The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1919-02-25

was as vividly American as was I'm
oerial or Brawley. There was the yel-
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 a room," suggested friend
y voice from the seat above.
Rickard threw his bag to the grin
ning 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 Aiarshall had his way. But he
himself had stipulated that Hardin
should be told of his coming. He had
seen the telegram before it left tn
Tucson Office. He might be assuming
an unfamiliar role in this complicetet
drama Of river and desert, but 1t wa
not to be as an eavesdropper.
TIE heavy bus was plowing slowl:
through the dust of the street. Rick
ard was given ample time to note tn
limitations of the new town. The,
passed two brick stores Of genera
merchandise, lemons and woolel
goods, stockings and crackers disport
ing fraternally In their windows.
board sign swinging from the over
hanging porch Of the most pretentiou
building announced the post office
From a small adobe hung a bras
plate advising the stranger Of tn
Bank Of Calexico. The 'dobe pressed
close to another two-storied structur
of the desert type. The upper floor
supported by posts, extended over th
sidewalk. Melted wire screened ava,
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, it wa
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 might
sure to be full. Not many women vi
down this away. All the mel
mostly lives right heah at the hotel"
.Rickard made dive from q swirl o
dust into the hotel. The long line b.
anticipated at the desk was not there
He stopped to take in valley innova
tion. One end of the long counter hat
been converted into soda-water bar
The high swivel stools in front Of th'
white marbled stand, with its towering
silver fixtures, were crowded with dust
parched occupants q the bus. A white
coated youth was pouring coloret
sirups into tall glasses; there was s
clinking of ice; sizzling Of siphons.
That's a new one on me-" grinnet
Rickard, turning toward the desl
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. "Goine
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.
81 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
waying 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