Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1924-01-12

Taungs, hurried into the first store ne
saw which did not seem to have a ma
tive clientele. There he threw himself
upon the mercy Of the proprietor who
equipped him with a sensible outfit con
sisting Of a small tin trunk-the white
ants would eat through his leather
suitcase In one night, Winton was told
and a correct up-country costume.
Winton sent for HIS baggage, which the
proprietor obligingly agreed to store
for him, and presently strolled in sensi-
bic khaki, with a wide-brimmed felt hat
rising into a peak, and high boots. He
took his seat among the miscellaneous
/ crowd Of passengers, and. while the
mob outside cried fantastic offers for
seats through the window, the mules.
now ten in number, started.
On the box sat the Hottentot driver,
cracking his twenty-foot whip Of hip
popOtamus hide ard filcklng the sack
est mules with dexterity that was
never at fault. On rolled the coach
through the infested streets, into the
clean desert, making in the direction
of a ridge of pale-blue mountains west
ward
1t swayed and creaked upon its way,
the baggage humping In the boot, the
mules dancing over the sand, the pas
sengers good-humoredly jostling one
another at every movement. 1t began
to pass the travellers of the morning
men riding thirsty Basuto ponies. carts
with thin donkeys, crawling at a snail's
! pace between heaven and sand; daring
and resolute pedestrians walking be
side donkeys, their only friends, laden
with baggage and Waterways.
Winton turned his attention to his
| fellow passengers. Besides the old
man and the girl there were a number
Of prospectors and mining men, evil
| IDENTIFY old residents Of the country, to
Judge from their tanned faces and the
brlck-red arms disclosed under the up
rolled shirt sleeves. There were two or
| three clerks or stOrekeepers. and one
man seated in a corner, with his hat
/ over MS eyes, whose insOlent demeanor
and dashy clothes arrested Winton's
attention.
Winton sat rather intentionally
| against the strap that ran across the
width of the coach in the center, di-
vidiug it into two portions, and fur
nishing an inconvenient, swinging sup
/ port for two rows Of passengers, back
to back. There was another row at
either end Of the coach; thus there
were four lines Of seats, the occupants
! OF the first and second, and those of
the third and fourth facing each other.
Opposite Winton sat the girl and her
father, The old man, who had taken
several pulls at a flask in his pocket,
was lying back half asleep. As Win
ton watched him, he saw his eyes open,
/ travel from face to face, and suddenly
/ fix themselves upon some occupant of
| the farthest row with look of terror
/ and abasement.
Involuntary Winton turned, to per-
ceive that the man with his hat over
/ his eyes had pushed it up and was
watching the older one with a smile Of
/ amusement Winton thought his face
was one OF the most sinister that he
had ever seen. lie was about forty
years of age, and not Unlocking; but
/ the smile on his countenance was a
4 wolfsh snarl. There was greed there,
\ and cruelty, and utter heartlessness.
Yawning. the man rose, and, without
a word of apology, strobe over the
strap, pushing between the seated pas
sengers. He went over TO the girl Be
/ side her was an inoffensive little clerk.
He jerked him by the arm.
I'll change places with you" he
said peremptorily.
The little clerk rose obediently and
made his way across the strap the
other passengers. who had not dared to
resent the first disturbance, remon-
/ stratlng vehemently as they dlslodged
themselves to allow him passage.
We'll, Sheila, my dear" said the
newcomer. grinning into the girls face
glad 70 see you. Ia been wondering
how you could stay away from your old
/ friend De Witt SO Ions"
He was referring evidently to him
] self NlntOn started AT the name. he
had an Introduction to De Witt in his
pocket, but now he hardly felt like
presenting 1t.
De Witt sat down beside the girl
( There was nothing In the mans words
that need be especially offensive in a
+ free and-easy community, bur the IA
miliarity of the coarse tones, which
made the girl vince, stung Winton to
fury.
Wei. who'd have thought 10 see you
here. Daddy Seaton?" the man con
yInued. Come to Try your luck on the
( 8elds? It's never too late TO strike it
/ rich. You and have been old friends,
/ daddy, since those days down at Sand
/ River
TIE old man, who had been watching
rhs other like a fascinated rabbit, put
out one hand with an involuntary ges-
/ ture which seemed 10 be warding OF a
blow.
"I-didn't know you were here Mr..
I De Witt, he gulped.