Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-03-22
SYNOPSIS.

CHAPTER TX. c. Rickad, an en-
gineer of the Overland Pacific, is
called to the office of President Mar
shall In Tucson, Ariz. Casey" is an
enigma to the Office force; he wears
dude clothes. but he had resigned
chair of engineering in the east to
go on the road as a fireman and his
promotion had been spectacular.
While waiting for Marshall Richard
reads a report of the rayages of the
Colorado, despite the efforts Of
Thomas Hardin of the Descent Recla.
nation Company This Hardin had
been student under Richard and
had married Gertny Holmes, with
whom Richard had fancied he was in
love
CHAPTER II-aMrshall tells Rick.
ard the Overland Pacific has got to
step in to save the Imperial Vale
and sends him TO thc break. Richard
declines because he does not want
to supplant Hardin, but Is won over
stop the river; damn the expense"
says Marshall,
CHAPTER III Richard Journeys to
Calexico, sees the irrigated desert and
iearns much about Hardin and his
work.
CHAPTER lv-At the hotel he
meets Mr.. and Mrs, Hardin and hines
Hardin. Hardin's half sister Dsap-
pointed in her husband and an nicer
rigible cOquette. Mrs Hardin sets her
cap for her former lover and invites
him to dinner.
CHAPTER V-Rickard visits the
company's Offices and takes control.
He finds the engineers loyal to Har-
din and hostile to him. Estrada,
Mexican, son of the Father Of the
Imperial Valley" tells him of the gen
eral situation.
CHAPTER Richard attends
meeting of the directors and asserts
his authority. Hardin RACES. Estrada
tells Riekarl OF his forcbodrgs that
his work viii fail. 81 can't see il
finished" q
CHAPTER VII-lnnes is discov-
cred in her garden. She tries to cheer
up atIrdin, who is furious agains'
Richard
CHAPTER VILLA family luncheon
OF the Hardins which throws light on
them.
CHAPTER IX,-IIardin discovers
that Richard is planning a leyee to
protect CaleXico and puts him down
as incompetent. Gerty thinks her lord |
jealous.
CHAPTER X.-Thc Hardin dinner
to Richard discloses further the fam
lily characteristics. Hardin is aurly /
and sulky. limos is hardly polite I
Gerty plans a progressive ride" in
Richards honor
CHAPTER XI-Rckard encounters
the INSTRUMENTATION of the Company's !
engineers. He is stirred by the In. /
dams statement that this is the hun
uredth year of a cycle, when the
Great Yellow Dragon, the Colorado, /
grows restless. He makes various
preparations, pushes work on the Ca
leXico leyee and is ordered by Mar,
shall to take fighting chance" on
the completion of Hardn's pet pro
lect, a gate to shut the break in the
river.
CHAPTER XII.-tSan Francisco is
destroyed by earthquake and fire. and
dredge machinery which Richard had
ordered Hardin to have shipped, is
burned through IIardin's neglect.
Richard secretly eQuips the big water
tower as signal station.
CHAPTER XIII.-Gerty Hardin de-
cides that Richard still loves her and
plans campaign that promises
trouble.
CHAPTER XIV.-The progressive
ride is begun under adverse condi-
tons-wind and dust, with the guest
of honor absent Then MacLean,
Rickard's secretary, brings word that
the river is raging and every man is
wanted on the leyee.
CHAPTER XV-Hardn motors off
With a load of dynamite. leaving
everything in confusion on the levee.
hines, through a friendly engineer, is
sues orders in her brother's name, to
save her brothers. face. The levee
and the signal tower save Calexico
till Richards return.
CHAPTER XVI.-Gerty Hardin be,
gins to get really interested in Rick,
ard. The wind blows gale and the
Ieye is in danger again.
CHAPTER XVII.-Women as well
as men work on the levee the second
night hines finds Richard and Gerty
together and begins to suspect his sis
:er-in-law Her brOtherss wrong
1eadedness and Richards evident eff
tciency only serve to embitter lines
gainst Richard
CHAPTER XVIII. - The river