun him face to .he slip.
Come on. Slater" he said evenly.
INV T. llb llint 10 lool around.
The logger drew back his fist. He
was fairly big man. hut If nc had
In mind to deal n blow it failed, for
tho other duckcd and caught him with
both arms around the middle He lift
cd the logger clear Of the wharf, hoist
cd him 10 the lc"rl OF his breast and
hcavcd him down :hc slip as ono would
throw n sack of b~an
The mans body bounced OH tho IN
cline, rolled, slid. tumbled till Mt length
he brought up against the boats guard,
ana all that saved him duclting was
the prompt extension Of several stout
arms, which clutched and hauled him
to the flush after deck lie snt on his
launches, blinking. Then no laughed.
So did tho man at the top Of the slip,
but the roar Of him who had taken
that fnglorious descent rose loudcst of
all, an explosive liar har har!r
"Hey, Jack" he shouted. "Maybe
y en- throw M blankets down, too,
while VIZ ot e.