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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 30028 ***
+
+THE AWARD OF JUSTICE
+
+OR
+
+TOLD IN THE ROCKIES.
+
+A Pen Picture of the West.
+
+BY
+
+A. MAYNARD BARBOUR,
+
+AUTHOR OF "That Mainwaring Affair."
+
+"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof."--Ecc. vii, 8.
+
+CHICAGO AND NEW YORK:
+
+RAND, McNALLY & COMPANY,
+
+PUBLISHERS.
+
+
+
+
+Copyright, 1897, by Rand, McNally & Co.
+
+Copyright, 1901, by Rand, McNally & Co.
+
+
+
+
+DEDICATION.
+
+To W. James Barbour,
+
+ My co-worker in this pleasant task,
+ at whose suggestion it was undertaken,
+ and by whose inspiration it has been guided,
+ from inception to completion,
+ this book is affectionately dedicated
+ by the author,
+
+A. MAYNARD BARBOUR.
+
+
+
+
+THE AWARD OF JUSTICE
+
+By A. Maynard Barbour.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+The Pacific Express was due at Valley City at 1:45 p.m. Within ten
+minutes of that time, a spring-board wagon, containing two young men
+and drawn by a pair of bronchos, suddenly appeared around one end of
+the dingy little depot. One of the men, dressed in a tweed traveling
+suit, jumped hastily from the wagon, while the other, who looked like
+a prosperous young ranchman, seemed to have all he could attend to in
+holding the restive little ponies, who were rearing and kicking in
+their impatience at being compelled to stand.
+
+"I'm afraid, Ned," he said, "that you'll have to look out for your
+traps yourself; these little rats haven't been driven for four days,
+and they're feeling pretty frisky."
+
+"All right, Tom," responded the other, diving under the seat of the
+spring-board and bringing out the said "traps," which consisted of two
+grips, a rifle case, a set of fishing rods, and, last but not least, a
+large, square case which he handled with great care, and now held up
+to his companion saying,
+
+"See that, Tom? that's my set of cameras; they're fine too, I tell
+you."
+
+"But why do you bother to take them around with you all the time, like
+that?" inquired his friend.
+
+"Oh," replied Ned, "I do that so as to be ready to catch any choice
+scenes I come across; I'm making a collection of views, you know, and
+I expect to get a good many on this trip. By the way, I got some
+stunning views over there at your place this morning, just before
+breakfast."
+
+"The dickens, you did!" exclaimed Tom, suddenly remembering a
+ludicrous predicament in which his guest had caught him.
+
+"Oh, yes," said Ned, "and when I get away at a safe distance I'm going
+to develop them and send them to you. I've got an awfully fine--well,
+by Jove, if that isn't just my luck!"
+
+Ned had just deposited his belongings on the depot platform and in
+doing so, noticed a piece of blackboard propped up against the wall,
+on which were chalked these words, "Train 3 ours late." His eyes
+seemed riveted to the spot.
+
+"What's the matter now?" asked Tom, who took in the situation at a
+glance.
+
+"Matter! Why, that blasted train is three hours behind time."
+
+"Too bad!" said Tom, with a grin; "if I'd only known that I needn't
+have driven my horses so hard."
+
+"Oh, confound those little beasts of yours;" exclaimed Ned, "a little
+exercise won't hurt them, but to think of three hours in a place like
+this! and say, don't you know how to spell out here?"
+
+"Well," said Tom, coolly, "I don't hold myself personally responsible
+for the wording of that blackboard, but I suppose that's the phonetic
+spelling they used to talk about when I lived east; you see we've
+adopted it out here, for we westerners have to rustle lively, and
+don't have time for old-fashioned ways."
+
+"I see," said Ned, rather sarcastically; "perhaps you can tell me why
+they don't 'rustle' that train along on time."
+
+"I suppose," replied Tom, "it's on account of that wreck two days ago;
+you know your train was ten hours late yesterday."
+
+"Yes," assented Ned, gazing about him with an expression of intense
+disgust; "I got here after dark; that's how it comes about that I
+never realized until the present moment what a paradise this place is.
+Valley City! I can't see more than a dozen buildings here."
+
+"That's probably because you're so near-sighted, my dear boy,"
+replied Tom; and Ned, who was very sensitive on the subject of his
+near-sightedness, colored, and readjusted his eye-glasses, while he
+asked in a tone of despair:
+
+"Well, what am I to do in this beastly place, anyhow?"
+
+"You might take a stroll about the city," suggested Tom, "if you get
+lost you'll have to inquire your way of some of the police. I would be
+delighted to stay and keep you company, but work on the ranch is
+rushing and I must hurry back; so I'll wish you good luck and
+good-bye."
+
+"All right, old fellow," said Ned, shaking hands in a slightly
+patronizing way, "if you ever get out of this country, and find
+yourself within the limits of civilization again, just take a run down
+to the 'Hub' and see me."
+
+"Much obliged," said Tom, turning around for a parting shot; "I say,
+Ned, while you're waiting for the train, you'd better get out your
+cameras; you might catch some more 'stunning views' you know," and
+lightly snapping his whip, he started off, the bronchos standing on
+their forefeet with their heels in the air.
+
+"Good-bye, Tom," Ned called, after the rapidly retreating spring-board,
+"if you ever had any brains to lose I'd be anxious about you, but I
+guess you're safe enough."
+
+Tom's only reply was a crack of the whip, and he and the ponies soon
+disappeared in a cloud of dust, leaving Ned to survey his surroundings
+at his leisure.
+
+In the foreground was the low, dingy depot, and on the platform,
+leaning against the building as though their spinal columns were
+unable to support them, were two specimens of the genus homo, which
+were entirely new to the young Bostonian. He gazed at them with
+undisguised interest, being unable to determine whether they were
+cow-boys or miners, these being the two classes into which, as he
+imagined, the western population was about evenly divided. That they
+immediately classified him, in their western vernacular, as a
+"tenderfoot," and a remarkably verdant specimen at that, was not owing
+to their superior penetration, as it was a self-evident fact.
+
+Mr. Edward B. Rutherford, Jr., prided himself upon being a
+resident of Boston, a son of one of her best families, and a
+graduate of Harvard, and it is scarcely to be wondered at if he
+felt himself slightly superior to ordinary mortals who had not been
+blessed with these advantages. Nevertheless, the fact remained that
+Mr. Rutherford's personal appearance could not be considered
+especially prepossessing, even when moving in his own sphere where
+he felt himself, as he would have expressed it, "en rapport" with his
+surroundings; under other circumstances, as at the present time, it
+very nearly approached the ludicrous. He was small in stature, but
+his bump of self-esteem was developed in an inverse ratio to his
+size. He seemed to be making a constant effort to maintain his
+dignity at the proper level, in which direction he was greatly
+assisted by a pair of eye-glasses, perched on a very large and
+decidedly Roman nose. It had been claimed by his college chums
+that the eye-glasses were worn for this especial purpose; be that
+as it may, without their assistance, his task would certainly have
+been a difficult one, as his eyes, which were very full and round,
+and surmounted by a pair of extremely high-arched eyebrows, gave him
+always an expression of exaggerated surprise and bewilderment,
+which, when intensified as on the present occasion, rendered his
+appearance very far from the otium cum dignitate to which he aspired.
+But upon very few is the "giftie" bestowed, "to see oursel's as
+ithers see us," and to many besides the junior Mr. Rutherford, such
+a vision would be anything but satisfactory.
+
+At the present time, however, Rutherford's only troubles were his
+immediate surroundings, and the problem of how to pass the next three
+hours. The loungers, who by this time had changed to a sitting
+posture, and who were staring at him with an unwinking fixedness which
+made him rather nervous, did not seem very congenial companions. The
+town consisted of merely a few, straggling, unpainted buildings, while
+in every direction extended the apparently interminable stretches of
+undulating prairie, partially covered with sage brush and wild cactus.
+Though early in the season, the heat was intense, and the glare of the
+sunlight reflected from the patches of white, chalk-like sand, was so
+blinding as to seem unendurable.
+
+The interior of the depot was even more cheerless than the exterior. A
+rusty stove, minus one leg, two or three battered benches, a flaming
+circus poster, and an announcement of the preceding year's county fair
+constituted the entire furnishing and decoration. No signs of life
+were visible, the window into the ticket office being closed, while
+from somewhere within the little inclosure, a telegraphic instrument
+clicked with a cheerful pertinacity that to Rutherford seemed simply
+exasperating.
+
+In the course of half an hour, however, the monotony was relieved by
+the appearance of half a dozen soldiers, who strolled over from a
+neighboring fort, about two miles distant. Rutherford had soon
+introduced himself to them, with a formality which they considered
+highly amusing, and they entertained him with tales of various
+thrilling adventures and hair breadth escapes, nearly all invented for
+the occasion, to which he listened with an open-mouthed astonishment
+that elicited many winks and grins from the blue-coats. Finally, two
+of them escorted him to a small Indian camp, about a mile distant,
+which was hidden from view by a sandy knoll, where, in some cottonwood
+brush, beside a small creek, they found half a dozen tepees, around
+which were squatted twenty or thirty disreputable-looking Indians,
+their ponies tethered in the brush near by. The bucks were sullen and
+uncommunicative, maintaining a solemn silence broken only by an
+occasional grunt. Their dress was a combination of Indian costume and
+articles purchased from the white people, the latter being put on to
+suit the individual taste of the wearer, without the least regard to
+the use for which it was originally intended. One, who seemed a leader
+in the camp, in addition to his native toggery of feathers, beads and
+brass rings, wore trousers of striped bed-ticking, two or three pairs
+of gayly colored suspenders knotted together for a belt and sash, and
+a flaming red necktie braided in his hair. The squaws in their
+blankets were quite socially inclined, and the wig-wams at a little
+distance looked very romantic to the young easterner, but the odors
+wafted from them were sufficient for him, and he declined to penetrate
+any further into the mysteries of an Indian camp; and after taking one
+or two views of the Indians and their tepees, he returned to the
+depot.
+
+It was now nearly train time, and the number of loungers and loafers
+had increased amazingly, considering the size of the town. There were
+thirty or forty of them, all more or less resembling the first
+specimens, and Rutherford wondered where they stowed themselves away,
+not realizing that many came in from little shacks scattered over the
+prairies; for to them, the coming of the train from the east was the
+one great event of the day.
+
+Among them Rutherford noticed a man, who, though clad as roughly as
+the others, yet had an individuality so distinct from them as to be
+noticeable even to a stranger. He wore an old soft hat and rough
+blouse, his trousers being tucked into a pair of heavy, hobnailed
+boots that reached to his knees. He was tall and stooped slightly, but
+there was none of the slouching figure and gait that characterized
+those around him. His movements were quick, and, when standing
+motionless, there was something in his very pose that conveyed an
+impression of alertness and of latent strength. His back was turned
+toward Rutherford, who was watching him under a sort of subtle
+fascination, when suddenly he wheeled, facing him. His eyes were keen
+and piercing, and as he looked for an instant at Rutherford with an
+expression of suspicion and distrust, and then seemed to survey his
+diminutive figure with a quick glance of contempt, that young man felt
+a sudden and violent terror in his inmost soul, which was not lessened
+when his eyes fell upon a sheath knife and huge revolver in the
+stranger's belt. Involuntarily Rutherford's hand went to his hip
+pocket, where reposed a dainty, pearl-handled Smith and Wesson,
+38-calibre, but he immediately regretted the movement, for the
+blue-black eyes watching him scintillated for a moment with a cold,
+steel-like glitter, and the lips under the heavy, black beard curled
+with a smile of fine scorn, that made our young hero exceedingly
+uncomfortable.
+
+The whistle of the approaching train afforded him unspeakable relief,
+and at the first opportunity he put himself and his belongings aboard
+with a celerity very remarkable in one of his usual dignity.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+As the Pacific Express was speeding westward across the prairies, a
+young man, half reclining among the cushions of the smoking car, was
+enjoying a choice Havana. He took no note of external objects as they
+flashed with almost lightning rapidity past the car windows, and he
+seemed equally unconscious of the presence of his fellow passengers.
+His dress and manner, as well as his nonchalant, graceful attitude,
+and even the delicate poise of his cigar, were all indicative of
+wealth and refinement, and of a courtesy innate, not acquired. His
+head was slightly thrown back, and with half-closed, dreamy eyes, he
+watched the coils of blue smoke wreathing and curling above his head,
+but his mind was actively engaged in planning the details of the new
+life opening up before him in the west. Walter Everard Houston, of New
+York, the possessor of a million in his own name, and prospective heir
+to many millions more, was en route for a small mining camp, far west,
+in the heart of the Rockies, where he was to fill the position of
+bookkeeper and corresponding secretary in the office of a mining
+company, at a salary of one hundred dollars per month.
+
+Mr. Houston's parents had died when he was very young, and he had been
+tenderly reared in the home of his uncle, his mother's brother, Walter
+Everard Cameron. Even now, as he watched the blue coils above his
+head, his memory was going back to the time when he had entered that
+beautiful home. He recalled the different members of that lovely
+family, as they then appeared to him; the dark, patrician face of his
+aunt, with its wondrous beauty, which, in the following years had
+been so softened and deepened by sorrow that now it was almost
+saint-like in the calm look of peace and love which it wore, with the
+soft, snow-white hair surrounding it like a halo of glory. Then his
+beautiful cousin Edna, with her sunny hair and starry eyes, and her
+wonderful voice filling the home with music. She had married soon
+after he entered the family, and went with her husband to a distant,
+western city, often returning to visit the old home. How well he
+remembered the last visit! Her baby was then nearly two years old; he
+could not now recall her name, but she was a little, golden-haired
+toddler, with her mother's eyes and voice. His cousin was suddenly
+called home by a telegram that her husband was ill; then, in a day or
+two, came the news of a frightful railroad accident, a collision and a
+fire which quickly consumed the wreck. Edna was rescued from the
+flames, unconscious and dying, but no trace could be found of the
+little one. Then followed word of the death of Edna's husband; he had
+died a few hours later than the accident occurred, ignorant of the
+terrible fate of his wife and child.
+
+Next came the memory of his cousin, Guy Cameron, but a few years older
+than himself; dark and beautiful like his mother, proud spirited and
+headstrong, the pride of his parents, but through him came their most
+bitter sorrow. Through fast living and gambling he became deeply
+involved, and forged his father's name to several checks, amounting to
+nearly a hundred thousand; then, overcome by shame and remorse, he had
+fled in the night, no one knew whither. His father payed the full
+amount of the debt, without even betraying his son's guilt, and then
+for years employed the most skillful detectives, trying to bring back
+the wanderer to the love and forgiveness which awaited him; but in
+vain, no trace of him existed. The father had long ago given up all
+hope of ever seeing his boy again, and doubted whether he were living.
+Only the sweet-faced mother, strong in her mother-love and in her
+faith in God, believed that he would yet return, and was content to
+watch and wait.
+
+Meantime, Everard Houston had become like a son to Mr. and Mrs.
+Cameron. After leaving college, he had been taken by his uncle as a
+partner into his enormous banking house, and intrusted more or less
+with the charge of various departments of business with which he was
+connected, and he had proven himself worthy of the trust reposed in
+him.
+
+For a number of years, Mr. Cameron had been president of a large
+investment company, which, among other properties, owned a number of
+mines in the west which had been represented to be very valuable, and
+which, at the time of purchase, possessed every indication of being
+heavy producers of very rich ore. Lately, these mines had not been
+yielding the profit which it was reasonable to expect from them, and
+there were indications of bad management, if not of dishonesty, at the
+western end of the line. One or two so-called experts had been sent
+out to investigate, but they had after all so little knowledge of
+practical mining, that they were unable to produce any tangible
+evidence against the company who constituted their western agents,
+although their reports had only tended to strengthen Mr. Cameron's
+belief that there was underhanded and dishonest dealing somewhere,
+which could only be detected by a person on the ground whom the
+western company would not suspect of being personally interested.
+Happening to learn, through a Chicago firm who were friends of Mr.
+Cameron's, that the western company were desirous of getting a
+bookkeeper and confidential clerk, it was decided, after consultation,
+to send out Everard Houston to take this position. Accordingly, he had
+gone to Chicago, and the firm there had written a letter to the mining
+company, recommending him as a young man of their acquaintance, of
+exceptional ability, reliable, and thoroughly to be trusted in all
+confidential matters. The company had responded favorably, offering
+the position to Mr. Houston for one month on trial, at one hundred
+dollars, his traveling expenses to be paid by them. If he proved
+satisfactory, they would retain him as long as would be mutually
+agreeable, and if his services proved as valuable as expected, would
+increase his salary. Mr. Houston was, therefore, on his way to the
+mines to accept this position, together with the munificent salary,
+and hoped to prove so satisfactory as to soon be admitted to the
+"confidential" clerkship, in which event he anticipated being able to
+accomplish a nice little piece of detective work.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+Mr. Houston was aroused from his pleasant revery by the rather noisy
+entrance of a young man, who, with flushed face, and manner more
+indicative of self-assertion than self-possession, passed down the car
+and took a seat facing himself. This was none other than our friend,
+Rutherford, who, having secured his berth in the sleeper, and arranged
+his belongings to his entire satisfaction, immediately repaired to the
+smoking car to soothe his perturbed and agitated spirits by a cigar.
+
+From under his heavily drooping eyelids, Houston regarded his
+vis-a-vis with concealed amusement, for he was an apt student of human
+nature, and possessed an unusual degree of insight into the
+characteristics of those with whom he was thrown in contact.
+
+Rutherford, on his part, was watching Houston with his usual degree of
+interest and curiosity. Each was measuring the other from his own
+standpoint: Houston's prompt decision was,--"A good-hearted fellow,
+but something of a cad;" while Rutherford's vague surmises, summed up
+verbally, would have been,--"Nice looking sort of fellow, a gentleman;
+guess he's got the stuff, too; 'twon't do any harm to make his
+acquaintance."
+
+An opportunity for this soon presented itself, for as the conductor
+passed leisurely through the car, examining tickets, Rutherford
+discovered that their destinations were the same, and hastily drawing
+his card case from his pocket, said:
+
+"As we seem likely to be fellow travelers for a while, I should be
+pleased to make your acquaintance; allow me," at the same time
+offering his card.
+
+Houston took the card, greeting him courteously, and giving his own
+in exchange. He half smiled as he looked at the diminutive slip of
+cardboard with its Boston address made unnecessarily prominent, while
+Rutherford, after scanning the card he held, bearing simply the name
+of W. E. Houston, remarked with a decidedly upward inflection,
+
+"You are from--?"
+
+"From Chicago," Houston replied promptly.
+
+"Ah," Rutherford responded, "then I suppose you are quite familiar
+with this part of the country."
+
+"Well, not exactly," replied Houston, smiling, "Chicago, I'll admit,
+seems inclined to embrace a small part of the state of Illinois within
+her city limits, but I never heard of her attempting to claim the
+prairies of the Missouri valley among her suburbs."
+
+"Well, no," said Rutherford, laughing, "not quite so bad as that, I
+guess, but perhaps I didn't convey my meaning very clearly; my idea
+was, that living in one of the western cities, you know, perhaps you
+were out this way often."
+
+"On the contrary, this is my first trip out here."
+
+"Indeed! A pleasure trip, I presume?"
+
+"No, I am out on business," replied Houston, not caring to state very
+definitely just then the nature of his business.
+
+"Well," said Rutherford, settling himself into an attitude more
+comfortable than graceful, "I came out on a pleasure trip, but I must
+say that so far, the pleasure has been rather an uncertain quantity;
+for the last forty-eight hours, I haven't seen much besides dust,
+Indians and desperadoes."
+
+"Forty-eight hours!" exclaimed his companion, "you surely have not
+been on this train that length of time."
+
+"Not on this train; I stopped off last night to see an old friend of
+mine that has a ranch out here," and forthwith, Rutherford launched
+into a recital of his experiences of the last few hours, not omitting
+a description of the man whose appearance had struck such terror to
+his heart and expedited his departure from Valley City.
+
+"I tell you, he was a man I wouldn't like to meet in the dark; he was
+armed to the teeth, and there was a look in his eye that was awfully
+unpleasant."
+
+Mr. Houston judged from his companion's manner that he had not been
+particularly pleased at meeting this alleged desperado in broad
+daylight, but he courteously refrained from any such insinuation, and
+as supper was just then announced, the young men adjourned to the
+dining car, and the experiences of Mr. Rutherford were, for the time,
+forgotten.
+
+Nothing special occurred that evening, except that the monotony of the
+journey was slightly relieved by the train entering upon the Bad
+Lands. For some time, Houston and Rutherford stood upon the rear
+platform, enjoying their cigars, and watching the strange phenomena of
+that weird region; on all sides, vast tracts of ashen gray or black,
+as if burnt to a crisp, with no sign of life, animal or vegetable, the
+lurid lights flashing and playing in the distance, until it seemed as
+though they might be gliding through the borderland of Dante's
+Inferno.
+
+Their cigars finished, they separated for the night, to be agreeably
+surprised by the delightful change that met their eyes the following
+morning. Houston was already at the breakfast table enjoying the
+scenery, when Rutherford sauntered into the dining car. They exchanged
+greetings, and the latter dropped into a seat facing his companion,
+exclaiming as he did so,
+
+"Well, say now, this looks a little more like civilization, doesn't
+it?" and having ordered his breakfast and helped himself to fruit, he
+proceeded to watch the beautiful panorama flashing past in the
+sunlight.
+
+They were passing through one of the most fertile valleys of the
+northwest. Away to the south, a beautiful river glistened like a broad
+ribbon of silver, and leading from it was a gleaming net-work of
+irrigating canals and ditches, carrying the life-giving waters over
+thousands of broad acres; some already green with grass and alfalfa,
+while others were dotted with scores of men and horses opening the
+brown earth in long, straight lines of furrows, or scattering
+broadcast the golden grain.
+
+Far in the distance, faintly outlined against the blue sky, was a
+fleecy, cloud-like mass, grayish blue at the base, with points here
+and there of dazzling whiteness, which Houston had known at once as
+the first glimpse of the Rocky Mountains, but which Rutherford failed
+to notice.
+
+"Well," said the latter, withdrawing his head from the window, and
+preparing to attack his breakfast, "it seems to me, after nearly
+forty hours of nothing but prairies, it's about time to see some
+mountains."
+
+"They're in sight now," responded Houston quietly.
+
+"What!" exclaimed his companion, dropping his knife and fork in
+haste.
+
+"You can see them now; I've been waiting for you to recognize them,"
+said Houston, smiling; "look off there to the southwest," he added, as
+Rutherford was readjusting his eye-glasses, preparatory to a careful
+survey of the horizon.
+
+"Well, I'll be blessed!" ejaculated the latter, "I supposed those were
+clouds. My! but they must be mighty far away, twenty-five miles, I
+expect, at the least."
+
+"Sixty miles, at least," said Houston, glancing at them, "perhaps
+more."
+
+"Pardon me, gentlemen," said a bland voice across the aisle, and the
+young men, turning, saw a much-bejewelled individual, with a florid,
+but very smiling face; "I see you have not yet become accustomed to
+the vast distances of this great country of ours in the northwest.
+Those mountains which you are discussing are about ninety miles
+distant."
+
+Rutherford's eyes expressed an immense amount of incredulity, while
+Houston simply bowed silently. The man continued:
+
+"The wonderful rarity of our atmosphere in these altitudes is
+something that has to be experienced in order to be thoroughly
+understood and appreciated, or even believed. You tell an eastern man
+of the great distances here at which you can see and hear, clearly and
+readily; he will immediately doubt your veracity, simply because it is
+without the line of his experience. Now I myself, personally, with my
+own, unaided vision, have been able to count the mules in a pack-train
+sixty-three miles distant, and have repeatedly held conversations at
+a distance of fifteen miles."
+
+"Guess the conversation was pretty much all on one side, wasn't it?"
+asked Rutherford, adding sotto voce to Houston, "as on the present
+occasion."
+
+"Ah, no, indeed not," the man replied; "I see, my young friend, that
+you are inclined, like all strangers, to be a little incredulous and
+skeptical, but if you remain in this country of ours any length of
+time, that will soon pass away, very soon."
+
+"I don't think I care to remain here very long then, if it will have
+any such effect on my brain as that," said Rutherford.
+
+"You are inclined to be facetious, my friend; that is all right, I
+appreciate a little witticism myself occasionally. By the way," he
+continued, evidently determined to get into conversation with Houston,
+"I suppose you young gentlemen are out here on business, looking for
+valuable investments in this wonderful country."
+
+At the word "Business" Mr. Rutherford instantly assumed his dignity,
+dropping into the slightly drawling tone he always used on such
+occasions, and which he intended as an extinguisher on any person whom
+he deemed too familiar.
+
+"Well, no," he replied, twirling an incipient mustache, "at least, not
+so far as I am concerned; I am just out on a sort of an extended
+pleasure trip, you know."
+
+"Ah, your friend is a business man, I judge; perhaps," turning to
+Houston, "we can interest you in some of our rare bargains in the line
+of real estate, improved or unimproved, city or country; or possibly
+in our mines, gold or silver properties, quartz or placer, we have
+them all."
+
+"You seem to have a 'corner' on this part of the northwest?" remarked
+Rutherford, rather sarcastically.
+
+"Indeed, young man, we have a good many 'corners,' pretty valuable
+ones, too," the man replied imperturbably, still watching Houston, who
+replied in a courteous but indifferent tone:
+
+"I am out here on business, but am not in a position to make any
+investments at present, nor do I expect to be for some time."
+
+"Ah, your business?" asked his interlocutor.
+
+"I am an accountant," he replied quietly.
+
+The man seemed satisfied. "Well, gentlemen," he said, rising from the
+table, "I am glad to have met you, and hope to have the pleasure of
+seeing you later in our city. Allow me to present my card, and if
+there is anything we can ever do for you in our line, please give us a
+call," and smilingly handing each a card, he bowed himself out of the
+car.
+
+"Well, by Jove!" exclaimed Rutherford, his grammar getting a little
+mixed, "either that man's a fool, or he thought we were; I don't know
+which."
+
+"Probably the latter," said Houston, smiling; then glancing at the
+card beside his plate, he read, "J. D. Wilson, President of the
+Northwestern Mining, Land and Investment Company, Silver City;" and he
+was the prospective clerk of The Northwestern Mining, Land and
+Investment Company!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+An hour or two later, the Pacific Express was slowly winding up the
+long mountain grade, the engine puffing and wheezing in apoplectic
+fashion, and occasionally emitting short shrieks of protest. The
+mountains, which had gradually been assuming shape and color, were now
+looming up in grand proportions, their rugged outlines clearly defined
+against the sky. Already the mountain breezes, fragrant with the
+breath of tamarack, spruce and pine, stole in on adventurous wings
+through the car windows; lifted locks, both golden and silvered, from
+heated brows, kissed a fretful infant into peaceful slumber, turned
+the pages of novels and flapped newspapers so persistently that their
+readers were compelled to abandon them, and brought new energy and
+inspiration to the languid, listless passengers, so that they began to
+evince symptoms of interest in their surroundings.
+
+In his favorite lounging attitude, Houston sat, his eyes fixed on the
+mountains, moment by moment growing more distinct in their rugged
+grandeur, a half-smile of amusement playing over his face, as he
+recalled the interview with the president of The Northwestern Mining,
+Land and Investment Company. Upon inquiry, he had learned that Mr.
+Wilson had boarded the train at a little way station, before daylight
+that morning, and the zeal displayed by that gentleman in thus seeking
+to ascertain something regarding the characteristics of his future
+clerk, by anticipating his arrival in this manner seemed to Houston
+decidedly amusing, and at the same time furnished him a clue
+concerning the character of one of the men with whom he was to be
+associated.
+
+He was aroused by the entrance of Rutherford, who, having learned that
+the train would make stops among the canyons they were approaching,
+was getting his kodak and plates in readiness, preparatory to taking
+impressions of some of the finest views.
+
+After a few moments, the conversation drifted to the subject of their
+destination, which they would reach in three or four hours.
+
+"I suppose," said Rutherford, addressing his companion rather
+hesitatingly, "I suppose you will remain in Silver City for some
+time?"
+
+"I am not quite certain," he replied, "my impression is, however, that
+I shall not be detained there more than a day or two."
+
+"Indeed! then are you going on farther west?"
+
+"No, I expect to go out among the mines for a while."
+
+"Among the mines! Now I should think that would be fine; you'll have a
+chance to see western life in earnest. So you are interested in mines!
+Well, I thought something of the kind when you said you were out on
+business. No wonder you were so cool with old Boomerang this morning,
+and didn't care for any of his wonderful investments."
+
+Houston was silent for a moment, a curious smile playing over his fine
+features; then watching Rutherford keenly through half-closed eyes, he
+said,
+
+"On the contrary, instead of being a mine owner, as you surmise, I am
+the employe of a mining company, and 'old Boomerang,' as you call him,
+is the president of that company."
+
+Rutherford sat for an instant as if petrified; then managed to gasp,
+"Great Heavens! are you associated in business with that man?"
+
+"Yes," said Houston, looking almost as if he enjoyed the situation,
+"associated as employer and employe. I am going out to fill the
+position of accountant for the same company of which he is president."
+
+"Oh, I see; you are just going to take the position. Did you know all
+the time who he was?"
+
+"I had no more idea than you until I saw his card; but I think he knew
+me, was looking around, in fact, to see what his new clerk was like."
+
+"The old beast!" exclaimed Rutherford. His face was a study, it
+represented so many conflicting emotions; several times he seemed
+about to speak, then remained silent, looking more and more perplexed.
+He was sorely puzzled; Houston was the embodiment of courtesy and
+refinement, his every word and gesture revealed a man of wealth,
+education and culture,--and yet, a clerk, and for such a man! and
+strangest of all, he seemed to feel no chagrin in speaking of his
+position.
+
+Houston's voice broke in pleasantly upon his cogitations: "I saw it
+would never do for you to travel about here under such erroneous
+impressions; imagining you were associating with a heavy capitalist,
+or a mining broker, when--"
+
+"Oh, hang it all!" interrupted Rutherford, brusquely, "What difference
+does it make? You're a gentleman, anybody can see that. I'll own up
+that it did knock me out at first to find you were connected in any
+way with that old chap; but I know you're all right, and I had no
+business questioning around as I did about your affairs; I beg your
+pardon, and I'll explain now why I did it. I'm a stranger out here,
+and I've taken an awful liking to you, and when we get to Silver City,
+if you don't mind, I'd like to keep in with you until I get a little
+accustomed to the ways out here; that is, if you've no objections."
+
+"That's all right," responded Houston cordially, "stay with me as long
+as you like; and now, let's go out and take a look at the mountains,"
+and the two young men shook hands, each feeling a sort of presentiment
+that the friendship begun under these peculiar circumstances was one
+for life, and such it proved.
+
+On reaching the rear platform they discovered that the train was
+following the course of a river winding through a rocky gorge that
+grew narrower, moment by moment. The walls grew higher and steeper at
+every turn, while towering above and beyond were the mountain peaks.
+They stood clinging to the railings, and watching the rapidly changing
+scene, as the train swerved and swept from one direction to another,
+following the winding of the river.
+
+Suddenly the walls shot upward almost perpendicularly for hundreds of
+feet, shutting out the sunlight, leaving nothing visible but a narrow
+strip of sky; and still the great rocks came closer and closer, until
+little more than the width of the car was left, and it seemed that in
+a moment that must be crushed. The ponderous wheels were slowly
+revolving over a trestle bridge of steel, mortised into the rocks,
+while the deafening echoes reverberated between the narrowing walls,
+and rippled the surface of the river flowing deep and black below.
+Then suddenly another swift, sharp turn, and they were out in the
+dazzling sunshine, amidst a scene of untold beauty and grandeur.
+
+Here, at the entrance of the canyon, the train stopped, giving the
+passengers an opportunity to alight and enjoy the scenery. On all
+sides rose masses of rock, some fashioned in wondrous beauty, others
+in forms weird and fantastic; some gray and rugged, some tinted with
+intermingling shades of color, and others sparkling in the sunlight as
+though studded with gems innumerable. Here and there were piles of
+rock, crimson and green and golden, resembling the moss-grown,
+ivy-covered castles of the olden time. Farther on were mountains
+covered with heavy forests of pine, through which the winds sighed and
+whispered mysteriously, while at their feet the little streams
+lingered lovingly long enough to catch the whispered secrets, and
+bear them away, laughing and singing, on their journey toward the
+great sea.
+
+The train moved slowly on to another canyon, more grand in its awful
+solitude than the first, surrounded on all sides by walls nearly a
+thousand feet in height. At one side, a broad sheet of water,
+shimmering in the sunlight, fell, like a bridal veil, down the
+precipitous rock, with a deafening roar disappearing into unseen
+depths below, while at the base of the canyon lay a lake of sapphire,
+in whose calm, untroubled depths, rocks and cascade and sky were
+mirrored in perfect beauty.
+
+Slowly the train wound its way upward, until it paused again near the
+summit of the range, on the "divide," the boundary line between the
+east and the west. There were the serried ranks of the mountains,
+vast, solemn, grand; and in that awful solitude, under the spell of
+that eternal silence, a sense of the infinite hushed every tongue, and
+each one stood with bated breath, as if on holy ground. On every side
+the billowy ranges surged, like the gigantic waves of a storm-tossed
+ocean suddenly congealed to stone, while here and there, towered
+mighty peaks, like huge sentinels, their brows seamed with furrows
+plowed by the hand of the centuries, their heads white with the snows
+of countless ages.
+
+Here two tiny streams flowed side by side, then separated; the one to
+start on its long journey toward the old Atlantic, the other toward
+the Golden Gate, to mingle its waters with those of the sunset sea.
+
+Slowly the passengers returned to the train, stopping on their way to
+gather the little wild flowers growing between the loosened
+rocks,--frail mountain children of the sun and wind,--to be preserved
+as souvenirs of the "divide."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+Rutherford had so diligently improved the opportunities afforded by
+the stopping of the train, in securing views of some of the finest
+scenes, that when the divide was reached, he had only two plates
+left. These he quickly used, and then gave himself up to silent
+contemplation and enjoyment of the beauty around him. Very slowly and
+regretfully he and Houston followed the example of the others, and
+turned toward the waiting train, like them, picking the delicate
+wild flowers and pressing them in their note books.
+
+It was during the first of these stops, at the entrance to the
+canyons, that Rutherford, hastily glancing up from his work, saw,
+standing among the passengers, a little in the background, the man
+whom he had last seen at the Valley City depot. He was standing in the
+same alert, watchful attitude, but the soft hat was drawn downward
+over his face concealing his eyes, and the knife and revolver were
+hidden by a rough jacket. He was not then looking toward Rutherford,
+but was facing in another direction, where Houston was strolling among
+the rocks, and when, a few moments later, Houston sauntered over to
+observe his work, Rutherford called his attention to the man, but he
+was nearly hidden behind a group of men, only a little of his figure
+being visible. Later, when they were again seated in the car,
+descending the western grade, Rutherford asked his companion whether
+he had succeeded in getting a glimpse of the man.
+
+"Yes," said Houston, "a glimpse and no more; once or twice I was near
+him, but his face was turned the other way. I passed him in taking the
+train, but I had only a hurried glimpse of his face; it seemed to me
+that it was a face of unusual intelligence for a man of that class, as
+I should judge him to be a miner, but I did not think he looked
+particularly dangerous."
+
+"Wait till you see his eyes," said Rutherford, then inquired, "By the
+way, did you see the old mining chap anywhere?"
+
+"Oh, yes," said Houston, laughing, "twice; once with a townsite map
+spread out before him, talking real estate to a couple of men, and
+again in the smoking car where he was playing poker."
+
+"I didn't see him out looking at the mountains."
+
+"No, probably they have no interest for him, except just so far as
+they contain gold mines."
+
+They talked of the mountains, and Rutherford suddenly exclaimed, "I
+wish I could find some way of getting out and camping right among
+the mountains themselves. I don't care to stop in any little
+half-civilized western town for any length of time, but if I could
+just go right out into the heart of the mountains somewhere, and
+stay for a few weeks, that would be an experience worth having."
+
+Houston smiled; "How would you like a trip out into the part of the
+country where I am going? As near as I can make out, it is twenty-five
+miles from the nearest town, just a rough mining camp, with very few
+people aside from the miners."
+
+"Why," replied Rutherford, "I think that would be fine; anyhow, I'll
+try it if you have no objections; it will be a change anyway."
+
+And so it was decided that Rutherford should extend his pleasure trip
+into the mining camp, and Houston was pleased with the arrangement,
+for, notwithstanding the work which he had planned, he expected to
+find many lonely hours and monotonous days, little dreaming of the
+interests that awaited him, or that he was entering upon the most
+eventful portion of his life.
+
+At about one o'clock the train arrived at Silver City, a town of about
+fifteen thousand inhabitants. The young men, as they left the train,
+caught a glimpse of the indefatigable Mr. Wilson as he was boarding a
+street car in company with two intended victims which he had already
+secured. They took a carriage, and as they were whirled rapidly
+through the steep, narrow streets on their way to the hotel, the
+little city seemed to them like a thoroughly typical, western, mining
+town. The town was surrounded by mountains, and prospect holes and
+abandoned placer diggings could be seen in every direction, while
+interspersed among the business blocks of brick and stone, were tiny
+cabins, built of logs,--all relics of the earlier days when Silver
+City was but a large mining camp.
+
+After lunch, Houston started forth in search of the city office of The
+Northwestern Mining, Land and Investment Company, which he found
+without difficulty. He was surprised to discover that business there
+was conducted on something of a co-operative plan, as the one large
+room in which he found himself constituted the offices of some
+half-dozen mining and real estate companies, and was occupied at the
+time by eight or ten different men, each seated at his own desk, and
+separated from his neighbors by a little wooden railing. A broad aisle
+extended through the center of the room, and at the farther end were
+two or three accountants' desks, two large safes and two typewriters.
+
+The whole arrangement seemed to Houston extremely crowded and
+confusing, but he afterward learned that it had its advantages; as
+certain deeds, contracts and leases could be so easily mislaid and
+lost; then too, it had an effect upon the minds of some of their
+patrons that was particularly desirable, as they usually left the
+office in a state of such bewilderment, that they were unable to tell
+with any degree of certainty, just which one of the many high-sounding
+companies it was, with which they had entered into agreement, and as
+the eight or ten men were each connected in some way with all of the
+companies, they all came in for a share of the profits, no matter who
+was the victim.
+
+Houston having inquired of a white-haired, benevolent-looking
+individual at his right, for Mr. Wilson, was politely directed to the
+third desk on the left-hand side. Here he found Mr. Wilson, who
+greeted him effusively, and introduced him to Mr. Blaisdell, the
+general manager of the company. The secretary of the company was, at
+that moment, doing duty in another part of the room, as president of
+The North American Townsite & Irrigation Company, consequently Houston
+did not meet him until later.
+
+As Messrs. Wilson and Blaisdell were just then engaged with a
+customer, they begged Mr. Houston to excuse them for a few moments,
+which he did very willingly, and thus was afforded an opportunity to
+observe the two men closely. Mr. Blaisdell had rather a long and
+narrow face, and what is called a "sandy" complexion; his hair, face
+and small goatee (he wore no mustache) were all of the same, light,
+indefinite color; his eyes were small and pale blue, while his lips
+were thin and tightly compressed. His face, when at rest, had a
+sanctimonious expression which was sadly at variance with the
+avaricious, grasping look which it instantly assumed when animated. He
+said little, but Houston soon discovered that he was in reality the
+head man of the company, while Mr. Wilson was but the mouthpiece.
+
+In the twenty or thirty minutes which elapsed before these gentlemen
+could give Mr. Houston their undivided attention, he obtained
+sufficient insight into their characters, and enough of an inkling of
+their business methods, to make him more determined than ever to
+unearth their schemes, and doubly anxious to succeed in the role which
+he had assumed.
+
+As soon as they were at liberty, Mr. Wilson and the general manager
+turned very smilingly toward their new clerk, and after some questions
+regarding his business qualifications and experience, all of which he
+answered in a manner very satisfactory, they proceeded to give him
+detailed instructions relating to his future duties in the branch
+office, at the mining camp.
+
+"Of course," remarked Mr. Wilson, "you understand that as you become
+accustomed to the business, greater responsibility will devolve upon
+you; for the present, you are to have charge of the books and our
+correspondence from that point; and when you have sufficiently
+familiarized yourself with the details of the business, we shall
+expect you, in Mr. Blaisdell's absence, to take charge of the office,
+to receive the reports of the different superintendents and foremen of
+the mines, and if necessary, to inspect the work at the mines
+yourself, occasionally, in order to see that our instructions are
+being carried out."
+
+Houston thought that this included quite a range of work for an
+accountant, but as he was only too glad of the opportunities which
+would thus be afforded him for his own investigations, he raised no
+objections.
+
+"I suppose, Mr. Houston," added Mr. Blaisdell, very deliberately, "it
+is unnecessary to say that in a position of this kind, we require the
+utmost secrecy on your part regarding the affairs of the company. In
+giving you this very responsible position, we repose great confidence
+in you, and we expect you to prove yourself worthy of it."
+
+"Oh well," chuckled Mr. Wilson, "I should say, judging by Mr.
+Houston's appearance on the train this morning, he understands the art
+of preserving a golden silence as well as any one I ever saw. It was
+all I could do to get a dozen words out of him."
+
+Mr. Blaisdell smiled in a way that Houston understood he had received
+a full account of the meeting on the train. There being little more to
+be said, Houston inquired regarding accommodations at the camp,
+stating that a young acquaintance of his wished to remain in the
+mountains for a week or two.
+
+"Is he interested in mines?" inquired Mr. Blaisdell.
+
+"Oh, no," replied Houston, "he is the young man who informed Mr.
+Wilson he was out on an extended pleasure trip, and he imagines it
+would be great sport to be out in a genuine mining camp for a while,
+as far from civilization as possible."
+
+"That's all right," responded Mr. Blaisdell, "I was only going to
+state that we allow no visitors through the mines except those who are
+personally interested, or who have intentions of becoming purchasers,
+but if your friend merely wants to stop among the mountains for the
+fun of the thing, why, he's welcome to stay all summer for aught I
+care. As to accommodations, I think we can fix you both very
+comfortably. There are two boarding houses near the mines, for the
+miners, of course you would not go there; but old Jim Maverick and his
+wife run a boarding house about a quarter of a mile from there that is
+very good, and is a sort of stopping place for any tourists that find
+their way out there. I stop there myself, and I know Maverick and his
+wife are glad of all the boarders they can get. I believe they already
+had a lady when I was there last week, a school teacher or something
+of that sort, who had just come, and I think you will find it very
+comfortable there."
+
+Having learned that they would have to start for the camp at eight
+o'clock the next morning, Houston took his leave, promising to be in
+readiness at that time. He next visited a number of assay offices,
+where he learned a good many valuable points regarding the different
+classes of ore in that vicinity; then having purchased two or three
+works on practical mining and mineralogy, which he thought might be of
+assistance to him, he returned to the hotel, where he entertained
+Rutherford until dinner with an account of their trip to be taken on
+the morrow and the accommodations that awaited them, with the added
+attraction of the society of a solitary school teacher, whom their
+imaginations already depicted as of uncertain age, with short hair and
+spectacles. Many were Rutherford's speculations concerning this
+individual.
+
+"I've had the pleasure of the acquaintance of two specimens of that
+class," said he, "one was in the Catskill Mountains; she had a
+geological fad, and went out every morning with a little hammer, to
+hammer among the rocks all day; the other was a botanist, and returned
+every evening about covered with plants which she had pulled up, root
+and branch; I wonder which of them this one will resemble."
+
+"We shall soon see," said Houston.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+Nearly twenty-five miles from the nearest town, and not a human being
+visible from the point of observation occupied by Miss Gladden, as she
+slowly swung backward and forward in her hammock under the pines, half
+way up the mountain side; and the only sign of human life was a faint,
+blue smoke curling upward among the evergreens on one side, at the
+base of the mountain.
+
+Directly at the foot of the mountain lay a small lake of azure blue,
+at one end of which was a narrow bridge crossing the stream which
+formed the outlet to the lake, and from which a footpath wound in the
+direction of the solitary house from which the smoke ascended. At the
+other extremity of the lake, where the gulch narrowed into a deep
+ravine, walled with irregular masses of gray rock, a mountain stream
+came dashing down over the ledges, forming a series of cascades, and
+with a final leap plunged into the azure waters. It was a wild,
+solitary place, and had there been another human being visible, he
+doubtless would have been much astonished at the sight of a young
+lady, dressed in the height of fashion, lazily swinging to and fro,
+half way up the pine covered mountain.
+
+But for Miss Gladden the charm of the situation lay in its solitude;
+she was tired of society, and, glad to free herself for a while at
+least from its conventionalities, was congratulating herself upon her
+good fortune in finding this retreat, all unconscious that others were
+already entering into her little world, soon to enter into her heart
+and life.
+
+As she swung dreamily under the pines she was aroused by a clear,
+musical voice calling her name, and turning, saw the lithe, slender
+form of Lyle Maverick, the daughter of her host, rapidly approaching.
+Although Miss Gladden had been but a few days among the mountains,
+there already existed between her and Lyle Maverick a mutual
+admiration, though each was, as yet, unconscious of the admiration of
+the other.
+
+Lyle secretly worshipped Miss Gladden as the most beautiful being she
+had ever seen, nor was it strange, for Leslie Gladden had all her life
+received the homage always yielded to beauty, and from hearts far less
+susceptible than that of this untutored child of the mountains; but
+Lyle, notwithstanding her surroundings and her disadvantages, was
+proud spirited, and did not proclaim her admiration for the beautiful
+stranger. Miss Gladden, on her part, admired the imperious mountain
+maid, as the loveliest specimen of uncultured, untrained girlhood,
+just blossoming into womanhood, that she had ever met. She wondered
+how she came to be so unlike her surroundings, and what would be the
+result if this wild mountain flower could be transplanted to some more
+favorable spot, there to receive the care and nurture bestowed on so
+many far less beautiful. She had within the last few days, led by a
+desire to know the proud, shy girl, made a companion of her; this was
+a new experience for Lyle, and was fast deepening her admiration for
+Miss Gladden into confidence and regard.
+
+Miss Gladden watched Lyle now, as she came up the mountain path, as
+fleet of foot and graceful in every motion as a deer, her head thrown
+proudly back, her wavy hair rippling over her shoulders to her waist,
+and shining in the sunlight like fine spun gold.
+
+"Oh, Miss Gladden," she exclaimed, as, having reached the group of
+pines, she threw herself carelessly at the foot of one of them, "the
+solitude and isolation which you have prized so highly are to be
+invaded by two new boarders of masculine gender."
+
+A slight frown gathered on Miss Gladden's face, at the prospect of
+intruders thus encroaching upon the mountain retreat which she was
+beginning to regard as hers exclusively. Lyle, watching her, saw the
+frown, and continued, her eyes dancing with mischief:
+
+"They are city gentlemen, too, from the east; from Chicago and from
+Boston, only think of the honor conferred upon us! They have come from
+the land of civilization and culture to the wild west, to see how we
+barbarians live; at least that is the object of one of them who is out
+on a pleasure trip, for that is usually the meaning of western
+pleasure trips."
+
+"Lyle, are you not rather severe? They come for the sake of the
+scenery, or as I have, for rest."
+
+"A few for rest perhaps, but scenery? nonsense! Look at the majority
+of your 'western stories,' as they are called; how much is there in
+them of scenery? A few lines here and there, but pages devoted to
+descriptions of western life with its ignorance and uncouthness."
+
+"But stories of western life usually contain a great deal of
+originality and piquancy; that is why they are popular."
+
+"Possibly," said Lyle dryly, "but I have seen very little originality
+in the life I have led here. It may seem original to outsiders; it is
+monotonous enough to those who live it, year after year. The scenery
+of the west is grand, I love it, and if I could see it with such eyes
+as yours, eyes accustomed to beauty in all its infinite kinds and
+degrees, and with a mind cultivated, fed on the choicest thought than
+can be culled not only from our own country and in our own tongue, but
+from other countries and in other tongues as well, I would appreciate
+the beauty about me more keenly than I can now; but I despise this
+life in which I have been reared, a life of ignorance, coarseness,
+brutality and deceit. Here I have lived for the past ten years, here I
+am likely to live for ten, twenty years to come."
+
+Both were silent for a few moments, while Miss Gladden watched the
+beautiful face, in this instance an index of an equally beautiful
+soul, and she marveled more than ever. At last she said gently:
+
+"Lyle, dear, pardon me for asking such a question, but you are an
+anomaly; how is it, living all these years as you have, in these
+surroundings, that you have so good an education? You have evidently
+read considerable, and you converse well; you cannot be called
+ignorant."
+
+"No," the girl replied sadly, "I am not quite so ignorant as a
+stranger would think to see me, but I have learned just enough to make
+me realize how little I do know, and that little I have acquired by
+stealth. I could read a very little when we came here from some small
+town, somewhere in the east, I have forgotten where, and I wanted to
+learn, but father forbade it; he said he wouldn't have any of his
+children putting on airs, that what was good enough for him would have
+to do for them. He has always been severe with me, I suppose he didn't
+want any girls, that's what mother says. Mother was always as kind to
+me as she dared to be, but she was afraid to help me to learn
+anything, and she couldn't have taught me much anyway. I studied every
+little bit of print I could come across, if it were nothing more than
+a scrap of newspaper, I was so anxious to be able to read. Then, when
+I was about twelve years old, a little girl who stayed here one summer
+with her governess, left some of her old, worn-out school books and
+writing books. I hid them in my room as carefully as if they had been
+diamonds, and pored over them every chance I could get for the next
+year. About that time, I got acquainted with one of the miners who had
+been here a long time, a strange, silent man, who was very different
+from the others, and who kept by himself. He seemed to take a great
+liking to me, and I consider him to-day the best friend that I have in
+the world. He found out how I was studying and trying to learn, and he
+helped me, for he had had a fine education. He bought books for me,
+not only school books, but choice books to read, stories, poems and
+plays, and he has talked with me a great deal, and told me about
+places and people and authors, and so has saved me from being a total
+ignoramus."
+
+"How kind!" exclaimed Miss Gladden, "I don't wonder that you consider
+him your friend. Is he here now?"
+
+"Yes," replied Lyle, "he has been away for a few days, but he came
+back last night, and I went down to his cabin to see him. He brought
+me some beautiful books, but I keep them at his cabin most of the
+time, so no one at the house will get hold of them."
+
+"Does he live alone?" asked Miss Gladden.
+
+"No, an Irishman, who has a pretty good education, lives with him most
+of the time; he is quite a musician and is teaching me to play the
+violin. 'Mike' they call the Irishman, and my friend is 'Jack'; the
+other miners nicknamed him 'Lone Jack,' but nobody, I suppose, knows
+what their real names are."
+
+"Why, how interesting!" exclaimed Miss Gladden. "Why haven't you ever
+told me before? It sounds like a story with a deep-laid plot, and a
+typical villain lurking somewhere."
+
+"There are plots enough, and villains enough, but Jack is not one of
+them," quietly replied the girl, with a curious expression.
+
+"Would he let me come and see him?" inquired Miss Gladden.
+
+"He might, if I asked him, but you would find him very uncommunicative.
+He does not care for strangers. He was telling me last night about a
+comical, dudish looking fellow whom he saw on the train, and who got
+off at Silver City, and he said he was coming up here into the
+mountains in company with another young gentleman; he thought I would be
+likely to see them, and I think they are the new boarders."
+
+"Why, have you seen them?" asked Miss Gladden, in surprise.
+
+"Yes," laughed Lyle, "one of them, from my post of observation behind
+the kitchen door, and he did appear so ridiculous with his gold
+eye-glasses, looking as solemn as an owl, and glancing around with
+that expression of supercilious curiosity, as though he expected to
+find us all wild Indians, or something of the sort."
+
+"Ah, that accounts for the little tirade against western pleasure
+tourists I heard when you first came up. Evidently the eye-glasses did
+not produce a very favorable impression on you."
+
+"Well," retorted Lyle, "see him yourself, and see what impressions you
+will receive."
+
+"Well, my dear," said Miss Gladden, "as it is nearly dinner time, I
+would suggest that we adjourn to the house, alleviate these pangs of
+hunger, take an observation of the gold eye-glasses and report our
+impressions later."
+
+"Agreed," said Lyle merrily, and the two began to descend the
+mountain.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+Houston and Rutherford were promptly at the depot, as agreed, to take
+the early morning train to the mines.
+
+Mr. Blaisdell met them with a great show of cordiality, his thin lips
+contracted into a smile which was doubtless intended to be very
+agreeable, but which produced a sensation exactly the reverse.
+
+"Well," Rutherford began, with his peculiar drawl, when he and Houston
+were seated together in the car, with Mr. Blaisdell safely engaged in
+conversation at a little distance, "I can't say that I'm any more
+favorably impressed with Mr. Buncombe, or whatever his name is, than I
+was with old Boomerang yesterday. That fellow looked like a silly,
+pompous, old fool, and this one like a sly, old villain. I wish he'd
+stop that confounded, wolfish grin of his, it makes me feel
+uncomfortable, he looks as if he knew he had his prey just dead easy,
+and his chops were watering in anticipation. I say, old fellow, I
+don't think much of this Buncombe-Boomerang combination of yours, and
+I guess it's a good thing I'm along with you till we find out what
+sort of a trap we're getting into."
+
+Houston smiled; Rutherford had expressed his own opinion a great deal
+nearer than he cared to admit. He had seen enough of the men with whom
+he was to be associated to convince him that they were villains,
+cowardly villains too, the very sort of men that would be most
+desperate and dangerous when cornered; but he was fast laying his
+plans, and now the only drawback seemed that he would have no
+assistant, and he felt the time would come when he would need one, and
+some one familiar with mining. An expert from the east would not do,
+he would be suspected; and a detective would not possess the necessary
+information regarding mining in general, and these mines in
+particular. At times, a vague idea of taking Rutherford into his
+confidence came into his mind, but he was not ready to do this yet, if
+at all.
+
+All this flashed through Houston's mind as Rutherford made the above
+remark, and he answered:
+
+"I don't apprehend any particular danger at present, but I am glad you
+are with me."
+
+"The question with me is," continued Rutherford, "how I'll amuse
+myself during your office hours in such a region as this; I don't
+imagine I'll find a great many congenial companions."
+
+"You seem to have forgotten the school teacher," Houston remarked,
+with a quiet smile.
+
+"Oh, bother the school ma'am! I had forgotten her. I suppose she'll be
+as graceful as a scalene triangle, and about as entertaining as a
+mummy. They're mostly that kind, or else the gushing, adoring sort,
+that can't talk of anything but Browning, or Emerson, or theosophy, or
+something of that kind; and the most conceited lot of creatures that
+ever lived."
+
+Meanwhile, the train wound in and out among the mountains, stopping
+for a few moments at a small town where huge smelters were pouring
+forth their clouds of dense smoke, darkening the air until it seemed
+more like night than day; then on a few miles farther, to the little
+station known as the "Y," so-called on account of the form of the spur
+tracks owned by the mining company, by which the ore was brought down
+from the mines above.
+
+At the station was a store containing general mining supplies, with
+the post-office in one front window, a boarding and lodging house, and
+three or four saloons and gambling houses, these last designed to
+catch the wages of the miners from the surrounding camps.
+
+Mr. Blaisdell having found one of the superintendents who had come
+down with a team for supplies, they were soon on their way up the
+gulch, and in the course of an hour were left at the office buildings,
+while the team went on to the mines.
+
+Here Rutherford waited in the outer room of the little unpainted,
+frame building, while Mr. Blaisdell took Houston into the further
+room, and introduced him to Morgan, the general superintendent, and to
+his work, at the same time. Then, having seen Houston duly installed
+at his post of duty, perched on a wabbly stool, before a rickety,
+ink-bespattered desk, beside a window gray with the dust and smoke of
+ages, through which a few straggling sunbeams fell, Mr. Blaisdell
+sailed complacently forth to escort Rutherford to Jim Maverick's
+boarding house, whither the baggage had already been taken by the
+team; then, all necessary arrangements for rooms and board having been
+completed, he went out to the mines, leaving Rutherford alone in the
+camp of the Philistines. He found no one, however, more formidable
+than Mrs. Maverick, an old woman bent nearly double, with white hair
+and hollow, deep-sunken eyes, so faded it was impossible to tell what
+their original color might have been, and the "help," a stout,
+red-cheeked, coarse-featured girl of fifteen, whom Mrs. Maverick
+called "Minty," but who rejoiced in the euphonious name of Araminta
+Bixby, and who ogled and grinned at Rutherford until he found the task
+of preserving his dignity more difficult than ever.
+
+In the course of an hour he sauntered down to the office to meet
+Houston, and a little later the two sat in the porch of the low,
+wide-spreading house, partly frame and partly of logs, the roof of the
+porch supported by the trunks of slender trees, unhewn, from which
+even the bark had not been removed.
+
+From the porch there was a view of the lake, and in the distance the
+gleaming cascades, while just opposite, the gulch road followed its
+winding course and disappeared among the mountains.
+
+Presently there came up the winding road three men, apparently father
+and sons,--low-browed, heavy-eyed, brutal looking creatures,--who
+followed the foot path up toward the house, and glaring sullenly at
+the young men, shuffled around to the back door.
+
+"Evidently mine host and his sons," remarked Houston.
+
+"Well," replied Rutherford, "I think if I see a few more such
+specimens as those, I'll take the first train out. Say though, I
+haven't seen a sign of that school teacher, I begin to think she is a
+myth."
+
+"Sh!" said Houston quickly, under his breath, "see what you think of
+this!"
+
+Rutherford turned in the direction Houston was facing, and had two
+beings just then descended from the mythical regions, he could not
+have been more astonished than at sight of the pair approaching from
+the lake. The first was a young girl, apparently about sixteen, but
+tall and well developed, the scant garments that she wore revealing
+the beautifully rounded outlines of her form, her carriage free and
+every movement full of grace. Her face was exquisitely beautiful, the
+features refined and perfect as though chiseled in marble; her eyes
+shone with a star-like brilliancy, and her hair fell about her
+shoulders like a mass of burnished gold.
+
+Beside her was a woman several years her senior, equally beautiful,
+but an altogether different type of beauty; more mature, more perfect
+and more rare. Tall and splendidly developed, she moved with a queenly
+grace. Her face was classical in its contours, the profile resembling
+that of some of the old Grecians, while its beauty was so refined, so
+subtile, it could not be easily described. Perhaps the eyes were its
+chief attraction; large and dark, and of Madonna-like depth and
+tenderness; soulful eyes that reflected every emotion of the pure,
+womanly nature, as the calm lake mirrors the sunlit sky or the
+lowering storm-cloud, the silvery moon or the lightning's flash. The
+wavy, auburn hair, tinged in the sunlight with red gold, was gathered
+into a knot near the top of a shapely, well-poised head, while stray
+curls clustered rebelliously about the broad, fair brow, forming a
+shining aureole.
+
+Like a vision, the pair passed silently into the house, leaving
+Rutherford, for once in his life, speechless, and Houston watching
+him, apparently enjoying the situation.
+
+"What's the matter, my boy?" he asked, in a low, laughing tone, "Are
+you spell-bound?"
+
+"Spell-bound? well, slightly!" responded Rutherford. "Great Heavens,
+Houston! do they have such women as those out here?"
+
+"Evidently they have some fine samples of the genuine article, but I
+am not prepared to state how large a stock they carry. I'm positive of
+one thing though, that within the last three minutes you have changed
+your mind about taking the next train out. Not all the desperadoes and
+villains you've met from Valley City out, could drive you away from
+the mountains now."
+
+"You're right, they couldn't," said Rutherford, with a broad grin,
+"not if I know myself; no, sir, when I'm in the line of duty nothing
+can scare me out of it worth a cent, and just now I feel it to be my
+duty to solve some of the mysteries thickening around me, among them,
+that of the mountain nymphs."
+
+"Altogether too substantial for mountain nymphs, my boy," said
+Houston, "and you will please remember, while pursuing your line of
+duty, that I have vouched for your good behavior here, and am in a
+measure responsible for you, and I don't want to get into any trouble
+on your account."
+
+Rutherford cleared his throat, and rising slowly with all the dignity
+he could muster, looked gravely over his glasses at Houston in exact
+imitation of Mr. Blaisdell, and in an oracular tone remarked:
+
+"And you will please remember, my young friend, that I am out here as
+your duly constituted guardian, and as such, it is my duty to form the
+acquaintance of these--ahem!--these fair daughters of Eve, and judge
+for myself whether or not they will be suitable companions for an
+unsophisticated youth, like yourself."
+
+"Good!" said Houston, and after a few more jokes, dinner being
+announced by the moon-faced Minty, they went in to partake of their
+first meal in what Rutherford styled the "Hotel de Maverick."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+A few moments later, Houston and his friend had been duly presented by
+Mrs. Maverick, to Miss Gladden and to "our daughter, Lyle," the former
+in a gown of soft, clinging material, of a delicate, golden tint,
+combined with a reddish brown velvet, which suited her style of beauty
+to perfection; and Lyle, in dainty white apron, her beautiful hair
+loosely plaited in an enormous braid, prepared to act in the capacity
+of waiter.
+
+Never were guests served so deftly, or with such grace and dignity;
+she seemed absolutely free from all coquettish airs, and although the
+glances of the two gentlemen were about evenly divided between the
+beauty at their side and the fair waitress, Lyle carried herself with
+an equanimity that was remarkable. Not until the arrival, later, of
+the other boarders, Morgan, the general superintendent, and Haight,
+the mining expert,--so-called, though his expertness embraced much
+beside mining,--was there any change in her demeanor; then her eyes
+flashed, her lips curled, and a look of superb scorn passed over her
+face, an expression that reminded Rutherford unaccountably of the face
+he had seen at Valley City.
+
+Old Jim Maverick and his sons were not present, having taken their
+meal hastily in the kitchen. Beside her husband and sons, poor, old
+Mrs. Maverick was positively refined. She was a kind-hearted, motherly
+woman, and looked as though, in her younger days, she might have been
+very pretty, but poverty, hard work and abuse had very nearly
+obliterated all traces of youthful bloom, and her face had a hopeless,
+appealing look which was pathetic.
+
+A little later, Mr. Blaisdell arrived, rubbing his hands and smiling
+in his usual complacent manner, and he entertained the guests for some
+time with anecdotes of western life, some of them very well told, but
+in most of which it was noticeable that he bore a very prominent
+part.
+
+After dinner, Houston returned to the office in company with Morgan
+and the expert, two new characters which he was studying attentively.
+The former was a tall, raw-boned individual, with a genial,
+good-natured manner, but a weak face; one who would willingly be a
+tool for any villain, but an unreliable tool. He would betray his best
+friend, and knowing nothing of honor himself, he did not believe in
+its existence, among men or women. To him, all men were rogues, all
+business simply gambling on a large scale, and his only care was to be
+on the winning side.
+
+Haight was a small, dark man, with soft, insinuating manner, and, in
+accordance with his pet theory that every person, high or low, rich or
+poor, might sometime be useful to him in the furtherance of his own
+objects, he treated every one with punctilious politeness. To some his
+manner might have been pleasing, but to one with any degree of
+penetration, the crafty, scheming nature under the thin veneer was
+very apparent.
+
+Meanwhile, Rutherford had rather reluctantly accepted an invitation
+from Mr. Blaisdell to go through the mills and visit one or two of the
+less important mines. The young easterner was soon much interested,
+as, after having explored one of the smaller mines, the Peep
+o'Day,--which he thought very appropriately named as he glanced upward
+from a depth of a few hundred feet,--he was taken to the mills, and
+there saw the various stages through which the ores pass in the
+process of reduction. He almost forgot his dislike of Mr. Blaisdell
+as he listened to his explanation of the different classes of ore, and
+the various kinds of treatment which they required, and met some of
+his old college acquaintances,--the sulphates, nitrates, carbonates,
+and other members of that numerous family,--in new and startling
+array; for Mr. Blaisdell was thoroughly at home in chemistry and
+mineralogy, and enjoyed nothing so much as airing the knowledge he
+possessed in that one direction. Of other branches of science, and
+even on subjects of general information, he was profoundly ignorant,
+although blissfully unconscious of the fact.
+
+Rutherford was next shown the method by which the ore ready for
+shipment was conveyed down the mountain to the cars on the spur
+tracks, hundreds of feet below, by means of a rail tramway on trestle
+work, some three thousand feet in length, having a grade of nine feet
+per each hundred feet, over which cars of ore were passing, operated
+by gravity, the weight and velocity of the descending, loaded car,
+carrying the empty car upward. He thoroughly enjoyed these novel
+scenes, and congratulated himself upon the many picturesque mining
+views which he would add to his collection.
+
+As they were passing through one of the sorting rooms, they came upon
+Mr. Haight seated before a large table covered with specimens of ore,
+which he was examining with a powerful microscope, while beside him
+were various chemical and mechanical appliances for testing the
+different ores. Rutherford was enthusiastic in his admiration of the
+specimens, particularly those from the copper mines, with their
+beautiful coloring,--the blending tints of green and purple and
+blue,--and he created considerable amusement by his ecstasies over a
+large sample of iron pyrites, which he had mistaken for a splendid
+specimen of gold ore. Altogether it was a novel and pleasant
+experience for him, and when he joined Houston later, he felt himself
+considerably wiser in western lore.
+
+After supper, Mr. Blaisdell and Haight returned to the office for a
+private conference regarding some new ores which the latter had been
+testing. Morgan strolled down the gulch in the direction of the Y,
+drawn by the attractions of the gambling house and dance hall, leaving
+the two strangers to seek their own amusement, or to be entertained by
+Miss Gladden; they chose the latter, and, since among the mountains as
+on the ocean, friendships are quickly formed, the three were soon
+chatting as pleasantly, out in the low, rustic porch, as though their
+acquaintance dated back a number of days, instead of only a few hours.
+At the kitchen door, old Jim Maverick and his sons, with a dozen or so
+miners, lounged about, smoking their pipes, and enlivened by the
+blushing, giggling Miss Bixby.
+
+With the latter crowd Lyle would never mingle, much to the indignation
+of Maverick himself, and the chagrin of two or three would-be
+admirers, and not feeling at liberty to join, unasked, the group in
+the porch, she withdrew to her little room up-stairs, and taking from
+its hiding place one of the new books her friend had brought her,
+she was for a while unconscious of everything else. Then, as the
+twilight deepened, she closed the book, and having again concealed it,
+sat watching the stars just beginning to appear, one by one, and
+musing, as she often did, on her own life. Why had she not, with her
+passionate love of the beautiful and her thirst for knowledge, been
+given the birth and training, the social advantages of any one of
+that little group below? Or, if the fates had decreed that she must be
+born in such ignorance and degradation, and spend her life in such
+surroundings, why had they not given her a nature corresponding to
+her environment, as indifferent and unaspiring as that of the
+phlegmatic Miss Bixby? Why must she always feel as if she had been
+born to a better life than this, when in all probability, it must
+always go on in the same old routine which she hated and despised?
+She wondered what Jack meant by the questions he had asked her so
+often lately, as to where they had lived before coming to the
+mountains, and regarding her earliest recollections. Well, what were
+her earliest recollections? Something so shadowy she could not
+determine whether it were remembrance or imagination; but it was a
+vague idea of light and music and beauty; and why was it that when
+she heard or read of that bright life, so foreign to her, of which she
+had never had one glimpse, that it all seemed somehow half familiar?
+She did not believe she would be very awkward or out of place, if she
+could step for the first time into some of those bright scenes as
+she imagined them; why did it all seem so home-like to her?
+
+Meanwhile, the little group below were discussing the same problem
+that Lyle herself was trying to solve.
+
+"I cannot understand," Rutherford was saying, "how such a style of
+beauty, so delicate and refined you know, could ever exist in such
+surroundings."
+
+"She is a mystery," added Houston, "and unless I am greatly mistaken,
+she has a nature as sensitive and refined as her face."
+
+"You are right, Mr. Houston," replied Miss Gladden, "she possesses
+a refinement of nature that is wonderful; and not only that, she
+has a brilliant intellect if she could only have advantages, and
+notwithstanding all the difficulties and obstacles with which she
+has had to contend, she has already acquired a fair education, is
+remarkably well informed and a good conversationalist."
+
+A few moments later, Lyle was aroused from her revery by a familiar
+voice calling her, and coming down stairs, found Miss Gladden awaiting
+her.
+
+"You runaway!" she exclaimed, "why have you been hiding when you
+should have been helping me entertain the new guests?"
+
+"I didn't think you needed any help," replied Lyle, brightly.
+
+"You never made a worse mistake in your life," said Miss Gladden,
+leading the way out on the porch. "I have been trying to tell these
+gentlemen something about this country around here, and I have only
+succeeded in betraying my own ignorance."
+
+Both gentlemen greeted Lyle pleasantly, and Houston rose and gave her
+his chair with a grave, gentle courtesy which was new to her, and
+which she was quick to observe and appreciate. For some time they
+chatted of the surrounding country, Lyle telling them where the
+finest scenery, the best hunting and fishing and the pleasantest
+picnic grounds were to be found.
+
+"About a quarter of a mile from here," she said, "in Strawberry
+gulch is a small canyon that has been fitted up for tourists and
+excursionists, and every summer numerous camping parties come out from
+Silver City for a few days or weeks. There is a fine lake at the head
+of the canyon, a boat house, and a good supply of boats, tents,
+and almost everything needed for camp life."
+
+"Have there been any camping parties yet?" asked Houston.
+
+"Not yet," replied Lyle. "It is too early; they usually begin coming
+in July; we are likely to have snow-storms out here in the mountains
+yet."
+
+"Snow-storms!" they all exclaimed; "What!" said Miss Gladden, "after
+such warm weather as this?"
+
+"Oh, yes," said Lyle, "this is only the early warm weather we always
+have in May, but it will be much colder again before summer really
+begins in earnest; though the weather is never so severe here as in
+the gulches farther up the mountains."
+
+"It seems to me," said Rutherford, "I've heard of the greatest number
+of 'gulches' out here, and some of them have the most remarkable
+names; very original, certainly."
+
+"Their names are mostly indicative of their early history," Lyle
+answered; "there are a number of them in this vicinity,--Last Chance
+gulch, Poor Man's gulch, Lucky gulch, Bloody gulch, and so on."
+
+"Has this gulch where we are, any such euphonious title?" inquired
+Miss Gladden.
+
+"This one has two names, equally euphonious and equally historical; it
+is now called Spotted Horse gulch, but years since it was known as
+Dead Man's gulch."
+
+"That sounds cheerful!" commented Miss Gladden.
+
+"Is there a ghost story connected with the gulch, Miss Maverick?"
+inquired Houston.
+
+"Yes," said Lyle, "several of them, for the miners are mostly very
+superstitious. Years ago, when there were no well developed mines
+here, only a few prospects, a man who had just sold one of the
+properties, was murdered for his money, about half way between here
+and the mines, where the road is so narrow and passes under the
+overhanging rocks. He rode a spotted horse, and from the indications
+when he was found a few days after, he must have made a desperate
+fight, for both he and the horse were shot several times. Ever since,
+it has been said that the spotted horse goes up and down the gulch at
+night, sometimes alone, and sometimes with his rider, and so the gulch
+received its name."
+
+"Is that story still believed here?" asked Houston.
+
+"More or less," replied Lyle. "There is just enough faith in it, that,
+excepting Jack," and she nodded slightly to Miss Gladden, "there is
+not a miner in camp who could be hired to pass through that part of
+the gulch at midnight, for fear of seeing the phantom horse and his
+rider."
+
+"Possibly," said Miss Gladden, "it would be well for us to adjourn for
+the night, or we may have a glimpse of the phantoms; it must be after
+ten o'clock."
+
+"After ten, impossible!" exclaimed Rutherford, springing to his feet;
+"I beg your pardon, ladies, for having detained you so long; I never
+dreamed it was so late."
+
+"The long twilight here deceives one, I have hardly become accustomed
+to it myself," said Miss Gladden.
+
+"The ladies will surely pardon us," said Houston, "since it is through
+their making the time pass so pleasantly that we have trespassed."
+
+They separated for the night, and a little later, Mr. Blaisdell and
+Haight came up from the office, but Morgan did not return until
+daylight was beginning to tinge the eastern sky.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+A number of days passed uneventfully. Houston was occupied in getting
+familiarized with the work at the office, having first created an
+epoch in the history of that institution by having the windows
+thoroughly cleaned.
+
+One of the noted characters of the mining camp was a small boy who,
+when he could scarcely walk, had, on account of his fearless spirit
+and indomitable pluck, been dubbed with the name of "Bull-dog." The
+name was so appropriate, and the little fellow himself so proud of it,
+that as he grew older it was forgotten if he ever had any other; if he
+had, no one knew what it was. He was now nearly twelve years of age,
+as small as most boys of eight or nine, but he possessed the same
+spirit as of old. Bull-dog was the oldest of five children; his
+parents lived at the Y, a worthless, disreputable pair; he spent very
+little time under the parental roof, and filial respect was entirely
+left out of his composition, and no wonder! He was a favorite among
+the miners, spending much of his time in the camp, and the shrewd
+little fellow was very observant of what went on around him, and very
+keen and worldly-wise in his judgment of human nature as he found it.
+
+He speedily made the acquaintance of Houston, and when the latter came
+down to the office on his second morning, he found the boy awaiting
+him, and an idea occurred to him.
+
+"Say, Bull-dog, can you wash windows?" he asked.
+
+"Bet yer life," was the laconic reply, accompanied by a grin.
+
+"What will you charge me for washing these four?"
+
+The small individual surveyed the windows critically, then answered:
+
+"Six bits."
+
+"Go ahead," said Houston, "let's see how good a job you can do."
+
+Two hours afterward the windows were shining, and Houston paid the
+little fellow an equally shining dollar, instead of the six bits, thus
+making of Bull-dog a friend for life, and one whose friendship
+afterward proved of great value.
+
+Nearly every afternoon found Lyle at Jack's cabin, diligently reading
+or studying, guarded by Rex, the faithful collie, who would let no one
+but Lyle enter the cabin while Jack and Mike were at their work. Two
+or three evenings of each week she spent there, reviewing her lessons
+with Jack, or listening, either to the stories which he and Mike told
+of other countries, or to the music of Mike's violin, fierce and wild,
+or sweet and pathetic, according to the mood of the musician. The
+cabin, built of logs and plaster, and consisting of two rooms and a
+small attic, resembled miners' cabins in general, with the exception
+of the second and inner room. Here, the floor was nearly covered with
+skins of animals, while on the walls were shelves and brackets,
+hand-carved in delicate designs, and filled with books and choice
+pictures, beautiful etchings and photographs of various works of art.
+A few larger pictures hung on the walls, framed in some of the same
+skillfully carved work. The pine table, covered with a brightly
+colored spread, was strewn with finely bound volumes, and scattered
+about the room were several comfortable folding chairs, which Jack had
+bought in some of his trips to Silver City. A rude fireplace had been
+built in one side of the room, over which were arranged artistically
+two or three rifles, and the heads and horns of various animals, while
+on the mantel was a fine collection of ores. Altogether, it was a
+pleasant room, and gave more evidence of good taste, education and
+refinement than could have been found for more than a score of miles
+in that region. This was Jack's sanctum, and none but his two friends,
+Lyle and Mike, were ever allowed within it.
+
+In this room, a few evenings after the arrival of the two strangers,
+Lyle was sitting with her friends. The weather was already much
+cooler, and a bright fire was burning, before which Rex was
+comfortably stretched, while he watched the faces of his two friends,
+Jack and Lyle, who, having finished their usual reading, were silent
+for a few moments, looking into the fire and listening to Mike as he
+sat in his corner, his eyes closed, his head bent lovingly over his
+violin, while he evoked some of the wild, plaintive airs of his native
+country.
+
+Jack was the first to speak, as he asked in a low tone, "You have met
+the young men I spoke of the other evening?"
+
+"Yes," replied Lyle, still gazing into the fire, "they are stopping at
+the house."
+
+"How long will they remain?"
+
+"The younger one, the one you particularly admired, is to stop for a
+few weeks only; the other will probably remain permanently, as he is
+bookkeeper for the mining company."
+
+Jack gave an almost imperceptible start, but slight as it was, Lyle
+noticed it, and turning quickly, saw a peculiar expression of mingled
+surprise, perplexity and annoyance on his usually immobile face.
+
+"Bookkeeper for the mining company!" he exclaimed, "are you sure you
+are correct?"
+
+"I can only quote for my authority the Honorable J. O. Blaisdell," she
+replied archly, "you surely wouldn't doubt his word under any
+circumstances, would you? You look surprised; did you consider Mr.
+Houston one of the 'lilies'?"
+
+Jack looked at her inquiringly.
+
+"One of the 'lilies' like Mr. Rutherford," she explained, "who 'toil
+not neither do they spin,' I supposed him one at first, but I think
+differently now; I believe he would always be a worker of some kind,
+whether it were necessary or not; at the same time I don't believe it
+is exactly necessary for him to be a bookkeeper."
+
+"You seem to have made a study of him," remarked Jack, quietly.
+
+"Of course," answered Lyle, "what else are my eyes and my small stock
+of brains for, but to study everybody and everything that comes in my
+way? Besides, it's rather interesting to find a person of some depth,
+after such shallow people as Mr. Blaisdell and Haight, and that
+class."
+
+"Sometimes, Lyle," said Jack, slowly, "these deep people make a
+dangerous study; they are likely to become too interesting."
+
+"Never you fear for me, Jack," said the girl, with considerable
+spirit, but kindly, "I know too well how the world would look upon old
+Jim Maverick's daughter, to carry my heart on my sleeve."
+
+Both were silent for a moment, Jack watching her face intently. Mike
+had left the room. Lyle continued, in a gentler tone,
+
+"Mr. Houston is a perfect gentleman; he would make a safe study for
+me, even if I didn't realize my position. He reminds me of you, Jack,
+in some ways."
+
+"Of me!" said Jack sarcastically, "your Mr. Houston would doubtless
+feel nattered at being compared to a weather-beaten miner."
+
+"You were not always a miner," retorted Lyle quickly, "and you are a
+gentleman, and always will be."
+
+"In your opinion, child," said Jack pleasantly; then turning the
+subject, he asked, "What do you think of the 'lily' as you styled him,
+Mr. Rutherford, I think you called his name?"
+
+"Oh, he is a gentlemanly fellow, not so ridiculous as he looks;
+good-hearted, but not deep like the other,--not half so interesting to
+study."
+
+"Very well," replied Jack, "go on with your 'study,' but I wish you
+would make a little more of a study of yourself and of your own life,"
+and as he spoke, he carelessly took up a magazine and began turning
+the pages.
+
+"I don't know why," answered Lyle slowly, at the same time going over
+to the table where she had caught sight of a photograph which had
+evidently been concealed by the magazine, "my life before you became
+my friend and teacher would not make an interesting study for any
+one.--Oh, Jack, whose picture is this? and when did you get it?"
+
+"That?" said Jack, answering indifferently, but watching her face
+keenly, "Oh, that is a picture I've had a great while."
+
+"But, Jack, I never saw it, did I?"
+
+"No, Lyle, I haven't seen it myself for years, until to-night."
+
+"Not for years? how strange!" said Lyle in a low tone; then looking
+wistfully at the picture, she said, half to herself, "She must have
+been some one you loved some time."
+
+"She was very dear to me," he replied, so quietly that Lyle said
+nothing, but remained looking long and earnestly at the photograph. It
+was the picture of a young girl, a few years older than herself, but
+much more matured, and wondrously beautiful. The features were almost
+perfect, and the eyes, even there, seemed so radiant and tender. There
+seemed a wealth of love and sympathy in those eyes that touched Lyle's
+lonely heart, and her own eyes filled with tears, while she gazed as
+if under a spell; then she asked in a sort of bewildered tone:
+
+"Jack, I never saw her, did I?"
+
+"Certainly not while you have been here," he replied, "I cannot say
+whom you may have seen before that."
+
+"Before I came here," repeated Lyle dreamily, laying down the picture
+and preparing to go, "that is a sort of blank for the most part. It
+seems as though this hateful life had obliterated everything before
+it; the early years of my life seem buried out of sight."
+
+"Try to resurrect them," said Jack, adding, "Keep your eyes and ears
+open, and let me know results. Had I not better go home with you?"
+
+"Oh, no, thank you," said Lyle, smiling brightly, "it isn't late."
+
+"Then Rex must go," and Rex who was only waiting for the word bounded
+to the door to signify his readiness.
+
+After Lyle had gone, Jack took the picture, and after looking at it
+sadly for a moment, replaced it in the little case in his trunk where
+it had lain so long, and then sat down by the fire, muttering,
+"Strange she did not see the resemblance! I hoped she would; there
+could not be two faces more alike."
+
+All the way home, Lyle was thinking of the beautiful face, wondering
+where she had seen it, that it should seem so familiar, and after
+dismissing Rex with a caress, she sat for some time in the low porch,
+trying to solve the mystery.
+
+"It is no use," she said to herself at length, "it is no face I have
+ever seen, unless in some of those strange dreams I used to have."
+
+Going into the house, she found her parents had retired. Rutherford
+sat in his room reading, waiting for Houston, who was working late
+that night, Mr. Blaisdell having gone back to the city for a day or
+two. Miss Gladden was writing in her room, but Lyle would not disturb
+her, and going quietly to her own little room, she was soon sleeping
+peacefully, and the beautiful face was for a time forgotten.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+
+The next morning was several degrees colder, and there were
+indications of a snow-storm. Within doors, the atmosphere betokened a
+coming storm, as old Jim Maverick was several degrees more quarrelsome
+and ugly-tempered than usual. He glared sullenly at Lyle, as she
+stepped quietly about the kitchen, preparing the early breakfast that
+he and the boys took before starting for their work.
+
+Finally he growled, "What was you doin' out so late last night? Pretty
+time 'twas when you come in, where'd you been?"
+
+Lyle seemed to take no notice of his questions for a moment, then
+replied, without a glance at him:
+
+"I was not out late; I went out for a walk early in the evening, and
+came back early, but I staid out on the porch."
+
+"Oh," he replied with a sneer, "so you was settin' out there waitin'
+for the new clerk to come home, wasn't you?"
+
+"I didn't even know he was out of the house," said Lyle, indifferent
+to his sneers, so long as he did not mistrust where she had really
+spent the evening.
+
+"Oh, no, of course not! I understand you pretty well, and don't you
+forgit it, always puttin' on your damned airs round here, too nice for
+any of your own folks; I'd like to see you made a fool of by some of
+the dudes you're so stuck on."
+
+"You never will have that pleasure," replied Lyle, coolly, "I know too
+well the opinion that people have of you and your family, to ever be
+in any danger of being made a fool of."
+
+Old Jim's face grew livid with rage, and he clenched his hand with an
+oath, but hearing some of the boarders coming in to breakfast in the
+next room, he only hissed, with a terrible leer:
+
+"Never mind, even if you are my child, with that doll-face o' yourn,
+you might rope in that rich young feller for a few thousands."
+
+Lyle staggered under the insult as if she had received a blow, and
+pale and trembling, went into the next room to wait on the guests. She
+was relieved to see that Rutherford was not there; she felt she could
+not have faced him while those words of her father's were ringing in
+her ears. There was only Mr. Houston, who greeted her with his usual
+gentle courtesy, and Morgan, whom she despised.
+
+Out in the kitchen, however, her cause was being championed by Mrs.
+Maverick, the fire flashing from her faded eyes, as she talked in a
+manner very unusual for her.
+
+"You may abuse me as much as you like, Jim Maverick," she was saying,
+"I've had nothing but abuse from you for the past twenty years, and I
+don't never expect nothing else, but if you ever lay a hand on that
+girl, or speak to her like that again, you'll be sorry for it. I can
+make you smart for it, and you know it, and I'll do it too."
+
+The boys, Joe and Jim, aged respectively twenty and eighteen, stared
+at their mother in astonishment, but their father, several shades
+paler, ordered them from the house; then advancing toward his wife,
+shaking his fist and cursing her, he exclaimed:
+
+"You damned old fool! do you think you can try to scare me? you'll
+find 'tain't very healthy business for you."
+
+"Kill me, if you want to," she replied doggedly, "but you'll find it
+won't make you any better off; I've fixed you for that."
+
+"What do you mean?" he asked, now thoroughly frightened.
+
+"Mean!" said his wife, as she saw that she at last had the brute in
+her power, "it means that you've got to let that girl alone, and
+behave yourself to me, or you'll wish you had, that's all."
+
+Just then, Minty entered on the scene, her round eyes wide open with
+astonishment, and Lyle entering an instant later from the breakfast
+room, Maverick slunk away to his work.
+
+Meanwhile, the other boarders were gathering in the breakfast room,
+Miss Gladden and Rutherford being the last to enter.
+
+"Whew!" exclaimed the latter, rubbing his hands, "this seems a little
+wintry, doesn't it? Looks like a storm, too!"
+
+"Yes," said Morgan, glancing up, "we'll probably have a snow-storm
+before noon."
+
+"How do you pleasure seekers intend to spend the day?" inquired
+Houston, addressing Miss Gladden and Rutherford.
+
+"I think I shall spend it beside the fire," replied Miss Gladden,
+shivering slightly, and sitting down for a moment beside the little
+box stove, where a wood fire was crackling and spluttering; "I haven't
+quite decided what to do, because I didn't come out here prepared for
+snow-storms."
+
+"I believe," said Rutherford, "I'll take a day off and develop some of
+the pictures I've taken lately, and sort over my collection of
+views."
+
+"That will be delightful," exclaimed Miss Gladden, smiling brightly at
+Lyle who had entered the room in time to hear Rutherford's remark, "We
+will make Mr. Rutherford entertain us with his collection, won't we
+Lyle?"
+
+Lyle smiled in assent, but Miss Gladden very quickly detected traces
+of trouble in her face, and determined, if possible, to gain her
+confidence, and find the cause. Rutherford also noticed the change in
+her appearance, and remarked, after she had again left the room:
+
+"Miss Maverick doesn't look like herself this morning, I wonder what
+is the matter."
+
+"I think there has been a storm of some kind in the kitchen," Houston
+replied, "I heard pretty loud talk when I first came in."
+
+"Yes," said Morgan, joining in the conversation, "she and the old man
+have some high old times, once in a while; and one thing is curious,
+the girl never seems afraid of him, and that's more than can be said
+of many of the men around here."
+
+"Why," asked Houston, "is he considered dangerous?"
+
+"He is a pretty tough customer," said Morgan, "I guess there's no job
+too dirty for him to do, if he's only paid for it;" and then added
+carelessly, "that's the kind of a man Blaisdell likes to have 'round
+once in a while."
+
+"What does he do?" asked Houston, "does he work in the mines?"
+
+"He used to," replied Morgan, "but he don't do any more underground
+work, he--"
+
+"Doesn't he?" interrupted Haight, with a peculiar emphasis.
+
+"Oh, yes, in some ways, plenty of it," laughed Morgan, "but I was
+speaking of the mines; he's a sort of foreman now in one of 'em, and
+tends to the sorting of the ore occasionally; helps Haight out
+sometimes, when he has a particularly delicate job on hand," and
+Morgan winked across the table at the expert, who smiled knowingly in
+return.
+
+Lyle coming into the room again, the talk regarding Maverick ceased,
+but when she had left, Morgan continued:
+
+"She's a queer girl; she gives it to the old man sometimes, up and
+down; the boys don't dare give him any lip, but she's no more afraid
+of him, than--"
+
+"Than she is of you," again interrupted Haight, with a smile that
+seemed to discompose Morgan considerably, for he colored and bit his
+lip.
+
+Miss Gladden looked annoyed, as did Houston, and Rutherford, feeling
+something was amiss, unintentionally said about the worst thing he
+could just at that moment.
+
+"I think Miss Maverick is an awfully nice girl."
+
+"We all think so," said Haight, in his blandest manner, "Mr. Morgan
+especially."
+
+"Oh," said Morgan, angrily, but trying to speak indifferently, "she's
+nice enough, as nice as girls of her class generally are."
+
+With a look of scorn and contempt that neither Haight nor Morgan soon
+forgot, Miss Gladden rose from the table and left the room, while
+Rutherford exclaimed indignantly:
+
+"Whatever 'her class' is, she is deucedly your superior, you
+contemptible puppy!"
+
+Lyle just then entering, there was an ominous silence for an instant;
+then Houston, rising from the table, remarked in a cool, even tone:
+
+"There has been enough said for the present, but" turning toward
+Morgan and Haight, "I've something to say to you two, a little
+later."
+
+Morgan put on his hat and started sullenly for the office, but Haight,
+assuming his most ingratiating smile, stepped up to Houston, and, in a
+low tone, began to apologize. Houston interrupted him.
+
+"There is no need of any words here," he said coldly, "I shall call on
+you at the sorting rooms this morning, and shall then have something
+to say to you, but I wish no words from you, at all," and retiring to
+his room, he left Haight in a state of considerable trepidation. He
+hurried after Morgan, and soon overtook him.
+
+"I say," he began, "we've got that new fellow stirred up, and I wish
+we hadn't; I don't want any trouble."
+
+"Hang you, you little, sneaking coward!" answered Morgan, "if you
+didn't want trouble, why didn't you hold your tongue? Whatever fuss
+there is you've kicked up yourself, with your own smartness, so what
+are you whining about?"
+
+"Oh, well, you know my principles, Morgan; I never want quarrels with
+anybody; you know the old saying, 'the good will of a dog is better
+than--'"
+
+"Oh, shut up!" said Morgan, "you make me tired! You're a damned
+coward, and that's all there is about it. It's my opinion, though, in
+the case of this dog, that his bark is a good deal worse than his
+bite."
+
+Meanwhile, Houston was preparing to go to the office.
+
+"Say, old boy," said Rutherford, "hadn't I better go down with you?
+You may have some trouble, you know, and I shouldn't wonder if they
+would be two pretty nasty fellows to meddle with."
+
+"Much obliged, Ned," said Houston, "but I can take care of those two
+fellows, and twenty more just like them. Haight is an out and out
+coward, he wouldn't fight any more than he would cut his own throat.
+Morgan would show fight, perhaps, but I'd finish him up before he even
+knew where he was."
+
+"I guess I put my foot in it, saying what I did," said Rutherford,
+staring through his eye-glasses in a meditative manner, "but it did
+make me hot, their insinuating things in that way about such a nice
+little girl as Lyle, and before Miss Gladden, too."
+
+"There will be no more of it, that is certain," replied Houston
+decidedly, and he was gone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+A few moments later, Houston stepped briskly into the office. Morgan
+sat at his desk, sorting some mining reports, and looked up with a
+sullen, defiant glance, but Houston ignored him, and going to his own
+desk, began making preparations for his day's work.
+
+Bull-dog, who, since washing the windows, had constituted himself
+office boy, had built the fire and was now sweeping. Houston greeted
+him pleasantly, but his keen eyes at once detected trouble between
+Houston and Morgan, and he was immediately on the alert.
