The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-08-17

dred dollars might have gone long
way toward unwatering that shaft.
Harry was Harry-he had done enough
in crossing the seas TO help him. And
already, in the eyes of Fairchild,
Harry was swiftly approaching that
place where he could do no wrong.
You're wonderful. Harry" came at
last. The Cornishman pulled with
pride
I'm cuckoo" he admitted.
where's Mother Onward? Where's
'Oward. Won't / knock 'er eyes out,
nOw?'
And he doomed forward toward the
dining room, to find there men he had
known in other days, to shake hands
with them and to bang them on the
back. to sight Blindeye Bozeman and
Taylor Bill sitting hunched over their
meal in the corner and to go effusfvely
toward them. carry" was playing
no fav0rites in his 'ome-coming''
Jovially he leaned over the table of
BOzeman and Bill, after he had dis
played himself before Mother Howard
tons in dress. Happily he doomed
forth the information that Fairchild
and he were back to work the Blue
Poppy mine and that they already
had made a trip of inspection.
Fairchild finished his meal and
waited. But Harry talked on. BOze-
man and Bill left the dining room
again to make a report to the narrow
faced Squint Rodaine. Harry did not
even notice them. And as long as a
man stayed to answer his queries, just
so long did Harry remain, at last to
rise. brush a few crumbs from his
lightning-like suit. press his new hat
gently upon his head with both hands
and start forth once more on his
rounds of saying hello. And there
was nothing for Fairchild to do but
to wait as patiently as possible for
his return.
The afternoon grew old. Harry did
not come back. The sun set and din
ner was served. But Harry was not
there to eat it. Dusk came, and then,
nervous over the continued absence of
his eccentric partner, Fairchild start
ed uptown.
The usual groups were in front of
| the stores, and before the largest of
| them Fairchild stopped.
DO any of you happen to know a
fellow named Harry Harkins?" he
| asked somewhat anXiOusly. The an
| swer was in the affirmative A miner
| stretched out a foot and surveyed IL
| studiously
''Ain't seen him since about five
| o'clock" he said at last. HE was just
starting up to the mine then"
''TO the mine? That late? Are you
sure?"
| "Well-I dunno. May have been 30,
ing to Center City. Can't say. All ]
| know is he said somethin about goin
to tn mine earlier in tn afternoon
an long about five l seen him starting
up Kentucky gulch."
"WhO's that?" The interruption
had come in a sharp, yet gruff voice
| Fairchild turned to see before him g
man he recognized a tall, thin, wiry
| figure. with narrowed, slanting eyes
and a scar that went straight up his
| forehead. He evidently had JUS
rounded the corner in time to hear the
| conversation.
81 was merely asking about my part
ner In the Blue Poppy mine"
1.-THE Blue Poppy" the squint eyes
narrowed more than ever you're
Fairchild. amt you? Well, l CUES!
you're going to have to get alons
without a partner from now on"
Get along Without"
A crooked smile came to the other!
lips.
THAT is unless you want to worl
with a dead man. Harry Harkins 60
drowned, about an hour ago, in tn
Blue Poppy shaft"
o. (Canfinuod Topo0rro