Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-02-25

Leaving the railroad sheds he OBJ
served Il building which he assumed
was the hotel. Il looked promising
attractive with its wide encirCling We
randa and the patch of green which
distance gave the dignity of "A lawn.
But the darby whipped up his Stoid
horses. Richards eyes followed the
patch of green.
The friendly voice from above told
him that that was the office of the
Desert Reclamation company. His
next survey was more personal. He
saw himself entering the play as the
representative of a company that was
dlstrusted if not indeed actively hated
by the valley folk. 1t amused him that
his entrance was So quiet as to be sur
reptitious. Il would have been quietef
had MarSHa.l had his way. l;ut h,
himself had stipulated that finrdil
should be told of his coming. He had
seen the telegram before 1t lcft the
Tucson Office. He might be assuming
an unfamiliar role in this complicated
drama Of river and desert, but it was
not To be as All eaVesdropper.
The heavy bus was blowing slowly
through the dust of the street. Rick
ard was given ample time to note the
limitations of the new town. They
passed two brick stores of general
merchandise. lemons and WOODEN
goods, stockings and crackers disport-
ing fraternally in their windows. A
board sign swinging from the over
hanging porch of the most pretentious
building announced the post office.
From a small adobe hung brass
plate advising the stranger of the
Bank of Calexico. The 'dobe pressed
close to another tWo-Sturied structure
of the desert type. The upper floor,
supported by posts, extended over the
sidewalk. Melted wire screened away
the desert mosquito and gave the over
hanging gallery the ErOtesque appear
ance of huge fencing mask. From
the street could be seen rows Of beds,
as in hospital wards. Calexico, it was
seen, slept out of doors.
Desert hotel" bawled the darby,
refining in his placid team.
"Yes, sab, III look out for your bag.
Get your room? The hotels mighty
sure to be full. Not many women Wit
down this away. All the men
mostly lives right heah at the hotel"
Richard made a dive from II swirl Of
dust into the hotel. The long line be
anticipated at the desk was not there.
He stopped to take in a valley innoya-
ton. one end of the long counter had
been converted into a soda-water bar.
The high swivel stools in front of the
white marbled stand, with its towering
silver fixtures, were crowded with dust
parched occupants - the bus. A white
coated youth was pouring colored
sirups into tall glasses: there was a
clinking of ice; sizzling of siphons.
"That's a new one on me-" grinned
Richard, turning toward the desk
where a complacent proprietor stood
waiting to announce that there was but
one room left.
with bath?"
Bath right across the hall. Only
room left in the house." The proprietor
awarded him the valley Stare. "GoinG
TO be here longT He passed the last
KEY on the rack to the darlly stagger-
ing under a motley of bags and suit
cases. Richard recognized his, and fol.
lowed.
II may get you another room tomor-
row." called the proprietor after him
as he climbed the dusty stairs.
The signals of a new town were
waving in the dining room. The ma
jority of the citizens displayed their
shirt sleeves and unblushing suspend
ers. One large table was surrounded
by men in khaki; the desert soldiers,
engineers. The full blown Mattresses,
deliberately pompadoured, were push
ing through the swing-doors, carrying
heavy trays. Coquetry appeared to be
their occupation. rather than meal
serxing, the diners. accepting both varie-