The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1919-03-22

'Dd he ever give you any reason
frowned Hicknrd rcmlniscently "any
reasonable reason why he made that
cut without any head gate?"
mo moneyp shrugged Marshall,
getting out another cigar. II told you
he's raw dancer, always starts of
too quick, begins on the wrong foot.
Oh, yes, he has reasons, lots Of them,
that fellow, but, ns you say, they're
not reasonable. lie never waits to get
ready"
Why was It that the face OF the
half-slster came TO Rlckard then, with
that look Of sensitive high breeding
and guarded reserve? And she Hqr-
din Sister to the loud-spllllng mouth !
Queer cards nature dealsi And pretty
cards Marshall was trying TO deal out
| to him. Go down there and finish
Hnrdin's Job, show him up TO be the
fumbler he was, give him orders, give
the husband of Gerty Holmes or
ders--I
at was Hardin who came 10 me,
but not until he'd tried everything
else. They'd worked for months try
ing TO dam the river with few lace
handkerchlefs. and perhaps chiffon
veil |" Marshall was twinkling over
his own humor. Hardin did put up
good talk. II was true. as he said;
we'd had to move our tracks three,
no, four times at Salton. II was true
that II ought to be one of the richest
districts tapped by the OF But he
clenched me by clever bait--to put
out n spur In Mexico which would
keep any other railroad of by fifty
mile parallel, and there the sandhills
make railroad impossible.
"The government must eventually
come TO the rescue. Their works at
Laguna hang on the control of the
river down Mt the hending. Once, he
told mel don't know how much
truth there was in it-the service, rec
lamation service, did try to buy up
their plant for paltry sum. He
wouldn't sell. The short y, ! recon-
mended long-sigbted assistance 20
Faraday. promised TO turn that
river, save the district. We expected
before the year wns out 10 have the
government take the responsibility of
our hands,"
Rickard made an impatient ehrug.
A nice problem Marshall had taken
unto himself. He wanted none of II.
Hardin--the thing was impossible.
He met IsggardIy MapshnIi's story.
He heard him sag: agreed with Far
aday. The Desert Reclamation coE-
pany was az helpless as a swaddied
infant. We made the condition that
we reorganigc the company. ! was
put In Hardin's place rs president of !
the corporation, and he was made gen.
eni manager. OF course we had to |
control the stock. We put up two
thousand dollars - Hardin |
had estimated II would cost us less |
than half that It's cost us already |
a million. Things haven't been going |
right. Faraday's temper burst out. |
and Hardin a while back was asked |
to resign"
"And II Is Hardin's position that !
you want me to All7" His voice |
queer to himself--dry. mock
ing, as if anyone should know what |
nm absurd thing he was being asked
10 do. He felt Marshall's sharp in
dian eyes on him, as II detecting pet
Iiness. Well. he didn't care how Mar
shall Interpreted II. Tint place wasn't !
Tor him.
II want you In control down there"
Rickard knew he was being appraised.
nll over again. II made no
difference
"rm sorry" he was beginning, when
cut In.
"Good Lord, you are not going to
urn II DOWN."
He met Marshall's incredulous
'tare. "It's job I'd jump at under
most circumstances. But 1 can't 20,
Iir"