+
+After the little fellow had finished his work, and Houston supposed he
+had gone, he walked with a firm, decided step, over to where Morgan
+stood lounging and looking out of the window. Morgan turned, and angry
+as he was, he could not help a feeling of admiration for the splendid,
+athletic form standing, firm as a rock, before him. Houston's keen,
+dark eyes looked straight into his own, and for a moment, not a muscle
+of his face moved, the finely cut features might have been chiseled in
+stone; then he spoke, in even, measured tones, cold and cutting as
+steel itself:
+
+"Mr. Morgan, I have this much to say to you, and it will be well for
+you to remember it; that if I ever hear another insinuation against
+that young lady of whom you were speaking this morning, or an
+improper word of any kind in the presence of either of those ladies at
+the house, I will put you in such shape, that you will not be able to
+come to the office for a week; and more than that, there will be no
+office work here for you."
+
+"What do you mean by that last threat?" asked Morgan defiantly.
+
+"I mean just this; that I know enough about you, that if I should
+repeat what I know to Mr. Blaisdell, you would not remain in this
+office one day longer."
+
+Morgan grew pale. "You seem to know a great deal for a man that's been
+here no longer than you have. I suppose Lyle Maverick has been filling
+you up with stuff about me."
+
+"She has never mentioned your name to me, and you will do well not to
+bring her name into this conversation."
+
+"Seems to me you're wonderfully particular about old Jim Maverick's
+girl," Morgan sneered, "I suppose you want her for yourself, though I
+should think the other one--"
+
+Morgan never finished his sentence; a blow that he afterwards said was
+"worse than the kick of a mule," had closed one eye.
+
+With an oath, he made a terrible lunge toward Houston, but he knew
+nothing more until about fifteen minutes later, when he found himself
+lying on the floor, under the long desk, on the opposite side of the
+room, while Houston stood a few feet away, watching him.
+
+"You dirty contemptible cur!" said Houston, "do you think because you
+have no sense of honor, because you are so vile you can have no idea
+of what purity means, that every one is like yourself? You deserve to
+be kicked like a dog; come out from there and fight, why don't you?"
+
+"I don't believe I'm very anxious to, if you'd just as soon excuse
+me," said Morgan, who had gradually assumed a sitting posture, and was
+passing his hand over his eye and jaw. Then, looking up with as much
+of a grin as he could muster, with his rapidly swelling face, he
+said, "Give it up, Houston; you're a better man than I am; I'll let
+you boss this ranch."
+
+"Do you mean," asked Houston sternly, "that from this time there will
+be no more insinuations against ladies, and no innuendoes in their
+presence?"
+
+"Yes, I agree," said Morgan, "I'll never say anything myself, and I'll
+smash any other fellow that does; I think," he added, reflectively,
+"that you've showed me how pretty well, though I'd a little rather
+you'd practiced on some other fellow, Haight, for instance."
+
+"I'll attend to Haight," said Houston, helping Morgan to his feet, and
+smiling grimly at the figure he made.
+
+An hour later, Houston presented himself at the sorting rooms, where
+Haight met him with many smiles, offering to show him through the
+rooms.
+
+"Another time will do, Mr. Haight," said Houston coldly, "I have
+business with yourself this morning."
+
+"Oh, yes," said Haight, as if the thought had just occurred to him,
+"that unfortunate business at the table this morning; Mr. Houston, I
+am more than sorry for what happened, and assure you, that, so far as
+I am concerned, it shall never occur again."
+
+"It will be much better for your interests that it should not,"
+replied Houston; "I have not been in the habit of hearing such
+insinuations against ladies, or such language in their presence; and
+there is something more I have to say to you," he continued, as he saw
+Haight was trying to speak; "you were bookkeeper for the company, for
+a while, were you not?"
+
+"Certainly," replied Haight in a tone of surprise, "I kept the books
+for a few months last year."
+
+"So I have been informed since coming here, and I wish to state that
+the other day I had occasion to refer to some of the old books kept by
+you, and I very soon found evidences of a few shady transactions on
+your part that I think you would not care to have come to the
+knowledge of the company."
+
+"You must be mistaken, Mr. Houston," said Haight, trying to preserve a
+calm exterior, but paling visibly; "it must have been some of Mr.
+Johnson's work you found."
+
+"No, Mr. Haight," said Houston firmly, "it was your own work, in your
+own writing, and very bunglingly done at that; a man would not need to
+be an expert accountant,--and that is what I am,--to detect the
+fraud."
+
+"Mr. Houston," interrupted Haight, in trembling tones, "everything
+here shall be as you wish, and I will help you too,--I can be of
+use to you,--if you will just say nothing. There were certain
+circumstances that I cannot now explain, that justified the
+transactions you allude to; and as I have told you, I regret what
+occurred this morning, and it shall not be repeated. But really,
+Mr. Houston," he continued, "I had no idea that my teasing Morgan
+this morning would have such an effect; you see, what I was joking
+about was really to Miss Maverick's credit; it seems that a few
+weeks ago, he was rather smitten with her and attempted to be what she
+thought was a little too familiar, and she gave him a black eye,
+and--"
+
+"He has another one now," said Houston, rising abruptly.
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed Haight.
+
+"Yes, and there will be more black eyes if there are any more
+insinuations of that character," and Houston returned to the office,
+leaving behind him a bitter enemy, but one whose enmity would be
+concealed by a cloak of friendship.
+
+Meanwhile, while Houston was pursuing his chivalric course, Miss
+Gladden, sitting by the fire in the deserted breakfast room, was
+planning in what way and by what means she could best help her young
+friend in whom she felt such an interest. The scene at the table had
+given her a new insight into Lyle's surroundings; the rudeness and
+insult to which the beautiful girl was likely to be subjected in such
+a home, the possible dangers to which she might also be exposed, and
+she was more than ever determined to win the confidence of the
+reserved, proud-spirited girl.
+
+In the midst of her reflections, Lyle entered the room, and Miss
+Gladden saw there were still traces of trouble in her face.
+Unconscious of the friends who were beginning to care for her welfare,
+Lyle had felt that morning as though she could endure her life there
+no longer. She had felt by a sort of instinct that she was in some way
+connected with the talk at the table, and she knew that both Morgan
+and Haight would not hesitate to injure her by their insinuations, in
+retaliation for the manner in which she had met their advances.
+Thirsting for human sympathy, her heart quickly responded to Miss
+Gladden's words, as she told Lyle of her interest in her, her sympathy
+for her, and her desire to help her, and in reply to one or two
+questions, she spoke freely of the trials she had suffered, inevitably
+connected with a life such as hers, and touched by the kindness of her
+new-found friend, Lyle continued:
+
+"The insults and insinuations of those men, and others like them,
+are bad enough, but I expect nothing else from such as they, but
+when one receives insult from the source where one would expect
+protection,--that is hardest of all," and with flushed cheeks and
+quivering lips, Lyle related the scene with her father, and his
+words to her, while Miss Gladden looked inexpressibly shocked.
+
+"I was almost desperate this morning," she said in conclusion, "I felt
+as though I could not live such a life any longer; I must go
+somewhere, anywhere, to get away from it. Mother says that nothing of
+that kind shall ever happen again, that father is in her power in some
+way, and she will not let him abuse me; but it is this whole wretched
+life that I despise, if I could only be freed from that!"
+
+"I hope, dear, your life will not always be like this," said Miss
+Gladden, "it shall not be if it is in my power to prevent it; perhaps
+I may be able to brighten it in some way."
+
+"You have already," said Lyle gratefully, "I shall be happy now, as
+long as you are here; after you are gone away,--" she shuddered
+slightly, then added, "who knows what may happen before that time?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+A few hours later, a wild, mountain storm was raging outside, the wind
+roaring down the canyon from the icy fields above, driving the fast
+falling snow in every direction, with blinding fury.
+
+Within doors, however, a happy group were seated around the fire,
+oblivious of the storm outside, or with just enough consciousness of
+its fury to add to the enjoyment of the warmth and comfort inside.
+
+Miss Gladden was, as usual, becomingly gowned in a house dress of
+rich, warm color, while she had persuaded Lyle to put on a dark blue
+dress of her own, which, with a very little change, fitted as though
+originally intended for her, and also to dress her beautiful, golden
+hair high on her head, thus producing a change in her appearance which
+astonished even Miss Gladden herself.
+
+The perfectly fitting gown revealed the outlines of her well developed
+and finely proportioned form; its color seemed to enhance the delicacy
+of her face and the brilliancy of her eyes, while the graceful
+coiffure showed to good advantage the beautifully shaped head, and
+added to her dignity. She seemed suddenly to have been transformed
+from shy, reserved girlhood, to graceful, royal womanhood.
+
+As she, with Miss Gladden, entered the room where Rutherford awaited
+them, that young gentleman started suddenly, and turning, gazed at the
+regal little beauty, with her golden coronet, in undisguised
+admiration, much to the amusement of both ladies.
+
+"Great Cæsar!" he exclaimed, "what metamorphosis is this? Excuse me,
+Miss Maverick, I really couldn't help it; I thought you were a sort of
+little girl, you know, and you are,--begging your pardon,--a very
+beautiful young lady."
+
+Both ladies laughed merrily, and Miss Gladden secretly resolved that
+Lyle, in the future, should always be dressed becomingly, if her
+influence could accomplish anything in that direction.
+
+The afternoon passed very pleasantly in looking over the beautiful
+views which Rutherford had collected since he left his distant,
+eastern home. The pictures taken among the mountains had developed
+finely, and they all grew enthusiastic over them. Then there were
+pictures of his friends, in groups and singly, and in laughable
+combinations and positions; among them, some which Rutherford had
+taken of his friend, Tom Durston, and his family, at the ranch where
+he had stopped over night on his way out. There was one of Tom
+himself, in a futile attempt to milk a refractory cow, where he lay
+sprawling ingloriously upon the ground, the milk bucket pouring its
+foaming contents over him, the excited cow performing a war dance,
+while two others, more peaceably inclined, looked on in mild-eyed
+astonishment: chickens were flying in every direction, with
+outstretched necks and wings, while in the background, a company of
+geese were hissing their disapproval of the scene.
+
+The girls laughed until the tears were in their eyes. "How did you
+ever get such a picture? and so perfect!" they asked.
+
+"Oh, I just happened to," he answered, "I was out that morning, with
+my kodak all ready, looking for a subject, and I saw Tom milking, and
+thought it would be fun to take a picture of him to send back to the
+class-boys, you know; I held the kodak up and was just ready--when
+that old cow sent him flying quicker than lightning, and I caught the
+picture all right. I'm going to mail him one copy."
+
+There was a picture of Tom's baby, taking his bath, his mouth wide
+open and his eyes shut, crying lustily for his mother, who had
+deserted him to run to Tom's assistance. Then there were pictures of
+Rutherford's home and friends, among them, that of a brother, older
+than himself, which particularly attracted Lyle's attention; she
+looked at it long and earnestly. He was sitting in an easy attitude,
+smoking a cigar, and looking at the face of a beautiful, dark-eyed
+girl, of about her own age, which appeared above him, encircled by
+the light clouds of smoke,--just the face and no more. Rutherford
+stated that it was his brother and their only sister, and explained
+the process by which it was taken, but the picture remained in Lyle's
+memory for many a day.
+
+After a while, Houston, returning a little early on account of the
+storm, joined them, and the four friends spent the most enjoyable
+evening which they had yet known together, notwithstanding the storm.
+
+It had been an eventful day. To Lyle, and one or two of the others, it
+was the beginning of a new life, though they did not then realize it;
+the first, faint flush that heralds the coming of the sun to brighten
+the new day, but which is so subtle and silent, that few are aware of
+its presence.
+
+Houston, on his return to the house at noon, had given, in answer to
+Rutherford's eager inquiries, an account of the "skirmish" as he
+called it. Rutherford was so proud of his friend, and of the victory
+he had won, that at the first opportunity, he told the story to Miss
+Gladden, before Houston had even returned to the office. Miss Gladden
+was enthusiastic in her admiration of the course he had taken, so
+different from many of the young men she had known in wealthy,
+aristocratic circles, in thus defending a poor, friendless girl,
+subject to insult because she had the misfortune, under such
+circumstances, to be beautiful; and obeying the impulses of her
+noble-hearted, high-spirited nature, she went to Houston, as she saw
+him standing alone a few minutes after dinner, and extending her hand,
+with a bright smile, said:
+
+"Sir Knight, I want to thank you, in Lyle's name and my own, for the
+chivalric course you have taken this morning."
+
+She could get no further; Houston, still holding her hand, interrupted
+her.
+
+"Do not thank me, Miss Gladden; I have only done what it is the duty
+of every true man to do."
+
+"Then," said Miss Gladden, interrupting him in turn, "true men must be
+exceedingly rare. I know very few, Mr. Houston, who would champion
+the cause of a girl in Lyle's circumstances, in the manner you have
+done," and then, with much feeling, she spoke of some of Lyle's
+trials, and of her own determination to help her.
+
+A beautiful woman is never so lovely as when defending the cause of
+some sister less fortunate than herself, and Houston thought he had
+never seen Miss Gladden so beautiful as at that moment, and the
+thought must in some way have conveyed itself to his eyes, for there
+was something in his glance that brought a bright color to Miss
+Gladden's cheek, and an added tenderness to her soulful eyes;
+something that remained with her all that day, and somehow made life,
+even in the heart of the mountains, shut out from the rest of the
+world, look more inviting, more alluring than it had ever done
+before.
+
+With Houston, also, the memory of those eyes with their depths of
+tenderness, and the hand whose touch had thrilled him with its
+magnetism, lingered, and brightened all that stormy afternoon.
+
+To Lyle, this day seemed the beginning of a new epoch in her solitary,
+isolated life. For the first time, she had found genial companionship,
+human sympathy and love, and chivalrous protection; for Miss Gladden
+had hastened to tell her of the part Mr. Houston had taken in her
+defense; and as the slowly maturing bud suddenly unfolds in the
+morning sunlight, so in the new light and warmth which she had found
+that day, her nature had suddenly expanded into mature, conscious
+womanhood.
+
+That evening, as the little group of friends were separating for the
+night, Miss Gladden having already gone up-stairs, Lyle, with a new
+dignity and grace, walked over to where Houston stood by the fire,
+with dreamy, thoughtful eyes.
+
+"Mr. Houston," said she, in low, sweet tones, "Miss Gladden has told
+me of your kindness toward me to-day, and though she has thanked you
+for us both, yet I wish to thank you personally."
+
+"Miss Maverick," he replied in his grave, gentle manner, "you are more
+than welcome to any kindness I can do for you, but do not thank me for
+what I did to-day; that was nothing, I would have been a beast not to
+have done that little."
+
+"If you could know," she said, earnestly, "how rare such kindness and
+protection have been in my past life, you would realize that it does
+not seem like 'nothing' to me."
+
+To Houston, Lyle seemed much less mature than Miss Gladden, and though
+he had been quick to observe the added charm in her manner that
+evening, still she seemed to him little more than a child. Her words,
+and something in the expression of those star-like eyes, touched him
+deeply, and taking her hands in his, he answered tenderly:
+
+"My dear child, I am very sorry for the loneliness of your past life,
+and I want you, from this time, to regard me as a brother, and if
+there should be any way in which I could protect you, or help you, do
+not hesitate to tell me freely."
+
+For the first time in all those weary years within her recollection,
+Lyle went to her rest that night with a heart satisfied; for as yet,
+only the surface of her affections had been stirred, and the hidden
+depths below were still unfathomed, awaiting the influence of some
+mightier power.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+The snow-storm detained Mr. Blaisdell in the city rather longer than
+he intended, and Houston had improved the time in going over all the
+old books and office records which were available.
+
+The books of the company he could examine at his leisure, on some
+pretext or other, in Morgan's presence, but his extra work, which had
+occupied his evenings, consisted in going over the old letter files,
+mining reports and assay statements, making copies of whatever he
+found that would be of value to him later. He had found evidence of
+fraudulent transactions in the books of the company, and of these he
+had made careful memoranda, but so far, the greatest amount of
+evidence which he had secured, had been discovered in the old letters
+written by Mr. Blaisdell to other members of the company at Silver
+City, and received by him in return. These were copied exactly into a
+set of small books which he had brought for that purpose, and he had
+also made tracings and blue print copies of plats and maps of the most
+important mines, and of the plans of their underground workings.
+
+What he now particularly desired was some turn of affairs that would
+necessitate his visiting the mines, and give him an opportunity to
+become familiar with their workings, and that, in some way, he could
+gain access to the books and papers of the main office at Silver City,
+as he would there find records of the business transacted directly
+with the company in New York. He had taken the precaution to bring
+with him copies of letters on file in the New York offices, but he now
+felt that much of the most important evidence was contained in the
+office at Silver City, and was the missing link which he would need
+before going much farther, and as he sat at his desk one bright
+morning, a few days after the storm, mentally reviewing the whole
+situation, he was planning how he could best secure this also.
+
+Morgan, still carrying a few scars, sat with his legs crossed on top
+of his table, reading a newspaper, when the door opened, and Mr.
+Blaisdell entered.
+
+"Well, boys, good-morning," was his greeting, as he glanced quickly
+around the office, and Morgan's feet suddenly descended to the floor.
+"What's the matter with your eye, Morgan?"
+
+"Oh, nothing, been sparring a little, that's all."
+
+"Been down to the mines this morning?"
+
+"No, sir, not yet; I thought maybe you'd be up and want to give some
+directions before I went down."
+
+"Very considerate!" remarked Mr. Blaisdell sarcastically, "you know I
+would come to the mines myself, anyway, and could give directions
+there just as well as here. Get ready to go down there with me, I'm
+going in a few minutes."
+
+Going over to Houston's desk, he glanced hastily over the books, gave
+some instructions, and saying that he wished to see him later, went
+out to join Morgan.
+
+"Morgan, how did you get that eye?" he asked again.
+
+"Oh, Houston and I had a little set-to the other day, and he hit me
+pretty hard, that's all."
+
+"What was it about?" demanded Mr. Blaisdell.
+
+"Nothing much," answered Morgan, carelessly, "we had some words about
+that girl of Maverick's; I guess he's a little stuck on her himself,
+and was afraid I'd be in his way, or something of the kind; I got mad
+and hit him, or tried to, and he gave me a knock-out."
+
+"I was going to say that he doesn't look as though you had hit him
+very hard," remarked Mr. Blaisdell dryly, and then continued, "Well, I
+don't see the use of coming to blows over Maverick's girl, or any
+other for that matter, they're not so scarce as all that. Jim's girl
+has got a pretty face, but she isn't worth fighting about, that I can
+see."
+
+There were reasons for Mr. Blaisdell's superior indifference to Lyle's
+attractions, as she had been compelled more than once, in a most
+emphatic manner, to check attempts at undue familiarity on his part,
+notwithstanding the fact that he was a much-married man, living with
+his third wife, his table surrounded with "olive plants"--fifteen in
+number--of all sizes and descriptions, and regarded in the bosom of
+his family as a model husband and father.
+
+Late in the afternoon, Mr. Blaisdell returned to the office, looking
+very weary and somewhat worried. Morgan remained at the mines the rest
+of the day. Mr. Blaisdell went over the books with Houston, and after
+expressing considerable satisfaction at the work which he had
+accomplished, he sat down by himself, and seemed lost in thought for
+some time. At last he said:
+
+"Mr. Houston, I've been thinking for some time that we need a little
+extra help in the office at Silver City, and yet not enough that it
+has seemed advisable to employ another bookkeeper. Our books there are
+getting behind, and a little mixed, too, I'm afraid. Mr. Lewis, our
+bookkeeper, is quite an old man, and he has charge of two or three
+sets of books for the different companies, and it is not to be
+wondered at if he occasionally gets a little confused; and it occurred
+to me while sitting here, that perhaps you might be willing to come
+down, for a day or two, and straighten out the books for us."
+
+Houston seemed for a moment to be weighing the matter very deliberately.
+
+"Of course I could do it," he replied, "but it would involve
+considerable extra time and expense for me, and I would want extra
+compensation."
+
+"Oh, of course," responded Mr. Blaisdell, readily, "I understand that;
+indeed, I was going to remark that you have already accomplished so
+much work, and your methods seem to be so exact and, at the same time,
+expeditious, that we will consider your term of probation here at an
+end; we agreed to raise your salary at the end of the month, if your
+services were satisfactory; they are eminently so, and I will take the
+responsibility of paying you one hundred and twenty-five dollars for
+this first month also. As to your fare back and forth between here and
+Silver City, of course we will pay that."
+
+"Then," said Houston, smiling and inwardly congratulating himself, "I
+do not see but that it is settled that I go to Silver City whenever
+you are ready."
+
+"Very well," said Mr. Blaisdell, "you will not need to go down there
+for ten days or so, as the time will make no appreciable difference in
+the state of affairs there, and I shall need you here during that
+time, as some parties are coming out from the east to look at some
+mining properties, and both Morgan and myself will probably have to
+spend most of our time at the mines."
+
+That evening, at the boarding house, Houston sat apparently interested
+in a game of chess between Miss Gladden and Rutherford, but in
+reality, paying close attention to a conversation carried on in low
+tones between Mr. Blaisdell and Morgan. Only an occasional sentence
+was audible, but he could gather enough to satisfy himself regarding
+the nature of their plans.
+
+"Clean the rubbish out of the shaft, and set a couple of men to work
+there for a day or two," Mr. Blaisdell was saying; a few words were
+lost, and then he said, "Whenever I hear what day they are coming up,
+we'll put on a good force."
+
+"They'll have their own expert with them, I suppose?" asked Morgan.
+
+"Yes," answered Mr. Blaisdell, "but if he's like the most of those
+eastern experts, Haight and I can fix him very easily."
+
+A little later the conversation ended, Mr. Blaisdell saying, as he
+rose to go to his room:
+
+"It is a confoundedly poor property, but I think a few tons of ore
+from the Yankee Boy will sell it all right."
+
+This remark gave Houston considerable food for reflection, as the
+Yankee Boy was one of the richest properties owned by the New York
+company. He had that day received his first letter from his uncle, in
+New York, sent under cover of an envelope from the Chicago firm, and
+written in reply to a letter from himself mailed immediately upon his
+arrival at the mines; and Mr. Blaisdell and Morgan having left,
+Houston retired to his room to make his first report of the
+information he had secured and seemed likely to secure, concerning the
+ways and means of the western mining company; leaving the chess
+players deep in their game, and Lyle watching them.
+
+Lyle, though keeping up her studies afternoons, had not been down to
+Jack's cabin since the evening he had shown her the picture, partly on
+account of the storm, and partly because she feared her father might
+be watching her.
+
+Jack had wondered at her absence, thinking perhaps her new friends had
+something to do with it; but on this night, Jack had other company, as
+Bull-dog had ensconced himself in Mike's chair beside the stove, and
+having also appropriated Mike's briar pipe,--its owner being
+absent,--was smoking with all the gravity and self-possession of an
+old-timer, and entertaining Jack with his quaint talk.
+
+"Say," he said at last, clasping his hands about his knee, and holding
+the pipe between his teeth, "have ye seen that new feller up at the
+orfice. Mister Houston, they call him?"
+
+Jack replied, very indifferently, that he had seen him once or twice.
+
+"Well, now, he's a Joe-dandy, a regular cracker-jack; an' he's goin'
+ter be boss of that whole shootin' match, Morgan an' that little,
+black, snaky feller, an' old Blaisdell, too, if he don't look out fer
+hisself."
+
+"What makes you think so?" asked Jack, much amused.
+
+"I don't think so, I know it. He's got more sand than all the rest of
+'em put together, an' he ain't afraid of nobody. 'D ye hear 'bout that
+fight that him 'n Morgan had?"
+
+"No, did they fight?" inquired Jack, much surprised.
+
+"Did they fight!" exclaimed the little Arab, removing the pipe from
+his mouth, and shaking his head with evident satisfaction at the
+remembrance of the scene, "well, I should smile! Morgan, he tried hard
+enough ter fight, but the other feller did him up in 'bout the
+sixteenth part of a second!"
+
+"Were you there?" asked Jack, laughing.
+
+"I was peekin' through a crack in the door; they s'posed I'd gone, but
+I see somethin' was up when Mister Houston first come in, an' I just
+makes up my mind I'll see the fun through, an' when I goes out, I
+bangs the door hard, and then opens it agin, careful like, and peeks
+in; an' Mister Houston, he had walked over ter where Morgan was, an'
+had lit into him 'bout somethin' or ruther he'd ben sayin', an' if he
+didn't lay down the law ter him, I'll eat my hat. An' then Morgan he
+sets out to give him some of his lip, and by Jiminy! 'fore he could
+spit the words out, biff! comes a stunner right in his face, and shut
+one eye. My, wasn't he mad though! Then he goes ter give the other
+feller a punch in the head, an' Houston, he ducked the purtiest ye
+ever see, and let out a blow at Morgan's jaw, an' gee-whizz! Morgan
+goes a flying across the room, and lan's under the big desk, and he
+never come to fer 'bout twenty minits. My, but 'twas the slickest
+knock-out ye ever see, Corbett couldn't a done it slicker hisself! an'
+I rolled down them steps a laughin' so I 'most died. I went back after
+he'd come to, an' Mister Houston was a tellin' him ter come out an'
+fight, but he didn't seem ter wan'ter very bad, an' I see the fun was
+over, so I come away."
+
+Jack had laughed heartily over Bull-dog's description of the scene;
+now he asked:
+
+"What was the fight about?"
+
+"Well," said Bull-dog, gravely replacing his pipe in his mouth, "'s
+near 's I could make out, 'twas 'bout some girl."
+
+"What girl?" inquired Jack, rather quickly.
+
+"Well, the new feller, he didn't call no names, but I heerd Morgan say
+somethin' 'bout Lyle Maverick, an' so I guess 'twas her, but I knew
+you was always kinder sweet on her yourself, an' so I wasn't goin' ter
+say nothin', 'cause, 'nless you're a scrapper, you won't stand no sort
+of a chance with that feller."
+
+"All right, Bull-dog," said Jack, "I'm something of a 'scrapper'
+myself, but I don't expect to get into any trouble;" the tone was
+kind, and he spoke with a half smile, but the keenly observant eyes of
+the boy detected a shade on Jack's face. However, all conversation was
+suddenly checked by the entrance of Mike, who, in a manner more
+forcible than ceremonious, dispossessed Bull-dog of his chair and
+pipe. The little waif soon took his departure, but it was some time
+before the cloud on Jack's brow was dispelled.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+For the next day or two, Houston saw very little of either Mr.
+Blaisdell or Morgan, as they spent most of their time at the mines,
+but his own work was greatly increased, as copies of mining reports
+regarding the Sunrise mine, and duplicate sets of statements of the
+assay values of samples of ore taken from its various shafts, were to
+be made out with the greatest care. There were tracings and blue
+prints to be made from the original plats, by which it was to be shown
+that the vein of the Sunrise mine was but an extension of that of the
+Morning Star, one of the famous North Star group of mines; and there
+were also very important and strictly confidential letters to be
+written, under Mr. Blaisdell's directions, to the Silver City office,
+more particularly to Mr. Rivers, the secretary of the company, whom
+Houston had not yet seen.
+
+The Sunrise mine which was suddenly looming up into such prominence,
+was one of which Houston had never heard, but judging from the rich
+samples of ore produced, and the testimony of experts and assayers, it
+seemed to be one of the most valuable properties in that locality; but
+to Houston, situated as he was, behind the scenes, it only afforded an
+additional glimpse of the business methods of the company.
+
+As he still sat at his desk, having just completed his day's work,
+Morgan came in and threw himself down heavily into a chair, taking his
+favorite attitude, with his feet crossed on the table, and his hands
+clasped behind his head.
+
+"You look tired, Morgan," commented Houston.
+
+"I am tired," he replied, "too tired to breathe if I wasn't obliged
+to; this has been a hard day's work, and if old Blaisdell sells that
+mine, as he expects to, he'll have to divy up pretty liberally."
+
+Houston turned around facing Morgan, with a peculiar smile.
+
+"The Sunrise mine seems to have developed wonderfully within the past
+few days," he remarked quietly.
+
+Morgan laughed; "You'd think so," he replied, "if you could have seen
+it four days ago. There hasn't been a day's work done on it for over a
+year; some of it had caved in, and even the main shaft was pretty well
+filled up with rubbish. Now that's all cleaned out, and the few places
+where there is any quantity of ore in sight show up to good advantage,
+and we've hauled eight or ten tons of ore from the Yankee Boy down
+onto the dump, so it makes a pretty respectable showing. Oh, the boss
+is a cuckoo for any job of that kind."
+
+"Does the mining company own the Yankee Boy?" asked Houston.
+
+"No," answered Morgan, "that whole group of mines is owned by a set
+of New Yorkers; this company out here is their agent, that's all."
+
+"And New Yorkers are not supposed to know all the ins and outs of
+their western agent's mining deals," commented Houston.
+
+"Well, I should say not! There's a good many things going on that they
+are not supposed to know about, and that they wouldn't be very likely
+to get onto, either, some of 'em, even if they were right on the
+ground. Some of those ducks are pretty green, and fellows like
+Blaisdell or Rivers can make them believe most anything. If Blaisdell
+was half as smart as he makes some of those eastern fellows think he
+is, he would have been a rich man before this."
+
+"Why," said Houston, in surprise, "Blaisdell is quite well off, isn't
+he?"
+
+Morgan's only answer was a significant shake of the head.
+
+"What!" exclaimed Houston in astonishment.
+
+"Really, he is not worth a dollar," answered Morgan, "every nickle's
+worth of property that he ever had, that he hasn't lost outright, has
+been put into the hands of his wife, or his sons, or somebody or
+other, heaven knows who, I don't, nor nobody else."
+
+"Well, I am surprised," said Houston, "he seems shrewd and sharp in
+business matters, and I supposed he was a rich man. He must have made
+considerable money, what has become of it?"
+
+Morgan shrugged his shoulders; "Have you seen old Rivers yet?" he
+inquired.
+
+"The secretary? No, I've never met him."
+
+"Well," continued Morgan, "you probably will, in a day or two, he'll
+be likely to come up with the eastern party; and when you've seen him,
+you've seen the biggest rascal, and at the same time the slickest duck
+there is on this side of the divide, and I doubt if there's any on the
+other side can beat him. Old Blaisdell's pretty smooth, but he ain't a
+circumstance to Rivers. Rivers will rob you of your last dollar, and
+make you think he's your best friend all the time. Oh, he's a lulu,
+and no mistake!"
+
+Further conversation was prevented by the entrance of Mr. Blaisdell,
+with a fine lot of ore samples with their assay values attached, which
+he arranged on his desk, his thin lips drawn back meanwhile in his
+accustomed self-satisfied smile. When this was done, he turned to the
+young men.
+
+"Well," he began, with a low chuckle of delight, "I've got word my
+party is coming all right. Haight just got a telegram from Rivers,
+that Winters had wired him that he and his son and the expert would be
+in Silver City, on to-morrow's train, so I will have to go back to the
+city to-night, to be in readiness to meet them. Let me see, this is
+Wednesday, they arrive Thursday; Morgan, set the men to work on that
+mine Friday morning; we will be up here in the course of the forenoon,
+you see that everything is in first-class order. Houston, are those
+statements and tracings all ready?"
+
+"They are," replied Houston.
+
+"Very well, put them up as quick as you can, I'll take them to the
+city with me, and the team will be here in half a minute; I want to
+catch that six o'clock train. I didn't expect to have to go to-night,
+but that telegram has hurried up matters. Morgan, you keep everything
+straight to-morrow, and be ready for us Friday morning."
+
+"Shall I send a team down?" asked Morgan.
+
+"No, no matter about that, I'll take Joe Hunt's team there at the Y,
+it will be a rather more stylish turnout than one of the mining teams.
+Everything is here O.K. I suppose," as Houston handed him the papers
+he had requested, "all right, there's my team; well, so long, boys,
+don't get into any more fights while I'm gone," and he was soon
+rattling down the canyon toward the Y, while Houston and Morgan began
+to make preparations for closing the office.
+
+"Well," said Morgan, as he stood looking out of the window, and
+waiting for Houston to put away his books and papers for the night, "I
+can just imagine the little scene that will be enacted down there at
+the main office to-morrow, it would be as good as a play just to watch
+it. There will be old Wilson, with his diamonds and palaver,
+expatiating on the country and the mines; and Blaisdell, with that
+dignified way of his, talking of nitrates and sulphides, and so many
+milligrams equaling so many grains troy, and so many gramestons in so
+many pounds avoirdupois, and all that razzle-dazzle, and Rivers, not
+saying much of anything, but smiling, and calculating how many
+thousands he is going to put in his own pockets."
+
+Houston laughed, and was about to reply, when Rutherford came in, as
+he often walked down to meet Houston and accompany him to the house.
+
+"Come in, Ned," said Houston, "you should have been here a minute ago;
+Morgan has been giving some verbal portraits of the mining company.
+Your descriptive powers are excellent, Morgan, and you seem to know
+these men pretty well."
+
+"Know them," said Morgan, swinging himself astride a chair and folding
+his arms upon the back, while Rutherford perched upon a large writing
+table, and Houston leaned against his long desk, with his arms folded,
+"Know them, I should think I ought to. I worked in the Silver City
+office as bookkeeper for a year before coming out here, and six months
+of that time I boarded in Blaisdell's family; and as his wife hates
+Rivers' wife, and couldn't say enough about her, I knew about as much
+of one family as the other before I came away."
+
+"Does Mr. Blaisdell try to impress his better half with a sense of his
+intellectual superiority, as he does the rest of his fellow mortals?"
+asked Rutherford.
+
+"If he ever did," answered Morgan, "he must have got bravely over it
+some time ago; she treats him with a contempt that would have cured
+him of that habit. I've sometimes thought that the reason he swells so
+much out among people is because he's so unmercifully snubbed at
+home."
+
+"I see," said Rutherford, "just a natural effort to keep his
+self-respect in equilibrium."
+
+"Has he many children?" inquired Houston.
+
+"Well, no," said Morgan, "not many, only fifteen."
+
+"Only fifteen!" said Houston, in astonishment, while Rutherford
+exclaimed, "Oh, come off now, you're joking!"
+
+"No joking about it," said Morgan seriously, "I took the old man's
+word for it. I tried several times to count 'em, but had to give it
+up, it seemed that every day I saw a new one. Some of 'em are as old
+as I; you see this is his third wife, and some of the children are
+older than she."
+
+"I think," said Rutherford, "I'd like a wife younger than my
+children."
+
+"He seems to," replied Morgan, "they're as spooney as can be, when
+they're not quarreling."
+
+"Oh, deliver me!" said Rutherford, "I don't want to hear any more
+about them. How about that other man, Rivers? He hasn't such a surplus
+of children and wives, has he?"
+
+"Well," said Morgan slowly, "I guess if his children could all be got
+together, there'd be more of 'em than of Blaisdell's, and he has full
+as many wives, only, in his case, they are all living."
+
+"Great Scott!" said Rutherford, "is he a Mormon?"
+
+Morgan shook his head, and Houston said:
+
+"Morgan, I think in your efforts to be entertaining, you are drawing
+slightly on your imagination, thinking that we are fresh enough to
+believe anything you choose to tell us."
+
+"No, it's all true, whether you believe it or not. That man left a
+wife and family of children somewhere in New York State, more than ten
+years ago, and ran away with another woman; they have five or six
+children, and here, about three years ago, since I came here, he got
+his divorce from the first woman, and married this one. Then he spent
+last winter in San Francisco, and it seems now, that he circulated
+around there under another name,--and his name is no more Rivers, than
+mine is Jenks,--and passed himself off for an unmarried man, and now
+there's a woman there has entered suit against him, for breach of
+promise."
+
+"Well," said Rutherford, descending from his elevated position, "I
+move that we adjourn to the boarding house at once; if I hear any
+more such stuff, I'll lose my appetite."
+
+"The mystery to me is," said Houston, when they were started on their
+way to the house, "how such a man is allowed to live and do business
+in a respectable community."
+
+"Oh," said Morgan carelessly, "he isn't any worse than the rest of
+'em, only he's a little more out and out with it; and the rest of 'em
+know it, and as long as they all live in glass houses, they don't any
+of 'em want to throw any stones."
+
+"It cannot be quite as bad as that," said Houston.
+
+"Well, I've found 'em all about alike, men and women too, for that
+matter, though I believe you shut me off from expressing my views
+about women."
+
+"But you certainly would not include all women in such an assertion?"
+said Houston.
+
+"I don't know why not, as far as my experience goes, they're all off
+the same piece."
+
+"Why, man," said Houston indignantly, "what are you talking about? You
+had a mother once, you do not mean to traduce her memory?"
+
+For a moment, Morgan was silent, then he replied in a tone that
+sounded very unlike his usual voice:
+
+"Yes, I had a mother once, and that is what has made me what I am;
+sometime I will tell you about her."
+
+And nothing more was said until they reached the house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+Friday morning, word was received from Mr. Blaisdell, over the
+private wire connecting the office at Silver City with the mines,
+that he and Mr. Rivers would be up on the first train with a party of
+four, and to have everything in readiness for them; also to make
+arrangements for their accommodation at the boarding house. Morgan
+had already placed a small force of men at work on the mine, and
+after carrying out Mr. Blaisdell's instructions, remained himself at
+the mine, superintending the work.
+
+It was one of those perfect days, so frequent among the mountains; a
+cloudless sky, and the air so clear that one could see the most
+distant mountain peaks with wonderful distinctness. The weather was
+again warm, yet the air was cool and invigorating, and aromatic with
+the breath of the evergreen forests clothing the sides of the
+mountains and foot hills, while everywhere, the spring flowers were
+adding their color and beauty to the scene, their fragrance rising
+continuously, like an invisible cloud of incense, on every hand.
+
+At about eleven o'clock, Houston heard the noise of the approaching
+team, and stepping to the window, saw a three-seated, open wagon,
+drawn by a pair of powerful horses. On the back seat, with Mr.
+Blaisdell, was an old gentleman, evidently Mr. Winters, and on the
+second seat, facing them, were two whom Houston judged to be Mr.
+Rivers and the junior Mr. Winters; but he took little notice of them,
+for his attention was arrested by one of the two young men sitting on
+the front seat, with the driver. The figure looked wonderfully
+familiar, but the face was almost wholly concealed by a broad-brimmed,
+soft hat. The team stopped, and at once the passengers prepared to
+alight; the hat was suddenly pushed back, revealing to the astonished
+Houston, the shining spectacles and laughing face of Arthur Van Dorn,
+his college class mate and chum.
+
+The men were alighting, and it was evident that Mr. Blaisdell was in a
+most genial frame of mind, he fairly beamed on every one; but Houston,
+not waiting to meet him, made a hasty retreat into the back room, to
+decide quickly upon his course of action. Nearly a thousand plans
+occurred to him, but none seemed feasible. If Mr. Blaisdell were the
+only member of the firm present, he felt he would have little
+difficulty, but the presence of Mr. Rivers made it considerably harder
+for him.
+
+Meanwhile, in the front room, Mr. Blaisdell was receiving his guests
+in the most effusive manner, reminding Houston, even in his dilemma,
+of a gushing school girl.
+
+"Mr. Winters, let me assist you, you must be exceedingly weary; here,
+take this chair, you will find it a little more comfortable; sorry not
+to have more luxurious quarters in which to receive you, but this is
+the wild west, you know. Mr. Rivers, won't you see that Mr. Winters is
+comfortable, while I wait on his son. Mr. Lindlay, let me show you
+these specimens of ore, I think you will appreciate them as few can."
+
+In the midst of all this effusion, Mr. Rivers suddenly appeared in the
+back room. He was a small man, quite bald, with small, twinkling,
+peering eyes, and a quick motion of his head from one side to the
+other that reminded Houston of a ferret. Seeing Houston, his eyes
+twinkled until they nearly closed, he smiled, and extending his hand,
+said:
+
+"Ah, the new clerk, Mr. Houston, I suppose; very glad to meet you."
+
+At that moment Mr. Blaisdell entered; "Well, Mr. Rivers, you have
+found Mr. Houston, I see; Mr. Houston, this is Mr. Rivers, the
+secretary of the company. I was just looking for you, Houston, I want
+you to come in and meet the people in the other room."
+
+"In a moment, Mr. Blaisdell," said Houston, "but first, will you and
+Mr. Rivers just look over something I have found here. This looks to
+me as though a serious error had been made in this report regarding
+the Sunrise mine, and as you will probably need it to-day, had it
+better not be corrected?"
+
+"Error in the report of the Sunrise!" said Mr. Blaisdell, adjusting
+his spectacles, "let me see; why yes, that is an error, and a bad one,
+too, I am glad you called our attention to it; look here, Rivers," and
+the two men were deeply engrossed in a study of the papers before
+them.
+
+Houston improved the opportunity to reconnoiter the situation in the
+front room. Mr. Winters and his son were in a close consultation. The
+third man was busily engaged in looking at some ores, his back towards
+the door, while beside him stood Van Dorn, indifferently watching him.
+Houston gave a slight cough that attracted Van Dorn's attention; he
+turned, and seeing Houston, his face brightened, and he was about to
+spring forward to greet him, when the latter, with a quick motion of
+his hand, gave him the signal of their old college days, its
+equivalent in the western vernacular being, "Don't give me away," at
+the same time putting his finger on his lips. A look of intense
+surprise flashed across Van Dorn's face, but he grasped the situation
+at once, and silently giving the return signal, he turned and walked
+in the opposite direction with the most nonchalant manner imaginable,
+and Houston knew that his secret was safe. A few moments afterward,
+"Mr. Houston, our private secretary," was introduced to the entire
+party, and a hearty grip from Van Dorn's hand, which Houston returned
+with interest, was the only sign of mutual recognition.
+
+"Well friends," said Mr. Blaisdell, blandly, having looked at his
+watch, "it is now so near noon, that when we have allowed Mr. Winters
+ample time for rest, we had better proceed to the house and have our
+dinner, before going to the mines."
+
+"If you dine at noon," replied Mr. Winters, in a very genial, yet
+dignified manner, "there is scarcely time for a very extended
+exploration, but don't discommode yourselves in the least, gentlemen,
+on account of my age and feebleness. I have always enjoyed perfect
+health, and notwithstanding my gray hairs, I don't believe I am much
+older than my friend, here, Mr. Blaisdell."
+
+"Not older than I am, sir!" exclaimed Mr. Blaisdell, who prided
+himself upon his youthful appearance, "why, how old do you take me to
+be?"
+
+"Much older than you look," replied Mr. Winters, "I am sixty-five, and
+you are at least sixty, although you look ten years younger than
+that."
+
+"You have certainly proven yourself a Yankee by your guessing," said
+Mr. Blaisdell, slightly disconcerted, while the others joined in a
+general laugh at his expense, "I wouldn't have thought you would have
+made so good a guess as that, neither did I think you were so near my
+own age."
+
+"You have the advantage of me now," returned Mr. Winters, pleasantly,
+"but if we live twenty years, as I expect to, I'll then look younger
+than you, for I have the better health of the two."
+
+"Have you ever visited the west before, Mr. Winters?" inquired Mr.
+Rivers.
+
+"Yes, a few times," replied the old gentleman, while the mining
+expert, an Englishman, with large blue eyes, full face and blond
+mustache, smiled quietly at Van Dorn and Houston, who were seated near
+each other; "I've been west once or twice a year for the last ten
+years."
+
+"Indeed!" said Mr. Rivers, with considerable surprise, while the
+younger Mr. Winters said with a laugh, "Oh, you couldn't keep father
+at home in New York, any more than you could one of these Indians out
+here; he's got to be roaming around all over the country continually.
+If he didn't drag me about with him everywhere, I wouldn't object."
+
+"You have been out in this country often, I suppose," said Mr.
+Blaisdell, addressing the expert, who replied coolly, with a very
+slight accent:
+
+"No, sir; I simply come out 'ere once in a w'ile, you know, just as an
+accommodation to Mr. Winters."
+
+"You live in New York, I suppose?"
+
+"No, sir; my 'ome is in London," he replied, with an air that seemed
+to indicate he did not care for any further conversation.
+
+"Blaisdell," said Mr. Rivers, "I thought you said something some time
+ago, about dinner; if the ride in the mountain air has given the rest
+of these gentlemen such an appetite as it has me, we would like to see
+that dinner materialize before very long."
+
+On the way to the boarding house, Van Dorn managed to walk with
+Houston, and exclaimed in a low tone:
+
+"Good heavens, Everard, what does this mean? What are you masquerading
+around in this style for?"
+
+"Don't ask me to explain now, there are too many around; after dinner
+we will go down by ourselves, and I'll tell you the whole story. I may
+want a little advice from you, as you're a mining expert yourself."
+
+"Don't let any of these people out here know that," Van Dorn answered
+quickly; "Mr. Winters has introduced me as an inventor of some mining
+machinery that they use, just out here looking around for the pleasure
+of it; you know I did invent an amalgamator that is being used to some
+extent; but I'm not supposed to know anything about practical
+mining."
+
+Houston laughed; "How about the Englishman?" he asked.
+
+"He's no fool," said Van Dorn quickly, "though he is playing verdant;
+only comes out here to accommodate Mr. Winters, and so forth; that's
+all right, but he accommodates Mr. Winters pretty often. He's a fine
+expert and understands his business thoroughly, only I happen to be a
+little more familiar with the ores in this locality, as I spent a good
+many months out here in the mountains two years ago, experting mines;
+not in this camp of course, but only a few miles from here. Mr.
+Winters himself is sharp, and with Lindlay and myself out here, he's
+not going to be very badly taken in."
+
+"Good!" said Houston, "and now there is one thing more before we get
+to the house. You remember Morton Rutherford?"
+
+"Mort Rutherford, of old college days? well, I should say so; what
+about him?"
+
+"His brother is stopping here, you will see him at dinner."
+
+"What!" interrupted Van Dorn, "little Ned? What under heaven is he
+doing out here? Are you two fellows out here incognito making love to
+rustic maidens? or what are you doing?"
+
+"No, Ned is out here in his own name, you won't need be under any
+restrictions with him, but what I want to say is this: Don't let him
+know who I am, or that you used to know me, or that I know his
+brother."
+
+"Anything else I'm not to let him know?" queried Van Dorn, taking out
+a small note book.
+
+"No, put up your book, or Mr. Blaisdell will think I am giving you
+pointers on the mine. But this is how it is; Rutherford met me on the
+train coming out here, introduced himself to me, took a fancy to the
+mountains, and decided to stay a few weeks. He thinks I am--what you
+found me--the clerk for this company, and my home in Chicago. I am not
+ready to explain matters to him yet, so just simply appear as if you
+had never met me or heard of me till to-day."
+
+"But how is it Ned didn't know you? Didn't you ever see him when you
+visited Mort?"
+
+"No, I was there only once, and he was away at school at the time, and
+then he never went to Yale, you know, he is a Harvard graduate."
+
+"Oh, I see; all right, I'll be mum."
+
+A sharp turn in the road brought the house into view, with Rutherford
+seated on the porch, reading a magazine.
+
+He glanced up with his usual assumption of dignity, as the party
+approached, but catching sight of Van Dorn, at the rear of the little
+procession, his magazine and his dignity were suddenly flung to the
+winds, and he bounded down from the porch like a school-boy.
+
+"By Jove! Hello there, Van Dorn, how do you do? Great Scott! how did
+you ever come out here? I'm awfully glad to see you."
+
+"Very glad to see you, my dear boy," said Van Dorn, heartily, "but the
+mystery to me is, how do you happen to be here?"
+
+Mr. Blaisdell looked on greatly astonished and amused by Rutherford's
+impetuous greeting.
+
+"Well, Mr. Rutherford," he remarked, "you seem to have met an old
+friend; ah, yes, I see, you are from Boston, and so is Mr. Van Dorn."
+
+Introductions followed, and the party sat down to dinner. Houston,
+seated between Van Dorn and Rutherford, did not lack for entertainment,
+but he had been at the table but a few seconds when he became aware
+that Miss Gladden was not there. He waited till the meal was nearly
+over, and then quietly inquired of Lyle whether Miss Gladden were ill.
+
+"Oh no," Lyle answered, in a low tone, "Miss Gladden thought best, as
+so many gentlemen were to be here, and on business, to let them have
+the table to themselves."
+
+After dinner, Houston started a little early for the office, and Van
+Dorn took his hat, saying:
+
+"If you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I'll walk down with Mr. Houston. You
+know I'm not so crazy on mining as you are, and I'd like to see
+somebody for a change, that can talk on some other subject."
+
+"Go ahead," said Mr. Winters, "I suppose you'll want to go through the
+mines in our company, though, by and by."
+
+"I probably will have to go in your company, if I go at all," Van Dorn
+replied carelessly, "my choice is rather limited."
+
+"You'll be here this evening, won't you Van?" said Rutherford, who was
+then engaged in a sort of one-sided conversation with the Englishman.
+
+"I suppose so," Van Dorn answered.
+
+"All right, I'll see you later," Rutherford responded.
+
+The confidential clerk and the young inventor strolled down the road
+together, and the officers of the mining company never dreamed of the
+results.
+
+Half an hour later, Mr. Blaisdell and Mr. Rivers rose to return to the
+office, and the others followed their example, with the exception of
+Mr. Winters, who said:
+
+"If you boys are in a hurry to start, all right, go ahead; I'm going
+to take my after-dinner smoke out here on the porch," at the same time
+producing a fine meerschaum.
+
+"Now, father, don't you get left behind," said his son jokingly.
+
+"Get left, you young rattle-brains! I'll have my smoke out and be down
+there at the office, before you are ready to start; your old father
+generally 'gets there' in as good time as you can make."
+
+"I'll tell you what we will do, Mr. Winters," said Mr. Blaisdell, "the
+road to the mine branches off just below here, and we can just as well
+drive around here and call for you."
+
+"All right, Mr. Blaisdell, that will be perfectly satisfactory,
+whatever suits you young fellows, suits me."
+
+"Very well, then, Mr. Winters," said Mr. Blaisdell, "we 'young
+fellows' will be along in the course of half an hour," and they went
+down the canyon, leaving the old gentleman in the low porch, deep in
+the enjoyment of his pipe.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+
+As the quondam class-mates disappeared together down the winding road,
+Houston gave his friend, as succinctly as possible, an explanation of
+his presence there in the capacity of clerk, briefly outlining his
+plans, and stating what he had been able so far to accomplish.
+
+Van Dorn was intensely interested, and through his own practical
+knowledge and experience, was able to give Houston some valuable
+information, and to make some important suggestions.
+
+Houston was quick to see that here was just the help he would need a
+little later; he also knew that opportunities for seeing his friend
+would be limited, he must act promptly.
+
+"Arthur," he asked rather abruptly, "how soon do you go east?"
+
+"In about two weeks."
+
+"Any special engagements for this summer?"
+
+"Nothing particularly important at present."
+
+"You remember my uncle, don't you?"
+
+"I remember Mr. Cameron perfectly, though I have not seen him for a
+number of years."
+
+"I suppose, for a sufficient consideration, you would come out here on
+business for us, at any time?"
+
+"Like Lindlay, 'just to accommodate,' I suppose," laughed Van Dorn,
+and continued, "Everard, old boy, I am at the service of yourself and
+your uncle, and we'll say nothing about 'considerations' until
+afterward; then arrange it between yourselves."
+
+"We will not require your time and services without ample compensation,"
+returned Houston, "but you will be just the man I will need later; an
+expert, familiar with this locality, in whom my uncle will repose perfect
+confidence, and whom the company here will not suspect."
+
+"But Mr. Cameron may not place much confidence in the harum-scarum
+sophomore that visited his home a few years since, if he remembers him
+at all," said Van Dorn, with a little laugh.
+
+"My word will be enough for that," said Houston, "I will write a
+letter this afternoon for you to take to him. There are the gentlemen
+now, coming down the road; I will see you again this evening, and
+probably to-morrow. I wonder what has become of Mr. Winters?"
+
+"Probably he is taking his afternoon smoke," said Van Dorn. "I think
+the old gentleman would throw up the whole mining deal rather than
+sacrifice that. After what you've told me of this mining concern out
+here, I've considerable curiosity to see this famous mine they've been
+writing about. I've got an idea just about how it will pan out, but
+I'll say nothing till I've seen it."
+
+"Let me know your impressions, later," said Houston.
+
+"Agreed," answered Van Dorn, and the party outside having nearly
+reached the door, the subject was dropped.
+
+Meanwhile, Mr. Winters, seated in the rustic porch, his attention
+divided between the picturesque scenery surrounding him, and the
+spirals of blue smoke which he loved to watch, was in no hurry to
+exchange his present enjoyment for subterranean explorations; the rest
+and solitude seemed doubly welcome after the last few weeks of
+travel.
+
+Rutherford, who lingered a few moments after the others had gone, did
+not find him very socially inclined, and picking up his magazine from
+the floor, where it had reposed since Van Dorn's appearance, he
+started up the canyon for a stroll among the rocks by the lake.
+
+It is to be feared that Mr. Winters, under the combined influence of
+his pipe and the warm sunshine, was very nearly asleep. It is certain
+that he never heard the sound of soft, trailing garments beside him,
+nor did he appear to be in full possession of all his faculties, until
+two arms rested lightly on his shoulders, and a pair of small, white
+hands were clasped across his eyes.
+
+Such a proceeding, under such circumstances, naturally had the effect
+of very quickly restoring his faculties to their normal condition, but
+on trying to turn his head, he found it held as firmly as in a vise,
+by the hands which had been quickly removed from his eyes, while a
+mischievous voice announced imperiously:
+
+"Guess who it is, and you are free!"
+
+"Guess!" exclaimed the old gentleman in some perplexity, "why, if I
+were at home, I would know this was one of my little girl's tricks,
+but I cannot imagine who it is here."
+
+There was a musical, rippling laugh, as the hands were withdrawn,
+and Mr. Winters, turning quickly, came near losing his pipe in
+astonishment.
+
+"Bless my soul, Leslie! what does this mean? Well, well! so it was my
+little girl after all, up to her old tricks; but, child, how came you
+out here, in such a place as this?"
+
+At that moment, Houston or Rutherford would scarcely have recognized
+Miss Gladden, could they have seen her seated beside Mr. Winters with
+all the careless abandon of a child, laughing merrily in answer to his
+numerous questions, while he playfully pinched her cheek, or pulled
+her ear. To Mr. Winters, however, she seemed like one of his own
+children, for Leslie Gladden was an orphan, and Mr. and Mrs. Winters,
+having been deeply attached to her parents, and having no daughter of
+their own, had always regarded her as a daughter, and much of her life
+had been passed in their home.
+
+"Well, puss," said Mr. Winters, having answered her inquiries
+regarding his family, "seems to me it's about time you gave an account
+of yourself; what are you doing here? and what have you been doing
+since last Easter? and where are Helen and her husband?"
+
+"One question at a time, if you please, sir," said Miss Gladden.
+
+"That's right, giving the old man orders, as usual; we always spoiled
+you, Leslie. Well, in the first place, what possessed you to leave us
+in the way you did? We understood you had gone to spend Easter with
+Helen; and the next we heard, Helen wrote her sister that they were
+going to spend the summer traveling in the west, and that you were to
+accompany them."
+
+"I will explain that a little later; what is the next in order?"
+
+"Is Helen here with you?"
+
+"No, sir, she and George are in Denver."
+
+"And who is stopping here with you?"
+
+"No one; do you think I need a guardian, or a chaperon?"
+
+The old man's eyes twinkled; "You always were an independent sort of a
+girl, and pretty level-headed, too, I must admit; but, my dear child,
+is it safe for you to be out here alone among the miners, and this
+rough class of people?"
+
+Miss Gladden laughed; "Did you see any very rough people to-day at
+dinner?"
+
+"Why no, to be sure, I did not, but then, there must be many of them
+out here in this neighborhood."
+
+"I never see them," said Miss Gladden, "I associate only with the
+people you met to-day; no one here knows that I have wealth; so
+really, I am safer here than at home, where I am known."
+
+"But there is no society here," protested the old gentleman.
+
+"I came here to get away from society; there is plenty of refined and
+pleasant companionship, and if I have friends here, I know they are
+sincere friends, not money worshipers, or fortune hunters."
+
+"Oh, I see," said Mr. Winters, "the princess is out here in disguise,
+seeking some knight who will love her for herself alone, and not for
+her fortune."
+
+"No," said Miss Gladden gravely, "I have not come out here seeking for
+any knight, but to escape from a base, dishonorable and cowardly
+knave."
+
+"Has your cousin Humphrey been annoying you again?"
+
+"Yes, he and his mother made life a burden to me, that was my reason
+for leaving home as I did. Humphrey has sunk nearly every dollar of
+their property by his profligacy, and now, he and his mother are
+determined to have my fortune. Aunt exhausted all her stock of
+melodramatic and sentimental language and her tears in trying to get
+me to fulfill what she called my father's 'dying wish,' by marrying
+that debauchee and libertine; then she tried threats, and finally
+became so wild with rage, that she reminded me of the will, and told
+me I should never marry any one else; that Humphrey should have the
+property, as my father intended, sooner or later, if not with me, then
+without me. I knew Helen intended to come west, and I went to her and
+asked to let me travel with them. Now, you know my reason for leaving
+so suddenly, and for not writing. We have all enjoyed our trip very
+much; you know George came out on business, and when he was occupied,
+of course it was pleasanter for Helen that I was with her. While we
+were at St. Paul, George met some mining men, and he immediately began
+to have symptoms of mining fever, and hearing of the mines out here,
+he brought us out, among the mountains and miners. We came out when
+the weather was warm and delightful, and Helen and I roamed over the
+mountains while George explored the mines. Then he decided to go to
+Denver, and I would probably have accompanied them, though I had
+become attached to this place, but just then I heard that my cousin
+had traced me to St. Paul, and was in pursuit, to renew his attentions
+to me, so I decided to remain here where he will be less likely to
+find me. Helen and her husband are in Denver, sworn to secrecy
+regarding my whereabouts."
+
+"Well, well!" exclaimed the old gentleman, meditatively, "I wouldn't
+have thought your aunt would so far have forgotten herself. It was
+unfortunate that your father made such a will, leaving everything to
+Humphrey in case of your dying unmarried, but that was when you were
+both children, and he was very fond of the little fellow. Leslie, my
+dear, I wish you were married."
+
+"But I am not, and perhaps never likely to be," Miss Gladden answered
+merrily.
+
+"Yes, and you might have been married twenty times over," said Mr.
+Winters, shaking his head, "and my own boy, Harry, among the lot."
+
+"Once is enough for me, papa dear," said Miss Gladden lightly, yet in
+a more tender tone, "when the right one comes; but it could never have
+been Harry, any more than his brother, Richard; you and mamma were
+like parents to me, and the boys both seem like brothers."
+
+"Have you found the right one, yet?" asked the old gentleman, watching
+her keenly.
+
+"As I told you, I am not looking for a knight," she answered brightly,
+but the color deepened on her cheek, "if he ever comes, he must find
+me."
+
+Mr. Winters noted the telltale flush, and slowly shaking his head,
+remarked, "I don't know, Leslie, about the advisability of leaving you
+here; you were always inclined to be very philanthropic, and it would
+be like you to adopt some young man out here, thinking you had money
+enough for yourself and him, too; that clerk down at the office, for
+instance, or this kid that was prancing around in eye-glasses."
+
+"The 'kid' as you call him," Miss Gladden answered demurely, "has
+plenty of money of his own, and Mr. Houston seems abundantly able to
+take care of himself; if I adopt any one, it will be that beautiful
+girl who waited on you at dinner."
+
+"What is that, my dear?" said the old gentleman, brightening, "I
+noticed that girl at the table to-day; she is remarkably fine looking,
+and seemed to conduct herself like a perfect lady; who is she?"
+
+Miss Gladden, in her enthusiastic manner, began telling him of Lyle,
+and of the interest she had taken in her, but before she had proceeded
+very far, the team appeared at the junction of the roads, the men
+calling Mr. Winters.
+
+"Bless my stars, if there isn't the team!" he exclaimed, "well my
+little girl, good-bye for the present, you will see us both this
+evening," and having given Miss Gladden a promise that neither he nor
+his son would betray her secret, he hastened down the road to the
+waiting team.
+
+"Well, boys," he said, stopping to carefully empty the ashes from his
+pipe on a projecting ledge of rock, "I will have to give you credit
+for being on hand very promptly; that was about the shortest half hour
+that I can remember."
+
+A loud, ringing laugh greeted this remark, which caused Mr. Winters,
+who was replacing his pipe in its case, to look up in mild wonder.
+
+"That's one on you, father," called his son, while Mr. Blaisdell
+remarked, "The time evidently has passed very pleasantly."
+
+"What is the origin of all this mirth?" demanded Mr. Winters, as he
+seated himself with considerable dignity.
+
+"It seems," said Mr. Rivers, in explanation, "to be because you were
+so unconscious of the lapse of time; we were delayed in getting
+together our papers, and it is over an hour since we left the house."
+
+"I looked for you at every turn of the road," said his son.
+
+"I didn't," said Van Dorn, "I thought he had fallen asleep over his
+pipe; I never dreamed he was disgracing the whole crowd of us by such
+open flirtation as that,--I wish we had brought along a chaperon."
+
+"Well, gentlemen," said Mr. Winters very deliberately, "all I have to
+say is, that had you been in my place, the time would have seemed
+equally short to you, and I don't think there's one of you but would
+have been mighty glad to have been in my place."
+
+"Mr. Winters," said Mr. Blaisdell, "I begin to think you're the
+youngest man of our party."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+
+With many jokes and much hilarity, the mining party proceeded on their
+way. Arriving at the mines, they found Morgan and Haight awaiting
+them, who were duly introduced to the party, the English expert
+looking at Haight with much the same expression with which a mastiff
+might regard a rat terrier.
+
+Everything being in readiness, they began the descent of the long
+incline shaft, Mr. Blaisdell and Haight leading the way with Mr.
+Lindlay, while Mr. Rivers followed with Mr. Winters and his son and
+Van Dorn, Morgan bringing up the rear.
+
+It was nearly three hours before they reappeared at the surface, and
+to a physiognomist, their faces, as they emerged from the mouth of the
+shaft, would have furnished an amusing study.
+
+Mr. Blaisdell looked irritated and annoyed, but jubilant. He had been
+thoroughly disgusted by the conduct of the English expert. Instead
+of taking Mr. Blaisdell's word regarding the mine, corroborated as
+it was by undisputable evidence in the shape of mining reports,
+surveyor's notes, and maps, he had insisted on ascertaining for
+himself the important data, the width, dip and course of the vein,
+and the measurement of various angles and distances, with a
+persistency and accuracy that was simply exasperating. He also picked
+up samples of ore in the most unexpected places which he examined
+with the closest scrutiny. But having taken his measurements and made
+his examinations, the results were immediately jotted down in his
+note book, and the samples dropped in his pockets, without a word,
+which convinced Mr. Blaisdell that the expert knew very little of his
+business, and was probably either doing this to keep up appearances,
+or to gain a little information for his own benefit. Not a word had
+been said contradicting the statements he had made, not a question
+raised implying any doubt of their correctness;--evidently they were
+just the kind of purchasers he wanted, and his firmly set jaws and
+tightly compressed lips expressed his satisfaction.
+
+Mr. Rivers scanned the company keenly with his ferret-like glances;
+such unexpected acquiescence on their part made him slightly
+suspicious and very watchful. The thought uppermost in his mind was,
+"Either these people know absolutely nothing about mining, or they
+know too much for our good." He had intended going back to the city
+that evening, but he now decided to remain over.
+
+Mr. Winters, senior, reappeared, wearing the same expression of
+benevolence and dignity with which he had entered the mine. He seemed
+serenely unconscious of the existence of deceit or fraud in business
+transactions generally, and in mining negotiations in particular. Only
+those well acquainted with him could detect from the exaggerated
+twinkle of his eyes, that something had more than ordinarily amused
+him.
+
+Van Dorn and Lindlay had agreed before hand that they would keep
+entirely separate, and each pursue his own course of investigation
+independently of the other,--Van Dorn of course not being able to take
+any measurements, as he was not supposed to be an expert,--and compare
+notes later. As the two emerged into daylight and their eyes met, Van
+Dorn's laughing, blushing face would have betrayed him, had any one
+known his real business there, but a young inventor, exploring mines
+just for the fun of the thing, is supposed to find plenty of
+amusement. Under the big, blond mustache of the Englishman, a pair of
+lips curled scornfully, and his eyes rolled wildly for a moment, but
+that was all.
+
+As the gentlemen gathered around the dump, the last vestige of Mr.
+Blaisdell's irritation seemed to have disappeared, as he blandly
+expatiated upon the quantity and quality of the ore.
+
+Van Dorn's eyes sparkled as he saw the shining lumps from the Yankee
+Boy, and he and Lindlay exchanged quick glances.
+
+"Look at that," said the latter, quickly extracting from his pocket a
+sample of the Sunrise ore and placing it beside a piece taken at
+random from the dump; "does any one pretend to tell me that those are
+from the same vein?"
+
+"It is a different class of ore altogether," replied Van Dorn, "such
+ore as that never would be found under the conditions existing in that
+mine, but I'll be blest if I wouldn't like to see the mine it did come
+from."
+
+Mr. Rivers had observed this little side conversation and Van Dorn's
+close scrutiny of the samples, and was at his side in a moment,
+inquiring in his smoothest tones:
+
+"What do you think of that ore, Mr. Van Dorn?"
+
+"Very fine ore, so far as I can judge," said Van Dorn carelessly, "I
+would like to see it run through that concentrator and amalgamator of
+mine; if these men ever get through talking about mines, Mr. Rivers, I
+must get you and Mr. Blaisdell interested in my machinery."
+
+At the suggestion of Mr. Lindlay, the party next paid a visit to the
+Morning Star mine, that being the one which Mr. Blaisdell had declared
+was on the same lead as the Sunrise. This they found to be a valuable
+mine, but there was not the slightest indication of the vein being
+identical with that of the Sunrise, its strike carrying it in a
+totally different direction, and its characteristics being wholly
+dissimilar.
+
+As it was too late for any further mining explorations, the team was
+ordered, and preparations made for a return to the house.
+
+Lindlay and Van Dorn, by mutual agreement, started up the canyon road
+together, in advance of the others.
+
+"Boys, where are you going?" called Mr. Winters.
+
+"Going to walk on ahead," answered Van Dorn.
+
+"Just as cheap to ride," said Mr. Winters.
+
+"Plenty of room," added Mr. Blaisdell.
+
+"We can't wait for you, you're too slow," laughed Van Dorn.
+
+"Give our places to those gentlemen," said Lindlay, indicating
+Haight and Morgan, and with rather a painful emphasis on the word
+"gentlemen."
+
+"Egad!" he exclaimed a few moments later, "Van Dorn, what do you think
+of that for a mining proposition?"
+
+"It's pretty tough, in fact, about the toughest I ever saw," replied
+Van Dorn, "but then, you remember we got a hint at Silver City that
+they were sharpers."
+
+"Sharpers!" exclaimed Lindlay, "but I don't call them sharpers; I can
+admire a good, genuine piece of keen rascality, don't you know, for I
+can play just as sharp a game myself as the best of them, but w'en it
+comes to such downright, beastly work as this, so blundering and
+bungling you know, w'y it looks too much as though they thought we
+were all born idiots, to be very complimentary."
+
+"I'll admit it looks that way," said Van Dorn, laughing, "it doesn't
+look as though they had a very flattering opinion of our acquirements,
+or our natural penetration, if they suppose we can be gulled in this
+way. They are about the worst set of mining sharks I've ever had the
+pleasure of meeting, and I shall tell Houston so."
+
+"By the way, that Mr. 'Uston seems a very decent sort of a man,"
+commented Lindlay.
+
+"He's a fine fellow," responded Van Dorn warmly, "you see I know him,
+he's a friend of mine, but don't say anything till we get out of
+here."
+
+"A friend of yours! and w'at in the deuce is he doing out 'ere, among
+such a beastly lot?"
+
+"He is out on a piece of detective work on his own account," and Van
+Dorn briefly gave Lindlay an outline of what Houston had told him. A
+prolonged "Ah--h" from Lindlay was the only response.
+
+"I thought I'd better tell you," said Van Dorn, "for fear you would
+include him in the lot out here, and be down on him with the rest. He
+is a splendid fellow, and I want you to know him."
+
+"That I will," responded the Englishman, "'ere, give 'im my card, and
+tell 'im I'll be very glad to 'elp 'im out a bit any time if he needs
+it later, you know; I would like to see 'im get the best of these
+fellows."
+
+"I will tell him," replied Van Dorn, "he may give you a letter of
+introduction to his uncle. They are all fine people, and, as you say,
+I would like to see Houston get the best of these rascals; I believe
+he will, too, though he will have to lay low for a while yet, and
+there may be some pretty dangerous work for him before he gets
+through."
+
+The pedestrians and the remainder of the party reached the house at
+nearly the same time, the latter having been slightly delayed in
+starting. Although a little late, Houston and Rutherford, with Miss
+Gladden and Lyle, were awaiting them in the porch. The rare beauty of
+the two ladies elicited expressions of admiration from both Lindlay
+and Van Dorn, the latter exclaiming:
+
+"They evidently have some fine specimens of ladies out here, and no
+mistake; there seems to be no fraud in that direction. No wonder the
+old gentleman was so indifferent as to whether we called for him or
+not!"
+
+Miss Gladden extended a welcome, both cordial and graceful, to Mr.
+Winters and his son, and also to Van Dorn, whom Rutherford introduced
+as an old friend. Other introductions followed, and the entire company
+entered the long, low dining room, whither Lyle had already preceded
+them to see that everything was in perfect readiness. Exclamations of
+surprise and pleasure were heard on all sides, as the table had been
+tastefully decorated by the skillful fingers of the ladies, with wild
+flowers, and their beauty and fragrance filled the room. A very social
+meal followed, interspersed with jokes and repartee, and pleasant
+reminiscences. Toward the close, Mr. Blaisdell entertained them with
+amusing sketches of western life, and soon was relating some of his
+first mining experiences, when he had just come from the east, a newly
+fledged mining expert.
+
+"I was asked, in company with another expert, a western man, much
+older than I, to examine some properties for some mining men. They
+were all experienced miners, old hands at the business, and they
+regarded me, a young graduate from an eastern mining school, with no
+practical knowledge that they knew of, as totally incompetent to
+advise them, and, I think, invited me more out of courtesy than
+anything else; perhaps also, out of benevolent intention to give me an
+opportunity to learn something about mines.
+
+"The evening previous to the day the examination was to be made, they
+met for a little conversation regarding the history of the mine, and
+to make plans for the following day. Of course, our talk was
+principally of mining in general. Well, didn't I play 'green' that
+evening. You can bet your sweet life that I did!"
+
+Here Lindlay elbowed Houston, who in turn nudged Van Dorn. The last
+named gentleman telegraphed across to the younger Winters and
+Rutherford, and there seemed imminent danger of a general explosion;
+however, Mr. Blaisdell thought it was all in appreciation of his
+story, and blandly continued:
+
+"I think when we broke up that night, the rest of them must have
+wondered among themselves why they had been such fools as to invite
+me. But I was only anxious for the time to come to go down into that
+mine. It was a property which the company had bought when it was
+nothing but a prospect, but which had then possessed every indication
+of being a wonderful producer of very rich ore, and it was supposed
+that with a little further development it would make a very fine
+property. The company had immediately proceeded to develop the mine,
+following the vein, as they supposed, for several hundred feet, but it
+did not amount to anything worth speaking of. Occasionally they would
+find croppings of very rich ore, but no true vein, and they had
+finally determined to call in one or two experts, and after an
+examination, decide whether it was worth the expenditure of any more
+money, or whether it had better be abandoned.
+
+"Well, aside from having received a fine education in this branch
+of science, I had worked a good deal in some of old Nature's
+laboratories, and was more familiar with these things than they
+thought. I knew, from their talk, that they were not following the
+course of the vein, though they thought they were, but of course, I
+said nothing of that kind; I was playing green.
+
+"The next day we went down into the mine, and I found just what I
+expected to find; that they were simply following a false lead, and in
+reality, going farther and farther from the vein every move they made.
+There was the original vein to start with, and they had struck a false
+lead close beside it, and were going down; digging down lower and
+lower, while the true vein was right over their heads, and those
+miners and that confounded expert that knew so much more than I did,
+didn't any of them know enough just to look up there and see it. Why,
+near the point where they had first started, I could see the ore
+shining in places over my head, and there were croppings of it all
+along.
+
+"Well, to make a long story short, I advised them to stick to the
+mine, and the expert advised them to abandon it. A little while
+afterward, I asked them what they would take for the mine; of course
+they thought that an additional proof of my greenness that I should
+talk of buying it, but I hung on, not appearing very anxious about it
+of course, for then they might suspect something. You won't believe
+me, but I bought that mine for five hundred dollars, cash, and they
+thought I was the biggest fool and tenderfoot that ever came out here.
+I tell you, I made sure of a good, clear title to that property, and
+then I went to work. I followed the old, original vein, and in less
+than six weeks I had gold just a pouring out of that mine. My! but
+didn't that company try to get back then! but I wouldn't have anything
+to do with them; I told them I was a greenhorn and a tenderfoot, and
+they had better let me alone. Well, sir, I worked that mine eighteen
+months, and cleared, over and above all expenses, one hundred and
+fifty thousand dollars, and then I sold it for half a million, and
+those other fellows have been kicking themselves ever since."
+
+There was a hearty laugh at the termination of the story, and the
+company adjourned to the porch and the open space surrounding the
+house, for the evening.
+
+Taken all in all, there was in that little company sheltered under the
+old house that night, a strange combination of plots and counter
+plots, secrets and mysteries; and to Houston himself, as he sat a
+little apart from the others, watching the group with thoughtful eyes,
+it seemed a curious coincidence, that, on that evening, and at that
+place, there should be assembled so many of the principal actors in
+the drama which he knew must ere long be enacted, and he was unable to
+shake off a vague presentiment that this was the opening scene. Just
+what would that drama be, he wondered, would it be comedy or tragedy?
+never, with all his foresight, dreaming the depth of tragedy so soon
+to follow, or recognizing as such, some of the chief actors, even then
+passing within his ken.
+
+On one side of the low porch was seated Miss Gladden, entertaining Mr.
+Winters and his son, while behind her, Lyle was standing with
+unconscious grace, and a far-away, dreamy look in her eyes. Just
+across the entrance, on the other side, were Lindlay, Van Dorn and
+Rutherford, the last two engaged in animated conversation regarding
+old times, Lindlay occasionally joining with them, but most of the
+time watching Miss Gladden, with much admiration expressed in his
+usually critical face. Mr. Rivers sauntered back and forth before the
+house, smoking, while, at a little distance, Mr. Blaisdell, Haight and
+Morgan were talking together. Jim Maverick, coming from behind the
+house, touched his hat as a salute to Mr. Blaisdell, and after a quick
+glance of suspicious distrust at the elder Mr. Winters, shuffled off
+in the direction of the miners' quarters. A little later, a man with
+powerful, athletic frame, who walked with quick, elastic step, and yet
+as though conscious of his power, passed the house, followed by a fine
+collie. His hat was drawn low over his eyes, partly concealing his
+face, but this did not prevent his watching the group on the porch
+with close, keen scrutiny. Houston and Rutherford started slightly,
+and exchanged glances, for they had recognized their fellow passenger
+from Valley City, and they would doubtless have made some comment, but
+that just then Miss Gladden spoke:
+
+"Lyle, dear, I wonder who that can be; he is dressed like a miner, but
+his carriage and appearance is that of a gentleman."
+
+"That," answered Lyle, in a low tone, "is Jack; he is a miner, and he
+is also a gentleman."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+
+Several days had elapsed since the eastern party, accompanied by Mr.
+Blaisdell and Mr. Rivers, had returned to the city, and, as yet,
+nothing had been learned of their decision regarding the mine. The
+extra force of men on the Sunrise had returned to their regular
+shifts, and the work at the mining camp was going forward in the old
+routine, with the monotonous precision of clock-work.
+
+Houston was quietly pursuing his own way, conscious that the task
+before him involved difficulty and danger. He was aware that Haight,
+notwithstanding his obsequious politeness, was one of his worst
+enemies, and would injure him in every underhanded way within his
+power, as, beneath the smooth, smiling exterior, Houston could detect
+a deep, subtle malignity toward himself; and he rightly judged that
+Jim Maverick, the tool of the mining company, would be the instrument
+Haight would use when he was ready to work his revenge.
+
+Maverick, from the first, had hated Houston with that instinctive
+hatred which such vile natures, groveling in their own degradation,
+always feel toward those moving on a higher plane, in an atmosphere
+untainted by the putrescence which is their natural element. Maverick
+knew that, to a man like Houston, his own baseness and villainy were
+written in his face, and even in his slouching, cringing gait, as
+plainly as though branded in letters of fire, and this was sufficient
+to kindle his anger against him, and Haight, by his talk, added fuel
+to the slowly smoldering fire. At home, but more particularly among
+the miners, in the camp or at the Y, Maverick expressed his views
+regarding Houston in language abounding with profanity and obscenity,
+and many were the muttered threats of what he would do should the
+object of his hatred ever cross his path.
+
+Houston, meanwhile, was quick to discern the danger signals, and was
+laying his plans wisely and well. His own work in the office of the
+mining camp was nearly completed; there remained yet the information
+to be gathered from the Silver City office, to which he was now
+expecting to be called any day, and then the work of familiarizing
+himself with the mines. When this should be accomplished, the end, for
+which he was working and waiting, would be very near.
+
+As he sat in the office one afternoon, reviewing the past few weeks,
+he felt that he had succeeded thus far, even beyond his hopes. The
+coming of Van Dorn and the acquaintance formed with Lindlay would be
+of untold value to him in his work. A little later, Van Dorn would
+come to his assistance without arousing suspicion, not being known as
+a mining expert, and when the time came for the final denouement,
+Lindlay would accompany Mr. Cameron to the mines, as he was a skilled
+expert, and having already visited the mines, could furnish testimony
+as to the fraud practiced by the company.
+
+Thus far, everything had gone well, and the weeks of work in a
+secluded mining camp, to which he had looked forward with anything but
+pleasurable anticipations, had in reality proven,--he was surprised to
+admit to himself,--among the pleasantest of his life. He would really
+have many regrets on leaving the mountains to return to his old home,
+he had formed such pleasant associations; and then, he suddenly became
+conscious that, of his life among the mountains, there was little he
+would miss, excepting a pair of dark, soulful eyes, in whose depths he
+had failed to detect the least shadow of falseness or unworthiness;
+mirrors of a sweet, womanly nature, strong, pure and beautiful, which
+with a quick, ready sympathy entered into his feelings, and often
+seemed to fathom his unspoken thoughts, and clothe them with language
+of her own.
+
+Houston started in astonishment, and, locking the office, took a
+circuitous and little traveled road, determined to fully understand
+his own heart before he again looked into those eyes with their depths
+of sincerity and truth.
+
+For many years he had been the recipient of flattering attentions from
+fond papas and aspiring mammas. Invitations to club dinners, banquets
+and the most recherche lunches, on the one hand, were evenly balanced
+by cards to receptions, soirees and afternoon teas, on the other. Had
+he passed heart-whole through all these sieges, only to fall a victim,
+here and now?
+
+He had admired Miss Gladden from the first; then, in their mutual
+sympathy for Lyle, they had been drawn closer together, and since that
+time,--yes, he could see it all now.
+
+Of Miss Gladden herself he knew very little, except that she was a
+true, noble woman; he needed no words to tell him that. Rutherford had
+learned from conversation with her, that she was an orphan, and had
+been traveling with friends because her home was made unpleasant by
+some of her relatives; and both had judged that she was probably, in
+a measure, dependent upon wealthy relatives.
+
+This much Houston did know, however, that he loved Leslie Gladden,
+that she was worthy of his love, and that life without her would not
+seem worth the living. He believed that she loved him, and his heart
+thrilled with the thought, that if so, it was for himself, not his
+wealth, that she cared. Before he reached the house, his mind was
+fully decided:
+
+"I love her for herself," he soliloquized, "not caring whether she is
+rich or poor, and I believe she does, or will, love me in like manner.
+In any event, I must learn my fate before the arrival of my uncle."
+
+As Houston approached the house, Miss Gladden and Lyle were standing
+together in the porch. He greeted both ladies with even more than his
+usual courtesy, but as his eyes met those of Miss Gladden, there was
+that in his glance, which in itself, was a declaration of his love for
+her. Lyle, with her quick intuition, read the meaning, and with her
+natural sense of delicacy, as quickly withdrew, leaving them together.
+For an instant, Miss Gladden's eyes dropped before Houston's glance,
+while a lovely color suffused her cheek; then she raised her eyes,
+meeting his with an answering glance, and in that mutual recognition,
+though no word was spoken, they knew that they were lovers, and that
+was enough for the present.
+
+Of late, the four friends had spent much time together; sometimes
+climbing the mountains, to watch from their lofty summits the setting
+sun, slowly descending amid clouds of flame, whose glowing colors were
+reflected from the surrounding peaks in ever varying tints; the rose
+changing to amethyst and violet, and the violet deepening to purple;
+while far below, the canyon lay wrapped in soft, gray twilight. Or,
+sometimes, taking one or two boats from the little boat-house built
+for the accommodation of summer tourists, they rowed about the lake in
+the moonlight.
+
+On this particular night, Rutherford proposed a row, in one of the
+larger boats, the entire length of the lake, to the cascades, to which
+the rest readily acceded. The ladies soon appeared in light, fleecy
+wraps, Miss Gladden carrying a fine guitar, which called forth
+exclamations of pleasure from the gentlemen.
+
+"Good!" said Rutherford, "that will be just the thing; now we will
+have some music."
+
+"Miss Gladden," said Houston, "why have we not been favored in this
+way earlier?"
+
+"Oh," she replied, archly, "it has never been a necessity until
+to-night, but a long row in the moonlight would not be perfect without
+music."
+
+This was their first trip to the end of the lakes, and they found
+the scene beautiful beyond description. On one side an almost
+perpendicular wall of rock; in the opposite direction, the mountain
+ranges stretching far away in the distance, with snowy peaks gleaming
+here and there, like watch towers; while just before them, the
+shimmering cascades in the wondrous beauty of the moonlight, the deep,
+unceasing roar seeming to rise and fall with a rhythm of its own.
+
+For the first few moments, they sat in silent admiration of the beauty
+around them; then Miss Gladden touched the strings of the guitar, and
+began singing in a rich contralto, in which Houston joined with a fine
+baritone, while Rutherford added a clear, sweet tenor. Their voices
+blended perfectly, and accompanied by the sweet notes of the guitar,
+the music floated out over the lake, the lingering echoes dying away,
+in the distance.
+
+Lyle took no part in the song, but sat listening with parted lips and
+dreamy eyes. When the song was finished, she exclaimed:
+
+"Oh, please do not stop, I love to listen to you; it reminds me of
+something I have heard long ago, I don't know when or where."
+
+"Do you never sing, Miss Maverick?" asked Rutherford.
+
+"Only sometimes for myself," she said, "I know only two or three songs
+that I have heard others sing."
+
+"But you have a sweet voice," said Houston, "will you not sing for
+us?"
+
+"If you will overlook any mistakes, I may," answered Lyle, "for I
+probably do not sing correctly, as I know nothing of music."
+
+"Certainly, Lyle, we would like to hear you," said Miss Gladden.
+
+As simply, and as free from self-consciousness as a child, Lyle began
+her song, her eyes fixed on the distant shining peaks, and her only
+accompaniment the music of the cascades.
+
+               "Love is come with a song and a smile,
+                Welcome love with a smile and a song;
+                Love can stay but a little while:
+                   Why can not he stay?
+                   They call him away;
+                Ye do him wrong, ye do him wrong,
+                Love will stay for a whole life long."
+
+Whether Lyle sang correctly that night was never known; even the
+beautiful words of the old song that seemed so appropriate to the
+occasion, were forgotten before she had sung more than two or three
+lines, and her listeners sat entranced, spell-bound, by the voice of
+the singer; a voice of such exquisite sweetness and clearness, and yet
+possessing such power and depth of expression, that it thrilled the
+hearts of her listeners, seeming to lift them out of all consciousness
+of their surroundings, and to transport them to another world; a
+world
+
+            "Where the singers, whose names are deathless,
+            One with another make music, unheard of men."
+
+As the last note died away, a long, deep sigh from Houston seemed to
+break the spell, and Miss Gladden looking up, her eyes shining with
+unshed tears, said, as she pressed Lyle's hand:
+
+"My dear, we have found our song-queen, our nightingale. We can all
+learn of you, and never equal you."
+
+Houston had been strangely moved, and as he spoke, there was a slight
+tremor in his voice.
+
+"I have heard, in all my life, but one voice like that, and that was
+one who died when I was a child."
+
+Lyle looked surprised.
+
+"Has no one ever told you you could sing?" asked Miss Gladden.
+
+"I never sang for any one, excepting once, for Jack," answered Lyle.
+
+"What did he say of your voice?" inquired Miss Gladden.
+
+"He said, like Mr. Houston, that he had heard but one voice like mine,
+but that he did not like to hear me, so I have never sung since,
+excepting by myself."
+
+"Lyle," said Miss Gladden suddenly, "how old is this man whom you call
+Jack?"
+
+"Possibly forty, perhaps a little less," she answered indifferently.
+
+A new thought had flashed into Miss Gladden's mind. For some time she
+had doubted whether Lyle were really a child of Maverick and his wife,
+she was so utterly unlike them; could it be possible that Jack, whose
+life seemed so much a mystery, was the father of Lyle? Was that the
+reason for his interest in her? and had Lyle had some beautiful
+mother,--unfortunate perhaps,--whose life had suddenly gone out, as
+the little life had just begun, and whose memory was recalled too
+vividly by Lyle's song? Miss Gladden determined, if possible, to find
+a clue to this mystery.
+
+The boat was now on its homeward way, and a song with which all were
+familiar having been found, the four voices blended in exquisite
+harmony.
+
+"It seems to me there are some rare treats in store for us," was
+Rutherford's comment, as the friends separated for the night; then, a
+few moments later, when alone with Houston, he exclaimed:
+
+"By Jove, Houston! but what a voice that girl has! I never heard
+anything like it in my life. I didn't say much before Miss Gladden,
+for fear she might think I didn't appreciate her singing, and I
+certainly did, for she sings magnificently."
+
+"You need have no fear of any sensitiveness on Miss Gladden's part,"
+said Houston quickly, "in the first place, their voices are altogether
+different, there is no comparison between them; and in addition, Miss
+Gladden's regard for Lyle is so disinterested and unselfish, there
+would be no room for any feeling of that kind. We must all acknowledge
+that Lyle certainly has a wonderful voice; as I said before, I have
+heard but one like it."
+
+"Great Heavens!" said Rutherford, with more feeling than Houston had
+ever seen him manifest, "I'm sorry for that girl, Houston."
+
+"Why?" asked Houston quietly.
+
+"Why, only to think of her beauty and intellect, and such a voice as
+that, and then think of her parents, and the life to which she is tied
+down here."
+
+"Granting the parents and present life," said Houston, "is that any
+argument that she will always be 'tied down here' as you say?"
+
+"I think it would always fetter her in a measure; it will leave its
+imprint upon her mind, or at least her memory, and although she is
+not in her proper sphere here, yet her life here, and all its
+associations, would be likely to make her feel out of place in a
+higher sphere,"
+
+"I think not," said Houston, watching Rutherford closely, "I think if
+she could be removed from here, and given a thorough education, there
+would remain no trace whatever of the early life."
+
+"But what about the question of heredity?" asked Rutherford,
+"there must be bad blood there, when and where would it make its
+appearance?"
+
+"That would be a serious question," replied Houston, "providing she is
+the child of these people; I have always had grave doubts of that, and
+Miss Gladden has often expressed the same."
+
+"By Jove! I never thought of that! It seems likely enough, too. What
+do you think, that she was stolen?"
+
+"No," said Houston slowly, "that does not seem so probable as that she
+may have been some child that they were hired to take."
+
+"In that case," said Rutherford, "I should think the uncertainty
+regarding her family and origin, would be almost as bad as the
+certainty in the other case."
+
+"It might seem so to some people," Houston replied, adding with a
+smile, "especially to a Bostonian, who prided himself upon his 'blue
+blood'."
+
+"Oh," said Rutherford, coloring, "I'm not pursuing this inquiry on my
+own account at all, I was only thinking of her prospects generally.
+I'm not interested in that direction."
+
+"In what direction are you interested, if I may ask?" said Houston,
+experiencing, for the first time, a little twinge of jealousy.
+
+"In the direction of the 'Hub,' my dear boy," Rutherford replied, with
+another blush.
+
+"Spoken like a true Bostonian!" said Houston approvingly.
+
+"Yes, sir," continued Rutherford, "there's a little girl belongs back
+there in Boston, that's more to me than all the ladies you can produce
+in this part of the country, or any other, no matter how beautiful
+they may be; and she's not bad looking either. Her parents took her to
+Europe for a little trip this spring, and Boston seemed so lonesome,
+that was the reason I came west."
+
+"Good for you, Ned, you have my best wishes," said Houston, shaking
+hands with his friend, "but really, you and Lyle had seemed so fond of
+each other's society lately, that I thought perhaps it was to be your
+destiny to rescue her from her unhappy fate."
+
+"Well, as to each other's society," said Rutherford, very slowly, "of
+late we have been restricted to that or none, for you and Miss Gladden
+have been growing so unconscious of us, that we've had to console with
+each other; but then, I understood how 'twas, for I've been there
+myself, you know, and I'm ready to offer congratulations and all that
+sort of thing, whenever they are in order."
+
+Houston appeared very unconscious of Rutherford's meaning, as he
+inquired, "How does Lyle herself regard your attentions? There must be
+no trifling with her, I have too much regard for her myself, for
+that."
+
+"Miss Maverick is not a girl to be trifled with," replied Rutherford,
+"I think a good deal of her, since I am better acquainted with her,
+and respect her and she knows it, but I think she realizes the sort of
+anomalous position that she occupies, and that is why I say I am sorry
+for her. She is far too brilliant for her surroundings, and yet not
+fitted for a much higher place."
+
+"Not at present," replied Houston, "but with her natural endowments
+and her innate delicacy and refinement, comparatively little training
+and culture would be necessary to fit her for almost any position in
+life."
+
+"I wonder what will be her fate."
+
+"Time will tell," replied Houston, who had his own plans.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+
+Houston had been called away to the office at Silver City, a telegram
+coming one afternoon for him to come down by the next train.
+Rutherford was at that time expecting to leave in a few days, to
+continue his pleasure trip to the coast, having already prolonged his
+stay among the mountains far beyond his first intentions; but at
+Houston's request, he agreed to remain over until the latter's return,
+which he expected would be in about ten days.
+
+A few days after Houston's departure, Lyle started out one afternoon
+for the little cabin, at an hour a little later than she went to
+pursue her studies, or for reading. She knew that at this time, Jack
+usually came off his shift, as he and Mike were expert miners, and
+always completed their task some time in advance of the others.
