Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1919-02-08

4 the towns hugged the border, but II
was as yividly American as was I'M
perial or Brawley. There was the ysl-
Iow-painted station of the Overland
Pacific lines, the water tank. the eager
American crowd. Railroad sheds an
bounced the terminal of the road.
Backed toward the station was the in
evitable hotel bus of the country town,
4 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 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
oing negro and swung onto the crowd
I'd 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 a 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
reptiti0us. 1t would have been quieter
had Marshall 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 it 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 pretenti0us
building announced the post Office.
From 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 a 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 darky,
refining in his placid team.
eyes, 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"
Hickard made dive from a 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 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 dS the bus, A white
coated youth was pouring colored
sirups into tall glasses; there was
clinking Of ice; sizzling of siphons.
"That's new one on me-" grinned
Rickard, 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 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.
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,
elaborately 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-
ties of attention with appreciation. The
supremacy of those superior maidens
was menaced only by two other wom-
en- who sat at table near the door.
Rickard did not see them at first. The
room was as masculine as restaurant
in a new mining town.
Rickard left his indoor view to look
through the French windows opening