The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1919-08-15

an inauspicious day for Mrs. Hardin's
visit. Things had gone wrong. Vex-
atoms were pi1ing up. A tilt with Har-
din that morning, telegram from
Marshall; he was feeling sore. Des-
perately they needed labor. Wooster
had just reported, venomously, 1t ap-
peared to Richards spleen, increasing
drunkenness among the Indians.
Gerty's ruffles swept in. Her dress,
the blue null with the lace medallions,
accented the hue Of her eyes, and
looked deliciously cool that glaring
desert day. Her parasol, Of pongee.
was lined with the same baby hue.
Her dainty fairness and childish af-
liability should have made an oasis in
that strenuous day, but Richards dis
integration of temper was too COM
plete. He rose stiffiy to meet her, and
his manner demanded her errand.
She told 1t to him, plaintively. Her
eyes were appealing, infantile. Would
it be too much to ask, would Mr..
Richard mind in the least, he must be
perfectly frank and tell her If they
would be in the way at oil, but while
this hot spell lasted, could they, the
three Of them, eat in the mess tent
with the menu
"Surely!" Richard met 1t heartily;
She would find it rough, but If she
could stand it, yes, he thought it q
good idea.
And then there was nothing for hel
to do but go. Her retreat was grace
full, without haste, dignified. She
smiled a farewell at MacLean, who
was watching the approach Of Innes
Hardin and Estrada. Richard did not
see the aborted entrance of Hardin's
sister and the young Mexican. He
was itching to be at his work.
He let out growl when Mrs. Har.
din was out Of earshot.
"ShucksI What in Halifax do. WON
en- come to a place like this fori
There's Hardin-brings in two women
to cook for him, and now, please may
they all eat with the menu"
His secretary subdued a chuckle
He was visualizing a procession OF
boxes Of choice Havanas-from Bode
feldt, Hamlin and the rest Of the
gang, He need not buy a smoke fol
a year.
Richard threw himself back in his
chair. "Take this letter, MacLean. Te
Marshall" Then his worry diverted
him. ''Who in thunder is selling liquor
to my Indians?"
"Hold on; that letter can wait. Yor
get the horses up, MacLean, and wei
ride down to Maldonado's. It's his
place to stop this liquor business, moi
NINE"
A few hours later they were ap
preaching the adobe walls of Maldo
nado. They found the gate locked. A
woman, whose beauty had faded into
tragic whisper, CHASTITY twilight o,
suggestion, came to their knock, ani
unbarred the gate for the white
strangers. Mystery hung over the in
closure like pail.
Richard told his errand. Maldonadt
sputtered and swore. By the mothe,
Of Mary the Virgin, that thing would
be stopped. He showed to the senors
with pride, his badge. He was ru
rale; he was there to uphold the law
He had caught some of those drunken
Indians on the road. He had brought
them here.
Maldonado showed three men In 6
locked shed. deep in drunken stupor
He thought the liquor was obtained
somewhere back in the sandhills. He
would find the place. But the senol
must be patient; his hands were sc
full.
Both men were glad to get away
from the place and Maldonado. Oh
viously he was brute; undoubtedly
he was a liar.