+
+She had not seen Jack since the visit of the party from the east,
+although she was at the cabin but a few evenings preceding that event,
+and had explained her long absence. Now she had special reasons for
+wishing to meet him, and she hastened on, hoping to find him alone.
+When she reached the cabin, Jack had just come from the mine, and
+Mike, fortunately, had gone down to the Y for needed supplies, and
+would not return for some hours.
+
+After talking a little while, Lyle skillfully brought the conversation
+around to Mr. Houston, and stated that he was in Silver City.
+
+"What is he doing there?" asked Jack, in a tone of surprise, "Is he
+going to remain there?"
+
+"No, he has gone over temporarily to assist the company in that
+office, as he said they needed extra help; he thought he would be back
+in about ten days."
+
+"He seems to make a very efficient clerk for the mining company," said
+Jack, with a peculiar emphasis which Lyle did not understand, but in
+which she detected a flavor of sarcasm.
+
+"He seems efficient in whatever he undertakes," she replied with a
+light laugh, "clerking, fighting or love-making, he is successful in
+all."
+
+"How has he succeeded in love-making?" asked Jack quickly.
+
+"Ask Miss Gladden," was Lyle's smiling rejoinder.
+
+"Is he really in love with her, do you think?"
+
+"Judging by indications, it is a case of genuine love on both sides,
+which, contrary to the old proverb, does run smoothly so far. I think
+they are engaged."
+
+"And you are left out in the cold?" asked Jack kindly, but watching
+her keenly.
+
+"You would not think so, if you could know how kind they are to me,"
+Lyle answered, "you and they are the only friends I have ever known."
+
+"How about Mr. Rutherford? Isn't he a friend of yours, too?"
+
+"Mr. Rutherford is a gentleman," she replied slowly, "he always treats
+me with respect, and we have very pleasant times together, but he
+never forgets that I belong to one station in life, and he to another.
+He is altogether unlike Mr. Houston and Miss Gladden; I wish you could
+know them, Jack, and that they could know you."
+
+"They probably have no desire to form my acquaintance, and I have no
+need to form theirs. It is rather late in the day for me to make
+friends now."
+
+"But Jack," said Lyle, in almost a pleading tone, "Miss Gladden wishes
+to meet you, and has repeatedly asked me to inquire if she might come
+and see you."
+
+"What is her motive for wishing to see me?"
+
+"I think because I have often spoken of you as my friend; then she
+said recently, that she would like, if possible, to take me east with
+her, and give me a musical education, and she would like to talk with
+you about it."
+
+"Has she or Mr. Houston heard you sing?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What did they say of your voice?"
+
+"Miss Gladden seems to think I have a wonderful voice, and Mr. Houston
+said he had heard but one like it in all his life."
+
+Jack had risen, and was looking out of the window, his back toward
+Lyle; after a few moments he spoke, in an unusually gentle tone.
+
+"You can say to Miss Gladden, that if she wishes to see me regarding
+you, she is welcome to come. Though I seldom receive callers, and have
+no wish to meet strangers, I am willing to meet a true friend of
+yours."
+
+"Then, under those conditions," said Lyle, with almost a tone of
+triumph in her voice, "you would meet Mr. Houston."
+
+"Why?" asked Jack, quickly, turning toward her.
+
+"Because he is my friend."
+
+Jack shook his head, and began pacing the room. "No," he said, as
+gently as ever, but very firmly, "I would rather not meet him."
+
+Lyle looked troubled. "Jack," she said earnestly, "you have always
+appeared rather peculiar regarding Mr. Houston; tell me candidly, are
+you his friend, or his enemy?"
+
+"Why!" he exclaimed in surprise, stopping before her, and looking into
+her earnest face, with a smile, "How should I be either? Am I not
+perfectly neutral? Are we not strangers?"
+
+Lyle shook her head decidedly. "I cannot say whether or not you are
+strangers, but you are not neutral toward him; I have seen all along
+that you have some strong feeling toward him, but whether of kindness
+or enmity, I cannot tell, but I must know."
+
+"Why must you know?" he asked, resuming his walk.
+
+"Perhaps I can tell you later," she replied, "but, as you are my
+friend, I must know whether you are, or will be, his friend, or his
+enemy."
+
+For some moments Jack was silent, and when he spoke his voice was full
+of some strong emotion:
+
+"My dear child, I have no reason for any enmity toward him, and if he
+is the true, honorable man that you think he is, God knows I would
+stand by him, even to death itself."
+
+"Then, if he was in difficulty or danger, and needed help, you would
+help him, would you not?" asked Lyle eagerly.
+
+"My child," he answered gravely, "you must explain yourself; you
+certainly can trust me. I promise you this, I will not harm him or
+betray him, whatever may be the difficulty."
+
+"You are sure there is no one to hear us?"
+
+"I will make sure," he answered briefly, and bidding the collie guard
+the outside door, he then closed the door between the two rooms, and
+sat down near Lyle.
+
+"You remember," she began, "the evening you passed our house?" He
+nodded. "Well, among the strangers there that night, were an English
+expert, Mr. Lindlay, and a Mr. Van Dorn, who, they said, was an
+inventor of some mining machinery. A little while after you passed, I
+took a book and went out by the lake to read, sitting down behind a
+thick group of small evergreens. I read as long as I could see, and
+then sat for some time, thinking, and watching the reflection of the
+moon in the lake. Then the moon went behind that tall peak, you know,
+across the lake, and it was quite dark; but I remained there thinking
+so deeply that, although for a few minutes I heard low voices talking,
+I paid no attention to it, supposing it was simply some people going
+up the mountain, till suddenly I was aroused by Mr. Houston's voice,
+only a few feet from me, saying in a low tone, 'There may be
+considerable danger ahead of us, but you are just the one I need, and
+you will be well compensated,' and Mr. Van Dorn answered, 'Hang
+compensation! if I can help you get the best of these rascals, I'm
+going to do it, just for the gratification of the thing,' and then I
+heard the Englishman, with his peculiar accent, saying something I
+couldn't quite catch, but it seemed to be to the effect that he would
+help Mr. Houston against what he called the 'domned scoundrels.'
+
+"At first, I wanted to leave, but I couldn't without their seeing me,
+and having to make explanations, and making it embarrassing all round;
+and then the thought flashed through my mind that Mr. Houston was a
+good friend of mine, and perhaps if I stayed, I might be able to help
+him if he should be in any danger later, as he spoke of, so I remained
+there.
+
+"I haven't time to tell you all I heard, but this is what I learned:
+He is not a clerk at all, but is out here in the interest of some rich
+company in the east, with which an uncle of his is connected. This
+eastern company have for some time suspected crooked work on the part
+of the company here, and he has come out in the capacity of bookkeeper
+and clerk to get all the information he can against them. He has
+obtained all the proofs he can get in this office, and said he was
+going over in a few days to the main office at Silver City,--and that
+is where he is now,--to see what he can find against them there. When
+he returns he is going to examine the mines that this eastern company
+own, as fast as he can get opportunities, and it seems this Mr. Van
+Dorn is a mining expert himself, though no one out here knows it, and
+when Mr. Houston is ready, he is to come out here with some of his
+mining machinery that he is going to set up in the mills, to show the
+company his new method of reducing ores, but his real object in coming
+will be to help Mr. Houston carry on his investigations against the
+company. Then, when they have obtained all the information and proof
+they need, they will telegraph Mr. Houston's uncle,--Mr. Cameron, I
+think was his name,--and he and the English expert will come out
+together, unexpectedly to the company, and I think they said they
+would prosecute the officers of the company for fraud."
+
+Jack's face was concealed with one hand, but Lyle could see that he
+had grown very pale, and beneath the heavy, black beard, his lips were
+moving under the influence of some deep emotion. She continued:
+
+"My reason for wishing to confide this to you was, that I heard Mr.
+Van Dorn ask Mr. Houston if there was any one among the miners whom
+he could trust to help them, as he said without the assistance of some
+one, familiar with the mines and their different workings, the
+undertaking would be much more difficult and dangerous; and I thought
+at once of you, Jack. You have often told me of the dishonesty and
+fraud practiced by the company, and said that you would like to see
+some of their schemes exposed, and I thought you would be just the one
+to help Mr. Houston, and no one would be likely to suspect you
+either."
+
+She paused a moment, then added, "He has enemies working against him,
+and he ought to have some one to help him."
+
+"Who are his enemies?" asked Jack.
+
+"Haight, for one, and my father and all the men that he can influence;
+and you know, that if they once suspected what he is doing, they would
+not hesitate, for one moment, to kill him."
+
+"They would not," said Jack, quietly but decidedly, "and among the
+mines it is a very easy thing to put a man out of the way."
+
+"Then you will look out for him, and help him, will you not?" said
+Lyle, rising to go.
+
+"Yes, child," he answered with unusual tenderness, "you do not know
+what you are asking, but since hearing what you have told me, no harm
+shall come to your friend that I can prevent, no matter what it costs
+me."
+
+"But Jack," said Lyle anxiously, going to him and laying her hands in
+his, "this will not put you in danger, will it? My idea was that you
+could give him information, and no one would ever suspect you; but you
+have been too true a friend to me, for me to put you in any danger."
+
+"You need have no fear," he answered, "I did not refer to any
+particular danger of that kind. I am only glad you have told me what
+you have. Had I learned it in any other way, I would have wished to
+help your friend. When he returns, say nothing to him of having asked
+me to help him; I will find him in my own way."  Lyle thanked Jack
+heartily, and as she looked up into his face, her beautiful eyes
+unusually bright, and her cheeks flushed with emotion, he seemed
+strangely touched, and bending over her, kissed her reverently on her
+forehead, for the first time in their acquaintance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+
+Nearly a week after the departure of Houston for Silver City, as
+Morgan was passing the sorting rooms one morning, on his way from the
+mines to the mills, he heard Haight calling him.
+
+"Hello, there, Morgan, the Sunrise deal is off."
+
+"Off? who says so? Got a wire from the boss?"
+
+"Yes, she just came, about fifteen minutes ago."
+
+"What's the matter? did the old man say?"
+
+"Nothing very definite; 'party writes property not satisfactory,'
+that's all he says."
+
+"Hang it! I should think it looked good enough for 'em. Well," he
+growled, "there's so much hard work gone for nothing," and thrusting
+his hands deeper into his pockets in his disgust, Morgan started on
+his way, but Haight detained him.
+
+"Hold on a minute; say, Morgan, you don't suppose that they caught on
+to our deal, do you? or that anybody put 'em onto it?"
+
+"Who was there to put 'em onto anything?" asked Morgan.
+
+"Oh, the confidential clerk, may be; he was on such good terms with
+Johnny Bull and the dude."
+
+Morgan shook his head. "He's too much of a sucker for the company, and
+knows too well which side his bread is buttered, for business of that
+kind."
+
+"I don't know about that," said Haight, "he's a dude and a tenderfoot
+himself, and likes to toady around with those eastern snobs; what else
+were they hob-nobbing with him for, if they didn't think they could
+get some information out of him? I've got my own ideas on that subject
+and I'm going to make some investigations, and if I find I'm correct,
+he'll find pretty quick where he will be; I've no use for him any
+way." "I haven't any more use for him than you have," answered
+Morgan, "but he ain't a very safe fellow to fool with now, I can tell
+you, and I don't think you want to run up against him yourself."
+
+"I don't know as I've said anything about running up against anybody,"
+said Haight, "that isn't my style, but I'll run him out of this
+country in one way or another, see if I don't."
+
+"You think you're pretty smooth," Morgan called over his shoulder, as
+he started for the mills, "and if you want to undertake the job, all
+right; for my part, I don't care to have much to do with him."
+
+Two or three evenings later, as Lyle sat in her favorite nook beside
+the lake, book in hand, watching for the return of Miss Gladden who
+had gone with Rutherford for a short row, she was much surprised to
+see Haight approaching, wearing his most ingratiating smile. For a day
+or two, he had, on several occasions, when unobserved by the others,
+treated her with a marked politeness intended to be very flattering,
+for the thought had occurred to him that possibly through her he might
+get some information regarding Houston.
+
+"Ah," he said now, seating himself at a little distance from her, and
+with a glance at the book which she had closed and laid aside, "I fear
+I have interrupted your reading."
+
+"I was not reading," she replied, "I was merely glancing over a book
+of Miss Gladden's while awaiting her return."
+
+For a few moments he talked in a light, frivolous manner, but Lyle,
+suspicious of some ulterior motive in his coming, did not respond very
+favorably to his efforts at conversation. At last he said, very
+pleasantly:
+
+"This is a favorite resort of yours, is it not, Miss Maverick?"
+
+"Yes, I come here frequently," she replied.
+
+"I judged so," he continued carelessly, "I saw you out here the
+evening the eastern party was at the house, and I remember the English
+expert and his friend took a walk in this direction, with Mr. Houston.
+I suppose they were talking over the mine they had looked at, and
+took Mr. Houston along thinking he might be able to give them any
+additional information they needed. I wonder what they thought about
+that mine," he added, watching Lyle, "I suppose you must have
+overheard some of their conversation."
+
+Lyle was not taken off guard, however, and answered indifferently, "I
+heard voices, but I was so absorbed in thought I paid little attention
+to them; it was some time before I even recognized them."
+
+"But you certainly must have overheard some of their conversation,"
+said Haight, in his smoothest tones, "can you not recall anything said
+about the mine?"
+
+"There was nothing whatever said about the mine," she replied, "and if
+there had been, I am not in the habit of listening to conversations
+and repeating them."
+
+"Of course not, under ordinary circumstances," Haight rejoined,
+smiling, "but you know 'all is fair in love and war' and in mining
+deals, and as I am interested in behalf of the company, and we
+have, as yet, heard nothing from the party, you see I naturally had
+a little curiosity regarding their conversation that evening. You
+are sure they said nothing of the mine, or that Mr. Houston gave
+them no information?"
+
+Lyle rose, her eyes flashing with scorn and indignation, as she
+replied, "Why should Mr. Houston give them any information? As I have
+told you, there was nothing said about the mine; so far as I could
+judge, the gentlemen were talking of their own personal affairs; and
+it is false that you have received no word from the eastern party, for
+I heard you and Morgan talking at the table yesterday of the deal
+having fallen through, and you suspect Mr. Houston of dishonorable
+conduct only because you judge every one to be like yourself," and
+without giving him opportunity to reply, she turned and walked in the
+opposite direction toward the boat which she saw approaching in the
+distance.
+
+Haight walked away toward the house, conscious that his interview had
+been a failure, but more than ever determined to work his revenge upon
+Houston, and upon Lyle also, when the right time came.
+
+Lyle determined, for the present, to say nothing regarding the
+interview, and met her friends without any allusion to what had just
+occurred.
+
+After assisting Miss Gladden ashore, Rutherford returned to the boat,
+while Miss Gladden and Lyle started homeward. The former could detect
+in Lyle's manner signs of unusual excitement, but asked no questions,
+as she did not think it best to force her confidence.
+
+"Lyle, when are you going to take me to call on your friend, Jack?"
+she inquired.
+
+"Any time you wish," Lyle answered, "I spoke to him the other day
+about your coming, and he said you would be most welcome."
+
+"Then he graciously consented to receive me! Very well, suppose we go
+now, it is not late."
+
+Arriving at the cabin, they found Jack and Mike sitting outside the
+door, watching the last fleeting colors of the gorgeous sunset. Miss
+Gladden was duly introduced, and invited within, and since the bashful
+Irishman could not be prevailed upon to enter the cabin, Jack
+entertained his guests alone.
+
+Miss Gladden, from Lyle's description of her friend, had expected to
+find in Jack a gentleman, but she was totally unprepared for the
+polished courtesy, the courtly ease and grace without a trace of
+self-consciousness or restraint, with which, though clad in rough,
+miner's clothes, he received her in the little cabin, and as she
+conversed with him, she found her respect for him increasing every
+moment.
+
+To Jack, isolated as he had been for years from refined, intellectual
+associations, it seemed like a glimpse into another, and not
+unfamiliar world, and the deference and respect expressed in Miss
+Gladden's manner were especially gratifying.
+
+Very easily Miss Gladden led the conversation, avoiding, with
+intuitive delicacy, all allusions to himself or his surroundings, till
+at last she said:
+
+"I have taken such an interest in my friend, Lyle, and she has so
+often spoken of your kindness to her, that I have wished to meet you,
+for I feel that in her welfare, we have a mutual interest."
+
+Jack smiled gravely, as he replied, "I have endeavored to help her as
+best I could under existing conditions, and notwithstanding the fact
+that the ways and means have been exceedingly restricted, she has
+proven herself an apt pupil, and has made good progress."
+
+"Indeed she has," said Miss Gladden, "and with her ability, it seems a
+pity that she should not have every possible advantage."
+
+"To me," he replied, "it seems a great pity that so much of her life
+has already been spent among such disadvantages, the greater part of
+the most valuable portion of her life wasted."
+
+"Not entirely wasted," said Miss Gladden, "for what you have taught
+her will be of inestimable value to her always."
+
+"Yes, indeed!" exclaimed Lyle, "what would my life have been without
+you?"
+
+"I have laid the foundation so far as I was able," said Jack, smiling,
+"but it was time, long ago, for the superstructure to be builded."
+
+"One reason why I wish to see you," continued Miss Gladden, "was to
+ask you what you would think of the feasibility of my taking Lyle east
+with me, when I return."
+
+"If you are willing to do that, Miss Gladden," said Jack, slowly, "I
+can see nothing in the way of its practicability except to gain the
+consent of Mr. and Mrs. Maverick, and that might prove a formidable
+obstacle."
+
+"He does not call them her parents," thought Miss Gladden, "does he
+know she is not their child?"
+
+Jack continued. "If it had not been for that difficulty, I would
+gladly myself have furnished the means for a moderate education for
+Lyle, but I knew Maverick's decided objection to her possessing even
+the most rudimentary knowledge. I am of the opinion also, though I may
+be in error, that he would not allow her to leave home."
+
+"You are right, Jack," said Lyle, "if I were to wait for his consent,
+I would never leave here, or have any advantages."
+
+"May I inquire," said Jack, addressing Miss Gladden, "at what time you
+expect to return east?" A faint color tinged Miss Gladden's cheek, as
+she replied:
+
+"I have not yet decided just when I will go east, but probably the
+latter part of the summer."
+
+"Ah, well," he answered, with a slight smile, "I hope that between now
+and that time, some arrangement can be made to Lyle's advantage; but
+if I may make any suggestion, it would be this; that nothing be said
+at present regarding this subject to either Mr. or Mrs. Maverick, as
+it would only arouse their opposition, and perhaps lead to some
+unpleasant results."
+
+After a few moments' further conversation, Miss Gladden thanked Jack
+for his kindness, and rose to go. At the door they found Mike, and
+while Lyle chatted merrily with the witty Irishman for a moment, Miss
+Gladden turned toward Jack, saying in a low tone:
+
+"I would like to have a talk with you regarding Lyle, some time when
+she is not present; may I come and see you by myself some day?"
+
+"Certainly," he responded, "I would be pleased to see you."
+
+For a moment, Miss Gladden stood in silent admiration, watching this
+man whose life seemed wrapped in so much mystery, while he replied to
+some laughing questions of Lyle's.
+
+He was, even now, a splendid specimen of manhood, although his
+shoulders were slightly stooped, and silver threads gleamed here and
+there in the black hair and beard, making him look older than his
+years. He had a face of remarkable beauty also,--with fine, clear-cut
+features,--though browned with exposure, and bearing the lines that
+only the fingers of sorrow can trace. His face did not resemble
+Houston's in the least, but something in his manner reminded Miss
+Gladden of her lover, and she watched him with a sort of fascination.
+
+As she and Lyle walked homeward together, the latter asked:
+
+"What do you think now of my friend, Miss Gladden?"
+
+And Miss Gladden replied thoughtfully, "I think, my dear, that he is
+one of earth's heroes."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+
+The ten days which Houston was to spend at Silver City had expired,
+and his work there was completed. He had followed much the same plan
+as in the office at the camp, doing the work of the company by day,
+and pursuing his own investigations at night.
+
+Mr. Blaisdell had at first objected to his working evenings, telling
+him the company had no wish to make a slave of him, but upon Houston's
+representing that it was an absolute necessity in order to accomplish
+the needed work within a given time, he allowed him to have his own
+way. He had been able to get together much additional proof regarding
+the fraudulent transactions of the company, even ascertaining in what
+direction much of the revenue due the New York company had gone.
+
+He was present when the company received the brief but pointed letter
+from Mr. Winters, in which he stated that the property shown them had
+not been what they were looking for, and that they had found something
+more satisfactory in another direction.
+
+"Well, Blaisdell," said Mr. Rivers, in his quick, incisive way, "I'm
+not in the least surprised."
+
+"Not surprised!" echoed Mr. Blaisdell, "Why not? I confess I'm
+surprised and disappointed."
+
+"It's just what I expected," again chirped Mr. Rivers, "just what I
+told you all along."
+
+"I knew you said you were rather suspicious just in the direction
+where I felt the surest of them."
+
+"Just so," said Mr. Rivers, "I said all along, 'those fish won't bite
+worth a nickel.'"
+
+"Well," said Mr. Blaisdell, with a heavy sigh, "all we can do is to
+try again."
+
+"And next time, I'd advise you to have a little more bait, or else
+don't tackle so big a fish."
+
+It was Houston's last evening in Silver City, and he sat in the hotel
+lobby reading letters which had just come from his uncle and Van Dorn,
+under cover from the Chicago firm, as usual.
+
+Mr. Cameron was delighted to have met Van Dorn and the Englishman, and
+had engaged both men to remain in New York, awaiting word from
+Houston, when he should be ready.
+
+The closing paragraph in Van Dorn's letter he read and re-read with a
+smile, it was so characteristic of his friend:
+
+  "I have had one of my machines carefully packed, and it now stands
+  addressed, ready to accompany me to your mining camp on short
+  notice, where I will show your people the latest method for the
+  reduction of ores; and if the mining company itself is not pretty
+  well reduced' before we get through, my name is not that of
+
+                                                Your friend,
+                                                  ARTHUR VAN DORN.
+
+  P. S. 'The mills of the gods grind slowly,
+        But they grind exceeding small.'"
+
+As Houston folded his letters, his attention was attracted by loud
+talk among a group of men in another part of the lobby. Sauntering in
+that direction, he heard an excited voice exclaim:
+
+"I tell you, they're the biggest frauds on the face of the earth. If
+there's a dishonest scheme, or a sharp, underhanded little game that
+they're not onto, I'd like to know what it is."
+
+"Which company do you mean?" inquired another speaker.
+
+"I mean the mining company represented by Rivers and Blaisdell, with
+old Wilson as a figure-head. I can't remember all their long-winded
+names, but the whole combination is rotten, from beginning to end,
+nothing but a set of lying, scheming, thieving rascals."
+
+"That's right," said an old gentleman who had not spoken before,
+"they're a tough lot."
+
+"Tough!" echoed the first speaker, "I should say so! One of their
+little games is to take charge of mining claims for eastern parties.
+The parties send on money for development work, but do you suppose it
+is used in developing the mines? Not much! By and by, the first these
+parties know, they have forfeited their claims through lack of
+representation, but don't you think the company are not watching out,
+ready to jump the claim the very day the time expires. Sometimes
+they'll hire some poor Swede to locate the claim for them, and then
+assign it to them for a trifle. In that way, I've heard of their
+getting possession of the same claim over and over again."
+
+"I've heard pretty hard stories about Blaisdell," said another, "but I
+guess he don't make much for himself, for as fast as he fleeces other
+people, Rivers fleeces him."
+
+There was considerable more talk in the same strain, but after the
+group had separated, Houston, who had learned the name of the
+principal speaker, approached him as he was standing alone, and said,
+in a low tone:
+
+"This is Mr. Hartwell, I believe; my name is Houston. Mr. Hartwell, I
+heard your remarks a little while ago concerning the North Western
+Mining Company and its officers. I am one of the clerks of that
+company, and I wish to know if you are prepared to substantiate the
+statements you have made here to-night."
+
+"Yes," the man exclaimed with an oath, "I'll substantiate every word
+I've said here to-night, and I can get you a dozen more that will tell
+you more about that company than I can."
+
+"Never mind about the others, for the present," replied Houston
+coolly, "what you have said to-night is likely to come to the ears of
+the company, and what I want to know is this; would you swear in court
+to what you have said here?"
+
+"I tell you," said Mr. Hartwell, with another oath, "I'll swear to it
+ten times over, and if I ever have a chance, I'll down you and your
+cursed company till you won't know that you ever existed," and then
+seeming to take Houston as the representative of the entire
+corporation, he poured upon him a torrent of vituperation and abuse
+which was very amusing to Houston, who was only thinking of securing
+a witness for the prosecution, by and by.
+
+"Well, Mr. Hartwell," he said at last, "you seem so anxious to express
+your feelings, we may give you an opportunity later. For the present,
+I wish you good evening," and he walked smilingly away.
+
+Mr. Hartwell looked after him in amazement; "By George!" he
+soliloquized, "but that fellow's a cool duck, anyhow! I couldn't faze
+him a particle."
+
+The next morning, Houston, in company with Mr. Blaisdell, took the
+early train for the mines. He could not help contrasting this with his
+first trip over the same road. Then, he was a stranger, with his
+entire work before him, uncertain of success in his undertaking; now,
+his preparatory work was nearly done, and though the most difficult
+part of his task yet remained, he felt that success was sure. But the
+contrast which to him seemed, most striking, was in his own feelings,
+for though conscious of enemies and having no knowledge of the friends
+ready to assist him, he yet felt a certain pleasure in returning to
+the mines, as though returning home; and he realized as never before,
+that hidden away in the heart of the mountains was the source from
+which henceforth must flow all his earthly happiness.
+
+Arriving at the office, they found no one there, and Houston
+immediately began an attack upon the work accumulated during his
+absence, while Mr. Blaisdell proceeded to the mills and mines.
+
+On his way he met Haight, and the subject of the unsuccessful mining
+deal was at once taken up.
+
+"They simply wrote that the property was not what they wanted, and
+that they had found what they were looking for elsewhere," said Mr.
+Blaisdell in explanation.
+
+"They seemed well enough satisfied when they were here," remarked
+Haight.
+
+"That was my impression," said Mr. Blaisdell, "but Rivers seems to
+think differently. He says he was suspicious of them all the time,
+because they said nothing one way or another, after seeing the
+property; but my impression was that they were very well pleased."
+
+"Certainly," answered Haight, who always made it a practice to have
+his opinions coincide with those expressed by the person with whom he
+happened to be talking, especially if it were for his interest to do
+so; "everything seemed satisfactory as far as I could judge. It is my
+opinion, Mr. Blaisdell, and has been for some time, that something
+must have been said by some one to prejudice those people against the
+mine; that is the only way I could account for the deal falling
+through as it did."
+
+"But who was there to say anything prejudicial? We were all interested
+in selling the mine."
+
+"I don't care to call any names, Mr. Blaisdell, but I don't think it
+best to take people into our confidence till we are pretty sure of
+them."
+
+"Oh, you allude to Mr. Houston, but you are mistaken there; why,
+Haight, that fellow is working for our interests, and he has saved the
+company considerable money already in the way he has straightened the
+books and detected crooked work; he's going to be invaluable."
+
+"He'll work for our interests just as long as it is for his interest
+to do so, but I imagine anybody could buy him off pretty easy. He's
+one of your swells; see how he dresses and what hightoned notions he
+has for a man in his position, and then tell me he wouldn't take a
+little tip on the outside if he got a chance."
+
+"I think you are mistaken," said Mr. Blaisdell slowly, "still, of
+course, there might be something in what you say; I'll think it over,"
+and the subject was dropped for that day.
+
+Houston was very busy until nearly noon, but left the office a little
+earlier than usual, as he was anxious to meet Miss Gladden a few
+moments in advance of the others, if possible.
+
+She was outside the porch, training some vines which she and Lyle had
+transplanted from among the rocks by the lake. Her back was toward the
+road, but hearing Houston's step, as he approached the house, she
+quickly turned, and in the depths of her luminous eyes he read a
+welcome that made his return seem more than ever like a home-coming.
+Clasping warmly the shapely little hand extended to him in greeting,
+he drew it within his arm, and having led her to a comfortable seat
+within the porch, he drew his own chair close beside her, where he
+could watch the lovely face, so classic and perfect in its beauty, and
+clothed, when animated, with a subtle, spirituelle radiance.
+
+"You are very welcome," said Miss Gladden, as he seated himself, "we
+will all have to celebrate your return, for we have missed you very
+much. Have you been well?"
+
+"Very well," replied Houston, smiling, "except for a touch of
+homesickness occasionally when I remembered our evenings among the
+mountains, or on the lake. It was fortunate that my evenings were so
+crowded with work, or the malady might have proved quite serious."
+
+"Our evenings have not been nearly so pleasant without you," said Miss
+Gladden, "we were all becoming frightfully dull and vapid, but I think
+we will now recover our spirits."
+
+"I have learned one thing," said Houston, "that it is not any
+particular place or surroundings that constitutes home for us, so much
+as the presence of those who are dear to us. Imagine how it would have
+seemed to me, three months ago, to have called this place 'home,' but
+it seems wonderfully home-like to me to-day."
+
+"As to what constitutes a home, I am scarcely qualified to judge,"
+said Miss Gladden, "for I hardly know what a home is; but my idea is,
+that any spot where my best loved ones were, would be home to me."
+
+"And with such sentiments as those," Houston responded, "you would
+make any spot on earth home to those whom you loved."
+
+"I should hope to," she replied, and added archly, "and if they loved
+me, I think I would succeed."
+
+"I fear," said Houston, smiling, "that we are very old fashioned and
+far behind the spirit of modern times, which considers love of small
+account in the elements that constitute a home."
+
+"I consider it an indispensable element, nevertheless," she replied,
+earnestly, "for I have seen too much of so-called homes where it did
+not exist, and they were not even successful imitations of the genuine
+article; their hollowness and wretchedness were only too apparent."
+She paused a moment, then continued:
+
+"To me, the home seems like one of the old-time temples; a place to be
+kept sacred to peace and purity and love; from which the sin and
+strife of the outside world should be faithfully excluded; whose
+inmates, on entering, should leave behind all traces of the evil and
+discord of the outer world, as the Oriental leaves his dust-laden
+sandals at the door of his sanctuary."
+
+"I have never known any other than such a home as that," said Houston,
+slowly, "and it is the only true home."
+
+"Pardon me," said Miss Gladden, "but are your parents living? I have
+often wondered."
+
+"No," he replied, "my parents died when I was a mere child, but the
+faint recollection of my early home, and the memory of my uncle's
+home, which has been mine also, correspond very closely with the
+picture you have just drawn."
+
+"Then with you it is a reality," she answered, "but with me, only an
+ideal."
+
+"Miss Gladden," said Houston very earnestly, but with great
+tenderness, "will you not let me help you to make a reality of your
+ideal?" Then, as she did not immediately reply, he continued, "The
+love that we believe in as the foundation of a true home, is not
+lacking on my part. I love you, Leslie, so much that life with you
+anywhere would seem perfect and complete, while life without you, even
+in a palace, would not seem worth the living. Can you love me enough
+to share my life and home, whatever it may be, as my wife?"
+
+He had taken her hand, and she did not withdraw it, but looking in his
+face, she asked:
+
+"Would you make me your wife, knowing so little of me as you do?"
+
+"I think I know enough," he replied, "I know that you are a pure,
+true-hearted woman; I know that whether you love me or not," her eyes
+dropped, "there is no one you love better than me; and though I do
+not know it, I am almost sure that you do care for me in some degree,
+am I not right?"
+
+She looked up into the face bending over her, and Houston read his
+answer in her eyes, and even had she tried to speak, he gave her no
+opportunity for doing so.
+
+"To think of your conceit!" exclaimed Miss Gladden, a few moments
+later, "in having the assurance to say that I cared for no one more
+than you, whether I loved you or not; how did you ever come to make
+such an assertion?"
+
+"Your eyes betrayed you," he answered, while she blushed, "they often
+tell tales, but I have noticed they always tell the truth, and I knew
+they would never have told me some secrets that they have, if there
+was any one else you cared for."
+
+The sound of approaching footsteps interrupted their conversation, and
+brought them back to the common, every-day affairs of life, and
+turning, they saw Rutherford coming up the path from the lake, where
+he had gone for a stroll.
+
+"Hello, Houston!" exclaimed the latter, catching a glimpse of his
+friend, "when did you come? Well, I'm awfully glad you've got back,
+we've missed you, old fellow, I can tell you."
+
+"Welcome home!" said a sweet voice, and Houston saw the starry eyes
+and golden crowned head of Lyle framed in the door-way, and hastened
+to greet her. She met him with a woman's grace, and with a child's
+affection looking frankly out of her lovely eyes. After his brief
+absence, Houston was impressed by her beauty as never before. "I
+didn't know the child was so beautiful," he thought to himself, "I
+believe she grows lovelier every day, and she reminds me strangely of
+some one I have seen long ago."
+
+"Oh, by the way," said Rutherford, as the friends seated themselves
+around the dinner table, "I've just received a letter from my brother,
+and he says he is coming out here."
+
+"Your brother!" exclaimed Miss Gladden and Houston, "What! coming here
+among the mountains?"
+
+"Yes," he replied, "he happened to be in New York when Van Dorn got
+back, and from his description of the place, and mine, he says he
+would like to see it. He is coming out to the coast by another route,
+and wants me to meet him in San Francisco, and then we will stop here
+on our return."
+
+"Then you are coming back again," said Miss Gladden; "that will be
+lovely, and we will be delighted to meet your brother with you."
+
+"Indeed we will," added Houston cordially, "what time do you expect to
+be here, Ned?"
+
+"My brother wants to get here, he says, in about six or eight weeks,
+so it will probably be some time in August."
+
+Lyle had said nothing, but had listened to the conversation, a
+thoughtful, far-away look stealing into her eyes; and the rest of the
+boarders arriving just then, nothing more was said on the subject.
+
+Haight greeted Houston with his usual smiling politeness, but Morgan
+looked sullen, and Mr. Blaisdell was gloomy and taciturn. Haight's
+influence was working, and he could afford to smile. Lyle was quick to
+note the situation, and also to detect in Haight's face an expression
+of ill-concealed triumph, and as their eyes met, he read that in her
+face that boded no good to himself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+
+Mr. Blaisdell having returned to the city that same day, everything
+went forward in the same regular routine as prior to Houston's
+absence, and evening found the four friends seated on the summit of an
+immense rocky pile, watching the grand and rugged scenery surrounding
+them illumined by the glowing colors of the sunset sky. They had been
+talking of Rutherford's intended trip to the coast, when Miss Gladden
+said:
+
+"Mr. Houston, how early can you join us to-morrow afternoon? We are
+going to have a little picnic party of four, in honor of your return,
+and also to give Mr. Rutherford pleasant memories of his last days
+among the mountains."
+
+"Oh," said Rutherford, "now I understand; I've wondered what you
+ladies were so mysterious about all day; you've been holding secret
+sessions and making cabalistical signs to each other all the
+afternoon. Well, as this picnic is partly on my account, I'm sure I
+feel flattered and shall be delighted to attend. Houston, old boy,
+when can we look for you?"
+
+"I think, considering the importance of the occasion, I can be ready
+to join you at three o'clock," replied Houston, while the ladies
+expressed their approval.
+
+"There seems to have been a great deal of mysterious consultation
+about this affair," remarked Rutherford, "what is the program for
+to-morrow?"
+
+"Well," said Miss Gladden, "for one thing, we must have plenty of
+music; have neither of you gentlemen any musical instruments with
+you?"
+
+"Not I," replied Houston, while Rutherford answered, laughing, "I have
+a banjo that I brought along to amuse myself with in case I got
+lonesome, but I've had no use for it so far, I've had such good
+company here."
+
+"A very graceful compliment, thank you," said Miss Gladden, smiling,
+"but bring the banjo by all means, we will have use for it to-morrow,
+and I have just thought of something else for the occasion,--but I'm
+not going to divulge all my plans, we must keep something for a
+surprise, mustn't we, Lyle?"
+
+Lyle laughed merrily; "I'm not going to tell a single plan of mine;
+you will all find when we reach the place, what a mountain picnic
+means."
+
+"But can we not even know where we are going?" asked Rutherford, with
+a tragic air.
+
+"You would not know if I should tell you," responded Lyle, "we are
+going to Sunset Park."
+
+"Sunset Park!" they exclaimed, "where is that?"
+
+"Is it in any way connected with the Sunrise mine of recent fame?"
+inquired Houston.
+
+"No," replied Lyle, "it is across the lake; you remember the landing I
+showed you among the rocks? You follow the broad trail leading up the
+mountains, and you will come to a beautiful plateau on the west side,
+as level as a floor,--but I'm not going to tell you about it, you must
+first see it for yourselves."
+
+The next morning, immediately after breakfast, while Houston still
+stood talking with Miss Gladden and Rutherford, the graceful form of
+Lyle suddenly darted past them, her face nearly concealed by an
+enormous sunbonnet.
+
+"Lyle, you gypsy, where are you going?" called Miss Gladden.
+
+For answer, she turned and waved her hand with a merry laugh, then
+ran, fleet-footed as a deer, to the edge of the lake, and unfastening
+one of the little boats, was in it and rowing out upon the lake as
+dextrously as a professional oarsman, before those watching her could
+even guess her intentions.
+
+"Great Cæsar! but that girl can row!" exclaimed Rutherford, with all
+the enthusiastic admiration of a newly graduated collegian.
+
+"Where is the child going?" asked Houston.
+
+"Probably to the picnic ground," said Miss Gladden, "but what for, I
+cannot imagine."
+
+The sunbonnet was waved saucily in the air, and then instead of
+steering for the landing place as they expected, the boat suddenly
+disappeared around a corner of the rocks, in the opposite direction,
+while there came ringing out on the air, in mocking tones, the words
+of the old song:
+
+                  "I saw the boat go 'round the bend."
+
+No one saw Lyle when she returned, a couple of hours later, and not
+even Miss Gladden knew that she was in the house until she made her
+appearance at the dinner table, with a very demure face, exceedingly
+pink fingers, and wearing an air of deep mystery that no amount of
+joking could diminish.
+
+After dinner, Lyle made two or three trips across the lake, carrying
+mysterious baskets and dishes. In one of these journeys she was
+intercepted by Miss Gladden, who was lying in wait for her, and who,
+tempted by the delightful aroma, lifted the cover of one of her
+dishes.
+
+"Strawberries!" she exclaimed, "and wild ones! Where did you get them,
+Lyle? They are the first I have seen out here."
+
+"They are the first that have ripened," she replied, "I went over to
+the gulch for them this morning, but don't say anything about them,"
+she added, as she stepped into the boat with her treasures, "I'm going
+to cache them until they are needed."
+
+"Going to do what?" said Miss Gladden.
+
+"Going to 'cache' them, hide them away among the rocks," she replied
+laughing, and, taking the oars, she was soon speeding across the
+lake.
+
+It was a merry party that started out two or three hours later.
+Houston carried the banjo, as Rutherford had his precious camera and a
+lot of plates, having declared his intention of immortalizing the
+occasion by taking a number of views for the benefit of their
+posterity. Miss Gladden had her guitar, and to the great astonishment
+of the gentlemen, Lyle appeared, carrying a fine old violin. It was
+Mike's, which she had borrowed for the occasion at the suggestion of
+Miss Gladden, and in reply to the expressions of wonder from the
+gentlemen, Miss Gladden said:
+
+"This is the surprise I planned for you, but wait till you have heard
+her; I never heard her myself until a day or two ago."
+
+With song and laughter they crossed the lake, and having reached the
+landing place among the rocks and fastened their boats, proceeded up
+the mountain. Here they found a flight of natural stone steps, at the
+head of which a broad trail wound around the mountain, until, having
+passed a huge, shelving rock, they suddenly found themselves on a
+plateau, broad, grassy, and, as Lyle had said, "as level as a floor."
+
+Groups of large evergreens afforded a refreshing shade. Underneath the
+trees an immense, flat rock, covered with a snowy table-cloth and
+trimmed with vines and flowers, gave hint of some of the more
+substantial pleasures to be looked for later. At a distance gleamed
+the silvery cascades, their rainbow-tinted spray rising in a perpetual
+cloud of beauty. Far below could be seen the winding, canyon road,
+while above and beyond, on all sides, the mountains reared their
+glistening crests against the sky.
+
+For a time they gave themselves up to the enjoyment of the scene,
+till, at Miss Gladden's suggestion, the tuning of the various
+instruments began, interspersed with jokes and merry, rippling
+laughter. Amidst the general merriment, Houston, with an air of great
+gravity, produced from his pocket the different parts of a flute,
+which he proceeded to fit together, saying:
+
+"When you were speaking last evening about the music for to-day I had
+entirely forgotten the existence of this flute, but after we went to
+our room, Ned persisted in practicing on that unmusical instrument of
+his, and in searching in my trunk for a weapon of self defense, I
+found this, and it answered my purpose so well then, I brought it with
+me to-day."
+
+The music was a success, and it seemed as though the musicians would
+never grow weary, but when, at Miss Gladden's request, Lyle sang
+"Kathleen Mavourneen," her sweet, rich tones blending with the wild,
+plaintive notes of the violin, her listeners again seemed entranced by
+the witchery of the music, as on the night when first they heard her
+sing, and were only aroused by the sound of hearty, prolonged cheering
+from the canyon below.
+
+Looking over the edge of the plateau, they discovered a party of about
+a dozen people, in a wagon drawn by six horses, who had stopped to
+listen to the music, and give their panting animals a chance to rest.
+Behind them was a line of three or four pack mules, laden with tents,
+cooking utensils and bedding.
+
+"A camping party!" exclaimed Lyle, "the first of the season; they are
+on their way to Strawberry gulch."
+
+On catching sight of the group above on the plateau, the ladies below
+began waving their handkerchiefs, and the gentlemen were loud in their
+cheers and calls for more music.
+
+"Give them another song, Miss Maverick," said Rutherford, "that is a
+decided encore."
+
+Once more raising her violin, Lyle sang "The Maid of Dundee," and
+never did song or singer meet with nobler applause, for the cheers
+from below in the canyon were joined with those from above on the
+plateau, and were echoed and re-echoed among the rocks, the last
+reverberations dying away and mingling with the roar of the distant
+cascades.
+
+As the camping party seemed in no haste to continue their journey,
+Miss Gladden with the gentlemen then came forward to the edge of the
+plateau, and all joined in singing a few familiar songs, some of them
+accompanied by the guitar and the violin, after which, the party in
+the canyon, with much waving of hats and handkerchiefs, and many
+cheers in token of their appreciation, passed on their way.
+
+After this little episode, a gypsy fire was kindled, and in a short
+time the rock table was spread with a dainty feast; chicken
+sandwiches, mountain trout, which Lyle had caught in the morning,
+delicately broiled, and the sweet, wild strawberries served in various
+ways, all equally tempting and delicious. After the feast, Houston
+proved himself an adept upon the violin, and he and Rutherford gave a
+number of college songs, and old plantation songs and dances,
+accompanied by the violin and banjo.
+
+At last, as the long, gray twilight was slowly deepening, and the
+stars silently marshaling their forces in the evening sky, the two
+boats drifted across the lake, only guided, not propelled, by the
+oars, and the air, for a while, was filled with song. As they slowly
+approached the shore, however, the singing gradually ceased. For a
+while Rutherford talked of the coming of his brother; then he and Lyle
+were silent, but from the other boat, at a little distance, came low,
+murmuring tones. They had just entered upon the first pages of that
+beautiful story, old as eternity itself, and as enduring; the only one
+of earth's stories upon whose closing page, as we gaze with eyes dim
+with the approaching shadows of death, we find no "finis" written, for
+it is to be continued in the shadowless life beyond.
+
+Rutherford was thinking of some one far away, under European skies,
+and wishing that she were present with him there, to make his
+happiness complete.
+
+And Lyle, with that face of wondrous beauty, yet calm and inscrutable
+as that of the sphinx, had any power as yet passed over the hidden
+depths of her woman's nature, and troubled the waters? Were those
+eyes, with their far-away look, gazing into the past with its strange
+darkness and mystery, or striving to pierce the dim, impenetrable veil
+of the future? No one could say; perhaps she herself was scarcely
+conscious, but as they landed, Miss Gladden noted the new expression
+dawning in her eyes, and as the friends and lovers separated for the
+night, each one avowing that day to have been one of the most
+delightful of their whole lives, she wound her arm about Lyle in
+sisterly fashion, and drew her into her own room. Lyle, as was her
+custom, dropped upon a low seat beside her friend, but was silent.
+
+"Are you looking backward or forward, to-night, Lyle?" asked Miss
+Gladden, taking the lovely face in both her hands, and gazing into the
+beautiful eyes.
+
+Lyle's color deepened slightly, as she replied:
+
+"I hardly know; it seems sometimes as if I were looking into an
+altogether different life from this, a different world from that in
+which I have lived."
+
+"How so, my dear?" inquired her friend.
+
+"I scarcely know how to describe it myself," she replied; then asked
+abruptly, "Miss Gladden, do you believe we have ever had an existence
+prior to this? that we have lived on earth before, only amid different
+surroundings?"
+
+"No," answered Miss Gladden, "I can see no reason for such a belief as
+that; but why do you ask?"
+
+"Only because it seems sometimes as if that were the only way in which
+I could account for some of my strange impressions and feelings."
+
+"Tell me about them," said Miss Gladden, interested.
+
+"They are so vague," Lyle replied, "I hardly know how to describe
+them, but I have always felt them, more or less. When I read of life
+amid scenes of refinement and beauty, there is always an indefinable
+sense of familiarity about it all; and since you and Mr. Houston have
+been here, and I have lived such a different life,--especially since
+we have sung together so much,--the impression is much more vivid
+than before; even the music seems familiar, as if I had heard it all,
+or something like it, long ago, and yet it is utterly impossible,
+living the life I have. It must have been only in my dreams, those
+strange dreams I used to have so often, and which come to me even
+now."
+
+"And what are these dreams, dear? You have never before spoken to me
+of them."
+
+"No," Lyle answered, "I have never spoken of them to any one; they
+have always been rather vague and indefinite, like the rest of my
+strange impressions and fancies; only they are all alike, it is almost
+precisely the same dream, no matter when it comes to me. There is only
+one feature that is very clear or distinct, and that is a beautiful
+face that is always bending over me, and always seems full of love and
+tenderness. Sometimes there are other faces in the background, but
+they are confused and indistinct,--I can only recall this one that is
+so beautiful. Then there is always a general sense of light and
+beauty, and sometimes I seem to hear music; and then it is all
+suddenly succeeded by an indescribable terror, in which the face
+vanishes, and from which I awake trembling with fright."
+
+"And you say you have had this dream always?" queried Miss Gladden.
+
+"Yes, ever since I could remember. I don't seem to be able to recall
+much about my early childhood, before I was five or six years old, but
+these dreams are among my earliest recollections, and I would
+sometimes awake crying with fright. After I met Jack, and he began
+teaching me, my mind was so taken up with study, that the dreams
+became less frequent, and for the last two or three years, I had
+almost forgotten them, till something seemed to recall them, and now
+it occurs often, especially after we have had an evening of song. I
+know I shall see that beautiful face to-night."
+
+"But whose face is it, Lyle?" questioned Miss Gladden; "surely, it
+must resemble some one you have seen."
+
+Lyle shook her head; "I have never seen any living person whom it
+resembled. That, together with all these strange impressions of which
+I have told you, is what seems so mysterious, and leads me to half
+believe I have lived another life, sometime, somewhere."
+
+Miss Gladden sat silently caressing the golden head. Her suspicions
+that Lyle had had other parents than those whom she knew as such, were
+almost confirmed, but would it be best, with no tangible proof, to
+hint such a thought to Lyle herself? While she was thus musing, Lyle
+continued:
+
+"What seemed to me strangest of all, is, that though I cannot remember
+ever seeing a living face like the one in my dream, I have seen what I
+believe is a photograph of it."
+
+"When? and where?" asked Miss Gladden quickly, hoping to find some key
+to the problem she was trying to solve.
+
+"A few weeks after your coming, and at Jack's cabin," Lyle replied.
+
+"Did Jack show you the picture?"
+
+"No, I do not know that he intended me to see it, but it was lying on
+the table that evening; I took it up and looked at it, but he did not
+seem to want to talk about it. I have never seen it since, and he told
+me that until that evening, he had not seen it for a long time."
+
+"And did you recognize it as the face of your dreams?"
+
+"Not then; it seemed familiar, but it was not until after I reached
+home that I remembered my dream, and from that time, the dream
+returned. I see the face often now, and it is just like the picture,
+only possibly a little older and sweeter."
+
+"And you have never spoken to Jack about the picture since?"
+
+"No, for I have not seen it, and he has never alluded to it. He
+admitted that evening it was the picture of some one he had loved
+dearly, and I have since thought perhaps he would rather I had not
+seen it."
+
+Miss Gladden was silent; her old theory regarding Jack's being the
+father of Lyle, seemed to her now more probable than ever. She
+believed the picture to be that of Lyle's own mother, who, it seemed
+evident, had lived long enough that her child remembered her in her
+dreams, though unable to recall her face at other times.
+
+Very tenderly she bade Lyle good-night, determined that her next call
+at the little cabin should be made as early as possible.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+
+Houston and Rutherford, on retiring to their room, after the breaking
+up of the picnic party, donned their slippers and smoking jackets, and
+having lighted their cigars, and slipped into the easiest possible
+attitudes, prepared to devote the next few hours to a confidential
+tete-a-tete. The next day Rutherford would start on his journey to the
+coast, and naturally there were many topics of mutual interest to be
+discussed on this, their last night together for a number of weeks.
+
+Houston felt that the time had come for taking Rutherford into his
+confidence regarding his own work and plans, for it was evident that
+Van Dorn had posted his brother, and Rutherford would soon learn the
+truth from him, if in no other way. For a while Rutherford talked of
+his brother.
+
+"I knew he was intending to come west this summer, and I expected to
+meet him in some of the cities along the coast, but I supposed he
+would return by one of the southern routes. I'm awfully glad he has
+decided to come back this way," he added, "for I would enjoy it of
+course, to come around and see you again, and then, I'd like to have
+you meet Mort. He and I are not a bit alike, but I think he's a
+splendid fellow, and I think you and he will like each other."
+
+"I haven't a doubt of it, Ned," Houston replied, with an air of
+confidence rather surprising to his friend; "in fact, I think I will
+be as glad to meet him as you yourself;" then, as Rutherford's eyes
+expressed considerable wonder at such unexpected cordiality, he
+continued:
+
+"I've been thinking, for some time, Ned, that the friendship you have
+shown for the low-salaried clerk and bookkeeper whom you met on your
+way out here, deserves some degree of confidence in return, and this
+evening seems to be the best time for giving you a little explanation
+regarding the man whom you have called your friend for the last few
+weeks."
+
+"Why, certainly, if you wish," Rutherford replied, with slight
+embarrassment, "but then, it isn't at all necessary, you know; that
+is, unless it is your choice, for your salary or your position doesn't
+cut any figure with me. Whatever your circumstances may be, I know as
+well as I need to know that you are a gentleman; anybody can see that,
+and I have told my brother so."
+
+"I am much obliged to you, Ned," Houston answered, with difficulty
+restraining a smile, "but I am going to begin by saying that your
+brother knows me a great deal better than you do."
+
+Rutherford's face expressed so much astonishment, that it resembled
+nothing so much as an exaggerated exclamation point. Houston
+continued:
+
+"I have never in my life known what it was to have an own brother, but
+the one who for many years has held that place in my heart is Morton
+Rutherford, and I think he will tell you that of all his class mates,
+there was not one with whom he was upon more intimate, confidential
+terms, than Everard Houston, of New York."
+
+"Everard Houston! Great Scott!" exclaimed Rutherford, springing to his
+feet, "why I remember that name well; he was Mort's best friend. You
+don't mean to say you are the same? Why, I thought you said you were
+from Chicago!"
+
+"I was from Chicago, when you met me," answered Houston, smiling, "but
+I had come from New York less than ten days before."
+
+"Well, by Jove!" said Rutherford, walking up and down the room, "I am
+floored completely! If you had once said you were from New York, I
+might have suspected who you were, but Chicago! and then," here he
+stopped and gazed at his friend with a comical look of perplexity,
+"why, Everard Houston was the nephew and adopted son of W. E.
+Cameron."
+
+"Certainly," assented Houston.
+
+"Well then, what in thunder,--if I may ask the question,--are you
+doing out here with this confounded Buncombe-Boomerang mining
+company?"
+
+"That is just what I wished to tell you to-night," Houston replied,
+"but we must talk low, for walls sometimes have ears," and placing a
+chair for his friend near his own, he proceeded to tell him of his
+object in coming out to the mining camp, of the work which he had
+accomplished, and of his plans for what yet remained to be done.
+Rutherford listened with much interest, deepening into admiration for
+his friend.
+
+"And now," said Houston, in conclusion, "you will see why I could not
+very well reveal my identity to you when we first met. I knew you as
+soon as I saw your card, but I was a stranger in this part of the
+country, with a certain role to play, uncertain of success, and, not
+knowing what difficulties or obstacles I might meet, thought there
+would be less danger of unexpected complications, if you thought me
+just what I appeared to be."
+
+"You thought about right, too," said Rutherford, "for I'm awfully
+careless about anything of that kind, always putting my foot in it,
+you know; and I don't see how you ever could come out here, a perfect
+stranger, and carry everything along as smoothly as you have. Well, I
+remember I was awfully mixed there on the train, when you told me you
+had come out here to work for that company, for I thought all the time
+that if you were not a gentleman, then I never saw one; and it's lucky
+I did have sense enough to think of that, or I might have made a
+confounded chump of myself."
+
+"You would have cut me, would you?" asked Houston, laughing, "I was
+looking out for that, and would have considered it a rich joke if you
+had."
+
+"Rather too rich, I should say," said Rutherford, coloring. "Mort has
+always ridiculed me for that sort of thing, and told me I'd make a
+precious fool of myself some day; I don't intend to be snobbish,
+though he says I am, but that's just my way somehow, unless I happen
+to like a person. Mort is different from me; he will get along with
+all sorts of people, you know, but I never could."
+
+"You are all right," answered Houston, "you are a little conscious of
+your blue blood now and then, but as you grow older you will think
+less about that, and you have as good a heart as Morton, when a person
+is fortunate enough to find it."
+
+"Say," said Rutherford, suddenly, "if you and Mort were class mates,
+you must have known Van Dorn."
+
+"Certainly," said Houston, smilingly watching the blue coils of
+smoke from his cigar, "and when I first saw him with the Winters
+party, I knew my little game was up, unless I got my work in very
+expeditiously," and he described the little pantomime which took
+place in the office shortly after Van Dorn's arrival, much to the
+amusement of Rutherford, who exclaimed:
+
+"Great Scott! but you fellows played that game well, no one ever would
+have dreamed that you had known each other."
+
+Houston then told of the plan for Van Dorn's coming in a few weeks,
+and later, for the arrival of Mr. Cameron with Lindlay.
+
+"Oh," Rutherford exclaimed, "now I see why Mort is so anxious to get
+here at just about a certain time; he knows all about this, and wants
+to be in at the death himself; well, that suits me exactly. But say,
+old fellow, isn't this going to be a pretty nasty piece of business
+for you about that time?"
+
+"It would be if any one should get hold of this before the right time
+comes, but I do not anticipate any trouble, because I intend to be so
+guarded that nothing regarding my work will be known or suspected
+until my uncle is here, and we have them securely trapped.
+
+"It will require a cool head and a level one to carry this thing
+through, and accomplish what you have undertaken," said Rutherford
+thoughtfully, as he took one or two turns up and down the room, "and I
+guess you are the right one for the work. Van Dorn will be just the
+one to help you, too, he's pretty cool and quick-witted himself, but I
+should think you would both need a third party, somebody who has been
+on the ground for a long time and who understands all about the
+working of these things."
+
+"It would be of great assistance to us, and I intend to keep a
+look-out, and if it is possible to find such a person, and one whom we
+can trust at the same time, I shall secure him."
+
+"Well, I'm sure I wish you success, and I shall be anxious to hear
+from you while I'm gone, and know how you are coming on."
+
+They smoked silently for a few moments, then Rutherford said:
+
+"By the way, Houston, how about the congratulations I told you some
+time ago I was ready to offer whenever the occasion required; are they
+in order now? or shall I reserve them until my return?"
+
+"They are in order whenever you choose to offer them," Houston replied
+quietly.
+
+"Indeed! well, I'm glad to hear it, I thought it about time. I
+congratulate you most heartily, and tender you both my sincerest
+wishes for your happiness. I tell you what, old fellow, I think you've
+found a splendid woman, and I think, too, that you are wonderfully
+suited to each other. Seems strange, doesn't it? to think of a pair
+like you two, finding each other in a place like this!"
+
+"It is rather unusual, I admit," said Houston.
+
+"Yes," added Rutherford, "taking into consideration all the
+surroundings, and the why and wherefore of your coming here, I think
+it borders on the romantic."
+
+A moment later he asked, "Does Miss Gladden know what you are doing
+out here?" Houston shook his head, in reply.
+
+"Doesn't she know who you really are?"
+
+"Not yet," Houston answered, "no one out here knows any more about
+that than you did two hours ago."
+
+"Whew!" said Rutherford, "she will be slightly surprised when she
+finds that old Blaisdell's clerk and bookkeeper has a few cool
+millions of his own, won't she?"
+
+"I hope she will not object to the millions," said Houston with a
+smile, "but I have the satisfaction of knowing that they were not the
+chief attraction; she cares for me myself, and for my own sake, not
+for the sake of my wealth, and I am just old fashioned enough to
+consider that of first importance."
+
+"And when will she learn your secret? not until the closing scene of
+the last act?"
+
+"I cannot tell just when," Houston answered, "that will of course
+depend a great deal upon circumstances."
+
+Rutherford then became confidential regarding his own hopes for the
+future, and gave Houston a description of his fiancee, and a brief
+history of their acquaintance and engagement.
+
+"Grace is all right," he said in conclusion, "but her father is
+inclined to be a little old-fogyish, thinks we are too young for any
+definite engagement, and wants me to be permanently established in
+some business before we are married, and all that; when I can't see
+what in the deuce is the difference so long as I have plenty of stuff.
+So the upshot of it all was that he and his wife took Grace to Europe,
+and they're not coming back until the holidays, and if, by that time,
+we have neither of us changed our minds, and I am settled in business
+and all that sort of thing, we can be married. There's no danger of
+our changing our minds, so that's all right, but I declare I don't see
+the use of a fellow's tying himself down to some hum-drum business,
+when there's no need of it."
+
+"It isn't a bad idea though to find some business for which you are
+adapted, and stick to it," was Houston's reply; "that was the advice
+my uncle gave me when I returned from college, and he offered me the
+choice of going into business with himself, or selecting something
+else that I liked better."
+
+"Grace's father wants me to go in with him, but excuse me; if I went
+into business with any one, it would be somebody nearer my own age,
+where I'd have about as much to say as the other fellow, not an old
+man, and my father-in-law, in the bargain."
+
+"You may find something you will like, within the next few months,"
+said Houston, with a peculiar smile; "By the way, Morton used to say
+he was going to stick to journalistic work; how is he succeeding?"
+
+"Splendidly; you know he is one of the associate editors of the
+Dispatch, then he contributes regularly to several of the leading
+magazines, and lately he has some work of his own on hand besides, a
+work on some sort of scientific research: yes, he has succeeded
+well."
+
+So long did their conversation continue, that when they at last went
+to rest, it was nearly time for the surrounding peaks, standing like
+huge sentinels against the dark, eastern sky, to catch the first faint
+flush of the approaching day.
+
+They were a little late in making their appearance in the breakfast
+room. Miss Gladden and Lyle were awaiting them, but the others had
+gone. There was time for only a hasty breakfast before the team, going
+to the Y for supplies, which had been engaged to take Rutherford to
+the morning train, was at the door.
+
+"Well," said the latter, having seen his baggage safely aboard,
+including the familiar square case containing his precious cameras,
+"I've had a delightful time here, and I'm awfully glad I'm coming back
+again."
+
+"So are we, Mr. Rutherford," said Miss Gladden, "and we will be very
+glad to welcome your brother also, and do all in our power to make his
+visit a pleasant one."
+
+"It is doubtful whether he will ever want to leave here," Rutherford
+responded, "for he appreciates anything of this kind even more than I
+do. He'll grow wild over these mountains. Well, Miss Maverick," he
+continued, shaking hands with Lyle, "I thank you for all you've done
+to make my visit so pleasant, and I'm glad that we will only say
+good-bye for a little while."
+
+"I am also," she replied, "and I wish you a pleasant journey and a
+speedy return."
+
+"This is not 'good-bye,' Mr. Rutherford," said Miss Gladden, extending
+her hand, "it is only 'au revoir.'"
+
+"That is right," he answered, then added in low tones, "Miss Gladden,
+I have already congratulated Mr. Houston, and I hope you will accept
+my congratulations and best wishes also. I think almost as much of him
+as of my own brother, and I could not wish either of you any happier
+fortune than I believe you will find in each other."
+
+In a few moments Houston and Rutherford were riding rapidly down the
+canyon. At the office, where Houston had to prepare some orders for
+the driver, he and Rutherford took leave of each other.
+
+"Be good to yourself, old fellow," said Rutherford, "and keep us
+posted just how you are coming on; and say," he added, lowering his
+voice, "I'll keep you posted of our whereabouts, and if anything
+should happen, and you need help, wire us and we'll be here by the
+next train; you can count on two brothers now, instead of one, you
+know."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+
+A day or two after the departure of Rutherford, Miss Gladden, having
+learned from Lyle at what hour Jack usually completed his day's work,
+set forth upon her visit to the cabin. She felt that her errand might
+prove embarrassing both to Jack and herself; she wished to obtain some
+clue regarding Lyle's parentage; at least, to learn what his
+suspicions, or possible knowledge might be concerning the matter, and
+taking into consideration the contingency that she might be his own
+child, whose existence he had kept secret for reasons of his own, it
+was a subject which would require very delicate handling.
+
+She found Jack at the cabin, and alone, and his courteous greeting,
+containing less formality and more cordiality and friendliness than
+on the former occasion, made her task seem far less difficult. He
+ushered her into the pleasant little sitting-room, and she noted
+even more particularly than on her former visit, the exquisite
+taste betrayed, not only in the furnishings of the room, but in
+their very arrangement.
+
+After chatting a few moments regarding the little circle of friends at
+the house, in whom he seemed to take more interest than she would have
+expected from a man of his secluded life, the conversation naturally
+turned to Lyle, and Miss Gladden said:
+
+"I have wished to see you regarding her because you seem to be the
+only one among those living here who appreciates her ability, or
+cares for her welfare; and you have known her and her surroundings so
+long, I believed you could give me some suggestions and advice
+regarding what is best to be done for her, even now, while she remains
+here."
+
+"I have taken a great interest in the child ever since I have known
+her," Jack replied, "and I am only too glad that she has found another
+friend, and that friend a lady; and if I can assist, by suggestion or
+otherwise, I shall be most happy to do so."
+
+"I asked your opinion the other evening," continued Miss Gladden, "as
+to taking her east with me, but there were other matters pertaining to
+her welfare, on which I wished your opinion and advice, but I could
+not so well speak of them before her, so I asked for this interview."
+
+Miss Gladden hesitated a moment, almost hoping that Jack might make
+some remark which would give her a cue as to the best method for her
+to pursue in seeking the information she desired, but his attitude was
+that of respectful attention, and he was evidently waiting for her to
+proceed.
+
+"I have felt attracted toward Lyle from the first," she began slowly,
+"not alone by her wondrous beauty and grace of manner, but even more
+by her intelligence and intellectual ability, her natural refinement
+and delicacy, which, considering her surroundings, seemed to me simply
+inexplicable. From the very first, she has been to me a mystery, and
+as I become better acquainted with her, the mystery, instead of being
+lessened, is only deepened."
+
+She paused, but he offered no comment, only bowed gravely for her to
+continue.
+
+"I could not, and I cannot yet, understand how one like her could ever
+have been born, or could exist in such surroundings as hers; and the
+fact that she has existed here, her beautiful nature untainted,
+unsullied by the coarseness, the vulgarity and the immorality about
+her, to me seemed an indication that she was of an altogether
+different type, born in another and far higher sphere. I saw she was
+unhappy, and I determined to win her confidence, and in so doing, from
+a vague suspicion I have gradually arrived at a firm conviction that
+Lyle is not the child of those whom she calls her parents."
+
+Jack manifested no surprise, neither was there anything in his manner
+to indicate that this was a subject upon which he had any knowledge.
+He simply asked very calmly,--almost indifferently it seemed to Miss
+Gladden,--
+
+"Have you discovered any direct evidence in support of this conviction
+that she is not their child?"
+
+"No tangible evidence," replied Miss Gladden, "nothing, of course,
+that could be called proof, but there are what I consider very strong
+indications."
+
+"Are the indications on Lyle's part, or on the part of Mr. and Mrs.
+Maverick?" inquired Jack.
+
+"On both sides," replied Miss Gladden, "I have very little to say
+regarding Mrs. Maverick; she is a kind-hearted woman, and seems to
+treat Lyle with consideration and some degree of affection; there is
+very little of the latter, but perhaps it is all of which she is
+capable, for I should think life with that brute would quickly crush
+out all the affection, if not all the intelligence, in a woman's
+nature; but the neglect and ill treatment of Maverick himself towards
+Lyle surely indicate that she is no child of his."
+
+"Your remark regarding Mrs. Maverick might be still more applicable to
+him, that he is incapable of anything like affection or kindness."
+
+"Of course he is," replied Miss Gladden quickly, "but I can not
+conceive of a man being quite so low as to be without even animal
+instincts; I cannot believe that a father would insult and degrade his
+own daughter as he has Lyle, and as he would continue to do, if he
+were not restrained through fear of his wife."
+
+For the first time, Jack started. "Fear of his wife, did you say, Miss
+Gladden? Pardon me, but I think that brute fears neither God, man nor
+devil, and how you can assert that he is in fear of his wife, whom he
+has always abused mercilessly, I cannot imagine."
+
+"It is a fact, nevertheless; for one morning after he had been
+exceedingly abusive and insulting in his language toward Lyle, Mrs.
+Maverick told her that he was, in some way, in her power, and that it
+should never occur again; and it never has."
+
+Jack rose, and began to pace the room.
+
+"Did you hear her say that, Miss Gladden?"
+
+"No, Lyle told me of it."
+
+"Had Lyle any idea of what she meant by it?"
+
+"She did not seem to have; nothing was ever said regarding that phase
+of the subject; she only seemed relieved that Mrs. Maverick promised
+to prevent a repetition of her father's abuse of her."
+
+Jack seated himself. "You spoke of some reasons on Lyle's part for
+your conclusions; what were they?"
+
+Miss Gladden then told him of Lyle's strange impressions and of her
+dream, but made no allusion to the photograph, wishing to reserve that
+until later.
+
+Jack looked thoughtful. "I wonder that she has never spoken to me
+regarding this dream," he said at length.
+
+"She told me she had not had the dream so often since having been
+occupied with her studies and reading, probably that accounts for her
+not speaking of it; lately she says it has returned."
+
+Both were silent for a while, then Miss Gladden asked:
+
+"Do you not think these dreams and impressions are indications of an
+early life, far different from this?"
+
+"I do," he replied gravely.
+
+"That was my opinion," then, determined to get some expression from
+him, she continued:
+
+"I am so attached to her, so desirous, if possible, to rescue her from
+this wretched life, that I am anxious to get some clue as to her true
+parentage; that is why I have come to you, her friend. I thought
+possibly you might be able to aid me in getting some evidence, or some
+information regarding her early history."
+
+Miss Gladden was watching Jack keenly, to note if her words produced
+any effect on that immobile face. She was not disappointed: he
+started, almost imperceptibly, and as he fixed his dark eyes upon her
+own, she noticed, as never before, how keen and piercing, and how
+eloquently beautiful they were. Miss Gladden's eyes did not drop
+before his searching gaze; she was determined that he should read
+only sincerity and candor in their depths, and make his answer
+accordingly. When he spoke, his voice was unlike its usual smooth,
+even tone; it was tender and deep, full of some strange emotion, and
+reminded her wonderfully of her lover.
+
+"Miss Gladden, may I ask,--for I believe you will answer me truthfully
+and candidly,--what ever led you to suppose that I could give you any
+information regarding Lyle's early history?"
+
+"I will answer you candidly, as you wish," she replied; "the thought
+first occurred to me of coming to you for advice regarding Lyle,
+simply because I regarded you as her best friend, in fact, until I
+came, her only friend. Then a remark accidently dropped by Lyle, as to
+what you had once said of her singing, that it reminded you of but one
+voice which you had heard, but that you did not like to hear her, led
+me to think that perhaps she was in some way connected with some one
+you had known, and that possibly that was the reason for the special
+interest you took in her welfare.
+
+"Then there was something more, in connection with her dream," and she
+told him how Lyle had at last identified the pictured face which
+seemed so familiar to her, as the dream-face of her childhood, and how
+immediately after the dream had returned.
+
+"After she told me this," continued Miss Gladden, "you will see that I
+naturally concluded that the face was that of her mother; that her
+mother, her parents, and probably her early life were known to you;
+and I will frankly admit, that except that it seemed incredible that
+you would allow her to remain in these surroundings, if my hypothesis
+were correct, I would have believed that you were her father, and that
+grief from bereavement or separation, had caused you to choose this
+life for yourself and her."
+
+Jack had again risen and was slowly pacing the room. Miss Gladden
+could read no sign of displeasure in his face, though she detected
+indications of some powerful emotion, and of acute suffering. He
+seemed battling with old-time memories, and when at last he seated
+himself and began speaking, there was a strange pathos vibrating
+through the forced calmness of his voice, and the piercing eyes, now
+looking so kindly into her own, had in their depths such hopeless
+sadness, that Miss Gladden's heart was stirred by a pity deeper than
+she had ever known, for she instinctively felt that she was in the
+presence of some great, despairing sorrow.
+
+With a smile of rare sweetness and beauty, he said: "Your candor and
+frankness deserve confidence in return, and I will give it so far as
+it is within my power to do so, and yet I fear that you will be
+disappointed. Your surmises are incorrect in many respects, and yet
+contain a great deal of truth, and I will try, so far as possible, to
+be as frank with you as you have been with me. In the first place, I
+must say to you, that regarding Lyle's true parentage, whether or not
+she is the child of the Mavericks, I know, positively, nothing more
+than do you, yourself."
+
+He smiled as he noted Miss Gladden's look of astonishment, and
+continued:
+
+"Like you, I have my suspicions that she is not their child, and have
+had them since first seeing her, years ago. As in your case, my
+suspicions long ago changed to conviction, and my convictions are
+probably even deeper than yours, for the reason, that in form, in
+feature, in voice and manner, in every expression and gesture," his
+voice trembled for an instant, but he controlled it, "she is the exact
+counterpart of another; some one whom I knew in a life as remote, as
+far from this as it is possible to conceive. But I have no direct
+proof, not a shadow of tangible evidence with which I could confront
+Maverick and denounce him with having stolen the child, and, knowing
+him as I do, I know that for Lyle's sake, until I have some such
+proof, it were better to remain silent."
+
+"Pardon me for interrupting you," Miss Gladden exclaimed, "but that is
+a contingency that never entered my mind, that Lyle had been stolen
+from her parents! That is far worse than anything I had dreamed of."
+
+"Nevertheless, if she is not their child, she was stolen, and just in
+proportion as the former is improbable, the latter is probable, almost
+certain. You will now see wherein your supposition that my interest in
+her was due to her connection in my mind with some one I had formerly
+known, was correct. I took a special interest in her for this reason;
+it was a pleasure to teach her, to note her mind expanding so rapidly,
+to watch her as she developed physically and mentally; every day
+growing more and more like the one I had known. I enjoyed tracing the
+resemblance day by day, though it often caused me almost as much pain
+as pleasure,--but when I heard her sing, that was too much,--it was
+more than I could bear,--it was like compelling some lost soul in
+purgatory to listen to the songs of paradise."
+
+There was a tremor in Jack's voice, and he paused, touched even more
+deeply by the sympathetic tears glistening in the beautiful eyes full
+of such tender pity, than by the bitter memories passing before his
+own mind.
+
+"What has perplexed me most," he continued, "is the fact that Lyle has
+seemed unable to recall anything relating to her early childhood. I
+have tried in every way to arouse her memory, and that was my chief
+object in allowing her to see the photograph of which she told you;
+but, as she often says, the first few years of her life seem to be
+only blank. I cannot account for that."
+
+"Still," said Miss Gladden, "these dreams of hers show that there are
+memories there, and something may yet recall them to her mind."
+
+"That has been my hope," he replied, "that is what I have been waiting
+for all these years, for her mind to recall some incident, or some
+individual, that would furnish the needed proof as to her parentage."
+
+"Do you think," asked Miss Gladden, after a pause, "that it would be
+wise to give Lyle a hint of our suspicions?"
+
+"I have thought it might be well, if possible, to arouse her own
+suspicions by some process of reasoning on her part, not by any
+suggestions of ours."
+
+"May I inquire whether those whom you consider her true parents are
+still living?"
+
+"They both died many years ago."
+
+"Then, if her identity could be proven beyond a doubt, would there be
+any one to give her such a home as she ought to have?"
+
+"Yes, there are those who would be only too glad to give her such a
+home as very few have the good fortune to possess."
+
+"And have they never made any inquiry for her?" Miss Gladden asked in
+surprise.
+
+"They have no idea that she is living; her parents died under peculiar
+circumstances, and she was supposed to have died at the same time."
+
+"Then ought we not," said Miss Gladden thoughtfully, "both for her
+sake and theirs, to let them know that she is living, and help them to
+find her?"
+
+"Unless they could see her for themselves," he replied, "they would
+probably be rather skeptical, and require very positive proof
+regarding her claims, they have believed her dead for so many years.
+But even though I may have known Lyle's mother, I am not in
+communication with her friends, and would not be the proper person to
+present her claims to them."
+
+For a few moments, Miss Gladden sat silently watching the play of the
+light and shade on the mountain side across the ravine, opposite the
+cabin, as the shadows cast by the light, floating clouds, followed
+each other in rapid succession.
+
+Jack seemed to be thinking deeply, and when he at last spoke, it was
+with great deliberation:
+
+"For a long time, as I have become more and more convinced of Lyle's
+identity, I have been anxious to have her taken away from these
+surroundings, and placed in the home to which I believe she has a
+right; but without tangible evidence with which to establish her
+claims, and also to prove Maverick's guilt, I could think of no
+feasible plan, nothing that did not seem likely to result in failure,
+and leave Lyle possibly in a worse condition than at present. I will
+now say to you, Miss Gladden, in confidence, that I think before very
+long, the way will be opened for Lyle to find the home and friends
+that I consider are really hers. Through information given me in
+confidence, I have learned that some of those whom I believe to be
+most closely related to her and who would be most interested in her,
+did they know of her existence, will in all probability be out here on
+business this summer; if they do not recognize Lyle, I shall be
+greatly disappointed."
+
+Miss Gladden's face expressed the delight she felt. "Is it possible?"
+she exclaimed, "Why, I cannot conceive of anything lovelier! If she
+has been stolen all these years, and her people unconscious of her
+very existence, to have them appear on the scene, and recognize and
+claim her, will seem like a beautiful bit of fiction interwoven in our
+prosaic, every-day life, or like the closing scene in some drama,
+where the wrongs at last are all made right. To think what happiness
+it will bring to them, to her and to us!"
+
+Jack's face grew strangely serious. "I shall be glad for her sake;" he
+replied, then added: "Sometimes, Miss Gladden, wrongs are righted only
+at a terrible cost, and what seems to you like the closing of a
+peaceful drama, may prove a tragedy to those who are concerned in
+it."
+
+Then, before she could reply, he said, in a different tone, as though
+to change the conversation:
+
+"It will not be best to mention what I have told you to any one; there
+is no knowing what course Maverick might pursue if he had a hint of
+it, for he is a desperate man; but if there is any way in which Lyle's
+mind could be carried back and made to recall something of her past
+life, I wish it might be done."
+
+Miss Gladden had risen, preparatory to taking leave. Having given a
+searching glance around the room, she turned toward Jack, saying
+wistfully:
+
+"Am I asking too much? Could I see the photograph which you allowed
+Lyle to see?"
+
+For an instant Jack hesitated; then he replied, "I am willing you
+should see it, but you must not expect me to say anything concerning
+that picture or myself. I have spoken to you in confidence regarding
+Lyle, but I can go no further."
+
+"I will not ask it," she replied.
+
+Without a word, he went to a small trunk, concealed by a fine
+bear-skin, and taking therefrom the picture, silently handed it to
+Miss Gladden.
+
+She uttered a low cry of surprise, and then stood for some time
+intently studying the lovely face in every detail. When she returned
+the picture to Jack's hands, there were tears in her eyes, as she
+exclaimed, "How beautiful! and how like Lyle!"
+
+"I hoped she would see the resemblance," he replied.
+
+"It seems almost incredible that she did not," answered Miss Gladden,
+"except for the fact that she has the least self-consciousness of any
+one I ever saw; it is doubtful if she would recognize her own
+picture."
+
+For a long time Jack stood watching Miss Gladden, as, having thanked
+him for the interview, she walked slowly up the winding road. His eyes
+grew strangely wistful and tender, very unlike their ordinary
+expression, and a smile, sad but sweet, played about the usually stern
+lips.
+
+"He has chosen well," he murmured at length, "they are well suited to
+each other; Heaven grant nothing may ever mar their happiness!" and
+with a heavy sigh, he turned and entered the cabin.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+
+As Miss Gladden slowly followed the winding canyon road on her
+return from the little cabin, the thoughts flashing through her mind
+very strongly resembled the lights and shadows which she had watched
+chasing each other across the mountain side. While she had gained
+very little direct information, Jack's theories had strengthened
+her own convictions, though placing the matter in a slightly
+different light. She had a very vivid imagination, and looked
+forward with anticipations of keenest pleasure to the coming of
+Lyle's friends,--whoever they might be--and their probable recognition
+of her; and yet she could not forget Jack's words regarding the
+terrible cost which might be involved, resulting in possible tragedy,
+and an indefinable dread seemed at times to overshadow all other
+thoughts, and perplex her. Not dreaming, however, that the words
+could refer to herself, or those in whom she was most deeply
+interested, she tried to banish this feeling by planning what
+course would be best to pursue regarding Lyle, and determined to
+confide the whole matter to Houston, and ask his advice. So
+absorbed was she in her own thoughts and plans, that not until she
+had nearly approached the house, did she observe the presence of
+strangers.
+
+A party of eight or ten ladies and gentlemen, including three or four
+tourists from the east, had come out from Silver City. They had come
+with wagons, bringing a large tent which was to be put up for those
+who could not be accommodated in the house. They proved to be very
+pleasant people, and during the ensuing ten days of their stay, Miss
+Gladden and Lyle seldom saw each other apart from their guests. There
+were numerous excursions to various points of interest, moonlight
+rides on the lake and impromptu dances.
+
+Houston at this time was more than usually occupied, as the day after
+the arrival of the camping party, Mr. Blaisdell unexpectedly appeared
+upon the scene. He arrived quite early in the morning, having been
+brought by special train from the Y. He found Houston alone in the
+office, and greeted him with a cordiality quite surprising to the
+latter, considering his taciturn, dissatisfied manner when at the
+mines a few days before. He seemed in no hurry to leave the office,
+but remained talking for some time concerning business affairs at
+Silver City.
+
+"I may want you to run over there, just for a day, while I'm here," he
+said at length, "for I expect to remain out here for about a week. By
+the way, Houston, I hear you pitched into old Hartwell one night, over
+there at the hotel, for some remarks he made about the company."
+
+"Ah," said Houston, "how did you hear of that?"
+
+"There was a friend of mine there, who overheard Hartwell's talk, and
+afterward saw you go up and speak to him. Having seen you in our
+office, he had a little curiosity as to what was going on. He said
+Hartwell cursed you up hill and down, but that you were so damned cool
+the old fellow couldn't rattle you. Hartwell told him afterward that
+you threatened to compel him to substantiate all he had said, and he
+was glad that the old fellow, for once, found somebody that wasn't
+afraid of him."
+
+"Oh, no," said Houston, quietly, "I didn't see any reason for being
+afraid."
+
+"Well," said Mr. Blaisdell, "I liked your spirit all right, but then,
+men like Hartwell are not worth paying any attention to. He is
+interested in another company, so of course he tries to run down ours,
+and he has a certain clique that he has persuaded to think just as he
+does. I never think it best to notice any of his remarks."
+
+"If he had simply made a few remarks," said Houston in reply, "I would
+of course have let them remain unnoticed, but he had continued his
+harangue for nearly an hour before I spoke to him, so I thought it as
+well to have a word with him myself."
+
+"Oh, that was all right, perfectly right on your part, only I have
+adopted the policy of letting barking dogs alone."
+
+After a little further conversation, Mr. Blaisdell looked over the
+books, and finding everything in satisfactory shape, remarked:
+
+"You seem to have familiarized yourself very thoroughly with the work
+so far as you have gone, and in a very short time. You will doubtless
+remember, Mr. Houston, that when we engaged you, you were told that we
+should probably need your services later at the mines, in assisting
+the general superintendent. Morgan's work is increasing lately, and I
+have been thinking that I would much prefer to have a trustworthy
+person like yourself, assist him, even if we have to employ another
+bookkeeper, than to put on an entirely new man at the mines. I am
+going out to the mines this afternoon, to see how Morgan is getting
+along, and I think that to-morrow we will close the office, and you
+had better go out with me, and I will show you the work that I wish
+you to have charge of there. It probably will not take all your time,
+you will still be in the office more or less, at least enough to
+superintend the work in case I bring out a new man. He will simply
+work under your direction and supervision, the responsibility will all
+devolve upon you."
+
+For the next day or two, Houston's time was spent at the mines,
+familiarizing himself with the underground workings, and becoming
+acquainted with the different classes and grades of ore, and the
+various methods of mining and reducing the same.
+
+This was just the opportunity for which Houston had been waiting, and
+he entered upon his new work with a zest and enthusiasm that delighted
+Mr. Blaisdell, and even won the esteem of Morgan. On the second day,
+to Houston's great joy, he was given charge, under Morgan, of what was
+known as the "Yankee" group of mines, containing the Yankee Boy, the
+Yankee Girl and the Puritan, the three most valuable mines in which
+the New York company was interested.
+
+In passing through one of these mines, Houston noticed two miners
+working together with wonderful precision and accuracy, and on looking
+at them closely, recognized in one of them, the man whom Rutherford
+had pointed out to him on the train from Valley City, and of whom he
+had heard Miss Gladden speak as Lyle's friend. The man seemed to pay
+little attention to his being there, and on coming out, Houston
+inquired of Mr. Blaisdell concerning him.
+
+"I can tell you nothing about him," replied Mr. Blaisdell, "except
+that he and his partner, the Irishman, are the two most expert miners
+we have. They live by themselves, and refuse to mingle with the other
+men, consequently they are not very popular among the miners, but of
+course that cuts no figure with us, so long as they are skilled
+workmen."
+
+The next day, Houston went to Silver City, on business for Mr.
+Blaisdell, and while there, sent the following message over the wires,
+to Van Dorn:
+
+"Everything in readiness; bring machinery at once."
+
+Upon his return to the mining camp to enter upon his new duties,
+Houston resolved to make a careful study of the men working under him,
+both foremen and miners, for the purpose of determining whether there
+were among them any whom he could trust sufficiently to seek from them
+whatever assistance might be necessary for himself and Van Dorn in
+their future work.
+
+Accordingly, for the first few days, he spent considerable time in the
+mines, apparently examining the workings, but in reality watching the
+men themselves. Among some of them he saw black looks and scowls, and
+heard muttered comments regarding himself: "Git onto the dude!" "D'ye
+see the tenderfoot?" "Thinks he's goin' to boss us, does he? we'll
+show him a trick or two." These were mainly from Maverick's consorts,
+and men of their ilk, ignorant and brutal. Houston paid no attention
+to their remarks or frowns, but continued his rounds among them,
+conscious that he was master of the situation, meanwhile giving
+instructions to the foreman who accompanied him. As he passed and
+repassed Jack and Mike, working together with almost the automatic
+precision of machinery, he stopped to watch them, attracted partly by
+admiration for their work, and partly by a slight interest in the man
+who had been his fellow passenger, and concerning whom he had heard
+such various reports.
+
+During the slight pause in their work, the Irishman eyed him
+curiously, with indications of his native drollery and humor betraying
+themselves in his mirthful face; he seemed about to speak, but Jack,
+with set, stern features, was ready, and the work continued without a
+word. In that brief interim, however, Jack had fixed one of his keen,
+piercing glances upon Houston, which the latter returned with one
+equally searching, and though not a muscle relaxed in that immobile
+face, covered with dust and grime, yet a strange thrill of mutual
+sympathy quivered and vibrated through the soul of each man, and
+Houston knew that he had found a friend.
+
+"There is a man among a thousand," he thought as he walked away, "a
+man of honor, in whom one could place unbounded confidence; no wonder
+Lyle has found him such a friend!"
+
+At the next pause in their work, Mike's feelings found expression:
+
+"Begorra! but the young mon is progressin' foinely, to be put over the
+loikes of us, and bein' as how most loikely he niver sit foot in a
+moine, till comin' out into this counthry!"
+
+Jack's face had grown strangely set and white: "We are to be his
+friends, remember that, Mike," he said, in a voice unnaturally stern.
+
+"Frinds!" exclaimed the astonished Mike, "Be-dad! and whin did I iver
+know ye to make frinds with ony of owld Blaisdell's men befoor?"
+
+"Keep your eyes open and your mouth shut, Mike," was Jack's only reply
+as he again began work, and Mike had nothing to do but to follow his
+example.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+
+In a short time Houston had become perfectly familiar with his new
+surroundings. He was thoroughly at home in the underground workings,
+readily finding his way in the labyrinth of shafts, tunnels and
+cross-cuts extending for miles in all directions, and connecting the
+various mining claims one with another.
+
+He knew the name and face of nearly every man employed in the various
+shifts, and by his keen perception and insight, was able to form a
+very correct estimate of their character and standing in that little
+community. Though no words had been exchanged between himself and Jack
+beyond those of the most commonplace greetings, yet his respect for
+the man, and confidence in him, increased with each day, and was
+plainly indicated by his manner toward him whenever they met.
+
+As he watched the men, in his frequent rounds through the mines,
+most of their faces were to him as an open book, on some of whose
+pages he read histories of misfortune and loss, or crime and shame in
+the past, and on others, of eager ambitions and bright hopes for the
+future. There were men with gray hair and bowed forms, whose dull
+eyes and listless step told of hopeless, irretrievable loss; men
+of intelligence and ability whose recklessness or whose despondency
+told of some living sorrow, worse than death; there were some whose
+stealthy, shrinking gait and watchful, suspicious glance bespoke
+some crime, unknown to their fellows, but which to themselves seemed
+ever present, suspended, like the sword of Damocles, above their
+heads.
+
+But even to Houston, Jack remained a mystery, and as he noted the
+powerful, athletic form, the profile of patrician beauty, perfect as
+though chiseled in marble, the hair and beard black and glossy as the
+raven's wing, though touched with silver here and there, he found
+himself unable to read the history of that life.
+
+"There is a man," he soliloquized, "my equal, if not my superior, in
+birth, in education, in intellectual ability; how came he here? What
+has wrecked his life?"
+
+But the dark, piercing eyes, turned on him for an instant, gave no
+answer to his query.
+
+As he and Morgan, their day's work completed, were returning to the
+house, Houston made some inquiries regarding the men, and from the
+information given by Morgan concerning some of them, found his own
+judgment of them correct.
+
+"And who is the man called 'Jack,' who works with the Irishman?"
+
+"Heaven knows, I don't, nor nobody else," replied Morgan; "he came
+here about six or seven years ago, I guess, at least; he was here when
+I came, and was considered an expert then. He never would have
+anything to say to the other men, and always lived by himself till the
+Irishman came; he was another queer sort of duck and was a first-class
+miner, too, so him and Jack has worked together and lived together
+ever since, but Jack is boss."
+
+"Are they the only miners living by themselves?" asked Houston.
+
+"The only single men; there's six or seven of 'em that are married and
+have families, like Maverick; they have very good shacks, furnished by
+the company, but all the single men, excepting them two, live at the
+quarters. By the way, have you ever been down to the quarters?"
+
+"No," replied Houston, "but I should like very well to visit them."
+
+"All right, we'll go to-night if you like; I go down there myself once
+in a while and listen to their stories; they've most of 'em had some
+queer experiences, and they can spin as many yarns as a lot of
+sailors, any time."
+
+Later in the evening, Houston, having excused himself to the ladies in
+general, and Miss Gladden in particular, accompanied by Morgan, was on
+his way to the miners' quarters. The latter were situated but a short
+distance from the office, on the road to the mines, and consisted of
+two boarding houses and four bunk houses. Farther down the road were
+the stables for the horses used in hauling supplies; also blacksmith
+and carpenter shops, and a storehouse.
+
+A rather novel scene presented itself to Houston as he approached.
+Scattered about on the ground, and loafing in the door-ways in all
+attitudes and positions, were over a hundred men, of various ages,
+classes and nationalities, but principally Cornishmen, or, in
+western vernacular, "Cousin Jacks." Many of them were strangers to
+him, being employed in other mines than those with which he was
+familiar, but among them were many of his own men. From the
+door-way of one of the bunk houses came the strains of a violin,
+while in another, a concertina shrieked and groaned, and from all
+directions came the sound of ribald songs, coarse jests and
+boisterous laughter. Here and there were groups of men engaged in
+playing poker or seven-up, where little piles of silver and gold
+were rapidly changing hands, to the accompaniment of muttered oaths.
+At one side, Maverick and a few kindred spirits seemed trying to
+outrival one another in profanity and obscenity, while at some
+distance from them, was a large company of the better class of
+men, some lounging against trees and rocks, some sitting or lying
+at full length on the ground, but all listening with unmistakable
+interest, to a man, gray and grizzled, with a weather-beaten but
+kindly face, who evidently was entertaining the crowd with tales of
+his own early life.
+
+As Houston and Morgan approached, the speaker stopped; some of the men
+half rose from their recumbent positions out of respect for the "new
+boss," and all eyed him rather curiously, though not unkindly. Houston
+recognized many of his own men among them, and greeted them with a
+pleasant "Good evening, boys."
+
+"Hullo, Billy," said Morgan, addressing the old miner, "what do you
+know to-night?" then noting that he was watching Houston with a half
+smile on his rugged face, he added, "Thought I'd bring the boss down
+to see you and the rest of the boys to-night."
+
+"Good evenin' boss," responded the old fellow, while a merry smile
+twinkled in his eyes, "I expect this is your first visit to a reg'lar,
+genuwine minin' camp?"
+
+"My first, perhaps, but not my last," said Houston, with a winning
+smile.
