Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-04-03
SYNOPSIS.

uuue CLOTHES, nut ne Hdu ltAi6Htd
q chair OF engineering in the east TO
go on the road as a fireman and his
promotion had been spectacular.
While waiting for Marshall Richard
reads a report of the ravages OF the
Colorado, despite the efforts of
Thomas Hardin Of the Descent Reca-
nation Company. This Hardin had
been a student under Richard and
had married Gertny Holmes, with
whom Richard had fancied he was in
love
CHAPTER II--aMrshall tells Rick
ard the Overland Pacific has got to
step in to save the Imperial Vale
and sends him to the break. Richard
declines because he does not want
10 supplant Hardin, but is won over.
stop the river; damn the expense"
says Marshall.
CHAPTER III-Rckard 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 lines
Hardin, Elardin'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 forebodings that
finished"
CHAPTER VII hines IS liscov-
cred in her garden She tries - chez
up aHrdin, who is furious agains.
Richard.
CHAPTER VILLA family luncheon
OF the HardiHs which throws light or
them.
CHAPTER iX.--Hardin discovers
that Richard is planning a leyee To-
protect Calexico and puts him down
as incompetent. Gerry thinks her lord
jealous.
CHAPTER X.-The Hardin dinner
to Richard discloses further the fam
lily characteristics. Hardin is surly
and gulhy, innes is hardly polite.
Gerty plans a progressive ride in
Richards honor.
CHAPTER XI.--Rickard encounters
the INSTRUMENTATION Of the compaay's
engineers. He is stirred by the In,
dams statement that this is the hun
dredth year of cycle, when the
Great Yellow Dragon, the Colorado,
grows restless. He makes various
preparations, pushes work on the Ca
leXico levee and is ordered by Mar
shall to take fighting chance on
the completion Of Hardin's pet pro-
Ject, gate to shut the break in the
river.
CHAPTER XII.-tSan Francisco is
destroyed by earthquake and fire, and
dredge machinery, which Richard had
ordered Hardin to have shipped, is
burned through IIardins neglect,
Richard secretly equips the big water
tower as signal station.
CHAPTER Gorty Hardin de-
cides that Richard still loves her and
plans campaign that promises
trouble.
CHAPTER XlV.-Tho progressive
ride is begun under adverse condi-
tions-wn and dust, with the guest
of honor absent. Then MacLean,
Richards secretary brings word that
the river is raging and every man is
wanted on the levee.
CHAPTER XV.-fTardin motors off.
with o load Of dynamite, leaving
everything in confusion on the lcvee.
lines, through Il friendly engineer is
sues orders in her brothers name, to-
save her brothers face. The leveeI
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 gale and the
leve is in danger again.
CHAPTER XVIT-Women as well
as men work on the leyee the second
night !, lines finds Richard and Gerty
together and begins to suspect his SIS
ter-in-law Her brothers's wrong
headedness and Richards evident eff
fciency only serve to embitter lnnes
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-
tiyes OF the settlers, the Overland Pa
cific and Mexico clash. A telegram
from Richard that the river has
broken out again saves a big row and
forces united action by all.