The Meeker herald., 1917-07-28

event. An officer of the law came
looking for n man whose description
tailed exactly with Hughes. He found
his way to the mine where Missouri
Kid was RI w.rk. The Kid looked up,
and the officer looked down. somewha,
surprised.
We've met before" said Missouri.
Yes. we have. I'm looking for
man named Hughes"
lie was called away suddenly Inst
night"
where has he gomez
Don't know"
The officer turned away, disguised
He told several persons that he had
been sent out for Hughes, that lie had
met Missouri Kid In the canyon below
the day before, and by his inquiries
the Kid had discovered his mission and
doubtless warned Hughes.
what do you want him for?" the
| officer was asked.
That's my business" he replied.
The Kid was invited to give informa-
ton on the same subject, but he was
not communicative.
This made more of mystery OF the
matter than before and the miners
of Castle Rock found endless occupa-
ton when not ut work wondering what
sort OF crime Hughes had commit
ted and what part In 1t Missouri Kid
had taken. But for n time there were
no further Developments. and gradual
~ tine excitement gave place to other
Incidents of mining camp life, such MS
the expulsion of the gamblers. the
shooting OF man who had struck pay
ing dirt and other various happenings.
But Hughes did not return. and Mis-
souri, Kid stopped working in the mine.
What kept him there no one knew.
Months pissed and there was no
change In the situation. Missouri Kid
seemed to be waiting for something.
He kept n sharp guard over the mine.
and, If any one showed Il disposition to
pry, the boy ordered him Off. at the
same time putting his hand on the re-
volver at his hip. This was quite
enough. though 1t began to be wills
pered about the camp that paying dirt
had been struck In the Hughes hole.
But what the Kid WINS doing there
alone while his partner was lodging
the police no one could surmise. And
the Kid did not enlighten them. He
simply stayed around the mine or In
his cabin. reading when he could get
anything to read and amusing himself
us best he could.
One day Hughes suddenly returned.
He seemed to have experienced
change. He was well dressed and
brought two trunks with him. A COM
paniOn accompanied him, Il gentleman
with professional look about him.
What he had come for was not divulg-
cd, but 1t was evident that 1t was
something connected with the mine.
lie spent good deal Of time down I'M
der the surface and was continually
bringing up specimens Of the ore. 1t
was said that he had assay materials.
but he was not observed using them.
Although Jack Hughes did not bear
himself as a criminal, an officer Of the
law had been hunting him. and he
was considered crimna-nOt that
this changed very much his status In
the community. for quite number of
the miners had been In Jail. and no one
knew how many of them If they had
been In a civilized community would
have been tried for homicide. Indeed.
II the officer should return number
of persons would give Hughes warn
ing. But Hughes did not appear to
have any fear of his returning.
One evening light was observed
burning brightly In Jack Hughes
cabin, and as the weather was warm
and the door was wide open Hughes,
Missouri Kid and the stranger were
seen busy over papers. A notary pub
lie had been called in. and he was
seen working his seal stamp. Hughes
and Missouri Kid were seen to sign
papers, besides taking of their hats
and holding up their right hands in an
attitude OF taking an oath. When 1t
was all finished the stranger stuffed
the papers In his gripsack. and that
was the last seen Of him at Castle
Rock.
But the great surprise came the next
morning. A woman was seen In Jack
Hughes hut. More than that. one who
had got close enough for good view
Of her reported that she was Missouri
Kid in woman's clothes. This started
the curious toward Hughes hut to see
for themselves. Hughes saw them
coming and. taking the woman by the
hand, led her forward to meet them.
Its Missouri Kid. shore" cried one.
"Mebbe it's his sister" cried another.
81 allus thought the Kid was more
Of a gal than n man," cried n third.
When the couple reached the party
Hughes. turning to the lady. said:
Fellow citizens. this is my wife"
After cries. shouts and all manner
of expression OF satisfaction Hughes
resumed:
II owe You an explanation. Some
time ago became involved financially.
and my creditors proceeded against
me crimnally. Bankrupt. prison star
| iu~ me In the face | fled hnIlinp 70 find