The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1922-09-07

-, escape n she told all too plninly,
both by her actions and her words.
that she knew something Of the mys-
tery Of the past-and had falslhed TO
keep the knowledge from him.
II was too CALLING for thought Rob
ert Falrchld hastily made his toilet,
then answered the ringing Of the din
| ner bell. 10 be introduced 10 strong
shoudered men who gathered about
the long tables; Cornlshmen, who
talked an "h-less" language. ruddy-
| faced Americans and n sprinklIDg OF
English. all Of whom conyersed about
things which were to Fairchlld as 70
much Greek-of levels and "stopes"
| and "wInzes." ~ "skips" and imam
WAYS" and "rlses." which meant moth
| ing 10 the man who yet must master
them all, II he were TO follow his am
btiOn.
Robert Falrchlld spoke but seldom,
/ except to acknowledge the intrOduc-
tions as Mother Howard made him
known TO each Of his table mates. But
II was not aloofness; from the first,
the newcomer had liked the men
about him, liked the rurgedness. the
mlnglIng OF culture with the lack Of
Il. liked the enthusiasm. the muscle
and Drawn, liked them sll-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,
filmy blue eyes over which the lids
bllnked constantly. The other black
haired with streaks Of gray. powerful
I'm his build, and with a 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
enmity to the surface. And more I;
long before the rest had finished their
meal, they rose and left the room, In
tent, apparently, upon some important
mission.
After that, Fairchlld ate with less
of a 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 mis- 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.
stlnctiyely 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 mining?"
"Not a thing"
cor the people you're liable TO have
to buck up agalnst?"
every little"
"Then, Son." and Mother Howard
I laid kindly hand on his arm, what
! ever you do, keep your plans to your
self and don't talk too much. Ant
what's more, II you happen TO ge
into communication with Bllndey,
Bozeman and Taylor Bill, lie you
, head off. Maybe you saw 'em, a sandy
haired fellow and big man with ,
black mustache, sitting at the bacl
7 of the room?" Fairchild nodded
, "Well, stay away from them. The.
, belong TO 'Squlnt' Rodaine Know
hlmf"
She shot the question sharply
. Again Fairchild nodded.
1--WE heard the name. Who is he?
A voice called TO Mother Howart
from the dining room. She turne,
! away, then leaned close to Rober
Fairchlld. Hes n miner, and he's al
ways been a miner. Right now, he
, mixed up with some OF the blgges
! people in town. He's always been
man TO be afraid of-and he was you
!, fathers worst enemy"
Then, leaving Falrchild staring nfte
her, she moved on to her duties 4
. the kitchen.