The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1916-01-21
Hidden Water
How II Was Lost, but
Found Again.
By CLARISSA MACKIE

disappointment in her blue eyes. and
her full red lower lip quivered, but
was instantly stilled by the sharp pres
sure OF her teeth.
That's right. Cry baby" she taunt.
ed her weakness. II thought you were
coming out here to Arizona to make n
fortune us rancher. and the first
thing you did was to buy sand hole
OF a ranch just because 1t had an at
tractive name-Hidden Water. 1t is
hidden! So far all the rain that has
fallen has been In the form Of tears.
oh, bother!'
In spite of her brave attempt ut self
control hot tears filled Ewes eyes and
splashed on her hands.
Rain from blue and cloudless
sky" remarked an amused voice at her
elbow.
Eve whirled her pony around to con
front the stranger who had noiselessly
mounted the ridge. He was tall sun
burned young man in dusty khaki, Il
ragged sombrero on his brown hair
and much humor in his bright brown
eyes.
Eve thought she had never seen such
bright. searching eyes, especially i'm
one who apparently was a seeker after
job.
"Well," she said sharply, resenting
his remark, II suppose you are looking
for a job?"
A startled look came and went In the
bright eyes.
I'm good worker. MISS" he said.
Eve laughed and swept her arm In
wide circle.
"Why look for work at Hidden Wa
teri" she asked. 1.-The water Is so we'll
hidden that my sheep have died from
thirst and my cattle have wandered
away or have been run or by Bedozi
and his gang Of rustlers. There is no
work at Hidden Water. not even for
me-" A little sob checked her laugh.
and she turned her face away from the
mans concerned countenance.
did you buy Hidden Water from
Holman?" asked the stranger.
She nodded.
HE sold out to me-" said she drear
lily. II don't know what to do He
told me that when the rains came the
creek would I'LL up. but there hasn't
been drop Of rain since came"
There won't be. either" he announc
ed-"not enough to do any good
II suppose l can shut up the place
and go home. back east. but there
isn't any home left"
"YOu are not out here aloneY"
"An elderly cousin came with me
She Is my only relative. Cousin Han
nah predicted disaster. and she ia
right
cousin Hannahs are usually con
firmed pessimists." he declared.
But you must admit she was right
in this instance"
"I believe can prove she Is wrong"
he said grimly.
"HowT
"Ill tell you later. Miss Temple"
"Who are your she asked curiously
my name is Lonsdale-John Ions
dale" he said. lifting the ragged hat.
"If you can give me my meals and al
low me to sleep in the bunk house
will try to help you"
Eve laughed mirthfully now.
welcome to Hidden Water. Mr..
Lonsdale. The bunk house is yours
alone. Shall introduce you to Cousin
Hannah as the M, ker Of rain in waste
placesT
"Tell her." he said deliberately, that
I am an expert Of some sort, and II
fail she will tell you that am an ex.
pert liar"
"Come. then" said Eve. 81 hear
the dinner BELL
In this manner was John Lonsdnle
introduced to Hidden Water.
Cousin Hannah disapproved Of him
at once AS soon rs he had vanished
into the bunk house with the basket OF
dinner she had given him the stern
New England woman attacked Eve
with volley of questions.
"Who is he, Eve?" she asked.
"a cowboy looking for work. His
name is John Lonsdale."
where is, he from? Where are his
references"
II didn't ask him."
Eve, thtlC ioh "oin hC't
for him." protested Mrs. Fox.
HE is an expert at detecting water.
He believes he can find the Hidden
Water, and
"Hidden fddlesticksr' snorted Cous-
in Hannah. THE man Is an expert
story teller, Eve"
Eve laughed, for already Cousin
Hannah had fulfilled Lonsdale's pre-.
diction.
Laugh II you want to-" said the
irate lady, "but some morning we will
wake up and find ourselves murdered
I'm our beds. Then what will you
sayT"
"I1l say you surely have a bit Of
Irish blood In your New England
makeup" laughed Eve.
There was n discreet knock at the
back door.
Cousin Hannah answered It, for
even the Chinese cook had been dis
missed.
John I.onsdale delivered the basket
with all the dishes neatly washed.
.That was mighty fine dinner,
Mrs Fox" he said.