The Press., 1917-07-12


 sort of crime Hughes had commit ted and what part in it Missouri Kid had taken. But for time there were no further developments, and gradual ly the excitement gave place to other incidents of mining camp life, such as the expulsion of the gamblers, the shooting of a 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 passed and there was no change in the situation. Missouri Kid seemed to be waiting for something. He kept sharp guard over the mine, and. if any one showed disposition to pry, the boy ordered him of, at the same time putting his hand on the re yolver at his hip. This was quite enough, though it began to be whis- pered about the camp that paying dirt had been struck in the Hughes hole. But what the Kid was 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 as best he could.
 One day Hughes suddenly returned He seemed to have experienced a change. He was well dressed and brought two trunks with him. A com panion accompanied him, a gentleman with a professional look about him. What he had come for was not diVulg- ed, but 1t was evident that 1t was something connected with the mine He spent good deal of time down un- der the surface and was continually bringing up specimens of the ore. It 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 a criminal-not that this changed very much his status in the community, for quite a 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, if 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 off their hats and holding up their right hands in an attitude of taking an oath. When it 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 a 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.
 "It's Missouri Kid, shore!" cried one. ''Mebbe it's his sister," cried another
 Il allus thought the Kid was more of gal than a man," cried a third.
 Whnvn %h4 oaho6 hn wS<xs Hughes, turning to the lady, said:
 'Fellow citizens, this is my wife"
 After cries, shouts and all manner of expression of satisfaction Hughes resumed:
 "I owe you an explanation. Some time ago became involved financially, and my creditors proceeded against me criminally. Bankrupt, prison star ing me in the face, l fled hoping to find a fortune here. One day, as you know, Missouri Kid, or my wife, joined me. She worked with me, but was princi- pally useful in warning me of the of officers of the law. When one of them came she had warned me, but by that time we had struck bonanza. I went east, arranged with my creditors to give them an interest in the mine in lieu of my debt, and they sent mining engineer with me to report. His report is satisfactory, and am not only out of the tolls of the law, but rich. Had 1t not been for the services of my dear wife should instead be now in jail"
 The mine that was developed was named the Missouri Kid. It turned out to be a bonanza and made its owners rich. MT. and Mrs. Hughes were en- abled by their wealth to do a great deal for the community where their property was located, and under their and patronage the camp became 8 very different place from what it had been before.