The Ely miner., 1937-05-06
CHAPTER N-ContiEued

"We've got our theory, amt we,
that the big discovery's yet to be
found? This stuff that's been turned
up amt nothin' but chicken feed.
We've got the richest placer claims
along the new bed Of Loon creek
and we'u be lucky if they bring US
fifty thousand dollars" Mckenzie
Joe's keen eyes swept the valley.
There's a boI.anza around here
somewhere, if we ever find that old
river bed. The ideas worth keeping
to ourselves"
'I suppose so. On the other hand,
Kenning's a geologist. It might pay
us to give him a little information
even cut him in"
Mckenzie Joe rose and tossed the
stick away.
mot while I'm a partner in this
shebang," he said. Then, hesitant-
1y, II guess III go eat"
"You won't change your mind,
and come with us?"
''Oh, not tonight. You've all got
things to talk about"
Hammond watched him stalk
away; it was not his imagination,
he told himself, which made him
feel that Joe was different. Silent,
almost morose at times; working
quietly and without response while
Hammond planned enthusiastically
FOR the future, when Kay would be
there and Sapphire Lake a city.
"Joe must be getting DID," he
said at last, and dropping down the
step, hurried through the criss-cross
OF cabins and tents toward the trail
which led 70 the cottage.
Kay turned from a window and
strode toward him with a swinging
step which matched her outdoor
clothing.
You old dear!" she exclaimed.
81 thought I'd better hurry back"
Hammond explained buoyantly.
"Just to be sure you were really
here
''If your ears rang like mine,
you'd know we were here" broke in
Mrs. Joyce. Sitting cooped up in
that airplane for 1 don't know how
many hours!" She sat cross-legged
on one Of the two bunklike beds,
poking a cigarette into a long, green
holder. Kay cut in.
"Can you imagine" she asked,
as she came close to Jack, and
with a maternal manner, straight
ened his tie. Only her close-itting
Jersey imprisoned her full breasts;
they touched Hammond's arm,
yielding softly to pressure. 1--WE
hardly paused all the way here
from Vancouver"
Hammond barely heard her; his
blood was singing in his veins.
Good thing we didn't have to
turn back when we got here"
growled Timmy, from his sprawled
position on a rough chair. WED
have been in hell of a fix if this
lake had been frozen over"
"But it wasn't frozen, Thickwit,"
Kay jibed. She turned from Ham,
mond and leaned over the back of
Timmy's chair. She tweaked the
pilots nose. always the cheerful
little earfull He's had US smashed
up dozen times since we started"
well, who wouldn't be careful?
Finding a place that hardly exists
In crate like that old boat of mine.
A fellows got to think of his re-
sponsibilities.
''How many stops did you make
getting here?" Jack asked.
"Only a couple" Kay volun-
teered. "Once at Stewart lake for
gas and for Tinmy to study his
maps. Then again at Fourcross."
Jack whistled.
"You moved right along"
Mrs. Joyce regarded her ciga-
rette holder.
That's what happens when girl
really wants to see a man." she
observed calmly. H Hammo n d
laughed and could think of nothing
to say. Kay crossed the room and
dropped into chair.
Now that it's over, I'm tired"
Then she added, Couldn't we have
dinner served up here?"
Hammond shook his head.
Nothing like that. It's a matter
of getting it when the cooks will
ing. III have things organized for
you In a day or two-I've got line
on woman who can come here and
do the work for you"
Wonderful" said Mrs. Joyce,
with her usual lack of expression.
"And In the meanwhile an