+
+"That's right," said the old man approvingly, as he proceeded to
+refill his pipe; "I've been a watchin' you, off and on, down there at
+the mines, bein' as I'd heerd you was a tenderfoot, and I must say
+you've took a holt as if you was an old hand at the job."
+
+"Oh, yes," Houston replied, "with a little determination, a person can
+pick up anything of that kind easily. I think, with a little practice,
+I could make a pretty successful miner; it would require grit and
+stick-to-it-ativeness, that's all."
+
+"'Grit and stick-to-it-ativeness,' that's good," said the old miner,
+highly pleased, "well, you seem to have plenty of 'em both, and plenty
+of good muscle, too," with an admiring glance at Houston's fine,
+athletic form.
+
+"See here, Billy," said Houston pleasantly, after chatting a few
+moments, "when we came, it looked very much as though you were telling
+stories to the crowd here, and the boys all seemed very much
+interested; now we want you to go on with your story, we would enjoy
+it as much as the rest."
+
+"Let me see," said Billy, "I don't remember just where I was, but I
+guess I'd finished as you come up."
+
+"Never mind, you can start another," said Houston.
+
+"Yes, Billy, give us another," chimed in the boys.
+
+"Go ahead, pardner," added Morgan, "spin us a yarn, that's what we
+came for."
+
+"I was only tellin' the boys about the old days when I came out to the
+mines, and for the first few years after," Billy began.
+
+"Those must have been interesting times," said Houston.
+
+"Int'restin'? I should say so! You fellows don't know nothin' about
+minin' compared to them days; I tell you, things was lively then. I
+was there at Leadville when it was opened up, and you couldn't get
+anybody to look at you without payin' 'em a good, round sum for it;
+couldn't get a place to roll yourself in your blanket and lie on the
+floor short of five or ten dollars; folks bought dry goods boxes and
+lived in 'em. Then I was down here when they opened up the Big Bonanza
+mine, in Diamond gulch, not far from Silver City. I tell you boys,
+them was high old times, everything was scarce and prices was
+high,--flour was a hundred dollars a sack, and potatoes seventy-five
+dollars a bushel,--but money was plenty,--or gold dust,--we didn't
+have no money, everything was paid for in gold dust. 'Twas pretty
+tough in them days, too, everybody went armed to the teeth, and guns
+and knives was used pretty free."
+
+"Was that in the days of the vigilantes?" asked Houston.
+
+"Yes, they come along soon after, they had to. There was desperate
+characters here, but the vigilantes made short work of 'em, they
+didn't even give 'em time to say their prayers. I tell you, the
+gambling houses and the dance halls, and all them places was lively in
+them days. There wasn't many words over a game, if any quarrels come
+up, they was settled pretty quick with the revolver or bowie knife."
+
+"There must have been some high stakes played in those days," Houston
+remarked.
+
+"High? well, yes, rather; I've seen men sit down to a game worth
+anywhere from fifty to two or three hundred thousand, and get up
+without a cent in the world."
+
+The old man paused to relight his pipe, and having puffed reflectively
+for a few moments, settled himself with the air of a man who has a
+long story to tell, and the surrounding miners evidently so understood
+it, for they shifted their positions accordingly, and prepared to
+listen.
+
+"Speakin' of gamblin'," he began, "puts me in mind of something that
+happened among the camps on the other side of the range, nigh onto
+fifteen years ago. A gang of us boys was in Dandy Jim's gambling hall
+one night. The place was crowded, I remember, and we was all tryin' to
+make our fortunes on the high card. Some of us was dead broke, but
+them that hadn't the stuff borrowed from them that had, sure of better
+luck next time. They was all so deep in the game that none of 'em
+noticed a seedy-lookin' chap who come in, kinder quiet like, and set
+down to the faro table and began to play. I guess I was the only one
+who noticed him, and at first, I couldn't make him out, but after a
+bit, I remembered him as 'Unlucky Pete.' That man had a history. When
+I first saw him, some eight or ten years before that night, he had
+just come west with his wife, a pretty little woman, and had a good
+team of horses and a new wagon. He was a reg'lar border character, and
+whenever a new country was opened up for settlement, him and his wife
+was the first on the ground, ready to make a run to secure a home.
+Pete was prosperous, till one night, in a quarrel over a game of
+cards, he killed his man, and from that time his luck changed. He
+secured one or two good claims, but lost title to them; he lost his
+horses, and as fast as he bought other horses, they died or was
+stolen, and everything went against him. He wandered from one country
+to another, but bad luck met him at every turn. The last I seen him
+was some two years before; then him and his wife and two or three
+babies was goin' over the country in an old, broken-down wagon. The
+wheels was held together with wire and ropes, and the canvas top was
+in rags and tatters; the horses was the poorest, skinniest creatures
+you ever see, and him and his wife looked off the same piece.
+
+"Well, somehow or 'nuther, I knew him that night, though he looked
+harder than ever, and had an old slouched hat down over his face. He
+looked like a man that was pushed pretty close to the wall, and had
+got down to his last nickel. Well, he set down there to the table, and
+threw a silver dollar on the high card; then pulled that old hat down
+clean over his eyes, and never spoke, or looked one way or another.
+The high card won, and the dealer paid the bet, and pushed the money
+over to Pete, but he never stirred.
+
+"Well, that high card kep' a winnin' till there was a big pile of
+money there, but Pete, he never stirred, no more'n a stone. The
+dealer, he got mad and begun to swear, but Pete didn't move.
+
+"'Somebody wake that fool up,' says he, with an oath.
+
+"A fellow sittin' next to Pete shook him, and then tore off his hat.
+Well, boys, I'll never forget that sight, it makes me sort o' shiver
+now, when I think of it; there set a dead man at the table before that
+pile of gold.
+
+"The dealer started to rake in that pile o' money, but about a dozen
+revolvers was p'inted at him, and he decided not to be in too big a
+hurry about it.
+
+"'What's the use anyway?' says he, 'the man's dead and the money's no
+good for him, and besides, nobody knows who he is.'
+
+"'I do,' says I, jumpin' up.
+
+"'And I,' says another fellow, 'the man just come into camp a day or
+two ago, and his family's starvin'."
+
+"Well, we bundled that money up pretty sudden, and a half a dozen of
+us started to find the folks; we found 'em, too, but the wife was
+dead, starved to death, and the children wouldn't have lasted much
+longer. The oldest, a girl about eight years old, told that they had
+nothin' to eat for two days, and her father found the dollar, and
+started down to the store for food, but soon after he left the cabin,
+the mother died.
+
+"We buried Pete and his wife in one grave, and then with the pile of
+money we got good homes for the children, and some of it was to be
+used in givin' 'em a good eddication, and the last I heerd, they was
+comin' on well. But I've never set down to a game sence, that I
+haven't thought of the night I played faro, with a dead man at the
+table."
+
+At the conclusion of the old miner's story, a little suppressed thrill
+of excitement ran through his audience. Morgan, who had seemed
+restless and ill at ease, rose to go, and Houston, finding it much
+later than he supposed, after a few pleasant words with the boys, bade
+them good night, and hastened after Morgan, who was already sauntering
+up the road a little way in advance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+
+"Well," said Morgan, as Houston overtook him, "what do you think of a
+'genuwine minin' camp,' as Billy calls it?"
+
+"The quarters are much more extensive than I supposed," replied
+Houston, "I never realized before that there were so many men employed
+here; some of them are good fellows, too, I enjoyed my visit to-night
+immensely."
+
+"I generally like to come down and listen to them once in a while,"
+said Morgan, "but somehow, I didn't care to stay there to-night, that
+story of Billy's made me feel sort of creepy; I'm feeling a little off
+to-night, anyway."
+
+"That was a strange story the old fellow told, almost bordering on the
+improbable, it seemed to me, but I suppose there are a great many
+strange occurrences in a country like this."
+
+"Yes, lots of things happen here, and folks think nothing of 'em, that
+would be considered improbable anywhere back east."
+
+"Are you from the east?" inquired Houston.
+
+"Yes, part way," said Morgan, "not from way back, though, I've never
+been farther east than Ohio. I was born in Missouri, and raised in
+northern Iowa."
+
+He was silent for a moment, then continued: "I believe I told you one
+day that sometime I'd give you a bit of my life; I guess now's as good
+as any time, and when you've heard it, maybe you won't wonder at some
+of my views.
+
+"As I said, I was born in Missouri; when I was about three years old,
+my folks moved to Iowa. I can just remember my father being with us at
+that time, but I never saw him after I was three and a half or so, and
+when I got old enough to think about it and ask for him, mother told
+me he was dead, and I never knew anything different till years after.
+We were always moving, I remember, from one place to another, and
+though we never had any money saved up, yet we lived well and never
+wanted for anything. Mother used to have a good deal of company, and
+be away from home considerable, but she was always kind to me, and I
+was a soft, warm-hearted, little chap in those days, and I know I
+thought the world of her.
+
+"We lived together till I was about ten years old, and then times
+began to get pretty close; mother didn't have any money, and we had to
+pinch to get along, but she was always good to me.
+
+"Finally she decided to go to Denver; said she had heard of an opening
+there for her to run a boarding house and make money, but she didn't
+want to take me with her, and sent me to a brother of hers, living in
+Ohio. That was the end of all happiness for me. He was a man old
+enough to be my grandfather, for mother was the youngest of a large
+family. He and his wife lived by themselves, for they had no children,
+and a meaner, stingier old couple never lived. Mother wrote pretty
+often at first, and always sent money, but don't you think I ever got
+any of it. They never mentioned my mother to me, and they wouldn't let
+me speak of her.
+
+"Well, things went on from bad to worse, and finally, when I was
+fourteen, I run away. I stole rides on freight cars when I could, and
+when I couldn't do that, I tramped, till I got to St. Louis, and got a
+place there in a third-class hotel as bell boy. While I was there, I
+picked up a good many little accomplishments that have stuck to me
+ever since, gambling and swearing, and so on. I got to be pretty
+tough, I know, but in spite of it all, there was one good spot about
+me yet,--I thought the world of my mother. I staid in St. Louis two
+years; in that time I had only heard from mother twice, but she sent
+me money both times, and wrote me kind letters, though she never said
+anything about my coming to see her."
+
+By this time, they had reached the main road, and as Morgan seated
+himself on a rock to finish his story, Houston followed his example.
+
+"I made up my mind I wanted to see her, so I took what little money I
+had saved up, about eighty dollars, and started for Denver. The last
+letter I had from mother, she said she was running a house on a
+certain street, and I supposed of course it was a boarding house. I
+won't tell you her real name; Morgan wasn't her name, nor mine
+neither, I took it afterwards, but I'll call her name Johnson. I got
+to Denver, and happened to meet an old acquaintance of mine named Tim,
+who took me to a fifth-class boarding and lodging house where he was
+staying. Tim had only been in Denver a few days, and knew very little
+of the city, but we found a crowd of old-timers at the house, and
+after a while I asked for Mrs. Johnson who kept a boarding house on
+such a street. The men all laughed and began to guy me; I got hot and
+was going to sail into them, but Tim persuaded me to go out with him,
+and we started in to paint the town.
+
+"Well, we'd been out about two or three hours, when we came to a
+dancing hall, the toughest we'd seen,--a regular dive,--and we went
+in, bound to have some fun. The place was full of tough-looking subs,
+and a lot of frouzy, dowdy girls, and what they lacked in good looks
+they made up in paint and brass,--such brazen faces I never saw. Half
+way down the hall was a big, fat woman, with her hair blondined, who
+seemed to have charge of the place, and was giving orders to the man
+behind the bar. They had some loud talk, and something in her voice
+took my attention, and I looked at her; just then she turned 'round
+facing me, and great God! it was my mother! I knew her in spite of the
+blond hair and the paint, and she knew me. She gave one awful shriek,
+and then fell in a dead faint, and when she came to half an hour
+after, she went into hysterics, and screamed and raved and cried
+nearly all night.
+
+"I was so dazed, everything was going round and round, and I thought
+the world was coming to an end; and it would have been better for me
+if it had. The next day, she was able to see me, and I went to her
+room, and I guess I must have staid three or four hours. She told me
+then, that her husband was living, but that he quit her back in Iowa,
+and that he claimed I was not his child. She cried and begged me to
+stay with her, but I left her that day. That was fifteen years ago,
+and I have never seen her since. From that time, the last tie that
+bound me to even a belief in anything good was gone. I took a
+different name, and came up here in this part of the country. Once I
+found a girl I liked, but just as I began to think something of her, I
+found she was like all the rest of 'em. I've no faith in man or woman,
+and don't believe there is any such thing as honor or virtue. If there
+are some people who seem virtuous and honorable, it is simply either
+because they have been so placed that there was no temptation to be
+anything else, or because they have succeeded in keeping up
+appearances a little better than other folks."
+
+As Morgan paused, Houston spoke very slowly and kindly:
+
+"Your experience has certainly been a sad one, Morgan, and I am truly
+sorry for you; sorry most of all that it has produced such an effect
+on you."
+
+"Well," said Morgan, "I guess it don't make much difference, one way
+or another, what we think or what we do."
+
+"Your mother's opinions and actions seem to have made considerable
+difference in your life," answered Houston, quietly.
+
+"Yes, by George! I should say so!" replied Morgan, gloomily.
+
+"Perhaps your opinions and your conduct are wrecking some other life,
+in like manner. There is not one of us who does not exert a powerful
+influence on those about us, one way or the other, to build up and
+strengthen, or to wreck and destroy."
+
+As there was no reply, Houston said: "I am very glad you have given me
+this sketch of your life, Morgan, I shall always feel differently
+toward you, remembering this."
+
+"Yes," said Morgan, rising, "I wanted you to know, and I thought this
+was as good a time as I would have. You will remember it, whatever
+happens," he added ambiguously, as he started slowly down the road, in
+an opposite direction from the house.
+
+"Which way are you going?" asked Houston, also rising.
+
+"Down to the Y."
+
+"What! are you going that distance as late as this?"
+
+"Yes," replied Morgan, "I don't go all the way by the road; there's a
+cut across that makes it a good deal shorter, and I'll have plenty of
+time."
+
+They both stood a few moments watching a tall, dark figure that had
+been pacing up and down the road all the time they had been talking,
+sometimes approaching quite near, then retreating out of sight. They
+both recognized it as Jack.
+
+"He's a queer duck," muttered Morgan, "wonder what he's doing, this is
+rather late for a constitutional;" then added, "I wish I had some of
+the money that chap's got."
+
+"Why, has he money?" inquired Houston.
+
+"He must have," was the reply, "he never spends anything, just hoards
+it up; he's got enough any way to help me out just now, if I could
+only have it."
+
+"Are you in need of money?" asked Houston, quickly, "if so, I will
+gladly accommodate you."
+
+"Much obliged," replied Morgan, starting down the road, "but I can get
+along for the present. Luck has been against me a little lately, but I
+guess it will turn all right," adding, as he looked back over his
+shoulder, "if it don't turn too late, like 'Unlucky Pete'."
+
+As Houston walked rapidly up the canyon toward the house, he saw Jack
+again approaching, and glad of an opportunity to meet this man toward
+whom he felt such a powerful attraction, he slackened his pace as Jack
+came up, and greeting him cordially, stopped and entered into
+conversation with him. To his surprise, he found Jack's manner far
+less reserved than on the few occasions when they had met in the mine.
+He seemed as ready to stop as Houston himself, and though he spoke
+with a dignity of tone and manner utterly unlike an employe, the icy
+reserve was gone, and in its place, there was in his voice the genuine
+ring of friendliness.
+
+After a few moments of ordinary conversation, Jack remarked:
+
+"You are not often out in this locality at this hour, and alone."
+
+"No," Houston replied, "but I have been visiting the miners in company
+with Morgan, and remained there later than I intended. Then a talk
+with Morgan out there among the rocks delayed me still longer."
+
+"Pardon me," said Jack, "but I suppose you are aware that you have
+enemies here."
+
+"Yes," said Houston, slightly surprised, "I am conscious of that
+fact."
+
+"And," continued Jack, lowering his tone, "you are probably also aware
+that this enmity is likely to increase, so that unless you exercise
+great caution, your life will be in danger?"
+
+Houston was startled, not so much by the suggestion of personal
+danger, as by the thought that this man seemed to understand something
+of his position there. Was it possible his secret was known? It could
+not be, but if it were,--his nerves quivered, not with fear for
+himself, but with apprehension lest his whole scheme should in some
+way prove a failure.
+
+These thoughts flashed through his mind with the speed of lightning,
+but Jack was quick to read them, and before Houston could make any
+reply, he continued:
+
+"I desire to have a private interview with you, as early as possible,
+and as we will wish to be perfectly secure from interruption, as well
+as from all danger of being overheard, I wish you would come to my
+cabin, there we can talk with perfect safety. And now, as a key to
+this contemplated interview, allow me to say that I fully understand
+your mission here; but have no fear, your secret is absolutely safe.
+My only reason for wishing to meet you is, that I desire to aid you if
+you will permit me. Will you fix an evening for this conference of
+ours?"
+
+"Certainly," said Houston cordially, his momentary surprise giving way
+to the confidence which he had felt in this man, since first meeting
+him, face to face.
+
+An engagement was made for the near future, and with a cordial
+hand-clasp, the two men parted.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+
+The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little
+porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily
+improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players
+and joined him. Looking at him rather archly, she asked:
+
+"Do you expect to remain out as late to-night as you did last night?"
+
+"I don't know just how late I may be detained," he answered, smiling,
+"Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?"
+
+"Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your
+guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then
+she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country
+from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant
+or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has
+enemies."
+
+Houston was somewhat surprised by this second warning, but he answered
+lightly:
+
+"Yes, I know I am in what Ned used to call 'the camp of the
+Philistines,' but you do not think I have any dangerous enemies, do
+you?"
+
+"It is only fear of detection that keeps some of them from being
+dangerous," said Lyle, who saw Miss Gladden approaching, "don't give
+them any opportunities for working their spite in the dark."
+
+Miss Gladden just then came up, and Lyle soon resumed her place among
+the players.
+
+"Going out again this evening, Mr. Houston?"
+
+"Yes, Miss Gladden," replied Houston with mock gravity.
+
+"Excuse me, Everard," she answered, blushing, "but when so many
+strangers are about, I am obliged to be very circumspect, you know."
+
+"There are no strangers within hearing at present, Leslie," he
+replied, "but isn't it nearly time for this crowd to take its
+departure?"
+
+"Yes, they expect to leave to-morrow."
+
+"Thank Heaven!" exclaimed Houston devoutly.
+
+Miss Gladden laughed merrily.
+
+"Well," he continued rather savagely, "I hope, after they are gone, we
+can enjoy our evenings again as we used to. For the last ten days, I
+have scarcely had an opportunity for a word with you, unless we
+deliberately gave the whole company the cold shoulder, which, of
+course, would not answer."
+
+"And so," said Miss Gladden laughing, "you wreak your revenge upon
+poor me these last two evenings, by taking yourself away, where I
+cannot even have the satisfaction of seeing you, while I talk to
+somebody else."
+
+Houston smiled; "I am obliged to go out this evening, Leslie, I have
+an engagement to-night, with Jack, at his cabin."
+
+"With Jack!" exclaimed Miss Gladden, "then you have made his
+acquaintance!"
+
+"No, I can scarcely say that, for I never exchanged a half dozen words
+with him before last evening. This interview to-night is wholly on
+business."
+
+"Well," said Miss Gladden, who saw the players beckoning to her, "I am
+glad you are going to meet him. I saw him the other day, and had a
+talk with him regarding Lyle, and I wanted to tell you about it, but
+have had no opportunity. I think you will find him one of the most
+perfect gentlemen you ever met," and with a little farewell wave of
+the hand, she left him to rejoin the players who were waiting for
+her.
+
+Half an hour later, Houston found himself in the inner room of the
+little cabin, alone with Jack, while at the outside door, Rex was
+stationed as guard.
+
+Already the twilight was beginning to gather in the little room, but
+even in its soft, shadowy light, Houston noted the evidences, existing
+on all sides, of a refined nature, a nature keenly appreciative of
+beauty in all its forms.
+
+"I hope," said Jack, seating himself near his guest, "that you will
+excuse the gathering darkness; I thought it more prudent not to have
+a light, as it might attract attention, I am in the habit of sitting
+so much in the twilight, myself."
+
+"A light is not necessary," Houston replied, "the twilight is very
+pleasant, and the moon will be up presently, and will afford us all
+the light we need."
+
+There was a moment or two of silence, while Houston waited for his
+companion to broach the subject of the evening. He was anxious to
+ascertain how much regarding himself and his errand there in the camp,
+Jack really knew, and more particularly, to learn, if possible, how he
+had become possessed of his knowledge.
+
+Jack, on his part, was wondering whether, with their brief acquaintance,
+he could give Houston any assurance that the latter would consider
+sufficient to warrant taking himself into full confidence concerning
+his work and plans, so that he could render the assistance he desired.
+
+"You were doubtless somewhat surprised," he began very deliberately
+and slowly, "by my request, last evening, for this interview."
+
+"Yes," replied the other, "I will admit that I was surprised, more
+especially by the reason which you gave for your request,--that you
+understood my position here, and desired to help me."
+
+"Did it never occur to you that, to a person with any degree of
+penetration, any ability at reading a man's character and habits of
+life, your position here, as clerk for a disreputable mining company,
+would, of itself, seem an anomaly, and be liable to excite the
+suspicion that you had some ulterior object in view?"
+
+"I think," said Houston, with a smile, "you are supposing a person
+with keener perceptions than are possessed by many in this locality."
+
+"They nearly all possess them to a certain degree, in a latent,
+uncultivated form, perhaps, but still there. For example, what is the
+true secret of Maverick's hatred toward you, of Haight's enmity,
+except that they recognize by a sort of instinct that you belong to an
+altogether different sphere from that in which they move? They cannot
+reason it out perhaps, but they feel it;--your language, your conduct,
+your manner, the very cut of your clothes, though but a plain
+business suit, proclaim to one who can read, and reason from these
+things correctly, and deduct their results therefrom, that you are a
+man of the highest culture and refinement, of high moral character,
+and of wealth. Consequently, the question arises, 'What are you doing
+here?'"
+
+"Pardon me, I do not intend to be personal in my remarks," replied
+Houston, "but in my opinion, only a person who has himself moved in
+the highest circles of life would be able to reason in this manner."
+
+"Possibly," said Jack, "they would be better able to classify you,
+as it were, and assign you to your true position, but these others
+feel keenly that you are not of their world, but they are generally
+incapable of drawing any conclusions from their observations, as very
+few of them have the reasoning faculty, and hence, they would not be
+likely to question your object or motive in holding this position. My
+design, however, in thus calling your attention to these facts, is
+simply to show you that you need not be greatly surprised when I say
+that from your first coming here, I have felt that you were no
+ordinary employe; that you were merely holding this position
+temporarily, either in your own interests, or in the interests of
+some one else,--but not in the interests of the mining company.
+Notwithstanding the fact that I live a very secluded life, I yet have
+means of ascertaining nearly all that is going on around me, and I
+will say to you truthfully, that I learned the secret of your
+mission here without even asking a question."
+
+"I can scarcely understand," said Houston, "how you came to be the
+recipient of this secret, since you do not mingle with others, and
+apparently take very little interest in their affairs."
+
+"Perhaps," said Jack, in low, musical tones, "you would be able to
+understand the situation better, did you know that your secret was
+told me by a friend of yours, who believed that, through my very
+isolation and loneliness, I could the better assist you."
+
+"A friend of mine!" exclaimed Houston, in surprise, "Is it possible
+that my eastern friends are known to you, and that some one of them
+has written you?"
+
+"No one has written me, the story was told me by a friend of yours
+here."
+
+Instantly there flashed into Houston's mind the memory of Lyle's
+warning, and also of Miss Gladden's declaration that she had seen and
+talked with Jack, but how could his true position be known to either
+of them?
+
+"I have but two friends here, at present," was his reply, "and they
+are women."
+
+"True women are the truest friends," said Jack tersely.
+
+"But how can either of them know anything regarding my work here?"
+
+"I will tell you," and very briefly Jack gave Houston an account of
+how his plans had first become known to Lyle, and of her subsequent
+interview with himself, begging his assistance in Houston's behalf.
+
+Houston was inexpressibly astonished and touched to find that the
+beautiful girl, whom he had considered friendless and helpless, and
+whom he had defended through a sense of chivalry, had, in return,
+served him so nobly and so opportunely. He resolved to see her and
+express to her his appreciation of what she had done, as early as
+possible.
+
+"I think," said Jack, in conclusion, "you will admit that by this
+means I have obtained a thorough understanding of what you wish to
+accomplish."
+
+"You understand it perfectly," Houston answered.
+
+"You will also admit that, after the years of experience that I have
+had in these particular mines, I must be thoroughly conversant with
+affairs in connection therewith, and could probably render you just
+the assistance you will need."
+
+"Most certainly you could," responded Houston quickly, "I know of no
+one in the entire camp who could assist us so well as you."
+
+"Then," said Jack, "the next and only consideration is, whether you
+have that degree of confidence in me, that you would feel warranted in
+trusting me implicitly,--"
+
+"Enough said," said Houston, interrupting him hastily but cordially,
+"I have that confidence in you, that, even if you had not sought this
+interview, sooner or later, I would have come to you for assistance."
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed Jack, in surprise, "may I ask why?"
+
+Houston hesitated a moment, and then replied:
+
+"I believe, though we have met so recently, we may speak together as
+friends, or as brothers; you spoke a while ago of the faculty of
+perception; please credit me with possessing it in some degree myself,
+and while I do not wish to be personal or intrusive in my remarks, I
+am sure you will allow me to say, that if there is any degree of
+incongruity between my appearance and the position I hold, it
+certainly exists in a much greater degree in your own case. I, of
+course, know nothing of your past life; I wish to know nothing of it,
+except so far as you yourself would tell me, should you ever choose to
+do so, but this much I do know, and have known from the first, that
+you are vastly superior to your surroundings here. You claim,--and you
+are correct,--that I have had the advantages of excellent birth and
+breeding, of culture and wealth, but you are not one whit behind me in
+any of these things. Added to all this is the experience which you
+have accumulated in these late years, in this particular branch of
+work; surely it was not strange that I felt your acquaintance would be
+invaluable, could I but secure your friendship sufficiently for you to
+be interested in my plans."
+
+The moon had risen, flooding the little room with a soft, pale light,
+but Jack was sitting in the shadow, and Houston could not see the
+effect produced by his words. He wondered a little that Jack made no
+response, and, after waiting in silence for a moment or two,
+continued:
+
+"There is one other consideration which you have not mentioned, and
+which must not be omitted, and that is compensation."
+
+A sudden movement on Jack's part caused Houston to pause for an
+instant, but nothing was said, and he proceeded:
+
+"I could not think of asking you to share the difficulties and dangers
+of this work without abundant compensation. Mr. Cameron, my uncle, who
+is interested--"
+
+"Stop!" said Jack, putting up one hand as if to ward off a blow; his
+voice was hoarse, almost stern, and vibrated with some strange, deep
+emotion; "If you ever speak to me again of compensation, I will
+utterly refuse to help you in any way."
+
+"I beg your pardon," said Houston, in a low, gentle tone, "I intended
+no offense, and I shall certainly respect your wishes."
+
+"There was no offense," replied Jack, more calmly, "but you spoke a
+few moments since of friendship; that word, to a man living the life I
+have lived, means volumes; whatever I do, let it be done for
+friendship's sake."
+
+"So let it be!" responded Houston solemnly, strangely moved by Jack's
+manner.
+
+For a long time they talked of the work before them, and Houston spoke
+of the expected arrival of Van Dorn within the next day or two, who
+was to remain until the end.
+
+"The end is not far distant," said Jack, "for after his coming I can
+give you nearly all the additional proof needed," and he then
+proceeded to give information concerning matters of which Houston had
+not, as yet, obtained even a clue. An arrangement was made whereby
+Houston and Van Dorn, after the arrival of the latter, were to meet
+Jack at the cabin, and perfect their plans for the brief campaign
+before them.
+
+At last, as Houston rose to take his leave, he said: "I hope you will
+pardon the remark, but while I have not the least doubt of your
+friendship toward me in this, I cannot overcome the impression that
+you also have some personal interest in this matter."
+
+"Possibly," replied Jack, gravely, still standing in the shadow as
+Houston stepped forth into the moonlight, "but not in the way in which
+you think."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+
+The camping party had returned to Silver City, and the old house among
+the mountains slowly subsided into its former quiet. Lyle's time had
+been so occupied by the numerous demands made upon her by the
+departing guests, that Houston had found no opportunity for speaking
+with her, as he had planned the previous evening.
+
+When the day's work was completed, he, with Miss Gladden and Lyle, sat
+in the little porch, watching a brief but furious mountain storm,
+which had suddenly sprung up, preventing them from taking their
+customary evening stroll.
+
+To the ordinary beauty of the scene around them was added the grandeur
+of the tempest, forming a spectacle not easily forgotten. Around the
+summits of the lofty peaks the fierce lightnings were playing,
+sometimes darting back and forth like the swords of mighty giants,
+flashing in mortal combat; sometimes descending swiftly in fiery
+chains, then seeming to wrap the whole universe in sheets of flame;
+while the crash and roll of the thunder echoed and re-echoed from peak
+to peak, the lingering reverberations still muttering and rumbling in
+the distance, as the fierce cannonading was again renewed. The wind
+rushed, roaring and shrieking, down the canyon, while the rain fell in
+gusty, fitful torrents.
+
+At the end of half an hour, only a few stray drops were falling, the
+sun suddenly burst forth in a flood of golden light, and against the
+dark background of the storm-cloud, a rainbow spanned the eastern
+horizon, its glorious tints seeming almost to rival the gorgeous
+colors of the western sky.
+
+Soon after the storm had passed, Haight was seen approaching the
+house. As he came up, he handed a telegraphic dispatch to Houston,
+saying:
+
+"Just got a wire from the boss for you and Morgan; did you know
+anything about this kind of an arrangement?"
+
+Houston opened the telegram, and read:
+
+  "Van Dorn up to-morrow to set up machinery on trial; may not be
+  able to come myself for a day or two. Have Morgan and Houston give
+  him all help they can spare, but not to interfere with work.
+
+                                                         Blaisdell."
+
+Houston read the message carefully, then said to Haight, who stood
+awaiting his reply:
+
+"I knew nothing of their having made any definite arrangement. I
+remember hearing Van Dorn say something to Mr. Blaisdell, just before
+they all went away, about bringing one of his machines out here, but
+Blaisdell didn't seem to give him any encouragement at that time."
+
+"He evidently has roped the old man in on it, at last," said Haight,
+seating himself.
+
+"It looks like it," Houston answered indifferently.
+
+"What is the machine anyway?" Haight inquired. "Is it any good?"
+
+"I cannot tell you," replied Houston, "because I know absolutely
+nothing about it, except that it is for the reduction of ores. I heard
+Van Dorn allude to it two or three times while he was here, and he
+seemed quite enthusiastic about it, which I thought was, of course,
+perfectly natural. Where is Morgan?" Houston continued, "have you told
+him?"
+
+Haight shook his head; "Morgan is at the Y, I suppose, as usual, and
+nobody will see him before sometime to-morrow. Have you noticed that
+fellow lately, Mr. Houston? Half the time he don't seem to know what
+he's about."
+
+"I have noticed that he scarcely appears like himself, of late,"
+Houston replied; "he seems to have some serious trouble."
+
+"He's been losing pretty heavy lately, I guess, that's what's the
+matter; he's awful reckless in his gambling, it's neck or nothing,
+with him. I tell you," Haight continued, watching Houston sharply,
+"Morgan would get the G.B. pretty sudden if the boss got onto the way
+he's carrying sail."
+
+"Possibly," said Houston, quietly, "but he will not know of it from
+me."
+
+"No?" said Haight, with a curious, rising reflection.
+
+"No, indeed," responded Houston, with some warmth, "when a man is in
+trouble, it is no time to give him a push downward; besides, I would
+not do or say anything to injure Morgan, anyway."
+
+Haight looked up curiously, and even the faces of the ladies expressed
+a slight surprise.
+
+"I didn't know you and Morgan were such good friends," Haight remarked
+wonderingly.
+
+"I do not know," said Houston, "that either he or I consider that we
+are particular friends, though we are friendly enough, but I have
+learned this about Morgan; that whatever his principles, or his manner
+of life may be, he is far less to be blamed than people would
+ordinarily suppose."
+
+"Well," said Haight, rising, "Morgan and I have been together, off and
+on, for the last three years, but I don't know anything about him
+except just what I have seen for myself, what anybody can see; of
+course his way isn't my way, but then, we don't any of us think alike,
+and I've never had any fault to find with him, and we've got along
+together first rate. I suppose," he continued, "you will give
+directions in the morning for that fellow and his machines, for it
+isn't likely that Morgan will be around much before ten o'clock."
+
+"Very well," said Houston, "I will be up early and will see that one
+of the six-horse teams is at the Y to meet him, and I can get through
+at the mines in season to be at the office by the time he will reach
+there; he probably will not get up before noon, with all that load."
+
+Happening to glance toward Lyle, as Haight withdrew, Houston read
+in her eyes, in their look of eager expectancy, and the firm
+determination expressed in her face, that she fully understood the
+meaning of what had passed.
+
+It was equally evident that Miss Gladden had received no hint of the
+situation, for at almost the same instant she inquired:
+
+"Is Mr. Van Dorn going to erect one of his reducing machines here?"
+
+Houston answered in the affirmative.
+
+"He will be likely to remain here some time, then, will he not?"
+
+"In all probability," Houston replied, "it must take considerable time
+to get one of those machines in perfect running order."
+
+"Then of course he will be here when Mr. Rutherford returns, with his
+brother; they were all such intimate friends, it will be pleasant for
+them to meet here. But I am surprised," she added, "that he is
+bringing one of his machines such a distance as this."
+
+"Why so?" inquired Houston.
+
+"Because, Mr. Winters told me that although the amalgamator was
+undoubtedly a valuable invention, and would prove a great success in a
+mining country, Van Dorn was too indolent to even try to introduce it
+among mining men, as it would require too much exertion on his part."
+
+Houston smiled at this accurate description of his class mate.
+
+Miss Gladden continued: "Mr. Winters said that Van Dorn was a fine
+fellow, but that he was never so happy as when engaged in some little
+scheme, apparently doing one thing, and in reality, doing something
+else, as when he was acting as mining expert for Mr. Winters."
+
+"Well," said Houston, laughing, "if that is the characteristic of Mr.
+Van Dorn, it will not be best to mention it here, as the officers of
+the company are very suspicious anyway, and very guarded as to who is
+permitted to have access to the mines and mills, and we might
+unconsciously make it rather unpleasant for him."
+
+The next morning, Houston went very early to the stables to order a
+team and three or four men to the Y to meet Van Dorn. Having given all
+necessary instructions, he returned to the house, but it was still
+early, and there was no one but Lyle in the breakfast room.
+
+At a signal from Houston, she approached the door-way, where he
+remained standing, as from that position he could easily watch both
+the porch and the interior of the room, to assure himself that they
+were safe from listeners.
+
+"I have just discovered recently," he began in a low tone, "that I am
+indebted to you for securing valuable assistance for me in my work
+here."
+
+"Why?" she asked quickly, in surprise, "did Jack tell you that it was
+I who asked him to help you?"
+
+"Certainly," replied Houston, "I naturally wished to know where he
+obtained his information, and he told me of your interview with him,
+and your persistent efforts in my behalf. I want to thank you, for I
+appreciate your conduct under such circumstances; you acted wisely and
+nobly, and did the very best thing that could have been done."
+
+"I am glad that I have your approval," she replied, "my overhearing
+what I did was unintentional and unavoidable, but having learned your
+plans, and that you needed help, I sought it from the only one
+competent to give it, and at the same time perfectly true and worthy
+of your confidence."
+
+"You certainly made a noble use of the knowledge you had obtained;
+there are very few, Lyle, who could have been trusted with such a
+secret, and who would have proven so trustworthy."
+
+"If you will pardon me for saying it, Mr. Houston, there is one other,
+whom you could, and, in my opinion, should trust with this."
+
+Houston looked at her inquiringly.
+
+"I mean Miss Gladden," was her response.
+
+"I see you have given her no hint," he said, smiling.
+
+"Not a word," Lyle answered, "it was not my place to do so; you know
+best what you wish her to know, and when, but I think you ought to
+confide in her fully, for she is a noble woman; you could trust her,
+and she would help you."
+
+"I realize that," Houston replied, "but I did not wish her to be
+worried by this; there will probably be more or less danger before it
+is all over, and I thought she would be happier not to know."
+
+Lyle lifted her beautiful head proudly, with a gesture so full of
+grace, Houston could not but observe it.
+
+"If I were in her place," she said, slowly and firmly, and with
+peculiar emphasis, "and my lover were in any danger, I would far
+rather know it, and give him my help, if possible, my prayers and
+sympathy at any rate, than to remain in ignorance, and perhaps
+unconsciously hinder him."
+
+Houston looked at Lyle in astonishment; was this clear-headed woman
+the untutored, untrained child of the mountains whom he had always
+regarded with a tender, chivalric regard, almost akin to pity?
+
+Lyle continued; "Do not think that even if you refrain from telling
+her this secret, she will not know that it exists; she will be quick
+to see indications of a secret understanding between yourself and
+others,--between yourself and myself, even,--in which she has no
+share. Will that seem to her like confidence, or even justice, on your
+part. It will be better for her, for you and for me that you tell her
+your plans fully, for you will find her strong and true and brave,
+whatever the end shall prove."
+
+"My dear Lyle," said Houston, slowly, "I believe you are right, and I
+will never consider you a child again; but I cannot understand how
+you, with your youth and inexperience, can think and act so wisely and
+well."
+
+"We none of us know what we can do or be," she answered gravely, "till
+an emergency arises, and we are suddenly shown what is required of
+us."
+
+"I will follow your suggestion at the first opportunity," Houston
+said, after a pause, "I shall tell Miss Gladden all that you know
+regarding my plans and my work, with but one reservation; for the
+present, I do not wish her to know that Mr. Cameron is related to
+me."
+
+Lyle looked slightly surprised, "Very well," she answered, in a tone
+of assent, adding, "You are his nephew, are you not?"
+
+"His nephew and his adopted son," Houston replied, with a peculiar
+smile.
+
+"Ah!" she replied quietly, "I understand; Miss Gladden is to know
+nothing at present of your wealth."
+
+"I have won her love with love, not with gold," he said proudly, "but
+she will find, by and by, that the latter is not lacking."
+
+A remark of Miss Gladden's, which she had made in confidence, soon
+after her engagement to Houston, was suddenly recalled to Lyle's mind;
+"Whether he has money or not, I do not know or care, for I have enough
+for both of us."
+
+A curious smile flitted over her face for a moment, but she only said,
+"You must be very wealthy!"
+
+"I have enough," Houston responded, "to give to Miss Gladden the home
+of which she is worthy, but which she has never known; and," he added,
+"there is one thing, my dear Lyle, upon which we are both agreed;
+that our home, wherever it shall be, shall be your home also, as our
+sister."
+
+For a moment, Lyle's lips quivered, and she was unable to speak. At
+that instant, Haight entered the breakfast room, darting at them a
+look of curiosity and suspicion, as they stood together in the
+door-way. Houston was pleased to see Lyle's perfect self-control.
+Without stirring in the least from her place by his side, she asked,
+in the most matter-of-fact tone, whether Mr. Van Dorn would be likely
+to arrive from the Y in season for dinner, and what room it would be
+best to prepare for him.
+
+"You had better let him share my room, in case he has no objections,"
+Houston answered indifferently, "for you like to keep your rooms in
+readiness for guests as much as possible, and Rutherford, when he
+returns, will probably room with his brother."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+
+As Houston was hurrying up from the mines at about eleven o'clock, on
+his way to the office, he met Morgan, just started on his rounds, and
+was shocked at the change which a few hours had made in his
+appearance. His heavy gait, his pale, haggard face and bloodshot eyes,
+told, not only of late hours and terrible dissipation, but of some
+severe mental strain, also. Morgan half smiled, as he saw Houston's
+look of pained surprise.
+
+"Yes," he said, "I know I look pretty hard this morning, but I was up
+late; I guess I'll be all right in a day or two. What's this Haight's
+been telling me about one of those fellows coming out here with some
+mining machinery? Which one is it, that English dude?"
+
+"No," answered Houston, "Van Dorn, the one with glasses, he was the
+inventor, you remember."
+
+"Well, if he's invented anything that will make old Rivers hand out
+any cash, he'd better get a patent on it, that's all I've got to say.
+How in thunder the old man ever gave his consent to his coming out
+here, monkey-fooling around with his machines, is more'n I can make
+out; but if the company want him up here, I'm sure I don't care a
+damn. The boss himself isn't coming up, is he?"
+
+"Not for a day or two," replied Houston.
+
+"Well," said Morgan, with one of his characteristic shrugs, "I guess
+I'll have to spruce up a bit, before he comes."
+
+"That is so, Morgan," said Houston, kindly, "I wouldn't want Mr.
+Blaisdell to see you as you look this morning; I'm too much a friend
+of yours myself for that."
+
+"Oh well, I'll be all right before he gets here. Who's going down to
+meet that fellow and his contraptions?"
+
+"I sent Hayes down with two or three men, and a six-horse team, early
+this morning."
+
+"Good for you!" laughed Morgan, starting on his way, "You'd make a
+first-rate boss 'round here; guess I'll have to give you a raise."
+
+Houston walked slowly down the road after Morgan left him, having
+apparently forgotten his haste. The story which Morgan had told him a
+few nights before, of his own life, had awakened his pity for the man
+as nothing else could have done. He felt that Morgan was in serious
+trouble, and in danger of losing his position, and that he was already
+where it would take very little to drive him to complete ruin. He
+resolved to seize the first opportunity that presented itself, to try
+to ascertain the cause of his trouble, and to assist him in any way
+that he possibly could.
+
+On reaching the office, he found considerable work awaiting him, and
+for a while, all other thoughts were banished from his mind. About
+noon, a heavy rumbling and rattling attracted his attention, and,
+going to the door, he saw the slowly approaching team, winding from
+side to side of the steep, canyon road, the powerful horses straining
+and panting under the heavy load. Perched on the top of the load,
+under a wide-spread umbrella, and fanning himself with his straw hat,
+was Van Dorn, his face irradiated by a broad smile as he caught sight
+of Houston. Two of the men walked beside the team, blocking the
+wheels with rocks, as the horses were occasionally stopped to rest. As
+they came within speaking distance, Van Dorn sang out merrily:
+
+"I say, Houston, this is what I call up-hill work; it has been a
+pretty hard pull all the way."
+
+"Yes," said Houston, "particularly hard on you, judging by appearances."
+
+Van Dorn laughed, and proceeded to close his umbrella, while an
+expansive grin broke over the face of one of the workmen, trudging
+along the hot, dusty road. At the brow of the hill, the team again
+stopped to rest, and Van Dorn descended from his lofty position,
+Houston meanwhile giving instructions to the driver:
+
+"Drive over to the stables, Hayes, and take the horses off and let
+them rest; after dinner, put on another set of horses, and drive to
+the mills; we will be there to see to the unloading."
+
+"Well, Everard, old boy, how are you?" exclaimed Van Dorn, as they
+started for the office; "I started within five hours after I received
+your telegram, and here I am, at your service."
+
+"When did you reach Silver City? yesterday?" inquired Houston.
+
+"Yesterday!" exclaimed Van Dorn, "my dear boy, do you think the world
+was made in one day? No, sir; I got in the day before, and spent the
+remainder of that day, and all of yesterday in cultivating the good
+graces of your company. I went straight for their offices, and it took
+all the arguments and persuasion I could muster, with some treating,
+and a good deal of judicious flattery thrown in, before I could get
+the old fellows to consent to my giving the machine a trial. I got
+around Blaisdell pretty easy after I had flattered him a little, but
+that Rivers is a beast! Said he didn't see why I was so anxious to
+have them test the machine, and all that! I explained, of course, that
+this was the first I had ever brought it out into the west, and they
+were so well known that if I could only get their endorsement, and so
+on and so forth. Oh, I want to tell you all about it later, and if you
+don't acknowledge that I'm a born diplomat, I'll give up; but at
+present, my first business must be to allay these pangs of hunger,
+they are becoming unendurable."
+
+"Certainly, we will go to the house at once," said Houston, preparing
+to close the office.
+
+"Wait a minute!" said Van Dorn, diving furiously into his pockets; "I
+attended to that little business that you wrote me about, just
+according to directions, and I want you to see if it is perfectly
+satisfactory before we go any further, and then I'll have it off my
+mind; why, confound it! where is that thing anyway?" he exclaimed,
+turning a half dozen pockets inside out, and emptying a heterogeneous
+collection upon the desk before him. "Oh, here it is! I knew I had it
+safe somewhere; there now, Everard, I took as much pains as if it had
+been for myself, it was one of the finest stones I could find; I think
+it is a beauty, and I hope you will like it."
+
+He handed a small case to Houston, partially open, from whose depths
+of white velvet a superb diamond ring flashed forth its wondrous rays,
+seeming almost to brighten the dingy little room in which they were
+standing.
+
+"It is indeed a beauty," said Houston, "perfect! I could not have made
+a better selection myself. I knew I could trust to your good judgment,
+Arthur, and I am exceedingly obliged; I'll do as much for you when you
+are ready for a ring of this kind."
+
+"All right, I'm glad if you like it. I believe I sent my congratulations
+by letter, but I'll renew them now. I only hope the lady herself will
+be pleased with the selection."
+
+On their way to the house, Van Dorn said: "Ned Rutherford has gone to
+the coast to meet his brother, I suppose."
+
+"Yes; you probably know he and Morton are intending to stop here on
+their return?"
+
+"Yes; Mort, as soon as he found you were here, and especially after I
+gave him an inkling of what was going on, said he should certainly
+stop as he came back. You ought to have seen him though, when I told
+him you were out here! Good gracious! he was simply thunderstruck! He
+said Ned had been writing all along about a Houston, from Chicago,
+that he had met on the train, and that he was a fine fellow, and all
+that; but of course he never dreamed it was you."
+
+The remainder of the day passed very swiftly, for there was much to be
+done. After dinner, Houston and Van Dorn went down to the mills and
+superintended the unloading and unpacking of the machinery; then, as
+it was too late in the day to begin preparations for its erection,
+Houston visited the mines, Van Dorn accompanying him only a little way
+into the main shaft. As they came out together, half an hour later,
+and started for the office, Van Dorn drew a small piece of ore from
+his pocket, saying:
+
+"I've discovered now where that fine ore on the dump of the famous
+Sunrise lode came from."
+
+"Yes," said Houston, "and you will make other discoveries, shortly."
+
+At the office there was much to be said on both sides; Van Dorn giving
+his friend messages and directions from Mr. Cameron, and giving also
+the particulars of his interview with the company, and how he had
+finally obtained their consent for the erection of the machinery at
+their mills.
+
+Houston, on his part, related what he had been doing in the few weeks
+intervening since Van Dorn's former visit, and explained his new
+position as assistant superintendent of the group of mines in which
+they were most interested.
+
+Van Dorn whistled; "That's good!" he exclaimed, "I wondered how it was
+that you were going in and out among the mines in that way, I thought
+that was something new. Have you found any one whom we can trust to
+help us?"
+
+In reply, Houston told his friend of Jack, of his experience and skill
+as a miner, and of his offer to help them.
+
+Van Dorn was greatly interested, and before they were aware, the
+afternoon had passed, and it was time to close the office and return
+to the house.
+
+At the supper table that evening, the diamond ring appeared, flashing
+on the white, shapely hand of Leslie Gladden, and she herself looked
+radiantly beautiful.
+
+After the meal was over, Morgan, who was still pale and haggard, and
+had been very silent at the table, pulled his hat down over his eyes,
+and started down the road.
+
+"Morgan," called Houston, "where are you going?"
+
+"I dun'no," he answered moodily, "down to the Y, I guess, by and by."
+
+"Well, hold on a minute, I will walk down with you a ways; I want to
+see you."
+
+"All right," responded Morgan, walking on very slowly.
+
+Houston hastily excused himself to Miss Gladden and Van Dorn, and
+hurrying after Morgan, soon overtook him. For some time, Houston
+talked with him regarding the work for the next day, and the men who
+could best be detailed to help Van Dorn. They had reached the same
+spot where they had stopped to talk a few nights before, and, as then,
+were seated on the rocks. At last, the business arrangements were all
+completed, and Morgan made a move as if to start, and then Houston's
+real errand in overtaking him became apparent.
+
+"Morgan, you are not fit to be out to-night, you must have rest, you
+will break down living this way."
+
+"Yes," said Morgan, raising his hollow, heavy eyes to Houston's face,
+"I'm about done up, that's a fact."
+
+"I wouldn't go to the Y to-night, if I were you; come back to the
+house and get a good night's rest, it will make a different man of
+you."
+
+Morgan looked undecided for a moment; "'Twouldn't be no use going up
+there now," he answered gloomily, "I couldn't rest if I tried. I
+haven't slept scarcely any for three nights; but I ain't going to stay
+out late to-night as I've been doing; I shan't play after midnight.
+I'm going to have two or three games just to see what luck I'll have,
+and if I don't have luck, why, that ends it, I ain't going to play all
+night."
+
+"Morgan," said Houston earnestly, "you spoke the other night about
+money; now, as I told you then, if you need any money, I'm your
+friend, and I'll gladly accommodate you with whatever you need."
+
+For the first time in all their acquaintance, Morgan's careless,
+indifferent manner changed, and for a few moments he seemed touched.
+
+"Yes, I believe you," he said, after a pause, "I believe you're more
+of a friend to me than anybody else. Blaisdell would kick me out
+quicker'n it takes to say so, if he knew just how I stand to-night.
+Even Haight's got the big-head and puts on his airs since he's seen
+I'm down; you're the only one that's showed me any kindness."
+
+"Now, Morgan, just say what money you need, and you shall have it; I
+want to help you out of this," said Houston.
+
+"No," said Morgan, decidedly, "if I am a gambler, and all that, I
+ain't going to take the wages from a fellow that works for less than I
+do, to help me out of trouble. The Lord knows you've earnt your money,
+for you've worked faithful."
+
+"Never mind about that, Morgan," said Houston, hastily, "I'm not
+wholly dependent on my salary; I had a good little sum of money laid
+by before I came out here; there is plenty, I will not miss it, and
+you are welcome to it."
+
+"Much obliged to you, Houston, but I can't take it,--not now, at any
+rate,--maybe I'll call on you for it to-morrow, if I don't have luck
+to-night."
+
+"You are welcome to it whenever you want it," said Houston cordially,
+his hand on Morgan's shoulder; "I only wish you were not going to the
+Y to-night."
+
+"Well," said Morgan, as he rose slowly, "don't think I don't
+appreciate your kindness, for I do. You've heard me say that I didn't
+believe in honor in anybody; I guess I'll have to take that back, for
+if there is such a thing as honor, you've got it. I don't know how it
+is," he said, with a heavy sigh, then added slowly, "I guess you've
+been raised different somehow, from most of us out here. The Lord
+knows how I was raised."
+
+He started a few steps down the road, hesitated, and came back.
+
+"Houston, there's one thing I want to say to you, for you've been good
+to me, that's this; look out for Haight; he's no friend of yours, and
+I guess you're sharp enough to know it, but maybe you don't know what
+a sneaking, cowardly cur he is; look out for him!"
+
+"Thank you, Morgan, I will."
+
+"He ain't like me," he continued, "if I don't like anybody I let 'em
+know it, and fight 'em fair and square; you can tell that by the way I
+bucked up against you, when you first came here," and he smiled at the
+recollection, the first time he had smiled in the whole conversation.
+
+"Morgan," said Houston, "I've been sorry for that a good many times
+since; if I had known about you then what you have since told me, I
+never would have been so severe in my judgment of you."
+
+"Oh, that was all right," he answered, "it did me good; I didn't like
+you very well at first, but I've always had a liking for you ever
+since. Well, so long!" and with a faint smile, Morgan went on his
+way.
+
+Houston stood watching him for a few moments, then turned back in the
+direction of the house, little thinking how, or where, they would meet
+again.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+
+The next morning dawned fair and cloudless, giving promise of one of
+those royal days, so frequent in the almost perfect climate of the
+higher altitudes.
+
+Long before noon the heat would be intense, but in the early morning
+there was wafted down from the mountain side, where the pines were
+nodding and whispering so mysteriously, a cool, exhilarating breeze,
+which kissed the surface of the azure lake, sleeping so peacefully,
+and, awakening immediately into smiles, it lay rippling and dimpling
+with laughter in the sunlight.
+
+The vines, transplanted by Miss Gladden and Lyle, under their
+fostering care, had transformed the little porch into a bower of
+beauty. Here stood Van Dorn, his fair, almost feminine face flushed
+with pleasure, and his blue eyes sparkling, as the light breeze played
+with the auburn curls clustering about his forehead, and he looked
+forth on the beauty of the scene.
+
+"Ah--h!" he exclaimed, drawing a long breath, "isn't this refreshing
+after the stifling heat and dust of the journey out here? Isn't it
+glorious?"
+
+"It is," responded Houston, "this is one of the mornings when it is a
+joy just simply to live and breathe."
+
+Houston was fired with new ambition that morning; he would no longer
+have to work alone, keeping his anxieties and doubts, his plans and
+discoveries alike to himself; from henceforth he would have
+companionship, counsel and assistance, and he felt a new interest and
+enthusiasm.
+
+Immediately after breakfast, the two set forth upon their first day's
+work. Going first to the mills, Houston secured the services of two or
+three men who could be spared from the ordinary work, to assist Van
+Dorn in making preparations for the erection of the machinery; then he
+left for his early visit to the mines.
+
+It was nearly ten o'clock when, having finished his round of duties at
+the mines, and coming up to the surface from the cool, underground
+workings, he found the heat almost unendurable, and strolled over to
+the mills, to see how Van Dorn was progressing. The latter did not
+seem averse to stopping for a few moments, and for a while, the two
+chatted and laughed with the old, careless abandon of their college
+days, without a thought of the more serious side of life, until,
+something being needed for the work, which Houston thought was in the
+tool-house, they proceeded together to look for it.
+
+Houston was still searching for the needed implements, when Van Dorn,
+who was near the door, called out:
+
+"I say, Everard, here's a small specimen of humanity who seems to be
+looking for you in a desperate hurry," and an instant later, he heard
+a familiar voice say:
+
+"Is the boss in there, mister? Le'me in quick, I wan'ter see 'im!"
+
+Turning quickly, he saw Bull-dog, breathless, pale and quivering with
+excitement.
+
+"Say, boss," he gasped, before Houston could speak, "they want
+yer--down ter the Y,--Morgan has shot hisself!"
+
+"What is that, boy?" exclaimed Houston hoarsely, clearing the space
+between them at a bound.
+
+"Morgan's shot hisself, 'n they sent us fer yer,--me'n Hank,--he's out
+there," with a backward jerk of his thumb over his shoulder toward the
+open door.
+
+Houston sprang to the door; another boy was talking excitedly with Van
+Dorn, while his horse stood, panting heavily and covered with dust and
+foam.
+
+"Here's the man you want," said Van Dorn, turning a white face toward
+Houston, "Great God, Everard!" he exclaimed, "Morgan has killed
+himself!"
+
+"He is not dead!" exclaimed Houston, turning towards the boy.
+
+The latter nodded; "They found 'im shot through the head, 'n this was
+in his hand, 'n the cops won't let nobody in till you come," and he
+handed Houston a bit of paper.
+
+It was a scrap of newspaper, crumpled and spattered with blood, and,
+as Houston smoothed it out, he read on the margin, in characters
+wavering and almost illegible, written with a trembling hand, but
+still Morgan's writing, "Send to the camp for Houston, he's the only
+friend I've got."
+
+For an instant, it seemed to Houston as though the glorious sunlight
+had suddenly turned to blackness, a blackness in which the scrap of
+paper gleamed white before him, its red spots glowing like spots of
+flame. He seemed again to see Morgan as he looked when parting from
+him the previous evening; the haggard face, with its hollow eyes and
+faint, pathetic smile, and as he recalled his words in reply to his
+own repeated offers of money, there seemed a new meaning in them;
+"Maybe I'll call on you for it to-morrow if I don't have luck
+to-night."
+
+But Houston realized there was no time to waste, and in a few moments
+he was mounted on a powerful gray horse, on his way to the Y,
+notwithstanding Van Dorn's protests on account of the intense heat,
+having requested the latter to explain his absence at the house. Just
+as he was about to start, Bull-dog begged to be allowed to ride with
+him, to which Houston consented, and lifting the little fellow up,
+seated him in front of himself. Very little was said, for the horse
+seemed to understand what was expected of him, and sped like the wind
+down the narrow canyon road, but Houston's hand rested kindly on
+Bull-dog's shoulder, steadying the slender frame, and, at the same
+time, warming the heart of the forlorn little waif, to whom even the
+touch of kindness was something exceedingly rare.
+
+Houston's mind was occupied with thoughts of the terrible scene he was
+rapidly approaching, as well as with memories of his last interview
+with Morgan on the preceding night. At last, having crossed a ravine,
+the horse slackened his pace, as he climbed the steep ascent on the
+other side, and Houston, almost unconsciously, spoke his thoughts
+aloud.
+
+"Poor Morgan!" he said, with a heavy sigh, "poor fellow! If I could
+only have saved him from this! God knows I would have given him any
+amount of money to have prevented this."
+
+"'Twouldn't ha' been no use, sir," Bull-dog broke in quickly, eager to
+console Houston, "'twouldn't ha' been no use to have give 'im money,
+'cause, ye see, them fellers that he played with would ha' got it
+all."
+
+"Who were they?" inquired Houston.
+
+"Oh, there was Faro Dick and Slicky Sam, and a lot of 'em; Morgan
+wasn't no match for fellers like them, they was all too swift fer
+him."
+
+"How do you know?"
+
+"Oh, I seen 'em playin' lots o' times, and they're all reg'lar
+sharpers, 'n Morgan, he'd got reckless, 'n he didn't stan' no show
+against 'em."
+
+Houston looked down wonderingly and pityingly upon the little fellow,
+young in years, but who knew so much of the dark side of life, but
+nothing more was said, as, having reached the top of the hill, the
+station was close at hand.
+
+Having left his horse in charge of one of the company's men, Houston,
+accompanied by Bull-dog as guide, proceeded across the street, to the
+group of dirty, disreputable-looking buildings containing the saloons,
+gambling houses and dance halls. He had little need of a guide, for,
+before the shabbiest and most disreputable of the entire lot, was
+gathered a motley crowd, gazing with awestruck curiosity at the
+building in which had been enacted the tragedy of the night before. It
+was a saloon with gambling rooms in the rear. Here Morgan had played
+his last game,--just to see what luck he would have,--as he had said
+to Houston, and from which he had come forth ruined, despairing,
+desperate.
+
+Passing through the crowd of jabbering Chinamen and "dagoes," of
+miners off shift, drawn hither by curiosity, and of gamblers of all
+grades from the professional expert to the "tin-horn," Houston found
+his way around the corner of the building, down into an alley, dark,
+dismal and reeking with filth. Here were groups of slatternly, unkempt
+women, some of whom stared at him with brazen faces, while others
+slunk away, not quite lost to shame.
+
+At last they came to a rickety stair-way, and as they neared the top,
+Bull-dog whispered:
+
+"There's some of 'em now; that tall feller is Faro Dick, he deals down
+stairs, and the little, black feller is Slicky, and that short, fat
+one, that's Brocky Joe."
+
+The group gathered about the door-way at the head of the stairs eyed
+Houston curiously as he approached. He gave them only a quick, keen
+glance, but in that glance he had detected the trio named by Bull-dog,
+and they cowered visibly beneath the scorn and contempt which flashed
+from his eye, while the entire group of loungers made way, impelled
+partly by an unconscious respect for the broad, powerful shoulders,
+and splendid, athletic frame.
+
+Down a dark, narrow hall, Bull-dog led the way to a door guarded by
+two men, who touched their caps respectfully to Houston. They were two
+of the mining company's watchmen, who were kept at the station to
+guard their property, and to preserve order generally, and hence were
+designated by the gamins of the place as police and "cops."
+
+Silently they unlocked and opened the door for Houston, and one of
+them entered with him. It was a small room, evidently a woman's, and
+its general squalor and dilapidation were made more apparent by
+tawdry, shabby bits of finery strewn here and there. Curtains of red
+damask, faded and ragged, hung at the window, excluding the daylight,
+and on a small table a kerosene lamp had burned itself out. But
+Houston took little notice of the room; as his eyes became accustomed
+to the dim light, he saw but one object.
+
+Across the bed in one corner of the room, lay Morgan, his left arm
+thrown out across the pillows, the other dropped at his side, and a
+revolver clenched in his right hand. His head was turned slightly to
+one side, exposing the ghastly wound near the temple, his face was
+blackened and mutilated, but still bore traces of the terrible strain
+of those last few hours of life.
+
+Houston stepped back, even his firm nerves quivering, and his heart
+throbbing with a great sorrow for the life so suddenly quenched in the
+darkness of despair.
+
+On a chair were Morgan's hat and coat, where he had thrown them, and
+as Houston turned toward the little table, he saw there a newspaper
+from which a scrap had been torn. Taking the bit of paper, containing
+Morgan's last message, from his pocket, he compared them; it fitted
+exactly, and beside the paper lay a bit of pencil with which those
+last words had been written, and to Houston, with his keen perception
+and vivid imagination, the whole scene of the previous night with its
+minute and pathetic details, seemed passing before his vision. He
+turned to the watchman:
+
+"Open the window," he said, and his voice sounded strange even to
+himself, "draw back those curtains, this place is stifling."
+
+Upon inquiry, Houston found the watchman could give him very little
+information. In passing down the alley at about eight o'clock that
+morning, his attention had been arrested by screams issuing from the
+building. On rushing up-stairs, he saw a crowd gathering about the
+door of this room, and, on entering, was shocked at the sight
+revealed. Mollie, the girl who usually occupied the room, was
+screaming hysterically, but when able to talk explained that she had
+been out all night and had but just returned. Morgan was in the habit
+of coming to the room, and had a key, but he had not been there of
+late, having gambled every night till daylight.
+
+Her screams had attracted nearly the whole neighborhood, some of whom
+corroborated her statements, and one or two testified to having heard
+a shot sometime about midnight, but nothing had been thought of it, as
+it was supposed to be some row in the gambling rooms below. The
+watchman had ordered the crowd out of the room, and sent the messenger
+for Houston, and also a telegram to Silver City for the coroner, who
+was expected on the noon train.
+
+As it was nearly noon, Houston decided to step over to the depot,
+leaving the room in charge of the watchman. On his way, he heard
+various comments from groups gathered here and there. Passing a
+half-dozen miners, he heard one of them say:
+
+"If he'd 'a been a union man, we'd 'a taken care of 'im, but he worked
+for the bosses, and helped 'em to make big money, and now, let the
+bosses take care of 'im and bury 'im."
+
+A bitter smile crossed Houston's face, and stepping into the little
+telegraph office, he sent a message, first, in his own name, to one of
+the undertaking firms of Silver City, for everything that was needed
+to be sent up by the special freight that afternoon; and then a brief
+dispatch to Mr. Blaisdell, stating what had occurred, but that the
+affairs of the company were all right, and there was no necessity for
+his coming to the camp immediately.
+
+A few moments later, the train arrived, bringing the coroner, and as
+quickly as possible the inquest was held. Very few facts were
+developed beyond those already learned by Houston, excepting the
+extent of Morgan's losses. These included not only everything which he
+had possessed, even to his watch and a few pieces of jewelry, but in
+addition, a large sum of money advanced him by Brocky Joe. Those with
+whom he was playing testified that he had quit shortly before
+midnight, and left the hall rather hastily. At the time, they thought
+he had gone to borrow more money, and perhaps try his luck at some
+other place, but nothing more was seen of him, and they soon forgot
+the occurrence.
+
+When all was over and the crowd was slowly dispersing, Houston saw
+several members of the gambling fraternity approaching him, headed by
+the two designated by Bull-dog as Slicky Sam and Brocky Joe. The
+latter, a stout, red-faced individual, with flaming necktie and
+blazing diamonds, was evidently speaker for the entire party.
+
+"We would like," he began, in a high-pitched, falsetto voice, "to
+express our regrets for what has occurred, and I wish to state on
+behalf of my associates here, and also personally, that there was no
+ill feeling toward your friend, and I am perfectly willing to overlook
+the small amount of indebtedness; and if there is anything we can do,
+in the way of sharing the burial expenses, or anything of the kind, we
+shall be glad to do so."
+
+"Your assistance is not needed," replied Houston, in a cold, cutting
+tone, "you have already done your work; you and your ilk have brought
+him where he is, and that is enough," and he turned abruptly from
+them.
+
+As he re-entered the room, he met Mollie, who cast an appealing glance
+at him. She could not have been over twenty years of age, but she
+looked worn and haggard. Her hair was disheveled, large, dark rings
+encircled her heavy, lusterless eyes, now swollen with weeping, and
+there was a look of helpless and hopeless despair in her glance that
+aroused Houston's pity. It was a new experience for him to be brought
+into contact with these wrecked and ruined lives, and sorrow for the
+one life which had gone out so suddenly and needlessly, made him
+pitiful toward all.
+
+A look of pity, a word of pure, disinterested kindness, was something
+new in the life of the poor creature before him, and she began sobbing
+afresh:
+
+"He's gone," she moaned, "and I don't want to live no longer."
+
+"Did you care so much for him?" asked Houston, wonderingly.
+
+"Yes," she sobbed, "I never cared for nobody but him. I thought once
+he cared for me, but after a while I found he didn't, and then I went
+to the bad as fast as I could, but still I cared for him. I never was
+very good, for I never had no chance to be, but I'd 'a been different
+from what I am, if he'd only 'a cared for me."
+
+Houston went back into the wretched room, and looked long and sadly at
+the one who, in his last moments of despair, had called him his
+friend. He recalled the story told him that night among the rocks; he
+thought of the life ruined by a mother's neglect and sin, and now of
+another life shut out in hopeless misery because of his indifference
+and neglect, and Houston realized at that moment, as never before, the
+influences, for good or for evil, extending from one human life to
+another, spreading onward and onward,
+
+                 "As wave follows wave across the sea,"
+
+till the widening circles at last touch the shores of eternity.
+
+An hour or two later, when Houston stepped over to the depot to meet
+the incoming special freight, he was somewhat surprised to see Mr.
+Blaisdell step from the train, and in his white face, his firmly set
+mouth with its hard lines, and his pale blue eyes, it could readily be
+seen that he knew nothing of pity or mercy for the man who had served
+him so faithfully.
+
+"I did not expect you so early, Mr. Blaisdell," said Houston, as they
+exchanged greetings, "I thought after receiving my dispatch you would
+feel no anxiety, and would probably not come out till the evening
+train."
+
+"Your telegram was a great relief," Mr. Blaisdell answered in an
+excited tone, "but I was all ready to come, as, from the tenor of
+Haight's message this morning, I feared the worst. You are sure the
+affairs of the company are all right?"
+
+"Perfectly sure," replied Houston, calmly, "so far as money is
+concerned, poor Morgan has wronged no one but himself."
+
+"Well," said Mr. Blaisdell, with a sigh of relief, "I am glad to hear
+that, but this is an outrageous affair,--simply outrageous,--a man in
+his responsible position, trusted as he has been, coming to such an
+end as this, under such circumstances and amid such surroundings! It
+is a disgrace to himself, and to those associated with him in
+business,--to the entire company!"
+
+The thought flashed through Houston's mind that a deeper disgrace than
+this awaited the company, but he only replied:
+
+"I had not looked at it in that light, Mr. Blaisdell; I, as one of his
+associates, certainly feel no disgrace attached to myself. I had
+thought only of the terrible pity for a life so needlessly ruined and
+lost."
+
+"Pity!" said Mr. Blaisdell, contemptuously, "If a man willfully
+degrades himself and disgraces his friends, I have no pity for him, he
+deserves none for such dishonorable, dishonest conduct."
+
+"His dishonesty, as you term it, must have been of rather an unusual
+type," said Houston, "since I offered him money only last night, and
+he refused to take it."
+
+"So you knew of his habits and offered him money? It was your duty to
+have reported him to me."
+
+"I do not need you, Mr. Blaisdell, or any one else, to tell me what my
+duty is here," replied Houston, with dignity, "I did not know until
+recently to what extent Morgan was gambling, and when a man is in
+trouble, I will never give him a push downward."
+
+One of the workmen just then came to Houston for instructions
+regarding the shipment which he had ordered from Silver City, thus
+attracting Mr. Blaisdell's attention in that direction.
+
+"What is this, Houston?" he exclaimed angrily, "what does this mean?
+You certainly had no right, no authority to order these things; the
+company will not pay one cent toward the burial of a man who has
+proven himself so unworthy of the confidence reposed in him."
+
+"Mr. Blaisdell," said Houston, calmly, but in a tone his employer had
+never heard before, "there is not the least necessity for the company
+to pay one cent, or for you to feel any concern in this matter. I have
+ordered these things myself, personally, upon my own responsibility."
+
+For the first time Mr. Blaisdell had found an employe who evidently
+did not stand in fear of him, and surprise held him silent for a
+moment.
+
+"Very well," he answered, in an altered tone, "but I must say I can
+see no reason for such a quixotic proceeding on your part; I never
+supposed you and Morgan were particular friends."
+
+"Here is my reason," Houston replied, handing him the bit of paper
+bearing Morgan's last words; "When a despairing man, in his last
+moments, appeals to me as his friend, and his only friend, even though
+that man were my worst enemy, I would feel in duty bound to do for him
+everything that a friend could do."
+
+Mr. Blaisdell returned the slip, and there was a new respect indicated
+in tone and manner, as he replied:
+
+"I don't know but you are right, do as you think best. I am going up
+to the camp, you can come whenever you are ready."
+
+"I shall be there in a few hours," said Houston, and they separated.
+
+A little later, everything that he could do had been done, and as
+Houston looked for the last time upon the pale face, where the angel
+of death was already smoothing out the lines traced by the last few
+days of suffering, and softening the features into a look of
+contentment and peace, he was glad that in the last moments of that
+life, there had come faith, even in one human being.
+
+Early the next morning, a little group was gathered in a beautiful,
+secluded spot, on the mountain side, overlooking the station. Houston
+and Van Dorn were there, and a clergyman from a little parish in a
+small town a few miles distant, to whom the sad story had been told,
+read the simple but impressive words of the burial service and offered
+a brief prayer. And, as the weary body was lowered to its final
+resting place, at the foot of the murmuring pines, there came to the
+minds of Houston and Van Dorn the memory of the burial of a class-mate
+in the old college days, and simultaneously their voices rose on the
+clear, morning air, blending in the words chanted on that former
+occasion:----
+
+             "Rest, brother, rest in thy last, long sleep."
+
+Slowly the little company dispersed, each going his own way. Upon
+Houston's mind the events of those last twenty-four hours had left an
+impression never to be effaced, but to most in that community one
+human life, more or less, was of slight significance. To them, life
+was but one great game, in which fortune, reputation, character,
+everything which they possessed, whether much or little, was staked on
+the high card. No wonder that little thought was given to the losers,
+dropping out, one by one!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII.
+
+
+The following days were crowded with work for Houston. A bookkeeper
+was immediately sent over from Silver City to do the office work, but,
+excepting Houston, the company had no man, both competent and who
+could be trusted, to fill Morgan's position. It was therefore arranged
+that for the next few weeks, until they could ascertain the address of
+a former superintendent, who had recently returned east, and
+communicate with him, Houston was to superintend the working of all
+the mines.
+
+This involved much additional work and responsibility, but Houston
+filled the position so satisfactorily and showed such business tact
+and executive ability, that Mr. Blaisdell, on his return to Silver
+City, had fully determined to retain him permanently as superintendent
+at the mines, and, if possible, secure Barden, their former man, as an
+assistant.
+
+"I tell you, Rivers, that Houston is a capable man, wonderfully
+capable," he said, having related to the remaining officers of the
+company Houston's success in filling Morgan's position.
+
+"It seems to me, Blaisdell," said Mr. Brunnell, the benevolent looking
+old gentleman whom Houston had seen on his first visit to the offices,
+and one of the board of directors, "it seems to me you had better look
+out for him yourself; that young man is rising so fast, he's likely to
+oust you yet."
+
+"Well, no, I guess not," replied Mr. Blaisdell confidently, with his
+complacent smile, "I don't think you fellows could get along without
+me, just yet. I don't know what we would do with him, though, in case
+of any disagreement, he's as independent as though he were a
+millionaire instead of a salaried clerk; he would never care a rap for
+anything we might say, he would take his own way every time," and Mr.
+Blaisdell gave an account of his interview with Houston at the Y.
+
+"Humph!" sniffed Mr. Rivers contemptuously, "You'd better let me
+manage that fellow, Blaisdell, he'll run away with you."
+
+"He'll run away with those mines up there, Blaisdell," chuckled Mr.
+Brunnell, peering over his glasses at the general manager, who was
+strutting pompously about the office.
+
+"Well, you fellows may joke as much as you please," said Mr.
+Blaisdell, a little testily, "I tell you the man is smart."
+
+"Confound it! I know he's smart; I tell you he's too damned smart for
+you!" responded Mr. Rivers, who had very little respect for Mr.
+Blaisdell's business ability, but found him a very convenient
+cat's-paw.
+
+As early as possible after the completion of the new arrangements at
+the mines, Houston and Van Dorn, in accordance with a previous
+engagement, visited Jack at his cabin. The hour was late, and as they
+entered the room already familiar to Houston, a lamp was burning
+brightly, but a heavy screen hung over it, concentrating the light
+upon the table beneath, on which lay various drawings and tracings,
+and allowing only a dim light to pervade the room.
+
+Houston introduced Van Dorn, whom Jack greeted with characteristic
+courtesy, though with something of his old reserve, and having seated
+his guests, he at once proceeded to the discussion of the business
+which had brought them together.
+
+In reply to an inquiry of his regarding the present situation of
+affairs, Houston informed him of the arrangement just completed by
+which he was to have entire charge of the work at the mines for the
+next few weeks, until the coming of Mr. Barden.
+
+"Your present position is much more favorable for your work," replied
+Jack, "it is exceedingly doubtful whether the company will have any
+use for the services of Mr. Barden."
+
+Houston then stated briefly what had been done since Van Dorn's
+arrival, adding in conclusion, "Of course, we would have accomplished
+more within this time, had it not been for the confusion and changes
+resulting from Morgan's sudden death."
+
+"Yes," said Jack, "that has hindered you temporarily, but it will
+result to your advantage. All that I regretted was that an examination
+which I hoped you and Mr. Van Dorn might be able to make last week,
+immediately upon his arrival, will now have to be postponed until next
+week, but even that is better as it is."
+
+"How is that?" inquired Houston, with much interest, "to what do you
+refer?"
+
+"I refer to the Lucky Chance mine; are you familiar with that
+property?"
+
+"Not especially," said Houston, "I have paid no attention to it, as it
+was not one in which our company was interested, nor one of which I
+was in charge. Since the recent change, I have visited the mine once
+with Mr. Blaisdell, but we only went in a short distance, and he
+informed me there was but little work done there, and but few men
+employed."
+
+"Yes," replied Jack, with peculiar emphasis, "but that 'little work'
+as he terms it yields the company a larger percentage than any other
+single mine which they own."
+
+Houston's face expressed considerable astonishment. "You surprise me,"
+he exclaimed, "because I thought I knew their best paying properties,
+and I never would have supposed that was one of them, either from my
+own observation, or from anything I have heard of it."
+
+"It would not be for the interests of the company to have much said
+regarding the mine, or to have the workings investigated very closely.
+You are probably aware that the claim adjoins the Yankee Boy?"
+
+"Certainly," answered Houston, "I am aware of that fact."
+
+"Very well," replied Jack, rising and going to the table. "I have
+prepared some diagrams here which I would like you and Mr. Van Dorn to
+examine. Here you will see," he continued, as they drew their chairs
+near the table," the boundaries and underground workings of the Lucky
+Chance mine, with their approximate measurements. Please look them
+over and see if you detect any irregularities."
+
+Both Houston and Van Dorn studied the diagram carefully for a moment,
+when the latter exclaimed:
+
+"Why, the main tunnel extends more than a hundred feet beyond the
+boundary line."
+
+"Now allow me to substitute this diagram," said Jack, spreading a
+larger tracing before them. "This is the same as the other with the
+addition of a portion of the boundary lines and underground workings
+of the adjoining claim, the Yankee Boy."
+
+"Ah, I see," said Houston, "the tunnel from the Lucky Chance has been
+carried beyond the boundary line in such a direction as to strike the
+vein of the adjoining claim."
+
+"That is it exactly," said Van Dorn, "no wonder the mine pays well!"
+
+"As I stated before," continued Jack, "these measurements, and, to a
+certain extent, the course of the tunnel, are given approximately, as
+I had no means of ascertaining the exact data, but I know they are
+essentially correct. It only remains for you, gentlemen, to verify
+this, by making an examination of the tunnel and taking the courses
+and measurements exactly, and also by comparing the ore now taken out
+with that originally found in the mine, and with the ore of the Yankee
+Boy, and you will then have evidence of the greatest fraud which has
+been perpetrated upon the rightful owners of the Yankee Boy, and which
+has been carried on for the last four or five years."
+
+"But how did you discover this?" asked Houston.
+
+"I first came here," replied Jack, "shortly after the sale of the
+Yankee Boy group of properties had been consummated. Within a few
+months afterward, the company located the Lucky Chance mine;
+development work was carried forward as rapidly as possible, quite a
+number of men being employed, of which I was one. It was evident that
+in locating this mine, the company hoped they had struck an extension
+of the vein of the Yankee Boy lode; it proved of an entirely different
+character, however, yielding rather a low-grade ore. The claim was
+surveyed and patented as soon as the necessary amount of improvements,
+required by law, had been placed upon it. After obtaining patent, the
+company then extended the tunnel in an entirely different direction,
+and, as you will find upon investigation, beyond the boundary line,
+until it intersected a portion of the Yankee Boy vein. Here a body of
+very rich ore was struck, and the mine has been a paying property ever
+since. For this last work very few men were retained, and but few have
+been employed there since, those few being men whom the company
+thought could be trusted, or upon whom they had some hold by which
+they could compel them to silence. I was employed there until very
+recently, and from the first had a thorough understanding of the
+course and extent of the different workings, and consequently am
+perfectly familiar with them."
+
+"Everard," said Van Dorn, for whom work of this kind possessed a
+special attraction, "I think this is just about the kind of an
+expedition we will like."
+
+"I think so myself," Houston replied, "but at the same time, it is the
+most risky piece of work we have yet undertaken, and we will have to
+depend upon our friend here for suggestions and advice. You will of
+course accompany us?" he added, turning to Jack, who had withdrawn
+from the table and was sitting in the dim light.
+
+"Certainly," responded Jack, "it would be a very dangerous undertaking
+for two strangers to go through that part of the mine without a guide
+at any time, especially at night, and it will be at best, a hazardous
+piece of work."
+
+"How many are employed there? and what class of men are they?"
+inquired Houston.
+
+"About a dozen on the night shift," Jack replied, "mostly Cornishmen,
+but whatever their nationality, it is usually the most treacherous
+and brutal men that we have that are employed by the company in that
+mine. Maverick used to work there until he was transferred above
+ground. It will not be necessary for us to come in contact with
+very many of them, however, as they are so widely scattered through
+the mine, and on the night shift next week, there will be four
+men,--a father and three sons,--who will do just about whatever I
+say, especially if a little money is given them. Mr. Houston's new
+position as superintendent, will aid us very materially. A visit from
+him, with me as guide, will not excite suspicion, but Mr. Van Dorn
+will be suspected in a moment, and we must disguise him."
+
+Van Dorn whistled softly.
+
+"Could you assume the Irish dialect, on an occasion like this, Mr. Van
+Dorn?" Jack inquired.
+
+"An' shure," exclaimed Van Dorn, with the broadest accent imaginable,
+"an' will yez be afther tellin' me, be-dad! why I should not shpake me
+own mither tongue?"
+
+Both Houston and Jack laughed at Van Dorn's ready answer.
+
+"You will do," Jack said quietly, but in a tone so rich and musical as
+to chain the attention of his guests while he proceeded to plan the
+details of their visit to the mine.
+
+In an hour or two, the modus operandi had been fully decided upon, and
+nothing remained but to fix the night for their expedition, and this
+it was thought best to leave to be determined by circumstances the
+following week. The instruments needed for taking measurements were to
+be taken down beforehand by Houston, and concealed in a safe place
+near the mine, and on the night of the examination, he was to go from
+the house directly to the mine, where he would be joined by Jack and
+Van Dorn, the latter dressed in a suit of Mike's mining clothes, and
+personating him as closely as possible.
+
+All arrangements being now as nearly complete as possible, Houston and
+Van Dorn bade their host a cordial good night, and walked cheerfully
+homeward, in the cool, night air, under the star-lit sky, all
+unconscious of a pair of eyes, which from behind a large rock, had
+eagerly watched for their appearance, and followed their every
+movement.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII.
+
+
+As Houston and Van Dorn disappeared around a turn in the road, the
+figure of Haight emerged into the starlight from behind a large rock
+where he had been concealed most of the time during their stay at the
+cabin. Incidently he had seen them on their way to visit Jack, and the
+lateness of the hour combined with the direction in which they were
+going, aroused his curiosity to such a degree that he followed them at
+a distance, and having seen them enter the cabin, his suspicious
+nature was at once on the alert.
+
+"I guess I'll find out what in the devil this means," he said to
+himself, as he paused behind a rock at a little distance, determined
+to ascertain what he could regarding their movements.
+
+It was a long and wearisome watch; once or twice he ventured near the
+cabin, to see whether by closer observation he could obtain any clue
+to what might be going on within, but the closely shaded window gave
+no sign, and beyond an occasional low murmuring of voices, nothing
+disturbed the silence, except once a low, ominous growl from Rex, as
+he caught sight of Haight's skulking figure from his station just
+outside the door.
+
+When at last the door opened, and Houston and Van Dorn stepped forth
+into the calm night, the lynx-eyed watcher failed to detect anything
+beyond a friendly leave-taking, after which the two walked homeward,
+chatting in the most commonplace manner imaginable.
+
+"By George!" he soliloquized, as he followed at a safe distance, "I
+wonder if I haven't had my labor for my pains! But that did look
+mighty queer anyhow, their going 'round to see the old chap, and I'll
+wager there's something in it, too. I shouldn't wonder if that Van
+Dorn is out here in the interest of that old party who was looking at
+mines a while ago, and with Houston's help is going to get a few
+pointers. Jack knows pretty well what is going on around here, and
+may be a little money would make him talk. I'm going to keep watch of
+some of these smart people, and I know of one or two that will help me
+about it. If I can get hold of anything, I'll report it to Rivers;
+Houston has pulled the wool over Blaisdell's eyes, but Rivers won't
+have anybody monkeying round these mines, and if I can once put him on
+the track, there'll be a few less of these swells about, and it will
+be money in my pocket."
+
+Late as it was when Houston and Van Dorn returned to the house, Miss
+Gladden and Lyle had not retired. Houston had told Miss Gladden the
+secret of his business there in the mining camp, and, true to Lyle's
+prediction, he had found her, while quick to realize the dangers of
+his position, yet able to assist him by her readiness to enter into
+his feelings, her interest in his plans and her timely suggestions.
+Once she had met Jack since learning Houston's secret, and in a few,
+well-chosen words, had conveyed to him her knowledge of the fact that
+he was giving her lover aid and protection in his work, and her
+gratitude therefor.
+
+She and Lyle were aware of the import of the visit to the cabin that
+night, and they sat in the dusky shadows, looking out into the night,
+alternately talking in low tones, and listening for the return of
+Houston and his friend.
+
+Miss Gladden was the first to catch the sound of her lover's voice, as
+he and Van Dorn approached the house, and a moment later, they heard
+the ringing laugh of the latter.
+
+"They are evidently in good spirits," remarked Lyle, "their visit must
+have been a satisfactory one."
+
+"Mr. Van Dorn seems so jubilant they must have made some new
+discoveries," said Miss Gladden, "he never seems so happy as when he
+is ferreting out some fraud, or unearthing some dishonest scheme."
+
+"There is material enough here to make his happiness complete for some
+time," said Lyle rather bitterly, "I only wish every one of the guilty
+parties could be brought to justice, but I doubt whether they ever
+will be."
+
+"Why?" exclaimed Miss Gladden in surprise, "do you think Mr. Houston
+will fail after all?"
+
+"No, not that necessarily," Lyle answered, "but even if he succeeds in
+getting his evidence together, and his friends come out from the east,
+I do not believe they will ever succeed in securing the ones who are
+most guilty, who have planned and plotted the whole thing. Over and
+over again, people whom they have wronged and defrauded have brought
+suit against them, but to no purpose; they are continually involved in
+litigation, but they always manage to evade the law in one way or
+another, I do not claim to understand how."
+
+"I would not think they could escape with all the evidence accumulating
+against them now," said Miss Gladden thoughtfully.
+
+"You wouldn't think so," replied Lyle, "but you don't know them. Who
+is that?" she asked suddenly, catching sight in the dim light of a
+figure approaching the house.
+
+"It looks like Haight," said Miss Gladden, "but why is he creeping
+along so cautiously?"
+
+"I believe he has been following Mr. Houston," said Lyle, quickly,
+"wait a minute, keep perfectly quiet, so he will think every one is
+asleep up stairs," and in an instant, she was going swiftly and
+noiselessly down the stairs. The door at the foot of the stairs was
+partially open, and Lyle could hear Haight, as, after opening the
+outside door very carefully, he stepped lightly toward the room
+occupied by Houston and Van Dorn; here he paused and listened, but
+evidently hearing nothing, he cautiously made his way across to the
+room of Mr. and Mrs. Maverick, the door of which was ajar.
+
+"Jim!" he whispered, "Jim, wake up!"
+
+"Who's that? What d'ye want?" came the response in a surly tone.
+
+"Sh! don't make any noise," he whispered, "it's Haight; get up and
+come out on the porch, but be quiet about it; I want to have a talk
+with you."
+
+A muttered assent was given, and Haight tip-toed softly out to the
+porch, and sat down.
+
+Lyle crept up-stairs again to Miss Gladden.
+
+"Don't be frightened," she said, "but I believe Haight must have seen
+or heard something;" and she hastily told what she had overheard.
+
+"Now," said she in conclusion, "the window on the porch is open, and
+as soon as they are both outside, I will go there and listen. Even if
+I cannot hear all that is said I will probably catch enough to learn
+what is going on. You wait for me and keep perfectly quiet."
+
+A few moments later, Maverick shuffled out on the porch and sat down
+beside Haight with a growl.
+
+"Damned pretty time, I sh'd think, to talk! What in hell do you
+want?"
+
+"Well, you were long enough getting out here," said Haight, in his
+smoothest tones, all unaware of a figure that had glided to the open
+window behind him, and now knelt within six feet of him. "Now quit
+your growling, for you and I are good friends, Jim, and I want your
+advice. Jim," he continued in a lower tone, "what would you think two
+fellows like Houston and Van Dorn would want with that old chap,
+Jack?"
+
+"Huh?" said Maverick, rather stupidly, "what are ye drivin' at?"
+
+"Wake up! you're half asleep, Jim! Your two dandy boarders here only
+just came home about twenty minutes ago; they've been for the last
+three or four hours down there in Jack's cabin, with the windows all
+shut tight and curtains down, and still as death. What do you suppose
+that means?"
+
+"Damned if I know," was the laconic response.
+
+"Now, Jim, don't be so uncommunicative; there may be something in this
+for you and me if we just put our heads together, 'two heads are
+better than one,' you know, so set your thinking machine to work and
+grind out some ideas."
+
+"Well," said Maverick, slowly, "I dun'no what that Houston, damn him,
+would be runnin' 'round after Jack for, unless he wanted to get some
+p'inters on the mines some way."
+
+"That's it, go ahead!" said Haight.
+
+"Houston," continued Maverick, with an oath and applying a vile
+epithet, "is too all-fired smart to notice anybody, and Jack's
+another, so they'd be likely to hitch."
+
+"That's right," said Haight, "now what object would he be likely to
+have in getting information from Jack?"
+
+"I dun'no," said the other, "unless mebbe he's paid by somebody on the
+outside."
+
+"Well," said Haight, "I guess we've got about the same idea of it;
+it's my opinion he is paid by somebody, and that somebody is Van Dorn,
+or whoever's backing him. I don't put much stock in this machinery
+business of his; he don't act like a fellow that needs to go peddling
+machines about the country, and I notice he don't seem in any great
+rush about putting it up, now he's got here; he ain't one of the kind
+that has to rustle for a living, like you and me. I think he's just
+out here getting pointers on the mines for that old fellow that was
+here a while ago, and he's probably paying Houston a good, round sum
+for helping him along, and now they've got Jack roped in on the
+deal."
+
+"Well," said Maverick savagely, "if that's their game, I guess 'twill
+be dead easy stoppin' it any time we're a mind to; these 'ere mines is
+awfully unsafe places for a tenderfoot to be prowlin' 'round in," and
+he laughed a cruel laugh, very familiar to the listener at the
+window.
+
+"That's so," assented Haight, "I think we'd better keep close watch of
+these fellows, and if they get too fresh, just have 'em laid out with
+a sandbag or two."
+
+"Better'n that," said Maverick, "to take 'em some time in the mines;
+folks like them are likely to get dizzy and fall some times, or get in
+the way of the ore buckets and be knocked silly."
+
+"Well, I'll tell you what I want you to do; I'll keep watch, and if I
+know of their going down to the cabin again, I want you to put some
+men on to watch out for them; we'll investigate and find out what is
+going on. Put on what men you please, and have them report to me, and
+we'll find out what this means, and make our plans accordingly."
+
+"That there's a damned ticklish place to get any of the men to go late
+at night," said Maverick reflectively.
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"That place is harnted, ye know, by the man on the spotted horse."
+
+"Oh, nonsense!" ejaculated Haight.
+
+"It's a fact though; he rides up and down there once in a while, and I
+wouldn't want ter see him myself."
+
+"Oh, hang your ghost!" said Haight, impatiently, "tell your men if
+they see it to shoot it."
+
+"That wouldn't do no good," responded Maverick doggedly, "It's the
+sight of it brings bad luck, and sometimes death. There was a fellow
+here two years ago, he seen it one night, and the next day he was
+killed in the mines; they said the ghost had called him."
+
+"Well," said Haight, rising, "It would be well if your ghost would
+only call Houston and Van Dorn some night; but I want you to do as I
+say, anyway."
