The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1919-02-06
CHAPTER w.
The Desert Hotel.

or at least Mexican lnnuence, as
the towns hugged the border, but 1t
was as vividly American as was I'm
perial or Brawley. There was the yell
low-painted station of the Overland
Pacific lines, the water tank, the eager
American crowd. Railroad sheds an
nounced the terminal of the road.
Backed toward the station was the In
evitable hotel bus of the country town,
painted sign hanging over its side
advertising the Desert hotel. Before
he reached the step the vehicle was
crowded.
"Wait, gentlemen, I'm coming back
for a second load" called the darky
who was holding the reins.
"If you wait for the second trip you
won't get room," suggested friend
ly voice from the seat above.
Rickard threw his bag to the grin
ming negro and swung onto the crowd
ed steps.
Leaving the railroad sheds he OBJ
served a building which he assumed
was the hotel. 1t looked promising,
attractive with its wide encircling We
randa and the patch Of green which
distance gave the dignity Of lawn.
But the darky whipped up his stolid
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 company that was
distrusted If not indeed actively hated
by the valley folk. 1t amused him that
his entrance was so quiet as to be sur.
reptitious. It would have been quieter
had Meishall had his way. But he
himself had stipulated that Hardin
should be told Of his coming. He had
seen the telegram before 1t left the
Tucson Office. He might be assuming
an unfamiliar role In this complicated
drama of river and desert, but 1t was
not to be as an eavesdropper.
The heavy bus was plowing 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 woolen
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 a brass
plate advising the stranger OF the
Bank of Calexico. The 'dobe pressed
close to another two-storied 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 grotesque appear
ance of huge fencing mask. From
the street could be seen rows Of beds,
as in hospital wards. Calexico, 1t was
seen, slept out of doors.
desert hotel" bawled the darky,
refining in his placid team.
"Yes, sab, I'll look out for your bag.
Got your room? The hotels mighty
sure to be full. Not many women yit
down this away. All the men
mostly lives right heah at the hotel"
Rickard made q dive from swirl of
dust into the hotel. The long line he
anticipated at the desk was not there.
He stopped to take in valley innova-
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 0S the bus. A white
coated youth was pouring colored
sirups into tall glasses; there was
clinking of ice; q sizzling of siphons.
"That's a new one on me" grinned
Rickard, turning toward the desk
where q 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 horse" The proprietor
awarded hiiu tie y,.-.eJ stare. "Golng
to be here long" He passed the LAST
key on the rack to the darky stagger-
ing under a motley Of bags and suit
cases. Rickard recognized his, and fol-
lowed.
"I 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,
elab,rately pompadoured, were push
ing through the swing-doors, carrying
heavy trays. Coquetry appeared to be
their occupation, rather than meal
serving, the diners accepting both varie-