Gilpin observer., 1919-07-10
CHAPTER xxx.
A Glimpse Of Freedom,

The siding was deserted. The Pal
myra had run Jut to Tuscon. Marshall
had gone without apprehension. They
did not expect now to have setbacks.
to have to extend the time set for the
ultimate diversion. The days were
| flowing like oil. The encampment was
filling up with visitors, newspaper men
who came to report the spectacular
capture of the river.
Richards day badly begun, piled up
with vexations. By sundown, he was
wet to the skin, and mad as sick Ari-
zona cat.
In this jaundiced juncture, Mac
Lean. Jr.. brought down his dispatches
to the river. He read of the burning
of trainload of railroad ties. Richard
swOre.
Anything else pleasant?"
"a letter from the governor-from
dad" MacLean read that his father
begged small favor of Rickard.
Godfrey, the celebrated English
tenor, is on my hands. His doctors
have been advising outdoor occupa-
ton. am sending him to you, ask
ing you to give him any job you may
have, He is willing to do anything.
Put him at something to keep him oc-
cupied."
MacLean saw Richards face turn
red. Suffering cats! A worn-out
opera singer! What sort of an opera
does he think we're giving down here?
Why doesn't he send me u fur coat. or
pair of girl twins? Give the tenor
a role! Anything else? Pile it all
on"
"Oh, and one from Godfrey himself.
He's in Los Angeles. He says he'll be
here tomorrow" He did not wait for
his chiefs reply.
At the supper table, Rickard, dry
and in restored humor, alluded to the
invasion of high notes. "Pity the parts
are all assigned! The only vacancy
is in the kitchen. / wonder how he
would like to be understudy to Lingl"
The next day when the incident had
been forgotten, and while Rickard was
up at the Crossing on the concrete
gate, Godfrey blew into camp. He
was like II boy out on lark. His
brown eyes were dancing over the ad-
venture. He explored the camp and
came back bubbling.
"It's the biggest ever saw. But say.
Junior, that's what they call you,
isn't it? I'm the only idle man here.
Can't you give me something to dol
I'll do anything. I'd like the boss to
find me busy when he comes in."
MacLean softened the offer. Perhaps
until Mr.. Godfrey learned the ropes he
could be Of general use. They were
short-handed the present moment
there was another hesitation-in the
kitchen! Ling, the Chinese cook, was
overcrowded-sO many visitors
"Great," crowed Godfrey, slapping
him on the shoulder. II don't want to
feel in the way. I want to earn my
board. Lead me to the cookI"
That evening, the dinner was helped
on its way by the best-paid singer of
England. In an apron, borrowed of
Ling. he was "having the time of his
life." Ling, pretending to scold, had
been won Immediately. Rickard, hear
ing of the jolly advent, forgot his yex.
alton, and Immediately on his return
made his way to the mesquit inclosure
to greet the friend Of George Mac.
Lean.
After dinner. MacLean carried of
his prize to the Delta, where Godfrey
earned his welcome. Gerty Hardin for.
got to fiirt with the engineers; she
had discovered new sensation. The
wonderful voice twisted her hon ~.
strings; 1t told her that the heart that
has truly loved never forgets, and she
knew that she could never have really
loved, yet, because the youth in her
veins was whispering to her that she
could still forget. Godfrey saw {, mo.
bile plaintive face turned up to the
gibbous moon; he swept 1t with thrills
and f1ushes. She was wonderful nu.
dience: she was also his orchestra, the