+
+Lyle, who had caught nearly every word of this conversation, now rose
+quickly and retreated to the kitchen, knowing she would there be safe
+from detection, and could also judge of their movements. Nothing
+further was said, however; Haight went stealthily up-stairs to his
+room, and Maverick, after cursing to himself a few moments, was soon
+snoring profoundly, and Lyle then returned to Miss Gladden's room. She
+felt a sickening sensation as she repeated the conversation to her
+friend, and realized all that it meant. Miss Gladden was inexpressibly
+shocked:
+
+"Lyle, my dear child, is it possible that they would go to such
+extreme limits as that. I had thought that he would be in danger of
+some assault in the dark, or something of that kind, but to trap him
+in the mines! I never dreamed of anything so cowardly, so dastardly!
+He will be in constant danger in the performance of his daily round of
+duties."
+
+"Dear Leslie," said Lyle,--for thus Miss Gladden had of late requested
+her to address her,--"I have told you, you did not realize what a
+place this is, and the worst of all is, that it is my father who is
+planning this, after all the kindness which you and Mr. Houston have
+shown me! What must you think of us?"
+
+"Of you, my dear child? I love you and trust you the same as ever,"
+exclaimed Miss Gladden impulsively, "he is no father of yours!"
+
+Lyle, in her grief, did not notice the import of Miss Gladden's words,
+but she exclaimed passionately:
+
+"I will never call that man father again as long as I live, and if it
+ever comes to that, I will shoot him, rather than let him injure Mr.
+Houston." Then, a moment later, she added more calmly:
+
+"I must not allow myself to become excited, I must think and plan. Do
+you know, I was so glad that they have not, as yet, found the real
+clue to what is going on, and do not even suspect the truth, and they
+must not be allowed even to surmise it; as long as they do not, Mr.
+Houston is comparatively safe, and they must not be allowed to watch
+him, or get any clue to his movements."
+
+"But how can you prevent it, dear? You know the country and the people
+so much better than I, that you can plan and direct far better than I
+can; you command, dear Lyle, and you will find me ready to obey,
+afraid of nothing, not death itself, if I can only help him and save
+him from his enemies."
+
+"You had better write a note to him to-night, to give him quietly in
+the morning, as you may not have an opportunity for a long talk with
+him so early, and tell him what I have told you. Then he can probably
+make arrangements with Jack by writing, so that he will not need to go
+to the cabin again at present; or, if necessary, I can go for him."
+
+"But what will they do about their intended examination of the mines?
+They will surely be watched then."
+
+"All they can do is to make their plans as quietly and secretly as
+possible, and then go prepared for the worst, but I think I can help
+them there; I have a scheme of my own, something that occurred to me
+while listening to their conversation, which I will tell you later."
+
+The note was written, and it was nearly daylight, when the two at last
+retired, to rest possibly, but not to sleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV.
+
+
+For the next ensuing days there were no more visits to the cabin.
+According to Lyle's suggestion, a few notes were quietly exchanged
+between Houston and Jack; thus their plans were maturing, while there
+was nothing which outsiders could detect.
+
+Meanwhile, Haight had bestowed considerable attention upon Miss
+Araminta Bixby, to the unspeakable delight of that individual, and had
+so ingratiated himself into her favor that she only too gladly
+consented to play the part of spy on the movements of Houston and Van
+Dorn. The two Maverick boys had also agreed to report to him whatever
+they were able to learn concerning these two.
+
+Houston and Van Dorn, however, did not seem quite so intimate of late.
+They were apparently as good friends as ever, but were not so
+frequently seen together. Nearly every evening, Van Dorn started out
+for a stroll, sometimes with Lyle, sometimes alone, often sauntering
+in the direction of the cabin, but never seen to enter; while Houston,
+after spending an hour or two with Miss Gladden, would walk down to
+the mines, and entering the various tunnels, or descending the shafts
+of one mine and another, would watch the night shift at their work, or
+inspect the workings, occasionally taking measurements here and there.
+On one of these trips Jack accompanied him, and on their return, they
+completed the arrangements for the visit to the Lucky Chance mine, the
+following night.
+
+On the afternoon of the next day, Houston returned to the house a
+little earlier than usual, having finished his work for the day at the
+mines and mills, and as he with Miss Gladden and Lyle, sat in the
+little porch, they were joined a few moments later by Van Dorn. In low
+tones the plans for the evening were discussed.
+
+"Of course," said Houston, "we shall go prepared for trouble, but I
+do not anticipate that we shall meet with any. Even if we are watched,
+our course of procedure will differ so slightly from what we have
+followed for a week past, I think it will not excite suspicion."
+
+"They have watched me so many evenings to no purpose, they may be off
+guard to-night," said Van Dorn.
+
+"Don't flatter yourself that you will escape 'Minty's' espionage for a
+single night," replied Lyle, "she would remain out all night watching
+you to gain a smile from Haight in the morning."
+
+Van Dorn laughed. "So it is the charming Miss Bixby whose watchful eye
+is upon me!" he exclaimed, "I think I will have to enter the lists as
+Haight's rival, and see if I cannot win such faithful devotion upon
+the right side."
+
+"After you are gone," said Lyle, "I will soon be able to tell whether
+there will be men sent out to watch you to-night; and I shall act
+accordingly," she added, with a smile at Miss Gladden.
+
+"Why, Miss Maverick, what will you do?" inquired Van Dorn, "you must
+not expose yourself in any way."
+
+"I will be in no danger," she answered smiling.
+
+"I have no idea what Lyle intends to do," said Houston, "but I have
+great confidence in her plans, for she knows this class of people
+better than we, and I have found her judgment to be relied upon, on
+every occasion so far."
+
+Lyle's beautiful eyes spoke her thanks for his words of appreciation,
+as she asked:
+
+"At what hour will you have completed the examination, and be ready to
+leave the mine?"
+
+"Probably very near twelve o'clock," Houston replied, "we cannot
+accomplish our work much before that time, and I do not wish to be out
+much later."
+
+"Well," said Lyle, merrily, but with a slightly mysterious air, "if
+you are out at that hour, you may see the phantom horse and his
+rider."
+
+"Why, how is that?" inquired Van Dorn wonderingly, while Houston
+remarked:
+
+"If we see nothing more than phantoms, we shall be very happily
+disappointed."
+
+"All right," she responded, "if the ghost walks to-night, don't be
+surprised," and hearing some one enter the dining room to make
+preparations for the evening meal, she left them, and the subject of
+conversation changed immediately.
+
+A few hours later, Houston started as usual for the mines. There was
+nothing out of the ordinary course of affairs in this, except that the
+leave-taking between him and Leslie was unusually tender, but of this
+no one knew but themselves. A little earlier, Van Dorn had left for
+his customary stroll, giving Lyle an invitation to accompany him,
+which she declined on the plea of being very busy. She immediately
+withdrew to the kitchen, and smiled to herself presently, as she saw
+Minty, with an air of great importance, starting out in the same
+direction. She had been gone about half an hour, when Lyle, who was
+again seated in the porch, caught sight of her moon-shaped face
+peering around the corner of the house in frantic endeavors to attract
+Haight's attention. As he was facing in almost an opposite direction,
+her efforts were unavailing, and Lyle, who could with difficulty
+restrain a smile, added to her embarrassment by inquiring in the
+blandest tones:
+
+"What is it, Araminta? do you wish to see me?"
+
+At the mention of her name, Haight turned suddenly, just as the
+blushing Miss Bixby was stammering out his name, and catching his eye,
+she began nodding vigorously, to signify the importance of her
+errand.
+
+For once, Haight's punctilious suavity upon which he prided himself,
+deserted him, and exclaiming, partly in anger, and partly as a blind,
+"Confound it! what does the fool want of me?" he disappeared around
+the house, while Lyle exchanged glances with Miss Gladden, and the
+inoffensive young bookkeeper, recently imported from Silver City,
+looked on in mute astonishment.
+
+At the kitchen door, Haight found his agent and spy, her face shining
+with delight that she at last had some news to impart.
+
+"He's went in there to-night, Mr. Haight," she cried breathlessly, "I
+seen him; I've watched him every night, but he's never went in till
+to-night."
+
+"You fool!" exclaimed Haight, angrily, "why couldn't you come around
+and give me the tip on the quiet, instead of standing there grimacing
+like an idiot, making a fool of yourself and me, too? Where are the
+boys?"
+
+Such a greeting was too much for Minty, after her faithfulness; her
+anger was too great even for words, she was speechless and without
+deigning even a look at Haight, she went into the house, and rushing
+to her room, burst into a storm of tears, vowing then and there,
+between her sobs, that she would tell Mr. Van Dorn every word that
+Haight had said about him.
+
+Meanwhile, Lyle, from her post of observation in the kitchen, saw
+Haight call Jim Maverick out from among a group of miners who had
+congregated for an evening's visit, and after a few words, Maverick
+signaled to one of the miners, who, with his two companions, came over
+and joined them. A few moments later the three started down the road,
+and Lyle heard Haight's final instructions to them:
+
+"Get onto what those fellows are about, if you have to stay till
+morning, and if you want any help, send Jake back."
+
+She knew the men; they were cruel and treacherous, and she was
+confident that they were well armed, but they were at the same time,
+cowards, and returning to Miss Gladden, she whispered:
+
+"I shall try my little experiment to-night, and I do not believe there
+will be any trouble."
+
+It was quite dark when the men who had been sent to watch for Van Dorn
+reached the little cabin. A lamp was burning within, as could be told
+by the lines of light around the edge of the dark shade at the window,
+but beyond this, there was neither sign nor sound. Having assured
+themselves that there was no way by which they could ascertain what
+was going on within, the men sat down behind a little clump of
+evergreens, and filling their pipes, prepared to await developments.
+Scarcely had they done so, however, when the light suddenly went out.
+
+"What the divil do they think they're givin' us?" said one of the men,
+with an oath.
+
+"They seen us mos' likely, and they're tryin' to fool us that there's
+nobody there."
+
+"They can't play no such trick on us as that, damn 'em," said the
+first speaker, but at that instant the cabin door opened, and two
+figures came out. The men sprang quickly to their feet, making no
+sound, and listening intently. They heard the lock click in the door,
+and Jack's voice bidding Rex take care of the house, to which he
+barked in reply; and then came Mike's broad voice:
+
+"The saints presarve us! but the baste knows more than mony a mon, I'm
+afther thinkin'."
+
+"That he does," replied Jack, "and he is far more faithful."
+
+The men, astonished, slunk back into the brush, their keen eyes
+watching every movement of the two as they passed; there was no
+mistaking those figures, or the rough clothes which they wore; it was
+Jack and Mike, and their powerful muscle was too well known throughout
+the camp, for any man, even the most brutal, to have the slightest
+wish to tackle either of them.
+
+As Jack and his companion passed out of hearing, the men dropped to
+the ground, and for a moment the air resounded with their profanity,
+while they held a brief consultation.
+
+"They've tricked us, and that feller's hidin' 'round here," said the
+leader, "or else he went on ahead to the mines; he hadn't no time to
+go back to the house, for we'd 'a met 'im. There's somethin' in the
+wind to-night," he added with an oath, "and I'm goin' to find out what
+'tis. You fellers git after them two and keep 'em in sight; the boss
+is down there, and mebbe the other feller, too; if ye see 'im, send
+Jake to me, and I'll come 'round there and we'll lay for 'em. If he
+ain't there, he's here, hidin' somewhere, and I'll watch and settle
+his hash for 'im all right when he does show up."
+
+"We'd better git some more of the boys," said Jake, "if we're goin' to
+tackle them fellers with Jack and Mike along; that ain't no kind of a
+job I'm hankerin' after."
+
+"You damned fool!" said the first speaker, "who's said anything 'bout
+Jack and Mike? They'll come back the way they've went, and them others
+will start up the canyon for the house, and if we three can't hold
+'em up, my name ain't Pete Brody; now git!"
+
+Jack and his partner had met Houston in the Yankee Boy mine. As they
+emerged from the shaft a little later, the piercing eyes of Jack and
+Houston caught a glimpse of two figures skulking among the rocks at a
+distance. Van Dorn was at a slight disadvantage, being somewhat
+near-sighted, and having been obliged to take off his glasses when
+donning Mike's costume.
+
+"I know them," said Jack, "they are two of the three that were outside
+the cabin, and one of them is about the biggest coward that breathes;
+we could dispose of a regiment of such men, but I prefer to get along
+without trouble if we can."
+
+They started for the other mine, Houston taking the lead and Van Dorn
+following, while Jack brought up the rear.
+
+"They are following us," said Jack, after two or three quick glances
+behind him, "but at a distance; we will probably have a nearer view of
+them later, when we leave the mine."
+
+As they proceeded through the tunnel of the Lucky Chance mine, they
+met very few of the miners; they touched their caps to Houston with a
+sort of sullen civility, and greeted his companions with rough jests,
+which Jack received with his usual taciturn manner, but to which Van
+Dorn, from underneath his disguise, responded with bits of Irish
+blarney and wit, which greatly amused his associates.
+
+Meanwhile, Pete Brody, as he kept his solitary watch before the cabin,
+was surprised by the sudden return of Jake.
+
+"Have ye found 'im?" he inquired eagerly, "Is he down there with the
+boss?"
+
+"No, he's not there."
+
+"Then, what in hell are you back here for?"
+
+"Bud sent me," answered Jake; "he said to tell ye they've gone into
+the Lucky Chance, and what do ye be thinkin' o' that?"
+
+"The Lucky Chance!" exclaimed Pete, "then there's some diviltry a
+goin' sure, for the old man, he don't let nobody into that mine
+'thout he's along; and if that Van-what's-his-name ain't down there
+he's right here, that's all, and here I stays."
+
+"And me and Bud, we're to watch out for the boss?"
+
+"Yes, lay for 'im and overhaul 'im, and find out what the divil is
+goin' on."
+
+"I guess he's a pretty tough feller to handle, from all I've heerd,"
+remarked Jake reflectively.
+
+Pete responded with an oath. "Knock 'im silly, he'll be easy 'nough
+handlin' then."
+
+"Ye don't mean for to do 'im up, do ye Pete?"
+
+"Well, I guess nobody'd feel very bad if ye did."
+
+Jake went down the road, and Pete was alone once more. After waiting a
+while, he determined to ascertain, if possible, whether there was any
+one within the cabin. As he approached the door, there was a low
+savage growl from the faithful watcher within. Very stealthily he
+tried to open the door, but it was locked, and in response there was
+such a furious onset upon the other side, accompanied by such fierce
+growls, that he started back involuntarily.
+
+It was nearly twelve o'clock, and Pete was growing desperate, and
+anxious to put an end to his long watch. He retreated to the road, and
+stood looking at the cabin, trying to decide whether he should break
+in the window and shoot the dog, and run the risk of being shot in
+return by whoever might be concealed within, when his attention was
+suddenly arrested by a strange sound, as of heavily muffled footsteps
+close behind him. He turned quickly, and in the starlight beheld a
+sight that seemed to chill the blood in his veins. Not more than fifty
+feet distant, and slowly approaching him, were the spotted horse and
+his ghostly rider.
+
+Every detail was perfect, like the description he had often heard
+given by others who had seen the frightful apparition: the man dressed
+in his miner's clothes, carrying the empty bag from which the gold had
+been stolen; his face ghastly white, and the blood streaming from his
+breast, while horse and rider were partially shrouded by a white
+covering which floated from behind them.
+
+Nearer and nearer came those strange footsteps, closer and closer the
+fearful sight, and still Pete stood, as if turned to stone, his eyes
+starting from their sockets, his hair rising, but unable to move or
+speak.
+
+Suddenly a long, low groan issuing from the ghastly lips seemed to
+break the spell, and with one terrible shriek, Pete gave two or three
+bounds out of the road, and ran for his life, jumping and leaping over
+the rocks and through the brush, like a wild man.
+
+The ghost gave a low, rippling laugh of satisfaction, and turning the
+horse, rode rapidly back in the direction from which it had come,
+until striking the road from the house to the mines, where the horse
+trotted briskly for some distance, but on nearing the mines, once more
+resumed his funereal pace.
+
+The two men concealed in the brush along the road had no warning of
+the approaching phantom, until they caught the sound of the strange
+footsteps, and peered cautiously out, only to see the fearful sight
+that Pete beheld shortly before.
+
+"Holy Moses!" exclaimed Jake, with a yell, "it's the ghost!" The men
+jumped simultaneously into the road, and started for the miners'
+quarters, screaming like maniacs. The ghost followed in swift pursuit
+until they were some distance past the mines; the men then being
+safely disposed of with no danger of their return, it turned slowly in
+the direction of the Lucky Chance mine.
+
+Houston and his friends, having accomplished their task, stepped forth
+from the tunnel into the starlight, looking carefully and searchingly
+in every direction.
+
+"There is no one to be seen at present," said Houston in low tones,
+"they may be concealed about here, or we may meet them on the road to
+the house."
+
+"Very probably," Jack replied, "we must now proceed with the utmost
+caution. Mr. Van Dorn and I will accompany you to the house, and he
+had better then go with me to the cabin, in case there should be spies
+watching for our return, and it will be safer for him to remain there
+until nearly daylight, as none of the men will be out at that time,
+and he can return to the house unobserved."
+
+They had gone but a short distance, however, when, passing around a
+curve in the road, they beheld a sight that filled them with
+astonishment.
+
+"Shades of the departed!" exclaimed Houston, "what kind of an
+apparition is this?"
+
+Jack studied the approaching figures for an instant, a smile of
+amusement lighting up his usually stern features, while Van Dorn
+hastily slipped on his glasses for a better view.
+
+"That," said Jack, "is evidently the famous phantom of Spotted Horse
+gulch, but who has originated the idea?"
+
+"It must be Lyle," said Houston, "she said the ghost would walk
+to-night."
+
+"Well, by George!" exclaimed Van Dorn, "that is pretty good anyway."
+
+Slowly the ghost approached, giving the interested observers an
+opportunity to note the details of the make-up; the ghastly face, the
+heavy beard of dark colored wool, the narrow strips of red flannel
+streaming from breast and side, and even the heavy woolen socks upon
+the horse's feet, muffling the sound of his steps. Suddenly the slouch
+hat was raised, and the shining eyes of Lyle looked out from the
+strange disguise, as she announced in triumphant tones:
+
+"The road is clear, and you are safe!"
+
+"Lyle," said Houston, "how did you ever think of this? Did you devise
+this masquerade?"
+
+"The idea was mine," she answered, "it occurred to me the other night
+while listening to their talk, but Miss Gladden helped me to carry it
+out."
+
+"And was it a success?" asked Van Dorn wonderingly, having more
+practical knowledge of mines than of miners, "Were the men frightened?"
+
+"You would have thought so, could you have seen Pete Brody," Lyle
+replied, with a low laugh, "I believe he is running yet, and I
+wouldn't be surprised if Jake has lost what few wits he ever
+possessed."
+
+"It was one of the best schemes that could have been devised," said
+Jack, gravely, adding, "We probably owe you more than we know."
+
+Quietly and safely the little party proceeded up the winding road, and
+having reached their several destinations, all were soon at rest. Even
+the spotted horse, securely stabled in his accustomed place, gravely
+munched his wisp of hay without a thought of the ghostly escapade in
+which he had borne so prominent a part.
+
+But in the miners' quarters consternation reigned, as Pete and Bud
+related their experiences, Jake being utterly incapacitated for
+speech. Even to Jack and Van Dorn, Mike had a fearful tale to tell of
+the sight he had witnessed, while alone with Rex in the cabin, and it
+was some time before his perturbed Irish fancies could be soothed; and
+"the night that the ghost walked," was one long remembered and
+frequently recalled by many of the denizens of the little mining
+camp.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV.
+
+
+After the events leading up to the examination of the Lucky Chance
+mine, it was considered best for a while to pursue very nearly the
+same line of conduct that had been followed for the last ten days,
+carefully avoiding any abrupt change which might attract attention.
+All necessary data had now been secured, and Houston felt that he
+could better afford to remain quiet for a brief time and reconnoiter
+the situation, than by any hasty move to excite further suspicion at
+the present time.
+
+At the breakfast table the next morning, however, the thoughts of all
+present were partially diverted into different channels, by the
+arrival of a telegram for Houston which proved to be a message from
+Ned Rutherford, to the effect that he and his brother were on their
+way to Silver City, and would be at the mining camp within the next
+twenty-four or thirty-six hours.
+
+Haight had been exceedingly angry on learning from Maverick, early in
+the morning, of the failure of the men to report anything definite
+concerning the movements of those whom they had been sent out to
+watch. He had accomplished nothing, and was uncertain what course next
+to pursue, and he too, decided to remain quiet for the present. He
+continued to watch Houston and Van Dorn, his ugly suspicions only half
+concealed by the smiling exterior which he tried to assume. He had
+hastened to make peace with Minty, as he feared the results which
+might follow should his plottings become known to Houston, not
+dreaming that the latter had woven such a web around, not the mining
+company alone, but including also its principal employes, that in
+remaining where he was, a fate far worse than his fears awaited him.
+
+During the day, Miss Gladden and Lyle busied themselves with
+preparations for the expected guests. A room on the ground floor,
+adjoining and connecting with the one occupied by Houston and Van
+Dorn, and with a view of the lake and cascades, was put in readiness;
+and books, sketches and bric-a-brac contributed by Houston and Miss
+Gladden, and tastefully arranged by Lyle, relieved the blank walls and
+plain furniture, and made the place look quite attractive.
+
+Houston was jubilant over the information acquired by their expedition
+of the previous night; nothing out of the usual course occurred that
+day, and returning earlier from his customary visit to the mines than
+he had done of late, the remainder of the evening was devoted to music
+and song.
+
+After Miss Gladden and Lyle had gone up-stairs, they sat for some time
+talking over the events of the last few days, and anticipating the
+coming of Rutherford and his brother on the morrow. Many were Miss
+Gladden's surmises regarding the stranger, and Lyle then learned for
+the first time that he was an intimate friend of Houston's.
+
+"Everard tells me that though Ned is a pleasant fellow and good
+hearted, yet he is not in the least like his brother. He says Morton,
+as he always calls him, is a most perfect gentleman in every sense of
+the word, and a scholar of rare intellectual attainments, fond of
+scientific research, and a brilliant writer."
+
+"I judged from his picture that the two brothers were very unlike,"
+said Lyle, "and from your description he will be in many respects a
+new specimen to come under my limited observation; I will have to make
+a study of him, and see if he is at all like my idea of a literary
+person. I would not suppose, though, there would be much to interest
+him here; the only rarities he will find are possibly new phases of
+ignorance and coarseness and crime."
+
+Miss Gladden thought, as she looked at Lyle, that if the new-comer did
+not find rare beauty of mind and soul, as well as of form and face, in
+that secluded region, he certainly must be very unappreciative; but
+she only said:
+
+"You seem to have forgotten what Ned said of his brother, that his
+love of the beautiful was so intense, he doubted whether he would ever
+want to leave the scenery and surroundings here."
+
+"That was simply one of Mr. Rutherford's extravagant expressions,"
+Lyle replied, "the natural surroundings here are certainly beautiful,
+but their beauty only makes the conditions mentally and morally the
+more painfully conspicuous, and if I can see the contrast so plainly,
+who have always lived here and known no other life, how must it look
+to one such as he!"
+
+"Why do you always insist upon it so strongly that you have never
+known any other life than this?" inquired Miss Gladden.
+
+"Why?" asked Lyle, in surprise, "I suppose simply because it is a
+fact, the one hateful truth that I despise, and so I say it over and
+over to myself, to check these foolish dream-fancies of mine, that
+seem as if I had known something better sometime."
+
+Lyle spoke with more bitterness than Miss Gladden had ever heard
+before, and the latter answered gently:
+
+"If I were in your place, Lyle dear, I would not try to check these
+fancies; I would encourage them."
+
+Lyle gazed at her friend in astonishment. "Encourage them!" she
+repeated, "I don't understand your meaning, why would you advise
+that?"
+
+"To see to what they would lead, my dear." Then, as Lyle looked
+bewildered, she continued:
+
+"Did it never occur to you, Lyle, that these fancies, as you call
+them, might possibly be an effort on the part of memory to recall
+something, long ago forgotten?"
+
+"I never thought of such a possibility," she replied, slowly.
+
+Miss Gladden threw one arm about her caressingly.
+
+"If these were mere fancies why should they occur so persistently, and
+why should there be this sense of familiarity, of which you have
+spoken, with other and far different associations than these, unless
+there is some distinct image hidden away in the recesses of your
+brain, which your mind is trying to recall?"
+
+Lyle had grown very pale; she had caught the idea which Miss Gladden
+was trying to convey, and her form trembled, while her lips and
+delicate nostrils quivered with suppressed agitation.
+
+"Leslie," she cried, "do you mean that you think it possible there is
+any reality in it,--that I have ever known a different life from
+this,--a life anything like that which seems to come back to me?"
+
+"I think it not only possible, but probable," said her friend, drawing
+the trembling girl closer to herself, "and that is why I want you to
+encourage these impressions, and see if you will not, after a time, be
+able to recall the past more definitely."
+
+"But why do you believe this?" questioned Lyle, "How did you ever
+think of it?"
+
+"When you first told me of your fancies, as you called them, and of
+your dreams, constantly recurring since your earliest childhood, I
+felt that they must be produced by something that had really occurred,
+some time in the past, but perhaps so long ago that only the faintest
+impression was left upon your mind; but however faint, to me it seemed
+proof that the reality had existed. The more I have questioned you,
+the more I have become convinced of this, and I find I am not alone in
+my opinion."
+
+"Have you talked with Jack, and does he think as you do?" Lyle
+questioned. Miss Gladden answered in the affirmative.
+
+"Is that the reason he has asked me so often regarding my early
+life?"
+
+"Yes, he has questioned you, hoping you might be able to recall
+something of those years which you say seem to you only a blank. We
+can only surmise regarding your early life, but if you could recall
+some slight incident, or some individual, it might prove whether our
+surmises were correct." Then, as Lyle remained silent, Miss Gladden
+continued:
+
+"That face which you always see in your dreams, must be the face of
+some one you have really seen and known."
+
+"Yes," Lyle answered dreamily, "I have often thought of that, and have
+tried to remember when, or where, it could have been."
+
+For a few moments, both were silent; Lyle, in her abstraction,
+loosened her hair, and it fell around her like a veil of fine-spun
+gold. An idea suddenly occurred to Miss Gladden, and rising from her
+chair, she gathered up the golden mass, and began to rearrange and
+fasten it, Lyle scarcely heeding her action, so absorbed was she in
+thought.
+
+When she had completed her work, she looked critically at Lyle for a
+moment, and seeming satisfied with the result, asked her to look in
+the glass. Half mechanically, Lyle did as requested, but at the first
+glance at the face reflected there, she uttered a low cry, and stood
+as if transfixed. Miss Gladden had arranged her hair in a style worn
+nearly twenty years before, and in imitation of the photograph which
+Jack had shown her. The effect was magical, as it showed Lyle's face
+to be an exact counterpart of the beautiful pictured face.
+
+To Lyle it revealed much more, for to her astonished gaze there was
+brought back, with life-like distinctness and realism, the face of her
+dreams; the one which she had seen bending tenderly over her since her
+earliest recollection, and which had seemed so often to comfort her in
+the days of her childish griefs when she had sobbed herself to sleep.
+
+Suddenly, Miss Gladden saw the face in the glass grow deathly white,
+and Lyle, quickly turning toward her friend, exclaimed:
+
+"I see it now! That is my mother's face that I have seen in my dreams!
+And I have seen it living some time, somewhere, but not here. These
+people are not my parents; I am no child of theirs. Oh, Leslie, tell
+me, is this true?"
+
+Very gently Miss Gladden soothed the excited girl, telling her that
+while her friends knew nothing as yet, for a certainty, regarding her
+parentage, they felt that she, in her early life, had had a home and
+surroundings far different from those she knew here, and that they
+hoped ere long, with her help, to arrive at the whole truth.
+
+"But how did I ever come to live here with these people?" inquired
+Lyle, a new fear dawning in her eyes, "do you suppose they were hired
+to take me?"
+
+"No, never," said Miss Gladden, "as nearly as we can judge, you must
+have been stolen."
+
+"And do you think my own parents are now living?" she asked.
+
+So far as she was able to do so, Miss Gladden explained the situation,
+as Jack had told it to her, making no reference, however, to what he
+had said regarding the possibility of Lyle's friends coming to the
+mountains, where they would be likely to recognize her. Of this, Miss
+Gladden herself understood so little, she thought best not to allude
+to it now.
+
+"But why has Jack never told me of this, and of my mother? He must
+have known her," said Lyle.
+
+"You must remember, dear, that he had no proof that any such relation
+really existed; as I understood him, he with others, supposed that
+this child was not living, but he was struck with the resemblance
+between you and the mother of this child, and the relationship
+occurred to him at first as the merest possibility, but grew almost to
+a certainty, as the resemblance between you increased; and yet, you
+can see that under the circumstances, while you were under the control
+and in the power of these people, it would not be best to say anything
+until he had some proof as to your identity."
+
+"I see," Lyle answered, thoughtfully, "but now that I remember her as
+my mother, do you suppose that he would talk with me about her, or
+help me to find my true relatives?"
+
+"I hardly know how to answer you," said Miss Gladden slowly, "there is
+some mystery about it all, dear, that I do not understand; he might
+perhaps talk more freely with you, but with me he appeared willing to
+say very little regarding your mother, or your friends. Still, he gave
+me a hint, so vague and shadowy I scarcely understood it, but to the
+effect that he thought there might, before long, be an opportunity
+for a meeting between you and those whom he believed to be your
+friends."
+
+"Well," said Lyle, after a pause, "Jack is a true friend to me, he
+knows what is best, and I can afford to wait with even such a
+possibility to look forward to. I will not wait in idleness either, I
+shall try to find some clue, some evidence as to who I really am, and
+something tells me I will succeed." Then she added tenderly, "Do you
+know, I believe, whoever my mother may have been, Jack must have loved
+her."
+
+"She certainly was very dear to him," replied Miss Gladden.
+
+They talked till far into the morning hours, and as they finally
+separated for the night, Lyle approached her friend, and throwing her
+arms about her neck, she exclaimed, almost in tears:
+
+"Oh, Leslie, you can never know how glad I am that you have shown me
+this, and shown it to me to-night! I have felt so disgraced, so
+degraded by the life here, it seemed as if I were a part of it all, a
+part of my own hateful surroundings but now, I know I am not; now,"
+she continued, lifting her head proudly and raising her arms slowly
+with a beautiful gesture, "they can fetter me no longer! The chains
+that have held me so long and so cruelly are already bursting; even
+now, I can rise above them; soon, I shall be free!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI.
+
+
+Do coming events cast their shadows before? Did the silently-waving
+pinions of the angel who "troubled the waters" give any hint of his
+beneficent approach? However that may be, certain it is that on the
+morning of the day in which the hitherto untroubled depths of Lyle's
+womanly nature were to be stirred by the mightiest of influences,
+there came to her a prescience, thrilling and vibrating through her
+whole being, that this day was to be the crisis, the turning point of
+her life. On that day, she was to meet one whose influence upon her
+own life she felt would be far greater than that of any human being
+she could recall.
+
+Lyle was not in love. As yet, she knew nothing of what love might be,
+but she possessed rare depth of feeling. In her lonely, secluded life,
+she had known few emotions, but those few were deep and lasting; and
+when, a few months before, she had incidentally seen the photograph of
+Morton Rutherford,--only one among many, all unknown to her,--it had
+left an impression upon her heart and brain, never to be effaced.
+
+His was no ordinary face; it would attract the most casual observer,
+and to one gifted with Lyle's wonderful insight and perception, and
+possessing her fine susceptibilities, there would be revealed such
+rare strength and beauty of mind and character combined, that, once
+seen, it might not be easily forgotten.
+
+To Lyle, in her isolation, it seemed a glimpse of a kindred soul, and
+she had often wondered what the living face itself might be, and what
+acquaintance and friendship with such a soul might mean. She had
+looked forward to his coming to the camp with mingled pleasure and
+dread. She thoroughly understood the position which she held in the
+estimation of the younger Mr. Rutherford; would his brother regard her
+with the same half pitying, half patronizing admiration? Would her
+narrow, restricted life seem so small and poor to him, with his
+superior attainments, that he would altogether ignore her? Or would he
+be able, like Mr. Houston and Miss Gladden, to overlook her hateful
+and hated environment, and help her rise above it?
+
+These were the questions which for the past few weeks had perplexed
+and troubled her; but the revelation which had come to her on the
+previous night had changed the whole current of her thought. What
+matter now, how mean or debasing her surroundings, since no taint
+from them could attach itself to her? What matter if her life had
+been cramped and restricted, since she was soon to rise above it
+into the life for which she had been created? Perhaps her natural
+sphere was not, after all, so unlike that in which her friends
+moved, to which even he was accustomed, the stranger, whose coming
+she now anticipated with a strange, unaccountable thrill of
+expectation. Would he, with that wonderful power which she felt he
+possessed, to elevate or to crush the souls with whom he came in
+contact, would he recognize her true sphere, as her other friends
+had done, or would he be blinded by her surroundings?
+
+She could not rest; she rose and looked forth upon the glorious dawn
+of the new day, and was impressed as never before, with the beauty of
+the vision which met her eyes. To her, it seemed like the dawning of a
+new epoch in her life; nay, more than that, like the dawning of a new
+life itself.
+
+Impatient of restraint, she left the house, and went out into the
+morning fresh from the hand of the Creator, as yet undefiled by
+contact with human life. Hastily climbing a series of rocky ledges,
+she reached a broad plateau, and looked about her. The life which she
+had so hated and despised seemed suddenly to have dropped forever out
+of sight, and she was conscious only of a new beauty, a new glory
+surrounding her.
+
+The mountains, blushing in the first rosy light, lifted their
+gleaming, glory-crowned spires heavenward; the cascades chanted
+in thunderous, yet rhythmic tones, their unceasing anthem of
+praise, their snow-white spray ascending skyward, like clouds of
+incense, while the little flowers, clinging to rock and ledge and
+mountain-side, turned their sweet faces upward in silent adoration.
+The place seemed pervaded by a spirit of universal adoration and
+praise, and instinctively, Lyle bowed her head in silent worship;
+and as she did so, there came to her, as though revealed by the
+lightning's flash, the vision of her mother kneeling beside her, in
+those dim days so long ago, clasping her tiny hands within her own,
+and teaching her baby lips to lisp the words of prayer.
+
+For a long time she knelt in that temple made without hands, till
+mountain and valley were bathed in glorious sunlight; and when at
+last, she descended the rocky footpath, she felt, as she looked forth
+upon the new life opening before her, no fear, no shrinking, but
+strong to go forward and meet her destiny, whatever it might be.
+
+All were impressed that morning by Lyle's manner, the added dignity
+of bearing, the new expression that looked forth from her soulful
+eyes, though none but Miss Gladden understood the cause.
+
+At the breakfast table, the final plans were made for the reception of
+the guests to arrive that day. Word had been received that they were
+already in Silver City, and would come out on the noon train. Houston
+had telegraphed to the Y for the best team there to be in readiness to
+bring them up to the camp, and an hour or so before noon, he and Van
+Dorn were to take two horses and ride to the Y to meet them, and
+accompany them on their ride up the canyon. A late dinner was to be
+served upon their arrival, when the two ladies would be present, as
+Lyle no longer acted in the capacity of waiter, Miss Gladden having
+some time before insisted that she should preside at the table, and
+the blushing Miss Bixby, after much painstaking effort, having been
+finally educated up to the point of performing that ceremony very
+creditably.
+
+"Everard," said Miss Gladden after breakfast, as Houston stopped for
+his customary chat with her before starting out on his daily routine,
+"did you observe Lyle this morning? I never saw her look so lovely;"
+adding playfully, "I wonder you did not fall in love with her, she is
+far more beautiful than I."
+
+"Allow me to be judge," he replied, "though I will admit that I think
+she grows more beautiful every day. But as to falling in love with
+her, I doubt if I would have done that even had I not met you. From
+the first she has seemed to me unaccountably like a sister; I cannot
+explain why, unless it was because of that child-like, almost
+appealing manner she had at that time. She has none of it now,
+however, she is developing very rapidly into a noble womanhood, and
+yet I still have the same feeling toward her, and I think she regards
+me as a brother."
+
+"That is true," said Miss Gladden, "she cares for you more than for
+any of the others, but only, as you say, as a brother. Her heart does
+not seem to be very susceptible."
+
+"She may be none the less susceptible," Houston replied, "but she
+realizes her position here, and she is far too proud spirited to carry
+her heart upon her sleeve."
+
+Miss Gladden then related to Houston the events oi the preceding
+night, and Lyle's sudden recollection of her own mother. He was much
+interested.
+
+"I am more than glad," he replied, "doubtless the memory of her early
+childhood will gradually come back to her, and we may be able to
+ascertain her true parentage. I hope so, at least, for I believe
+Maverick to be an out and out scoundrel, capable of any villainy, and
+I would like to see him brought to justice."
+
+The room set apart for the expected guests, as well as the dining-room,
+was decorated with wild flowers and trailing vines, and in this
+pleasant employment, and the preparation of a few dainty dishes for
+the table, the forenoon passed swiftly.
+
+The noon train had scarcely come to a stop at the little station at
+the Y, when Ned Rutherford was seen rushing impetuously from the car,
+his camera case as usual in one hand, at sight of which the two young
+men waiting on the platform burst into a hearty laugh.
+
+"There he is," said Houston, "the same old Ned!"
+
+"The very same old boy!" added Van Dorn, as they hastened to meet
+him.
+
+"Hullo, Everard!" cried Ned, jumping upon the platform, "I say, but it
+seems mighty good to see you again! How are you, Van Dorn?"
+
+"How are you, Ned?" said Van Dorn, extending his hand, "we wouldn't
+have known you if it hadn't been for that camera box of yours!"
+
+"That so?" answered Ned, good-naturedly, "well, I always considered it
+indispensable, but I didn't suppose my identity would be lost without
+it."
+
+Meanwhile, Houston had hastened to meet the elder brother, and it
+could readily be seen that they were more than ordinary friends.
+
+"Everard, old fellow!" he exclaimed, in response to Houston's
+greeting, "this is the greatest pleasure I've had in many a day. I
+never dreamed that the Houston of whom Ned wrote such glowing accounts
+was my old friend."
+
+"I used to think sometimes," said Houston, "when Ned was writing you,
+that I would like to send you some reminder of old times, a college
+password or signal that you would understand; but at that time, I
+didn't know Ned very well, and of course I was anxious to conceal my
+identity here."
+
+"That was right," said the elder Rutherford, with a comical glance at
+his brother, "Ned is rather injudicious, he belongs to that
+unfortunate class of people, with the best of intentions, who usually
+succeed in doing as much mischief as others with the worst."
+
+"Right you are there," said Ned, "I'm always putting my foot in it one
+way or another; I wouldn't advise anybody to make a confidant of me,
+I'd give them away sure. I say, Everard," he continued, while his
+brother and Van Dorn exchanged cordial greetings, "how are you getting
+on, and how is the Buncombe-Boomerang combination?"
+
+"We have been very successful so far, everything is nearly in
+readiness, and the combination as you call it, cannot exist much
+longer; we will give you full particulars later."
+
+"And how are the ladies?" Ned inquired further.
+
+"They are well, and waiting to give you and your brother a royal
+welcome."
+
+"Thank you," Morton Rutherford replied, "I am quite anxious to meet
+them, Ned, of course, can speak for himself."
+
+"That he can, and generally does when the right time comes," responded
+that individual, "you will find I am a universal favorite here, in the
+camp of the Philistines."
+
+In a little while they were on their way to camp, Houston and Morton
+Rutherford occupying the back seat of the light, canopy-top wagon,
+while Van Dorn and Ned took the forward seat with the driver, the
+horses and baggage following with one of the mining teams.
+
+Morton Rutherford gave his friend a glowing account of his journey
+through the west, dwelling at considerable length on his enjoyment of
+the scenic routes. As they wound upward through the canyon, he grew
+ecstatic over the wild beauty and rugged grandeur extending in every
+direction, and when they finally drew rein before the long, low
+boarding house, nestling at the foot of the mountain, with its rustic,
+vine-covered porch, and surrounded on all sides by the wild scenery of
+that region, his admiration knew no bounds.
+
+"What a delightful retreat!" he exclaimed, "what a study for an
+artist!"
+
+Within the porch, among the vines, the ladies awaited their coming,
+and Lyle, looking forth from her shady retreat, saw the face whose
+image had been imprinted on heart and brain, and at a glance she read
+all she had expected to find, and more. There were the fine features,
+expressing such depth and power, and yet such delicacy of thought and
+feeling, the intellectual brow, the dark, expressive eyes, all as she
+had seen them in the picture; but what picture could convey the living
+beauty of the whole? It was the face of one whom women would worship,
+and men would follow even to death.
+
+The gentlemen approached the house, Houston and his friend leading the
+way. Miss Gladden advanced to meet them, and as Houston introduced Mr.
+Rutherford, she extended to him a most gracious and graceful welcome,
+and also to Ned. Her gown was white, of soft, clinging material,
+trimmed with quantities of rich, rare lace, and brightened here and
+there with touches of crimson and gold. She wore a few costly jewels,
+and the diamond hilt of a tiny dagger glistened and scintillated in
+her auburn-tinted hair. She looked very beautiful, and as Mr.
+Rutherford paused to respond to her welcome with a few courteous
+words, he thought his friend was surely to be congratulated on the
+prize he had won.
+
+Meanwhile, Ned had discovered Lyle, as she stood partially hidden
+among the vines, awaiting her turn, and hastened to greet her in his
+impetuous fashion.
+
+"How do you do, Miss Maverick? I'm awfully glad to see you. I want you
+to know my brother," and his cheerful voice sounded on his brother's
+ear, as he replied to some remark of Miss Gladden's.
+
+"Morton, I want to introduce you to our nightingale; Miss Maverick,
+allow me to make you acquainted with my brother."
+
+With a rare smile lighting up his face, Morton Rutherford turned
+toward the speaker, and as he did so, saw a vision of the most royal
+young womanhood his eyes had ever beheld. She, too, was dressed in
+white, but it was a filmy, cloud-like mass, with trimmings of ethereal
+blue. She wore no jewels, but a crown of golden hair gleamed like a
+coronet above her head, and her delicately molded face had a
+spirituelle beauty and radiance unlike any living face he had ever
+seen, and which he could only compare to the exquisite Madonna faces,
+painted by artists of the old world, and of the olden time.
+
+And Lyle, coming forward with unconscious, queenly grace, looked for
+an instant into that face whose subtle power she already felt, her
+wondrous, starry eyes, luminous with a new, strange light, meeting his
+with their depth of meaning, their powerful magnetism, and from that
+brief instant, life for each was changed, wholly and completely;
+whether for good or ill, for weal or woe, neither as yet could say.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII.
+
+
+It was a very congenial little company that somewhat later gathered
+about the dinner table. There were no outsiders present on this
+occasion to check their conversation, and the room resounded with
+merry laughter as the young men related various reminiscences of their
+college days, or as Lyle gave her eastern friends some amusing
+glimpses of western life.
+
+Morton Rutherford added his share to the general enjoyment, as he gave
+in an inimitable manner which fascinated his listeners, sketches of
+places and people he had met in his western journey; but a close
+observer would have noticed that his dark eyes often wandered to the
+face of the fair hostess, presiding at the table with such dignity,
+and his thoughts much of the time were far removed from the subject of
+conversation.
+
+Of the strange, wild tumult in Lyle's breast there was no token, save
+in her heightened color, and the added brilliancy of her eyes.
+
+The plain, but wholesome mountain fare disappeared rapidly before the
+appetites sharpened by the bracing air of that altitude, and still the
+little company lingered at the table, loath to tear themselves away.
+
+Plans were made for a few days and evenings of genuine enjoyment,
+before proceeding any further with the business in which all were so
+deeply interested. Houston and Van Dorn would of course be more or
+less confined by their work, and it was voted that, during the day,
+Mr. Rutherford should be entertained by the ladies, or, as the hunting
+and fishing season had now opened, he and Ned would be able to find
+considerable sport in the surrounding country. But the evenings were
+to be spent by the entire party in visits to the different points of
+interest and beauty already familiar to some of their number.
+
+"And one of the first places to visit," said Ned Rutherford, at this
+point in the conversation, "will be the cascades; we will go out there
+in boats, you know, with the guitar and violin, and have music just as
+we did the first time we ever went out. Great Scott! but I never will
+forget that night as long as I live!"
+
+"With the ladies' approval, that will be one of our first trips," said
+Houston.
+
+"You play and sing, do you not, Mr. Rutherford?" Miss Gladden
+inquired, addressing the elder brother.
+
+"Yes, occasionally," he answered, with a peculiar smile.
+
+"What instrument do you use?"
+
+"I can accompany myself on several different instruments," he replied,
+"but the violin is my favorite; it is capable of more expression than
+most others."
+
+At last the little party adjourned to the porch, and Lyle, under the
+pretext of some household duties, excused herself, and escaped to her
+own little room. Here her forced composure gave way, and her highly
+wrought feelings found relief in a passionate burst of tears, though
+why she wept, she could not have told.
+
+Unconsciously to herself, perhaps, Morton Rutherford had of late
+become the hero of her thoughts, partially on account of her high
+estimate of him, and also because of the sympathy which she felt would
+exist between them in taste and thought and feeling. She had dreamed
+of a friendship with him, perhaps more perfect and helpful than any
+she had yet known; but they had met, and in that one glance had been
+revealed to her a natural affinity deeper than any of which she had
+ever dreamed, and the impossibility of a calm, Platonic friendship
+between kindred spirits such as theirs.
+
+Unconsciously to herself, Lyle had that day crossed the great divide,
+and womanhood, with its dower of love and joy, of pain and suffering,
+was henceforth hers. The mightiest element in her nature, which had
+lain dormant all these years, its power unsuspected even by herself,
+was now aroused, and even while she felt the throbbing of its new
+life, as yet, she knew not its name. She was young, her observation
+and her experience had been limited, and there had been no one to
+prepare her for the certain awakening of this mighty power, before
+whose conquering sway all else must yield.
+
+She grew more calm, and as she reviewed the few friendships she had
+known,--the helpful kindness and tenderness of Jack in whom she had
+confided her childish griefs, the chivalry of Everard Houston, who
+from the first had constituted himself her champion and protector, and
+even the pleasant kindliness of Ned Rutherford, whom she scarcely
+deemed more than an acquaintance,--there was suddenly revealed to her
+quickened perception the distinction between friendship and love, and
+instantly she recognized the stranger who had taken possession of her
+heart: Love had come. Love was to be henceforth king, and she stood
+trembling and abashed in the presence of the new sovereign. Her tears
+flowed silently, but she was far from unhappy; love, even unknown and
+unreciprocated, brings its own sweet reward.
+
+Whether her love would ever be returned by the one whose glance had
+awakened it in its might, she dared not even think. She knew not, as
+yet, in what light he would regard her. Notwithstanding the friendship
+and esteem manifested by the younger brother, she fully understood the
+insurmountable barrier which his pride had placed between himself and
+her. Would it exist in the mind of the elder brother also? Or would
+his keener insight, his superior perception discern her true
+position? Time alone would tell.
+
+A little later, calm and queenly as ever, Lyle rejoined the little
+group, who had strolled out a short distance from the house, and were
+seated beside the lake, in the cooling shadow of a large rock.
+
+She could not help observing the smile of pleasure with which Mr.
+Rutherford welcomed her approach, but she would not yet trust herself
+to hold any protracted conversation with him, and giving him only a
+bright little smile of recognition, she seated herself beside Ned, and
+began a playful badinage, as they had been accustomed to banter each
+other on his former visit. Morton Rutherford watched them curiously,
+listening to the war of words with a half smile, and evidently
+absorbed in his own thoughts, as, for a while, Miss Gladden and Mr.
+Van Dorn had the conversation to themselves, Houston having gone to
+the mines.
+
+As the shadows began to lengthen, and the sun seemed hovering over a
+snow-crowned peak that stood out boldly against the western horizon,
+Houston was seen approaching the house, and at a little distance,
+Maverick and his two sons. Lyle, who was then standing on the outer
+edge of the group, talking with Miss Gladden, was quick to observe a
+sudden movement on Ned's part, as, turning toward his brother, he made
+some brief remark in low tones, regarding the approaching trio. She
+well knew the tenor of his remark, and watched closely to see its
+effect.
+
+She saw Morton Rutherford glance in the direction indicated by a
+slight motion of Ned's head, and then, though he betrayed no surprise
+by word or movement, an expression of astonishment crossed his face,
+but only for an instant. His features grew white and stern, and he
+watched every movement of the three figures, as, with stealthy,
+slouching gait and suspicious looks, they stole around the corner of
+the house, and the expression of his eye seemed to Lyle like that of a
+judge passing sentence on a condemned criminal.
+
+He did not look at Lyle immediately, perhaps he was conscious of the
+eyes watching him so narrowly from under the heavily drooping lids,
+fringed with long, golden lashes, but when he did look toward her,
+there was a depth of meaning in those dark eyes which she could not
+fathom.
+
+Twenty-four hours before, Lyle standing there, under those circumstances,
+would have been crushed with humiliation, but in the light of the
+revelation of the night before, she met his glance with an expression
+which to him seemed utterly inscrutable. There was neither shame nor
+apology written on her face, as with a calm, bright smile, and the same
+self-possessed manner, she turned and passed into the house.
+
+Upon entering the dining-room, Lyle heard angry words in the kitchen,
+and paused to listen. The voice was Maverick's.
+
+"Who in hell is that new feller you've got up here?"
+
+"That's the brother of the young feller that was here a spell ago,"
+answered the voice of Minty, who was just emerging from the pantry.
+
+"Damn you! who asked you to say anything? Git out of here," he roared,
+and Minty made a hasty retreat into the cellar.
+
+"Who's that new feller out there?" he again demanded of his wife.
+
+"His name is Rutherford, and he's a brother of the young man that come
+out here with Mr. Houston," was her reply.
+
+"What's his business here?"
+
+"I guess he hain't got none, he seems to be out here for pleasure like
+his brother."
+
+"Pleasure!" growled Maverick, with an oath, "there's too many of 'em,
+damn 'em, out here for pleasure; I'd give some of 'em some pleasure
+that they ain't a lookin' for, if I had a chance."
+
+His wife made no response.
+
+"What's that girl Lyle tricked out in such finery for?" he next
+asked.
+
+"They're clothes that Miss Gladden give her," Mrs. Maverick replied,
+"and it saves us jest so much, so you needn't growl; besides she looks
+nice."
+
+"Looks nice!" said Maverick, contemptuously, "you're always bound to
+stick up for her! Look here, old woman," he added, in a lower tone,
+but which Lyle could hear, "have you been tellin' that girl anything?
+She don't own me for her daddy lately, I notice; now, if you've been
+puttin' her or anybody else onto anything of the kind, I can tell you
+you'll be damned sorry for it before you git through with me."
+
+"I hain't said a word, it's jest a notion she's took, I dun'no why. I
+hain't said nothin' nor I ain't a goin' to, as long as you behave
+yourself, Jim Maverick, but the proofs is all ready in case you don't
+treat me and her jest as you'd orter."
+
+A terrible oath burst from Maverick's lips, but the entrance of the
+two boys and Minty, prevented any further conversation on this
+subject; and Lyle, seated in the little porch whither she had
+retreated from the dining-room, reflected on what she had just heard,
+its meaning seeming very clear to her in the light of what Miss
+Gladden had told her the night before.
+
+There were proofs then in existence, probably in that very house, as
+to her identity. Her friends were correct in their surmises: she had
+been stolen, and the villain who had committed the deed, even now
+trembled with apprehension lest his villainy should become known.
+Those proofs she must have, and it would be worse than useless to
+demand them of either Maverick or his wife. She must search for them.
+This she resolved to do, day by day, as opportunity afforded, until
+there should be no nook or corner which she had not thoroughly
+explored.
+
+As Lyle recalled all that occurred within the past twenty-four hours,
+the most eventful period within her recollection thus far, she felt
+that she had virtually broken with the old life and all its
+associations, and that she stood upon the threshold of a new life,
+higher, nobler,--perhaps sweeter,--than any of which she had ever
+dreamed.
+
+The return of the little company of friends to the house interrupted
+her thoughts, but not before she had decided fully as to her future
+course.
+
+After supper, it was decided to spend that first evening on the summit
+of one of the nearest mountains, to watch the glories of the sunset,
+and to give Morton Rutherford a bird's-eye view of the beautiful
+scenery, before introducing him to its details.
+
+But on the second evening, the entire party set forth for the trip to
+the cascades, for which Ned was so especially desirous.
+
+Mr. Houston and Miss Gladden led the little procession, Houston
+carrying her guitar. Ned had constituted himself Lyle's escort by
+taking the violin, and they came next, while Morton Rutherford and
+Arthur Van Dorn brought up the rear.
+
+Their two boats were already awaiting them, and Ned, having assisted
+Lyle to a seat, turned to Van Dorn.
+
+"Mr. Van Dorn," he said in his blandest tones, "may we have the
+pleasure of your company in our boat?"
+
+As Van Dorn laughingly accepted the invitation, Morton Rutherford
+turned toward his brother, saying:
+
+"Are you not going to extend an invitation to me, also?"
+
+"Unfortunately," said Ned, with as much dignity as he could assume,
+"this boat will seat but three people."
+
+"Is that so!" replied his brother, with a curious downward inflection,
+"unfortunately, then, for Mr. Houston and Miss Gladden, you will have
+to take the other boat, as I am going in this one myself," and
+stepping lightly into the boat, he pulled it quickly out into the
+water, leaving Ned in a state of bewilderment, alone on shore, as Mr.
+Houston and Miss Gladden were already seated in their boat, and
+watching this little by-play.
+
+There was a general laugh at Ned's expense, as he clambered into the
+other boat, exclaiming good-naturedly:
+
+"Well, Mort, that's an awfully shabby trick, but then, it's all I can
+expect of you, anyhow."
+
+"It's all you deserve, after such attempted selfishness on your part,"
+replied his brother.
+
+They rowed across the lake in the soft light, the glory of the setting
+sun still reflected from the surrounding peaks, the music of their
+boat songs accompanied by the dip and plash of the oars.
+
+At last they reached the cascades, and rounding a little promontory,
+the glory of that wondrous scene suddenly burst upon them. For a
+moment Mr. Rutherford sat speechless, and Lyle, facing him, silently
+enjoyed his surprise and his ecstasy as keenly as he enjoyed the
+wonderful beauty about him. In his face, she read the same capacity
+for joy or for suffering which Nature had bestowed upon herself, and
+when his eyes suddenly met hers again, he saw the tears glistening in
+their shining depths, and with quick, intuitive sympathy, readily
+understood the cause.
+
+For a while they rowed back and forth in almost silent admiration;
+then the boats were brought side by side at the foot of the cascades,
+and the air resounded with song; sometimes their voices all blending
+together in exquisite harmony, then in twos and threes, while
+occasionally, some beautiful old song would be given as a solo.
+
+It had been an evening of rare enjoyment for each one, and they were
+just about to turn their boats homeward, when Ned Rutherford
+exclaimed:
+
+"I say, don't let us leave this spot until Miss Maverick sings that
+song she gave us the first time we came out here, the first we ever
+heard her sing. I never can forget that song, and it is always
+associated with this place."
+
+The others joined in the request. Lyle hesitated. Could she trust
+herself to sing that song to-night? It was easy to sing when love had
+come to another's heart, but could she sing it now that he had come to
+her own?
+
+She consented, and the oars rested once more. With her eyes fixed on
+the distant mountains, Lyle began her song:
+
+                "Love is come with a song and a smile."
+
+At the first words, Morton Rutherford started, and as he fixed his
+eyes on the beautiful singer, her fair form and shining hair outlined
+against the silvery cascades, it seemed to him the loveliest sight of
+his whole life.
+
+Her voice, exquisitely sweet as she began, gained in expression and
+power, until she sang as she had never sung before; and as the last
+notes died away, Houston, bending his head low, whispered to Miss
+Gladden:
+
+"Leslie, my dear, do you think now that Lyle's heart is not
+susceptible? She never could sing that song in that way if she knew
+nothing of love."
+
+And Miss Gladden made no reply, for her own heart was too full for
+words.
+
+The song was ended, and Lyle's eyes suddenly met the dark ones fixed
+upon her face, and though no words were spoken, she read in their
+depths that hers was not the only heart to which love had come.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVIII.
+
+
+That night the diminutive lamp that did duty in the room assigned to
+the two brothers burned till long past the hour of midnight. By its
+dim light, Ned Rutherford indited a letter to his fiancee, while his
+brother quietly paced back and forth, the entire length of the small
+apartment, his hands clasped behind him and his head thrown back,--his
+usual attitude when in deep thought.
+
+"Getting up another article on the application of electric force?"
+inquired Ned, as he paused to watch his brother.
+
+"No," was the reply, "I am thinking at present of a force far more
+subtle and more powerful than that of electricity."
+
+"Why, how's that?" asked Ned in surprise, "I thought electricity was
+one of your pet hobbies."
+
+"Never mind about my pet hobbies," said his brother, with a smile,
+"just continue your writing for the present."
+
+Half an hour later, as Ned folded and sealed the voluminous letter,
+and placed upon it the long, foreign address, his brother, watching
+him with a curious half smile, said:
+
+"I shall have to give you credit for a great deal of constancy, Ned,
+more than I really supposed you possessed."
+
+"How's that?" asked Ned, with a slight blush, "to what do you refer."
+
+"To your fidelity to your affianced," Morton replied, "under the rather
+adverse circumstances that attend your suit, and notwithstanding
+the unusual attractions by which you have been surrounded here."
+
+"Well, as to that," said Ned, slowly, "I don't know as I deserve so
+very much credit. Houston appropriated Miss Gladden to himself pretty
+soon after we came here, and besides, she isn't exactly my style,
+after all; she would suit Houston a great deal better than me."
+
+"Ah," said his brother, quietly, "and what of the younger lady?
+Perhaps she is not your style, either?"
+
+"Well, no, I should say not," Ned replied, with the least perceptible
+scorn in his tone, "not but what she is a lovely girl, and I respect
+her, and feel sorry for her, but I should think one glimpse of her
+family would decide that question, once for all."
+
+"Ned," said Morton Rutherford, pausing in his walk, directly in front
+of his brother, "is it possible that you are so blind as not to see
+that Miss Maverick, as you call her,--I prefer to call her Lyle,--has
+no connection whatever with the family in which she lives?"
+
+"Do you think so?" Ned inquired, with surprise, "I remember Houston
+and Miss Gladden expressed the same opinion when I was here before,
+but I don't think they had any proof that such was the case, and even
+if it were so, I don't see how it helps the matter much, for nobody
+knows to what sort of a family she really does belong."
+
+"Ned," said his brother, indignantly, "I know nothing of the opinion
+of Houston or Miss Gladden upon this subject, but where are your own
+eyes, and where is your reason? If you discovered one of the rarest
+and most beautiful flowers known to exist in the plant world, in a
+heap of tailings out here among these mines, would you immediately
+conclude that, because you had found it there, it must be indigenous
+to the spot? Look at that girl, and tell me if there is one trace in
+feature, in form, in manner, or in speech, of plebeian blood, and then
+will you tell me that she is in any way connected with people such as
+these? They are not merely plebeian, they are low, debased, criminal.
+They are criminals of the deepest dye, not only capable of any
+villainy, but already guilty, and to such a degree that their guilt
+has made them shrinking, skulking cowards."
+
+"But, Mort, if you are correct, and I don't say that you are not, how
+does she come to be in such a place as this, with no memory of
+anything different?"
+
+"Through the villainy of that man whom you pointed out to me as her
+father; through his villainy, and in no other way."
+
+"You think she was stolen?"
+
+"I do; I can see in his face that he has committed some terrible
+crime,--perhaps many of them,--and he is afraid to look a stranger in
+the eye; and a glance at that beautiful girl is enough to fasten upon
+him one of his crimes. She is from a family whose blood is as pure
+from any taint, physical, mental, or moral, as is your own, and unless
+I am greatly mistaken, she is not wholly unconscious of this
+herself."
+
+"Great Heavens!" exclaimed the younger brother, "I never dreamed of
+all this! If it is really as you think, I only wish we could find her
+true home, and have her restored to it, and make that scoundrel suffer
+for his crime."
+
+"If it is among the possibilities, it shall be done," said Morton
+Rutherford, quietly, but in a tone which startled Ned with its volume
+of meaning. The latter looked up in quick surprise, a question on his
+lips, but he knew his brother's face too well; the question was not
+asked, and he only said:
+
+"Good for you, Mort, and here's my hand; I'm with you on this,
+whatever you do."
+
+For the next few days, nothing of any special import occurred at the
+camp. Houston, soon after the arrival of Morton and Ned Rutherford,
+had written to his uncle that preparations were now about completed,
+and everything was so nearly in readiness that he and his party had
+better come out immediately to one of the western cities, from which
+they could be summoned by telegraph on short notice. Accordingly, Mr.
+Cameron had already left New York, and in company with his attorney
+and the English expert, was now on his way west, Mrs. Cameron also
+accompanying him as far west as Chicago, where she was to stop with
+friends while he went on to the mines, as she had insisted that she
+would feel much happier to be nearer her husband and Everard, so that
+she could more easily reach them in the event of any trouble at the
+mines.
+
+Van Dorn was progressing well with his work, and the machine would
+soon be ready for its trial test, though he said he would in all
+probability first have to go to Silver City, in order to have replaced
+one or two small but important parts which had been broken in the
+long, westward journey.
+
+Lyle, in the midst of the strange happiness which had lately come to
+her heart, had not forgotten her resolve to search for the proofs, of
+such importance to her. On the contrary, she had now a new and
+powerful incentive which gave additional zest to her efforts,
+although, thus far, they had proved unsuccessful.
+
+One afternoon, after having made a particularly thorough but fruitless
+search, she stole quietly out of the house, and following the little
+path along the shore of the lake, soon found herself in her favorite
+retreat among the rocks, a secluded place from which there was no sign
+of human habitation; only the mountains in their vast solitudes were
+visible, their silent grandeur more eloquent than words. It was a spot
+that she had loved even in her childhood, and which had, in later
+years, been her resort for study and reflection.
+
+In a brief interview with Jack, at the cabin, the previous evening,
+she had told him of her increasingly distinct recollections of her
+mother, of the angry words between Maverick and his wife which she had
+overheard, and of her search which she felt would yet result in her
+obtaining possession of the necessary proofs of her identity.
+
+To her surprise, Jack, while commending the course which she was
+taking, yet seemed strangely averse to talking much with her upon the
+subject. At last, as she was leaving the cabin, he had taken her hands
+in his, saying, in a strangely tender tone:
+
+"My dear Lyle, because I say little, you must not think I take no
+interest in this affair which concerns you so closely. I am deeply
+interested, more deeply than you will probably ever know, but it is
+for many reasons a painful subject to me, one full of bitter memories;
+but I have one favor to ask of you, my dear child, which I know you
+will grant for the sake of the memory of the happy hours we have spent
+together,--it is this; that whatever proof you may succeed in finding,
+you will first bring to me."
+
+"Certainly I will, dear Jack," Lyle had replied, wondering at his
+manner, "in whom should I confide if not in you, who have been my
+first and best friend."
+
+And he, his dark, piercing eyes looking into the depths of her own,
+their gaze softened by tender affection, had replied:
+
+"Yes, your friend always, Lyle, remember that; none truer or more
+devoted to you or your welfare; but before long, my dear, your heart
+will learn, if it has not learned already, the difference between
+friendship and love."
+
+With burning cheeks and tearful eyes Lyle recalled his words, and
+pondered deeply on the strange bond that seemed, in some way, to exist
+between his life and hers, but the longer she tried to solve the
+problem, the deeper and more obscure it seemed.
+
+In the midst of her reflections, she heard a light step upon the rocky
+footpath, and looking up, saw Morton Rutherford approaching. So
+absorbed was he in the study of the masses of rock about him, on which
+had been traced by the finger of the centuries, in wonderful
+hieroglyphics, the early history of the earth, that for a time he was
+unconscious of her presence there. When he saw her he raised his hat
+and came quickly forward.
+
+"I beg your pardon," he said, in deep, musical tones, "I supposed
+myself alone with my own thoughts; am I intruding? if so, send me away
+at once."
+
+"No, stay, if you please," said Lyle.
+
+"Thank you," he answered, seating himself on the rocks at a little
+distance, "you appeared so lost in thought I feared my coming might
+annoy you."
+
+"No," she replied, "my thoughts were too perplexing, I was growing
+weary of them."
+
+Mr. Rutherford glanced at the surrounding mountains; "Were you, too,
+trying to fathom the mystery of the eternal hills?" he asked.
+
+"No," was her reply, "I have never attempted anything so far beyond me
+as that; I have found more mysteries in every-day, human life than I
+could solve."
+
+Morton Rutherford was silent for a few moments, then he said in low
+tones:
+
+"I hope you will pardon me when I say, that to me, your own life here,
+under the existing circumstances and conditions, is a mystery, one
+which seems capable of but one solution."
+
+"And what would be your solution?" she asked quickly.
+
+He saw that she understood his meaning, and was watching him intently,
+eagerly, and he said:
+
+"Permit me to reply to your question by asking one in return. Do you
+not believe that your life had a beginning elsewhere than here, and
+under far different conditions?"
+
+"It is more than a belief with me, it is a certainty, and yet, strange
+as it may appear to you, this knowledge has come to me but recently,
+and even now, I know nothing of what those conditions may have been,
+except that they were totally unlike these that exist here."
+
+"You interest me very much are you willing to tell me how you arrived
+at this knowledge of which you speak?"
+
+Very briefly, and without going into details, Lyle, in response to the
+magnetic sympathy of those dark eyes, gave a vivid outline of her
+life, and of the vague impressions which of late were becoming
+distinct recollections, and of her hope of soon finding tangible
+evidence regarding the life which was daily growing more and more of a
+reality.
+
+Mr. Rutherford listened with intense interest to the strange story,
+and when she had finished, he said slowly, as he took a short turn up
+and down the rocky path:
+
+"Believe me, I have not listened to this through mere, idle curiosity;
+much as your story has interested me, it has not surprised me, for I
+read the truth almost from our first meeting."
+
+Lyle gave him a smile of rare sweetness and deep significance; "I am
+glad to know that," she said simply.
+
+"Why so?" he asked, pausing and seating himself beside her; "Did you
+think I could fail to recognize the soul that looked out to welcome me
+when I first came, no matter amid what surroundings I found it?" Then,
+as she remained silent, he continued, his tones thrilling her heart as
+no human voice had ever done before:
+
+"Since the hour that I first met you, Lyle, life has changed for
+me,--I think perhaps it will never be quite the same again for either
+of us. I know that I love you with a love that, whether reciprocated
+or not, can never die; that henceforth, you will be,--you must be,--a
+part of my very life. Let me care for you and help you; let me help
+you in your search for the home for which you were created, and of
+which you are worthy; but, Lyle, before you search any farther for
+that home, will you not consent to become the queen of my home, as you
+are already the queen of my heart?"
+
+Lyle lifted her head proudly, though the tears glistened on the long,
+golden lashes; "Do you ask me that, here and now, knowing nothing as
+yet, of what the future may reveal?"
+
+"I do; I have no fear for the future if I but have your love. Do you
+think that, perhaps, in the days to come, amid other and different
+surroundings, you might find some one whose love your heart would
+choose in preference to mine?"
+
+"Never!" cried Lyle, impulsively, turning with outstretched arms to
+him, "You are the only one I have ever loved,--the only one I could
+ever love!"
+
+"Then that is enough for me," he replied, drawing her closely to his
+breast; "you have come forth from the years of the wretched past, with
+a soul star-white and shining, and I have no fears for the future."
+
+When the little group of friends assembled that evening, it was not
+long before some one discovered that a small diamond ring, of
+exquisite, antique design, which Morton Rutherford had worn, had, in
+some manner, become transferred to Lyle's hand. "Wear this, for the
+present," he had said, in taking it from his own hand, "until I can
+obtain a costlier one for you," but Lyle had insisted that once placed
+upon her hand, there it must remain, as she would prize it far above
+any other which money could buy; and such had been the final
+decision.
+
+When this significant fact had been discovered by one of the little
+company, the intelligence was speedily telegraphed to the rest, and
+Morton and Lyle soon found themselves the recipients of hearty and
+affectionate congratulations from the others.
+
+The astonishment depicted on Ned's face, when he comprehended the turn
+affairs had taken, was beyond description, but in the little
+excitement which prevailed for a few moments, it passed unnoticed, so
+that he had sufficiently recovered himself to join very gracefully in
+the general congratulations when his turn came.
+
+A few hours later, however, as he went out for a stroll with Van Dorn,
+while his brother and Houston started out in the direction of Jack's
+cabin, his astonishment found expression.
+
+"Great Scott! but I never was so dumfounded in my life! I tell you
+what, Van, I believe people lose their wits when they are in love!"
+
+"On whose experience do you base your highly original remark, your
+brother's or your own?"
+
+"Well, both, and lots of others besides. I never yet saw a person who
+was in love that didn't act just the reverse of what you would expect,
+or of what they would under ordinary circumstances. Now, look at us
+two, for instance. Look at me! Everybody calls me rash and impetuous,
+and Mort is always lecturing me for it, and it's always my way to rush
+head-first into anything that comes along, and here I've been making
+love, in the regular, orthodox fashion, to a girl I've known ever
+since I wore knickerbockers, and playing propriety and all that to my
+prospective father-in-law; and now see Mort! the most precise,
+deliberate fellow you ever saw, never says or does anything that isn't
+exactly suited to the occasion, you know; and here he goes and tumbles
+head over heels in love with a pretty girl the first time he sees her,
+and when he doesn't know a blessed thing about her, and, by George!
+engages himself to her before he's known her a week! If that isn't a
+case of clear-gone lunacy, then I never saw one."
+
+Van Dorn laughed; "Well, of the two, I should prefer your brother's
+form of lunacy to yours; if I ever was to be in love, I should want
+the misery over as quickly as possible."
+
+As Houston and his friend, having made a brief call at the cabin, rose
+to take their leave, the former observed Jack watching Rutherford's
+face with a degree of interest unusual for him to manifest in a
+stranger.
+
+"I want you and my friend, Rutherford, to know each other the little
+time he will be here," he said, addressing Jack, "for though I have
+never known what it was to have a brother in reality, he seems to me
+to more nearly fill that position than any one I have known, and I
+have told him of your kindness and assistance, and the strange bond
+that has seemed to unite us from the first, though we met as
+strangers, so he naturally wishes to meet you."
+
+There was a peculiar quiver of the lips under the heavy, black beard,
+as Jack replied, in deep, full tones, "Mr. Rutherford's face carries
+with it its own recommendation, and the fact that he is as a brother
+to yourself will insure him a double welcome here as often as he
+pleases to come during his stay."
+
+Houston passed onward into the outer room, pausing to chat with Mike,
+while Morton Rutherford lingered, and extending his hand to Jack, said
+in low tones:
+
+"I have another reason for wishing to meet you. From what Lyle has
+told me, I know you to have been, until very recently, her only
+friend, and to you, as to her friend, and perhaps, in one sense, her
+guardian, I wish to state that I love her, and have been so fortunate
+as to win her love in return; and that I hope before very long, my
+home will be hers."
+
+"Yes, I know," Jack responded, briefly.
+
+"What! has she already told you?" Rutherford asked in surprise.
+
+"Only unconsciously; but I read soon after your coming, that her heart
+was no longer her own."
+
+Then grasping Rutherford's hand warmly, he added, in tones vibrating
+with some deep emotion.
+
+"You have chosen better than you know. I believe I can trust her and
+her happiness in your hands. God bless you both! and may He bless you
+in proportion to your love and fidelity toward her!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIX.
+
+
+The following day, Mr. Blaisdell suddenly made his appearance at the
+camp, accompanied by Mr. Rivers and a mining expert who had come out
+in the interests of a Chicago firm, looking for good paying
+investments. Houston had received no word of their coming, and the
+first intimation which he had of their arrival was the sight of the
+three gentlemen, as he approached the house at dinner time.
+
+"How are you, Houston?" said Mr. Blaisdell, pausing in his walk up and
+down before the house, and extending his hand, "How's the work
+progressing?"
+
+"Finely," replied Houston, "the output is steadily increasing, week by
+week."
+
+"Keeps you pretty busy, I suppose? Well, I hope we can give you a
+little help before long; we've located Barden at last, and he starts
+for the west next week. Let me introduce you to Mr. Parsons, a mining
+expert from Chicago; Mr. Parsons, this is Mr. Houston, our general
+superintendent."
+
+Houston exchanged greetings with the stranger, and with Mr. Rivers,
+the latter watching him closely, though saying very little.
+
+Dinner was served as quickly as possible, as Mr. Parsons was limited
+for time, and was to return to Silver City on the evening train. Most
+of the conversation at the table was on mines and mining, Mr.
+Blaisdell trying to impress each one present, Mr. Parsons in
+particular, with his extensive knowledge, both theoretical and
+practical, on all that pertained to the subject, as well as with a
+sense of the immense value of the properties owned by the company.
+
+"Mr. W. E. Cameron, of New York, owns some very valuable mines out
+here, I understand," said Mr. Parsons casually, his innocent remark
+producing rather a startling effect upon the minds of his listeners,
+though they, one and all, succeeded in preserving a calm exterior.
+
+"He has an interest in some very fine properties," replied Mr.
+Blaisdell blandly, though with a visible contracting of the muscles
+about the mouth, "you are acquainted with Mr. Cameron, I presume?"
+
+"Oh, no, on the contrary, I never even met the gentleman, but he is
+extensively known among the leading business houses of Chicago, and he
+was pointed out to me, the day I came away, as the owner of some of
+the finest mines in this locality," Mr. Parsons explained, thereby
+carrying consternation to the heart of every one present.
+
+"Did I understand you to say that Mr. Cameron was in Chicago?"
+inquired Mr. Blaisdell, while Mr. Rivers' restless eyes were at once
+on the alert.
+
+"Certainly, he was there the day I left; at least, a gentleman with
+whom I happened to be talking about western investments, pointed him
+out to me, and cited him as the owner of western properties."
+
+"Ah, yes, did you hear anything said as to whether he was coming this
+way?"
+
+"Nothing, nothing whatever, except what I have stated."
+
+"It's all right," said Mr. Rivers, speaking for the first time, and in
+his quick, incisive way; he feared Mr. Blaisdell had betrayed his
+anxiety; "all right, only we would like to know his whereabouts, as it
+will be necessary to wire him in a day or two, regarding some ore
+shipments. Can you give us the hotel where he was stopping?"
+
+"I am very sorry that I cannot oblige you, but I have not the least
+idea where he was located; I simply saw him passing on the street."
+
+"It is of no consequence," replied Mr. Blaisdell, with assumed
+indifference, "we can of course ascertain his present address from the
+New York house; it will take a little more time, that is all. We had
+better proceed to the mines at once, if Mr. Parsons is ready."
+
+When they had left and Haight was on his way to the mills, the four
+young men held a few moments' consultation outside the house.
+
+"By Jingo!" exclaimed Ned Rutherford, "it looks as though old Buncombe
+was going to get on to our surprise party that we're planning for him!
+What are you fellows going to do about it?"
+
+"Well," said Van Dorn. "I'm not sure whether this is going to
+interfere with our arrangements or not; what do you think, Everard?
+will the company 'smell a rat' anywhere?"
+
+"They are evidently alarmed at the possibility of Mr. Cameron's coming
+out here, but there is nothing yet to arouse their suspicions against
+us, so I do not think it will interfere materially with our plans at
+present. They will be able to learn nothing of my uncle's movements
+from the New York house, as he will have forestalled them there. He
+had but just reached Chicago when this Parsons left, and as he and Mr.
+Whitney wished, if possible, to remain there a few days, to consult
+with a legal firm who are personal friends of theirs, I think it best,
+in case this company remains quiet, to take no action yet for two or
+three days; but if the officers of the company begin to appear
+suspicious, or as if they were trying to cover their tracks, the
+sooner we telegraph for our party, the better; get them here as
+quickly as possible."
+
+"Yes, that will be best," said Morton Rutherford, "if their suspicions
+are aroused, we cannot be too expeditious, for they will be desperate
+when they find themselves cornered."
+
+"We must hold ourselves in readiness to act promptly," Houston added,
+"probably within twenty-four hours we will be able to decide which
+course to pursue."
+
+Houston went to his work determined to keep a close watch on the
+movements of Blaisdell and Rivers. A couple of hours later, however,
+the three men entered the mill where he was engaged superintending the
+weighing of some ore; Mr. Rivers went at once to Haight's little
+private office, while Blaisdell approached him with the expert.
+
+"Mr. Houston," he said, "just take Mr. Parsons through the mills and
+entertain him for the next half hour. Mr. Rivers and myself will be
+engaged about that length of time."
+
+Houston complied with the request, and in a very short time discovered
+that Mr. Parsons' knowledge of metallurgy and mineralogy was
+exceedingly limited, but that in exact proportion to his own
+ignorance, he had been profoundly impressed by the knowledge which Mr.
+Blaisdell had aired for his especial benefit, and the parrot-like way
+in which he repeated some of the expressions which Mr. Blaisdell kept
+as his "stock in trade," was very amusing.
+
+Meanwhile Houston was deeply interested in the private meeting held in
+Haight's little dingy room, as he felt certain that some issues were
+being discussed and decisions reached that would, in their results, be
+of the greatest importance to him, and he awaited the reappearance of
+the general manager and secretary with considerable expectancy.
+
+He was not disappointed; a glance at their faces revealed that the
+subjects under discussion had not been pleasant. Mr. Blaisdell's face
+was white, and set in hard, determined lines, while that of his
+companion was flushed with anger, and his cunning, crafty eyes were
+full of suspicion, as they glanced repeatedly in Houston's direction.
+
+"Mr. Parsons," said Mr. Blaisdell, "we will have to ask you to excuse
+Mr. Houston, as we have a little business with him, and if you will
+step over there in the office and sit down, we will have completed our
+business in half or three-quarters of an hour; by that time the team
+will be here, in readiness to take us to the train."
+
+After a few moments of desultory conversation about the work which
+Houston knew to be only preliminary, during which Mr. Rivers moved
+about in a nervous, restless manner, Mr. Blaisdell said:
+
+"Mr. Houston, we hear some rather strange reports concerning your
+conduct lately; your actions have certainly been highly censurable,
+and the least that can be said is that you have exceeded your
+authority here in a very marked degree."
+
+"In what respect have I exceeded my authority?" demanded Houston,
+folding his arms, with an expression on his face that made the
+general manager regret that he had begun the encounter; but it was too
+late to retreat, besides, Rivers was watching him!
+
+"In your manner of discharging the duties assigned to you; you have
+taken advantage of your position in the most reprehensible and
+unworthy way, and have overstepped the bounds when you had no right
+whatever to do so."
+
+"I shall have to ask you to be a little more explicit, Mr. Blaisdell,"
+Houston replied.
+
+"Why don't you come to the point, Blaisdell?" said Rivers impatiently.
+"What's the use of beating about the bush? The long and the short of
+it is just this," he added, turning to Houston, "you have been taking
+upon yourself what did not concern you, prying around, late at night,
+in mines with which you had nothing whatever to do, in company with
+miners who had no more business there than you had."
+
+"To what mine do you refer?" asked Houston, with exasperating
+persistency.
+
+"I mean the Lucky Chance, and you know it," retorted Rivers angrily.
+
+"Mr. Rivers," said Houston, in a tone that Blaisdell had heard on a
+former occasion, and with a steel-like glitter in his eyes that was
+anything but attractive to either of the gentlemen present; "Mr.
+Blaisdell knows, if you do not, that since my first coming here,
+whatever kind of work has been assigned to me, I have thoroughly
+familiarized myself with it. When I was given charge of these mines I
+had reason to suppose that each and every mine owned by the company
+was included under my supervision, and if there were any which the
+officers of the company, for reasons of their own, wished excluded
+from such supervision, it was their business so to inform me. I have
+not been so informed. Mr. Blaisdell himself took me into that mine,
+and nothing was said to lead me to suppose that that mine was any
+exception to those placed in my charge, and your informant, if he
+chose so to do, could tell you that I have inspected in like manner
+each and every mine under my supervision, taking with me one or both
+of the same men, when the mine happened to be one with which I was not
+familiar."
+
+"His intentions were all right," interposed Mr. Blaisdell, "he was
+over-zealous, that was all."
+
+"Intentions be damned!" said Mr. Rivers, angrily, "he was altogether
+too officious, and I won't have it; people in my employ have to know
+their place and keep it."
+
+"That is all very well," said Houston, in cutting tones, "but I will
+not ask you, Mr. Rivers, or any one connected with this company, to
+tell me my place."
+
+"What!" exclaimed Rivers in a rage, "let me tell you, young man, it is
+to your interest to be a little careful."
+
+"Is it?" answered Houston scornfully; "Mr. Rivers," he added,
+advancing toward that gentleman, "why don't you discharge me? Wouldn't
+that be to your interest?"
+
+Mr. Rivers saw he had gone too far; "No," he answered quickly, though
+sullenly, "we have said nothing about discharging you; you are too
+efficient a man for us to lose."
+
+"No, Houston," added Mr. Blaisdell, "we wouldn't think of discharging
+you, you're too good a man."
+
+"No, I'm not too good a man," replied Houston, facing them both with
+a look which they understood; "you don't discharge me simply
+because,--you don't dare to!" and he emphasized the last words with a
+heavy blow upon a rude desk standing near.
+
+Blaisdell and Rivers exchanged glances, and for a moment were
+speechless. The former was the first to recover himself.
+
+"Come, Houston," he said, in a conciliatory tone, "we won't have any
+more words; we all understand one another pretty well, and there'll
+be no more complaints or trouble. You go on pretty much as you have
+done, and it will be all right. It's time we were getting back now,
+but I'll be out here next week with Barden, and we'll fix things
+up satisfactory all 'round."
+
+"When will he get here?" asked Houston.
+
+"The latter part of next week."
+
+Houston thought an instant, his party would be there the first or
+middle of the week.
+
+"Very well," he replied, "I tender my resignation now, to take effect
+when he comes."
+
+"Oh, no, Houston, no indeed, why, we couldn't think of such a thing,"
+said Blaisdell, really alarmed, while Rivers maintained a sullen
+silence.
+
+"I am not particularly anxious to hold this position, I can assure
+you; there is very little in it but hard work."
+
+"Oh, well, well, you stay by us a while longer, and we'll take you
+into the company yet."
+
+"No," said Houston, "it would be no use taking me into the company, I
+wouldn't know my place, or keep it," and with that parting shot, he
+turned and left them.
+
+"Blaisdell," said Rivers, his face relaxing for a moment into a grim
+smile, "it's just as I told you, your smart young man is too smart for
+you. It's my opinion we've caught a tartar;--we're afraid to keep him,
+and we don't dare let him go."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XL.
+
+
+As Houston, on the following morning, in the execution of his daily
+round of duties, happened to be passing the Yankee Boy mine, his
+attention was arrested by a quantity of powder deposited near the
+mouth of the shaft, which the workmen were preparing to take below.
+
+"What is the meaning of this?" he inquired sternly. "Who has given any
+orders for this powder to be brought here?"
+
+"Them was the boss's orders, sir," replied one of the men, respectfully.
+
+"The boss? whom do you mean?"
+
+"Begging your pardon, sir, I meant the boss as was up here yisterday;
+Mr. Haight, he told me this morning as these was the orders he give
+him."
+
+"Haight," said Houston, as, a few moments later, he entered the office
+of that individual, "did Mr. Blaisdell leave orders yesterday for
+powder to be taken over to the Yankee Boy mines?"
+
+"Yes," replied Haight, with his usual smile, "and I intended to have
+spoken to you about it this morning, but I forgot it."
+
+"What is his object? any blasting to be done?"
+
+"Yes, we had quite a long consultation together yesterday, he and
+Rivers and I, and we decided that it would pay to do some extensive
+drifting in those mines, and a good deal of that rock will have to be
+blasted."
+
+"How soon is this blasting to begin?"
+
+"Well, I can't say exactly, just how soon, probably within the next
+seven or eight days."
+
+"In what direction is the drifting to extend?"
+
+Haight looked slightly surprised but replied: "We're a little
+undecided about that, just what course to take; Rivers was for one
+thing, and Blaisdell and I for another. After they have blasted a
+ways, we can tell something from the character of the rock in what
+direction it will be best to run the drift."
+
+After a few more questions, some of which Haight did not answer so
+readily as might have been expected, Houston left him. He did not
+proceed at once to the building where Van Dorn was at work, but first
+returned to the mines, where he discovered that the powder was not
+only being stored in the Yankee Boy group, but also in the Lucky
+Chance, and one or two others of the surrounding mines. A little later
+he made an errand to that part of the mills where Van Dorn was to be
+found, and quietly calling him to one side, related to him what he had
+discovered, and his talk with Haight.
+
+Van Dorn was more familiar with mines, their methods of operation, and
+the rules governing their underground workings, than Houston, and he
+immediately exclaimed:
+
+"By George! that fellow is a fool, Everard, or else he was simply
+'stuffing' you; to drift in the direction he mentioned would be a
+useless expenditure of time and money, there would be nothing in it,
+it is utterly absurd!"
+
+"I mistrusted as much," said Houston, "and I have my own opinion as to
+the meaning of all this, but I wished to get your idea of the matter.
+What do you think of it?"
+
+"It looks to me," said Van Dorn slowly, "as though they were making
+preparations to blow up these mines, at a moment's warning."
+
+"That," said Houston, "was just the conviction that forced itself upon
+my mind when I saw that powder, though I will admit I had never once
+thought of their resorting to such measures as that."
+
+"It's about the only thing left for them to do, by George! after the
+shape in which they have got things; their idea probably would be, in
+the event of Mr. Cameron's coming, to destroy in this way all the
+evidence, as they think, existing against them. It shows pretty
+conclusively that they have no suspicions of us, for if they knew the
+evidence in our possession they would blow us up rather than the
+mines. You will telegraph at once for Mr. Cameron, will you not?"
+
+"At once; we must get him here as quickly and as quietly as we can;
+before they put their plans into action, if possible."
+
+"That is the thing to do; they probably will take no action unless
+they hear of his coming. We ought to get a dispatch off before
+night."
+
+"We will," Houston replied, with quiet decision.
+
+"How will you manage it? It will look rather suspicious for you or me
+to leave our work and go down to the Y with a message."
+
+"Give Morton our dispatch and cipher book, and he will attend to it
+better than you or I, for he is an expert operator."
+
+"By George! that's so, I had forgotten it; he learned telegraphy there
+at college just to amuse himself, and had a battery in his room; well,
+that's fortunate, he will be just the one for us."
+
+"It is nearly noon," said Houston, consulting his watch, "we will see
+Morton at the house, and arrange the message between us, and he will
+send it immediately."
+
+After dinner, there was a brief consultation in Houston's room with
+the result that the following dispatch was formulated, written in
+cipher, and addressed to Mr. Whitney, at Chicago, the attorney from
+New York, accompanying Mr. Cameron:
+
+  "Come at once, no delay; go to Arlington Hotel, Silver City; keep
+  dark, do not register. Van Dorn will meet you at hotel."
+
+Houston realized that they were now rapidly approaching the final
+denouement,--the closing act of the drama which might yet prove a
+tragedy,--and as he placed the folded slip of paper in Morton
+Rutherford's hand, he said with a sigh:
+
+"This is the beginning of the end."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLI.
+
+
+As Morton Rutherford's fingers touched the key of the little
+instrument that was to send forth that fateful message, it was the
+unconscious touching of a secret spring which was to set in motion a
+succession of events of which he little dreamed.
+
+He remained at the station until the answer came back over the wires:
+
+  "Leave Chicago to-night; will follow instructions to the letter."
+
+This was on Saturday. On Tuesday the expected party would reach Silver
+City, where they were to be met by Van Dorn, who would furnish them
+all details and accompany them on the evening train to the Y, from
+which point Houston and Morton Rutherford would convey them by team to
+the mining camp.
+
+From Saturday until Tuesday only! but those intervening days were full
+of a strange excitement for the little group of friends who were in
+the secret, and there was that constant sense of expectancy, combined
+with an alert watchfulness, which kept the nerves tense and rigid, and
+rendered the mind unusually clear and active.
+
+On Monday, Van Dorn left for Silver City, his errand ostensibly being
+to replace the broken portions of the machinery, now nearly finished,
+which were necessary for its completion.
+
+All felt that the climax to which they had looked forward was now very
+near, and Lyle, who perhaps realized the situation the most keenly of
+any, was restless and excited, something very unusual for her.
+
+Her search, thus far unsuccessful, had not been abandoned, and as she
+sat in the little porch on that particular afternoon, idle because she
+could not fix her attention upon book or work, it seemed as if the
+years of her early life among the mountains stood out with more than
+usual distinctness. Among other trifling objects, there was suddenly
+recalled to her memory a box which used always to stand in Mrs.
+Maverick's little bed-room, and which had looked wonderfully
+attractive to her childish eyes on account of a flowered red and green
+paper with which it was covered. Once, overcome with infantile
+curiosity, she had tried to open it, and had received a severe
+whipping therefor. She could remember it very distinctly now, a box
+about eighteen inches square, with no fastening, but always securely
+tied with a stout cord. Late years it had been removed to the little
+attic and she had forgotten it. Where was it now? She had not seen it
+for months, or was it years? What could it have contained?
+
+Miss Gladden was occupied with a new magazine. Morton and Ned
+Rutherford had gone out for a stroll among the rocks. Quietly Lyle
+slipped up-stairs, and going to the dark, dusty attic, began searching
+for the object so suddenly recalled to mind.
+
+She could find no trace of it, however, and had about concluded that
+it must have been destroyed, when her attention was arrested by a pile
+of old clothing and rubbish on the floor in a particularly dark
+corner, behind some large boxes. A slight examination revealed that
+there was some solid substance underneath. Hastily overturning the
+rubbish, her eyes descried in the dim light the identical red and
+green papered box familiar to her childhood.
+
+With an exclamation of joy she dragged it forth from its hiding place,
+and going over to the one tiny window, covered with dust and cobwebs,
+she sat down with the newly found treasure, first arranging a pile of
+old bedding as a screen between herself and the door, to preclude all
+possibility of her whereabouts being discovered.
+
+With fingers trembling with excitement, she undid the fastenings of
+the heavy cord and slowly lifted the cover, not knowing exactly what
+she expected or hoped to find, but certain that the key for which she
+had searched was close at hand.
+
+Within the box lay a large parcel wrapped in a newspaper, worn and
+yellow with age, and pinned to the parcel was a letter, addressed in a
+cramped, almost illegible hand:
+
+                               "To Lyle,
+                      to be read after my death."
+
+Lyle recognized the writing,--it was Mrs. Maverick's, whose
+educational advantages, though exceedingly limited, were yet superior
+to those of her husband, in that she could read and write, though she
+had little idea of the rules of grammar or orthography.
+
+Lyle unpinned the letter and turned it over curiously in her hands for
+a moment; then she laid it aside, saying to herself:
+
+"I will first see what this package contains, and will probably open
+that later."
