White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1921-01-16
CHAPTER ~.
The Desert Hotel.

~ ~ 80
when the twin towns were called. He
had expected TO see a Mexican town.
or at least a Mexican influence. as
the towns Rugged the border. but 1t
was as wildly American as was I'm
perfal or Brawley. There was the yell
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 ip-
evitable hotel bus of the country town.
a 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 WINS holding the reins.
"If you walt for the second trip you
won't get a room." suggested a friend
1y voice from the seat above.
Richard threw his bag to the grin
ming 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 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 a company that was
dlstrusted II not indeed actively hated
by the valley folk. 1t amused him that
his entrance vas so quiet as to be sur.
reptitious. 1t would have been quietei
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 1t was
not to be as an eavesdropper.
The heavy bus was blowing SLOWLY
through the dust Of the street. Rick
ard was given ample time to note the
limitations Of the sew town. They
passed two brick stores Of genera
merchandise. lemons and wooler
goods. stockings and crackers dispOrt
ing fraternally In their windows. A
hoard sign swinging from the over
hanging porch Of the most pretentious
building announced the post ofice
From q small adobe hung a bras
plate advising the stranger Of tn,
Rank Of Calexico. The 'dobe pressed
close to another two-stor.ed ~structur,
OF the desert type. The upper 1oor
supported By posts. extended over tn.
sidewalk. Melted wire screened ava,
the desert mosquito and gave the over
hanging gallery the g~rotesQue appear
ance Of o huge fencing mask. From
the street could DO seen rows Of beds
as in hospital wards. Calexico. II VA
seen. slept out Of doors.
desert hotel" bawied the darby
feining 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. F. All the me
mostly lives right heah at the hotel"
Richard made a dive from a swirl O
dust into the hotel. The long line h
anticipated at the desk was not thers
He stopped to take In a valley innovl
tion. One end Of the long counter ha
been converted into a soda-water bal
The high swivel stools In front OF u
white marbled stand. with Its towerin
diver fixtures. were crowded with dus
parched occupants ~ the bus A whit
coated youth was pouring coiore
slrups into tall glasses: there was
clinking Of ice q sissling Of siphona
That's q new one on me-" CRIME
Richard, turning toward the dea
where a complacent proprietor sfoo
waiting to announce that there was b'
one room left.
with bathf"
bath right across the hall. onl