The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1917-11-22
CHAPTER XIII.
The Fiesh-Pots Of Egypt.

Convinced by Verda Richlander's
telephone message to the construction
camp that he stood In no immediate
danger, Smith spent the heel OF the af-
ternoon In the High Line offices, keep
Ing In wire touch with Sullings, whom
he had sent on secret mission to Red
Butte, and with Williams at the dam.
The High Line enterprise was on the
knees Of the gods. II Williams could
pull through In time. II the river;swell-
ing storms should hold Off, II Stanton
should delay his final raid past the
critical hour-and there was now good
reason TO hope that all of these con-
tingencies were probable-the victory
was practically won.
Smith closed his desk at six o'clock
and went across to the hotel to dress
for dinner. The day Of suspense was
practically at an end and disaster still
held aloof; was fairly outdistanced In
the race, as II seemed. Williams final
report had been to the effect that the
concrete-pouring was completed. and
the long strain was Off. Smith went
for q similar reason. he laid his dress
clothes out on the bed. He made sure
that he would be required to dine with
verda Richlander, and he was strip
ping his coat when he heard a tap at
the door and Jibbey came In.
"Glsd rags. ehf" said the blnse one,
with glance at the array on the bed.
"rve just run up to tell you that you
needn't. verda's dining with the
Stantons, and she wants me TO keep
you out Of sight until afterward. BY
and by, when she's foot-loose, she
wants to see you in the mezzanIne.
Isn't there some quiet little joint
Shere we two can 20 for bitef You
know the town. and don't"
Smith put his coat on, and together
they circled the square to Frascati's,
taking a table In the main cafe.
While they were giving their dinner
order, Starbuck came In and Joined
them. and Smith was glad. For rea-
sons which he could scarcely have de-
fined, he was relieved not to have to
talk to Jibbey alone. and Starbuck
played third hand admirably. taking
kindly to the sham black sheep, and
Milling him up, In quiet. straight-fnced
humor, with many and most marvel
Gus tales Of the earlier frontier. :.
At the end of the meal. while Jib-
hey was still content to linger, listen
Ing open-mouthed to Starbucks ro-
mancings, Smith excused himself and
Taf nal tn hAt 10 hnI
ly chosen his lounging chair In
quiet corner of the mezzanlne before
Miss Rlchlander came 10 join him.
ut has been n long day, hasn't lit"
she began evenly. "You have been
busy with your dam, suppose. but
IL have had nothing to do but TO
think, and that is something that /
don't often allow myself to do. You
have gone far since that night last
May when you telephoned me that you
would come up TO the house later-and
then broke your promise, Montague"
''In a way, / suppose ! have" he
admitted.
you have, indeed. You are a to-
tally different man."
III Whit way, phrucultTiyl
'In every conceivable way. II one
could believe In transmlgratlon, one
would say that you had changed souls
with some old, hard-hitting. rough
riding ancestor. Have your ambitions
changed, toof
II am not sure row that l had any
ambitions In that other life"
"oh, yes, you had" she went on
smoothly. "In the 'other life,' as you
call It, you would have been quite
willing to marry woman who could
assure you a firm social standing and
money enough to put you on n footing
with other men OF your capabilities.
You wouldn't be willing to do that
now, would youf-leaving the senti-
ment out as you used TO leave II out
thenf"
mo. hardly think should"
Her laugh was muslcally low and
sweet. and only mildly derisive.
"You are thinking that II is change
OF environment. wider horizons, and
all that. which has changed you. Mon
tague; but / know better. II is a
woman, and, as you may remember.
have met her-twice." Then, with
n faint glow of splteful fire in the
magnificent eyes: slow can you make
yourself believe that she is pretty?"
He shrugged one shoulder in token
OF the utter uselessness OF discussion
In that direction.
"Sentiment?" he queried. ~ think
we needn't go into that. at this late
day. Verda. 1t Is a field that neither
OF us entered, or cared to enter, in
the days that are gone. If ! say that
Corona Baldwin has-quite uncon-
sciously on her part. | must ask you
TO believe - taught me what love
means, that ought to be enough"
Again she was laughing softly.
"You seem to have broadly forgot
ten the old proverb about woman
scorned. What have you to expect
from me after making such an admis-
II