Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-04-01
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 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 U-aMrshall tells Rick
ard the Overland Pacific has got to
step in 10 save the Imperial Vale
and sends him 10 die break. Richard
declines because he does not want
to supplant Hardin but is won over.
stop the river; damn the expense,
says Marshall.
CHAPTER llI-Rickard journeys to
CalexicO, sees the irrigated desert and
learns much about Hardin and his
work
CHAPTER IV-At the hotel he
meets Mr. and Mrs. Hardin and lnnes
Hardin, Hardin's half sister. Disap.
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, a
Mexican, son of the Father of the
Imperial Valley" tells him of the gen
eral situation.
CHAPTER VI-Rickard attends a
meeting Of the directors and asserts
his authority. Hardin RACES. Estrada
tells Richard OF his forebodngs that
his work will fail. 81 cant see it
finished"
CHAPTER VIT-Innes is discov-
cred in her Garden She tries TO cheer
up aHrdm, who IS furious agan
Richard.
CHAPTER. villa family luncheon
OF the Hardins which throws light or
them.
y CHAPTER IX-Hardin discovers
that Richard is planning a leFee TO
protect CaleXico and puts him down
as incompetent. Gerry thinks her lord
jealous.
CHAPTER N-The Hardin dinner
to Richard disclOses further the fam
lily characteristics Hardin is sur!y
and sulky. lines is hardly polite.
Gerty plans a progressive ride in
Richards honor.
CHAPTER XI-Rickard encounters
the INSTRUMENTATION of the company's
engineers. He is stirred by the In
dams statement that this i the hun
uredth year of Il 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 Hardins pet pro-
,ect gate to shut the break in tie
river.
CHAPTER XIl.-4San Francisco is
destroyed by earthquake and fire, and
dredge machinery, which Richard had
ordered Hardin to have shipped, is
burned through Hardin's neglect.
Richard secretly eGuips the big water
tower as signal station.
CHAPTER Gerty Hardin de-
cides that Richard still loves her and
plans campaign that promises
trouble. a
CHAPTER XIV.-The progressive
ride is begun under adverse condi-
tiuns-wind and dust, With the guest
of honor absent Then Maclean,
Richards secretary brings word that
wanted on the levee.
CHAPTER XV.-Hardin motors off
With load of dynamite, leaving
everything in confusion on the leVee.
lines, through a friendly engineer, is
sues orders in her brothers 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 a gale and the
leve 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
terin-law. Her brothers's wrong
headedness and Richards evident eff
fciency only serve to embitter lines
against Richard.
CHAPTER XVIII. - The river
washes away half of Mexicali, Calex-
ico's Mexican twin city, but CaleXico
still stands.
CHAPTER MIA 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 big row and