The Denison review., 1914-12-16


some OF them beautiful
80 some OF them symbolic OF
endless and terrible thirst.
There are three thirsts in this world:
That for wealth; the one for life; great
est Of all, thel thirst for love.
The first and the last expression OF
Our civilization is the locked door. and
from the time the primal carpenter
laid down his tools and went within
his rude house the door has stood for
all time a defense and an opportunity.
In the long vista of life we find many
locked doors and gates-doors to hap,
piness. to life and to love.
Fancy to yourselves thirsty men
knocking with scared knuckles OH
these doors. Then realize that sooner
or later experience tells them that they
cannot enter, without key. who
holds the master key to all these lock-
ed doors?'' we cry.
This, was the silent question in the
hearts OF two men. wearily struggling
through the sage brush toward the
sharp ridges Of the San Jacinto noun.
tains in southern California.
II wonder.' said Thomas Gallon, fin.
gering his prospector's guide. whether
we will find that gold-tlle gold the
Indians told MS about Yes. must
find that gold"
'You don't seem to realize that you
have a partner" snarlcd Wilkerson.
"You are always talking about I'LL.
Haven't got share in this? Haven't
] dug up money? And yet you don't
seem to think that I've any concern In
this matter"
Excuse me- partner" said the other
man. fixing his dim gaze on the noun.
tain. I'm always thinking OF that girl
she's got to have y good education. and
I've got to work to pay for 1t. Excuse
me. partner; you know l did not mean
1t that way, but when | remember her
mother He broke of abruptly, and
both men stopped.
"Her mother:' asked Wilkcrson.
( .''Yes, her mother choked Gallon.
"The girl deserves the best there is in
this world. I'm all she's got. and. by
heavens"-she shook his fist toward
the distant blue hills-"she shalt have
It if I have to tear that mountain apart
with my finger nails"
"Well,' said Wilkerson impatiently.
"let's camp. I'm thirsty
They stopped in the shade Of the fal.
low plume OF the Yucca and made their
little fire for coffee. but before the
blaze was well started Wilkerson
picked up the water bag and took
long drink. His companion suddenly
flashed in anger.
'.Say, partner" he said sternly. ''that
water has to last us clear to the noun.
tains."
Wilkerson flung his head back and
laughed. "Why worry? Don't you see
the snow there on San Jacinto peak?
That means creeks down every ruvine
and gulch."
Instantly Gallons eyes dulled. He
dream.
There's where they said the gold
was." he muttered. ''lr one of them
gulches up there. Gold! Gold! Sny.
Wilkerson. we'll get that gold. but we
must save the water. didn't mean
any harm. partner. for calling yon
down for drinking that water. but I've
got to get that gold"
Wilkerson once more reached for the
water and took long draft.
~ gness this will last till we reach
those foothills. he sad. But his com.
panion paid noi,attention to him. stOl.
idly preparing their slender meal Of
coffee and beans.
When they had eaten Gallon brusque.
ly motioned to Wilkerson to clean up
the camp and then silently started up
the gulch. 81
II never heard of finding gold BY
moonlight" his partner tnuttered to
himself. "Let the old man dig around
n he wants to-" And Immediately. once
more be yielded to his physical desires.
this time for sleep.
Gallon steadily trudsed around the
b!us. following the stream us best he
could until he knew that he was abs0-
,.,,..'
lutely alone. Chance. the master Of US
all, delights ny Astranse freaks. Now at
this moment. when he felt hatred IN his
heart for his partner. when he knew
that he had come on his final quest
with a weakling to coddle along, Mis-
tress Chance laid her quick finger ON
him and whispered, ''Here"'
He heard that light whisper and
dropped his gaze to the ground. A mo-
ment later he was furiously hammer
ing ut the outcropping Of rock that
threw its sharp shadow down the hill.
Wilkerson turned sluggishly in his
sleep.
II wonder where the old man is" he
muttered to himself. Hes always
prowIin. round q nights
What was that figure sinking around
the bluff? Something In his partners
ut:itunI: as lie sto22ed directly IN t'.s