The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1922-11-17

NN'Se1 oAN bRb WIN VS.
that she knew something Of the mys.
terry of the past--and had falsifed to
keep the knowledge from him.
1t was too CALLING for thought. Rob.
ert Fairchild hastily made his toilet,
then answered the ringing of the dim
ner bell, to be introduced to strong
shouldered men who gathered about
the long tables; Cornishmen, whs
talked an "h-less" language, rudy.
faced Americans, and a sprinkling Of
English, al Of whom conversed about
things which were to Fairchild as %
much Greek-of levels" and "stopes1
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 introduc-
tons as 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 him, liked the ruggedness, the
ndngling 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
loco inNitinu tn npnnrnnpn nr1a mas
small, though chunky in build, with
sandy hair and eyebrows; with weak,
tilmy 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
enmity 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 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 reckoning eyes of
Mother Howard signafed 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 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 mining2"
"Not a thing"
"Or the people you're liable to have
to buck up againstr
"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, II you happen to get
iGto communication with Blindeye
Bozeman and Taylor Bill, lie your
head off. Maybe you saw 'em, a sandy
haired fellow and a big man with q
black mustache, sitting at the back
Of the roomY Fairchild nodded
"Well, stay away from them. They
belong to 'Squint' Rodaine. Know
him?"
She shot the question sharply
Again Fairchild nodded.
"Tve heard the name. Who is her
A voice called to Mother Howard
from the dining room. She turned
away, then leaned close to Robert
Fairchild. 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 @
nan to be afraid of-and he was your
fathers worst enemy !"
Then, leaving Fairchild staring after
her, she moved On to her duties ir
the kitchen.