The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1927-02-18
CHAPTER III
Gentleman John.

lamps on the side walls and by ela0-
crate hanging lamps. The center
hanging lamp was particularly bril-
liant affair, the pride Of the janitor,
Bull Page, broken cowboy, who al
ways saw that this particular lamp
was in the pink Of good order.
Like one familiar with his sur
roundings, McAlpin walked directly
up the middle Of the long room, nod
ding here and there TO an acquaint-
ance, and directed his steps TO the
upper right-hand corner. in which,
apart somewhat from the tables,
iat-topped desk faced McAipin
diagonaIly. Behind the desk stood a
swivel armchair; on a wall shelf be-
hind the chair there reposed a card
photograph. crudely framed, of man
in the uniform of a Union soldier.
Beside this, but more conspicuous
because much larger, stood a glass
dome of the kind used to cover
French mantel clocks. Under this
dome there repOsed already in place
of the expensive clock, which had
been removed to make place for II, a
single slender high shoe, evidently
the shoe of a girl of eighteen or
twenty years. 1t showed but little
wear and. during the evening, attract
ed much attention and elected many
questions. But beyond the vague
statement that It was there for good
luck, no explanation to any one was
then or afterward Forthcoming from
SeIwood.
McAIpin watched the play a few
minutes with the air Of one that had
graduated from that form Of enter
tainment. and sauntered back toward
the front door. There his active eye
fell on a man of medium stature
standing with his hands in his
pockets. leaning against the door
lamb and looking out into the street
He showed in his copper-colored face
the hue Of an Indian. Bob Scott,
partly of Chippewa blood, and car
ried-a Sioux captive-far from the
hunting grounds of his fathers, was
now a retainer OF John Selwood's.
McAlpin ambled up to him like an old
acquaintance. which, in fact, he was.
"Pm looking for the boss. Bob" he
said with some Importance in his
tone.
The Indian only drew his hands
from his pockets to place them be-
hind his back on the jamb he was
leaning against, and smiled in friend
ly fashion.
rbinI-inr hn IN tho river
If he did, he ought to be back by
now"
what would he be going up the
river for?' asked McAlpin with
native suspicion.
"To see man."
What man would John Selwood
want to see up rfver?''
: Scott smiled systematically. "May-
be the old padre-the one that trav-
els that way sometimes with the
Blackfeet."
81 hear he let Big Haynes go this
morning, Bob" said McAlpin cava-
Ierly. what for? He was the fast
est dealer in the house."
Bob Scott, smiling, only held up his
right forefnger and crooked it.
what does he want to see the old
padre about?' demanded McAlpin
with an air of Impotence.
Scott, looking over McAIpin's shout
der down the street. made a definite
announcement. SThere comes Sell
wood. Jim; suppose" he added. smil-
ing evenly, you ask him"
McAlpin cherished a genuine re-
gard for the young boss, as he some
times called Selwood, and with all his
turns and quirks, loyalty was in the
fiber of McAlpin's makeup. He gave
value received TO whomevar he sold
his service, and in return had things
in his official servitude mostly his
own way. He understood perfectly
well how to wheedle a boss and how
TO bully him, when TO say things and
when to keep silence
Il can't be put off much longer,
john" he declared. low but empha-
tically, keeping just half a deferential
step behind Selwood as the two
walked up the gambling hall toward
Selwood's desk. We've got to have
more room down there or push some
of the mules into the river. The har-
ness room is that crowded YOU
couldn't skin a cat in it without
nicking a breech strap"
Selwood walked at leisurely pace
past the well-fIled tables. listening
TO McAlpin. but with his eyes, keen
and grayish blue, taking in the scene
before him. He was slender, evenly
built, and carried himself very light
ly-walking with much the springy
step of a West Pointer Two spots of
color in his cheeks revealed the con-
stitutional weakness that had brought
him to the. mountain country-a
weakness now so well checked that
at twenty-seven he looked fresh and
boyish among men who, though hard
~ older in years, seemed TO have
felt more heavily the hardships of
frontier life. There was nothing ag-
gressive about his appearance but
his gray eyes chilled his manner
when his face was in repose. and he
was known TO waste but few words
in reaching a conclusion, and none
In pursuing a vain dispute.
He heard patiently McAlpin's COM