The Prescott daily news., 1918-04-23

reasoning she reflected in the same in- stant that if Bill were away from her in a few weeks he would be all the more glad to get back. That closed her mouth. It was not wise to be too meek or obedient where a husband was concerned. That was another mite of wisdom she had garnered from the wives of her circle.
 So she kissed Bill good-by at the station next day with perfect good hu- nor and no parting emotion of any particular keenness. And if he were a trifie sober he showed no sign of resentment, nor uttered any futile wishes that she could accompany him.
 "So long," he said from the car steps. "Fll keep in touch-all 1 can."
 Then he was gone.
 Somehow, his absence made less diff ference than Hazel had anticipated. She had secretly expected to be very lonely at first. And she was not. Even when in her hand she held a telegram dated at point five hundred or a
 
 away she did not experience the feel ing of complete bodily absence. She always felt as if he were near. Only at night, when there was no long arm to pillow her head. no goodnight kiss as she doZed into slumber, she missed him, realized that he was far away.
 Early in June came a brief wire from Station Six. Three weeks later the Free Gold Mining company set up mild ripple of excitement along Broad street by exhibiting in their office window a forty-pound heap of coarse gold; raw, yellow gold. just as it had come from the sluice. Every day knots of men stood gazing at the treasure. Bill had forwarded the first cleanup.
 And close on the heels of this-ten days later, to be eXact-he came home.
 You great bear" Hazel laughed, in the shelter of his encircling arms. My, it's good to see you again"
 She pushed herself back little and surveyed him admiringly, with a grati- fled sense of proprietorship. The cheeks of him were tanned to a healthy brown, his eyes clear and shining. The offending flesh had fallen away on the strenuous paths of the Klappan. He radiated boundless vitality, strength, alertneSS. that perfect coordination of mind and body that is bred of faring resourcefully along rude ways. She thrilled at the touch of his hand, was content to lay her head on his shoul- der and forget everything in the joy of his physical nearness.
 They elected to spend the evening quietly at home, as they used to do. To Hazel 1t seemed quite like old times Bill told her of the Klappan country, and their prospects at the mine
 "It's going to be mighty big thing" he declared.
 "Tm so glad" said Hazel.
 "We've got a group of ten claims. Whitey Lewis and the original stakers hold an interest in their claims. I. acting as agent for these other fel- lows in the company, staked five more. I took in eight more men-and, be- l left. And, say, went in by the ranch. Old Jake has a fine garden. He's still begging away with the mule 'und Gretchen, der cow 1 offered him chance to make fat little stake at the mine, but he didn't want to leave ko al Something of philosopher in his way. Pretty wise old head. He'll make good, all right"
 In the morning, Bill ate his break fast and started downtown.
 That's the dickens of being a busi- ness man." he complained to Hazel, in the hallway. Tt rides man, once 1t gets hold of him. Adlos, little per son. I'll get out for lunch, business or no business"
 Eleven-fhirty brought him home, preoccupied and drowning. And he carried his frown and his preoccupa- ton to the table.
 "Whatever is the matter, Bill?" Ha- gel anxiously inquired.
 "Oh, I've got nasty hunch that there's nigger in the woodpile." he replied.
 And that was all he vouchsafed. He finished his luncheon and left the house. He was scarcely out of sight when Jimmie Brooks runabout drew up at the curb. A half minute later he was ushered into the living room.
 Bill in?" was his first query.
 No, he left just few minutes ago." Hazel told him.
 MT. Brooks, a short, heavy-set, neat ly dressed gentleman. whose rather weak blue eyes loomed preternaturally