Arizona republican., 1915-03-07


 Strange things breed in the deserts of southern California-some of them beautiful. some of them symbolic of endless and terrible thirst.
 There are three thrsts in this world: That fer wealth; the one for life; greatest of a the thirst for love-
 The first and the last expression of our civiliza- tion 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 defense and an opportunity. In the long vista of life we find many locked doors and gates doors to happiness, to life and to love.
 Fancy to yourselves thirsty men knocking with scared knuckes on these doors. Then realize that sooner later experience tells them that they can not enter without key. Who holds the Master Key to all these locked doors?" cry.
 This was the silent question in the hearts of two men. wearily struggling through the sagebrush to- ward the sharp ridges of the San Jacnto mountains in southern California. One of them a tall, stockiy built man. who continually dropping his head in utter weariness. If there had been any spectator other than his companion. would have suspected that his attitude was largely as sumed. Buteh his partner ploddng along if in dream, occasionally lifting his eyes to the Sierras that into the lofty blue ahead of them The smaller of the two suddenly said: "Wilker son. it must be noon!"
 Wkerson's shifty eyes flashed around. Now" he said in clear voice. Then it is time camped."
 'I wonder" said Thomas Gallon, lingering his prospectors guide. whether will find that gold the gold the Indians told us about. Yes, must hnc that gold"
 You don't seem to realize that you have part ner," snarled Wilkerson. You always talking about Ill. Haven't got a 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 mountain. I'm always think ing of that girl of mine You know she's in school. and she's got to have good education, and I've got to work to pay for it. Excuse me, partner; you know did not mean it that way"
 The moon reaching down its silvery fingers over the mountain when they reached it that night When they had eaten Gallon brusquely motioned to Wilkerson to clean up the camp, and then silent ly started up the gulch.
 T never heard of finding gold by moonlight" his partner murmured to himself as he azily repacked their little store and later lay down and went to sleep. Let the old man dig around if he wants to-" And immediately once more he yielded to his physical desires, this time for sleep
 Gallon steadily trudged around the bluh, follow ing the stream best he could until he knew that he absolutely alone.
 He dropped his gaze to the ground A moment later he furiously hammering at the outcrop- ping of rock that threw it's sharp shadow down lhe hill.
 Wilkerson turned sluggishly in his sleep. Appe- tite was more master of him. and he wakened to go to the stream for another long drink of water What was that figure sinking around the bluff? He crouched moment and then to his full height. It merely Gallon stumbling back with his hands full of dirt.
 Hes got something." thought Wilkerson.
 Why does he not come down to camp?" said Wilkerson to himself. T think I'll sec" So he quietly went with the noiseless tread peculiar to men on the scent and wrapped himself in his blan- ket again, but his eyes were open and turned on his partner.
 few moments later Gallon came to camp heavy footed, as if half asleep; dropped his hammer and kicked the fire to a blaze.
 Did not find anything, did you partner?" asked Wilkerson, noticing a curious expression on the old mans face.
 'Nopey nothing doing. Guess those Indians did not give me the right hunch."
 Wilkerson turned over if once more going to sleep. but his eyes were open and he saw Gallon marking down some notes on a piece of paper with the stub of pencil which he pulled out of his shirt pocket
 Wilkerson did not know how much later it that he was awakened by the barking of a.coyote on the hill He suddenly raised himself and let out curse against the destroyer of his sleep. Then he swiftly realized that Gallon still awake, sitting by the freside writing with the same stub pencil. Gallon sat thoughtfully on @ boulder, gazing out over the valley. But one thought fingered the picture of little girl who had remained to him. the single token Of a happy year.
 T found 1t for you" he muttered. No. no" There Is blackness born of love as well as of hate. Wilkerson suddenly realized. through the telepathy of the desert. that the man sitting over there, drawing piece of paper with the stub pencil was his bitterest enemy.
 He stole into the shadow under the hill and toward the man who had been his partner, but whom he resolved to9kll. He crept along, talk ing all precaution against disturbing single peb ble until he stood Gallon; and in the full moonlight he that Gallon was drawing the plans and marking the locations of mine.
 He watched that stubby pencil move across the paper in zigzag lines until it reached the apex of point which the old man marked. "This-This will make you happy"
 That moment Gallon raised his pencil from the paper forced 1t in his left hand and looked around He saw Wlkerson smiling at him.
 Smiles and tears. sorrow and laughter have made this world what it is and the smile the saturnine visage of Wilkerson stirred Gallon to his depths. Did Wilkerson know? Had Wilkerson seen? Was Ruth to lose the gold that he had found after all these years?
 The crumpled paper he thrust into his jacket pocket, and with the spur of fear deep in his Hanks he turned and fled He pulled out his revolver and fired At the man smiling at him from the shadow.