+
+She lifted the parcel and began removing the paper wrappings, which
+burst like tissue and dropped in pieces, leaving a mass of fine
+cambric and dainty laces and embroideries, from which was exhaled a
+perfume, faint and subtle, and yet which recalled to Lyle so vividly
+the memories of that long-ago forgotten time, that she seemed like one
+awakening from a long oblivion to the scenes of a once familiar life.
+For a moment, she grew faint and dizzy, and, closing her eyes, leaned
+against the wall for support, while she tried to grasp the vision that
+seemed just ready to open up before her. But it passed, and with a
+sigh she opened her eyes, her gaze falling on the contents of the
+package which had fallen open.
+
+She saw the dress of a little child,--apparently about two years of
+age,--a marvelous creation of the finest of white linen and the
+daintiest of embroideries; lying within it was a broad sash of blue
+silk, neatly folded together, a pair of tiny, blue silk stockings,
+and little kid shoes of the same delicate shade; but the shoes and
+sash, as well as the dress, were soiled and blackened as if they had
+come in contact with charred wood.
+
+The dress and the little undergarments each and all bore the initials
+"M. L. W.," and Lyle pondered over them with wondering eyes, while
+handling with reverent touch these relics of her childhood,--a
+childhood which she could not recall.
+
+As she unrolled the blue sash, there dropped from within its folds a
+small, pasteboard box, which she hastily opened, exposing to view a
+tiny gold locket and chain of rare workmanship and exquisite design.
+Upon touching a little spring, it opened, and Lyle gave a low cry of
+delight, for there was revealed the same beautiful face which she had
+seen in Jack's cabin,--the face of her mother. For some time she gazed
+at it through fast-gathering tears, then happening to note the
+engraving on the inside of the case, opposite to the picture, she held
+it closer to the light, to discern the delicate characters of the
+inscription, and read:
+
+                     "To Marjorie Lyle Washburn,
+                     Upon her second birthday."
+
+Lyle Maverick no longer, but Marjorie Lyle Washburn! She repeated the
+name over and over to herself,--the magic talisman by which she was to
+find the home and friends she sought!
+
+Kissing the locket reverently, she replaced it in the box, and folding
+together the little garments, she again took up the letter. She
+studied it for a moment, then resolutely breaking the seal, began to
+read its contents. It was slow work, for the writing in many places
+was so poor as to be nearly illegible, but, with burning cheeks and
+eyes flashing with indignation at what it revealed, she read it to the
+end.
+
+In uncouth phrases and illiterate language, and yet with a certain
+pathos, Mrs. Maverick told the story of the death, years before, while
+their home was east, in Ohio, of her own little girl between two and
+three years of age, and her inconsolable sorrow. A few months
+afterward, Jim had suddenly returned from a neighboring town where he
+was working, bringing with him a beautiful little girl of the same age
+as her own, but unusually advanced for her years, whose father and
+mother he claimed had been killed in a railroad accident, and of whose
+friends nothing could be learned. His wife had accepted his story in
+good faith, and welcomed the motherless little one to her own lonely
+heart. Unknown to Jim, who had charged her to burn them, she had also
+preserved the garments worn by the little stranger on that day.
+
+But the little one did not take kindly to her new surroundings but
+cried piteously for her mother, night and day, even refusing food of
+all kinds, until she was suddenly taken with a strange illness which
+lasted for many weeks. When she finally recovered, all memory of her
+former life seemed to have been completely blotted out of her mind,
+and she no longer called for her mother, except occasionally in her
+sleep. Very soon after they had come out to the mines, and nothing of
+any importance occurred until Lyle was about seven years old.
+
+At that time, Jim had suddenly made his appearance at the house one
+day, appearing both angry and frightened, and had ordered his wife to
+keep Lyle locked up, on pretext of punishing her, until he gave
+permission for her release. He would give no explanation, and by his
+curses and threats compelled her to obey.
+
+That day, a fine-looking, elderly gentleman, who had just arrived from
+the east to purchase some mining property, came to the house for
+dinner, and took his meals there for the two days following, during
+which time, Lyle was not allowed her liberty. Not until nearly a year
+later did Mrs. Maverick learn that the eastern stranger, whose coming
+had so terrified Maverick, was Lyle's grandfather. Jim then confessed
+that he had taken the child from the wreck where its mother had lost
+her life, and brought her west with him, knowing whose child she was,
+and keeping her out of revenge for some wrong which he claimed this
+man had done him years before.
+
+In vain his wife urged to have the child returned to her rightful
+home; he threatened her life if she ever breathed the secret to any
+living soul. A sense of guilt made her unhappy for a time, but as
+years passed she grew more indifferent to it, and as she saw, more and
+more, how utterly unlike any of her own family Lyle was growing, she
+no longer cared for her as she had done, though she tried to treat her
+kindly. Jim's hatred of Lyle seemed to increase with every year, until
+his wife sometimes feared that he would resort to personal violence.
+
+As she found her own health and strength failing she began to reflect
+upon the terrible position in which Lyle would find herself in case of
+her own death, left alone with Maverick and his two sons, and to save
+her from such a fate, she had resolved to write this letter,
+acquainting Lyle with her own history so far as she was able to give
+it.
+
+At the close she begged Lyle not to think too harshly of her or
+consider that she was altogether to blame in this matter, and
+expressed the wish that she might some day find her own friends from
+whom she had been taken.
+
+It would be impossible to describe Lyle's emotions as she finished the
+perusal of this strange letter; joy that she had finally found the
+evidence she sought, and an intense longing to see those from whom she
+had been so cruelly separated all these years, mingled with a fearful
+apprehension lest this knowledge might have come too late, when those
+whose affection she would claim, might have already passed beyond the
+limits of finite, human love, into the love infinite and eternal. And
+deep in her heart burned indignation, fierce and strong, against the
+one who had wrought all this wretchedness,--carrying additional sorrow
+to a home already bereaved, robbing her of the love that was
+rightfully hers and of the dower of a happy childhood which could
+never be restored,--all to gratify his cowardly revenge!
+
+In the midst of these reflections, Lyle suddenly recalled the promise
+she had given Jack that he should be the first to learn of her
+success. It was now time for him to be at the cabin and she would have
+an opportunity to see him before the return of the others to the
+house. Accordingly, she restored the empty box to its hiding place,
+and having concealed the most of its contents in her own room,
+started forth on her joyful errand, taking with her the tiny locket
+and the letter.
+
+As she approached the cabin she saw Jack sitting with Rex in the
+door-way and knew that he was alone. Jack, to whom her face was an
+open book, read the tidings which she had brought before they had
+exchanged a word. He rose to meet her, and looking into her radiant
+face, he said in gentle tones and with a grave smile:
+
+"You have good news! Have you found what you hoped to find?"
+
+"I have," she replied, "and you who have shared all my troubles must
+be the first sharer of my joy."
+
+Together they entered the cabin, and seated in the little, familiar
+room, Lyle told the story of her discovery, and opening the locket,
+placed it in Jack's hands.
+
+For a moment he gazed silently at the little trinket, then he said in
+low tones, as if half to himself, "It is she, and you are her child,
+as I have always believed," then added, "I rejoice with you, Lyle, I
+am glad for your sake."
+
+But even as he spoke, Lyle, notwithstanding the exuberance of her own
+joy, could not fail to observe in his face indications of poignant
+pain, as he looked at the lovely pictured face, and as she repeated
+the name inscribed opposite.
+
+"Jack!" she suddenly exclaimed, "have I made you suffer by my
+thoughtlessness? Forgive me!"
+
+"No, my dear," he answered tenderly, "you have caused me no pain; if I
+suffer, it is on account of bitter memories of which you as yet know
+nothing, and I pray you may never know. What letter have you there?"
+
+Lyle read the letter, Jack silently pacing up and down the room,
+listening, with a look of intense indignation deepening on his face,
+until she had finished.
+
+"It is as I have suspected all these years," he said, "the dastardly
+villain! the scoundrel! Thank God, it is not yet too late, there are
+those who can and will right the wrong, so far as it is possible to
+right it."
+
+At Lyle's request, they compared the picture with the photograph in
+Jack's possession; they were one and the same, except that the latter
+had been taken a few years earlier.
+
+"Jack," said Lyle earnestly, "can you tell me anything about my
+relatives? Are my grandparents living? and had my parents brothers or
+sisters?"
+
+"I have learned quite recently that your grandparents are still
+living," Jack answered slowly, after a pause, "as to the others I
+cannot say; even of your own mother I can trust myself to say but very
+little, it is too painful!"
+
+"What would you advise me to do now?" Lyle asked wistfully, but with
+slight hesitation. "What would be the best course for me to take?"
+
+With an expression unlike anything she had ever seen on his face, and
+a depth of pathos in his voice she had never heard, he replied very
+tenderly:
+
+"I can no longer advise you, my dear Lyle; take these proofs which you
+have found to Everard Houston; he can advise you now far better than
+I; show them to him, my dear, and you will have no further need of
+counsel or help from me, much as I wish it were in my power to give
+both."
+
+"To Mr. Houston?" Lyle had risen in her surprise, and stood regarding
+Jack with tearful, perplexed astonishment; there was a hidden
+significance in his words which as yet she could not fathom. "I do not
+understand you, Jack; why do you speak as though you could no more be
+to me the friend and counselor that you have been?"
+
+He smiled one of his rare, sweet smiles. "Do as I have suggested,
+dear,--then you will understand; and I shall want to see you for a few
+moments again to-night, after you have seen him."
+
+Somewhat reassured by his smile, and yet perplexed by his manner, Lyle
+left the cabin and slowly returned to the house, everything about her
+seeming unreal, as though she were walking in a dream.
+
+Miss Gladden was chatting with Morton and Ned Rutherford, and in reply
+to Lyle's question whether Mr. Houston had returned, stated that he
+was in his room, having just come up from the mines.
+
+"Thank you, I will see him just a moment," Lyle responded, passing
+into the house.
+
+"You have not heard any bad news, have you?" asked Miss Gladden
+apprehensively, noting the peculiar expression on Lyle's face.
+
+"No," the latter answered with a smile, "it is about nothing regarding
+himself that I wish to see him, only something concerning myself."
+
+The door stood open into Houston's room, and Lyle could see him
+standing by the table, arranging some papers which he proceeded to
+sort and tie up in separate parcels.
+
+In response to her light knock he glanced quickly around, and
+observing her unusual expression, advanced to meet her, thinking, as
+did Miss Gladden, that possibly she had heard something appertaining
+to the present situation of affairs at the camp.
+
+"Good evening, Lyle, come in; you look as though you were the bearer
+of important news of some kind."
+
+"I have news," she replied, "though of importance only to myself; I
+need a little counsel, and was told to come to you."
+
+"You know, Lyle, I will only be too glad to give you any advice, or
+render any assistance within my power."
+
+"Thank you," she answered, at the same time producing the little box
+and the letter. "Leslie has probably told you of the manner in which I
+learned that the proofs as to my true parentage and my own identity
+existed within this house, and of my search for them since that
+time."
+
+Houston bowed in assent.
+
+"To-day," she continued, "my search proved successful, in so far as
+that I have discovered my own name, and also the proofs that I was
+stolen by that villain, Maverick, in a spirit of retaliation and
+revenge; but I have as yet no knowledge as to who or where my friends
+may be. Naturally, I took these proofs to Jack, and asked his advice
+as to the best course to pursue, and he has sent me to you."
+
+"I am more than glad to hear this, my dear Lyle," responded Houston
+cordially; "I have always felt a great interest in you, and it will
+give me much pleasure if I can assist you in finding your friends, and
+I shall appreciate it highly if Jack has intrusted me with this
+responsibility."
+
+Taking the locket from the box, Lyle handed it, unopen, to Houston,
+saying as she did so, "This is the only clue I have by which to
+find my friends; it contains my mother's picture, and my own
+name,--Marjorie Lyle Washburn."
+
+"Washburn!" exclaimed Houston in surprise, pausing as he was about to
+open the locket. "Washburn! Marjorie Washburn! That sounds familiar,
+both those names occur in my uncle's family, his wife and his
+daughter,--ah, I recall it now, that was the name of my cousin's
+little daughter. Strange!--what! what is this?" He had opened the
+locket and was gazing in astonishment at the beautiful face.
+"This,--this is her picture, the picture of my cousin, Edna Cameron
+Washburn! What is the meaning of this?" And, unable to say anything
+further, he looked to Lyle for an explanation.
+
+She, too, was nearly speechless with astonishment. "What did you say
+was her name?" she stammered.
+
+Houston repeated the name, while a strange light began to dawn in his
+face.
+
+"She was my mother," Lyle said simply. She could say nothing more, the
+walls of the little room seemed to be whirling rapidly about her, and
+she could see nothing distinctly.
+
+Faintly, as though sounding far in the distance, she heard Houston's
+voice as he exclaimed:
+
+"Can it be possible? and yet, you resemble her! Why have I never
+thought of it before? She had a little daughter Marjorie, whom we
+always supposed was killed in the wreck in which her own life was
+lost."
+
+"And this," said Lyle, holding out the letter, but speaking with great
+effort, for the room was growing very dark, and a strange numbness
+seemed stealing over heart and brain, "this tells that I was stolen
+from the side of my dead mother who was killed in a wreck--" She could
+get no farther, and she knew nothing of his reply. A thick darkness
+seemed to envelop her, fast shutting out all sense even of life
+itself. There was a sound for an instant like the deafening roar of
+waters surging about her, and then she seemed sinking down, down into
+infinite depths, until she lost all consciousness. For the first time
+in her life she had fainted.
+
+Houston caught her as she was falling, and a moment later the little
+group outside were startled by his sudden appearance.
+
+"Leslie," he said, in quick, low tones, "you and Morton come to my
+room. Lyle has fainted."
+
+"What is the trouble, Everard?" asked Ned, springing to his feet.
+"Anything serious?"
+
+"I think not," was Houston's reply. "Her fainting was the result of
+over-excitement. Come into my room, Ned, when she has revived, I think
+I have made a discovery in which we will all be interested."
+
+When he returned Lyle was beginning to revive, though unable to speak,
+and leaving her in the care of Leslie and Morton for a few moments,
+Houston hastily scanned the letter which Lyle had given him, soon
+reading enough of its contents here and there to get a correct idea of
+the whole.
+
+Both Miss Gladden and Morton Rutherford realized that something had
+transpired out of the usual order of events. Each believed it
+connected with some discovery relating to Lyle's early history, but of
+what nature the discovery might be they had no clue.
+
+As soon as she was able to speak Houston was at her side, and she read
+in his face the confirmation of the truth which had dawned upon her
+mind as he had repeated her mother's name, but which had seemed to her
+past belief.
+
+"It is really true, and I have not been dreaming?" she asked.
+
+"It is most certainly true, my dear Lyle," Houston replied, "and I am
+very glad to find that you, who have seemed to me like a sister from
+our first acquaintance, will soon be my sister in reality."
+
+Stooping, he kissed her on the forehead, and then in reply to the
+glances of astonishment on the part of the others, he said:
+
+"Leslie, I will have to prepare you for a double surprise, and since
+we four are now members of one family, I can speak here without
+reserve. When I first won your love, my dear, it was as the salaried
+clerk of a disreputable mining company. I was old-fashioned enough to
+wish to win your love with love, to feel assured that you cared for me
+for my own sake. Lately, you have known that I was the representative
+of Mr. Cameron, of New York, but you did not know that I was Mr.
+Cameron's nephew and adopted son,--his son in all respects, excepting
+that I have not taken his name." He paused a moment, and laid his hand
+affectionately on Lyle's shoulder. "I now have a pleasant surprise for
+you both. I wish to introduce you to Marjorie Lyle Washburn, my cousin
+and my adopted sister."
+
+With a burst of tears, Miss Gladden knelt beside Lyle, throwing her
+arms about her neck, while Lyle whispered:
+
+"Dear Leslie, you have been like a sister to me in my poverty and
+loneliness. I am glad we will not be separated in the life of love and
+happiness that awaits me. We will be sisters still, more closely
+united than ever."
+
+Turning to Morton Rutherford, whose emotion seemed nearly as deep as
+Miss Gladden's, Houston said:
+
+"Morton, you remember hearing of my beautiful cousin Edna, and of the
+sad death of herself and her little daughter, as we always supposed.
+This is her daughter, and I know that when my uncle and aunt meet her,
+they will adopt her as their own daughter in her mother's place."
+
+It would be impossible to depict the scene that followed, the surprise
+and delight of Miss Gladden, or the deep joy of Morton Rutherford, but
+by and by, when they had become more calm, a knock was heard. Houston
+opened the door, and Ned Rutherford, looking in, was entirely unable
+to comprehend the scene. Houston held in his hand a small gold locket
+and a photograph which he seemed to be comparing with each other. Lyle
+looked very pale, but radiantly happy. Morton was standing near,
+while Miss Gladden still knelt at her side, her eyes overflowing with
+tears of joy.
+
+"Come in, Ned," said Houston cordially. "We want you here to complete
+the family group."
+
+Ned looked rather bewildered, as he replied: "I just wanted to inquire
+for Miss Maverick, to know if she was better."
+
+"She is much better," said Houston with a smile, but before he could
+say anything further, Morton turned toward his brother, saying in
+gentle, quiet tones, but with a look in his eye which spoke volumes to
+Ned's inner consciousness:
+
+"Ned, this is Miss Maverick no longer, but Miss Washburn, the
+grand-daughter of the Mr. Cameron whom we expect here to-morrow."
+
+Poor Ned Rutherford! If he had ever laid any claim to dignity and
+self-possession, they both deserted him now. Utterly bereft of speech,
+he stood for a moment as if petrified. Then approaching Lyle, he
+stammered:
+
+"I beg your pardon, Miss,--Miss Washburn, but that is always Mort's
+way, to spring anything on me in such a fashion as to knock me out
+completely. I beg your pardon for appearing so stupid, and I
+congratulate you on the good news, and extend you my best wishes,
+Miss----"
+
+"Oh, call me Lyle," she interrupted, with a rippling laugh. "I have a
+right to that name yet."
+
+"Is that so?" said Ned, with the air of a drowning man clutching at a
+straw. "Thank you; I'm glad that's left for a sort of land mark, you
+know. I'll call you 'Lyle' then, 'till I can get accustomed to the new
+name," and he sank in a heap in the nearest chair.
+
+The letter was read, and bitter were the denunciations against
+Maverick.
+
+"The scoundrel! He ought to be lynched this very night," said Ned.
+"That's the way they do those things out here."
+
+"Not late years, Ned," corrected his brother, "and even if they did,
+that would not be best."
+
+"It is a question with me," said Houston, "situated just as we are at
+present, and with Mr. Cameron expected in a few hours, whether it
+would be wise to do anything about this until after his arrival."
+
+"I think not," said Morton, "under the circumstances, you do not want
+to arouse the antipathy of any of the miners before Mr. Cameron's
+coming, and as Maverick knows nothing of this discovery, he will of
+course remain here, and Mr. Cameron can advise in this matter as he
+thinks best."
+
+And this was the final decision.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLII.
+
+
+A few hours later Lyle stood in the gloaming, taking leave of Jack, in
+the quaint, cozy room in the cabin, little dreaming that they stood
+there together for the last time.
+
+They had talked long and earnestly of the new life opening up before
+her, and her tears flowed fast as she recalled the happy hours they
+had spent together, or as she anticipated the days to come. Her tears
+were not the only ones, but the friendly twilight, rapidly deepening,
+concealed the others.
+
+"And to think that you have known so much of this all the time, and
+did not tell me!" she exclaimed.
+
+"It was best, my little one, best for each of us. I was constantly
+planning how I might bring this about when the right time came. That
+time has come, and as my little girl, whom I have loved as deeply as
+any one in the future can ever love her, and whom I have cherished and
+helped to the extent of my limited power, goes forth into this new
+life, I can and will rejoice in the joy, the love and the happiness
+that will be hers. And I know that amid new scenes, new friends and
+new loves, she will never quite forget the old friend and the old
+love."
+
+"Never, Jack; I could never forget you, and Everard and Morton will
+never forget you. They are coming to see you to-night. Dear Jack, why
+could you not give up this lonely life, and go with us to the east?
+We would all love you and make you one of us, and our home would be
+yours."
+
+"My dear child," he replied with a slight shudder, "you know not what
+you ask. I know the love that prompted it, but never ask it again."
+
+"Very well," said Lyle, with a sorrowful submission, "but I know what
+I can do." And she put her arms about his neck. "I will come out to
+the mountains and visit you here."
+
+Then, as he remained silent, she queried:
+
+"You would be here, wouldn't you, Jack, where I could find you?"
+
+Oh, the agony which his strong, loving heart endured! How could he
+tell her that even then he never expected to look upon her face again!
+He could not. He only said:
+
+"I cannot tell, dear, my life is an erratic and wandering one. No one,
+not even I, can say where I may be."
+
+"But you have not lived a wandering life lately; you have lived here
+for many years."
+
+"Because the lodestone, the magnet of my heart was here," he answered
+half-playfully, half-tenderly. "When that is gone, I shall be likely
+to fly off in a tangent again."
+
+"Oh, Jack, you must not talk so. I want to see you in the years to
+come. I must and I will. I feel it," she added brightly.
+
+For answer, Jack, for the first time, placed his arms about her, and
+for a moment folded her closely to his breast. Then, bending his head,
+he kissed her reverently, first on the forehead, then on the lips,
+saying, "God bless you always, my dear child!"
+
+She returned the kiss, and as he released her, she whispered:
+
+"Good-night, dear Jack!"
+
+"Good-night, my dear," he answered, adding under his breath, "and
+good-bye!"
+
+After she had gone, he sat in the gathering darkness alone, lost in
+thought. The collie, returning from attending Lyle on her homeward
+walk, divined, with keen, unerring instinct, the sorrow in his
+master's heart, and coming close, laid his head upon his knee, in
+mute sympathy and affection. His master stroked the noble head, but
+his thoughts were far away, and he was only aroused at length by the
+sound of voices, as Everard Houston and Morton Rutherford entered the
+cabin. The moon had now risen, and the little room in which he sat was
+filled with a soft, silver radiance.
+
+Jack rose to meet his guests, and his quick ear detected the vibration
+of a new emotion in Houston's voice, and as they exchanged greetings,
+there was something in the clasp of their hands that night that
+thrilled the heart of each one as never before.
+
+At heart, Jack was glad of the presence of Morton Rutherford. He
+feared that alone with Houston, after the events of that day, and in
+the light of the anticipated events of the morrow, his own emotions
+might prove too strong, weakening the perfect self-control which he
+felt he must now exercise. The presence of Rutherford acted as a
+tonic, and restored the desired equilibrium.
+
+"Mr. Houston already knows my aversion to a lamp, and if you do not
+object, Mr. Rutherford, we will sit for a while in the moonlight."
+
+"By all means," said Rutherford. "I myself dislike the glare of a
+bright light for genuine, friendly intercourse. A soft, subdued light
+is much more conducive to mutual confidence and interchange of thought
+and feeling."
+
+"Jack, my dear friend," said Houston, after a few moments of general
+conversation upon indifferent subjects, an effort on Jack's part to
+ward off the inevitable which he felt was surely coming, "You have
+added very materially to our happiness to-day, in that you have helped
+us to a happy solution of some of the mysteries that have perplexed
+us, and in doing this, have brought us all into much closer relations
+with one another."
+
+"You refer, of course, to Lyle," Jack replied, "but while I am very
+glad to have contributed to your happiness, I really deserve no credit
+therefor. I have suspected the relationship for some time, and was
+only waiting for the necessary proofs, which I felt would be found in
+good time."
+
+"But that is not the only mystery you have solved for us, or for me,"
+said Houston. "I think we now have a reason for the interest you have
+manifested in Lyle, and the kindness you have shown her; and, speaking
+for myself, I believe I have found a clue to the strange bond of
+mutual sympathy which has united us almost from our first meeting,
+even before we had exchanged one word; notwithstanding the coldness
+and reserve of your manner, I felt that back of it all you were my
+friend, and so it has proved. There has sprung up between us an
+affection which I believe to be mutual, and of a depth and power
+remarkable for such a brief acquaintance. But to-night there seems, to
+my mind, to be a reason for this, which I have been so blind as never
+to suspect."
+
+"And what may that reason be?" inquired Jack, calmly.
+
+"You will understand of course, my dear friend, as I have often said
+to you, I have no wish to question you regarding your life in the
+past, or to lead you to make any statements regarding yourself which
+you would not make freely and voluntarily; but to me it is evident
+that, although we met as strangers, you must sometime have been at
+least a trusted friend of the members of my uncle's family, if not
+more intimately connected with them."
+
+After a pause Jack replied, slowly:
+
+"As you are aware, I once knew Lyle's mother, and her memory is still
+unspeakably dear to me. I also knew the other members of Mr. Cameron's
+family, but that was all long ago in that past which is gone beyond
+recall, and to which any reference only brings the most bitter pain.
+When I learned your name and your true business here, I knew, of
+course, to what family you belonged, and I may have felt some degree
+of interest in you on that account, but the deep affection between us,
+which is, as you say, mutual, is, on my part, wholly for your own
+sake, because I knew you worthy of it. Regarding Lyle, I observed the
+wonderful resemblance between her and her mother, and it has been to
+me a source both of joy and of pain, especially of late, since it has
+grown so marked, and I have sometimes wondered that you did not
+observe it for yourself."
+
+"Now that I can see the resemblance so plainly, it seems strange that
+I did not think of it before," Houston replied. "She has always
+reminded me vaguely of some one, I could not recall whom. I can only
+account for it from the fact that I really saw my cousin Edna but
+seldom after I went to my uncle's home, as she was married very soon,
+and then we saw her only occasionally until her death, which occurred
+when I was only about twelve years of age. Consequently, my
+recollection of her was not particularly distinct. I am anticipating
+the meeting between her and my uncle and aunt,--they will recognize
+her immediately, and I am confident they will adopt her as their own
+daughter, in her mother's place."
+
+Jack started almost imperceptibly. "You do not expect Mrs. Cameron
+here with her husband?"
+
+"She will not come out with him, but she insisted on coming as far as
+Chicago, so that she would be able to reach us more readily in case of
+trouble, and I have thought to-day, since this recent discovery, that
+if the case against the company seems likely to take some time, I
+might go on to Chicago and bring her out to meet Lyle, and I would, of
+course, like her to meet Leslie, also."
+
+Jack remained silent, and withdrew a little farther into the shadow.
+It was Morton Rutherford who spoke now.
+
+"Did you not once tell me, Everard, in the old college days, that Mr.
+Cameron had lost a son also?"
+
+"Yes," said Houston, with a sigh. "That was a far heavier blow for
+them than the death of their daughter. He was their joy and pride,
+their hearts were bound up in him."
+
+"Ah," said Jack, in a voice almost cold in its even calmness. "I
+remember that Miss Cameron,--as I knew her,--had a brother. Is he also
+dead?"
+
+"We are compelled to believe that he must be dead," Houston answered,
+after a pause, in a tone of deep sadness. "He left home soon after his
+sister's death, and we have never heard from him since, though his
+parents searched for him, not in this country alone, but in others as
+well."
+
+"I beg your pardon for having alluded to it, Everard," said
+Rutherford, "you never told me the particulars, and I did not realize
+they were so painful."
+
+"No apologies are necessary among us three friends," Houston replied.
+"Guy's parents and I are the only living human beings who know, or
+ever will know, the reason for his leaving as he did. My uncle spent
+vast sums of money and employed detectives all over the world in his
+efforts to find him, and to let him know that the old home was open to
+him, and would always be just what it had been in the past. But it was
+of no avail, we could not even get any tidings of him, and uncle, long
+ago, gave him up for dead, though Aunt Marjorie believes that he is
+still living, and that he will yet return."
+
+"The faith of a good woman is sometimes simply sublime," replied
+Rutherford, "and a mother's love is something wonderful. To me it
+seems the nearest divine of anything we meet on earth."
+
+There was no response from the figure sitting motionless in the
+shadow. At that moment it required all the force of his tremendous
+will power to stem the current of almost uncontrollable emotion,
+surging across his soul.
+
+But the moments passed, other topics were introduced and discussed,
+and Jack joined in the conversation as calmly as the others.
+
+"I suppose," he remarked, as, a little later, he accompanied his
+guests to the door, "I suppose that before this time to-morrow, Mr.
+Cameron will have already arrived at the camp?"
+
+"Yes," Houston replied, "we expect him over on the evening train, with
+Van Dorn."
+
+As Houston and Rutherford took leave of Jack, there was something in
+his manner, something in the long, lingering hand-clasp which seemed
+more like a farewell than like a simple good-night, at which they
+silently wondered.
+
+Could they have looked in upon him an hour later, they would have
+understood the cause. Silently he moved about the room, gathering
+together the few little keepsakes among his possessions which he most
+prized. These he placed in a small gripsack which he carefully locked,
+saying to himself, as he looked around the room with a sigh, "Mike can
+have the rest."
+
+Then going to the window, he stood looking out upon the calm, moonlit
+scene, which for many years had been the only home he had known.
+
+"This is my last night here," he soliloquized, "my work here is done.
+After to-morrow, Everard Houston will need me no longer, everything in
+which I can render him assistance is now done, and his friends will
+afford him all needed protection. Lyle has found her own, her future
+is provided for. The wrongs which I have witnessed for years in
+silence, will be righted without any assistance of mine. There is
+nothing more for me to do, and to-morrow I will start forth on the
+old, wandering life again."
+
+His head dropped lower; he was thinking deeply.
+
+"He said the old home was open, and would always be what it had been
+in the past. Home! What would that not mean now, after all these
+years! But that was long ago. I am dead to them now,--dead and
+forgotten. They will be happy with their new-found daughter, and
+Everard will be to them as a son, their happiness will be complete,
+and I will not mar it by any reminders of the wretched past."
+
+He glanced upward at the surrounding peaks.
+
+"To-morrow I go forth again into the mountains,--those towers of
+refuge and strength,--and in their soothing solitudes I shall once
+more find peace!"
+
+Then he retired. But to Jack, resting for the last time in his cabin
+home, to those then peacefully sleeping in the little mining camp, or
+to the others speeding westward through the night, on the wings of
+steam, there came no vision, no thought of what the morrow was, in
+reality, to bring.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIII.
+
+
+Tuesday morning dawned,--a day never to be forgotten in the history of
+the little mining camp, or in the lives of many outsiders as well.
+
+A strange thrill of subdued excitement ran through the little group,
+assembled before breakfast in the porch, as they realized that the day
+to which they had looked forward with varying anticipations had at
+last arrived; and there was, unconsciously, a look of watchful
+expectancy on every face.
+
+Even Nature herself seemed in sympathy with them. For a few days the
+heat had been intense, devouring with its scorching breath every
+vestige of verdure on the mountain sides and foothills, and leaving
+them dull and dun. On this particular morning the heat seemed more
+terrible than ever, and there was not a breath of air stirring to cool
+the oppressive atmosphere. The earth and sky were suffused with a
+bright, red light, which gradually died away into a dim, purplish
+haze, through which the sun ascended like a ball of fire; while every
+blade and leaf hung motionless, as if awaiting breathlessly the coming
+of some great catastrophe.
+
+"This portends a storm," said Houston, as he watched the strange
+phenomena.
+
+"Yes," added Morton Rutherford, "an electric storm, and, if I am not
+mistaken, a very severe one."
+
+"How strange!" exclaimed Leslie, in a low tone, to Lyle, "everything
+is so hushed and still; it seems as if the elements, like ourselves,
+were just waiting."
+
+"I don't like it," Lyle answered, "it seems ominous," and she
+shuddered visibly.
+
+There was little breakfast eaten that morning, and the group of
+friends adjourned to the porch on the pretext of watching the weather,
+thereby attracting the attention of Haight, who still remained at the
+table.
+
+"What's in the wind now, I wonder," he soliloquized.
+
+"There was some kind of excitement here last evening, and everybody
+seems on the qui vive this morning. I guess I'd better look into
+this," and calling Minty to him, he gave her a quarter, with his most
+insinuating smile, saying in low tones:
+
+"You find out to-day, if you can, whether there's anything unusual
+going on among those folks out there, and let me know."
+
+She pocketed the money with her customary giggle, as she responded,
+nodding her head emphatically, "You jest betcher life I will."
+
+Haight then departed for the mills, and Houston soon after left for
+the mines, while an hour or two later Morton Rutherford, taking one of
+the horses, rode leisurely in the direction of the Y, where he was to
+await a telegram from Van Dorn, immediately upon the arrival of the
+Eastern train at Silver City.
+
+In due time the message came, in cipher:
+
+  "Party arrived all right; over on evening train."
+
+To which Rutherford replied as follows:
+
+  "All quiet here. Will wire later if anything occurs."
+
+Then starting on his return up the canyon, he urged his horse forward
+with all possible speed, conscious that the most critical time was now
+approaching, and fully decided regarding his course of action on
+reaching the camp.
+
+At the mines, Houston found everything progressing as usual, the work
+going forward in the same unending, monotonous routine.
+
+At the Silver City office of the mining company, however, the greatest
+excitement was prevailing. Having been utterly unable to obtain any
+clue as to the whereabouts or the intentions of Mr. Cameron, the
+mining company, to guard against being taken wholly by surprise, had
+devised a new scheme. Every morning had found Mr. Wilson seated on the
+early train which left Silver City for the East at five A. M., and
+which was sidetracked at a small station about ninety miles distant,
+to give the right of way to the regular, West-bound Pacific Express.
+Here both trains stopped for about fifteen minutes, affording Mr.
+Wilson ample opportunity to pass through the West-bound train, and
+satisfy himself whether or not there were any old acquaintances
+aboard. Failing to find the party for whom he was seeking, he himself
+returned to Silver City on the same train.
+
+On this particular morning, however, upon cautiously entering one of
+the sleepers, he had seen, seated in one section, apparently in close
+consultation, three gentlemen, one of whom he immediately recognized
+as Mr. Cameron. Opposite and facing him, was an elderly man whose face
+Mr. Wilson was unable to see, but the back of whose head presented a
+severely judicial appearance, while at Mr. Cameron's right was seated
+the English expert who had come out early in the season with Mr.
+Winters' party. Evidently, Mr, Cameron was en route for the mines.
+
+Mr. Wilson had hastily retreated, and, stopping at the little station
+only just long enough to send a wire to the company, had returned to
+the east-bound train, to continue his journey indefinitely, which had
+not been a part of the programme prepared by the officers of the said
+company in common with their various other plans. But Mr. Wilson had
+suddenly come to the conclusion that there were other localities
+better suited to his health just at that particular time than the
+great and glorious North West which had so long been his favorite
+theme, and whose praises he had so persistently sung.
+
+It was about ten o'clock when Mr. Wilson's telegram, announcing his
+discovery, reached the Silver City office, creating general
+consternation. After a hurried consultation, numerous papers and
+documents were hastily stored in a private vault belonging to the
+officers of the company, a dispatch was sent out over their private
+wire to Haight, informing him of the situation and giving certain
+instructions; after which Mr. Blaisdell and a confidential clerk
+betook themselves to the depot to await the arrival of the Pacific
+Express. Concealing themselves among the crowd, they watched Mr.
+Cameron and his associates as they left the train, and having waited
+till they were safely ensconced within a carriage, ready to start for
+their hotel, Mr. Blaisdell then ordered his clerk to take another
+carriage and follow them, remaining at the hotel long enough to
+ascertain all he possibly could concerning their movements, after
+which he was to report at the office.
+
+Turning once more toward the crowd, Mr. Blaisdell expected to meet Mr.
+Wilson, but to his astonishment and perplexity, he was nowhere to be
+seen. From the conductor, however, who had thought Mr. Wilson's
+conduct rather peculiar, he learned the facts in the case.
+
+"Yes, sir," said that individual in conclusion, swinging himself on to
+the departing train, "if that's the man you're looking for, he's
+vamoosed sure, and judging by the way he got aboard that train, he'll
+be traveling for some time to come."
+
+Great was the indignation of the remaining officers of the company on
+learning of the sudden departure of their worthy president, and it was
+not lessened when, upon investigation at the office, it was discovered
+that Mr. Wilson had not only relieved the company of his presence, but
+of all the available funds in their private vault as well, which, at
+that time, happened to be considerable; nevertheless, for obvious
+reasons, it was decided best to say nothing about it for a few days.
+
+The clerk, on his return from the hotel, stated that none of Mr.
+Cameron's party had registered, but had gone immediately to their
+rooms, where they had ordered a private lunch served. He had seen
+nothing more of them, but had seen Van Dorn there, however, and upon
+inquiry had learned that he had been there since the preceding day,
+apparently waiting for some one, evidently this party, as, immediately
+upon their arrival, he had sent a cipher dispatch to some one at the
+Y; and one of the party had been heard to inquire quite particularly
+at what time the evening train would leave Silver City for Cokeville,
+a small station near the Y.
+
+It was evident that Van Dorn was in league with Mr. Cameron's party,
+and that they intended going out to the camp that evening; prompt
+action was necessary. A message was sent to Haight, and after his
+reply, it was decided that desperate measures were also necessary.
+
+While Morton Rutherford was leisurely riding toward the Y, Haight,
+sitting at his desk in his dingy, stifling office, suddenly heard his
+name clicked by the little telegraphic instrument near him. Having
+given the usual signal in return, the following message came over the
+wire with peremptory haste:
+
+  "Get everything in readiness at once; Cameron coming on eastern
+  train with mining expert and attorney. Get everything ready for
+  the final touch and await further instructions in about two
+  hours."
+
+Haight sprang to his feet, and calling one of the men, ordered, "Send
+Maverick to me as quickly as you can."
+
+In a few moments the slouching figure of Maverick stood in the
+door-way.
+
+"Come in, Jim, and shut that door," said Haight, in a quick, decisive
+tone that Maverick knew meant business.
+
+"Jim, in what shape is the powder in those mines? How long would it
+take to get everything ready for action?"
+
+Maverick's eyes gleamed; here evidently was to be a piece of work such
+as he enjoyed!
+
+"The powder's all there," he replied, "all there, jest in the right
+places, an' all there is ter do is ter lay the trains 'round there an'
+fix a few fuses; 'twouldn't take more'n half an hour, or sech a
+matter."
+
+"Think you could get it all done at noon, while the men are away?"
+
+"Yes, easy."
+
+"Very well, now listen; you are to get everything ready so that it
+will be nothing but 'a touch and a go,' as soon as I say the word,
+understand? Get everything ready this noon, give the men warning that
+there's going to be some blasting, and then, as quick as you've had
+your dinner, you be around here prompt, and stay within sight of this
+room till I send you word to quit. You know the rest, what directions
+Blaisdell left the last time he was here; you know what you're to wait
+for, and if you get a signal from me, you know what you're to do."
+
+"You bet I do, and I'll do a damned good job, too," Maverick replied,
+with a grin; "but what's the signal, boss?"
+
+"Let me see, I want something you'll recognize without any trouble,
+and that nobody else would notice, or think meant anything. Where will
+you be?"
+
+"Out there, behind them rocks; I can see your winders plain from
+there."
+
+"Yes, but if I made you any signal there, or put anything in the
+window, others would see it as well as yourself."
+
+"I'll tell you what, boss," said Maverick, glancing at the window on
+the right of Haight's desk, where hung an old, dilapidated shade,
+which had been lowered its full length in an effort to keep out the
+intolerable heat, "you let that there shade hang jest as it is till
+you want me, and when I see that yanked up, I'll know what it means,
+and you'll hear from me in jest about ten minits at the latest. But
+say, boss, what's all this racket about, anyhow? Some o' them eastern
+chaps comin' out here?"
+
+"That's none of your business, Jim," said Haight in a joking way, "you
+attend to what you've been told, and don't meddle with what don't
+concern you."
+
+"Is old Cameron comin' out here?" persisted Maverick, with an
+expression of fear and hatred combined, visible in his countenance.
+
+"Cameron!" exclaimed Haight, with a slight start, and wondering at
+Maverick's appearance, "What do you know about him?"
+
+"I know he owns these 'ere mines, damn him!" answered Maverick
+doggedly.
+
+"Do you! Well, that's enough, go along, you're not interested in
+Cameron."
+
+"Ain't I though!" said Maverick with a snarl and an oath, the hatred
+and wrath increasing in his face; "Me'n him has got an old score to
+settle yet. I only wisht he was a goin' ter be in them mines this
+afternoon. When's he comin'?"
+
+"I don't know," answered Haight shortly, "probably before very long
+though."
+
+"When you git word he's comin' I wan'ter know it, that's all," growled
+Maverick.
+
+"Well," said Haight, beginning to lose his temper, "when you see that
+curtain raised, you may know he's coming, and pretty damned quick too;
+now get out of the way, and attend to your business. Remember I've
+told you to give the men warning."
+
+"Yes," said Maverick, with a leer, "'specially the new superintendent,
+you'd like me ter give 'im an extra warnin' I s'pose."
+
+There was a corresponding leer on Haight's face, as he replied with a
+peculiar grimace,
+
+"You've had your orders; if you are particularly anxious to give
+anybody an extra warning, go ahead!"
+
+With a low, cruel laugh, Maverick withdrew, and a few moments later
+was shuffling along in the direction of the mines intent upon the work
+of destruction assigned to him, his face distorted with mingled fear
+and rage, his usually dull eyes gleaming with the fires of revenge.
+
+Haight hastened to the house to take a hurried dinner, and having
+learned from Minty that Morton Rutherford had gone to the Y, he again
+charged her to immediately report to him whatever she might learn, and
+returned to the office to await further instructions from the
+company.
+
+To Houston, constantly on the alert for danger signals, Haight's
+hurried and excited manner was the first indication of approaching
+trouble. It was evident that the company had received some inkling of
+impending danger, but of the extent of their information, or the
+nature of their communications with Haight, he had no means of
+ascertaining. Stating that he wished to see Morton Rutherford
+immediately upon his return, and that he would be at the Yankee Boy,
+near the entrance to the incline shaft, he hastened back to the mines
+at an earlier hour than usual.
+
+Finding Jack and Mike who had already returned, he told them of his
+surmises, and arranged a set of signals,--a certain number of blows on
+the rocks above them,--whereby he would give them warning if he found
+indications of immediate danger, upon which they were to make their
+escape in an opposite direction, by means of a tunnel, designated as
+tunnel No. 3, where he would speedily join them.
+
+On returning to the shaft, he found the majority of the men returning
+to their work as usual, Maverick having given them no warning, partly
+through his own cowardice, and partly through a determination that
+Houston should have no hint of what was to follow.
+
+Meanwhile, the long threatened storm was rapidly approaching with
+signs of unusual severity. Heavy clouds had obscured the sun and were,
+moment by moment, growing denser and blacker, while the heat was, if
+possible, more intense than before. There was that ominous calm that
+presages the coming of the tempest, while the air grew oppressive
+almost to suffocation. In the distant canyons, far up among the
+mountains, could be heard the muffled roaring of the wind, while the
+branches began to sway occasionally under the first hot breath of the
+approaching hurricane, which seemed like a blast from a furnace.
+
+On through the fast-gathering storm rode Morton Rutherford, urging
+forward his foam-covered horse, feeling by a certain, unerring
+intuition, that that ride through the winding canyon was a race
+between life and death. Having reached the camp, and left his
+dripping, panting horse at the stables, he walked rapidly on to the
+house, arriving shortly after Houston had left, and just in time to
+meet Maverick, hurrying to the house for a bit of food, his work of
+preparation having taken longer than he anticipated.
+
+One look at his malignant, demon-like face convinced Rutherford that
+he had arrived none too early, and that his own plans must be put in
+execution very soon.
+
+Pausing only long enough to exchange a few words with his brother and
+the ladies, in reply to their eager questions, he hurried on to the
+mines, he and they all unaware of a figure skulking behind him, in the
+fast-deepening gloom, in the direction of the mills. From an open
+window, aided by the peculiar condition of the atmosphere in those
+altitudes before a storm, which transmits the slightest sound with
+wonderful distinctness, Minty had overheard most of the conversation,
+and was hastening to fulfill her contract with Haight.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIV.
+
+
+Morton Rutherford was not the only one who had observed the
+expression on Maverick's face. To Lyle it seemed she had never seen
+such venomous malignity as was in the look which he gave her.
+Stepping into the dining room a few moments after Morton had left, she
+heard imprecations and curses mingled with her own name and that of
+Mr. Cameron, and realized at once that their secret was known; then,
+as he hastily left the house, she heard a few words of bitter hatred
+which would have no special meaning to his wife, but which Lyle,
+knowing what Houston and his friends had been anticipating for the
+last few days, readily understood.
+
+The wind was now raging down the canyon with terrific force, but Lyle
+had but one thought, to warn those whom she loved and save them from
+danger. Catching up a light wrap which she threw about her shoulders,
+she rushed out of the house, passing Miss Gladden and Ned, who were in
+the porch watching the storm, and who tried to detain her.
+
+"Lyle, what is the matter? Where are you going?" they cried.
+
+"To the mines!" Lyle answered, raising her voice above the roar of the
+storm; "They are going to fire the mines, and they are all there,
+Morton and Everard and Jack. I must warn them if I can!"
+
+"Lyle, come back!" shouted Ned, "let me go!"
+
+She shook her head; "I must go, I know the mines," she cried, and
+turning ran down the road, battling with the terrific wind, and was
+out of sight, almost before they realized what had happened.
+
+Meanwhile, Morton Rutherford had found Houston without difficulty.
+"They are coming, Everard," he announced, in a low tone, "they will
+be here to-night. What are the indications here?"
+
+"I judge from Haight's manner, that word of some kind has been
+received from headquarters, but just what is to be done, or whether
+there is any immediate danger, I cannot yet tell."
+
+"I am going over to Haight's office for a few moments," said
+Rutherford, "I may catch some message from the company that will show
+us the situation."
+
+"Just what I was intending to suggest," said Houston.
+
+"You will remain here until I come back?"
+
+"Yes, unless I should detect some certain signs of danger; in that
+case I shall warn the men, and shall start for tunnel No. 3, that part
+of the mine will be safe for a while, in any event."
+
+"Very well, you will probably hear from me within twenty or thirty
+minutes," and Rutherford started for the mills.
+
+Haight, on returning to the office from dinner, waited some little
+time for the expected dispatch. At last it came:
+
+  "Cameron just arrived with Englishman, Lindlay, and attorney;
+  going out to the mines on evening train. Are at Arlington Hotel,
+  Van Dorn at same hotel and in telegraphic communication with some
+  one at the Y. There is a conspiracy somewhere; what do you know?
+  Answer at once; is everything ready?"
+
+He was still studying the contents of the telegram, wondering just
+what the conspiracy might mean, when Minty slyly entered, and by means
+of the information she had secured, furnished him the needed key to
+the situation. In a few moments the following answer was returned:
+
+  "The truth is out; have just discovered Houston is Cameron's
+  nephew, out here in his interests; Van Dorn et al. working with
+  him. Cameron coming out to-night for the grand coup. Everything is
+  ready awaiting your orders."
+
+Just as the message was sent, Maverick passed on his way to his post,
+and seeing him, Haight stepped to the door and called him:
+
+"I say, Jim, I've learned the truth at last about that superintendent
+of ours, damn him! You seemed so interested in old Cameron this
+morning, I thought you'd like to know that it has turned out that this
+Houston is his nephew."
+
+"Houston, old man Cameron's nephew!" gasped Maverick, with a terrible
+oath, and growing fairly livid, "How'd ye get onto that?"
+
+"No matter how, Jim, but it seems he's been out here all summer
+getting onto some of our little business ways and reporting to the old
+man, and now he's got the old fellow out here to see the fun. Never
+mind, Jim, I guess the fun will be on the other side after all. I'll
+attend to my business and you'll attend to yours, but I thought you'd
+go at it with a better relish after this little piece of news."
+
+Maverick passed on his way, regardless of the storm, incapable of
+coherent speech, muttering oaths and curses intermingled with the
+vilest epithets, Haight watching him with a grim smile for a few
+moments. Then going back to his office, he had but just reseated
+himself at his desk, when Morton Rutherford entered the outer room.
+"Damn him! what is he sneaking around here for?" Haight soliloquized,
+at the same time hastily transferring a revolver from his desk to his
+pocket, "I'll spoil that mug of his if he attempts any funny business
+here."
+
+This movement was seen by Rutherford, who was watching him closely,
+but he appeared to take no notice of it and entered the office as
+usual, with a civil greeting to Haight. The latter sprang to his feet,
+taking his position close by the shaded window, his right hand
+grasping the revolver in his pocket.
+
+Rutherford's lips curled with scorn and contempt as he looked at
+Haight; he saw there could be no semblance of civility between them,
+it was to be open war.
+
+"You are a coward!" he said.
+
+"And you are a sneak," Haight hissed in reply, "prying around here
+when you had better be minding your own business."
+
+"Let me tell you that I am attending to my own business, and you will
+find before you are much older, that I have more right here than
+you."
+
+For a moment Haight hesitated, astonished by Rutherford's words and
+manner, then was about to make some reply, when the click of the
+instrument attracted his attention. Keeping his eye on Rutherford, he
+gave the answering signal with his left hand, then listened intently
+for the message. It came, containing the final orders and the farewell
+words of the Silver City office:
+
+  "Send the mines to hell, and Houston and his crowd with them. Look
+  out for yourself. Good-bye."
+
+In his interest in the message, Haight seemed, for an instant, to have
+partially forgotten Rutherford's presence, his eyes dropped toward the
+instrument, and in that instant, Rutherford cleared the space between
+them at a bound, gripping Haight firmly with one hand, while with the
+other he knocked the revolver which Haight had hastily drawn, half way
+across the room. With a single blow he knocked Haight to the floor,
+partially stunning him, but as he regained his senses, he rolled over
+towards the window, and with a strength born of desperation, struggled
+to his knees, and before Rutherford realized what he was trying to do,
+the shade flew upward to the top of the window. Even then, Rutherford
+would have thought little of it, had not Haight betrayed himself by a
+leer of fiendish triumph. In an instant Rutherford understood that it
+had been some pre-arranged signal.
+
+"You cowardly villain!" he exclaimed, and pausing only long enough to
+give him a blow which left him unconscious on the floor, he rushed
+forth into the darkness and fury of the storm, in the direction of the
+mines.
+
+As he did so, he stumbled against a small boy, running even more
+swiftly in the same direction.
+
+"Mister, Mister Houston! is that you?" rang out Bull-dog's voice,
+above the storm.
+
+"No, my boy, I am going to find Mr. Houston, to save him if I can."
+
+"Oh, sir, let me go! I know about it, they're goin' to fire the mines,
+I heerd Jake say so, and I was a goin' to find Mister Houston myself;
+I'll get there quicker, 'n I know the mine better 'n you."
+
+"But, my boy, you risk your own life," said Rutherford.
+
+"Never mind that, sir; Mister Houston, he's been my friend, 'n his
+life's worth more'n mine anyhow; I'll risk it," and he was already
+rushing on ahead, shouting back to Rutherford, "You go to the tunnels,
+sir, you can help him there."
+
+"Tell him the signal has been given!" called Rutherford, and Bull-dog,
+swinging his ragged hat in reply, sped swiftly on through the raging
+wind.
+
+Rutherford paused for a moment, then started in the direction of the
+tunnels. At that instant, Lyle, still struggling against the fury of
+the wind, had just reached the ground surrounding the mines; in a few
+seconds more she would have been within the fatal boundary line, but
+Bull-dog's voice, as he rushed past, warned her back.
+
+"Go back, go back, Miss Lyle! they've given the signal to fire the
+mines, I'm goin' to warn 'em; don't be afraid, I'll save 'em, Mister
+Houston and Jack," and with these words, he rushed on, disappearing
+through the incline shaft.
+
+Lyle retreated a few steps, and then paused, looking wildly about her,
+dreading, expecting, she scarcely knew what.
+
+Suddenly the darkness seemed divided by a blinding flash, which spread
+into a sheet of flame, enveloping her within its lurid folds, while
+peal after peal of deafening thunder crashed and roared about her, and
+the lightning flashed and gleamed till it seemed as if earth and sky
+were commingled in one mass of flaming combat.
+
+Scarcely had the blinding flashes died in darkness, and the
+reverberations of the thunder still echoed and re-echoed among the
+surrounding mountains, when the earth began to rock and vibrate
+beneath her feet; there was the sound of a terrific explosion, she
+felt for an instant a strange sensation as if floating through the
+air,--then she knew nothing more; she had been thrown to the ground,
+unconscious, by the shock.
+
+Meanwhile, down the rough, narrow road, leading to the mines, Leslie
+Gladden and Ned Rutherford were making their way, having started
+immediately after Lyle, but unaccustomed to the furious mountain
+storms and unfamiliar with the road, they made slow progress in the
+darkness and tempest.
+
+"Miss Gladden, this is too hard for you," said Ned, as they paused
+once, gasping for breath, "I don't believe it is safe either, you
+ought never to have come."
+
+"What do I care for difficulty or danger?" she replied, "Think of Lyle
+going through this storm alone; I only pray she may not have been too
+late!"
+
+Scarcely had she finished speaking, when, without an instant's
+warning, the timber through which they were passing suddenly seemed
+one mass of blinding flame, while almost simultaneously came the
+deafening crash of the thunder.
+
+"Great Heavens! that must have struck awfully near us!" exclaimed Ned,
+but no cry escaped from Leslie's lips, as, shuddering, she clasped his
+arm more closely and struggled bravely on.
+
+It was not until a few seconds later, when there came the sound of the
+terrible explosion, followed by the bursting and crashing of the
+rocks, while the ground quivered and trembled as though shaken by an
+earthquake, that, for an instant, her courage failed, and with a low
+cry, she sank to the ground, shivering with horror. But only for an
+instant, and then she rose to her feet, dizzy and trembling from the
+shock, but brave and determined as ever.
+
+"Come," she said hoarsely, "we must hasten; perhaps we can help them
+in some way, even if we are too late to save them."
+
+Speechless from a horrible, sickening realization of all which that
+terrible shock might mean to those whom they were striving to save,
+Ned silently helped her forward. They had gone but a few steps, when
+there suddenly burst upon the dark and stormy heavens a dull, red
+glare, which grew brighter moment by moment, and on emerging from the
+timber into the open ground, a frightful scene met their gaze.
+
+Dense clouds of smoke were pouring from the shafts of the nearest
+mine, while, at a little distance, could be seen the mills, their
+whole interior already ablaze with light. In that end of the buildings
+containing the sorting rooms and Haight's office, the fire was raging,
+having come in contact with quantities of chemicals which had
+increased its fury.
+
+"Great Cæsar!" ejaculated Ned, "the mills were struck, and are on
+fire."
+
+But Leslie uttered a sharp cry, and ran swiftly down the path to where
+Lyle lay unconscious, followed quickly by Ned.
+
+"Poor child, poor child!" she moaned, "oh, merciful heaven, she came
+too late, and they are all lost!"
+
+Then, as she knelt beside the unconscious form, there came another
+terrific explosion, which seemed to jar even the rocks about them to
+their very foundations, while from the already smoking shafts, the
+flames now issued, towering higher and higher, and adding new terror
+to the scene.
+
+Men were seen running from all directions, from the distant groups of
+mines, rushing to the burning mills, where the little fire corps
+belonging to the camp, were already engaged in a futile battle with
+the flames; but around the Yankee Boy mine there was no sign of life.
+
+The rain now began to descend in torrents, and the first dash of the
+storm seemed to revive Lyle, whom Leslie and Ned had raised to a
+sitting posture in their efforts to restore her to consciousness.
+Slowly she opened her eyes with a bewildered look, then springing to
+her feet, still weak and trembling, but resolute and determined, she
+gazed about her at the flaming shafts and burning mills, and suddenly
+cried,
+
+"Oh, I can remember now! I remember it all, it has come back to
+me,--the terrible wreck, the burning cars all around us, and my mother
+crushed in the wreck; then the people carried us out and they put me
+down beside her, lying so white and still, and then,--then that
+villain came and took me away,--I can see it all," and she
+shuddered.
+
+Then looking at Leslie and Ned, who were watching her with startled
+faces, she seemed trying to recall the present situation. Before
+either of them could speak, however, there came the report of another
+explosion, more distant and deeper underground than any that had yet
+occurred, and the sound seemed to bring back to Lyle the memory of her
+last moments of consciousness before the first terrible shock, while
+the faces of her companions were blanched with terror.
+
+"I know now," she exclaimed quickly, "I was too late, but Bull-dog
+warned them, and they are probably safe; we must go to the tunnels,
+they will make their escape there, and we may help them."
+
+She ran swiftly down the path leading the way, while they followed
+only too gladly, their hearts filled with new hope.
+
+The men, finding it impossible to check the flames at the mills, were
+flocking in the direction of the Yankee group of mines. Fearing,
+however, to approach very near the scene of danger, they gathered in
+groups here and there, while a company of wretched women, the wives
+and daughters of the few married men who worked in the fated mines,
+ran hither and thither, sobbing and wringing their hands in their
+agony of fear and suspense for their own loved ones. Seeing Lyle
+leading the way to the tunnels, they all, men and women, followed in
+the same direction.
+
+The fury of the storm had passed; a heavy rain was still falling, but
+the wind had subsided, and the clouds had lifted and were already
+breaking away.
+
+Arriving at the tunnels, they found a crowd of men, among them a
+number who had made their escape from the mines. The hearts of Ned
+Rutherford and Lyle throbbed with joy as they descried Morton standing
+among the crowd, but Lyle's heart sank again with sickening dread as
+she saw no signs of Everard Houston or of Jack, while Leslie Gladden
+moaned in despair. Morton Rutherford was unhurt, except for a few
+bruises from flying rocks, and he was pleading with some of the men,
+and offering large sums of money to any one or two who would go with
+him into the tunnel in search of Houston and some of the missing men.
+
+"Mr. Houston told me that this part of the mine would be safe for some
+time," he shouted, "and I will pay a thousand dollars to any one who
+will go with me as guide."
+
+For a moment no one responded, then one of the men who had escaped,
+spoke,
+
+"No sir, I wouldn't go back in that there mine for five thousand
+dollars, I'm out, an' I stays out," while another added, "'Twouldn't
+be of no use, sir; mos' likely he was catched in some o' them
+cave-ins; he stopped to give us all warnin' an' he was about the last
+one to start."
+
+"Cowards!" exclaimed Lyle, stepping forth among them with blazing
+eyes, "he risked his life to save yours, and you will not even try to
+save him. Morton," she added, turning toward her lover, "I know every
+step of the tunnels, and I will go with you."
+
+The men slunk back like whipped curs, but made no response. The miners
+employed by the company throughout this group of mines were of the
+lowest class, and they were none too friendly to Houston, while the
+better class of men employed in the other mines were not familiar with
+these workings.
+
+Morton Rutherford advanced to meet Lyle; "My darling," he said, in low
+tones, "I cannot allow you to subject yourself to danger."
+
+"I would rather share the danger with you," she replied proudly,
+"besides we must save them."
+
+"I will go, too," said Ned eagerly, "I surely can help."
+
+Lyle was about to suggest that he remain with Miss Gladden, but Leslie
+herself interposed.
+
+"No, no, I do not need him," she said earnestly, "I would suffer no
+more waiting alone, and he may do much good."
+
+At that instant, two young men from another group of mines stepped
+forward; "If you please, sir," said one of them, "we don't want no
+money, and we can't act as guides, not being acquainted with the lay
+of things around here, but we'd like to help you, for we like Mr.
+Houston, and we're his friends."
+
+Their offer was gladly accepted, and preparations were hastily and
+silently made by the little party. Wet cloths and sponges were
+fastened across the lower portion of their faces, to prevent their
+inhaling the smoke and gases, while ropes were securely tied about
+their waists, the ends of which were to be held by persons on the
+outside. A frequent jerking of the rope would assure those outside
+that all was right in the tunnel, but a suspension of the jerking
+would indicate that that person had been overcome by the gases, and he
+would be immediately drawn out to the fresh air, by those at the outer
+end of the line.
+
+Pausing only for a bright smile of encouragement to Leslie, Lyle led
+the way into the tunnel, followed by Morton and Ned, the two miners
+bringing up the rear, and all disappeared in the subterranean
+darkness.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLV.
+
+
+When Bull-dog's voice rang out above the storm, with its warning to
+Lyle, Houston, standing near the entrance of the shaft, alert,
+watchful for the first indication of danger, heard the words
+distinctly and acted instantly.
+
+Having given the usual danger signal, he shouted, "To the tunnels,
+boys, for your lives! The mine has been fired, go to the tunnels!"
+
+On returning from giving the agreed signal to Jack and Mike, he heard
+Bull-dog's voice above him in the shaft, calling his name and shouting
+the warning.
+
+"Come, my boy," shouted Houston in return, "we'll start for the
+tunnels."
+
+"Yes sir, I'm a comin', I know the way, but don't you wait fer me
+'cause you may git catched."
+
+"I shall not leave you, Bull-dog, we'll go together," Houston
+answered, waiting for the little figure gliding swiftly toward him in
+the darkness.
+
+Suddenly the rocks by which they were surrounded began to quiver and
+vibrate; there was a deafening roar followed by a terrific crash, and
+an instant later, a mass of loosened rock was tearing its way through
+the shaft.
+
+"Cling to the wall, Bull-dog," shouted Houston, at the same time
+seizing a projecting ledge with a vise-like grip, and swinging himself
+upward, where he hung by his hands and wrists. It was a horrible
+position, but his powerful, athletic muscles bore the strain until the
+grinding, tearing mass had passed, and he dropped, scratched and
+bruised, but otherwise unhurt, to the ground.
+
+As he did so, he heard a faint moan, and hastening in the direction
+from whence it came, found Bull-dog, who, unable to spring high enough
+to escape the passing rocks, had been swept along and partially buried
+under the debris that followed.
+
+"My boy, are you hurt?" asked Houston, bending over him in the
+darkness, and removing as fast as possible the mass of crushed and
+broken rock under which he lay.
+
+"Not much, I guess," replied the little, familiar voice, in tones that
+tried to be brave and cheery, but which quivered with pain, "I tried
+to hold on, Mister Houston, but that big rock was a little too much
+fer me."
+
+As Houston at last freed him, the little fellow tried to rise, but
+sank quickly back, with an involuntary cry:
+
+"I guess I'm done fer--Mister Houston," he gasped faintly, "but I
+don't care--if you only--get out safe."
+
+The smoke and gases were now pouring down the shaft, and Houston
+realized that there was no time to be lost. Very tenderly he lifted
+the little form in his arms, and began, as rapidly as possible, the
+descent of the shaft, groping his way amid the rocks, toward the cut
+leading to the tunnels, through which he hoped to escape.
+
+The motion roused Bull-dog who had fainted. "Mister Houston," he
+cried, "don't mind me--I wanted to save you, and I guess you can make
+it yet, if you hurry and don't bother with me; I won't mind bein' left
+here, 'cause I'll know then that you're safe."
+
+"Don't you worry, my boy," replied Houston, and his own voice
+trembled, "we'll reach daylight all right, but we'll reach it
+together; I'll never leave you."
+
+There was no reply except a contented, confiding nestling of the
+little head against Houston's shoulder; then, as a second explosion
+thundered above them, jarring the foundations of the rocks once more,
+he murmured drowsily, "There she goes again," and sank into
+unconsciousness.
+
+The smoke was now so stifling that Houston was obliged to go upon his
+hands and knees, carrying Bull-dog in one arm; his progress was
+necessarily slow, but to his great joy he succeeded in finding the cut
+leading to tunnel No. 3; then, to his horror, he discovered that the
+entrance was blocked by a mass of earth and loose rock which had caved
+in.
+
+Laying Bull-dog carefully down, he examined the obstruction, and
+found there was a small opening at the top, and that the mass was of
+such a character that it could easily be removed with pick and
+shovel, but he had nothing. With desperate energy, he began
+tearing away the earth and rocks with his hands, then to his intense
+relief, after a few moments' work, he heard voices on the other
+side. Houston listened; it was Jack and Mike, who, having waited for
+him in the tunnel, expecting him to join them immediately, had
+become alarmed at his non-appearance, and were returning with
+their picks and shovels, which they had taken out with them, calling
+him and searching for him.
+
+Houston shouted, and they hastened to the rescue, and the entrance was
+very quickly cleared sufficiently for Houston to crawl through. Before
+passing through, himself, however, he lifted Bull-dog, and carefully
+handed the unconscious form to Jack.
+
+"Who is this?" the latter asked in surprise.
+
+"Bull-dog, the little hero who has saved our lives by sacrificing his
+own," Houston replied.
+
+"Is he still living?"
+
+"Yes, but unconscious."
+
+Silently and tenderly Jack handed the little fellow to the tender-hearted
+Mike, who at once started toward the tunnel with his burden, while
+Jack turned to assist Houston.
+
+At that instant, there came the third explosion, which was farther
+underground than either of those preceding. It was but a short
+distance from them, and an immense scale of overhanging rock quivered
+for an instant, then fell, throwing its fragments in every direction.
+Mike, at the distance which he had already gained, escaped unhurt.
+Jack and Houston sprang in opposite directions, but the pieces of
+flying rock overtook them, though they escaped being buried beneath
+the mass as it fell. They were both thrown to the ground; Houston
+staggered to his feet, badly bruised and cut and his left arm broken,
+but Jack remained motionless.
+
+Hearing Houston's call, Mike quickly returned, and he and Houston
+found that Jack was still alive, though badly injured about the head.
+The full extent of his injuries they realized they would be unable to
+ascertain until they could reach the surface. Together they consulted
+as to the best course to pursue. Mike wished to go back and get help
+immediately, but Houston insisted that they must first remove Jack and
+little Bull-dog as speedily as possible, as there was danger of other
+explosions following now in rapid succession, and also danger from the
+smoke and gases of the gradually approaching flames, which were
+consuming the timbering of the various shafts, and would at length
+communicate with the tunnels also.
+
+Instructing Mike to lay Jack's head across his shoulder, Houston then
+clasped his right arm closely about Jack's neck and shoulders. Mike,
+carrying Bull-dog on one arm, with the other was to lift Jack
+underneath the knees; and in this way they started for the tunnel.
+
+Houston suffered excruciating pain from the arm hanging helpless
+at his side, but he traveled forward without a murmur, scarcely
+conscious of his own suffering in his anxiety for Jack. The cut was
+comparatively short, but their progress was slow.
+
+Nearly overcome by the suffocating gases and the smoke, and faint from
+pain and loss of blood, Houston had just staggered into the tunnel,
+when he heard the welcome sound of the voices of Lyle and of Morton
+Rutherford, and knew that they were saved.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVI.
+
+
+Meanwhile, the work of destruction went swiftly forward, explosions
+following in quick succession and with terrific force, throughout the
+Yankee group of mines, and the adjoining claims; while the flames from
+the burning shafts were rivaled by those which spread from the mills
+to the shops, storehouses and stables, and finally, to the miners'
+quarters, till all were speedily reduced to ashes.
+
+Around the entrance to tunnel No. 3, a large crowd had gathered, not
+only from the various mines, but also from neighboring mining camps,
+all anxiously awaiting the return of the rescue party.
+
+At last they appeared. The first to emerge into daylight, was Ned
+Rutherford, bearing in his arms the crushed and mutilated form of
+little Bull-dog. Behind him came Houston, partially supported by one
+of the young miners and by Lyle, his left arm hanging at his side, his
+face deathly white beneath the blood and grime, but firm and dauntless
+as ever. As he stepped forth into the light, a wild cheer rose on the
+air, but Houston, raising his right hand with a deprecatory motion,
+silently pointed backward toward the tunnel, where, slowly emerging
+into view of the crowd, were Morton Rutherford and Mike, carrying,
+with the assistance of the other miner, the bleeding and unconscious
+form of Jack.
+
+The cheers were hushed, and the crowd silently surged about Houston
+and the two motionless, unconscious forms laid side by side upon the
+ground, their heads pillowed upon the rough jackets of the men, folded
+and tenderly placed beneath them by the hands of Lyle and Leslie, the
+latter half fainting with excitement.
+
+The men crowding about Houston congratulated him with a hearty
+hand-clasp, unaccompanied by words, except for an occasional inquiry
+as to his own condition.
+
+"I am all right," he said in reply to the latter, "my arm is nothing,
+the merest trifle; my only thought is for the two lives which I fear
+have been sacrificed for mine."
+
+Anxiously he bent above the prostrate forms. Jack's head was
+frightfully gashed, and his heavy, labored breathing indicated that
+his brain was already affected. Houston spoke a word to Morton
+Rutherford, who quickly withdrew, and taking the swiftest horse in
+camp, was soon speeding down the road to the Y, in a second race
+against death.
+
+Houston next knelt beside Bull-dog; a faint fluttering about the heart
+was the only sign of life. The little waif was well known among the
+mining camps of that vicinity, and there were few dry eyes in the
+crowd as Houston told the story of his heroism.
+
+Houston saw the end was very near, and gently slipped his right arm
+under Bull-dog's head. Slowly the little fellow opened his eyes,
+looking, with a happy smile, into the face bending so tenderly over
+him. At that instant, the sun, bursting through the clouds, threw a
+ray of golden light in shining benediction across the little white
+face. His eyes brightened still more; "We're safe!" he whispered
+joyously. There was a slight quiver, and the little form was still.
+
+The sun, shining as brightly and serenely as though storms were
+unknown, looked down into that beautiful canyon upon a strange scene
+of ruin, desolation and death. Amid the wreck and debris of the
+explosions, lay the little hero who had saved so many lives that day,
+upon his face a child-like smile which it had never worn in life;
+while farther on down the canyon, beside the smoking embers of the
+milling plant, lay the one whose signal had wrought all this
+destruction. The men, rushing into the burning mills, had found the
+electrical apparatus in ruins, as though torn to pieces by giant
+hands, and beside it upon the floor lay Haight, a ghastly sight, his
+face blackened and distorted, his right arm and side seared and
+shriveled, by the mighty servant who had suddenly burst its fetters.
+
+Slowly and tenderly Jack was borne to the house, and laid in the room
+which had been Houston's, which Lyle had made ready for him with
+loving care, her tears falling fast as she recalled his farewell of
+the preceding night. To the house came also his two faithful friends,
+Mike and Rex, for the little cabin was no more, Jack had indeed spent
+his last night beneath its roof, though the succeeding night, to which
+he had looked forward, was far different from his anticipations.
+
+Days afterward, his gripsack, packed with such care on that last night
+in the cabin, was found by Houston concealed among the rocks, where
+Jack had hidden it on the morning of that eventful day, intending,
+when his work was done, to set forth upon his wandering life once
+more.
+
+Morton Rutherford, on arriving at the Y, had sent the following cipher
+dispatch to Van Dorn:
+
+  "Come out on special at once. The mines have been fired by
+  telegraphic orders from Silver City office. Everard badly cut and
+  arm broken, but not seriously injured. Jack but just alive. Bring
+  surgeons and nurse as quickly as possible."
+
+Having sent this message, and finding there was a very good physician
+at the Y, he sent him at once to the camp, to remain there until the
+surgeons should arrive, doing meantime all in his power to relieve the
+sufferers. Then giving orders for one of the company's men to take his
+horse, and replace it with a fresh one, Morton returned to the station
+to await Van Dorn's reply.
+
+At the house, Jack was being cared for by Mike and one of the older
+miners, who had had considerable experience in nursing, Houston doing
+everything which his crippled condition and the intense pain he was
+suffering, would permit.
+
+On the arrival of the physician from the Y, he first visited Jack, and
+leaving directions to be carried out for his temporary relief, next
+attended to the setting of Houston's arm and the dressing of his
+wounds. The operation required some time, but at last it was
+completed, and Houston returned to Jack's room.
+
+The room had been darkened, and in accordance with the physician's
+directions, Jack's beard had been shaven and his hair closely cut, to
+relieve his head as much as possible. His breathing was more natural,
+but he lay quiet and motionless as before.
+
+As Houston approached the bed in the dim light, he scarcely recognized
+his friend, so great was the change in his appearance, but as he drew
+nearer, he started visibly. Something in the smooth face and closely
+clipped head seemed wonderfully familiar, and carried him back to the
+days when he had first entered his uncle's home. Bending over him for
+an instant, he scanned the features more closely. It was enough! The
+face with its patrician features carved in such perfect beauty, though
+lined by sorrow, was the face of his cousin,--his boyish hero and
+ideal.
+
+With a quick, dry sob, Houston turned from the bedside, more deeply
+moved than any of his associates had ever seen him.
+
+"Great God!" he exclaimed, in low tones, "it is Guy Cameron! my cousin
+Guy!" and bending over the unconscious form once more, while the great
+tears coursed slowly down his face, he murmured:
+
+"Guy, dear old fellow, and you have known me all this time! God grant
+this has not come too late!"
+
+With a low cry, Lyle had sprung to Houston's side, while Leslie and
+Ned Rutherford followed, and the others looked on in mute wonder and
+astonishment. Her quick ear had caught the name.
+
+"What name did you say?" she cried eagerly, "Did you say Guy Cameron?
+Is Jack--my Jack--is he my mother's brother?"
+
+Houston bowed in assent, he could not speak.
+
+"Oh," moaned Lyle, "no wonder that he loved us so! and we have not
+loved him half enough!" and dropping on her knees beside the bed,
+sobbing bitterly, she seized the hand, nearly as white as the sheet
+upon which it lay, and covered it with passionate kisses.
+
+A few moments later, Morton Rutherford entered the room; Lyle was
+still kneeling by the bedside; beside her was Leslie, quietly weeping.
+Ned's eyes were suspiciously red, while in one corner, honest-hearted
+Mike was vainly trying to check his fast-flowing tears upon the
+sleeves of his blouse. Morton looked quickly toward the strangely
+altered face upon the pillows, and was struck by its wondrous beauty.
+
+Glancing inquiringly at Houston, as he advanced to meet him, he asked
+anxiously:
+
+"Is he worse?"
+
+"No, there is no change yet, one way or another," Houston replied in
+low tones, and continued, "Morton, we were speaking last night, at the
+cabin, of my uncle's son,--my cousin, Guy Cameron."
+
+"Yes, I remember."
+
+"He is found," Houston's voice trembled, and he could say no more, but
+Morton understood. He gazed with new and tearful interest upon the
+beautiful face in its death-like calm; then beckoning to Houston, he
+said, as they passed from the room:
+
+"Ah, you have at last found the key to the wondrous bond between you,
+and to his self-sacrificing love toward you and yours."
+
+For a few moments they recalled certain incidents in their acquaintance
+with the silent, yet gentle and courteous occupant of the little
+cabin, and much that had seemed mysterious was now clear and plain in
+the light of this recent revelation.
+
+At last Morton said; "I must hasten back to the Y," at the same time
+handing his friend the telegram received from Van Dorn:
+
+  "Leave in half an hour on special, with surgeons and nurse.
+  Whitney and Lindlay remain here to attend to business. Warrants
+  for arrests have been issued."
+
+"That is good," said Houston, with a sigh of relief, "They are already
+on their way. And now, my dear Morton, I have one other commission for
+you, if you are willing to perform it."
+
+"You know I am at your service," Morton replied.
+
+"My aunt, whose faith and love have watched and waited for her son's
+return during all these years, must be brought here as quickly as
+possible. I am not in very good condition for travel, and do not feel
+that I can leave Guy. I know I can trust her in your care, you will be
+to her as a son, and such she will regard you when she knows all, and
+I commission you in my name to meet her and bring her out here."
+
+"That I will very gladly do, my dear Everard, and at once; there must
+be no delay. By going out this evening, I will be able to take the
+early train east from Silver City: the special arrives at 6:10, the
+six o'clock train being held at the Y, until after its arrival. I will
+return to the Y, meet Mr. Cameron and have a word with him, and go
+directly on to Silver City on the regular train."
+
+Thirty minutes later, having hastily packed a small grip, and taken a
+tender farewell of Lyle, who knew his errand, and with tearful eyes
+bade him "God-speed," Morton Rutherford left the house, accompanied by
+Ned, who was to return with Mr. Cameron and Van Dorn.
+
+The sun was slowly sinking behind the crests of the mountains,
+flooding the surrounding peaks with glory, when a wagon drawn by four
+panting, foaming horses, drew up before the house.
+
+From the front seat beside the driver, Ned Rutherford and Van
+Dorn sprang hastily to the ground, turning quickly to assist a
+fine-looking, elderly gentleman, with iron-gray hair and beard,
+whose dark, piercing eyes bore a strong resemblance to those of
+both Houston and Jack. He needed little assistance, however, and
+having alighted, turned with firm step and erect bearing, but
+with an expression of deep anxiety, toward the house, followed by
+the two young men, and by three strangers.
+
+At that instant Houston appeared within the little porch, his left arm
+in a sling, his face pale and haggard, though with a grave smile of
+affectionate welcome.
+
+Even in that brief instant, Mr. Cameron could not but observe the
+change which those few short months had wrought in the face of Everard
+Houston, the high-born son of wealth and culture, the pet of society;
+it had matured wonderfully; alert and keen, yet grave and thoughtful,
+he looked as though he had found a deeper and broader meaning to life
+than he had ever dreamed of in his luxurious eastern home.
+
+"My boy!" exclaimed Mr. Cameron, hastening toward him, "are you sure
+you have escaped without serious injury?"
+
+"Quite sure," Houston replied, limping slightly, as he advanced to
+meet his uncle, "my arm was hurt, and I am somewhat scratched and
+bruised and a little weak, but otherwise, sound as ever."
+
+"Thank God for that! I don't mind the loss of the property if you are
+safe; all the way out here, my boy, I have been reproaching myself for
+ever allowing you to come out to this country."
+
+"My dear uncle," Houston replied, with peculiar emphasis, "I think you
+will soon find you have reason to be very glad and grateful that I
+came."
+
+Mr. Cameron introduced the two surgeons and the nurse; "I feared," he
+said, "from your sending for these gentlemen that you might be hurt
+far more seriously than I knew."
+
+"No," said Houston, "but the one who has nearly sacrificed his own
+life in helping to save mine, needs their best skill, and I sent for
+them on his account."
+
+"That was right," replied Mr. Cameron, "all that money can do shall be
+done for him," while one of the surgeons said, "We will see our
+patient at once, Mr. Houston, if you please."
+
+"You will see him very soon," Houston replied with grave courtesy,
+"but there are reasons why my uncle must first see him, and alone."
+
+Mr. Cameron looked surprised, but silently followed Houston into the
+room which had been occupied by the two brothers, but which was now
+prepared for him. Then observing something peculiar in Houston's
+manner as he closed the door, he asked:
+
+"What is it, my boy?"
+
+"Pardon me, if I seem abrupt, uncle," Houston answered, "but every
+moment is precious in saving a life unspeakably dear to each of us."
+
+Mr. Cameron looked startled; Houston continued:
+
+"You have been like a father to me all these years, and I have felt
+toward you as a son, but to-day I have the joy of bringing you to the
+one, who holds in your heart, and always will hold, precedence even
+over myself."
+
+"Everard, my boy!" exclaimed Mr. Cameron, in tones vibrating with
+suppressed emotion, "what is it? Speak quickly, do not keep me in
+suspense,"
+
+"My dear uncle," said Houston very tenderly, "the lost is found."
+
+Mr. Cameron sank, nearly overcome, into the nearest chair, while his
+face grew deathly white.
+
+"Guy?" he gasped, looking upward at Houston.
+
+"Yes," said the latter brokenly.
+
+The strong man covered his face with his hands, while his powerful
+frame shook with emotion.
+
+Houston, when he was able to speak, told him, very briefly, of his
+meeting with Jack, of their association, and the strange bond of
+sympathy and affection between them, of Jack's devotion, and how at
+last, he had been enabled to recognize him.
+
+Controlling himself with a mighty effort, Mr. Cameron rose, saying:
+
+"Take me to him."
+
+Opening the door connecting the two rooms, Houston signaled to those
+within to leave the room, then led the father into the presence of the
+son whom he had so long mourned as dead.
+
+Mr. Cameron walked to the bedside, and looked long and earnestly upon
+the white face, drawn with pain, but still beautiful, and bearing to a
+great extent, the imprint of his own features; then as he tenderly
+clasped the hand lying upon the sheet, he murmured brokenly, between
+great, tearless sobs:
+
+"It is he, my boy, my son! Thank God, it is not too late!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVII.
+
+
+There was a long consultation between the physicians and surgeons
+following a careful and thorough examination of their patient, before
+the rendering of their decision.
+
+He had received various injuries of a serious character, but the
+injury to the head was far the most dangerous of all. There was a
+possibility that with the most careful nursing and the most skillful
+medical aid, he might live, but his recovery was exceedingly
+doubtful,--one chance out of a hundred.
+
+"Do your best," was Mr. Cameron's reply to this decision, "do your
+best, regardless of cost; if you wish counsel, have it; send out
+another nurse, the best you can secure, to relieve this one, and I
+wish one or the other of you gentlemen to remain here constantly, we
+must not be left without a physician. I may as well inform you now,"
+Mr. Cameron added, with great dignity, in conclusion, "that your
+patient is my son."
+
+Astonishment was depicted upon the faces of the physicians, but Mr.
+Cameron continued:
+
+"For some months my nephew has been out here incognito, engaged in
+unearthing the dishonest schemes and plots of the mining company who
+constituted our western agents, and I have just discovered that he was
+aided in this work by my son, who, unknown to me, was out here in
+disguise, working with the same end in view. You will, of course,
+understand, gentlemen, that money is no object; do everything within
+your power, and you shall be abundantly compensated."
+
+Thus it was arranged that one or two physicians were constantly at the
+house, and when these returned to Silver City for a few hours, others
+took their places.
+
+A competent cook and housekeeper were also sent out from Silver City,
+as the excitement resulting from the terrible events of that day,
+together with her husband's connection therewith, which had in some
+way become generally known, proved too much for the feeble strength of
+Mrs. Maverick, and she was prostrated by the shock.
+
+Minty, terror-stricken by the results which she believed had followed
+her report to Haight, and by his fearful fate, in a fit of hysteria,
+confessed the share she had taken in the plot, and was summarily
+dismissed.
+
+After the coming of Mr. Cameron with the surgeons and nurse, Lyle and
+Leslie had withdrawn from the sick-room, and busied themselves in
+caring for Mrs. Maverick, and in superintendence of the necessary
+work; Van Dorn, whose astonishment at the revelations of the last two
+days was beyond expression, keeping them informed of the condition of
+the sufferer. Lyle was pale with excitement, but calmly and bravely
+took her place as head of the strangely assorted household, her heart
+throbbing wildly as she anticipated the meeting with Mr. Cameron.
+
+Within the sick-room the soft, gray twilight had deepened into
+darkness. At one side of the bed sat the nurse, his fingers upon the
+pulse of the patient, while he listened attentively to his breathing,
+now becoming irregular, and broken by low moans and occasional
+mutterings. On the other side sat Mr. Cameron, his head bowed upon his
+hands, his mind going back to the years of Guy's childhood and youth.
+How vividly he recalled many little incidents, seemingly trivial when
+they occurred, but carefully treasured among the most precious
+memories in the long, sad years that followed! With the memory of his
+son, his heart's pride and joy, came also that of the beautiful
+daughter, with her golden hair and starry eyes, the light of their
+home in those happy days.
+
+Mr. Cameron seemed lost in thought, but in reality, while thus
+reviewing the past, his mind was keenly conscious of the present. In
+one corner sat the faithful Mike, while at his feet lay the equally
+faithful Rex, who could be neither coaxed nor driven from the room,
+but remained quietly watching his master's face, an almost human love
+and sorrow looking out of his eyes, as he answered the occasional
+moans with a low, piteous whine.
+
+In another corner Everard talked in low tones with the two physicians
+who were to remain that night, Mr. Cameron taking cognizance, in the
+midst of his own sorrowful thoughts, of every word.
+
+At length some one called for a light, and a moment later, Mr. Cameron
+was conscious of a light step crossing the room, and of a lamp being
+placed on the table near the physicians, though none of its rays fell
+in the direction of the sufferer. Lifting his head, he saw the lamp
+with a screen so attached as to throw a shade over almost the entire
+room, leaving only a small portion lighted; but within that brightly
+illumined portion he had a glimpse, for an instant, of a face, which
+with its radiant eyes and its shining aureole of golden hair, was so
+nearly a counterpart of the one but just recalled so vividly to his
+mind, that it seemed a living reproduction of the same. Only a
+glimpse, for as he started, wondering if it could be a figment of his
+own imagination, the face suddenly vanished into the shadow, and the
+figure glided from the room. Still it haunted him; could there have
+been a real resemblance? or was it only a hallucination of his own?
+
+About an hour later, Houston, who had observed his uncle's involuntary
+start of surprise on seeing Lyle, and who was anxious that he should
+learn the truth as early as possible, slipping his arm within that of
+his uncle's, led him out upon the porch, where they lighted their
+cigars, smoking for a few moments in silence, then talking together in
+low tones of the one so dear to each of them, while Houston related
+the details of his first meeting and early acquaintance with the
+miner, Jack.
+
+"Even if Guy cannot recover," said Mr. Cameron, in tremulous tones,
+when Houston had finished, "Yet if he lives long enough to see and
+recognize his mother and myself, and realize our feeling for him--even
+then, I shall be more than repaid for your coming out here,--though
+all else were lost."
+
+"Indeed you would," responded Houston, "but I cannot help feeling that
+Guy's life will be spared, that he will live to bless your future
+years. But my dear uncle," he continued, very slowly, "although you
+are yet unaware of it, you have nearly as much, if not an equal cause
+for joy in another direction."
+
+"I do not understand you, Everard; you surely do not allude to the
+property?"
+
+"No, very far from that; did you notice the young girl who came into
+Guy's room to-night?"
+
+"To bring the light?"
+
+"The same."
+
+"Yes, and I intended to inquire of you concerning her. Her face
+impressed me strangely; I cannot tell whether it was a fact or my own
+imagination, but I had been thinking of the children,--Guy and his
+sister,--as they were years ago, and it seemed to me that her face, as
+I saw it for an instant, was almost an exact counterpart of my own
+Edna's, as she used to look, even to the hair and eyes which were very
+peculiar."
+
+"It was no imagination on your part, the resemblance is very marked,
+not only in face, but in voice and manner as well."
+
+"How do you account for it?" asked Mr. Cameron quickly, "Who is she?"
+
+"She is the one who, of all the world, would have the best right to
+resemble your daughter," replied Houston; then, in answer to Mr.
+Cameron's look of perplexed inquiry, he continued:
+
+"Pardon me, uncle, for any painful allusion, but at the time of my
+cousin's death, I believe you had no direct proof as to the fate of
+her child?"
+
+"No absolute proof, of course," replied Mr. Cameron, "only the
+testimony of those who identified the mother, that there was no child
+with her, and no child among any of those saved answering to the
+description given, from which we naturally supposed the little one to
+have been killed outright. Why, Everard," he exclaimed, as a new
+thought occurred to him, "you certainly do not think this Edna's
+child, do you?"
+
+"Why might it not be possible?" inquired Houston, wishing to lead his
+uncle gradually up to the truth.
+
+"Is this her home?" asked Mr. Cameron in turn.
+
+"Yes," said Houston, "this has been her home, I believe, for the last
+ten years."
+
+"If the supposition mentioned a moment ago were correct, how would she
+be here, amid such surroundings?"
+
+"Do you know the man who runs this house?" Houston asked.
+
+"A man by the name of Maverick had charge of it when I was out here
+years ago; I do not know whether he is still here."
+
+"He is; do you know him? Did you ever have any business with him
+personally?"
+
+"Yes, I had him in my employ years ago, in the east, and was obliged
+to discharge him for dishonesty."
+
+"Thereby incurring his life-long hatred and enmity, so that years
+afterward, he sought to wreak his revenge upon you by stealing from
+the wrecked train, where your daughter lost her life, the little
+child who would otherwise have been your solace in that time of
+bereavement."
+
+"Everard!" exclaimed Mr. Cameron, "are you sure you are correct? What
+proof have you of this?"
+
+"The proofs were not discovered until recently," Houston replied,
+"although we knew that they existed, but now this girl has found a
+letter from Maverick's wife confessing the whole crime, and stating
+that it was committed through a spirit of revenge; and she also has in
+her possession the articles of clothing she wore at the time she was
+stolen, together with a locket containing her mother's picture and her
+own name,--Marjorie Lyle Washburn."
+
+"That is enough," said Mr. Cameron briefly, "let me see her,
+Everard."
+
+Houston stepped within the house, reappearing a few moments later,
+with Lyle. Very beautiful she looked as she came forward in the soft
+radiance of the moonlight, a child-like confidence shining in the
+lovely eyes.
+
+Mr. Cameron rose to meet her, and taking both her hands within his
+own, he stood for an instant, gazing into the beautiful face.
+
+"My dear child, my own Edna!" he said in broken tones, folding her
+closely within his arms, "Thank God for another child restored to us
+from the dead!"
+
+Houston returned to the sick-room, leaving Mr. Cameron and Lyle in
+their new-found joy. Lyle told him briefly the story of her life, his
+eyes growing stern with indignation as he listened to the wrongs she
+had endured, then luminous with tenderness, as she told of Jack's
+affectionate care for her.
+
+"Call me 'papa' my child, as you used to in the days of your
+babyhood," he said, kissing her, as they rose to return to Guy's room,
+"you never even then, would call Mrs. Cameron or myself anything but
+'mamma' and 'papa,' and now you shall be as our own child!"
+
+Together they watched beside the sick-bed until the morning sun
+touched the mountain peaks with glory, but there came no relief to the
+sufferer, now moaning and tossing in delirium.
+
+Eastward, across the mountain ranges, Morton Rutherford was speeding
+swiftly, scarcely heeding in his sorrow and anxiety, the grandeur and
+beauty through which he was passing; while from Chicago, the
+sweet-faced mother was hastening westward, all unconscious that she
+was being swiftly and surely borne to the answer of her prayers,--that
+in that distant western country to which she was journeying, her son
+lay calling her in his fever and delirium.
+
+She had started in response to a dispatch from Morton Rutherford, at
+Silver City:
+
+  "Mr. Cameron and Everard Houston safe and well, but wish you to
+  come out immediately. Wire where I will meet you in St. Paul. Will
+  explain when I see you.
+
+                                                "Morton Rutherford."
+
+The mining camp that morning, presented a strange scene of idleness
+and desolation. Many of the mines were in ruins, while the remainder
+were shut down.
+
+They would remain shut down for an indefinite period, Houston told the
+men who had gathered about the house for information. The officers of
+the company, he further stated, had been arrested and their property
+would soon be seized, hence it would be impossible to state when the
+mines would be reopened. It was probable that with the next spring, an
+entirely new corporation would be organized, and the mining and
+milling plant rebuilt, and operated on a much more extensive scale
+than before; and should this be the case, he would then and there
+vouch that those of his men who had proven themselves trustworthy and
+honorable, would be certain of work, should they desire it, in the
+newly opened mines.
+
+The men knew of Jack's condition, and while not a sound was made that
+would disturb the sufferer, the better class swung their hats high in
+the air, in token of applause, and then walked silently away.
+
+It was found in the succeeding days that several miners had lost their
+lives in the explosions of the Yankee Boy mine; a few were so far
+underground that their doom was inevitable, while others, whom Houston
+had warned, instead of following his instructions, had endeavored to
+escape through the shafts, and had discovered too late that they had
+only rushed on to certain death.
