The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1924-02-14

RtA
in a safe inside.
This might have appeared rash to
the uninitiated, but, while there was a
good deal of buying of stones con.
veyed illicitly out of the compounds,
there had never been the theft of a
recorded stone, except for the pseudo.
theft from the bank. Public opinion
rendered such an act almost impos-
sible. Diamonds were the one com
modify that were safe from robbers in
Malopo.
The machinery arrived as soon as
the building was finished. Then fol.
lowed a week Of the hardest kind OF
work, at the end Of which Winton had
a clear idea of the process of diamond
mining. All operations at Malopo were
Of a crude and primitive kind, even his
own, since the grounds had not yet
proved themselves sufficiently to justify
the introduction Of expensive ap-
paratus.
In substance, the clay was simply
dug up and sent to the surface In
buckets, hoisted by whims, or vertical
winches, consisting each of a drum
rotating on a shaft, on which the hoist
ing rope wound. The material was
then carried in large barrows to the
distributing grounds where, after some
d~isintegration had been effected by ex-
posture to sun and air, it was crushed
and fed into the washing troughs, in
which the stones and heavy minerals
were separated from the lighter de-
posits by revolving toothed arms. The
refuse was then picked over by the ma
tives in the compounds.
Winton entered into a contract with
a local concern that controlled the
water supply by means of shafts sunk
into the river bed two or three miles
outside the town. This was the most
important feature of the working of
the claim. Without water he would
be unable to begin operations or to
continue them.
AT last, stopping to take breath, Win
ton found that nothing was needed for
the beginning of the mining work ex-
cept the arrival of the natives. Three
gangs were expected, and might arrive
any day.
He turned his thoughts again to
Seaton. A compound manager was, of
course, necessary for the overseeing of
the workers, and he resolved to offer
old Seaton the position which he had
Faentally reserved for him. Seaton was
knC-pn as a man eminently qualified
for the position, but owing to his habits
none would employ him.
1t was nearly three weeks since VIM
ton had seen Sheila. He did not know
for certain that the girl and her father
were still in Malopo. He was thinking
inquiring for the old man when he
was surprised by a visit from him at
an early hour in the morning.
Daddy Seaton was wearing a new
suit, he was perfectly sober, and looked
almost respectable.
'Mr. Garrett, 1 don't suppose you'll
NOW who l am he began "but every
,ody in Malopo knows me, and they'll
ell YOU that there amt a better work
than Stanford Seaton when he
caves liquor alone. That's been my
,ane-but, then, I've had a heap Of
sir"
"Looking for a job?' asked Winton.
"And employers fight shy of me be-
ause of my Weakness" continued Sea-
frankly, determined to put his story
n his own way. 'But l can say there
sn't a man in Malopo understands the
better. l heard you wanted a
ompound manager, and if you'll give
ne a chance you won't regret it. l
hall never touch drink again. I've had
nough of it, sir"
"Ill try you, Seaton," answered Win
Report for work tomorrow morn
and you can move into that cot
age as soon as you like"
1t was on the tip of his tongue to
id "and your daughter" But Winton
autiously refrained. When re set
bout a thing he had all the method and
rudence of his father, who had been
financial power in New York before
combine broke him. Winton was re
lived either to win Sheila or to probe
le situation and discover the secret
the girls fascination owe him.
His heart cried out for her, but his
lad warned him of his unwisdom.
nd Winton, like most men, sgas
vayed by both; only with him they
ere in unusual equipoise.
He unlocked the cottage door and
fit Seaton inspecting the inside. re-
rning to work in his office. About an
,ur later, seeing the cottage door
de open and supposing that Seaton
d left the key in the lock, he went
er to close the place. He looked in
lie and saw the old man lying upon :
e floor hopelessly drunk, an empty /
tile of trade gin beside him. |
had certainly not had the bot
about him when he arrived. There |
is only one place where he could |
got it, and that was on the adjoin- |
: claim. |
The syndicate offers to CO. 4