Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1919-04-05
CHAPTER XXI.
A Visit to MaIdonado

A Visit to Maldonado.
Mrs. Hardln's descent on the Office
that afternoon was successful, but no
satisfactory. She had found the man
ager brief to curtness. She was giYer
no excuse to llnger. She traced Rick
ards manner to the presence of Mac
Lean, and snatched at her cue. She
too, could be buslnessllke and brief
Her errand was Of business; her man
ner should recommend herl
Richard had seen her making
straight toward the ramada. 1t was
not the FIRST time; her efforts to line
he. nest had Involved taem all and
often. But today, he was II bad
hum0r.
"For the Lords sake" he groanad
to MacLean as she approached.
/ MacLean's grin covered relief. He had
never heard Rickard express himself
on the subject before. "The dead-cet
Hardln's wife was making at Casey"
was the choice gossip and speculation
Of the young engineers on the Delta.
MacLean had bet UP en- the outcome.
I He grlnned more securely.
81 am not going to spare any more
carpenters" growlel Rlckard. II was
an inausplclous day for Mrs. Har5in's
visit Things had gone wrong. vex.
ations were plling up. A tiit with Har.
din that morning, q telegram from
Marshall; he was feeling sore. Des-
perately they needed labor. Wooster
had just reported, venomously, it ap-
peared to Richards spleen, increasing
drunkenness among the Indians.
Gerty's ruflles swept In. Her dress,
the blue null with the lace medalllons,
accented the hue Of her eyes, and
looked dellclously cool that glarlng
desert day. Her parasol, Of pongee,
was lined with the same baby hue.
Her dainty fairness and childish af-
fablllty should have made an oasis in
that strenuous day, but Richards dis
Indignation of temper was too com
plete. He rose stlnly to meet her, and
his manner demanded her errand.
She told Il TO him, plalntlvely. Her
eyes were appealing, infantie. Would
it be too much TO ask, would Mr..
Rlckard mind IN the least. he must be
perfectly frank aud tell her If they
would be In the way at ALL but while
this hot spell lasted, could they, the
three Of them. eat In the mess tent
with the men2
"Surelyw Rlckard met 1t heartily.
She would find It rough, but IL she
could stand It. yes, he thought 1t a
good idea.
Aud then there was nothing for her
to do but go. Her retreat was grace
ful, without haste, dlgnlhed. she
smiled farewell at MacLean, who
was watching the approach of Innes
Hardin and Estrada Richard did not
see the aborted entrance of Hardln's
sister and the young Mexican. lie
was Itching TO be nj his work.
lie let out a growl when Mrs. Har-
din was out Of earshot.
"Shucksl What IN Halifax do wom-
en- come 10 a place like this for2
There's IArdln-brlngs In two women
TO cook for him, and now please may
they all eat with the men2"
His secretary subdued chuckle.
He was vlsualizlng a procession OF
boxes Of choice Huyauas-from Bode-
feldt Hamlln and the rest Of the
gang. He need not buy a smoke for
a year.
klclnrd threw himself back In his
chair. Take this letter. MacLcan. To
Then his worry diverted
him. "Who In thunder is selling liquor
to my lndlans7'
"ilold on; that letter can walt. You
get the horses up, MacIean. and Wen
ride down TO Maldonado's. It's his
place to stop this liquor business. not
NINE"
A few hours later they were mp
preaching the adobe walls OF Maldo-
nado. They found the gate locked. A
woman, whose beauty had faded into
a tragic whisper. chastity twilight OF
came 10 their knock. and
unbarred the gate for the white
strangers. Mystery hung over the in
closure like a pail.
Richard told his errand. Maldonado
spnitered and swore. BY the mother
of Mary the Virgin. that thing would
be stopped. lie showed to the senors.
With pride, his badge. lie was ra-