The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1937-06-24
CHAPTER VIII-Continued

Jack Hammond went forth into
the bush to search for him, although
he knew it was useless. Somewhere
In this dense forest of stunted
spruce and high-fiung fir, tangled
creepers and matted jumpers, Nc
Kenzie Joe had gone to his hideout
and there was safe. Nevertheless,
Hammond kept up the search for
the better part of two days. At
least here he had freedom from
the barbs of Kay Joyce.
The story of the fight at Whoopee
had swept Lake Sapphire like a
hard wind. Beyond that, Bruce
Kenning's swollen eyes, his lac
Grated cheeks and bruised lips had
told their story all too plainly to
Kay. Now, all her pent-up dislike
for Mckenzie Joe had surged to
the surface. For the first time Jack
Hammond found solace away from
her. He had found it impossible to
answer amicably her vilifcations of
Mckenzie Joe. To Jacks view
point, Joe's attack had been the
result of brooding, resentful dis
trust born of no foundations, it is
true, but certainly not deserving of
the murderous instincts which Kay
had attributed to him. The de-
tense, however, had met only null
ti-sided barrage, both from the girl
and the geologist.
Now, at last, there was truce. It
was the morning of the third day;
Jack and the girl stood together near
his cabin. Kay had sought him
out excitedly, her left hand extend
ed, and in its palm a dozen or more
particles of thin gold, the result,
she said somewhat jerkily, of the
last cleanup. Hammond bent to
examine them, only as quickly to
turn. Out of corner of his eye
he had caught sight of an approach
ing figure. 1t was Mckenzie Joe.
Gaunt, gray-featured, but sober,
he was approaching from Loon
creek. Silently they watched him
come nearer; finally Jack said, in a
voice tensely laconic:
Hello, joe"
"Hello," he said briefly and
looked at Kay. Waiting to tell me
what you think of me, eh?"
Kay Joyce whitened. She said
nothing. Hammond attempted to
cover the situation with laugh.
''No. OF course not. She's just
had a cleanup down at her claim.
She's gotten into pay dirt"
''So?" The older man strobe
abruptly forward and stared into
her cupped hand. washed that
out of the gravel, eh?"
eyes" She bit out the word. Nc
Kenzie Joe fixed her with his blood
shot eyes.
'tThe hell you did" he snapped.
''That's sniper gold"
Kay flung her hand angrily down.
ward, scattering the gold in deep
grass. Her blue eyes cleaned with
rage.
at isn't enough that you should
jump on Bruce. Now you include
mel"
81 amt jumping on you, said
Joe. Ppm just telling Jack that
gold never came from your claim!"
watch what you're saying!"
Jack exclaimed.
Mckenzie Joe eyed him.
''Pick up that gold if you can find
it." he answered coldly. you'll find
it's fiat, with old scratches on it
scraped out from ledge rifles in the
main body of the stream. 1t never
came from gravel"
''Then was lying?" asked Kay.
She swept her glance suddenly to
include another figure; Jeanne Tow
ers had rounded the side of the
cabin. Kay glared at her, then
turned back to Mckenzie Joe. can
swer me, was I lying?"
eyes, you were lying" Joe an
swered quietly.
"Joe! Take that back!"
''Never mind doubling your fists,
Jack" the older man said. 81 could
kill you the best day you ever lived.
But I wouldn't. And I'm going
gettin' out of here"
zone of us has got to CO."
"Sure," the older man said. 81
thought that all out-over there in
the bush. But before I go, here's
something for you. That gold finds
a come-on-"
you've said enough, joe"
''Sure. I know it. But remember
you dangle just little hay in
front of horse to make him follow
you into corral. You're bein' led
into something"
Jack Hammond lunged angrily to-
ward his partner, only to be con-
fronted by Jeanne Towers, queer,
desperate expression in her face.
''Get hold of yourself, jack" she
commanded.
Slowly, Jack Hammond moved
back. There was a long silence.
Then the younger man asked:
swell, Joe, do buy you out-or
do you take my share?"
"He can't have your shared" Kay
snapped. Hes got to go!"
Mckenzie Joe looked about him.
Uneasily he wiped a shaking hand
across his lips.
ST guess the young lady answered
for me-" he said. Jack stamped
into the cabin, to return almost as
quickly. He held in his arms four
heavy moosehide pouches, lumpy
with gold nuggets.
"It's everything I've got" he said
shortly. "Sign up and get out"
Jeanne Towess Strengthened.
"Jack!" she cried. "You fool
you fool" Then with a half sob,
she whirled and ran back to her
cabin.