The Forrest City times., 1910-10-28
His Fortune
By CLARISSA MACKIE
Copyright 1910. by Associated Literary Press

The next day. just as John Purdy reached his house at dinner time, there was the sound of hoof-beats down the sunny street Bess came to the inside of the green-shuttered door and, quite unseen, saw three young men gallop to the porch and greet her father with boyish excitement.
 There were Bill Melvin and Owen Ransom and Bert Clayton-but the fourth, where was he? Bess leaned against the door, pale and still.
 The men were talking fast-all to- gether-and John Purdy was asking sharp, pointed questions regarding the reputed find. The assayer nodded ap- proval of the samples of ore they dis played
 Where's Jimmy Alvin?" he asked tersely.
 The three looked at each other and Clayton pointed a thumb In the direo- tion from which they had come. Al win acted that mulsh." complained the young prospector in an injured tone, he was just as near locating ths claim as the rest of us-but just be cause he didn't happen to scratch pay dirt and we did. he won't touch thing.' He rode on with us to Horse shoe Roek-and said he'd be along later. We argued with him till he started to fight the crowd and so we came on!"
 Hes right, boys said Purdy gravely You three made the strike that's all square-and it belongs to you. l just guess Alvin's unlucky.
 He says he's gong back home and settle down in the grocery business alongside of his dad" remarked Mel. win ruefully, and then as the three lucky prospeetors moved reluctantly away, he called back oyer his shoulder and voiced the unspoken words of his comrades: T hope Miss Bess is we'll. Mir. Purdy"
 First rate, thank you" said Purdy, watching them ride down the street with breeding look in his eyes.
 He was still gazing when his daugi1- ter's white pony pounded around tho side of the house and on his back was l3es5, her face pale under Tapping nat
 Dinners all ready for you. father I'll be home by and by-Im going after-Jim,''
 She flew up the street and his eyea followed the cloud of dust in her wake until horse and rider blurred into the gray trail. "I knew it." he muttered ~fh satisfied smile "I knew it was Jimmy-and he's the cream of good lot"
 Later, at the assay office, John Purdy reported on the samples of ore that the prospectors had brought in.
 You're rich men-every one of you, boys. Here's my hand on it- you deserve all of it!" he said heart fly.
 T wish you could argue with Jim and make him come in on this there's no use in him being poor" said Melvin
 Jim Alvin's made luckier strike than any of you, boys" said Purdy coolly Hes the richest man in town this minute,"
 How When?" they demanded eagerly.
 Look" said Purdy. pointing out of the window
 Coming down the street, the heads of their ponies close together, and with the unmistakable air of those who are above all earthly considera. tions were two riders; one was Besa Purdy, flushed and lovely under her Tapping hat, and the other was Jim Alvin-the unlucky prospector
 That's Jims strike-pure gold" murmured Purdy, without looking at the three young men.
 One by one they stole away and saddled their horses and disappeared: and there was not one who would not gladly have exchanged places with Jim Alvin at that moment.