The Raymer enterprise., 1922-09-28

to escape II; 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.
1t was too CALLING for thought. Rob
ert Fairchld hastily made his toilet,
then answered the ringing Of the din.
ner bell, TO be introduced to strong.
shouldered men who gathered about
the long tables; Cornishnen, who
talked an "h-less" language. ruddy'
faced Americans. and a sprinkling Of
English, all Of whom conversed about
things which were to Fairchild as 50
much Greek-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
biti0n.
Robert Fairchild spoke but seldom,
except to acknowledge the lntroduc'
tions as Mother Howard made him
known to each Of his table mates. But
It was not alootness; from the Atst
the newcomer had liked the men
about him. liked the ruggedness, the
mingling Of culture with the lack OF
1t, liked the enthusiasm, the muscle
and Drawn, liked them all-all but two
Instinctlvely. from the FIRST men
tion Of his name. he felt they were
watching him. two men who sat faI
In the rear Of the big dining room
older than the other occupants. fal
less inviting In appearance. One wal
small, though chunky in build, with
sandy hair and eyebrows; with weak
filmy blue eyes over which the lids
blinked constantly. The other, black
haired with streaks of gray. powerful
ln his build. and with a walrus-liks
mustache dropping over hard lips, wal
the sort Of antithesis naturally to be
found in the company of the smaller
sandy complexloned 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 thell
meal. they rose and left the room in.
tent, apparently, upon some important
mission.
After that, Falrchild ate with less
Of relish. In his mind was the Ger
talnty that these two men knew him
or at least knew about him-and that
they did not relish his presence. MOI
were his suspicious long In being full
filled. 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
Il don't know what you're foina
here" came shortly, but I want to-
Fairchild 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?"
"Not a thing"
"Or the people you're liable to have
to buck up againstY'
"Very little"
Then, Son." and Mother Howard
laid 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, II you happen to get
into communication with Blindeye
Bozeman and Taylor Bill, lie your
head of. Maybe you saw 'em, sandy.
haired fellow and a big man with a
black mustache. sitting at the back
Of the roomT Fairchild nodded.
swell. stay away from them. They
belong to 'Squint' Rodaine. Know
himf"
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
Fairchlld. Hes a 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 a
man to be afraid of-and he was your
fathers worst enemy"
Then, leaving Fairchild staring after
her, she moved on to her duties In
the kitchen.