Arizona republican., 1898-07-05

Stakes alive! what's keepin that Hiram?'' 7
 There could be no mistaking that voice. which penetrated my office, though the speaker was out of sight. l. was not voice of smooth tones and delicate infections, yet it was attrac- tive in homely, everyday sort of way, therein resembling it's owner. Now and then it grew sharp, when circum- stances were particularly trying, but it never suggested nagging. At this particular moment there was in it note of anxiety, which reused me from a pleasant after dinner half doZe to throw up a window and send glance toward the gate, where Mrs. Weston stood, shading her eyes with her hand, the better to peer down the road.
 'What's the trouble?'' I sang out to her.
 ''That pesky Hiram oughter been back hours ago." said she. sWhat can he be a doin' of, anyhow?'
 "Where did you send him?"
 'Down to the beach with the team, after a load of gravel.''
 Perhaps he's been begged. It's quite possible, if he didn't keep his eyes open. Just where did you bid hirn go?'
 ''I told him the best place was the South Cove, but he might find some good 'nough at pinch near Jolnson's. Whichever place he went, he oughte1 be h1a r mi fr vi so'1 T, ic afternoon"
 ''So do I. If he turns up in the next half-hour, please let me know of it.''
 "Yes, indeed, doctor, I'll be glad to, . she answered.; and after parting sur vey of the neighborhood, she reentered the house. It was the afternoon fol- lowing the day on which Jones had come to the aid of Miss Gray in such timely fashion, but neither she nor I had yet succeeded in getting an oppor- tunity to thank him for his assistance Both of us were anxious to prove our gratitude, and Dorothy, as knew, had decided to give him token of it in the shape of trinket, a quaintly carved watch charm, which she had picked up in one of her trips abroad. All things considered, it was rather curious choice she had made, although the thing was sufficiently pretty to appeal to the untrained instincts of the boor ! she had every reason to suppose him to be. So far as I was concerned, the question was more puzzliIg, but I had determined to offer him money. Whether he would accept it was doubt full, but, at any rate, the proffer might be made, with the alternative idea of picking out some present later on which would meet his approval in case he declined the cash.
 The half-hour passed with no tid- ings of the missing man. After an- other fruitless survey of the road, Mrs. Weston, dolefully shaking her head, vanished again, after once more in forming me that his prolonged absence was wholly inexplicable. Presently one of her sons brought my horse and carriage to the door, and, somewhat reluctantly, forsook the cool quiet of the office to begin the drive to the house of one of the patients whom I was attending during MT. Banks convales- cence from his injury. Miss Gray was reading in the shade of the porch of the house over the way, and, in hopes of persuading her to join me, I crossed the road and went up to her.
 ''Really, I should be delighted, but I've promised my aunt to see her safe ly off," said she, in response to my in vitation. "You know she is to take tea in the village, and her hostess is to sent for her don't know at just what hour."
 "Oh, then there's no hope for me-" said I, grumpily. However, shall be back in an hour or two. I'm expect ing Dr. Banks to call for my report of the case, and he may appear before my return. If he does, will you kindly ask him to wait for me? Then, too, if Jones condescends to drive up with his load of gravel, and you happen to speak to him, please be so good as to tell him that should like to see him."
 ''If you care to wait little," she an swered, "we may interview him to- gether. The team is in sight now" Looking along the track toward the house of the knoll, saw Mrs. Weston's horses jogging ihomeward at a trot, which indicated that the wagon they drew could not be loaded very heavily. "Where's the driver?" Miss Gray l asked. ''Do you see him?''
 "No, don't,'' said I. "Quiet as the team is, it must have got away from him."
 One of the boys ran up to the ap- preaching horses and stopped them. We could see him pick up the reins from the ground, examine the wagon, and climb to the seat. By the time he drove up to us Mrs. Weston, Mrs. Clark, and one or two others had joined the group, and Mrs. Loring, who looked down from the window of her room. Dorothy! Dorothy!" she called out, tell me, tell me, has anything hap pened? anything terrible? Where, oh, where is the man? Us he dead Tc bo 1-;I1odO Ob Dorotbx Pr, c11ra be