The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1910-10-29

the unlucky fellow in on the claim"
remarked Purdy casually.
Like enough" said the other, pro-
ceeding on his exciting journey down
the street. IT didn't ask which ones
made the f1nd-they was all excite
ment. They'll be here tomorrow.
Purdy, with some stuff for you to
assay"
Bess and her father sat motionless
long time. At last the girl spoke
i wonder who it was-the one who
didn't find anything" she murmured
half to herself
Il was asking myself that question, -
said Mr.. Purdy thoughtfully.
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 thumb in the direc-
xrr[i
vim acted that mulish," complained the
young prospector in an injured tone,
he was just as near locating the
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 a
| thing! He rode on with US to Horse
| shoe Rock-and said he'd be along
later. We argued with him till he
started to fight the crowd and so we
came on!"
He's right, boys" said Purdy
gravely. You three made the strike
that's all sQuare-and it belongs to
you. 1 just guess Alvin's unlucky.
He says he's going back home and
settle down in the grocery business
| alongside Of his dad" remarked Mel
| vim ruefully, and then as the three
lucky prospectors moved reluctantly
away, he called back over his shoulder
and voiced the unspoken words of his
comrades: II hope Miss Bess is well,
Mr.. Purdy.'
First rate, thank you," said Purdy,
watching them ride down the street
with a brooding look in his eyes.
He was still gazing when his daugh-
ter's white pony pounded around the
side of the house and on his back was
Bess, her face pale under a tapping
| hat.
Dinners all ready for you, father.
I'll be home by and by-rm going
after-Jimi"
She flew up the street and his eyes
followed the cloud of dust in her wake
until horse and rider blurred into the
gray trail. Il knew it." he muttered
with a satisfied smile. 'T knew it
was Jimmy-and he's the cream Of a
good lott"
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
lily.
'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 A1vin's made a 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
tons, were two riders; one was Bess
Purdy, flushed and lovely under hel
Tapping hat, and the other was jim
Alvin-the unlucky prospector.
That's Jim's strike-pure gold,
murmured Purdy. without looking al
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.