The Dolores star., 1922-09-29

10 escsp. IL: she told all too plainly
both by her actions and her words,
that she knew something of the mys-
terry Of the past-and had falsified to
keep the knowledge from him.
II was too CALLING for thought. Rob
ert FairChild hastily made his toilet,
then answered the ringing of the din
ner hell. 10 be introduced to strong
Shouldered men who gathered about
the long tables; Cornishmen, who
talked an "h-less" language, ruddy-
faced Americans, and sprnkling OF
English. all of whom conversed about
things which were TO Fairchlld as so
much Grcek-of "levels" and "stopes"
and "winzes," Of "skips" and man
WAYS" and rises" which meant moth.
ing TO the man who yet must master
them all. If he were to follow his am
bition.
Robert Fairchild spoke but seldom.
except to acknowledge the introduce
tions as Mother Howard made him
known to each of his table mates. But
IL was not aloofness; from the first,
the newcomer had liked the men
about him, liked the ruggedness, the
mingling of culture with the lack of
It, liked the enthusiasm, the muscle
| and Drawn, liked them all-all but two
Instinctively, from the first men.
tion Of his name. he felt they were
watching him. two men who sat far
in the rear of the big dining room.
| older than the other occupants, far
less inviting In appearance. One was
small, though chunky in build, with
sandy hair and eyebrows; with weak,
flmy blue eyes over which the lids
blinked constantly. The other. black
haired with streaks of gray, powerful
in his build, and with n walrus-like
| mustache dropping over hard lips, was
the sort of antithesis naturally to be
| found in the company of the smaller,
| sandy compleXioned man. Who they
were. what they were, Fairchild did
not know, except from the general
attributes which told that they too fol.
| lowed the great gamble of mining. But
| one thing was certain; they watched
| him throughout the meal; they talked
about him in low tones and ceased
when Mother Howard came near; they
| seemed to recognize in him someone
who brought both curiosity and innate
enmlty to the surface. And more: |:
| long before the rest had finished their
meal, they rose and left the room. in.
| tent, apparently, upon come important
| mission.
After that, FalrChild ate with less
| of relish. In his mind was the GER
| tainty that these two men knew him
or at least knew about him-and that
| they did not relish his presence. Nor
| were his suspicious long in being full
filed. Hardly had he reached the
| hall, when the beckOning eyes OF
| Mother Howard signaled to him In
| stinctively he waited for the other
| diners to pass him. then looked eager
| ly toward Mother Howard as she once
more approached
II don't know what you're doing
here" came shortly, but want to-"
Falrchild Strengthened. There isn't
much to tell you" he answered quiet
| ly. MY father left me the Blue Poppy
mine in his will. I'm here to work it."
| know anything about mlning?"
mot thing"
"Or the people you're liable to have
to buck up against?
"Very little"
Then, Son." and Mother Howard
laid a kindly hand on his arm. what.
ever you do, keep your plans to your
self and don't talk too much. And
what's more, If you happen to get
into communication with Bllndeye
Bozeman and Taylor Bill, lie your
head off. Maybe you saw EN- a sandy.
haired fellow and big man with a
black mustache, sitting at the back
or the roomf' Fairchild nodded
| well, stay away from them. They
belong to 'Squint' Rodaine. Know
hm?"
She shot the question sharply.
Again Fairchild nodded.
1--WE heard the name. Who Is hep
A voice called to Mother Howard
from the dining room. She turned
away, then leaned close to Robert
talrchild. Hes miner, and he's al.
ways been a miner. Right now, he's
mixed up with some of the biggest
| people In town. He's always been n
man to be afraid of-and he was vour
fathers worst enemyw
Ihen' leaving Fairchild staring after
her she moved on to her duties in
the kitchen.