The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-10-30
CHAPTER vi. (Continued)

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With his hands in his pockets the
hotel-keeper came sidling down to
the waters edge and, approaching
his departing guest, said, carclessly:
I've been thinking it over. nam.
There isn't room for two OF US here.
! might make it seventeen thousand
five hundred, if"
Fifteen! No more"
There came signal from the
steamer in the ofting; the Countess
extended her hand to Pierce. Good
by! If you're still here three weeks
from now you may be able to help
me-" Then she joined the process
sion up the gank-plank.
But the hotel-keeper halted her.
Fifteen is go" he said ansrily.
The Countess Courtcau stepped
back out Of the line. Every we'll.
Make out the bill of sale. I'll meet
meet you at Hcaly & Wilson'S in ten
minutes"
A moment later she smiled at
Pierce and heaved sigh of relief.
well. l brought him to time,
didn't /? I'd never have gone
aboard. Id have paid him twenty
five thousand dollars as matter Of
fact. but he hadn't sense enough to
see it. | knew had him when he
followed me down here"
What have you bought"
That hotel yonder-all but the
lumber"
"All but the lumber! Why, there
isn't much else!' Pierce was more
than a little astonished
"Oh. yes, there is! Dishes, hard
ware, glass, beds, bedding, windows,
t'xtures-eveything inside the build
ing, that's what bought. That's all
| wanted. III have the place
wrecked and the stuff packed up and
on mems backs in two days. 1t costs
i don't know what it cost, and
don't care The fellow was perfect
~ right, though: l haven't time to
get to Seattle and back again. Know
any men WIG. want work.
Il want it."
Know any othcrs?" Pierce shook
his head. Find some-the more the
better. Carpenters first, if there arc
any The speaker was all business
now. YOU'RE working for me
from this minute, understand?
Treat me right and I'll treat you
right. I'll take YOU through to Daw-
son. want carpenters, packers,
boatElen; they must work fast.
Long hours, long chances. big pay,
that's what it will mean. That out
fit must be in Dawson ahead of the
ice. Such thing has never been
done; it can't be done! But I'll do
it! DO YOU want to tackle the job?"
Phillips eyes were dancing. I'll
eat it up" he cried. breathlessly.
Good! ] think you'll do. Wait
for me at the hotel" With brisk
nod she was off, leaving him in a
perfect whirl of emotions.
Her man! She had called him
that. Fast work, long hours, long
chances; an impossible task! What
happy impulse had sped him to town
this morning? Ten minutes was the
narrow" margin by which he had won
his opportunity, and now the door to
the North had opened at a woman's
touch: Inside lay-ever,thing! She
thought he'd do? Why, she must
knosg he'd do. She must know he'd
He pinched himself to ascertain
If he were dreaming.
The Northern Hotel was less than
thrce-quarters built, but within an
hour after it had changed owner
ship it was in process of demolition.
The Countess Courteau was indeed
lightning striker; while Phillips
went through the streets offering
double wages to men who could
WELD hammer and saw, and the pos
sibility Of transportation clear to
Dawson for those who could handle
an oar, she called off the building
crew and set them to new tasks, then
she cleared the house of its guests.
Rooms were invaded with peremptory
orders to yacate: the steady help
was put to undoing what they had
already done, and soon the prem
Uses were in tun,ult. Such rooms as
had been completed were dismantlcd
even while the protesting occupants
were. yet gathering their belongings
together Beds were knocked down,
bedding was moved out; windows,
door-knobs. hinges, fixtures were re-
moved; dishes, lamps, mirrors. glass
"eT: were assembled for packing.
Through all this din and clatter
the Countess Courteau passed, spur
ring the wreckers on to speed.
Yielding to Phillips. knowledge Of
transportation problems and linita-
tons. she put him in general charge,
and before he realized it he found
that he was in reality her first lieu-
tenant. 49,
Toward evening a ship arrived
and began to belch forth freight and
passengers, whereupon there ensued
rush to find shelter.
Pierce was engaged in dismant,
ling the Office fixtures when a stran-
ger entered and accostcd him with
the inquiry
Got any rooms?"
Ut I'll
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