+
+Maverick, the tool by which all this destruction had been wrought,
+after his deadly work was done, overcome by his wretched cowardice,
+remained concealed until a late hour; then creeping from his hiding
+place to gloat over the havoc and ruin he had wrought, he suddenly found
+his triumph was short. Under the shelter of a few boards, temporarily
+erected, he found the ghastly remains of his companion and director in
+crime. Shivering and trembling with fear, he crept up the road till
+within sight of the house, arriving just in time to see Houston,--whom
+he supposed crushed and buried within the mine,--presenting Lyle to Mr.
+Cameron. He lingered long enough to see her clasped in his arms, then
+skulked back into the shadow, retreating down the road, gnashing his
+teeth with rage and disappointment. The following day search was made
+for him, under instructions from Mr. Cameron and Houston, who
+offered a large reward for him, living or dead. His body was found in
+an old, abandoned shaft on the mountain side, riddled with bullets.
+The vengeance of the miners, desperate from the loss of homes and
+employment, had overtaken him first. He was buried hastily and with
+little ceremony, his two sons having already taken themselves to parts
+unknown, fearful lest the penalty of their father's crimes might be
+inflicted upon them, and his fate become theirs also. A day or two
+later, Mrs. Maverick, who had been prostrated by the shock of the
+explosions and the succeeding events, died from a sudden paralysis,
+her feeble mind having first been cheered and soothed by the
+assurance from Mr. Cameron of his forgiveness for the small share
+which she had taken in the withholding Lyle from her true friends and
+home. She was given a decent burial in the miners' little cemetery
+at the Y, and the house which for so many years had been called by
+their name, knew the Mavericks no more.
+
+Kind hands laid little Bull-dog under the murmuring pines on the
+mountain side, near Morgan's last resting place, but in the hearts, of
+Houston and his friends, his memory could never grow dim.
+
+The small community of miners suddenly vanished, the deserted
+quarters, with their blackened ruins, seeming little like the busy
+camp of but a few days before, resounding with their songs and jests.
+
+Only in the house nestling at the foot of the mountain there were no
+signs of desertion. It was crowded to overflowing, and within its
+walls, during those next succeeding days, what combats were waged,
+between hope and fear, joy and despair, life and death!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVIII.
+
+
+Five days had passed, days of raging fever and delirium so violent
+that already the powerful frame seemed nearly exhausted; the sufferer
+calling almost incessantly for the loved ones of his old home, but
+oftenest for his mother. Some faint glimmer of recognition must
+occasionally have reached those darkened chambers of the brain, since
+when attended by Mr. Cameron, Houston or Lyle, he rested more quietly,
+though never calling Lyle by her own name, but always by that of his
+sister, Edna.
+
+The fever had subsided, and he was now rapidly passing into a
+death-like stupor, hovering between life and death, unconscious of
+skilled physicians and trained nurses that came and went, unconscious
+of loving friends bending above him, their prayers and efforts
+combined with the skill of the former, in the terrible combat against
+the mighty foe.
+
+The physicians watching by the bedside, shook their heads, as they
+felt the pulse, fluttering more and more faintly.
+
+"He is sinking, failing rapidly," they said, "to-night will be the
+crisis, the turning point; unless there is a change then for the
+better, he will never see the dawning of another day."
+
+To Mrs. Cameron, journeying westward with Morton Rutherford, the
+moments had seemed like hours, the hours like days, since learning for
+whose sake had come the summons to that distant country. Only the
+speed of the lightning could have satisfied the heart of the mother
+hastening to her long-lost son.
+
+They had been kept informed along the route of Guy's condition, and
+now, upon their arrival at Silver City, on the noon train, they found
+a special car awaiting them, to convey them at once to the Y, which
+had been ordered by telegraphic dispatch from Mr. Cameron.
+
+The watchers by the bedside heard the sound of swiftly approaching
+wheels; Mr. Cameron and Houston stepped quickly out to greet the
+sweet-faced woman hastening toward the house on the arm of Morton
+Rutherford.
+
+"Am I in time? Is our boy still living?" were her first words, as her
+husband met her with outstretched arms, his face working with deep
+emotion.
+
+"Just in time, thank God!" was the broken reply.
+
+"Oh, Walter, is there no hope?" she queried, understanding his words
+only too well.
+
+"I must not deceive you, Marjorie, there is the barest possibility
+that he may live, no more."
+
+"He must live, and he will," replied the mother, in tones that
+reminded both Houston and Morton Rutherford wonderfully of Lyle.
+
+Turning toward Houston, Mrs. Cameron greeted him affectionately, and
+gently touching the wounded arm, exclaimed:
+
+"My poor, dear boy, what a terrible risk you have run!"
+
+To which he replied, "I would go through it all again, Aunt Marjorie,
+for the joy I believe it will bring you and yours."
+
+A few moments later, Mr. Cameron led his wife into the sick-room. Lyle
+had already left the room, and there remained only Leslie Gladden,
+sitting quietly near the foot of the bed, and the nurse, who
+respectfully withdrew from his place beside the patient, as Mrs.
+Cameron approached.
+
+Calmly, though through fast-falling tears, the mother gazed for a
+moment upon her son; then dropping upon her knees beside the bed, she
+slipped one arm underneath the pillows, and gently drew the wounded
+head upon her own breast, tenderly kissing the brow and cheeks; then
+taking his hand within her own, she stroked and caressed it,
+meanwhile crooning over him in low, murmuring tones, as though he had
+been an infant.
+
+There were no dry eyes in that little room, not excepting even the
+nurse, while from the door-way of the adjoining room, Morton
+Rutherford, Lyle and Everard Houston watched the scene with hearts too
+full for utterance. Something in that gentle touch must have carried
+the troubled mind of the sufferer back to the days of his childhood;
+gradually the faint moaning ceased, the drawn, tense features relaxed,
+and a sweet, child-like smile stole over his face now assuming a
+death-like pallor.
+
+For hours the mother knelt there, her husband by her side, Everard and
+Leslie standing near, while in the background, in the dim light, was
+Lyle with Morton Rutherford.
+
+At last, Mr. Cameron, bending over his wife, entreated her to take a
+few moments' rest and a little food. She hesitated, but Everard
+spoke:
+
+"You must take some refreshment, Aunt Marjorie, you have had no food
+for hours; Leslie and I will watch here, and if there should be the
+slightest change, I will call you."
+
+At the name of Leslie, Mrs. Cameron looked up, with a sweet, motherly
+smile, into the beautiful but tear-stained face beside her, and gently
+withdrawing from the bedside, she turned and clasped Miss Gladden in
+her arms, saying:
+
+"My dear Leslie, I did not think we would meet for the first time
+under such circumstances as these, but I am more than glad to find you
+here. Everard has always been, and still is as our own son, and I
+welcome you, my dear, as a daughter."
+
+On entering the dining-room, Mr. and Mrs. Cameron found a most
+tempting luncheon prepared for them, but no one in the room, Lyle
+having judged they would prefer to be by themselves for awhile.
+
+As Mrs. Cameron, having partaken of some slight refreshment, was
+preparing to return to the sick-room, her husband said:
+
+"Wait a moment, my dear; there is another joy in store for you,
+Marjorie, in that, through Everard's coming out into this country, we
+have received back from the dead, as it were, not only our son, but
+also a daughter. I want you to meet her now, my dear, so prepare
+yourself for a great surprise, and perhaps, something of a shock."
+
+"I do not understand you, dear," replied Mrs. Cameron, looking
+bewildered, "you certainly do not refer to Leslie, I have met her."
+
+"No, my love, Leslie is a beautiful girl, and will be to us a lovely
+daughter, but I refer to a daughter of our own flesh and blood."
+
+Stepping to an adjoining room, Mr. Cameron called in a low tone,
+"Lyle, my dear," returning immediately to his wife's side to support
+her in case the shock should prove too much in her present agitated
+condition.
+
+Lyle glided into the room, slowly approaching Mrs. Cameron, who sat
+speechless, pale as death, but controlling herself by a visible
+effort.
+
+"Edna, my child! my own Edna!" she cried, rising with outstretched
+arms, and clasping Lyle to her breast; then turning toward her
+husband, she asked:
+
+"What does this mean, Walter? Can this be Edna's child?"
+
+"Yes, my love," he replied, "this is the little Marjorie we have
+mourned as dead for so many years."
+
+For a while they sat clasped in each other's arms, their tears
+commingling, while Mr. Cameron briefly explained to his wife the main
+facts in Lyle's strange history.
+
+"She shall be our own daughter, shall she not, Walter? She shall be to
+us just what Edna was?"
+
+"Certainly," was the response, "she is our own daughter, Marjorie Lyle
+Cameron."
+
+They returned to Guy's room, Mrs. Cameron resuming her old place, with
+Guy's head upon her breast, his hand in hers, only that now Lyle knelt
+beside her. At their side, and very near his son, was Mr. Cameron,
+while just back of them were Everard, Leslie and Morton Rutherford.
+Ned Rutherford and Van Dorn lingered in the door-way watching, while
+at the foot of the bed stood Mike, the tears coursing down his rugged
+face. On the other side of the bed stood the physicians and nurse,
+their keen eyes watching the subtle changes passing over the face, now
+white as marble, and almost as motionless.
+
+Fainter and shorter grew the gasping breaths, more and more feeble the
+pulse, until at last it was evident to every one within that little
+room, that life had very nearly ebbed away.
+
+But there was one who did not, for one instant, lose faith or hope.
+The sublime faith which had upheld her through all those years of a
+sorrow greater than death, did not desert her now. Lyle seemed to
+share her faith, and they alone remained calm and tearless, the
+saint-like face of the mother shining with love and trust.
+
+Suddenly, upon that death-like stillness, her voice rang out, with
+startling clearness:
+
+"Guy! oh, Guy, my darling!"
+
+And to that soul, slipping through the fast-darkening shadows, almost
+within the grasp of the great enemy, there seemed to have come some
+echo of those tones, with their piercing sweetness, recalling him to
+life; for, with a long, quivering breath, Guy slowly opened his eyes,
+gazing, for an instant, with a dreamy smile, upon the faces
+surrounding him. His eyes closed with a gentle sigh, but while those
+about him anxiously awaited the next breath, they again opened, full
+of the light of recognition, while a rapturous smile grew and deepened
+upon his face, irradiating his features with joy, his lips moving in a
+whisper so faint that only the mother's ear could catch the words:
+
+"I thought--it was--all--a dream,--but--it--is true," then, exhausted,
+he sank into a deep sleep like a child's, his breathing growing more
+and more regular and natural, moment by moment.
+
+The physicians withdrew from the bedside, their vigil was over; "He
+will live," they said briefly, while in response, there rose from all
+parts of the room, deep sobs of joy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIX.
+
+
+For the first week or two, Guy Cameron's recovery was slow, but at the
+expiration of that time his vigorous constitution reasserted itself,
+and he gained rapidly.
+
+Meanwhile, at Silver City, affairs were progressing under the
+efficient management of Mr. Whitney, the clear-headed attorney from
+New York.
+
+When orders for arrest were first issued, it was soon discovered that
+the office of the North Western Mining, Land & Investment Company was
+practically deserted. None of their books or papers were to be found,
+their clerks had been dismissed, and no trace existed of the officers
+of the company. No information regarding their whereabouts could be
+obtained from any of the officers of the several high-titled companies
+occupying the same room, as they were supremely and serenely
+unconscious that anything out of the usual order had occurred, and
+full of regrets that they were unable to furnish the desired
+information.
+
+Blaisdell was discovered the following day, in company with his eldest
+son, in an old abandoned mine about two miles from town, which he
+claimed they were working, his limited means not allowing him to
+wander far from the scene of his crimes. He was brought back to town
+and held pending the discovery of Wilson and Rivers, for whom
+detectives were searching in every direction. The former was never
+found, but at the end of about two weeks, the latter was run to earth
+in an eastern city, where he was masquerading in snow-white wig and
+beard and colored eye-glasses, as a retired and invalid clergyman,
+living in great seclusion.
+
+Blaisdell and Rivers were tried on the charge of murder, the most
+important witnesses for the prosecution being Everard Houston and
+Morton Rutherford; the latter testifying as to the nature of the final
+and fatal dispatch sent on that eventful day, in which he was
+corroborated by the telegraph operator of the Silver City office, who
+had been found and secured as a witness, and who verified Rutherford's
+statements regarding the message, but at the same time cleared Mr.
+Blaisdell from all connection therewith; the message having been sent
+by Rivers in Blaisdell's absence, whether with his knowledge and
+consent, they were unable to ascertain. The charge against Blaisdell
+was therefore dismissed through lack of evidence, while in Rivers'
+case, a verdict was returned for manslaughter, and he was given the
+extreme limit of the law, imprisonment for ten years.
+
+Blaisdell was then speedily arraigned for a new trial on the charge of
+embezzlement, the date on which his case was set for hearing being the
+same as that upon which his partner in crime was to be transferred to
+the state penitentiary.
+
+On that morning, however, the guard on going to the cell occupied by
+Rivers, found him just expiring, having succeeded in smuggling into
+his cell a quantity of morphine, how or when, no one could ascertain.
+He left a letter in which he stated that no state penitentiary had
+ever held him, or ever would, but that "as the game was up" he would
+give them a few particulars regarding his past life. He gave his true
+name, the name of a man who, twenty-five years before, had been wanted
+in the state of New York for a heavy bank robbery and murder. For
+years, under an alias, he had belonged to a gang of counterfeiters in
+Missouri, but upon the discovery and arrest of the leaders of the
+band, he had assumed his present alias and had come west.
+
+As Blaisdell took his place that morning in the prisoner's box, he was
+a pitiable object. Haunted almost to madness by the awful fate of his
+associate, confronted by an overwhelming array of evidence, furnished
+by Houston, Van Dorn and Lindlay, including also a deposition of Guy
+Cameron's, taken in his sick-room, his own abject and hopeless
+appearance bore the most damaging testimony against him. His case was
+quickly decided, his sentence being for seven years.
+
+After the trial, Morton Rutherford and Van Dorn returned at once to
+the camp, and a day or two later, when business affairs had at last
+been satisfactorily adjusted, Mr. Cameron and Houston returned,
+bringing with them Mr. Whitney and Lindlay, for a visit of a week
+among the mountains, before the entire party should return east.
+
+It was now early in the fall. Already the nights were frosty, but the
+days were royal as only early autumnal days among the mountains can
+be. Every breath was exhilarating, each inhalation seeming laden with
+some subtle elixir of life.
+
+Guy Cameron was now convalescent, able to sit with his friends in the
+low, rustic porch, or even to join them in short strolls among the
+rocks by the lake.
+
+One afternoon they all sat in and about the porch, in the soft, hazy
+sunlight, the vines and shrubbery about them brilliant in their
+autumnal tints of crimson and orange and gold. The group was complete,
+with the exception of Mr. Cameron and Mr. Whitney, who still lingered
+within doors, engaged in drawing up some papers of which no one seemed
+to understand the import, excepting Houston, who had just left the
+gentlemen to join the group outside.
+
+It was a strikingly beautiful picture; Mrs. Cameron seated in
+the center, with her sweet face and snow-white hair, and on either
+side a lovely daughter. Near Lyle were seated Guy Cameron and
+Morton Rutherford,--between whom there already existed a deep
+affinity,---with their faces of remarkable strength and beauty.
+On the grass, just outside the porch, in various easy attitudes,
+were Ned Rutherford, Van Dorn and Lindlay, and it was noticeable
+that under the influence of late events, even Ned's boyish face
+was gradually assuming a far more mature and thoughtful expression.
+
+As Houston seated himself beside Leslie, both she and Lyle observed
+that his face was lighted with a smile of deep satisfaction, but he
+remained silent, and the conversation continued as before, the members
+of the little group engaged in anticipations of their return to their
+respective homes, and in comments upon this particular portion of the
+west with which they had become familiar.
+
+"Which will you love best, Jack, my dear," Lyle asked of Guy in low
+tones, using the old form of address still very dear to her, "the
+eastern home, or the mountains?"
+
+"My old home was never so dear to me as now," he replied, "but I am
+deeply attached to the mountains; for years they were my only friends,
+and I shall wish to look upon them occasionally in the future."
+
+"Well," Ned Rutherford was saying, "I wouldn't have thought it, but
+I've got so attached to this place out here, I'd like an excuse of
+some sort,--some kind of business, you know,--that would bring me here
+part of the time; what do you think, Mort?"
+
+"I think our associations here have had a great deal to do with the
+attractions of the place, but as a quiet retreat in which to spend a
+few weeks of each summer, I can not imagine a more delightful place."
+
+"Everard, of what are you thinking so deeply?" demanded Lyle, watching
+his thoughtful face, "you have not spoken a word since you came out."
+
+"I am thinking of the evening when first we had Mr. Lindlay and Mr.
+Van Dorn as guests in this house; thinking of the contrast between
+then and now; that was ushering in the close of the old regime, and
+this is the eve of the new."
+
+"When will the mines be reopened?" inquired Van Dorn.
+
+"Just as soon as possible after the rebuilding of the plant, next
+spring."
+
+"All these mines will be owned and controlled by the New York company,
+will they not?"
+
+"Yes, and they will probably purchase other good properties."
+
+"'Pon my soul, but that will make a fine plant, out 'ere!" exclaimed
+Lindlay.
+
+"I should say so," responded Van Dorn.
+
+Just at that instant, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Whitney appeared, the latter
+carrying a large roll of legal cap, covered with his well-known
+hieroglyphics.
+
+"My dear," said Mr. Cameron, seating himself beside his wife and a
+little in the rear of the remainder of the group, "Mr. Whitney and
+myself have been engaged in drawing up the articles of incorporation
+of the new mining company to be organized out here very shortly, and
+I thought perhaps you and the young people would be interested in
+them. I want to say that they are drawn up subject to the approval of
+all parties interested, and after you have heard them read, we want
+you to express your opinions, jointly and severally. Mr. Whitney, as I
+believe you are the only one who would be able to read those
+cabalistic signs, we will now listen to you."
+
+Amid a general laugh at Mr. Whitney's expense, he began the reading of
+the articles of incorporation. The first article, setting forth the
+object of the corporation, was read, and by the time Mr. Whitney had
+reached the second, the members of the party were all attention.
+
+"Article II. This corporation shall be known as The Rocky Mountain
+Mining Company."
+
+A murmur of approval ran through the little group, and the sonorous
+tones continued:
+
+"Article III. The officers of the company hereby incorporated shall be
+as follows: Walter E. Cameron, president; Walter E. Houston,
+vice-president; Guy M. Cameron, treasurer and general manager; Edward
+B. Rutherford, Jr., secretary."
+
+Mr. Cameron, from his post of observation, watching to see the effect
+produced by the reading of this document, did not have to wait long.
+The faces of the ladies expressed their delight, while Ned Rutherford
+was speechless with astonishment; but it was the figure half reclining
+in the invalid chair that he watched most closely; it was his son's
+approval that he most desired.
+
+At the mention of his name, Guy Cameron had given a slight start, but
+he now lay with closed eyes, the only sign of emotion visible being
+that his pale face had grown still paler. Only the preceding day, Guy
+and his parents had held their first and only conversation together
+regarding the time so long past, Mr. and Mrs. Cameron intending it to
+be the first and last allusion which should be made to that sad time.
+Guy well knew that all was forgiven; he knew that the unhappy secret
+had been guarded with such loving care that his reputation was
+untarnished, there was nothing to be recalled against him on his
+return; yet he would consent only to a brief visit to the old home; he
+would not yet return permanently.
+
+"Let me first go into business somewhere, and retrieve myself in my
+own eyes at least," he had said, "not be taken back as a prodigal."
+
+Mr. Cameron had conferred with Houston, and both hoped that a
+responsible position in the newly organized company, amid the old
+familiar scenes and work, and associated with those to whom he had
+become personally attached, would more than meet his wishes. Mr.
+Cameron had wished to make him general manager on account of his
+familiarity with the business, while Houston wished him to hold the
+office of treasurer, as token of their perfect trust; hence the two
+were combined.
+
+After all the articles of incorporation had been read in full, the
+little group broke up, and crowded around the newly-chosen young
+officers with many congratulations.
+
+"Great Scott!" ejaculated Ned, "I never was so thunder struck in my
+life! Accept it? well, I should say so, Mr. Cameron, and with many
+thanks; you couldn't have picked out anything that would suit me
+better. I guess," he added in a confidential aside to Houston, "I
+guess that will fix the old fellow down there in Boston all right."
+
+Guy grasped his father's hand and Houston's in a manner that removed
+every anxiety from their minds.
+
+"It is more than satisfactory," he said, "more than I could wish."
+
+The following day, Mr. Whitney, Lindlay and Van Dorn returned east,
+leaving the "family party" as they laughingly styled themselves, to
+follow later.
+
+Among the pleasant surprises of those last few days of their stay, it
+was discovered that Leslie Gladden, whom Mrs. Cameron and Lyle had
+urged to make her home with them upon their return, was the owner of a
+palatial residence not many blocks from their own city home, besides
+having a snug little fortune in bonds and stocks.
+
+Houston's surprise was unbounded, but remembering how he had won
+Leslie's love, there was little he could say.
+
+"I thought you once said you never had a home of your own," he
+remarked in considerable perplexity.
+
+"Well," she replied archly, "a residence is not necessarily a home; it
+has never been a home to me since my earliest recollection, but it
+will be one soon, in the truest sense of the word."
+
+One morning a few days later, they awoke to find the mountains about
+them white with snow, and a light snowfall in the canyon; and though
+the latter vanished presently under the balmy breath of a "chinook,"
+it had given them warning that the winter king was approaching, and
+would soon seize the scepter from autumn's hand, to begin his long
+reign among the mountains.
+
+That day, the old house which had witnessed such varied scenes within
+the past few months, was closed, and a very joyous party started for
+Silver City, the initial point of the long eastward journey, their
+hearts throbbing with delight that they were homeward bound.
+
+In the first carriage rode Mr. and Mrs. Cameron and their newly-found
+son and daughter, while following so closely that their merry jokes
+and song and laughter were intermingled, were Everard Houston, Leslie
+Gladden and the two brothers; and as they passed down the winding
+canyon road, casting loving, farewell glances at the friendly peaks,
+clad that day in dazzling brightness, and recalled their first coming
+to the heart of the Rockies, they were, one and all, agreed that the
+end was better than the beginning.
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+According to Houston's prediction, the mines were reopened the
+following year, and operated on a far more extensive scale. On the
+site of the old mills, an immense building was erected, thoroughly
+equipped with the latest improvements in mining machinery and
+electrical and mechanical appliances. The old mines were repaired and
+extended and new properties were purchased, giving employment to
+hundreds of men. Early in the second year, a railroad was constructed
+by the company, extending up the canyon from the Y, to the camp, for
+the transportation of ore, mining supplies, freight and passengers.
+
+As the mines were enlarged and new properties developed, quite a
+community sprang up in that vicinity, which, after the construction of
+the railroad, speedily developed into a typical mining town; and now,
+after a lapse of three years, few would recognize the old camp.
+
+Half way up the steep grade from the Y, is the smelting plant of the
+company, while at the terminus of the road, are the long, stone
+storehouses, at one end of which is the general office and a pleasant
+reception room. Next comes the great milling and reduction plant,
+while just beyond are the offices of the company, a fine, three-story
+brick building. From this building can be seen, in one direction the
+extensive mining works, with their labyrinth of shafts and tunnels,
+diggings and dumps; while in another direction are stretched the homes
+of the miners, the boarding houses, and, at a little distance, the
+post-office, hotel, stores and shops of the little town, as well as a
+tasteful church and school house. As one gazes upon the peaceful
+picture of the mountain town, there is nothing to recall the frightful
+scene of destruction and ruin of only three years past.
+
+There is little to remind one of former times, until, having followed
+the broad, winding road for some distance, one suddenly comes upon a
+familiar sight. Nestling at the foot of the pine-covered mountain, on
+the site of the old boarding house, is a beautiful, wide-spreading
+stone cottage, so built that its numerous bow-windows take in a view
+of the azure lake and shining cascades, as well as of the surrounding
+peaks and the sunset sky; and on the broad, vine-covered veranda, is a
+well-known group, who come from their distant, city homes, to spend a
+few weeks of each summer amid the grandeur and beauty of the
+mountains, to listen to the whispering of the pines and the music of
+the cascades.
+
+Morton Rutherford and his bride are here; Lyle, physically and
+mentally developed into royal, radiant womanhood, more beautiful than
+ever, but to whom there comes occasionally an irresistible longing to
+revisit her old mountain home, for the years of happiness and love
+have obliterated all bitter memories of the loveless, joyless
+childhood, and only the remembrance of its beauty remains.
+
+By her side, is Guy Cameron, his proud, erect bearing showing the
+change which these few years have wrought in his life; lonely and
+solitary no longer, for near him is a queenly woman, who, knowing the
+sad secret of his past, will share and brighten his future.
+
+Everard Houston and his lovely wife need no introduction, but, beside
+them is a little stranger, possessing Leslie's wondrous dark eyes, but
+Houston's features,--another little Marjorie,--while beside the wee
+maiden is a small chevalier, only two months her senior, rejoicing in
+the name of Morton Rutherford. In the dignified, business-like face of
+the proud father, it is difficult to recognize the former Ned
+Rutherford, but while possessing still the same light-hearted nature,
+yet the responsibilities intrusted to him, and the years of constant
+association with a man like Everard Houston, have developed a business
+ability surprising even to himself. As secretary of the Rocky Mountain
+Mining Company, he has proved to be the right man in the right place,
+thereby reflecting much credit upon Houston's insight and good
+judgment in selecting him for the position. By his side is a fair
+woman, the "Grace" of whom he used to dream when first he visited the
+mountains.
+
+Strolling up and down the graveled walks, in consultation regarding
+the mines, are two figures, one of whom is easily recognized as Arthur
+Van Dorn, mining expert for the company, and superintendent of the
+milling and reduction plant. The energetic, business man by his side
+is M. T. Donovan, superintendent of the entire mining plant, but a
+second glance is necessary to recognize in him, Mike, the old-time
+miner, and the faithful friend of Guy Cameron in his years of
+loneliness. Donovan and Van Dorn present a striking contrast, but they
+are good friends, and the latter's personation of the former, on a
+certain occasion, is a standing joke between them.
+
+There is one more familiar figure, not to be omitted, and that is Rex,
+stretched on the soft grass in an attitude of perfect content, his
+nose resting on his paws, his eyes fixed on his master's face with the
+old-time devotion.
+
+Beautiful as this picture may be, it is not quite complete without a
+glimpse of a far-away, eastern home, where, in the gloaming, beside an
+open grate, sit a couple with peaceful faces, crowned with snow-white
+hair. They have passed the grand summit of middle age, with its broad
+horizons, where hope and ambition are at their zenith, and together
+are journeying down the long, gentle declivity; but the clouds of loss
+and bereavement and pain that gathered about their path in the years
+gone by, have passed, and the valley before them is flooded with
+golden light. Their home circle, once broken, is now nearly complete;
+the once vacant places by the fireside are again filled, and the old
+home, silent for so many years, again resounds with song and laughter,
+and echoes once more to the music of childish voices and the patter of
+little feet.
+
+For hours, they sit talking together of the joys which the late years
+have brought them; until the moonlight steals in through the open
+windows, reverently touching their heads with a silvery radiance, at
+the same time looking down in silent, shining benediction upon the
+peaceful scene in the heart of the Rockies.
+
+FINIS
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Award of Justice, by A. Maynard Barbour
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 30028 ***
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+<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 30028 ***</div>
+
+<p class='tp' style='font-size:2.4em;margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:30px;'>THE AWARD OF JUSTICE</p>
+<p class='tp' style='margin-bottom:15px;'>OR</p>
+<p class='tp' style='margin-bottom:40px;font-size:1.4em;'>TOLD IN THE ROCKIES.</p>
+<p class='tp' style='font-size:larger;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:40px;'>A Pen Picture of the West.</p>
+<p class='tp' style='margin-bottom:5px;'>BY</p>
+<p class='tp' style='font-size:1.4em;margin-bottom:5px;'>A. MAYNARD BARBOUR,</p>
+<p class='tp' style='margin-bottom:5px;'>AUTHOR OF</p>
+<p class='tp' style='font-size:1.2em;margin-bottom:40px;'>&ldquo;<span class='smcap'>That Mainwaring Affair.</span>&rdquo;</p>
+<p class='tp'>&ldquo;Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof.&rdquo;&ndash;&ndash;Ecc. vii, 8.</p>
+<div style='margin:50px auto; text-align:center;'>
+<img alt='emblem' src='images/illus-emb.png' />
+</div>
+<p class='tp' style='font-size:larger;margin-bottom:5px;'>CHICAGO AND NEW YORK:</p>
+<p class='tp' style='font-size:larger;margin-bottom:5px;'>RAND, McNALLY &amp; COMPANY,</p>
+<p class='tp' style='margin-bottom:20px;'>PUBLISHERS.</p>
+<hr class='pb' />
+<p class='tp' style='font-size:smaller;'>Copyright, 1897, by Rand, McNally &amp; Co.<br />Copyright, 1901, by Rand, McNally &amp; Co.</p>
+<hr class='pb' />
+<div style='margin:20px auto; width:280px;'>
+<p class='tp' style='font-size:1.6em;margin-bottom:10px;'>DEDICATION.</p>
+<p class='tp' style='font-size:1.4em;margin-bottom:10px;'><i>To W. James Barbour,</i></p>
+<p class='tp' style='margin-bottom:10px;'>My co-worker in this pleasant task,<br />
+at whose suggestion it was undertaken,<br />
+and by whose inspiration it has been guided,<br />
+from inception to completion,<br />
+this book is affectionately dedicated<br />
+by the author,</p>
+<p class='tp' style='text-align:right;font-size:1.2em;'>A. MAYNARD BARBOUR.</p>
+</div>
+<hr class='pb' />
+<h1>THE AWARD OF JUSTICE</h1>
+<p class='tp' style='font-size:1.2em;'><i>By A. Maynard Barbour</i>.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp' style='padding-top:0'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_I' id='CHAPTER_I'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>The Pacific Express was due at Valley City at 1:45 p.m.
+Within ten minutes of that time, a spring-board
+wagon, containing two young men and drawn by a pair
+of bronchos, suddenly appeared around one end of the
+dingy little depot. One of the men, dressed in a tweed
+traveling suit, jumped hastily from the wagon, while the
+other, who looked like a prosperous young ranchman,
+seemed to have all he could attend to in holding the restive
+little ponies, who were rearing and kicking in their
+impatience at being compelled to stand.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m afraid, Ned,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;that you&rsquo;ll have to look
+out for your traps yourself; these little rats haven&rsquo;t been
+driven for four days, and they&rsquo;re feeling pretty frisky.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;All right, Tom,&rdquo; responded the other, diving under
+the seat of the spring-board and bringing out the said
+&ldquo;traps,&rdquo; which consisted of two grips, a rifle case, a set of
+fishing rods, and, last but not least, a large, square case
+which he handled with great care, and now held up to
+his companion saying,</p>
+<p>&ldquo;See that, Tom? that&rsquo;s my set of cameras; they&rsquo;re
+fine too, I tell you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But why do you bother to take them around with you
+all the time, like that?&rdquo; inquired his friend.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; replied Ned, &ldquo;I do that so as to be ready to catch
+any choice scenes I come across; I&rsquo;m making a collection
+of views, you know, and I expect to get a good many on
+this trip. By the way, I got some stunning views over
+there at your place this morning, just before breakfast.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The dickens, you did!&rdquo; exclaimed Tom, suddenly remembering
+a ludicrous predicament in which his guest
+had caught him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, yes,&rdquo; said Ned, &ldquo;and when I get away at a safe
+distance I&rsquo;m going to develop them and send them to
+you. I&rsquo;ve got an awfully fine&ndash;&ndash;well, by Jove, if that isn&rsquo;t
+just my luck!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Ned had just deposited his belongings on the depot
+platform and in doing so, noticed a piece of blackboard
+propped up against the wall, on which were chalked these
+words, &ldquo;Train 3 ours late.&rdquo; His eyes seemed riveted to
+the spot.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s the matter now?&rdquo; asked Tom, who took in the
+situation at a glance.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Matter! Why, that blasted train is three hours behind
+time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Too bad!&rdquo; said Tom, with a grin; &ldquo;if I&rsquo;d only known
+that I needn&rsquo;t have driven my horses so hard.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, confound those little beasts of yours;&rdquo; exclaimed
+Ned, &ldquo;a little exercise won&rsquo;t hurt them, but to think of
+three hours in a place like this! and say, don&rsquo;t you know
+how to spell out here?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Tom, coolly, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t hold myself personally
+responsible for the wording of that blackboard,
+but I suppose that&rsquo;s the phonetic spelling they used to talk
+about when I lived east; you see we&rsquo;ve adopted it out
+here, for we westerners have to rustle lively, and don&rsquo;t
+have time for old-fashioned ways.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I see,&rdquo; said Ned, rather sarcastically; &ldquo;perhaps you
+can tell me why they don&rsquo;t &lsquo;rustle&rsquo; that train along on
+time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I suppose,&rdquo; replied Tom, &ldquo;it&rsquo;s on account of that
+wreck two days ago; you know your train was ten hours
+late yesterday.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; assented Ned, gazing about him with an expression
+of intense disgust; &ldquo;I got here after dark; that&rsquo;s
+how it comes about that I never realized until the present
+moment what a paradise this place is. Valley City!
+I can&rsquo;t see more than a dozen buildings here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s probably because you&rsquo;re so near-sighted, my
+dear boy,&rdquo; replied Tom; and Ned, who was very sensitive
+on the subject of his near-sightedness, colored, and readjusted
+his eye-glasses, while he asked in a tone of despair:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, what am I to do in this beastly place, anyhow?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You might take a stroll about the city,&rdquo; suggested
+Tom, &ldquo;if you get lost you&rsquo;ll have to inquire your way of
+some of the police. I would be delighted to stay and
+keep you company, but work on the ranch is rushing and
+I must hurry back; so I&rsquo;ll wish you good luck and good-bye.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;All right, old fellow,&rdquo; said Ned, shaking hands in a
+slightly patronizing way, &ldquo;if you ever get out of this
+country, and find yourself within the limits of civilization
+again, just take a run down to the &lsquo;Hub&rsquo; and see me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Much obliged,&rdquo; said Tom, turning around for a parting
+shot; &ldquo;I say, Ned, while you&rsquo;re waiting for the train,
+you&rsquo;d better get out your cameras; you might catch some
+more &lsquo;stunning views&rsquo; you know,&rdquo; and lightly snapping
+his whip, he started off, the bronchos standing on their
+forefeet with their heels in the air.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good-bye, Tom,&rdquo; Ned called, after the rapidly retreating
+spring-board, &ldquo;if you ever had any brains to lose I&rsquo;d
+be anxious about you, but I guess you&rsquo;re safe enough.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Tom&rsquo;s only reply was a crack of the whip, and he and
+the ponies soon disappeared in a cloud of dust, leaving
+Ned to survey his surroundings at his leisure.</p>
+<p>In the foreground was the low, dingy depot, and on the
+platform, leaning against the building as though their
+spinal columns were unable to support them, were two
+specimens of the genus homo, which were entirely new
+to the young Bostonian. He gazed at them with undisguised
+interest, being unable to determine whether they
+were cow-boys or miners, these being the two classes into
+which, as he imagined, the western population was about
+evenly divided. That they immediately classified him, in
+their western vernacular, as a &ldquo;tenderfoot,&rdquo; and a remarkably
+verdant specimen at that, was not owing to their
+superior penetration, as it was a self-evident fact.</p>
+<p>Mr. Edward B. Rutherford, Jr., prided himself upon being
+a resident of Boston, a son of one of her best families,
+and a graduate of Harvard, and it is scarcely to be wondered
+at if he felt himself slightly superior to ordinary
+mortals who had not been blessed with these advantages.
+Nevertheless, the fact remained that Mr. Rutherford&rsquo;s personal
+appearance could not be considered especially prepossessing,
+even when moving in his own sphere where
+he felt himself, as he would have expressed it, &ldquo;en rapport&rdquo;
+with his surroundings; under other circumstances,
+as at the present time, it very nearly approached the
+ludicrous. He was small in stature, but his bump of self-esteem
+was developed in an inverse ratio to his size. He
+seemed to be making a constant effort to maintain his
+dignity at the proper level, in which direction he was
+greatly assisted by a pair of eye-glasses, perched on a
+very large and decidedly Roman nose. It had been
+claimed by his college chums that the eye-glasses were
+worn for this especial purpose; be that as it may, without
+their assistance, his task would certainly have been a
+difficult one, as his eyes, which were very full and round,
+and surmounted by a pair of extremely high-arched eyebrows,
+gave him always an expression of exaggerated
+surprise and bewilderment, which, when intensified as
+on the present occasion, rendered his appearance very far
+from the otium cum dignitate to which he aspired. But
+upon very few is the &ldquo;giftie&rdquo; bestowed, &ldquo;to see oursel&rsquo;s
+as ithers see us,&rdquo; and to many besides the junior Mr.
+Rutherford, such a vision would be anything but satisfactory.</p>
+<p>At the present time, however, Rutherford&rsquo;s only troubles
+were his immediate surroundings, and the problem
+of how to pass the next three hours. The loungers, who
+by this time had changed to a sitting posture, and who
+were staring at him with an unwinking fixedness which
+made him rather nervous, did not seem very congenial
+companions. The town consisted of merely a few, straggling,
+unpainted buildings, while in every direction extended
+the apparently interminable stretches of undulating
+prairie, partially covered with sage brush and wild
+cactus. Though early in the season, the heat was intense,
+and the glare of the sunlight reflected from the patches
+of white, chalk-like sand, was so blinding as to seem unendurable.</p>
+<p>The interior of the depot was even more cheerless than
+the exterior. A rusty stove, minus one leg, two or three
+battered benches, a flaming circus poster, and an announcement
+of the preceding year&rsquo;s county fair constituted
+the entire furnishing and decoration. No signs
+of life were visible, the window into the ticket office being
+closed, while from somewhere within the little inclosure,
+a telegraphic instrument clicked with a cheerful
+pertinacity that to Rutherford seemed simply exasperating.</p>
+<p>In the course of half an hour, however, the monotony
+was relieved by the appearance of half a dozen soldiers,
+who strolled over from a neighboring fort, about two
+miles distant. Rutherford had soon introduced himself
+to them, with a formality which they considered highly
+amusing, and they entertained him with tales of various
+thrilling adventures and hair breadth escapes, nearly all
+invented for the occasion, to which he listened with an
+open-mouthed astonishment that elicited many winks
+and grins from the blue-coats. Finally, two of them
+escorted him to a small Indian camp, about a mile distant,
+which was hidden from view by a sandy knoll,
+where, in some cottonwood brush, beside a small creek,
+they found half a dozen tepees, around which were
+squatted twenty or thirty disreputable-looking Indians,
+their ponies tethered in the brush near by. The bucks
+were sullen and uncommunicative, maintaining a solemn
+silence broken only by an occasional grunt. Their
+dress was a combination of Indian costume and articles
+purchased from the white people, the latter being put
+on to suit the individual taste of the wearer, without
+the least regard to the use for which it was originally
+intended. One, who seemed a leader in the camp, in
+addition to his native toggery of feathers, beads and
+brass rings, wore trousers of striped bed-ticking, two
+or three pairs of gayly colored suspenders knotted together
+for a belt and sash, and a flaming red necktie
+braided in his hair. The squaws in their blankets were
+quite socially inclined, and the wig-wams at a little distance
+looked very romantic to the young easterner, but
+the odors wafted from them were sufficient for him, and
+he declined to penetrate any further into the mysteries
+of an Indian camp; and after taking one or two views
+of the Indians and their tepees, he returned to the
+depot.</p>
+<p>It was now nearly train time, and the number of
+loungers and loafers had increased amazingly, considering
+the size of the town. There were thirty or forty of
+them, all more or less resembling the first specimens,
+and Rutherford wondered where they stowed themselves
+away, not realizing that many came in from little shacks
+scattered over the prairies; for to them, the coming of
+the train from the east was the one great event of the
+day.</p>
+<p>Among them Rutherford noticed a man, who, though
+clad as roughly as the others, yet had an individuality
+so distinct from them as to be noticeable even to a stranger.
+He wore an old soft hat and rough blouse, his
+trousers being tucked into a pair of heavy, hobnailed
+boots that reached to his knees. He was tall and stooped
+slightly, but there was none of the slouching figure and
+gait that characterized those around him. His movements
+were quick, and, when standing motionless, there
+was something in his very pose that conveyed an impression
+of alertness and of latent strength. His back
+was turned toward Rutherford, who was watching him
+under a sort of subtle fascination, when suddenly he
+wheeled, facing him. His eyes were keen and piercing,
+and as he looked for an instant at Rutherford with an
+expression of suspicion and distrust, and then seemed
+to survey his diminutive figure with a quick glance of
+contempt, that young man felt a sudden and violent
+terror in his inmost soul, which was not lessened when
+his eyes fell upon a sheath knife and huge revolver in
+the stranger&rsquo;s belt. Involuntarily Rutherford&rsquo;s hand
+went to his hip pocket, where reposed a dainty, pearl-handled
+Smith and Wesson, 38-calibre, but he immediately
+regretted the movement, for the blue-black eyes
+watching him scintillated for a moment with a cold, steel-like
+glitter, and the lips under the heavy, black beard
+curled with a smile of fine scorn, that made our young
+hero exceedingly uncomfortable.</p>
+<p>The whistle of the approaching train afforded him
+unspeakable relief, and at the first opportunity he put
+himself and his belongings aboard with a celerity very
+remarkable in one of his usual dignity.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_II' id='CHAPTER_II'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>As the Pacific Express was speeding westward across
+the prairies, a young man, half reclining among the
+cushions of the smoking car, was enjoying a choice
+Havana. He took no note of external objects as they
+flashed with almost lightning rapidity past the car windows,
+and he seemed equally unconscious of the presence
+of his fellow passengers. His dress and manner, as well
+as his nonchalant, graceful attitude, and even the delicate
+poise of his cigar, were all indicative of wealth and
+refinement, and of a courtesy innate, not acquired. His
+head was slightly thrown back, and with half-closed,
+dreamy eyes, he watched the coils of blue smoke wreathing
+and curling above his head, but his mind was actively
+engaged in planning the details of the new life opening
+up before him in the west. Walter Everard Houston,
+of New York, the possessor of a million in his own
+name, and prospective heir to many millions more, was
+en route for a small mining camp, far west, in the heart
+of the Rockies, where he was to fill the position of bookkeeper
+and corresponding secretary in the office of a
+mining company, at a salary of one hundred dollars per
+month.</p>
+<p>Mr. Houston&rsquo;s parents had died when he was very
+young, and he had been tenderly reared in the home of
+his uncle, his mother&rsquo;s brother, Walter Everard Cameron.
+Even now, as he watched the blue coils above his
+head, his memory was going back to the time
+when he had entered that beautiful home. He recalled
+the different members of that lovely family, as they then
+appeared to him; the dark, patrician face of his aunt,
+with its wondrous beauty, which, in the following years
+had been so softened and deepened by sorrow that now
+it was almost saint-like in the calm look of peace and
+love which it wore, with the soft, snow-white hair surrounding
+it like a halo of glory. Then his beautiful
+cousin Edna, with her sunny hair and starry eyes, and
+her wonderful voice filling the home with music. She
+had married soon after he entered the family, and went
+with her husband to a distant, western city, often returning
+to visit the old home. How well he remembered the
+last visit! Her baby was then nearly two years old; he
+could not now recall her name, but she was a little, golden-haired
+toddler, with her mother&rsquo;s eyes and voice. His
+cousin was suddenly called home by a telegram that her
+husband was ill; then, in a day or two, came the news
+of a frightful railroad accident, a collision and a fire
+which quickly consumed the wreck. Edna was rescued
+from the flames, unconscious and dying, but no trace
+could be found of the little one. Then followed word of
+the death of Edna&rsquo;s husband; he had died a few hours
+later than the accident occurred, ignorant of the terrible
+fate of his wife and child.</p>
+<p>Next came the memory of his cousin, Guy Cameron,
+but a few years older than himself; dark and beautiful
+like his mother, proud spirited and headstrong, the pride
+of his parents, but through him came their most bitter
+sorrow. Through fast living and gambling he became
+deeply involved, and forged his father&rsquo;s name to several
+checks, amounting to nearly a hundred thousand; then,
+overcome by shame and remorse, he had fled in the
+night, no one knew whither. His father payed the full
+amount of the debt, without even betraying his son&rsquo;s
+guilt, and then for years employed the most skillful detectives,
+trying to bring back the wanderer to the love
+and forgiveness which awaited him; but in vain, no
+trace of him existed. The father had long ago given up
+all hope of ever seeing his boy again, and doubted whether
+he were living. Only the sweet-faced mother, strong
+in her mother-love and in her faith in God, believed that
+he would yet return, and was content to watch and wait.</p>
+<p>Meantime, Everard Houston had become like a son
+to Mr. and Mrs. Cameron. After leaving college, he had
+been taken by his uncle as a partner into his enormous
+banking house, and intrusted more or less with the
+charge of various departments of business with which he
+was connected, and he had proven himself worthy of the
+trust reposed in him.</p>
+<p>For a number of years, Mr. Cameron had been president
+of a large investment company, which, among other
+properties, owned a number of mines in the west which
+had been represented to be very valuable, and which, at
+the time of purchase, possessed every indication of being
+heavy producers of very rich ore. Lately, these mines
+had not been yielding the profit which it was reasonable
+to expect from them, and there were indications of bad
+management, if not of dishonesty, at the western end of
+the line. One or two so-called experts had been sent
+out to investigate, but they had after all so little knowledge
+of practical mining, that they were unable to produce
+any tangible evidence against the company who
+constituted their western agents, although their reports
+had only tended to strengthen Mr. Cameron&rsquo;s belief
+that there was underhanded and dishonest dealing somewhere,
+which could only be detected by a person on the
+ground whom the western company would not suspect
+of being personally interested. Happening to learn,
+through a Chicago firm who were friends of Mr. Cameron&rsquo;s,
+that the western company were desirous of getting
+a bookkeeper and confidential clerk, it was decided,
+after consultation, to send out Everard Houston to take
+this position. Accordingly, he had gone to Chicago,
+and the firm there had written a letter to the mining
+company, recommending him as a young man of their
+acquaintance, of exceptional ability, reliable, and thoroughly
+to be trusted in all confidential matters. The
+company had responded favorably, offering the position
+to Mr. Houston for one month on trial, at one hundred
+dollars, his traveling expenses to be paid by them. If he
+proved satisfactory, they would retain him as long as
+would be mutually agreeable, and if his services proved
+as valuable as expected, would increase his salary. Mr.
+Houston was, therefore, on his way to the mines to accept
+this position, together with the munificent salary,
+and hoped to prove so satisfactory as to soon be admitted
+to the &ldquo;confidential&rdquo; clerkship, in which event he
+anticipated being able to accomplish a nice little piece
+of detective work.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_III' id='CHAPTER_III'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Mr. Houston was aroused from his pleasant revery by
+the rather noisy entrance of a young man, who, with
+flushed face, and manner more indicative of self-assertion
+than self-possession, passed down the car and took a seat
+facing himself. This was none other than our friend,
+Rutherford, who, having secured his berth in the sleeper,
+and arranged his belongings to his entire satisfaction,
+immediately repaired to the smoking car to soothe his
+perturbed and agitated spirits by a cigar.</p>
+<p>From under his heavily drooping eyelids, Houston regarded
+his vis-a-vis with concealed amusement, for he
+was an apt student of human nature, and possessed an
+unusual degree of insight into the characteristics of those
+with whom he was thrown in contact.</p>
+<p>Rutherford, on his part, was watching Houston with
+his usual degree of interest and curiosity. Each was
+measuring the other from his own standpoint: Houston&rsquo;s
+prompt decision was,&ndash;&ndash;&ldquo;A good-hearted fellow, but
+something of a cad;&rdquo; while Rutherford&rsquo;s vague surmises,
+summed up verbally, would have been,&ndash;&ndash;&ldquo;Nice
+looking sort of fellow, a gentleman; guess he&rsquo;s got the
+stuff, too; &rsquo;twon&rsquo;t do any harm to make his acquaintance.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>An opportunity for this soon presented itself, for as
+the conductor passed leisurely through the car, examining
+tickets, Rutherford discovered that their destinations
+were the same, and hastily drawing his card case
+from his pocket, said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;As we seem likely to be fellow travelers for a while,
+I should be pleased to make your acquaintance; allow
+me,&rdquo; at the same time offering his card.</p>
+<p>Houston took the card, greeting him courteously, and
+giving his own in exchange. He half smiled as he
+looked at the diminutive slip of cardboard with its Boston
+address made unnecessarily prominent, while Rutherford,
+after scanning the card he held, bearing simply
+the name of W. E. Houston, remarked with a decidedly
+upward inflection,</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You are from&ndash;&ndash;?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;From Chicago,&rdquo; Houston replied promptly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah,&rdquo; Rutherford responded, &ldquo;then I suppose you are
+quite familiar with this part of the country.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, not exactly,&rdquo; replied Houston, smiling, &ldquo;Chicago,
+I&rsquo;ll admit, seems inclined to embrace a small part
+of the state of Illinois within her city limits, but I never
+heard of her attempting to claim the prairies of the Missouri
+valley among her suburbs.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, no,&rdquo; said Rutherford, laughing, &ldquo;not quite so
+bad as that, I guess, but perhaps I didn&rsquo;t convey my
+meaning very clearly; my idea was, that living in one
+of the western cities, you know, perhaps you were out
+this way often.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;On the contrary, this is my first trip out here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Indeed! A pleasure trip, I presume?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, I am out on business,&rdquo; replied Houston, not caring
+to state very definitely just then the nature of his
+business.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Rutherford, settling himself into an attitude
+more comfortable than graceful, &ldquo;I came out on
+a pleasure trip, but I must say that so far, the pleasure
+has been rather an uncertain quantity; for the last forty-eight
+hours, I haven&rsquo;t seen much besides dust, Indians
+and desperadoes.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Forty-eight hours!&rdquo; exclaimed his companion, &ldquo;you
+surely have not been on this train that length of time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not on this train; I stopped off last night to see an
+old friend of mine that has a ranch out here,&rdquo; and forthwith,
+Rutherford launched into a recital of his experiences
+of the last few hours, not omitting a description
+of the man whose appearance had struck such terror to
+his heart and expedited his departure from Valley City.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I tell you, he was a man I wouldn&rsquo;t like to meet in
+the dark; he was armed to the teeth, and there was a
+look in his eye that was awfully unpleasant.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Houston judged from his companion&rsquo;s manner
+that he had not been particularly pleased at meeting this
+alleged desperado in broad daylight, but he courteously
+refrained from any such insinuation, and as supper was
+just then announced, the young men adjourned to the
+dining car, and the experiences of Mr. Rutherford were,
+for the time, forgotten.</p>
+<p>Nothing special occurred that evening, except that
+the monotony of the journey was slightly relieved by the
+train entering upon the Bad Lands. For some time,
+Houston and Rutherford stood upon the rear platform,
+enjoying their cigars, and watching the strange phenomena
+of that weird region; on all sides, vast tracts of
+ashen gray or black, as if burnt to a crisp, with no sign
+of life, animal or vegetable, the lurid lights flashing and
+playing in the distance, until it seemed as though they
+might be gliding through the borderland of Dante&rsquo;s Inferno.</p>
+<p>Their cigars finished, they separated for the night, to
+be agreeably surprised by the delightful change that met
+their eyes the following morning. Houston was already
+at the breakfast table enjoying the scenery, when Rutherford
+sauntered into the dining car. They exchanged
+greetings, and the latter dropped into a seat facing his
+companion, exclaiming as he did so,</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, say now, this looks a little more like civilization,
+doesn&rsquo;t it?&rdquo; and having ordered his breakfast and helped
+himself to fruit, he proceeded to watch the beautiful
+panorama flashing past in the sunlight.</p>
+<p>They were passing through one of the most fertile
+valleys of the northwest. Away to the south, a beautiful
+river glistened like a broad ribbon of silver, and leading
+from it was a gleaming net-work of irrigating canals and
+ditches, carrying the life-giving waters over thousands
+of broad acres; some already green with grass and alfalfa,
+while others were dotted with scores of men and
+horses opening the brown earth in long, straight lines
+of furrows, or scattering broadcast the golden grain.</p>
+<p>Far in the distance, faintly outlined against the blue
+sky, was a fleecy, cloud-like mass, grayish blue at the
+base, with points here and there of dazzling whiteness,
+which Houston had known at once as the first glimpse
+of the Rocky Mountains, but which Rutherford failed
+to notice.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said the latter, withdrawing his head from the
+window, and preparing to attack his breakfast, &ldquo;it seems
+to me, after nearly forty hours of nothing but prairies,
+it&rsquo;s about time to see some mountains.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They&rsquo;re in sight now,&rdquo; responded Houston quietly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What!&rdquo; exclaimed his companion, dropping his knife
+and fork in haste.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You can see them now; I&rsquo;ve been waiting for you
+to recognize them,&rdquo; said Houston, smiling; &ldquo;look off
+there to the southwest,&rdquo; he added, as Rutherford was readjusting
+his eye-glasses, preparatory to a careful survey
+of the horizon.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, I&rsquo;ll be blessed!&rdquo; ejaculated the latter, &ldquo;I supposed
+those were clouds. My! but they must be mighty
+far away, twenty-five miles, I expect, at the least.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Sixty miles, at least,&rdquo; said Houston, glancing at them,
+&ldquo;perhaps more.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Pardon me, gentlemen,&rdquo; said a bland voice across the
+aisle, and the young men, turning, saw a much-bejewelled
+individual, with a florid, but very smiling face; &ldquo;I
+see you have not yet become accustomed to the vast distances
+of this great country of ours in the northwest.
+Those mountains which you are discussing are about
+ninety miles distant.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Rutherford&rsquo;s eyes expressed an immense amount of
+incredulity, while Houston simply bowed silently. The
+man continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The wonderful rarity of our atmosphere in these altitudes
+is something that has to be experienced in order
+to be thoroughly understood and appreciated, or even
+believed. You tell an eastern man of the great distances
+here at which you can see and hear, clearly and readily;
+he will immediately doubt your veracity, simply because
+it is without the line of his experience. Now I myself,
+personally, with my own, unaided vision, have been able
+to count the mules in a pack-train sixty-three miles distant,
+and have repeatedly held conversations at a distance
+of fifteen miles.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Guess the conversation was pretty much all on one
+side, wasn&rsquo;t it?&rdquo; asked Rutherford, adding sotto voce to
+Houston, &ldquo;as on the present occasion.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah, no, indeed not,&rdquo; the man replied; &ldquo;I see, my
+young friend, that you are inclined, like all strangers, to
+be a little incredulous and skeptical, but if you remain
+in this country of ours any length of time, that will soon
+pass away, very soon.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think I care to remain here very long then,
+if it will have any such effect on my brain as that,&rdquo; said
+Rutherford.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You are inclined to be facetious, my friend; that is
+all right, I appreciate a little witticism myself occasionally.
+By the way,&rdquo; he continued, evidently determined to
+get into conversation with Houston, &ldquo;I suppose you
+young gentlemen are out here on business, looking for
+valuable investments in this wonderful country.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At the word &ldquo;Business&rdquo; Mr. Rutherford instantly assumed
+his dignity, dropping into the slightly drawling
+tone he always used on such occasions, and which he
+intended as an extinguisher on any person whom he
+deemed too familiar.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, no,&rdquo; he replied, twirling an incipient mustache,
+&ldquo;at least, not so far as I am concerned; I am just out on
+a sort of an extended pleasure trip, you know.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah, your friend is a business man, I judge; perhaps,&rdquo;
+turning to Houston, &ldquo;we can interest you in some of our
+rare bargains in the line of real estate, improved or unimproved,
+city or country; or possibly in our mines,
+gold or silver properties, quartz or placer, we have them
+all.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You seem to have a &lsquo;corner&rsquo; on this part of the northwest?&rdquo;
+remarked Rutherford, rather sarcastically.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Indeed, young man, we have a good many &lsquo;corners,&rsquo;
+pretty valuable ones, too,&rdquo; the man replied imperturbably,
+still watching Houston, who replied in a courteous
+but indifferent tone:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am out here on business, but am not in a position
+to make any investments at present, nor do I expect to
+be for some time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah, your business?&rdquo; asked his interlocutor.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am an accountant,&rdquo; he replied quietly.</p>
+<p>The man seemed satisfied. &ldquo;Well, gentlemen,&rdquo; he said,
+rising from the table, &ldquo;I am glad to have met you, and
+hope to have the pleasure of seeing you later in our city.
+Allow me to present my card, and if there is anything we
+can ever do for you in our line, please give us a call,&rdquo;
+and smilingly handing each a card, he bowed himself out
+of the car.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, by Jove!&rdquo; exclaimed Rutherford, his grammar
+getting a little mixed, &ldquo;either that man&rsquo;s a fool, or he
+thought we were; I don&rsquo;t know which.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Probably the latter,&rdquo; said Houston, smiling; then
+glancing at the card beside his plate, he read, &ldquo;J. D. Wilson,
+President of the Northwestern Mining, Land and
+Investment Company, Silver City;&rdquo; and he was the prospective
+clerk of The Northwestern Mining, Land and
+Investment Company!</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_IV' id='CHAPTER_IV'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>An hour or two later, the Pacific Express was slowly
+winding up the long mountain grade, the engine puffing
+and wheezing in apoplectic fashion, and occasionally
+emitting short shrieks of protest. The mountains, which
+had gradually been assuming shape and color, were now
+looming up in grand proportions, their rugged outlines
+clearly defined against the sky. Already the mountain
+breezes, fragrant with the breath of tamarack, spruce
+and pine, stole in on adventurous wings through the car
+windows; lifted locks, both golden and silvered, from
+heated brows, kissed a fretful infant into peaceful slumber,
+turned the pages of novels and flapped newspapers
+so persistently that their readers were compelled to abandon
+them, and brought new energy and inspiration to
+the languid, listless passengers, so that they began to
+evince symptoms of interest in their surroundings.</p>
+<p>In his favorite lounging attitude, Houston sat, his eyes
+fixed on the mountains, moment by moment growing
+more distinct in their rugged grandeur, a half-smile of
+amusement playing over his face, as he recalled the interview
+with the president of The Northwestern Mining,
+Land and Investment Company. Upon inquiry, he had
+learned that Mr. Wilson had boarded the train at a little
+way station, before daylight that morning, and the
+zeal displayed by that gentleman in thus seeking to ascertain
+something regarding the characteristics of his
+future clerk, by anticipating his arrival in this manner
+seemed to Houston decidedly amusing, and at the same
+time furnished him a clue concerning the character of
+one of the men with whom he was to be associated.</p>
+<p>He was aroused by the entrance of Rutherford, who,
+having learned that the train would make stops among
+the canyons they were approaching, was getting his
+kodak and plates in readiness, preparatory to taking impressions
+of some of the finest views.</p>
+<p>After a few moments, the conversation drifted to the
+subject of their destination, which they would reach in
+three or four hours.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I suppose,&rdquo; said Rutherford, addressing his companion
+rather hesitatingly, &ldquo;I suppose you will remain
+in Silver City for some time?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am not quite certain,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;my impression
+is, however, that I shall not be detained there more than
+a day or two.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Indeed! then are you going on farther west?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, I expect to go out among the mines for a while.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Among the mines! Now I should think that would
+be fine; you&rsquo;ll have a chance to see western life in earnest.
+So you are interested in mines! Well, I thought
+something of the kind when you said you were out on
+business. No wonder you were so cool with old Boomerang
+this morning, and didn&rsquo;t care for any of his wonderful
+investments.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston was silent for a moment, a curious smile playing
+over his fine features; then watching Rutherford
+keenly through half-closed eyes, he said,</p>
+<p>&ldquo;On the contrary, instead of being a mine owner, as
+you surmise, I am the employe of a mining company,
+and &lsquo;old Boomerang,&rsquo; as you call him, is the president
+of that company.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Rutherford sat for an instant as if petrified; then managed
+to gasp, &ldquo;Great Heavens! are you associated in
+business with that man?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Houston, looking almost as if he enjoyed
+the situation, &ldquo;associated as employer and employe. I
+am going out to fill the position of accountant for the
+same company of which he is president.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, I see; you are just going to take the position.
+Did you know all the time who he was?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I had no more idea than you until I saw his card;
+but I think he knew me, was looking around, in fact, to
+see what his new clerk was like.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The old beast!&rdquo; exclaimed Rutherford. His face was
+a study, it represented so many conflicting emotions;
+several times he seemed about to speak, then remained
+silent, looking more and more perplexed. He was sorely
+puzzled; Houston was the embodiment of courtesy
+and refinement, his every word and gesture revealed a
+man of wealth, education and culture,&ndash;&ndash;and yet, a clerk,
+and for such a man! and strangest of all, he seemed to
+feel no chagrin in speaking of his position.</p>
+<p>Houston&rsquo;s voice broke in pleasantly upon his cogitations:
+&ldquo;I saw it would never do for you to travel about
+here under such erroneous impressions; imagining you
+were associating with a heavy capitalist, or a mining
+broker, when&ndash;&ndash;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, hang it all!&rdquo; interrupted Rutherford, brusquely,
+&ldquo;What difference does it make? You&rsquo;re a gentleman,
+anybody can see that. I&rsquo;ll own up that it did knock me
+out at first to find you were connected in any way with
+that old chap; but I know you&rsquo;re all right, and I had
+no business questioning around as I did about your
+affairs; I beg your pardon, and I&rsquo;ll explain now why I
+did it. I&rsquo;m a stranger out here, and I&rsquo;ve taken an awful
+liking to you, and when we get to Silver City, if you
+don&rsquo;t mind, I&rsquo;d like to keep in with you until I get a little
+accustomed to the ways out here; that is, if you&rsquo;ve
+no objections.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all right,&rdquo; responded Houston cordially, &ldquo;stay
+with me as long as you like; and now, let&rsquo;s go out and
+take a look at the mountains,&rdquo; and the two young men
+shook hands, each feeling a sort of presentiment that the
+friendship begun under these peculiar circumstances
+was one for life, and such it proved.</p>
+<p>On reaching the rear platform they discovered that
+the train was following the course of a river winding
+through a rocky gorge that grew narrower, moment by
+moment. The walls grew higher and steeper at every
+turn, while towering above and beyond were the mountain
+peaks. They stood clinging to the railings, and
+watching the rapidly changing scene, as the train
+swerved and swept from one direction to another, following
+the winding of the river.</p>
+<p>Suddenly the walls shot upward almost perpendicularly
+for hundreds of feet, shutting out the sunlight, leaving
+nothing visible but a narrow strip of sky; and still
+the great rocks came closer and closer, until little more
+than the width of the car was left, and it seemed that in
+a moment that must be crushed. The ponderous wheels
+were slowly revolving over a trestle bridge of steel,
+mortised into the rocks, while the deafening echoes reverberated
+between the narrowing walls, and rippled the
+surface of the river flowing deep and black below. Then
+suddenly another swift, sharp turn, and they were out
+in the dazzling sunshine, amidst a scene of untold beauty
+and grandeur.</p>
+<p>Here, at the entrance of the canyon, the train stopped,
+giving the passengers an opportunity to alight and enjoy
+the scenery. On all sides rose masses of rock, some
+fashioned in wondrous beauty, others in forms weird
+and fantastic; some gray and rugged, some tinted with
+intermingling shades of color, and others sparkling in
+the sunlight as though studded with gems innumerable.
+Here and there were piles of rock, crimson and green
+and golden, resembling the moss-grown, ivy-covered
+castles of the olden time. Farther on were mountains
+covered with heavy forests of pine, through which the
+winds sighed and whispered mysteriously, while at their
+feet the little streams lingered lovingly long enough to
+catch the whispered secrets, and bear them away, laughing
+and singing, on their journey toward the great sea.</p>
+<p>The train moved slowly on to another canyon, more
+grand in its awful solitude than the first, surrounded on
+all sides by walls nearly a thousand feet in height. At
+one side, a broad sheet of water, shimmering in the sunlight,
+fell, like a bridal veil, down the precipitous rock,
+with a deafening roar disappearing into unseen depths
+below, while at the base of the canyon lay a lake of sapphire,
+in whose calm, untroubled depths, rocks and
+cascade and sky were mirrored in perfect beauty.</p>
+<p>Slowly the train wound its way upward, until it paused
+again near the summit of the range, on the &ldquo;divide,&rdquo; the
+boundary line between the east and the west. There
+were the serried ranks of the mountains, vast, solemn,
+grand; and in that awful solitude, under the spell of that
+eternal silence, a sense of the infinite hushed every
+tongue, and each one stood with bated breath, as if on
+holy ground. On every side the billowy ranges surged,
+like the gigantic waves of a storm-tossed ocean suddenly
+congealed to stone, while here and there, towered
+mighty peaks, like huge sentinels, their brows seamed
+with furrows plowed by the hand of the centuries, their
+heads white with the snows of countless ages.</p>
+<p>Here two tiny streams flowed side by side, then separated;
+the one to start on its long journey toward the
+old Atlantic, the other toward the Golden Gate, to mingle
+its waters with those of the sunset sea.</p>
+<p>Slowly the passengers returned to the train, stopping
+on their way to gather the little wild flowers growing
+between the loosened rocks,&ndash;&ndash;frail mountain children of
+the sun and wind,&ndash;&ndash;to be preserved as souvenirs of the
+&ldquo;divide.&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_V' id='CHAPTER_V'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Rutherford had so diligently improved the opportunities
+afforded by the stopping of the train, in securing
+views of some of the finest scenes, that when the divide
+was reached, he had only two plates left. These he
+quickly used, and then gave himself up to silent contemplation
+and enjoyment of the beauty around him.
+Very slowly and regretfully he and Houston followed
+the example of the others, and turned toward the waiting
+train, like them, picking the delicate wild flowers
+and pressing them in their note books.</p>
+<p>It was during the first of these stops, at the entrance to
+the canyons, that Rutherford, hastily glancing up from
+his work, saw, standing among the passengers, a little
+in the background, the man whom he had last seen at
+the Valley City depot. He was standing in the same
+alert, watchful attitude, but the soft hat was drawn downward
+over his face concealing his eyes, and the knife and
+revolver were hidden by a rough jacket. He was not
+then looking toward Rutherford, but was facing in another
+direction, where Houston was strolling among the
+rocks, and when, a few moments later, Houston sauntered
+over to observe his work, Rutherford called his attention
+to the man, but he was nearly hidden behind a
+group of men, only a little of his figure being visible.
+Later, when they were again seated in the car, descending
+the western grade, Rutherford asked his companion
+whether he had succeeded in getting a glimpse of the
+man.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;a glimpse and no more; once
+or twice I was near him, but his face was turned the other
+way. I passed him in taking the train, but I had only a
+hurried glimpse of his face; it seemed to me that it was
+a face of unusual intelligence for a man of that class, as
+I should judge him to be a miner, but I did not think he
+looked particularly dangerous.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Wait till you see his eyes,&rdquo; said Rutherford, then inquired,
+&ldquo;By the way, did you see the old mining chap
+anywhere?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, yes,&rdquo; said Houston, laughing, &ldquo;twice; once with
+a townsite map spread out before him, talking real estate
+to a couple of men, and again in the smoking car where
+he was playing poker.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t see him out looking at the mountains.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, probably they have no interest for him, except
+just so far as they contain gold mines.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>They talked of the mountains, and Rutherford suddenly
+exclaimed, &ldquo;I wish I could find some way of getting
+out and camping right among the mountains themselves.
+I don&rsquo;t care to stop in any little half-civilized western
+town for any length of time, but if I could just go right
+out into the heart of the mountains somewhere, and stay
+for a few weeks, that would be an experience worth having.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston smiled; &ldquo;How would you like a trip out into
+the part of the country where I am going? As near as I
+can make out, it is twenty-five miles from the nearest
+town, just a rough mining camp, with very few people
+aside from the miners.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why,&rdquo; replied Rutherford, &ldquo;I think that would be
+fine; anyhow, I&rsquo;ll try it if you have no objections; it
+will be a change anyway.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>And so it was decided that Rutherford should extend
+his pleasure trip into the mining camp, and Houston
+was pleased with the arrangement, for, notwithstanding
+the work which he had planned, he expected to find
+many lonely hours and monotonous days, little dreaming
+of the interests that awaited him, or that he was entering
+upon the most eventful portion of his life.</p>
+<p>At about one o&rsquo;clock the train arrived at Silver City,
+a town of about fifteen thousand inhabitants. The young
+men, as they left the train, caught a glimpse of the indefatigable
+Mr. Wilson as he was boarding a street car
+in company with two intended victims which he had already
+secured. They took a carriage, and as they were
+whirled rapidly through the steep, narrow streets on
+their way to the hotel, the little city seemed to them like
+a thoroughly typical, western, mining town. The town
+was surrounded by mountains, and prospect holes and
+abandoned placer diggings could be seen in every direction,
+while interspersed among the business blocks of
+brick and stone, were tiny cabins, built of logs,&ndash;&ndash;all
+relics of the earlier days when Silver City was but a
+large mining camp.</p>
+<p>After lunch, Houston started forth in search of the
+city office of The Northwestern Mining, Land and Investment
+Company, which he found without difficulty.
+He was surprised to discover that business there was
+conducted on something of a co-operative plan, as the
+one large room in which he found himself constituted
+the offices of some half-dozen mining and real estate
+companies, and was occupied at the time by eight or
+ten different men, each seated at his own desk, and separated
+from his neighbors by a little wooden railing. A
+broad aisle extended through the center of the room,
+and at the farther end were two or three accountants&rsquo;
+desks, two large safes and two typewriters.</p>
+<p>The whole arrangement seemed to Houston extremely
+crowded and confusing, but he afterward learned that
+it had its advantages; as certain deeds, contracts and
+leases could be so easily mislaid and lost; then too, it
+had an effect upon the minds of some of their patrons
+that was particularly desirable, as they usually left the
+office in a state of such bewilderment, that they were
+unable to tell with any degree of certainty, just which
+one of the many high-sounding companies it was, with
+which they had entered into agreement, and as the eight
+or ten men were each connected in some way with all
+of the companies, they all came in for a share of the
+profits, no matter who was the victim.</p>
+<p>Houston having inquired of a white-haired, benevolent-looking
+individual at his right, for Mr. Wilson, was
+politely directed to the third desk on the left-hand side.
+Here he found Mr. Wilson, who greeted him effusively,
+and introduced him to Mr. Blaisdell, the general manager
+of the company. The secretary of the company
+was, at that moment, doing duty in another part of the
+room, as president of The North American Townsite &amp;
+Irrigation Company, consequently Houston did not
+meet him until later.</p>
+<p>As Messrs. Wilson and Blaisdell were just then engaged
+with a customer, they begged Mr. Houston to excuse
+them for a few moments, which he did very willingly,
+and thus was afforded an opportunity to observe
+the two men closely. Mr. Blaisdell had rather a long
+and narrow face, and what is called a &ldquo;sandy&rdquo; complexion;
+his hair, face and small goatee (he wore no mustache)
+were all of the same, light, indefinite color; his
+eyes were small and pale blue, while his lips were thin
+and tightly compressed. His face, when at rest, had a
+sanctimonious expression which was sadly at variance
+with the avaricious, grasping look which it instantly assumed
+when animated. He said little, but Houston soon
+discovered that he was in reality the head man of the
+company, while Mr. Wilson was but the mouthpiece.</p>
+<p>In the twenty or thirty minutes which elapsed before
+these gentlemen could give Mr. Houston their undivided
+attention, he obtained sufficient insight into their characters,
+and enough of an inkling of their business methods,
+to make him more determined than ever to unearth
+their schemes, and doubly anxious to succeed in the role
+which he had assumed.</p>
+<p>As soon as they were at liberty, Mr. Wilson and the
+general manager turned very smilingly toward their new
+clerk, and after some questions regarding his business
+qualifications and experience, all of which he answered
+in a manner very satisfactory, they proceeded to give
+him detailed instructions relating to his future duties in
+the branch office, at the mining camp.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Of course,&rdquo; remarked Mr. Wilson, &ldquo;you understand
+that as you become accustomed to the business, greater
+responsibility will devolve upon you; for the present,
+you are to have charge of the books and our correspondence
+from that point; and when you have sufficiently
+familiarized yourself with the details of the business, we
+shall expect you, in Mr. Blaisdell&rsquo;s absence, to take
+charge of the office, to receive the reports of the different
+superintendents and foremen of the mines, and if
+necessary, to inspect the work at the mines yourself, occasionally,
+in order to see that our instructions are being
+carried out.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston thought that this included quite a range of
+work for an accountant, but as he was only too glad of
+the opportunities which would thus be afforded him for
+his own investigations, he raised no objections.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I suppose, Mr. Houston,&rdquo; added Mr. Blaisdell, very
+deliberately, &ldquo;it is unnecessary to say that in a position
+of this kind, we require the utmost secrecy on your part
+regarding the affairs of the company. In giving you
+this very responsible position, we repose great confidence
+in you, and we expect you to prove yourself
+worthy of it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh well,&rdquo; chuckled Mr. Wilson, &ldquo;I should say, judging
+by Mr. Houston&rsquo;s appearance on the train this morning,
+he understands the art of preserving a golden silence
+as well as any one I ever saw. It was all I could
+do to get a dozen words out of him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Blaisdell smiled in a way that Houston understood
+he had received a full account of the meeting on
+the train. There being little more to be said, Houston
+inquired regarding accommodations at the camp, stating
+that a young acquaintance of his wished to remain
+in the mountains for a week or two.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is he interested in mines?&rdquo; inquired Mr. Blaisdell.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, no,&rdquo; replied Houston, &ldquo;he is the young man who
+informed Mr. Wilson he was out on an extended pleasure
+trip, and he imagines it would be great sport to be
+out in a genuine mining camp for a while, as far from
+civilization as possible.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all right,&rdquo; responded Mr. Blaisdell, &ldquo;I was
+only going to state that we allow no visitors through
+the mines except those who are personally interested,
+or who have intentions of becoming purchasers, but if
+your friend merely wants to stop among the mountains
+for the fun of the thing, why, he&rsquo;s welcome to stay all
+summer for aught I care. As to accommodations, I
+think we can fix you both very comfortably. There are
+two boarding houses near the mines, for the miners, of
+course you would not go there; but old Jim Maverick
+and his wife run a boarding house about a quarter of a
+mile from there that is very good, and is a sort of stopping
+place for any tourists that find their way out there.
+I stop there myself, and I know Maverick and his wife
+are glad of all the boarders they can get. I believe they
+already had a lady when I was there last week, a school
+teacher or something of that sort, who had just come,
+and I think you will find it very comfortable there.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Having learned that they would have to start for the
+camp at eight o&rsquo;clock the next morning, Houston took
+his leave, promising to be in readiness at that time. He
+next visited a number of assay offices, where he learned
+a good many valuable points regarding the different
+classes of ore in that vicinity; then having purchased
+two or three works on practical mining and mineralogy,
+which he thought might be of assistance to him, he returned
+to the hotel, where he entertained Rutherford until
+dinner with an account of their trip to be taken on the
+morrow and the accommodations that awaited them,
+with the added attraction of the society of a solitary
+school teacher, whom their imaginations already depicted
+as of uncertain age, with short hair and spectacles.
+Many were Rutherford&rsquo;s speculations concerning
+this individual.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve had the pleasure of the acquaintance of two specimens
+of that class,&rdquo; said he, &ldquo;one was in the Catskill
+Mountains; she had a geological fad, and went out every
+morning with a little hammer, to hammer among the
+rocks all day; the other was a botanist, and returned
+every evening about covered with plants which she had
+pulled up, root and branch; I wonder which of them
+this one will resemble.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We shall soon see,&rdquo; said Houston.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_VI' id='CHAPTER_VI'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Nearly twenty-five miles from the nearest town, and
+not a human being visible from the point of observation
+occupied by Miss Gladden, as she slowly swung backward
+and forward in her hammock under the pines, half
+way up the mountain side; and the only sign of human
+life was a faint, blue smoke curling upward among the
+evergreens on one side, at the base of the mountain.</p>
+<p>Directly at the foot of the mountain lay a small lake of
+azure blue, at one end of which was a narrow bridge
+crossing the stream which formed the outlet to the lake,
+and from which a footpath wound in the direction of the
+solitary house from which the smoke ascended. At the
+other extremity of the lake, where the gulch narrowed
+into a deep ravine, walled with irregular masses of gray
+rock, a mountain stream came dashing down over the
+ledges, forming a series of cascades, and with a final
+leap plunged into the azure waters. It was a wild, solitary
+place, and had there been another human being visible,
+he doubtless would have been much astonished at the
+sight of a young lady, dressed in the height of fashion,
+lazily swinging to and fro, half way up the pine covered
+mountain.</p>
+<p>But for Miss Gladden the charm of the situation lay in
+its solitude; she was tired of society, and, glad to free
+herself for a while at least from its conventionalities, was
+congratulating herself upon her good fortune in finding
+this retreat, all unconscious that others were already
+entering into her little world, soon to enter into her
+heart and life.</p>
+<p>As she swung dreamily under the pines she was
+aroused by a clear, musical voice calling her name, and
+turning, saw the lithe, slender form of Lyle Maverick,
+the daughter of her host, rapidly approaching. Although
+Miss Gladden had been but a few days among
+the mountains, there already existed between her and
+Lyle Maverick a mutual admiration, though each was,
+as yet, unconscious of the admiration of the other.</p>
+<p>Lyle secretly worshipped Miss Gladden as the most
+beautiful being she had ever seen, nor was it strange, for
+Leslie Gladden had all her life received the homage always
+yielded to beauty, and from hearts far less susceptible
+than that of this untutored child of the mountains;
+but Lyle, notwithstanding her surroundings and her disadvantages,
+was proud spirited, and did not proclaim her
+admiration for the beautiful stranger. Miss Gladden,
+on her part, admired the imperious mountain maid, as
+the loveliest specimen of uncultured, untrained girlhood,
+just blossoming into womanhood, that she had ever met.
+She wondered how she came to be so unlike her surroundings,
+and what would be the result if this wild
+mountain flower could be transplanted to some more
+favorable spot, there to receive the care and nurture bestowed
+on so many far less beautiful. She had within
+the last few days, led by a desire to know the proud,
+shy girl, made a companion of her; this was a new experience
+for Lyle, and was fast deepening her admiration
+for Miss Gladden into confidence and regard.</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden watched Lyle now, as she came up the
+mountain path, as fleet of foot and graceful in every motion
+as a deer, her head thrown proudly back, her wavy
+hair rippling over her shoulders to her waist, and shining
+in the sunlight like fine spun gold.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, Miss Gladden,&rdquo; she exclaimed, as, having
+reached the group of pines, she threw herself carelessly
+at the foot of one of them, &ldquo;the solitude and isolation
+which you have prized so highly are to be invaded by
+two new boarders of masculine gender.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A slight frown gathered on Miss Gladden&rsquo;s face, at the
+prospect of intruders thus encroaching upon the mountain
+retreat which she was beginning to regard as hers
+exclusively. Lyle, watching her, saw the frown, and
+continued, her eyes dancing with mischief:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They are city gentlemen, too, from the east; from
+Chicago and from Boston, only think of the honor conferred
+upon us! They have come from the land of
+civilization and culture to the wild west, to see how we
+barbarians live; at least that is the object of one of them
+who is out on a pleasure trip, for that is usually the
+meaning of western pleasure trips.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lyle, are you not rather severe? They come for the
+sake of the scenery, or as I have, for rest.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;A few for rest perhaps, but scenery? nonsense! Look
+at the majority of your &lsquo;western stories,&rsquo; as they are
+called; how much is there in them of scenery? A few
+lines here and there, but pages devoted to descriptions
+of western life with its ignorance and uncouthness.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But stories of western life usually contain a great
+deal of originality and piquancy; that is why they are
+popular.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Possibly,&rdquo; said Lyle dryly, &ldquo;but I have seen very little
+originality in the life I have led here. It may seem
+original to outsiders; it is monotonous enough to those
+who live it, year after year. The scenery of the west is
+grand, I love it, and if I could see it with such eyes as
+yours, eyes accustomed to beauty in all its infinite kinds
+and degrees, and with a mind cultivated, fed on the
+choicest thought than can be culled not only from our
+own country and in our own tongue, but from other
+countries and in other tongues as well, I would appreciate
+the beauty about me more keenly than I can now;
+but I despise this life in which I have been reared, a life
+of ignorance, coarseness, brutality and deceit. Here I
+have lived for the past ten years, here I am likely to live
+for ten, twenty years to come.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Both were silent for a few moments, while Miss Gladden
+watched the beautiful face, in this instance an index
+of an equally beautiful soul, and she marveled more than
+ever. At last she said gently:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lyle, dear, pardon me for asking such a question, but
+you are an anomaly; how is it, living all these years as
+you have, in these surroundings, that you have so good
+an education? You have evidently read considerable,
+and you converse well; you cannot be called ignorant.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; the girl replied sadly, &ldquo;I am not quite so ignorant
+as a stranger would think to see me, but I have
+learned just enough to make me realize how little I do
+know, and that little I have acquired by stealth. I could
+read a very little when we came here from some small
+town, somewhere in the east, I have forgotten where,
+and I wanted to learn, but father forbade it; he said he
+wouldn&rsquo;t have any of his children putting on airs, that
+what was good enough for him would have to do for
+them. He has always been severe with me, I suppose
+he didn&rsquo;t want any girls, that&rsquo;s what mother says.
+Mother was always as kind to me as she dared to be, but
+she was afraid to help me to learn anything, and she
+couldn&rsquo;t have taught me much anyway. I studied every
+little bit of print I could come across, if it were nothing
+more than a scrap of newspaper, I was so anxious to be
+able to read. Then, when I was about twelve years old,
+a little girl who stayed here one summer with her governess,
+left some of her old, worn-out school books and
+writing books. I hid them in my room as carefully as if
+they had been diamonds, and pored over them every
+chance I could get for the next year. About that time,
+I got acquainted with one of the miners who had been
+here a long time, a strange, silent man, who was very
+different from the others, and who kept by himself. He
+seemed to take a great liking to me, and I consider him
+to-day the best friend that I have in the world. He
+found out how I was studying and trying to learn, and
+he helped me, for he had had a fine education. He
+bought books for me, not only school books, but choice
+books to read, stories, poems and plays, and he has
+talked with me a great deal, and told me about places
+and people and authors, and so has saved me from being
+a total ignoramus.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How kind!&rdquo; exclaimed Miss Gladden, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t wonder
+that you consider him your friend. Is he here now?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; replied Lyle, &ldquo;he has been away for a few
+days, but he came back last night, and I went down to
+his cabin to see him. He brought me some beautiful
+books, but I keep them at his cabin most of the time,
+so no one at the house will get hold of them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Does he live alone?&rdquo; asked Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, an Irishman, who has a pretty good education,
+lives with him most of the time; he is quite a musician
+and is teaching me to play the violin. &lsquo;Mike&rsquo; they call
+the Irishman, and my friend is &lsquo;Jack&rsquo;; the other miners
+nicknamed him &lsquo;Lone Jack,&rsquo; but nobody, I suppose,
+knows what their real names are.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why, how interesting!&rdquo; exclaimed Miss Gladden.
+&ldquo;Why haven&rsquo;t you ever told me before? It sounds like
+a story with a deep-laid plot, and a typical villain lurking
+somewhere.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There are plots enough, and villains enough, but
+Jack is not one of them,&rdquo; quietly replied the girl, with a
+curious expression.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Would he let me come and see him?&rdquo; inquired Miss
+Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He might, if I asked him, but you would find him
+very uncommunicative. He does not care for strangers.
+He was telling me last night about a comical, dudish
+looking fellow whom he saw on the train, and who got
+off at Silver City, and he said he was coming up here
+into the mountains in company with another young gentleman;
+he thought I would be likely to see them, and I
+think they are the new boarders.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why, have you seen them?&rdquo; asked Miss Gladden, in
+surprise.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; laughed Lyle, &ldquo;one of them, from my post of
+observation behind the kitchen door, and he did appear
+so ridiculous with his gold eye-glasses, looking as solemn
+as an owl, and glancing around with that expression
+of supercilious curiosity, as though he expected to
+find us all wild Indians, or something of the sort.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah, that accounts for the little tirade against western
+pleasure tourists I heard when you first came up. Evidently
+the eye-glasses did not produce a very favorable
+impression on you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; retorted Lyle, &ldquo;see him yourself, and see what
+impressions you will receive.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, my dear,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;as it is nearly
+dinner time, I would suggest that we adjourn to the
+house, alleviate these pangs of hunger, take an observation
+of the gold eye-glasses and report our impressions
+later.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Agreed,&rdquo; said Lyle merrily, and the two began to
+descend the mountain.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_VII' id='CHAPTER_VII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Houston and Rutherford were promptly at the depot,
+as agreed, to take the early morning train to the mines.</p>
+<p>Mr. Blaisdell met them with a great show of cordiality,
+his thin lips contracted into a smile which was doubtless
+intended to be very agreeable, but which produced a
+sensation exactly the reverse.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; Rutherford began, with his peculiar drawl,
+when he and Houston were seated together in the car,
+with Mr. Blaisdell safely engaged in conversation at a
+little distance, &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t say that I&rsquo;m any more favorably
+impressed with Mr. Buncombe, or whatever his name
+is, than I was with old Boomerang yesterday. That fellow
+looked like a silly, pompous, old fool, and this one
+like a sly, old villain. I wish he&rsquo;d stop that confounded,
+wolfish grin of his, it makes me feel uncomfortable, he
+looks as if he knew he had his prey just dead easy, and
+his chops were watering in anticipation. I say, old fellow,
+I don&rsquo;t think much of this Buncombe-Boomerang
+combination of yours, and I guess it&rsquo;s a good thing I&rsquo;m
+along with you till we find out what sort of a trap we&rsquo;re
+getting into.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston smiled; Rutherford had expressed his own
+opinion a great deal nearer than he cared to admit. He
+had seen enough of the men with whom he was to be
+associated to convince him that they were villains, cowardly
+villains too, the very sort of men that would be
+most desperate and dangerous when cornered; but he
+was fast laying his plans, and now the only drawback
+seemed that he would have no assistant, and he felt the
+time would come when he would need one, and some
+one familiar with mining. An expert from the east
+would not do, he would be suspected; and a detective
+would not possess the necessary information regarding
+mining in general, and these mines in particular. At
+times, a vague idea of taking Rutherford into his confidence
+came into his mind, but he was not ready to do
+this yet, if at all.</p>
+<p>All this flashed through Houston&rsquo;s mind as Rutherford
+made the above remark, and he answered:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t apprehend any particular danger at present,
+but I am glad you are with me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The question with me is,&rdquo; continued Rutherford,
+&ldquo;how I&rsquo;ll amuse myself during your office hours in such
+a region as this; I don&rsquo;t imagine I&rsquo;ll find a great many
+congenial companions.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You seem to have forgotten the school teacher,&rdquo;
+Houston remarked, with a quiet smile.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, bother the school ma&rsquo;am! I had forgotten her.
+I suppose she&rsquo;ll be as graceful as a scalene triangle, and
+about as entertaining as a mummy. They&rsquo;re mostly that
+kind, or else the gushing, adoring sort, that can&rsquo;t talk
+of anything but Browning, or Emerson, or theosophy,
+or something of that kind; and the most conceited lot
+of creatures that ever lived.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, the train wound in and out among the
+mountains, stopping for a few moments at a small town
+where huge smelters were pouring forth their clouds of
+dense smoke, darkening the air until it seemed more
+like night than day; then on a few miles farther, to the
+little station known as the &ldquo;Y,&rdquo; so-called on account of
+the form of the spur tracks owned by the mining company,
+by which the ore was brought down from the
+mines above.</p>
+<p>At the station was a store containing general mining
+supplies, with the post-office in one front window, a
+boarding and lodging house, and three or four saloons
+and gambling houses, these last designed to catch the
+wages of the miners from the surrounding camps.</p>
+<p>Mr. Blaisdell having found one of the superintendents
+who had come down with a team for supplies, they were
+soon on their way up the gulch, and in the course of
+an hour were left at the office buildings, while the team
+went on to the mines.</p>
+<p>Here Rutherford waited in the outer room of the little
+unpainted, frame building, while Mr. Blaisdell took
+Houston into the further room, and introduced him to
+Morgan, the general superintendent, and to his work,
+at the same time. Then, having seen Houston duly installed
+at his post of duty, perched on a wabbly stool,
+before a rickety, ink-bespattered desk, beside a window
+gray with the dust and smoke of ages, through which a
+few straggling sunbeams fell, Mr. Blaisdell sailed complacently
+forth to escort Rutherford to Jim Maverick&rsquo;s
+boarding house, whither the baggage had already been
+taken by the team; then, all necessary arrangements for
+rooms and board having been completed, he went out
+to the mines, leaving Rutherford alone in the camp of
+the Philistines. He found no one, however, more formidable
+than Mrs. Maverick, an old woman bent nearly
+double, with white hair and hollow, deep-sunken eyes,
+so faded it was impossible to tell what their original
+color might have been, and the &ldquo;help,&rdquo; a stout, red-cheeked,
+coarse-featured girl of fifteen, whom Mrs. Maverick
+called &ldquo;Minty,&rdquo; but who rejoiced in the euphonious
+name of Araminta Bixby, and who ogled and grinned at
+Rutherford until he found the task of preserving his dignity
+more difficult than ever.</p>
+<p>In the course of an hour he sauntered down to the
+office to meet Houston, and a little later the two sat in
+the porch of the low, wide-spreading house, partly frame
+and partly of logs, the roof of the porch supported by
+the trunks of slender trees, unhewn, from which even
+the bark had not been removed.</p>
+<p>From the porch there was a view of the lake, and in
+the distance the gleaming cascades, while just opposite,
+the gulch road followed its winding course and disappeared
+among the mountains.</p>
+<p>Presently there came up the winding road three men,
+apparently father and sons,&ndash;&ndash;low-browed, heavy-eyed,
+brutal looking creatures,&ndash;&ndash;who followed the foot path
+up toward the house, and glaring sullenly at the young
+men, shuffled around to the back door.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Evidently mine host and his sons,&rdquo; remarked Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; replied Rutherford, &ldquo;I think if I see a few
+more such specimens as those, I&rsquo;ll take the first train
+out. Say though, I haven&rsquo;t seen a sign of that school
+teacher, I begin to think she is a myth.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Sh!&rdquo; said Houston quickly, under his breath, &ldquo;see
+what you think of this!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Rutherford turned in the direction Houston was facing,
+and had two beings just then descended from the
+mythical regions, he could not have been more astonished
+than at sight of the pair approaching from the
+lake. The first was a young girl, apparently about sixteen,
+but tall and well developed, the scant garments
+that she wore revealing the beautifully rounded outlines
+of her form, her carriage free and every movement full
+of grace. Her face was exquisitely beautiful, the features
+refined and perfect as though chiseled in marble;
+her eyes shone with a star-like brilliancy, and her hair
+fell about her shoulders like a mass of burnished gold.</p>
+<p>Beside her was a woman several years her senior,
+equally beautiful, but an altogether different type of
+beauty; more mature, more perfect and more rare. Tall
+and splendidly developed, she moved with a queenly
+grace. Her face was classical in its contours, the profile
+resembling that of some of the old Grecians, while its
+beauty was so refined, so subtile, it could not be easily
+described. Perhaps the eyes were its chief attraction;
+large and dark, and of Madonna-like depth and tenderness;
+soulful eyes that reflected every emotion of the
+pure, womanly nature, as the calm lake mirrors the sunlit
+sky or the lowering storm-cloud, the silvery moon
+or the lightning&rsquo;s flash. The wavy, auburn hair, tinged
+in the sunlight with red gold, was gathered into a knot
+near the top of a shapely, well-poised head, while stray
+curls clustered rebelliously about the broad, fair brow,
+forming a shining aureole.</p>
+<p>Like a vision, the pair passed silently into the house,
+leaving Rutherford, for once in his life, speechless, and
+Houston watching him, apparently enjoying the situation.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s the matter, my boy?&rdquo; he asked, in a low,
+laughing tone, &ldquo;Are you spell-bound?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Spell-bound? well, slightly!&rdquo; responded Rutherford.
