White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1924-11-28
CONTINUED from Last Week.


81 amt just drooling to get at 1t
myself" said Fred, "but | aim to
keep step with you In nerve II not In
brains. All | complain about Is that
your idea of what's free gold and
mine don't hitch" He gave Hugh a
grin that was not without admiring
affection, and began preparations for
dinner.
They made short work Of the meal
and were at work unloading the
freight wagon when rider came cas-
ually into camp.
Gam / too late for grub?" he cried.
Hugh gave welcoming shout.
'JJnc!e Booklet" A tall old man slid
from his horse and clasped the young
man in a shameless embrace. Even
when he had freed Hugh from the
bear hug, Bookie stood with his hand
on his foster nephew's shoulder while
he grinned at Fred and Red Wolf.
81 hoped it wouldn't snow till
picked up the smoke of the sheep
wagon" he said. what happened al
the other camp?'
"A slide that ruined two months
work." replied Hugh. Anything
wrong at Fort Sioux, Uncle Booker
"There certainly is. A certain foo
geologist forgot to come home fol
Christmas"
by Jove!" cried Hugh, this ii
Christmas Eve"
wonderful memory you always die
have, Hughie," said Bookie.
Fred joined in Hugh's laughter, add
ing, 'I'll heat that kettle OF stew
Look to your saddle, stranger"
Hugh nodded to the Indian. "Lool
to the saddle, Red Wolf, will you
Come into the wagon, Uncle Bookie
I've just made the discovery of m.
life. Some Christmas gift, I'll say.
The older man followed Hugh an
rested himself on the edge of tn
lower bunk with a sigh, probably 0
pleasure, for he was smiling at Hug
as he did so.
John Haverford Smith, known to al
) Wyoming as Boolie Smith, was YER
thin and very brown, with small
bald head topping a long whlp-cor
neck He had deep brown eyes sc
far apart, ees that were full OF ligh1
but that told no tales on Bookie. Il
pft a
life had been one of mental hunger
his eyes did not say so. Ii LIES lone
ly, heart-breaking, mirth-provok1n
pageant had left him sterile, his fin
brown eyes did not say so. They were
merely the easements from which his
lonely and sensitive soul gazed at the
world For the rest, his face wa
clean shaven and aa5tere Of line, hi
hands were long and startlingly whit
and the hands of the perpetual.
gloved rider. He chewed tobacco, al
ways swallowing the juice.
He unbuttoned his mackinaw, show
ing black coat buttoned over bit
flannel shirt, renewed his quid the
said:
How'd you come to make can
just here, Hughie?"
"Well,, 1 was so devilishly disa
pointed yesterday over the loss Of tt
specimen that old Red Wolf unfolde
a story about a stone devil that
thought white man could drive o.
of certain mysterious cave, her
abouts. He declared he could sho
it to me, and by jove, the old bt
made good. Lord, Uncle Book
there's a triceratops down there tn
will make the mouths water of sever
museums l know"
Bookie chewed thoughtfully, tn
pulled off his mackinaw and put
spurred foot up on the hearth to d.
Take off that cap, Hughie, and
me have square look at you. w
cut your hair?"
Fred took hand at it this 9th
day." Hugh grinned and tossed
cap into the upper bunk. Ills clos
cropped head thus displayed was
curiously noble proportions.
There you are!" said Bookie. "Yo
head should have made something /
sides bone digger Of you, Hugh
But Lord God, why should an old ia
ure like me croak about that!"
A little CLINT of irritation show
for a moment in Hugh's eyes, but
was replaced by a glance Of sympatl
as he perceived an unwonted expr,
sion of WEAKNESS, almost Of wea