The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1922-11-02

| 10 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 falsiiied to
keep the knowledge fnom him.
Il was Too CALLING for thought Rob-
crt Fairchlld hastily made his toilet.
then answered the ringing Of the din
ner bell. 10 be introduced 20 strong
shouldered men who gathered about
the long tables; Cornishmep. who
talked an ''h-less" language. ruddy-
faced Americans, and n sprinkling OF
| English. all OF whom eonversed about
things which were 10 Fairchild ms so
much Greek-of ''levels" and Slopes"
and 'winzes." OF "skips" and man
ways" and rises" which meant moth
ing 10 the man who yet must master
them all. II he were TO follow his am
bition.
Robert Falrchild spoke but seldom.
| except 10 acknowledge the introduce
tons as Mother Howard made him
known 20 each or his table mates. But
II 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
IL. liked the enthusiasm, the muscle
and Drawn, liked them sll-nll but two.
InstlnctIyely, 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
blinked constantly. The other, black
haired with streaks OF gray, powerful
in his build, and with a walrus-liks
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. rairchild 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 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
filied. Hardly had he reached the
hall. when the reckoning eyes OF
Mother Howard slgnaled 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 doing
here" came shortly, "but ! want TO-"
Falrchild Strengthened. There isn't
much 10 tell you" he answered quiet
ly. MY father left me the Blue Poppy
mine In his Will. I'm here 20 work H."
"Know anything about minlngr
mot a thing"
"Or the people you're liable to have
TO buck up againstT'
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 10 get |
into communication with Bllndeys |
Bozeman and Taylor Bill, lie your
head on. Maybe you saw 'em, a sandy |
haired fellow and big man with a
black mustache, sitting at the back |
bf the roomf" Fairchild nodded.
"well. stay away from them. They
belong 10 'squint' RodaIne. Know
himf"
She shot the question sharply.
Again Fairchild nodded.
I've heard the name. VINO In her
A voice called TO Mother Howard
from the dining room. She turned
away. chen leaned close TO Robert
FairchiId. 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
man 10 be afraid of--and he was your
worst enemyi"
Then. leaving Fnirchlid staring after
her, she moved on 20 her duties In
he kitchen