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“They’re sapphires. Not just Montana sapphires, but Yogos. Notice the color and clarity.”
    “I moved here from Colorado, so I’m not sure what Yogo means.”
    “Some say it’s Indian for ‘blue sky.’ Where did you find these?”
    “Out where I herd my sheep near Utica, where the Judith River dumps into a smaller stream.” Josh was starting to feel excited by his find. He could tell Will was definitely interested in the small blue stones.
    “Well, Jake Hoover discovered these particular sapphires last year near Yogo Creek. I recollect that he owns a Yogo mine and sent his sapphires off to New York to be examined by an assayer from Tiffany’s. Man by the name of George Kunz. He thinks they’ll become valuable because of their distinctive color and quality that’s not found in other sapphires. Once the assayers cut them, they found out the stones didn’t have the normal inclusions and flaws.” Will examined the stones again with his eyepiece. “That makes them different from the regular Montana sapphires. Their color, while brilliant in sunlight, is not diminished by artificial light.” He paused for a moment. “I’m not sure Hoover still owns the mine. He wasn’t making any money and didn’t consider it a sound investment.”
    “I see.” Josh felt his excitement quell with Will’s comment. “I’d like to contact him. Maybe I can find out if he’s looking to add another mine. Since my land is situated between his and the Judith River, it’d interfere with his access and his ability to haul water to the bench lands for mine-site washing and tailing disposal. He might be interested to find out I discovered Yogos on my property. Do you know where I can find him?”
    “I can give you the name of his partner, and you can contact him.” Will scrawled a name and address on a piece of paper, then handed it to Josh. After placing the stones back into the leather pouch, Josh tucked the folded piece of paper into his pocket along with the pouch.
    “I’d like to stake a claim on my property where I found these.”
    Will pushed a paper form toward him on the counter. “Just complete this form and sign it, and I’ll file it for you.”
    Josh filled out the form, signed it, and dated it. “Thanks for the information, Will,” he said, shaking his hand.
    “Come back again. I’ll look forward to doing business with you for the Yogos, whenever you’re ready.”
    Josh stepped back outside and whistled as he headed down the street. He’d have to think about mining Yogos. He hadn’t come here to do that. But it could be a possibility. Maybe he could become rich and show his father a thing or two. Then he’d have money to give Juliana anything her heart desired . . . Now what made him think of that? He barely knew Juliana. But he wanted to know her better.
    Cold pellets of a passing rain cloud stung his face, and he lowered his head, thankful for his hat. He needed to pick up a few supplies, but he’d do that tomorrow. Right now he was going to shop for a new shirt and a pair of britches. If he ran into Juliana again, he didn’t want her to see him in worn Levis and a frayed shirt. A haircut wouldn’t hurt him either.

6
    The cold, hard emptiness of the hotel room hit Juliana as she entered. She had slipped away from dinner early and knew Marion had watched her with concern. She ironed her new work dress, clean stockings, and underwear before getting ready for bed.
    Juliana looked down at her hands, which were dry and scratchy from doing miners’ wash. The delicate undergarments had caught on the rough skin of her fingers. Thoughts of an indoor job away from the cold and wind provided a glimmer of hope for the future. She had never had it easy, and neither had her dear mother, God rest her soul. All they ever knew was working long hours—six days a week to pay the rent—and the little that was left over was used for purchasing meager food staples.
    Juliana wondered where her father was, why he’d