The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-03-16

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hid was at work. The Kid looked I'D.
ana the officer looked down. somewhat
surprised.
| We've met BEFORE" said Missouri.
| Yes. we have. I'm looking for a
man named Hughes"
HE was called away suddenly, last
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 10y his inquiries
the Kid had discovered his mission and
doubtless warned Hughes.
what do you want him forr" the
smcer was asked.
That's my business" he replied.
The Kid was invited to give Informal
ton on the same subject. but he was
not communicative.
This made more of n mystery of the
matter than before, and the miners
Of Castle Rock found endless occupa-
ton when not at work wondering what
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 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 o 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 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 q
change. He was well dressed and
brought two trunks with him. A CON-
panioD accompanied him, a gentleman
with professional look about him.
What Ire had come for was not divulg-
ed. but 1t was evident that it was
something connected with the mine
He spent q good deal Of time down un-
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 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 number Of
the miners had been in Jail, and no one
knew how many Of them II they had
been In q civilized community would
have been tried for homicide. Indeed.
II the officer should return n number
Ct 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
hc 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 All oath. When 1t
was oil finished the stranger stuffed
the papers In his gr1psack. 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.
"Mcbbe it's his sister" cried another.
| II allus thought the Kid was more
| Of q gal than q man." cried q 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 criminally. Bankrupt. prison star
ing me in the face, fled hoping to find
fortune hefe. 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
approach of officers of the law. When
one OF them came she had warned me.
but by that time we had struck a
bonanza. | went east, arranged with
my creditors TO give then an interest
In the mine in lieu of my debt, and