Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-03-27
SYNOPSIS.


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 rayaees of the
Colorado, despite the efforts OF
Thomas Hardin Of the Descent Recla-
nation Company, This Hardin had
been a student under Richard and
had married Gertny Holmes, with
when 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 the break. Richard
declines because he does not wan.
10 supplant Hardin, but is won over
stop the river; damn the expense
says Marshall.
CHAPTER IIl-Rickard Journeys to
CalexicC, sees the irrigated desert and
learns 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.
rigibe 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 VI-Rickard attends
meeting Of the directors and asserts
his authority. Hardin RACES. Estrada
tells Richard of his forebodings that
his work will fail q can't see it
finished"
CHAPTER VII hines is di.cov.
cred in her llrden She tries , cheer
up aHrdin, who is furious again
Richard.
CHAPTER VILLA family luncheon
OF the lIardins which throws light on
them
CHAPTER IX-fIardin discover
that Rickard is planning a leyec to
protect Calexico and puts him down
as incompetent Gerry thinks her lord
jealous. .u
CHAPTER X-Thc Hardin dinner
to Richard discoscs further the fam
lily characteristics Hardin is surly /
and sulky. Innes is hardly polite. /
Gerry plans progressive ride in |
Richards honor.
CHAPTER XI.--RiCkard encounters
the INSTRUMENTATION of the comp ny's /
engineers. He is stirred by the In
CLANS statement that this is the hun
uredth year of cycle when the
Great Yellow Dragon, the Colorado,
grows restless He makes various
preparations, pushes work on the Ca
leXico levec and is ordered by Mar.
shall to take a fighting chance on
the completion Of IIardins pet pro
Ject, a gate to shut the break in the
river.
CHAPTER XlT.-ISan 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 oquips the big water
tower as a signal station.
CHAPTER XlII.-Gerty Hardin de-
cides that Richard still loves her and
plans a campaign that promises
trouble.
CHAPTER XlV-The progressive
ride is begun under adverse condi-
t3ons-wind and dust with tho guest
of honor absent Then MacLean.
Richards secretary, brings word that
the river is raging and every man is
wanted on the levce.
CHAPTER XV.-Hardin motors off
with a load of dynamite, leaving
everything in confusion on the levee.
Times, through a friendly engineer is
sues orders in her brothers name, to
save her brothers face. The levce
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 a gale and the
leye is in danger again,
CHAPTER XVIT.-Women as well
as men work on the leyee the second
night hines finds Richard and Gerty
together and begins to suspect his sis .
ter-in-law Her brothers;s wrong
headedness and Richards evident Of
fciency only serve to embitter lines
against Richard.
CHAPTER XVIII - The river
washes away half Of Mexicali, Calex-
ico's Mexican twin city, but Calexco
still stands.
CHAPTER XIX.-A stormy public
meeting is held in which representa-.
tives of the settlers, the Overland Pa
cific and Mexico clash. A telegram
from Richard that the river has
broken out again saves a big row and
forces united action by all.