The Ely miner., 1937-05-06
Poor Mans Gold
Courtney RyIey Cooper ''s rss~s -S Cooper

broke into the merest suggestion of
cynical smile Then she said in
a low tone to her mother, "Quite
interesting, isn't it?"
Hammond did not catch the re-
mark. He only noticed that before
Kay lowered her eyes, she had
looked toward the corner where
Jeanne Towers sat. It made him
want to explain; he remained ST.
lent, however, some way thankful
that he had not told Kay it was
Jeanne who had procured the
woman to do the housework at the
cabin. Suddenly he felt weak.
Around the World Annie had risen,
busted the crumbs off her efful-
gent lap, and was heading straight
for his table.
Again Hammond noticed that
Mrs. Joyce nudged her daughter,
again Kay looked up, then turned
to animated conversation wit h
Bruce Kenning. Around the World
Annie came onward. Somewhat
awkwardly Hammond got to his
feet.
Never mind +tnat stuff" the
dance-hau proprietor exclaimed. 81
don't want to butt in. I wanted to
know where I could find the pilot
of that airplane."
Timmy Moon grinned.
I'm it."
Around the World Annie raised
her diamond-sparked hand to her
bleached hair.
81 know now amt no time to
talk about it, she said, you at din
ner and everything. I just wanted
to stick my oar in first. I got lot
of work for you-a guy will see you
after while" Then, somewhat fus-
tered by contact with hostile femi-
ninity, she walked on.
Jack Hammond laughed uneasily
and wiped a hand across his damp
forehead.
well, III say this" he sighed,
you're getting everything, all in
one dose"
What's her manner" asked Tim
my Moon.
Around the World Annie" Bruce
Kenning volunteered. "She's put
ting up a big dance hall over on
the Alaskan side Of the line. Hasn't
gotten it finished yet; that's why
they're all eating over here"
eve would run into that bunch
tonight" said Jack in whole-hearted
discomfort. ''Td hoped to ease Kay
into all this stuff rather gradual
ly-"
"Oh, don't be silly" the girl said.
Hammond beamed.
you'll do, all right"
"Of course she'll do" Mrs. Joyce
reached for her green holder.
'Kay's no prude!"
Certainly not. Besides, think
all this is simply gorgeous. Then,
when I've found my claim and filed
it or whatever you do"
GAS if you'd have to hunt a
claim" Timmy broke in. "Jack
wrote you he'd laid aside one for
you"
rs it rich?" the girl asked. ''With
gold nuggets sticking out every
where?"
Hammond fenced laughingly.
''Wen, I can't say that. None of
them are really rich. My partner
was saying today that we'd do well
if we got fifty thousand out Of our
first claims"
Kay gasped.
''Only fifty thousand?"
That's just one claim" Kenning
interrupted. "Wait until they get
into the real stuff"
where is it?" Mrs. Joyce had
become interested. Hammond
shrugged his shoulders.
81 wish we knew. We've an idea
but"
What you need" Kay interrupt
ed, sis a good geologist to help you
find it. That's what Father always
said-never go into mining deal
without having geologist to tell
you where to CO."
Hammond toyed with his tinny
fork.
81 wish we could do little con-
sulting," he said seriously.
well" Kay tipped her hand to-
ward Kenning, there's your con-
sultant."
Kenning laughed and called for
her to soft pedal the press-agentry.
Hammond remained serious.
my partners one of these old
fashioned fellows who doesn't be-
ieve in science"
Mckenzie Joe, you know" Ken
ming supplied. Been up In this
country most of his life"
''But don't people get queer
staying away from civilization all
the timer" Kay asked.
"Bushed, we call it, Hammond
explained.
"Wel, it amounts to the same
thing" She laughed. 81 know what
I'd do if I needed advice. I just
wouldn't say anything to him
about it.
Kenning covered the situation
with laugh.
That's a woman's viewpoint for
YOU"
ITO BE CONTINUEDJ