Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1919-02-22

Ba6c0ck, when Richard called for
vote. The appropriation was carried.
Hardln's face was swollen with rage.
Rlckard then called for a report on
the clam-shell dredge being rushed at
Yuma. Where was the machinery
Was 1t not to have been finished In
February
"Why not get the machinery here?
What's the use of taking chances?" de-
manded Rickard.
Hardin felt the personal implication.
He was on his feet in second. "There
are no chances" He looked at Mac
Lean. "The machlnery's done. It's no
use getting 1t here until we're ready"
"There are always chances" inter-
rupted his opponent coolly. 1--WE are
F., going to take none. l want Mr.. Har-
din, gentlemen, appointed committee
of one to see that the machinery Is de-
| llvered at once, and the dredge rushed
The working force was informally
discussed. Hardin said they could de-
| pend ON hobo labor. Packard agreed
that they would find such help, but it
would not do to rely on 1t. The big
sewer system of New Orleans was
about completed; he had planned to
write there, stating the need. And
there was a man In Zacatecas, named
Porter
"Frank PorterT sneered Hardin,
"that-murderer?"
"His brother" Rickard answered
pleasantly. "Jim furnishes the men
for the big mines in Sonora and Sina-
loa. He'll send us all the labor we
want, the best for our purpose. When
1t gets red-hot, there's no one like a
peon or an Indian.
"Youll be infringing on the interna-
tlonal contract law" suggested Mac
Lean.
"No. The camp is on the Mexican
slde,' laughed Casey. I'D thought of
that Wen have them shipped to the
nearest Mexican point, and then
brought to the border. Mr.. Estrada
will help u.s."
The meeting had already adjourned.
They were standing around the flat
top desk. Estrada invited them all to
lunch with him, In the car on the sid
ing. MacLean said that he had to get
back to Los Angeles. Mr.. Babcock
was going to take him out to Grants
Heading In the machine. He had nev-
er been there. They had breakfasted
late. He looked very much the colonel
to Rlckard his full chest and stiff car
rlage made more military by his trim
uniform Of khaki-colored cloth.
''May speak to you about your boy,
Mr.. MacLean?"
Hardin caught slight that was not
intended He pushed past the group
at the door without civlity or cere-
mony.
The steady grave eyes Of the big
frame looked at Richard inquiringly.
"He wants to stay out another year.
hope you will let him. It's not disin-
terested. shall have to take stenog-
rapher TO the Heading this summer.
There is girl here; / couldn't take
her, and then, too, I'm old-fashloned;
| don't like women in offices. My posi-
tion promises to be peculiar one. I'd
like to have your son to rely on for
emergencies q stenographer could not
cover"
MacLeans grave features relaxed as
he looked down on the engineer, who
was no small man himself, and sug-
gested that his son was not very well
up In stenography.
"rhats the least of It,"
Il hope that he will make q good
stenographer Good morning, gentle
men,"
At table, neither Estrada nor his
guest uncovered their active thought
which reyolved around Hardin and his
hurt. Instead, Rlckard had questions
to ask his host on river history. As
they talked, II came to him that some
thing was amiss-Estrada was ac-
curate; he had all his facts. Was 1t
enthusiasm, sympathy, he lacked? Pres.
entity he challenged him with II.
| Estrada's eyes dreamed out Of the
window, followed the gorge Of the New
river, as though out there. somewhere,
the answer hosered.
"Do you mean, do you doubt it?p ex.
claimed Richard, watching the melan-
eholy in the beautiful eyes.
Estrada shook his head but without
decision. Nothing you'd not laugh at
I can laugh at II myself sometimes"
Rlckard waited, not sure that any.
thing more was coming. The Mexi.
cans dark eyes were troubled; puzzle
brooded In them. 'It's purely mega.
tive sense that I've had, since l was a
child. Something falls between me
and plan. If said II was veil, II
would be--somethlngw His voice fell
TO ghost of tunefulness. "And it's
nothing. A blank--I know then It's
not going to happen. II is terribly
Bnall It's happened, often. Now,
wait for that--veII. When 1t falls.
know what 1t MEANS"
sand you nave had that--sense
about this river businessT
Estrada turned his penslve gaze on
the American. '.Yes, often. / thought,
after fathers death. that that was