The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-04-10

looking for a man whose description
tailed exactly with Hughes. He found
his way 10 the mine where Missouri
Kid was at work. The Kid looked up.
and the officer looked down. somewhat
surprised.
We've met before" said Missouri
"Yes. we have. I'm looking for
man named Hughes"
He was called away suddenly last
night"
Where has he gonef"
Don't know"
The officer turned away. disgusted. /
He told several persons that he had
been sent out for Hughes, that he had 1
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-
tion on the same subject. but he was
not communicative.
This made more of a 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 10 be waiting for something
He kept "a sharp guard over the mine
and, If any one showed a 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
q anything to read and amusing himself
p as best he could.
One day Hughes suddenly returned
n He seemed to have experienced u
, change. He was well dressed and
|, brought two trunks with him A COM
4 panion accompanied him. a gentleman
a 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-
7 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 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 If they had
:, been In a civilized community would
\ have been tried for homicide. Indeed
IL the officer should return a 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 I'm, 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 II
:, was all finished the stranger stuffed
the papers I'm his gripsack, and thai
was the last seen of him at Castle
!, Rock.
!, But the great surprise came the mex
morning. woman was seen In Jacl
:, Hughes hut. More than that, one VIII,
had got close enough for good view
:, Of her reported that she was Missouri
:. Kid In woman's clothes. This startet
the curious toward Hughes hut to sex
=, for themselves. Hughes saw then
- coming and. taking the woman by tn,
~ hand. led her forward to meet them.
Its Missouri Kid. shore" cried one
49, "Mebbe it's his sister," cried another
=. II allus thought the Kid was NOR
40 of gal than man." cried third.
!, When the couple reached the part,
Hughes. turning to the lady. said:
- Fellow citizens. this Is my WIFE
g After cries, shouts and all manne