The Ordway new era., 1922-09-15

to escape 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 faislned 10
keep the knowledge from him.
1t was too CALLING for Thought. hop-
ert Fairchild hastily made his toiiet,
then answered the ringing of the din
ner bell to be introduced to strong
shouldered men who gathered about
the long tables; Cornishmen, VINO
talked an "h-less" language. ruddy-
fnced Americans, and sprinkling OF
English, all of whom conversed about
things which were to Fairchild as so
much Greek-of 'levels" and ''stopcs"'
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 rs Mother Howard made him
known to each of his table mates. But
It was not aloofness; from the first,
the newcomer had liked the men
ABOUT MIN, llhtu illt luSSthh'''s VIZ
minglinC of culture with the lack of
II. liked the enthusiasm, the muscle
and Drawn, liked them all-ail but two
Instinctively, from the first men
ton 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
blinked constantly. The other, black
haired with streaks of gray, powerful
in 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
enmlty to the surface And more;
long before the rest had finished their
meal, they rose and left the room, in
tent, apparently, upon some important
mission.
After that, Fairchild ate with less
of a relish. In his mind was the GER
tainty that these two men knew him
or at least knew about hlm-and that
they did not relish his presence. Nor
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
81 don't know what you're doing
here" came shortly, "but l 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 mining?"
MOI u IulnS.
"Or the people you're liable to have
to buck up against?"
"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, if you happen to get
into communication with Blindeye
Bozeman and Taylor Bill, lie your
head off. Maybe you saw 'em, a sandy
haired fellow and a big man with a
black mustacbe, sitting at the back
of the room?" Fairchild nodded.
"Well, stay away from them. They
belong to 'Squint' Rodaine. Know
him?"
She shot the question sharply.
Again Fairchild nodded.
'Ive heard the name. Who is he?"
A voice called to Mother Howard
from the dining room. She turned
away, then leaned close to Robert
Fafrchild. Hes miner, and he's al
ways been q 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.
"Rodaine's rattIesnake. His II
III eon,s raffIeepaLen Ia