+&ldquo;Great Heavens, Houston! do they have such women
+as those out here?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Evidently they have some fine samples of the genuine
+article, but I am not prepared to state how large a
+stock they carry. I&rsquo;m positive of one thing though, that
+within the last three minutes you have changed your
+mind about taking the next train out. Not all the desperadoes
+and villains you&rsquo;ve met from Valley City out,
+could drive you away from the mountains now.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;re right, they couldn&rsquo;t,&rdquo; said Rutherford, with
+a broad grin, &ldquo;not if I know myself; no, sir, when I&rsquo;m in
+the line of duty nothing can scare me out of it worth a
+cent, and just now I feel it to be my duty to solve
+some of the mysteries thickening around me, among
+them, that of the mountain nymphs.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Altogether too substantial for mountain nymphs, my
+boy,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;and you will please remember,
+while pursuing your line of duty, that I have vouched
+for your good behavior here, and am in a measure responsible
+for you, and I don&rsquo;t want to get into any
+trouble on your account.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Rutherford cleared his throat, and rising slowly with
+all the dignity he could muster, looked gravely over his
+glasses at Houston in exact imitation of Mr. Blaisdell,
+and in an oracular tone remarked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And you will please remember, my young friend, that
+I am out here as your duly constituted guardian, and as
+such, it is my duty to form the acquaintance of these&ndash;&ndash;ahem!&ndash;&ndash;these
+fair daughters of Eve, and judge for myself
+whether or not they will be suitable companions for
+an unsophisticated youth, like yourself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good!&rdquo; said Houston, and after a few more jokes,
+dinner being announced by the moon-faced Minty, they
+went in to partake of their first meal in what Rutherford
+styled the &ldquo;Hotel de Maverick.&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_VIII' id='CHAPTER_VIII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>A few moments later, Houston and his friend had been
+duly presented by Mrs. Maverick, to Miss Gladden
+and to &ldquo;our daughter, Lyle,&rdquo; the former in a gown of
+soft, clinging material, of a delicate, golden tint, combined
+with a reddish brown velvet, which suited her
+style of beauty to perfection; and Lyle, in dainty white
+apron, her beautiful hair loosely plaited in an enormous
+braid, prepared to act in the capacity of waiter.</p>
+<p>Never were guests served so deftly, or with such grace
+and dignity; she seemed absolutely free from all coquettish
+airs, and although the glances of the two gentlemen
+were about evenly divided between the beauty at
+their side and the fair waitress, Lyle carried herself with
+an equanimity that was remarkable. Not until the arrival,
+later, of the other boarders, Morgan, the general
+superintendent, and Haight, the mining expert,&ndash;&ndash;so-called,
+though his expertness embraced much beside
+mining,&ndash;&ndash;was there any change in her demeanor; then
+her eyes flashed, her lips curled, and a look of superb
+scorn passed over her face, an expression that reminded
+Rutherford unaccountably of the face he had seen at
+Valley City.</p>
+<p>Old Jim Maverick and his sons were not present, having
+taken their meal hastily in the kitchen. Beside her
+husband and sons, poor, old Mrs. Maverick was positively
+refined. She was a kind-hearted, motherly
+woman, and looked as though, in her younger days, she
+might have been very pretty, but poverty, hard work and
+abuse had very nearly obliterated all traces of youthful
+bloom, and her face had a hopeless, appealing look
+which was pathetic.</p>
+<p>A little later, Mr. Blaisdell arrived, rubbing his hands
+and smiling in his usual complacent manner, and he entertained
+the guests for some time with anecdotes of
+western life, some of them very well told, but in most
+of which it was noticeable that he bore a very prominent
+part.</p>
+<p>After dinner, Houston returned to the office in company
+with Morgan and the expert, two new characters
+which he was studying attentively. The former was a
+tall, raw-boned individual, with a genial, good-natured
+manner, but a weak face; one who would willingly be
+a tool for any villain, but an unreliable tool. He would
+betray his best friend, and knowing nothing of honor
+himself, he did not believe in its existence, among men
+or women. To him, all men were rogues, all business
+simply gambling on a large scale, and his only care was
+to be on the winning side.</p>
+<p>Haight was a small, dark man, with soft, insinuating
+manner, and, in accordance with his pet theory that
+every person, high or low, rich or poor, might sometime
+be useful to him in the furtherance of his own objects,
+he treated every one with punctilious politeness. To
+some his manner might have been pleasing, but to one
+with any degree of penetration, the crafty, scheming nature
+under the thin veneer was very apparent.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, Rutherford had rather reluctantly accepted
+an invitation from Mr. Blaisdell to go through
+the mills and visit one or two of the less important
+mines. The young easterner was soon much interested,
+as, after having explored one of the smaller mines, the
+Peep o&rsquo;Day,&ndash;&ndash;which he thought very appropriately
+named as he glanced upward from a depth of a few hundred
+feet,&ndash;&ndash;he was taken to the mills, and there saw the
+various stages through which the ores pass in the process
+of reduction. He almost forgot his dislike of Mr.
+Blaisdell as he listened to his explanation of the different
+classes of ore, and the various kinds of treatment which
+they required, and met some of his old college acquaintances,&ndash;&ndash;the
+sulphates, nitrates, carbonates, and other
+members of that numerous family,&ndash;&ndash;in new and startling
+array; for Mr. Blaisdell was thoroughly at home in
+chemistry and mineralogy, and enjoyed nothing so
+much as airing the knowledge he possessed in that one
+direction. Of other branches of science, and even on
+subjects of general information, he was profoundly ignorant,
+although blissfully unconscious of the fact.</p>
+<p>Rutherford was next shown the method by which the
+ore ready for shipment was conveyed down the mountain
+to the cars on the spur tracks, hundreds of feet below,
+by means of a rail tramway on trestle work, some
+three thousand feet in length, having a grade of nine
+feet per each hundred feet, over which cars of ore were
+passing, operated by gravity, the weight and velocity of
+the descending, loaded car, carrying the empty car upward.
+He thoroughly enjoyed these novel scenes, and
+congratulated himself upon the many picturesque mining
+views which he would add to his collection.</p>
+<p>As they were passing through one of the sorting
+rooms, they came upon Mr. Haight seated before a large
+table covered with specimens of ore, which he was examining
+with a powerful microscope, while beside him
+were various chemical and mechanical appliances for
+testing the different ores. Rutherford was enthusiastic
+in his admiration of the specimens, particularly those
+from the copper mines, with their beautiful coloring,&ndash;&ndash;the
+blending tints of green and purple and blue,&ndash;&ndash;and he
+created considerable amusement by his ecstasies over a
+large sample of iron pyrites, which he had mistaken for a
+splendid specimen of gold ore. Altogether it was a
+novel and pleasant experience for him, and when he
+joined Houston later, he felt himself considerably wiser
+in western lore.</p>
+<p>After supper, Mr. Blaisdell and Haight returned to the
+office for a private conference regarding some new ores
+which the latter had been testing. Morgan strolled
+down the gulch in the direction of the Y, drawn by the
+attractions of the gambling house and dance hall, leaving
+the two strangers to seek their own amusement, or
+to be entertained by Miss Gladden; they chose the latter,
+and, since among the mountains as on the ocean,
+friendships are quickly formed, the three were soon chatting
+as pleasantly, out in the low, rustic porch, as though
+their acquaintance dated back a number of days, instead
+of only a few hours. At the kitchen door, old Jim
+Maverick and his sons, with a dozen or so miners,
+lounged about, smoking their pipes, and enlivened by
+the blushing, giggling Miss Bixby.</p>
+<p>With the latter crowd Lyle would never mingle, much
+to the indignation of Maverick himself, and the chagrin
+of two or three would-be admirers, and not feeling at
+liberty to join, unasked, the group in the porch, she
+withdrew to her little room up-stairs, and taking from its
+hiding place one of the new books her friend had
+brought her, she was for a while unconscious of everything
+else. Then, as the twilight deepened, she closed
+the book, and having again concealed it, sat watching
+the stars just beginning to appear, one by one, and musing,
+as she often did, on her own life. Why had she not,
+with her passionate love of the beautiful and her thirst
+for knowledge, been given the birth and training, the
+social advantages of any one of that little group below?
+Or, if the fates had decreed that she must be born in
+such ignorance and degradation, and spend her life in
+such surroundings, why had they not given her a nature
+corresponding to her environment, as indifferent and
+unaspiring as that of the phlegmatic Miss Bixby? Why
+must she always feel as if she had been born to a better
+life than this, when in all probability, it must always go
+on in the same old routine which she hated and despised?
+She wondered what Jack meant by the questions
+he had asked her so often lately, as to where they
+had lived before coming to the mountains, and regarding
+her earliest recollections. Well, what were her earliest
+recollections? Something so shadowy she could not
+determine whether it were remembrance or imagination;
+but it was a vague idea of light and music and beauty;
+and why was it that when she heard or read of that
+bright life, so foreign to her, of which she had never had
+one glimpse, that it all seemed somehow half familiar?
+She did not believe she would be very awkward or out
+of place, if she could step for the first time into some
+of those bright scenes as she imagined them; why did it
+all seem so home-like to her?</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, the little group below were discussing the
+same problem that Lyle herself was trying to solve.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I cannot understand,&rdquo; Rutherford was saying, &ldquo;how
+such a style of beauty, so delicate and refined you know,
+could ever exist in such surroundings.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She is a mystery,&rdquo; added Houston, &ldquo;and unless I am
+greatly mistaken, she has a nature as sensitive and refined
+as her face.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You are right, Mr. Houston,&rdquo; replied Miss Gladden,
+&ldquo;she possesses a refinement of nature that is wonderful;
+and not only that, she has a brilliant intellect if she could
+only have advantages, and notwithstanding all the difficulties
+and obstacles with which she has had to contend,
+she has already acquired a fair education, is remarkably
+well informed and a good conversationalist.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A few moments later, Lyle was aroused from her
+revery by a familiar voice calling her, and coming down
+stairs, found Miss Gladden awaiting her.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You runaway!&rdquo; she exclaimed, &ldquo;why have you been
+hiding when you should have been helping me entertain
+the new guests?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t think you needed any help,&rdquo; replied Lyle,
+brightly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You never made a worse mistake in your life,&rdquo; said
+Miss Gladden, leading the way out on the porch. &ldquo;I
+have been trying to tell these gentlemen something
+about this country around here, and I have only succeeded
+in betraying my own ignorance.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Both gentlemen greeted Lyle pleasantly, and Houston
+rose and gave her his chair with a grave, gentle
+courtesy which was new to her, and which she was
+quick to observe and appreciate. For some time they
+chatted of the surrounding country, Lyle telling them
+where the finest scenery, the best hunting and fishing
+and the pleasantest picnic grounds were to be found.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;About a quarter of a mile from here,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;in
+Strawberry gulch is a small canyon that has been fitted
+up for tourists and excursionists, and every summer
+numerous camping parties come out from Silver City
+for a few days or weeks. There is a fine lake at the
+head of the canyon, a boat house, and a good supply of
+boats, tents, and almost everything needed for camp
+life.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Have there been any camping parties yet?&rdquo; asked
+Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not yet,&rdquo; replied Lyle. &ldquo;It is too early; they usually
+begin coming in July; we are likely to have snow-storms
+out here in the mountains yet.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Snow-storms!&rdquo; they all exclaimed; &ldquo;What!&rdquo; said
+Miss Gladden, &ldquo;after such warm weather as this?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, yes,&rdquo; said Lyle, &ldquo;this is only the early warm
+weather we always have in May, but it will be much
+colder again before summer really begins in earnest;
+though the weather is never so severe here as in the
+gulches farther up the mountains.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It seems to me,&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve heard of the
+greatest number of &lsquo;gulches&rsquo; out here, and some of them
+have the most remarkable names; very original, certainly.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Their names are mostly indicative of their early history,&rdquo;
+Lyle answered; &ldquo;there are a number of them in
+this vicinity,&ndash;&ndash;Last Chance gulch, Poor Man&rsquo;s gulch,
+Lucky gulch, Bloody gulch, and so on.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Has this gulch where we are, any such euphonious
+title?&rdquo; inquired Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This one has two names, equally euphonious and
+equally historical; it is now called Spotted Horse gulch,
+but years since it was known as Dead Man&rsquo;s gulch.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That sounds cheerful!&rdquo; commented Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is there a ghost story connected with the gulch, Miss
+Maverick?&rdquo; inquired Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Lyle, &ldquo;several of them, for the miners are
+mostly very superstitious. Years ago, when there were
+no well developed mines here, only a few prospects, a
+man who had just sold one of the properties, was murdered
+for his money, about half way between here and
+the mines, where the road is so narrow and passes under
+the overhanging rocks. He rode a spotted horse, and
+from the indications when he was found a few days after,
+he must have made a desperate fight, for both he and
+the horse were shot several times. Ever since, it has
+been said that the spotted horse goes up and down the
+gulch at night, sometimes alone, and sometimes with
+his rider, and so the gulch received its name.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is that story still believed here?&rdquo; asked Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;More or less,&rdquo; replied Lyle. &ldquo;There is just enough
+faith in it, that, excepting Jack,&rdquo; and she nodded slightly
+to Miss Gladden, &ldquo;there is not a miner in camp who
+could be hired to pass through that part of the gulch at
+midnight, for fear of seeing the phantom horse and his
+rider.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Possibly,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;it would be well for
+us to adjourn for the night, or we may have a glimpse of
+the phantoms; it must be after ten o&rsquo;clock.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;After ten, impossible!&rdquo; exclaimed Rutherford,
+springing to his feet; &ldquo;I beg your pardon, ladies, for
+having detained you so long; I never dreamed it was
+so late.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The long twilight here deceives one, I have hardly
+become accustomed to it myself,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The ladies will surely pardon us,&rdquo; said Houston,
+&ldquo;since it is through their making the time pass so pleasantly
+that we have trespassed.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>They separated for the night, and a little later, Mr.
+Blaisdell and Haight came up from the office, but Morgan
+did not return until daylight was beginning to tinge
+the eastern sky.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_IX' id='CHAPTER_IX'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>A number of days passed uneventfully. Houston was
+occupied in getting familiarized with the work at the
+office, having first created an epoch in the history of
+that institution by having the windows thoroughly
+cleaned.</p>
+<p>One of the noted characters of the mining camp was
+a small boy who, when he could scarcely walk, had, on
+account of his fearless spirit and indomitable pluck, been
+dubbed with the name of &ldquo;Bull-dog.&rdquo; The name was
+so appropriate, and the little fellow himself so proud
+of it, that as he grew older it was forgotten if he ever
+had any other; if he had, no one knew what it was. He
+was now nearly twelve years of age, as small as
+most boys of eight or nine, but he possessed the same
+spirit as of old. Bull-dog was the oldest of five children;
+his parents lived at the Y, a worthless, disreputable
+pair; he spent very little time under the parental
+roof, and filial respect was entirely left out of his composition,
+and no wonder! He was a favorite among the
+miners, spending much of his time in the camp, and the
+shrewd little fellow was very observant of what went on
+around him, and very keen and worldly-wise in his judgment
+of human nature as he found it.</p>
+<p>He speedily made the acquaintance of Houston, and
+when the latter came down to the office on his second
+morning, he found the boy awaiting him, and an idea
+occurred to him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Say, Bull-dog, can you wash windows?&rdquo; he asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Bet yer life,&rdquo; was the laconic reply, accompanied by
+a grin.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What will you charge me for washing these four?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The small individual surveyed the windows critically,
+then answered:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Six bits.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Go ahead,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;let&rsquo;s see how good a job
+you can do.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Two hours afterward the windows were shining, and
+Houston paid the little fellow an equally shining dollar,
+instead of the six bits, thus making of Bull-dog a friend
+for life, and one whose friendship afterward proved of
+great value.</p>
+<p>Nearly every afternoon found Lyle at Jack&rsquo;s cabin, diligently
+reading or studying, guarded by Rex, the faithful
+collie, who would let no one but Lyle enter the cabin
+while Jack and Mike were at their work. Two or three
+evenings of each week she spent there, reviewing her lessons
+with Jack, or listening, either to the stories which
+he and Mike told of other countries, or to the music of
+Mike&rsquo;s violin, fierce and wild, or sweet and pathetic, according
+to the mood of the musician. The cabin, built
+of logs and plaster, and consisting of two rooms and a
+small attic, resembled miners&rsquo; cabins in general, with the
+exception of the second and inner room. Here, the
+floor was nearly covered with skins of animals, while on
+the walls were shelves and brackets, hand-carved in delicate
+designs, and filled with books and choice pictures,
+beautiful etchings and photographs of various works of
+art. A few larger pictures hung on the walls, framed in
+some of the same skillfully carved work. The pine table,
+covered with a brightly colored spread, was strewn
+with finely bound volumes, and scattered about the room
+were several comfortable folding chairs, which Jack
+had bought in some of his trips to Silver City. A rude
+fireplace had been built in one side of the room, over
+which were arranged artistically two or three rifles, and
+the heads and horns of various animals, while on the
+mantel was a fine collection of ores. Altogether, it was
+a pleasant room, and gave more evidence of good taste,
+education and refinement than could have been found
+for more than a score of miles in that region. This was
+Jack&rsquo;s sanctum, and none but his two friends, Lyle and
+Mike, were ever allowed within it.</p>
+<p>In this room, a few evenings after the arrival of the
+two strangers, Lyle was sitting with her friends. The
+weather was already much cooler, and a bright fire was
+burning, before which Rex was comfortably stretched,
+while he watched the faces of his two friends, Jack and
+Lyle, who, having finished their usual reading, were
+silent for a few moments, looking into the fire and listening
+to Mike as he sat in his corner, his eyes closed, his
+head bent lovingly over his violin, while he evoked some
+of the wild, plaintive airs of his native country.</p>
+<p>Jack was the first to speak, as he asked in a low tone,
+&ldquo;You have met the young men I spoke of the other evening?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; replied Lyle, still gazing into the fire, &ldquo;they
+are stopping at the house.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How long will they remain?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The younger one, the one you particularly admired, is
+to stop for a few weeks only; the other will probably remain
+permanently, as he is bookkeeper for the mining
+company.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack gave an almost imperceptible start, but slight as
+it was, Lyle noticed it, and turning quickly, saw a peculiar
+expression of mingled surprise, perplexity and annoyance
+on his usually immobile face.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Bookkeeper for the mining company!&rdquo; he exclaimed,
+&ldquo;are you sure you are correct?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I can only quote for my authority the Honorable J.
+O. Blaisdell,&rdquo; she replied archly, &ldquo;you surely wouldn&rsquo;t
+doubt his word under any circumstances, would you?
+You look surprised; did you consider Mr. Houston one
+of the &lsquo;lilies&rsquo;?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack looked at her inquiringly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;One of the &lsquo;lilies&rsquo; like Mr. Rutherford,&rdquo; she explained,
+&ldquo;who &lsquo;toil not neither do they spin,&rsquo; I supposed
+him one at first, but I think differently now; I believe
+he would always be a worker of some kind, whether it
+were necessary or not; at the same time I don&rsquo;t believe
+it is exactly necessary for him to be a bookkeeper.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You seem to have made a study of him,&rdquo; remarked
+Jack, quietly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Of course,&rdquo; answered Lyle, &ldquo;what else are my eyes
+and my small stock of brains for, but to study everybody
+and everything that comes in my way? Besides, it&rsquo;s
+rather interesting to find a person of some depth, after
+such shallow people as Mr. Blaisdell and Haight, and
+that class.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Sometimes, Lyle,&rdquo; said Jack, slowly, &ldquo;these deep people
+make a dangerous study; they are likely to become
+too interesting.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Never you fear for me, Jack,&rdquo; said the girl, with considerable
+spirit, but kindly, &ldquo;I know too well how the
+world would look upon old Jim Maverick&rsquo;s daughter,
+to carry my heart on my sleeve.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Both were silent for a moment, Jack watching her
+face intently. Mike had left the room. Lyle continued,
+in a gentler tone,</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Houston is a perfect gentleman; he would make
+a safe study for me, even if I didn&rsquo;t realize my position.
+He reminds me of you, Jack, in some ways.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Of me!&rdquo; said Jack sarcastically, &ldquo;your Mr. Houston
+would doubtless feel nattered at being compared to
+a weather-beaten miner.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You were not always a miner,&rdquo; retorted Lyle quickly,
+&ldquo;and you are a gentleman, and always will be.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;In your opinion, child,&rdquo; said Jack pleasantly; then
+turning the subject, he asked, &ldquo;What do you think of
+the &lsquo;lily&rsquo; as you styled him, Mr. Rutherford, I think you
+called his name?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, he is a gentlemanly fellow, not so ridiculous as
+he looks; good-hearted, but not deep like the other,&ndash;&ndash;not
+half so interesting to study.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; replied Jack, &ldquo;go on with your &lsquo;study,&rsquo;
+but I wish you would make a little more of a study of
+yourself and of your own life,&rdquo; and as he spoke, he carelessly
+took up a magazine and began turning the pages.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know why,&rdquo; answered Lyle slowly, at the
+same time going over to the table where she had caught
+sight of a photograph which had evidently been concealed
+by the magazine, &ldquo;my life before you became my
+friend and teacher would not make an interesting study
+for any one.&ndash;&ndash;Oh, Jack, whose picture is this? and when
+did you get it?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That?&rdquo; said Jack, answering indifferently, but watching
+her face keenly, &ldquo;Oh, that is a picture I&rsquo;ve had a
+great while.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But, Jack, I never saw it, did I?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, Lyle, I haven&rsquo;t seen it myself for years, until to-night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not for years? how strange!&rdquo; said Lyle in a low tone;
+then looking wistfully at the picture, she said, half to
+herself, &ldquo;She must have been some one you loved some
+time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She was very dear to me,&rdquo; he replied, so quietly that
+Lyle said nothing, but remained looking long and earnestly
+at the photograph. It was the picture of a young
+girl, a few years older than herself, but much more matured,
+and wondrously beautiful. The features were almost
+perfect, and the eyes, even there, seemed so radiant
+and tender. There seemed a wealth of love and sympathy
+in those eyes that touched Lyle&rsquo;s lonely heart, and
+her own eyes filled with tears, while she gazed as if under
+a spell; then she asked in a sort of bewildered tone:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Jack, I never saw her, did I?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly not while you have been here,&rdquo; he replied,
+&ldquo;I cannot say whom you may have seen before that.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Before I came here,&rdquo; repeated Lyle dreamily, laying
+down the picture and preparing to go, &ldquo;that is a sort of
+blank for the most part. It seems as though this hateful
+life had obliterated everything before it; the early
+years of my life seem buried out of sight.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Try to resurrect them,&rdquo; said Jack, adding, &ldquo;Keep
+your eyes and ears open, and let me know results. Had
+I not better go home with you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, no, thank you,&rdquo; said Lyle, smiling brightly, &ldquo;it
+isn&rsquo;t late.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then Rex must go,&rdquo; and Rex who was only waiting
+for the word bounded to the door to signify his readiness.</p>
+<p>After Lyle had gone, Jack took the picture, and after
+looking at it sadly for a moment, replaced it in the little
+case in his trunk where it had lain so long, and then sat
+down by the fire, muttering, &ldquo;Strange she did not see
+the resemblance! I hoped she would; there could not
+be two faces more alike.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>All the way home, Lyle was thinking of the beautiful
+face, wondering where she had seen it, that it should
+seem so familiar, and after dismissing Rex with a caress,
+she sat for some time in the low porch, trying to solve
+the mystery.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is no use,&rdquo; she said to herself at length, &ldquo;it is no
+face I have ever seen, unless in some of those strange
+dreams I used to have.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Going into the house, she found her parents had retired.
+Rutherford sat in his room reading, waiting for
+Houston, who was working late that night, Mr. Blaisdell
+having gone back to the city for a day or two. Miss
+Gladden was writing in her room, but Lyle would not
+disturb her, and going quietly to her own little room,
+she was soon sleeping peacefully, and the beautiful face
+was for a time forgotten.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_X' id='CHAPTER_X'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>The next morning was several degrees colder, and
+there were indications of a snow-storm. Within doors,
+the atmosphere betokened a coming storm, as old Jim
+Maverick was several degrees more quarrelsome and
+ugly-tempered than usual. He glared sullenly at Lyle,
+as she stepped quietly about the kitchen, preparing the
+early breakfast that he and the boys took before starting
+for their work.</p>
+<p>Finally he growled, &ldquo;What was you doin&rsquo; out so late
+last night? Pretty time &rsquo;twas when you come in,
+where&rsquo;d you been?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle seemed to take no notice of his questions for a
+moment, then replied, without a glance at him:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I was not out late; I went out for a walk early in
+the evening, and came back early, but I staid out on the
+porch.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; he replied with a sneer, &ldquo;so you was settin&rsquo; out
+there waitin&rsquo; for the new clerk to come home, wasn&rsquo;t
+you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t even know he was out of the house,&rdquo; said
+Lyle, indifferent to his sneers, so long as he did not mistrust
+where she had really spent the evening.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, no, of course not! I understand you pretty well,
+and don&rsquo;t you forgit it, always puttin&rsquo; on your damned
+airs round here, too nice for any of your own folks; I&rsquo;d
+like to see you made a fool of by some of the dudes
+you&rsquo;re so stuck on.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You never will have that pleasure,&rdquo; replied Lyle,
+coolly, &ldquo;I know too well the opinion that people have of
+you and your family, to ever be in any danger of being
+made a fool of.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Old Jim&rsquo;s face grew livid with rage, and he clenched
+his hand with an oath, but hearing some of the boarders
+coming in to breakfast in the next room, he only
+hissed, with a terrible leer:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Never mind, even if you are my child, with that doll-face
+o&rsquo; yourn, you might rope in that rich young feller
+for a few thousands.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle staggered under the insult as if she had received
+a blow, and pale and trembling, went into the next room
+to wait on the guests. She was relieved to see that Rutherford
+was not there; she felt she could not have faced
+him while those words of her father&rsquo;s were ringing in
+her ears. There was only Mr. Houston, who greeted her
+with his usual gentle courtesy, and Morgan, whom she
+despised.</p>
+<p>Out in the kitchen, however, her cause was being
+championed by Mrs. Maverick, the fire flashing from her
+faded eyes, as she talked in a manner very unusual for
+her.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You may abuse me as much as you like, Jim Maverick,&rdquo;
+she was saying, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve had nothing but abuse from
+you for the past twenty years, and I don&rsquo;t never expect
+nothing else, but if you ever lay a hand on that girl, or
+speak to her like that again, you&rsquo;ll be sorry for it. I can
+make you smart for it, and you know it, and I&rsquo;ll do it
+too.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The boys, Joe and Jim, aged respectively twenty and
+eighteen, stared at their mother in astonishment, but
+their father, several shades paler, ordered them from the
+house; then advancing toward his wife, shaking his fist
+and cursing her, he exclaimed:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You damned old fool! do you think you can try to
+scare me? you&rsquo;ll find &rsquo;tain&rsquo;t very healthy business for
+you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Kill me, if you want to,&rdquo; she replied doggedly, &ldquo;but
+you&rsquo;ll find it won&rsquo;t make you any better off; I&rsquo;ve fixed
+you for that.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What do you mean?&rdquo; he asked, now thoroughly
+frightened.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mean!&rdquo; said his wife, as she saw that she at last had
+the brute in her power, &ldquo;it means that you&rsquo;ve got to let
+that girl alone, and behave yourself to me, or you&rsquo;ll
+wish you had, that&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Just then, Minty entered on the scene, her round eyes
+wide open with astonishment, and Lyle entering an instant
+later from the breakfast room, Maverick slunk
+away to his work.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, the other boarders were gathering in the
+breakfast room, Miss Gladden and Rutherford being the
+last to enter.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Whew!&rdquo; exclaimed the latter, rubbing his hands,
+&ldquo;this seems a little wintry, doesn&rsquo;t it? Looks like a storm,
+too!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Morgan, glancing up, &ldquo;we&rsquo;ll probably have
+a snow-storm before noon.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How do you pleasure seekers intend to spend the
+day?&rdquo; inquired Houston, addressing Miss Gladden and
+Rutherford.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think I shall spend it beside the fire,&rdquo; replied Miss
+Gladden, shivering slightly, and sitting down for a moment
+beside the little box stove, where a wood fire was
+crackling and spluttering; &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t quite decided what
+to do, because I didn&rsquo;t come out here prepared for snow-storms.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I believe,&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll take a day off and
+develop some of the pictures I&rsquo;ve taken lately, and sort
+over my collection of views.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That will be delightful,&rdquo; exclaimed Miss Gladden,
+smiling brightly at Lyle who had entered the room in
+time to hear Rutherford&rsquo;s remark, &ldquo;We will make Mr.
+Rutherford entertain us with his collection, won&rsquo;t we
+Lyle?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle smiled in assent, but Miss Gladden very quickly
+detected traces of trouble in her face, and determined,
+if possible, to gain her confidence, and find the cause.
+Rutherford also noticed the change in her appearance,
+and remarked, after she had again left the room:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Miss Maverick doesn&rsquo;t look like herself this morning,
+I wonder what is the matter.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think there has been a storm of some kind in the
+kitchen,&rdquo; Houston replied, &ldquo;I heard pretty loud talk
+when I first came in.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Morgan, joining in the conversation, &ldquo;she
+and the old man have some high old times, once in a
+while; and one thing is curious, the girl never seems
+afraid of him, and that&rsquo;s more than can be said of many
+of the men around here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why,&rdquo; asked Houston, &ldquo;is he considered dangerous?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He is a pretty tough customer,&rdquo; said Morgan, &ldquo;I
+guess there&rsquo;s no job too dirty for him to do, if he&rsquo;s only
+paid for it;&rdquo; and then added carelessly, &ldquo;that&rsquo;s the kind
+of a man Blaisdell likes to have &rsquo;round once in a while.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What does he do?&rdquo; asked Houston, &ldquo;does he work
+in the mines?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He used to,&rdquo; replied Morgan, &ldquo;but he don&rsquo;t do any
+more underground work, he&ndash;&ndash;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Doesn&rsquo;t he?&rdquo; interrupted Haight, with a peculiar emphasis.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, yes, in some ways, plenty of it,&rdquo; laughed Morgan,
+&ldquo;but I was speaking of the mines; he&rsquo;s a sort of
+foreman now in one of &rsquo;em, and tends to the sorting of
+the ore occasionally; helps Haight out sometimes, when
+he has a particularly delicate job on hand,&rdquo; and Morgan
+winked across the table at the expert, who smiled knowingly
+in return.</p>
+<p>Lyle coming into the room again, the talk regarding
+Maverick ceased, but when she had left, Morgan continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She&rsquo;s a queer girl; she gives it to the old man sometimes,
+up and down; the boys don&rsquo;t dare give him any
+lip, but she&rsquo;s no more afraid of him, than&ndash;&ndash;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Than she is of you,&rdquo; again interrupted Haight, with
+a smile that seemed to discompose Morgan considerably,
+for he colored and bit his lip.</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden looked annoyed, as did Houston, and
+Rutherford, feeling something was amiss, unintentionally
+said about the worst thing he could just at that moment.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think Miss Maverick is an awfully nice girl.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We all think so,&rdquo; said Haight, in his blandest manner,
+&ldquo;Mr. Morgan especially.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; said Morgan, angrily, but trying to speak indifferently,
+&ldquo;she&rsquo;s nice enough, as nice as girls of her
+class generally are.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>With a look of scorn and contempt that neither Haight
+nor Morgan soon forgot, Miss Gladden rose from the
+table and left the room, while Rutherford exclaimed indignantly:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Whatever &lsquo;her class&rsquo; is, she is deucedly your superior,
+you contemptible puppy!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle just then entering, there was an ominous silence
+for an instant; then Houston, rising from the table, remarked
+in a cool, even tone:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There has been enough said for the present, but&rdquo;
+turning toward Morgan and Haight, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve something
+to say to you two, a little later.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Morgan put on his hat and started sullenly for the office,
+but Haight, assuming his most ingratiating smile,
+stepped up to Houston, and, in a low tone, began to
+apologize. Houston interrupted him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There is no need of any words here,&rdquo; he said coldly,
+&ldquo;I shall call on you at the sorting rooms this morning,
+and shall then have something to say to you, but I wish
+no words from you, at all,&rdquo; and retiring to his room, he
+left Haight in a state of considerable trepidation. He
+hurried after Morgan, and soon overtook him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I say,&rdquo; he began, &ldquo;we&rsquo;ve got that new fellow stirred
+up, and I wish we hadn&rsquo;t; I don&rsquo;t want any trouble.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hang you, you little, sneaking coward!&rdquo; answered
+Morgan, &ldquo;if you didn&rsquo;t want trouble, why didn&rsquo;t you hold
+your tongue? Whatever fuss there is you&rsquo;ve kicked up
+yourself, with your own smartness, so what are you whining
+about?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, well, you know my principles, Morgan; I never
+want quarrels with anybody; you know the old saying,
+&lsquo;the good will of a dog is better than&ndash;&ndash;&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, shut up!&rdquo; said Morgan, &ldquo;you make me tired!
+You&rsquo;re a damned coward, and that&rsquo;s all there is about it.
+It&rsquo;s my opinion, though, in the case of this dog, that his
+bark is a good deal worse than his bite.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, Houston was preparing to go to the office.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Say, old boy,&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;hadn&rsquo;t I better go
+down with you? You may have some trouble, you know,
+and I shouldn&rsquo;t wonder if they would be two pretty nasty
+fellows to meddle with.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Much obliged, Ned,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;but I can take
+care of those two fellows, and twenty more just like them.
+Haight is an out and out coward, he wouldn&rsquo;t fight any
+more than he would cut his own throat. Morgan would
+show fight, perhaps, but I&rsquo;d finish him up before he even
+knew where he was.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I guess I put my foot in it, saying what I did,&rdquo; said
+Rutherford, staring through his eye-glasses in a meditative
+manner, &ldquo;but it did make me hot, their insinuating
+things in that way about such a nice little girl as Lyle,
+and before Miss Gladden, too.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There will be no more of it, that is certain,&rdquo; replied
+Houston decidedly, and he was gone.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XI' id='CHAPTER_XI'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>A few moments later, Houston stepped briskly into
+the office. Morgan sat at his desk, sorting some mining
+reports, and looked up with a sullen, defiant glance, but
+Houston ignored him, and going to his own desk, began
+making preparations for his day&rsquo;s work.</p>
+<p>Bull-dog, who, since washing the windows, had constituted
+himself office boy, had built the fire and was now
+sweeping. Houston greeted him pleasantly, but his keen
+eyes at once detected trouble between Houston and Morgan,
+and he was immediately on the alert.</p>
+<p>After the little fellow had finished his work, and Houston
+supposed he had gone, he walked with a firm, decided
+step, over to where Morgan stood lounging and
+looking out of the window. Morgan turned, and angry
+as he was, he could not help a feeling of admiration for
+the splendid, athletic form standing, firm as a rock, before
+him. Houston&rsquo;s keen, dark eyes looked straight
+into his own, and for a moment, not a muscle of his face
+moved, the finely cut features might have been chiseled
+in stone; then he spoke, in even, measured tones, cold
+and cutting as steel itself:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Morgan, I have this much to say to you, and it
+will be well for you to remember it; that if I ever hear
+another insinuation against that young lady of whom
+you were speaking this morning, or an improper word
+of any kind in the presence of either of those ladies at
+the house, I will put you in such shape, that you will not
+be able to come to the office for a week; and more than
+that, there will be no office work here for you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What do you mean by that last threat?&rdquo; asked Morgan
+defiantly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I mean just this; that I know enough about you,
+that if I should repeat what I know to Mr. Blaisdell, you
+would not remain in this office one day longer.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Morgan grew pale. &ldquo;You seem to know a great deal
+for a man that&rsquo;s been here no longer than you have. I
+suppose Lyle Maverick has been filling you up with stuff
+about me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She has never mentioned your name to me, and you
+will do well not to bring her name into this conversation.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Seems to me you&rsquo;re wonderfully particular about old
+Jim Maverick&rsquo;s girl,&rdquo; Morgan sneered, &ldquo;I suppose you
+want her for yourself, though I should think the other
+one&ndash;&ndash;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Morgan never finished his sentence; a blow that he
+afterwards said was &ldquo;worse than the kick of a mule,&rdquo; had
+closed one eye.</p>
+<p>With an oath, he made a terrible lunge toward Houston,
+but he knew nothing more until about fifteen minutes
+later, when he found himself lying on the floor, under
+the long desk, on the opposite side of the room, while
+Houston stood a few feet away, watching him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You dirty contemptible cur!&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;do you
+think because you have no sense of honor, because you
+are so vile you can have no idea of what purity means,
+that every one is like yourself? You deserve to be
+kicked like a dog; come out from there and fight, why
+don&rsquo;t you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t believe I&rsquo;m very anxious to, if you&rsquo;d just as
+soon excuse me,&rdquo; said Morgan, who had gradually assumed
+a sitting posture, and was passing his hand over
+his eye and jaw. Then, looking up with as much of a
+grin as he could muster, with his rapidly swelling face,
+he said, &ldquo;Give it up, Houston; you&rsquo;re a better man than
+I am; I&rsquo;ll let you boss this ranch.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Do you mean,&rdquo; asked Houston sternly, &ldquo;that from
+this time there will be no more insinuations against
+ladies, and no innuendoes in their presence?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, I agree,&rdquo; said Morgan, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll never say anything
+myself, and I&rsquo;ll smash any other fellow that does; I
+think,&rdquo; he added, reflectively, &ldquo;that you&rsquo;ve showed me
+how pretty well, though I&rsquo;d a little rather you&rsquo;d practiced
+on some other fellow, Haight, for instance.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll attend to Haight,&rdquo; said Houston, helping Morgan
+to his feet, and smiling grimly at the figure he made.</p>
+<p>An hour later, Houston presented himself at the sorting
+rooms, where Haight met him with many smiles,
+offering to show him through the rooms.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Another time will do, Mr. Haight,&rdquo; said Houston
+coldly, &ldquo;I have business with yourself this morning.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, yes,&rdquo; said Haight, as if the thought had just occurred
+to him, &ldquo;that unfortunate business at the table
+this morning; Mr. Houston, I am more than sorry for
+what happened, and assure you, that, so far as I am concerned,
+it shall never occur again.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It will be much better for your interests that it should
+not,&rdquo; replied Houston; &ldquo;I have not been in the habit of
+hearing such insinuations against ladies, or such language
+in their presence; and there is something more
+I have to say to you,&rdquo; he continued, as he saw Haight
+was trying to speak; &ldquo;you were bookkeeper for the company,
+for a while, were you not?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; replied Haight in a tone of surprise, &ldquo;I
+kept the books for a few months last year.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;So I have been informed since coming here, and I
+wish to state that the other day I had occasion to refer
+to some of the old books kept by you, and I very soon
+found evidences of a few shady transactions on your
+part that I think you would not care to have come to the
+knowledge of the company.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You must be mistaken, Mr. Houston,&rdquo; said Haight,
+trying to preserve a calm exterior, but paling visibly;
+&ldquo;it must have been some of Mr. Johnson&rsquo;s work you
+found.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, Mr. Haight,&rdquo; said Houston firmly, &ldquo;it was your
+own work, in your own writing, and very bunglingly
+done at that; a man would not need to be an expert accountant,&ndash;&ndash;and
+that is what I am,&ndash;&ndash;to detect the fraud.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Houston,&rdquo; interrupted Haight, in trembling
+tones, &ldquo;everything here shall be as you wish, and I will
+help you too,&ndash;&ndash;I can be of use to you,&ndash;&ndash;if you will just
+say nothing. There were certain circumstances that I
+cannot now explain, that justified the transactions you
+allude to; and as I have told you, I regret what occurred
+this morning, and it shall not be repeated. But really,
+Mr. Houston,&rdquo; he continued, &ldquo;I had no idea that my
+teasing Morgan this morning would have such an effect;
+you see, what I was joking about was really to Miss Maverick&rsquo;s
+credit; it seems that a few weeks ago, he was
+rather smitten with her and attempted to be what she
+thought was a little too familiar, and she gave him a
+black eye, and&ndash;&ndash;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He has another one now,&rdquo; said Houston, rising abruptly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Indeed!&rdquo; exclaimed Haight.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, and there will be more black eyes if there are
+any more insinuations of that character,&rdquo; and Houston
+returned to the office, leaving behind him a bitter enemy,
+but one whose enmity would be concealed by a cloak of
+friendship.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, while Houston was pursuing his chivalric
+course, Miss Gladden, sitting by the fire in the deserted
+breakfast room, was planning in what way and by what
+means she could best help her young friend in whom she
+felt such an interest. The scene at the table had given
+her a new insight into Lyle&rsquo;s surroundings; the rudeness
+and insult to which the beautiful girl was likely to be subjected
+in such a home, the possible dangers to which she
+might also be exposed, and she was more than ever determined
+to win the confidence of the reserved, proud-spirited
+girl.</p>
+<p>In the midst of her reflections, Lyle entered the room,
+and Miss Gladden saw there were still traces of trouble
+in her face. Unconscious of the friends who were beginning
+to care for her welfare, Lyle had felt that morning
+as though she could endure her life there no longer.
+She had felt by a sort of instinct that she was in some
+way connected with the talk at the table, and she knew
+that both Morgan and Haight would not hesitate to injure
+her by their insinuations, in retaliation for the manner
+in which she had met their advances. Thirsting for
+human sympathy, her heart quickly responded to Miss
+Gladden&rsquo;s words, as she told Lyle of her interest in her,
+her sympathy for her, and her desire to help her, and in
+reply to one or two questions, she spoke freely of the
+trials she had suffered, inevitably connected with a life
+such as hers, and touched by the kindness of her new-found
+friend, Lyle continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The insults and insinuations of those men, and others
+like them, are bad enough, but I expect nothing else from
+such as they, but when one receives insult from the
+source where one would expect protection,&ndash;&ndash;that is hardest
+of all,&rdquo; and with flushed cheeks and quivering lips,
+Lyle related the scene with her father, and his words to
+her, while Miss Gladden looked inexpressibly shocked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I was almost desperate this morning,&rdquo; she said in
+conclusion, &ldquo;I felt as though I could not live such a life
+any longer; I must go somewhere, anywhere, to get
+away from it. Mother says that nothing of that kind shall
+ever happen again, that father is in her power in some
+way, and she will not let him abuse me; but it is this
+whole wretched life that I despise, if I could only be
+freed from that!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I hope, dear, your life will not always be like this,&rdquo;
+said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;it shall not be if it is in my power to
+prevent it; perhaps I may be able to brighten it in some
+way.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You have already,&rdquo; said Lyle gratefully, &ldquo;I shall be
+happy now, as long as you are here; after you are gone
+away,&ndash;&ndash;&rdquo; she shuddered slightly, then added, &ldquo;who
+knows what may happen before that time?&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XII' id='CHAPTER_XII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>A few hours later, a wild, mountain storm was raging
+outside, the wind roaring down the canyon from the icy
+fields above, driving the fast falling snow in every direction,
+with blinding fury.</p>
+<p>Within doors, however, a happy group were seated
+around the fire, oblivious of the storm outside, or with
+just enough consciousness of its fury to add to the enjoyment
+of the warmth and comfort inside.</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden was, as usual, becomingly gowned in
+a house dress of rich, warm color, while she had persuaded
+Lyle to put on a dark blue dress of her own,
+which, with a very little change, fitted as though originally
+intended for her, and also to dress her beautiful, golden
+hair high on her head, thus producing a change in
+her appearance which astonished even Miss Gladden herself.</p>
+<p>The perfectly fitting gown revealed the outlines of her
+well developed and finely proportioned form; its color
+seemed to enhance the delicacy of her face and the brilliancy
+of her eyes, while the graceful coiffure showed to
+good advantage the beautifully shaped head, and added
+to her dignity. She seemed suddenly to have been transformed
+from shy, reserved girlhood, to graceful, royal
+womanhood.</p>
+<p>As she, with Miss Gladden, entered the room where
+Rutherford awaited them, that young gentleman started
+suddenly, and turning, gazed at the regal little beauty,
+with her golden coronet, in undisguised admiration,
+much to the amusement of both ladies.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Great C&aelig;sar!&rdquo; he exclaimed, &ldquo;what metamorphosis
+is this? Excuse me, Miss Maverick, I really couldn&rsquo;t
+help it; I thought you were a sort of little girl, you know,
+and you are,&ndash;&ndash;begging your pardon,&ndash;&ndash;a very beautiful
+young lady.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Both ladies laughed merrily, and Miss Gladden secretly
+resolved that Lyle, in the future, should always be
+dressed becomingly, if her influence could accomplish
+anything in that direction.</p>
+<p>The afternoon passed very pleasantly in looking over
+the beautiful views which Rutherford had collected since
+he left his distant, eastern home. The pictures taken
+among the mountains had developed finely, and they all
+grew enthusiastic over them. Then there were pictures
+of his friends, in groups and singly, and in laughable
+combinations and positions; among them, some which
+Rutherford had taken of his friend, Tom Durston, and
+his family, at the ranch where he had stopped over night
+on his way out. There was one of Tom himself, in a futile
+attempt to milk a refractory cow, where he lay sprawling
+ingloriously upon the ground, the milk bucket pouring
+its foaming contents over him, the excited cow performing
+a war dance, while two others, more peaceably
+inclined, looked on in mild-eyed astonishment: chickens
+were flying in every direction, with outstretched necks
+and wings, while in the background, a company of geese
+were hissing their disapproval of the scene.</p>
+<p>The girls laughed until the tears were in their eyes.
+&ldquo;How did you ever get such a picture? and so perfect!&rdquo;
+they asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, I just happened to,&rdquo; he answered, &ldquo;I was out that
+morning, with my kodak all ready, looking for a subject,
+and I saw Tom milking, and thought it would be fun to
+take a picture of him to send back to the class-boys, you
+know; I held the kodak up and was just ready&ndash;&ndash;when
+that old cow sent him flying quicker than lightning, and
+I caught the picture all right. I&rsquo;m going to mail him
+one copy.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There was a picture of Tom&rsquo;s baby, taking his bath,
+his mouth wide open and his eyes shut, crying lustily for
+his mother, who had deserted him to run to Tom&rsquo;s assistance.
+Then there were pictures of Rutherford&rsquo;s home
+and friends, among them, that of a brother, older than
+himself, which particularly attracted Lyle&rsquo;s attention;
+she looked at it long and earnestly. He was sitting in
+an easy attitude, smoking a cigar, and looking at the
+face of a beautiful, dark-eyed girl, of about her own age,
+which appeared above him, encircled by the light clouds
+of smoke,&ndash;&ndash;just the face and no more. Rutherford
+stated that it was his brother and their only sister, and
+explained the process by which it was taken, but the
+picture remained in Lyle&rsquo;s memory for many a day.</p>
+<p>After a while, Houston, returning a little early on account
+of the storm, joined them, and the four friends
+spent the most enjoyable evening which they had yet
+known together, notwithstanding the storm.</p>
+<p>It had been an eventful day. To Lyle, and one or two
+of the others, it was the beginning of a new life, though
+they did not then realize it; the first, faint flush that heralds
+the coming of the sun to brighten the new day, but
+which is so subtle and silent, that few are aware of its
+presence.</p>
+<p>Houston, on his return to the house at noon, had
+given, in answer to Rutherford&rsquo;s eager inquiries, an account
+of the &ldquo;skirmish&rdquo; as he called it. Rutherford was
+so proud of his friend, and of the victory he had won,
+that at the first opportunity, he told the story to Miss
+Gladden, before Houston had even returned to the office.
+Miss Gladden was enthusiastic in her admiration
+of the course he had taken, so different from many of the
+young men she had known in wealthy, aristocratic circles,
+in thus defending a poor, friendless girl, subject to
+insult because she had the misfortune, under such circumstances,
+to be beautiful; and obeying the impulses
+of her noble-hearted, high-spirited nature, she went to
+Houston, as she saw him standing alone a few minutes
+after dinner, and extending her hand, with a bright
+smile, said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Sir Knight, I want to thank you, in Lyle&rsquo;s name and
+my own, for the chivalric course you have taken this
+morning.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>She could get no further; Houston, still holding her
+hand, interrupted her.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Do not thank me, Miss Gladden; I have only done
+what it is the duty of every true man to do.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, interrupting him in turn,
+&ldquo;true men must be exceedingly rare. I know very few,
+Mr. Houston, who would champion the cause of a girl
+in Lyle&rsquo;s circumstances, in the manner you have done,&rdquo;
+and then, with much feeling, she spoke of some of Lyle&rsquo;s
+trials, and of her own determination to help her.</p>
+<p>A beautiful woman is never so lovely as when defending
+the cause of some sister less fortunate than herself,
+and Houston thought he had never seen Miss Gladden
+so beautiful as at that moment, and the thought must in
+some way have conveyed itself to his eyes, for there was
+something in his glance that brought a bright color to
+Miss Gladden&rsquo;s cheek, and an added tenderness to her
+soulful eyes; something that remained with her all that
+day, and somehow made life, even in the heart of the
+mountains, shut out from the rest of the world, look more
+inviting, more alluring than it had ever done before.</p>
+<p>With Houston, also, the memory of those eyes with
+their depths of tenderness, and the hand whose touch
+had thrilled him with its magnetism, lingered, and brightened
+all that stormy afternoon.</p>
+<p>To Lyle, this day seemed the beginning of a new
+epoch in her solitary, isolated life. For the first time, she
+had found genial companionship, human sympathy and
+love, and chivalrous protection; for Miss Gladden had
+hastened to tell her of the part Mr. Houston had taken
+in her defense; and as the slowly maturing bud suddenly
+unfolds in the morning sunlight, so in the new light
+and warmth which she had found that day, her nature
+had suddenly expanded into mature, conscious womanhood.</p>
+<p>That evening, as the little group of friends were separating
+for the night, Miss Gladden having already gone
+up-stairs, Lyle, with a new dignity and grace, walked
+over to where Houston stood by the fire, with dreamy,
+thoughtful eyes.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Houston,&rdquo; said she, in low, sweet tones, &ldquo;Miss
+Gladden has told me of your kindness toward me to-day,
+and though she has thanked you for us both, yet I
+wish to thank you personally.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Miss Maverick,&rdquo; he replied in his grave, gentle manner,
+&ldquo;you are more than welcome to any kindness I can
+do for you, but do not thank me for what I did to-day;
+that was nothing, I would have been a beast not to have
+done that little.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If you could know,&rdquo; she said, earnestly, &ldquo;how rare
+such kindness and protection have been in my past life,
+you would realize that it does not seem like &lsquo;nothing&rsquo; to
+me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>To Houston, Lyle seemed much less mature than Miss
+Gladden, and though he had been quick to observe the
+added charm in her manner that evening, still she seemed
+to him little more than a child. Her words, and something
+in the expression of those star-like eyes, touched
+him deeply, and taking her hands in his, he answered
+tenderly:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My dear child, I am very sorry for the loneliness of
+your past life, and I want you, from this time, to regard
+me as a brother, and if there should be any way in which
+I could protect you, or help you, do not hesitate to tell
+me freely.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For the first time in all those weary years within her
+recollection, Lyle went to her rest that night with a
+heart satisfied; for as yet, only the surface of her affections
+had been stirred, and the hidden depths below were
+still unfathomed, awaiting the influence of some mightier
+power.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XIII' id='CHAPTER_XIII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>The snow-storm detained Mr. Blaisdell in the city
+rather longer than he intended, and Houston had improved
+the time in going over all the old books and office
+records which were available.</p>
+<p>The books of the company he could examine at his
+leisure, on some pretext or other, in Morgan&rsquo;s presence,
+but his extra work, which had occupied his evenings,
+consisted in going over the old letter files, mining reports
+and assay statements, making copies of whatever
+he found that would be of value to him later. He had
+found evidence of fraudulent transactions in the books
+of the company, and of these he had made careful memoranda,
+but so far, the greatest amount of evidence which
+he had secured, had been discovered in the old letters
+written by Mr. Blaisdell to other members of the company
+at Silver City, and received by him in return. These
+were copied exactly into a set of small books which he
+had brought for that purpose, and he had also made
+tracings and blue print copies of plats and maps of the
+most important mines, and of the plans of their underground
+workings.</p>
+<p>What he now particularly desired was some turn of
+affairs that would necessitate his visiting the mines, and
+give him an opportunity to become familiar with their
+workings, and that, in some way, he could gain access
+to the books and papers of the main office at Silver City,
+as he would there find records of the business transacted
+directly with the company in New York. He had
+taken the precaution to bring with him copies of letters
+on file in the New York offices, but he now felt that
+much of the most important evidence was contained in
+the office at Silver City, and was the missing link which
+he would need before going much farther, and as he sat
+at his desk one bright morning, a few days after the
+storm, mentally reviewing the whole situation, he was
+planning how he could best secure this also.</p>
+<p>Morgan, still carrying a few scars, sat with his legs
+crossed on top of his table, reading a newspaper, when
+the door opened, and Mr. Blaisdell entered.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, boys, good-morning,&rdquo; was his greeting, as he
+glanced quickly around the office, and Morgan&rsquo;s feet
+suddenly descended to the floor. &ldquo;What&rsquo;s the matter
+with your eye, Morgan?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, nothing, been sparring a little, that&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Been down to the mines this morning?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, sir, not yet; I thought maybe you&rsquo;d be up and
+want to give some directions before I went down.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very considerate!&rdquo; remarked Mr. Blaisdell sarcastically,
+&ldquo;you know I would come to the mines myself,
+anyway, and could give directions there just as well as
+here. Get ready to go down there with me, I&rsquo;m going
+in a few minutes.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Going over to Houston&rsquo;s desk, he glanced hastily over
+the books, gave some instructions, and saying that he
+wished to see him later, went out to join Morgan.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Morgan, how did you get that eye?&rdquo; he asked again.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, Houston and I had a little set-to the other day,
+and he hit me pretty hard, that&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What was it about?&rdquo; demanded Mr. Blaisdell.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Nothing much,&rdquo; answered Morgan, carelessly, &ldquo;we
+had some words about that girl of Maverick&rsquo;s; I guess
+he&rsquo;s a little stuck on her himself, and was afraid I&rsquo;d be
+in his way, or something of the kind; I got mad and hit
+him, or tried to, and he gave me a knock-out.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I was going to say that he doesn&rsquo;t look as though you
+had hit him very hard,&rdquo; remarked Mr. Blaisdell dryly,
+and then continued, &ldquo;Well, I don&rsquo;t see the use of coming
+to blows over Maverick&rsquo;s girl, or any other for that
+matter, they&rsquo;re not so scarce as all that. Jim&rsquo;s girl has
+got a pretty face, but she isn&rsquo;t worth fighting about, that
+I can see.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There were reasons for Mr. Blaisdell&rsquo;s superior indifference
+to Lyle&rsquo;s attractions, as she had been compelled
+more than once, in a most emphatic manner, to
+check attempts at undue familiarity on his part, notwithstanding
+the fact that he was a much-married man,
+living with his third wife, his table surrounded with
+&ldquo;olive plants&rdquo;&ndash;&ndash;fifteen in number&ndash;&ndash;of all sizes and descriptions,
+and regarded in the bosom of his family as a
+model husband and father.</p>
+<p>Late in the afternoon, Mr. Blaisdell returned to the
+office, looking very weary and somewhat worried. Morgan
+remained at the mines the rest of the day. Mr.
+Blaisdell went over the books with Houston, and after
+expressing considerable satisfaction at the work which
+he had accomplished, he sat down by himself, and
+seemed lost in thought for some time. At last he said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Houston, I&rsquo;ve been thinking for some time that
+we need a little extra help in the office at Silver City, and
+yet not enough that it has seemed advisable to employ
+another bookkeeper. Our books there are getting behind,
+and a little mixed, too, I&rsquo;m afraid. Mr. Lewis, our
+bookkeeper, is quite an old man, and he has charge of two
+or three sets of books for the different companies, and
+it is not to be wondered at if he occasionally gets a little
+confused; and it occurred to me while sitting here,
+that perhaps you might be willing to come down, for a
+day or two, and straighten out the books for us.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston seemed for a moment to be weighing the
+matter very deliberately.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Of course I could do it,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;but it would involve
+considerable extra time and expense for me, and
+I would want extra compensation.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, of course,&rdquo; responded Mr. Blaisdell, readily, &ldquo;I
+understand that; indeed, I was going to remark that
+you have already accomplished so much work, and your
+methods seem to be so exact and, at the same time, expeditious,
+that we will consider your term of probation
+here at an end; we agreed to raise your salary at the
+end of the month, if your services were satisfactory;
+they are eminently so, and I will take the responsibility
+of paying you one hundred and twenty-five dollars for
+this first month also. As to your fare back and forth
+between here and Silver City, of course we will pay
+that.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then,&rdquo; said Houston, smiling and inwardly congratulating
+himself, &ldquo;I do not see but that it is settled that
+I go to Silver City whenever you are ready.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell, &ldquo;you will not need
+to go down there for ten days or so, as the time will make
+no appreciable difference in the state of affairs there,
+and I shall need you here during that time, as some
+parties are coming out from the east to look at some
+mining properties, and both Morgan and myself will
+probably have to spend most of our time at the mines.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>That evening, at the boarding house, Houston sat apparently
+interested in a game of chess between Miss
+Gladden and Rutherford, but in reality, paying close attention
+to a conversation carried on in low tones between
+Mr. Blaisdell and Morgan. Only an occasional sentence
+was audible, but he could gather enough to satisfy himself
+regarding the nature of their plans.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Clean the rubbish out of the shaft, and set a couple
+of men to work there for a day or two,&rdquo; Mr. Blaisdell
+was saying; a few words were lost, and then he said,
+&ldquo;Whenever I hear what day they are coming up, we&rsquo;ll
+put on a good force.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They&rsquo;ll have their own expert with them, I suppose?&rdquo;
+asked Morgan.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; answered Mr. Blaisdell, &ldquo;but if he&rsquo;s like the
+most of those eastern experts, Haight and I can fix him
+very easily.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A little later the conversation ended, Mr. Blaisdell saying,
+as he rose to go to his room:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is a confoundedly poor property, but I think a few
+tons of ore from the Yankee Boy will sell it all right.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>This remark gave Houston considerable food for reflection,
+as the Yankee Boy was one of the richest properties
+owned by the New York company. He had that
+day received his first letter from his uncle, in New York,
+sent under cover of an envelope from the Chicago firm,
+and written in reply to a letter from himself mailed immediately
+upon his arrival at the mines; and Mr. Blaisdell
+and Morgan having left, Houston retired to his room
+to make his first report of the information he had secured
+and seemed likely to secure, concerning the ways and
+means of the western mining company; leaving the
+chess players deep in their game, and Lyle watching
+them.</p>
+<p>Lyle, though keeping up her studies afternoons, had
+not been down to Jack&rsquo;s cabin since the evening he had
+shown her the picture, partly on account of the storm,
+and partly because she feared her father might be watching
+her.</p>
+<p>Jack had wondered at her absence, thinking perhaps
+her new friends had something to do with it; but on this
+night, Jack had other company, as Bull-dog had ensconced
+himself in Mike&rsquo;s chair beside the stove, and
+having also appropriated Mike&rsquo;s briar pipe,&ndash;&ndash;its owner
+being absent,&ndash;&ndash;was smoking with all the gravity and
+self-possession of an old-timer, and entertaining Jack
+with his quaint talk.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Say,&rdquo; he said at last, clasping his hands about his
+knee, and holding the pipe between his teeth, &ldquo;have ye
+seen that new feller up at the orfice. Mister Houston,
+they call him?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack replied, very indifferently, that he had seen him
+once or twice.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, now, he&rsquo;s a Joe-dandy, a regular cracker-jack;
+an&rsquo; he&rsquo;s goin&rsquo; ter be boss of that whole shootin&rsquo; match,
+Morgan an&rsquo; that little, black, snaky feller, an&rsquo; old Blaisdell,
+too, if he don&rsquo;t look out fer hisself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What makes you think so?&rdquo; asked Jack, much
+amused.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think so, I know it. He&rsquo;s got more sand than
+all the rest of &rsquo;em put together, an&rsquo; he ain&rsquo;t afraid of nobody.
+&rsquo;D ye hear &rsquo;bout that fight that him &rsquo;n Morgan
+had?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, did they fight?&rdquo; inquired Jack, much surprised.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Did they fight!&rdquo; exclaimed the little Arab, removing
+the pipe from his mouth, and shaking his head with evident
+satisfaction at the remembrance of the scene, &ldquo;well,
+I should smile! Morgan, he tried hard enough ter fight,
+but the other feller did him up in &rsquo;bout the sixteenth part
+of a second!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Were you there?&rdquo; asked Jack, laughing.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I was peekin&rsquo; through a crack in the door; they
+s&rsquo;posed I&rsquo;d gone, but I see somethin&rsquo; was up when Mister
+Houston first come in, an&rsquo; I just makes up my mind
+I&rsquo;ll see the fun through, an&rsquo; when I goes out, I bangs the
+door hard, and then opens it agin, careful like, and peeks
+in; an&rsquo; Mister Houston, he had walked over ter where
+Morgan was, an&rsquo; had lit into him &rsquo;bout somethin&rsquo; or
+ruther he&rsquo;d ben sayin&rsquo;, an&rsquo; if he didn&rsquo;t lay down the
+law ter him, I&rsquo;ll eat my hat. An&rsquo; then Morgan he sets
+out to give him some of his lip, and by Jiminy! &rsquo;fore he
+could spit the words out, biff! comes a stunner right in
+his face, and shut one eye. My, wasn&rsquo;t he mad though!
+Then he goes ter give the other feller a punch in the
+head, an&rsquo; Houston, he ducked the purtiest ye ever see,
+and let out a blow at Morgan&rsquo;s jaw, an&rsquo; gee-whizz!
+Morgan goes a flying across the room, and lan&rsquo;s under
+the big desk, and he never come to fer &rsquo;bout twenty minits.
+My, but &rsquo;twas the slickest knock-out ye ever see,
+Corbett couldn&rsquo;t a done it slicker hisself! an&rsquo; I rolled
+down them steps a laughin&rsquo; so I &rsquo;most died. I went
+back after he&rsquo;d come to, an&rsquo; Mister Houston was a tellin&rsquo;
+him ter come out an&rsquo; fight, but he didn&rsquo;t seem ter
+wan&rsquo;ter very bad, an&rsquo; I see the fun was over, so I come
+away.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack had laughed heartily over Bull-dog&rsquo;s description
+of the scene; now he asked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What was the fight about?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Bull-dog, gravely replacing his pipe in
+his mouth, &ldquo;&rsquo;s near &rsquo;s I could make out, &rsquo;twas &rsquo;bout
+some girl.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What girl?&rdquo; inquired Jack, rather quickly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, the new feller, he didn&rsquo;t call no names, but I
+heerd Morgan say somethin&rsquo; &rsquo;bout Lyle Maverick, an&rsquo;
+so I guess &rsquo;twas her, but I knew you was always kinder
+sweet on her yourself, an&rsquo; so I wasn&rsquo;t goin&rsquo; ter say nothin&rsquo;,
+&rsquo;cause, &rsquo;nless you&rsquo;re a scrapper, you won&rsquo;t stand no
+sort of a chance with that feller.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;All right, Bull-dog,&rdquo; said Jack, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m something of a
+&lsquo;scrapper&rsquo; myself, but I don&rsquo;t expect to get into any
+trouble;&rdquo; the tone was kind, and he spoke with a half
+smile, but the keenly observant eyes of the boy detected
+a shade on Jack&rsquo;s face. However, all conversation was
+suddenly checked by the entrance of Mike, who, in a
+manner more forcible than ceremonious, dispossessed
+Bull-dog of his chair and pipe. The little waif soon took
+his departure, but it was some time before the cloud on
+Jack&rsquo;s brow was dispelled.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XIV' id='CHAPTER_XIV'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>For the next day or two, Houston saw very little of
+either Mr. Blaisdell or Morgan, as they spent most of
+their time at the mines, but his own work was greatly
+increased, as copies of mining reports regarding the
+Sunrise mine, and duplicate sets of statements of the
+assay values of samples of ore taken from its various
+shafts, were to be made out with the greatest care.
+There were tracings and blue prints to be made from the
+original plats, by which it was to be shown that the vein
+of the Sunrise mine was but an extension of that of the
+Morning Star, one of the famous North Star group of
+mines; and there were also very important and strictly
+confidential letters to be written, under Mr. Blaisdell&rsquo;s
+directions, to the Silver City office, more particularly to
+Mr. Rivers, the secretary of the company, whom Houston
+had not yet seen.</p>
+<p>The Sunrise mine which was suddenly looming up
+into such prominence, was one of which Houston had
+never heard, but judging from the rich samples of ore
+produced, and the testimony of experts and assayers, it
+seemed to be one of the most valuable properties in that
+locality; but to Houston, situated as he was, behind the
+scenes, it only afforded an additional glimpse of the
+business methods of the company.</p>
+<p>As he still sat at his desk, having just completed his
+day&rsquo;s work, Morgan came in and threw himself down
+heavily into a chair, taking his favorite attitude, with his
+feet crossed on the table, and his hands clasped behind
+his head.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You look tired, Morgan,&rdquo; commented Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am tired,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;too tired to breathe if I
+wasn&rsquo;t obliged to; this has been a hard day&rsquo;s work, and
+if old Blaisdell sells that mine, as he expects to, he&rsquo;ll
+have to divy up pretty liberally.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston turned around facing Morgan, with a peculiar
+smile.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The Sunrise mine seems to have developed wonderfully
+within the past few days,&rdquo; he remarked quietly.</p>
+<p>Morgan laughed; &ldquo;You&rsquo;d think so,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;if
+you could have seen it four days ago. There hasn&rsquo;t been
+a day&rsquo;s work done on it for over a year; some of it had
+caved in, and even the main shaft was pretty well filled
+up with rubbish. Now that&rsquo;s all cleaned out, and the
+few places where there is any quantity of ore in sight
+show up to good advantage, and we&rsquo;ve hauled eight
+or ten tons of ore from the Yankee Boy down onto the
+dump, so it makes a pretty respectable showing. Oh,
+the boss is a cuckoo for any job of that kind.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Does the mining company own the Yankee Boy?&rdquo;
+asked Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; answered Morgan, &ldquo;that whole group of mines
+is owned by a set of New Yorkers; this company out
+here is their agent, that&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And New Yorkers are not supposed to know all the
+ins and outs of their western agent&rsquo;s mining deals,&rdquo;
+commented Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, I should say not! There&rsquo;s a good many things
+going on that they are not supposed to know about,
+and that they wouldn&rsquo;t be very likely to get onto, either,
+some of &rsquo;em, even if they were right on the ground.
+Some of those ducks are pretty green, and fellows like
+Blaisdell or Rivers can make them believe most anything.
+If Blaisdell was half as smart as he makes some
+of those eastern fellows think he is, he would have been
+a rich man before this.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why,&rdquo; said Houston, in surprise, &ldquo;Blaisdell is quite
+well off, isn&rsquo;t he?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Morgan&rsquo;s only answer was a significant shake of the
+head.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What!&rdquo; exclaimed Houston in astonishment.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Really, he is not worth a dollar,&rdquo; answered Morgan,
+&ldquo;every nickle&rsquo;s worth of property that he ever had, that
+he hasn&rsquo;t lost outright, has been put into the hands of his
+wife, or his sons, or somebody or other, heaven knows
+who, I don&rsquo;t, nor nobody else.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, I am surprised,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;he seems
+shrewd and sharp in business matters, and I supposed
+he was a rich man. He must have made considerable
+money, what has become of it?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Morgan shrugged his shoulders; &ldquo;Have you seen old
+Rivers yet?&rdquo; he inquired.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The secretary? No, I&rsquo;ve never met him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; continued Morgan, &ldquo;you probably will, in a
+day or two, he&rsquo;ll be likely to come up with the eastern
+party; and when you&rsquo;ve seen him, you&rsquo;ve seen the biggest
+rascal, and at the same time the slickest duck there
+is on this side of the divide, and I doubt if there&rsquo;s any on
+the other side can beat him. Old Blaisdell&rsquo;s pretty
+smooth, but he ain&rsquo;t a circumstance to Rivers. Rivers
+will rob you of your last dollar, and make you think he&rsquo;s
+your best friend all the time. Oh, he&rsquo;s a lulu, and no
+mistake!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Further conversation was prevented by the entrance
+of Mr. Blaisdell, with a fine lot of ore samples with their
+assay values attached, which he arranged on his desk,
+his thin lips drawn back meanwhile in his accustomed
+self-satisfied smile. When this was done, he turned to
+the young men.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; he began, with a low chuckle of delight, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve
+got word my party is coming all right. Haight just got
+a telegram from Rivers, that Winters had wired him that
+he and his son and the expert would be in Silver City,
+on to-morrow&rsquo;s train, so I will have to go back to the
+city to-night, to be in readiness to meet them. Let me
+see, this is Wednesday, they arrive Thursday; Morgan,
+set the men to work on that mine Friday morning; we
+will be up here in the course of the forenoon, you see
+that everything is in first-class order. Houston, are
+those statements and tracings all ready?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They are,&rdquo; replied Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well, put them up as quick as you can, I&rsquo;ll take
+them to the city with me, and the team will be here in
+half a minute; I want to catch that six o&rsquo;clock train. I
+didn&rsquo;t expect to have to go to-night, but that telegram
+has hurried up matters. Morgan, you keep everything
+straight to-morrow, and be ready for us Friday morning.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Shall I send a team down?&rdquo; asked Morgan.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, no matter about that, I&rsquo;ll take Joe Hunt&rsquo;s team
+there at the Y, it will be a rather more stylish turnout
+than one of the mining teams. Everything is here O.K.
+I suppose,&rdquo; as Houston handed him the papers he had
+requested, &ldquo;all right, there&rsquo;s my team; well, so long,
+boys, don&rsquo;t get into any more fights while I&rsquo;m gone,&rdquo;
+and he was soon rattling down the canyon toward the
+Y, while Houston and Morgan began to make preparations
+for closing the office.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Morgan, as he stood looking out of the
+window, and waiting for Houston to put away his books
+and papers for the night, &ldquo;I can just imagine the little
+scene that will be enacted down there at the main office
+to-morrow, it would be as good as a play just to watch
+it. There will be old Wilson, with his diamonds and
+palaver, expatiating on the country and the mines; and
+Blaisdell, with that dignified way of his, talking of nitrates
+and sulphides, and so many milligrams equaling
+so many grains troy, and so many gramestons in so
+many pounds avoirdupois, and all that razzle-dazzle, and
+Rivers, not saying much of anything, but smiling, and
+calculating how many thousands he is going to put in
+his own pockets.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston laughed, and was about to reply, when Rutherford
+came in, as he often walked down to meet Houston
+and accompany him to the house.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Come in, Ned,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;you should have
+been here a minute ago; Morgan has been giving some
+verbal portraits of the mining company. Your descriptive
+powers are excellent, Morgan, and you seem to
+know these men pretty well.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Know them,&rdquo; said Morgan, swinging himself astride
+a chair and folding his arms upon the back, while Rutherford
+perched upon a large writing table, and Houston
+leaned against his long desk, with his arms folded,
+&ldquo;Know them, I should think I ought to. I worked in
+the Silver City office as bookkeeper for a year before
+coming out here, and six months of that time I boarded
+in Blaisdell&rsquo;s family; and as his wife hates Rivers&rsquo; wife,
+and couldn&rsquo;t say enough about her, I knew about as
+much of one family as the other before I came away.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Does Mr. Blaisdell try to impress his better half with
+a sense of his intellectual superiority, as he does the
+rest of his fellow mortals?&rdquo; asked Rutherford.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If he ever did,&rdquo; answered Morgan, &ldquo;he must have
+got bravely over it some time ago; she treats him with
+a contempt that would have cured him of that habit.
+I&rsquo;ve sometimes thought that the reason he swells so
+much out among people is because he&rsquo;s so unmercifully
+snubbed at home.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I see,&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;just a natural effort to keep
+his self-respect in equilibrium.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Has he many children?&rdquo; inquired Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, no,&rdquo; said Morgan, &ldquo;not many, only fifteen.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Only fifteen!&rdquo; said Houston, in astonishment, while
+Rutherford exclaimed, &ldquo;Oh, come off now, you&rsquo;re joking!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No joking about it,&rdquo; said Morgan seriously, &ldquo;I took
+the old man&rsquo;s word for it. I tried several times to count
+&rsquo;em, but had to give it up, it seemed that every day I saw
+a new one. Some of &rsquo;em are as old as I; you see this is
+his third wife, and some of the children are older than
+she.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think,&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;I&rsquo;d like a wife younger
+than my children.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He seems to,&rdquo; replied Morgan, &ldquo;they&rsquo;re as spooney
+as can be, when they&rsquo;re not quarreling.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, deliver me!&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to
+hear any more about them. How about that other man,
+Rivers? He hasn&rsquo;t such a surplus of children and wives,
+has he?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Morgan slowly, &ldquo;I guess if his children
+could all be got together, there&rsquo;d be more of &rsquo;em than
+of Blaisdell&rsquo;s, and he has full as many wives, only, in
+his case, they are all living.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Great Scott!&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;is he a Mormon?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Morgan shook his head, and Houston said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Morgan, I think in your efforts to be entertaining,
+you are drawing slightly on your imagination, thinking
+that we are fresh enough to believe anything you choose
+to tell us.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, it&rsquo;s all true, whether you believe it or not. That
+man left a wife and family of children somewhere in New
+York State, more than ten years ago, and ran away with
+another woman; they have five or six children, and
+here, about three years ago, since I came here, he got his
+divorce from the first woman, and married this one.
+Then he spent last winter in San Francisco, and it seems
+now, that he circulated around there under another
+name,&ndash;&ndash;and his name is no more Rivers, than mine is
+Jenks,&ndash;&ndash;and passed himself off for an unmarried man,
+and now there&rsquo;s a woman there has entered suit against
+him, for breach of promise.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Rutherford, descending from his elevated
+position, &ldquo;I move that we adjourn to the boarding house
+at once; if I hear any more such stuff, I&rsquo;ll lose my appetite.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The mystery to me is,&rdquo; said Houston, when they
+were started on their way to the house, &ldquo;how such a
+man is allowed to live and do business in a respectable
+community.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; said Morgan carelessly, &ldquo;he isn&rsquo;t any worse
+than the rest of &rsquo;em, only he&rsquo;s a little more out and out
+with it; and the rest of &rsquo;em know it, and as long as they
+all live in glass houses, they don&rsquo;t any of &rsquo;em want to
+throw any stones.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It cannot be quite as bad as that,&rdquo; said Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, I&rsquo;ve found &rsquo;em all about alike, men and women
+too, for that matter, though I believe you shut me off
+from expressing my views about women.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But you certainly would not include all women in
+such an assertion?&rdquo; said Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know why not, as far as my experience goes,
+they&rsquo;re all off the same piece.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why, man,&rdquo; said Houston indignantly, &ldquo;what are
+you talking about? You had a mother once, you do not
+mean to traduce her memory?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For a moment, Morgan was silent, then he replied in
+a tone that sounded very unlike his usual voice:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, I had a mother once, and that is what has made
+me what I am; sometime I will tell you about her.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>And nothing more was said until they reached the
+house.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XV' id='CHAPTER_XV'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Friday morning, word was received from Mr. Blaisdell,
+over the private wire connecting the office at Silver
+City with the mines, that he and Mr. Rivers would
+be up on the first train with a party of four, and to have
+everything in readiness for them; also to make arrangements
+for their accommodation at the boarding house.
+Morgan had already placed a small force of men at work
+on the mine, and after carrying out Mr. Blaisdell&rsquo;s instructions,
+remained himself at the mine, superintending
+the work.</p>
+<p>It was one of those perfect days, so frequent among
+the mountains; a cloudless sky, and the air so clear
+that one could see the most distant mountain peaks with
+wonderful distinctness. The weather was again warm,
+yet the air was cool and invigorating, and aromatic with
+the breath of the evergreen forests clothing the sides
+of the mountains and foot hills, while everywhere, the
+spring flowers were adding their color and beauty to the
+scene, their fragrance rising continuously, like an invisible
+cloud of incense, on every hand.</p>
+<p>At about eleven o&rsquo;clock, Houston heard the noise of
+the approaching team, and stepping to the window, saw
+a three-seated, open wagon, drawn by a pair of powerful
+horses. On the back seat, with Mr. Blaisdell, was an old
+gentleman, evidently Mr. Winters, and on the second
+seat, facing them, were two whom Houston judged to
+be Mr. Rivers and the junior Mr. Winters; but he took
+little notice of them, for his attention was arrested by
+one of the two young men sitting on the front seat, with
+the driver. The figure looked wonderfully familiar, but
+the face was almost wholly concealed by a broad-brimmed,
+soft hat. The team stopped, and at once the
+passengers prepared to alight; the hat was suddenly
+pushed back, revealing to the astonished Houston, the
+shining spectacles and laughing face of Arthur Van
+Dorn, his college class mate and chum.</p>
+<p>The men were alighting, and it was evident that Mr.
+Blaisdell was in a most genial frame of mind, he fairly
+beamed on every one; but Houston, not waiting to meet
+him, made a hasty retreat into the back room, to decide
+quickly upon his course of action. Nearly a thousand
+plans occurred to him, but none seemed feasible. If
+Mr. Blaisdell were the only member of the firm present,
+he felt he would have little difficulty, but the presence
+of Mr. Rivers made it considerably harder for him.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, in the front room, Mr. Blaisdell was receiving
+his guests in the most effusive manner, reminding
+Houston, even in his dilemma, of a gushing school
+girl.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Winters, let me assist you, you must be exceedingly
+weary; here, take this chair, you will find it a little
+more comfortable; sorry not to have more luxurious
+quarters in which to receive you, but this is the wild
+west, you know. Mr. Rivers, won&rsquo;t you see that Mr.
+Winters is comfortable, while I wait on his son. Mr.
+Lindlay, let me show you these specimens of ore, I think
+you will appreciate them as few can.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>In the midst of all this effusion, Mr. Rivers suddenly
+appeared in the back room. He was a small man, quite
+bald, with small, twinkling, peering eyes, and a quick
+motion of his head from one side to the other that reminded
+Houston of a ferret. Seeing Houston, his eyes
+twinkled until they nearly closed, he smiled, and extending
+his hand, said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah, the new clerk, Mr. Houston, I suppose; very
+glad to meet you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At that moment Mr. Blaisdell entered; &ldquo;Well, Mr.
+Rivers, you have found Mr. Houston, I see; Mr. Houston,
+this is Mr. Rivers, the secretary of the company. I
+was just looking for you, Houston, I want you to come
+in and meet the people in the other room.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;In a moment, Mr. Blaisdell,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;but
+first, will you and Mr. Rivers just look over something
+I have found here. This looks to me as though a serious
+error had been made in this report regarding the Sunrise
+mine, and as you will probably need it to-day, had it
+better not be corrected?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Error in the report of the Sunrise!&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell,
+adjusting his spectacles, &ldquo;let me see; why yes, that
+is an error, and a bad one, too, I am glad you called our
+attention to it; look here, Rivers,&rdquo; and the two men
+were deeply engrossed in a study of the papers before
+them.</p>
+<p>Houston improved the opportunity to reconnoiter the
+situation in the front room. Mr. Winters and his son
+were in a close consultation. The third man was busily
+engaged in looking at some ores, his back towards the
+door, while beside him stood Van Dorn, indifferently
+watching him. Houston gave a slight cough that attracted
+Van Dorn&rsquo;s attention; he turned, and seeing
+Houston, his face brightened, and he was about to
+spring forward to greet him, when the latter, with a
+quick motion of his hand, gave him the signal of their
+old college days, its equivalent in the western vernacular
+being, &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t give me away,&rdquo; at the same time putting
+his finger on his lips. A look of intense surprise flashed
+across Van Dorn&rsquo;s face, but he grasped the situation at
+once, and silently giving the return signal, he turned
+and walked in the opposite direction with the most nonchalant
+manner imaginable, and Houston knew that his
+secret was safe. A few moments afterward, &ldquo;Mr. Houston,
+our private secretary,&rdquo; was introduced to the entire
+party, and a hearty grip from Van Dorn&rsquo;s hand, which
+Houston returned with interest, was the only sign of
+mutual recognition.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well friends,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell, blandly, having
+looked at his watch, &ldquo;it is now so near noon, that when
+we have allowed Mr. Winters ample time for rest, we
+had better proceed to the house and have our dinner,
+before going to the mines.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If you dine at noon,&rdquo; replied Mr. Winters, in a very
+genial, yet dignified manner, &ldquo;there is scarcely time for
+a very extended exploration, but don&rsquo;t discommode
+yourselves in the least, gentlemen, on account of my age
+and feebleness. I have always enjoyed perfect health,
+and notwithstanding my gray hairs, I don&rsquo;t believe I
+am much older than my friend, here, Mr. Blaisdell.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not older than I am, sir!&rdquo; exclaimed Mr. Blaisdell,
+who prided himself upon his youthful appearance, &ldquo;why,
+how old do you take me to be?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Much older than you look,&rdquo; replied Mr. Winters, &ldquo;I
+am sixty-five, and you are at least sixty, although you
+look ten years younger than that.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You have certainly proven yourself a Yankee by
+your guessing,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell, slightly disconcerted,
+while the others joined in a general laugh at his expense,
+&ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t have thought you would have made
+so good a guess as that, neither did I think you were so
+near my own age.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You have the advantage of me now,&rdquo; returned Mr.
+Winters, pleasantly, &ldquo;but if we live twenty years, as I
+expect to, I&rsquo;ll then look younger than you, for I have
+the better health of the two.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Have you ever visited the west before, Mr. Winters?&rdquo;
+inquired Mr. Rivers.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, a few times,&rdquo; replied the old gentleman, while
+the mining expert, an Englishman, with large blue eyes,
+full face and blond mustache, smiled quietly at Van
+Dorn and Houston, who were seated near each other;
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been west once or twice a year for the last ten
+years.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Indeed!&rdquo; said Mr. Rivers, with considerable surprise,
+while the younger Mr. Winters said with a laugh, &ldquo;Oh,
+you couldn&rsquo;t keep father at home in New York, any
+more than you could one of these Indians out here; he&rsquo;s
+got to be roaming around all over the country continually.
+If he didn&rsquo;t drag me about with him everywhere,
+I wouldn&rsquo;t object.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You have been out in this country often, I suppose,&rdquo;
+said Mr. Blaisdell, addressing the expert, who replied
+coolly, with a very slight accent:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, sir; I simply come out &rsquo;ere once in a w&rsquo;ile, you
+know, just as an accommodation to Mr. Winters.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You live in New York, I suppose?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, sir; my &rsquo;ome is in London,&rdquo; he replied, with an
+air that seemed to indicate he did not care for any further
+conversation.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Blaisdell,&rdquo; said Mr. Rivers, &ldquo;I thought you said
+something some time ago, about dinner; if the ride in
+the mountain air has given the rest of these gentlemen
+such an appetite as it has me, we would like to see that
+dinner materialize before very long.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>On the way to the boarding house, Van Dorn managed
+to walk with Houston, and exclaimed in a low
+tone:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good heavens, Everard, what does this mean? What
+are you masquerading around in this style for?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t ask me to explain now, there are too many
+around; after dinner we will go down by ourselves, and
+I&rsquo;ll tell you the whole story. I may want a little advice
+from you, as you&rsquo;re a mining expert yourself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t let any of these people out here know that,&rdquo;
+Van Dorn answered quickly; &ldquo;Mr. Winters has introduced
+me as an inventor of some mining machinery that
+they use, just out here looking around for the pleasure
+of it; you know I did invent an amalgamator that is
+being used to some extent; but I&rsquo;m not supposed to
+know anything about practical mining.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston laughed; &ldquo;How about the Englishman?&rdquo; he
+asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s no fool,&rdquo; said Van Dorn quickly, &ldquo;though he is
+playing verdant; only comes out here to accommodate
+Mr. Winters, and so forth; that&rsquo;s all right, but he accommodates
+Mr. Winters pretty often. He&rsquo;s a fine expert
+and understands his business thoroughly, only I
+happen to be a little more familiar with the ores in this
+locality, as I spent a good many months out here in the
+mountains two years ago, experting mines; not in this
+camp of course, but only a few miles from here. Mr.
+Winters himself is sharp, and with Lindlay and myself
+out here, he&rsquo;s not going to be very badly taken in.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good!&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;and now there is one thing
+more before we get to the house. You remember Morton
+Rutherford?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mort Rutherford, of old college days? well, I should
+say so; what about him?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;His brother is stopping here, you will see him at dinner.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What!&rdquo; interrupted Van Dorn, &ldquo;little Ned? What
+under heaven is he doing out here? Are you two fellows
+out here incognito making love to rustic maidens?
+or what are you doing?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, Ned is out here in his own name, you won&rsquo;t need
+be under any restrictions with him, but what I want to
+say is this: Don&rsquo;t let him know who I am, or that you
+used to know me, or that I know his brother.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Anything else I&rsquo;m not to let him know?&rdquo; queried
+Van Dorn, taking out a small note book.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, put up your book, or Mr. Blaisdell will think I
+am giving you pointers on the mine. But this is how it
+is; Rutherford met me on the train coming out here, introduced
+himself to me, took a fancy to the mountains,
+and decided to stay a few weeks. He thinks I am&ndash;&ndash;what
+you found me&ndash;&ndash;the clerk for this company, and my
+home in Chicago. I am not ready to explain matters to
+him yet, so just simply appear as if you had never met
+me or heard of me till to-day.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But how is it Ned didn&rsquo;t know you? Didn&rsquo;t you ever
+see him when you visited Mort?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, I was there only once, and he was away at school
+at the time, and then he never went to Yale, you know,
+he is a Harvard graduate.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, I see; all right, I&rsquo;ll be mum.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A sharp turn in the road brought the house into view,
+with Rutherford seated on the porch, reading a magazine.</p>
+<p>He glanced up with his usual assumption of dignity,
+as the party approached, but catching sight of Van
+Dorn, at the rear of the little procession, his magazine
+and his dignity were suddenly flung to the winds, and he
+bounded down from the porch like a school-boy.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;By Jove! Hello there, Van Dorn, how do you do?
+Great Scott! how did you ever come out here? I&rsquo;m
+awfully glad to see you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very glad to see you, my dear boy,&rdquo; said Van Dorn,
+heartily, &ldquo;but the mystery to me is, how do you happen
+to be here?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Blaisdell looked on greatly astonished and
+amused by Rutherford&rsquo;s impetuous greeting.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, Mr. Rutherford,&rdquo; he remarked, &ldquo;you seem to
+have met an old friend; ah, yes, I see, you are from Boston,
+and so is Mr. Van Dorn.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Introductions followed, and the party sat down to
+dinner. Houston, seated between Van Dorn and Rutherford,
+did not lack for entertainment, but he had been
+at the table but a few seconds when he became aware
+that Miss Gladden was not there. He waited till the
+meal was nearly over, and then quietly inquired of Lyle
+whether Miss Gladden were ill.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh no,&rdquo; Lyle answered, in a low tone, &ldquo;Miss Gladden
+thought best, as so many gentlemen were to be
+here, and on business, to let them have the table to themselves.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>After dinner, Houston started a little early for the
+office, and Van Dorn took his hat, saying:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If you&rsquo;ll excuse me, gentlemen, I&rsquo;ll walk down with
+Mr. Houston. You know I&rsquo;m not so crazy on mining as
+you are, and I&rsquo;d like to see somebody for a change, that
+can talk on some other subject.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Go ahead,&rdquo; said Mr. Winters, &ldquo;I suppose you&rsquo;ll want
+to go through the mines in our company, though, by
+and by.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I probably will have to go in your company, if I go
+at all,&rdquo; Van Dorn replied carelessly, &ldquo;my choice is rather
+limited.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;ll be here this evening, won&rsquo;t you Van?&rdquo; said
+Rutherford, who was then engaged in a sort of one-sided
+conversation with the Englishman.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I suppose so,&rdquo; Van Dorn answered.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;All right, I&rsquo;ll see you later,&rdquo; Rutherford responded.</p>
+<p>The confidential clerk and the young inventor strolled
+down the road together, and the officers of the mining
+company never dreamed of the results.</p>
+<p>Half an hour later, Mr. Blaisdell and Mr. Rivers rose
+to return to the office, and the others followed their example,
+with the exception of Mr. Winters, who said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If you boys are in a hurry to start, all right, go
+ahead; I&rsquo;m going to take my after-dinner smoke out
+here on the porch,&rdquo; at the same time producing a fine
+meerschaum.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Now, father, don&rsquo;t you get left behind,&rdquo; said his son
+jokingly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Get left, you young rattle-brains! I&rsquo;ll have my
+smoke out and be down there at the office, before you
+are ready to start; your old father generally &lsquo;gets there&rsquo;
+in as good time as you can make.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll tell you what we will do, Mr. Winters,&rdquo; said Mr.
+Blaisdell, &ldquo;the road to the mine branches off just below
+here, and we can just as well drive around here and call
+for you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;All right, Mr. Blaisdell, that will be perfectly satisfactory,
+whatever suits you young fellows, suits me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well, then, Mr. Winters,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell,
+&ldquo;we &lsquo;young fellows&rsquo; will be along in the course of half
+an hour,&rdquo; and they went down the canyon, leaving the
+old gentleman in the low porch, deep in the enjoyment of
+his pipe.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XVI' id='CHAPTER_XVI'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>As the quondam class-mates disappeared together
+down the winding road, Houston gave his friend, as
+succinctly as possible, an explanation of his presence
+there in the capacity of clerk, briefly outlining his plans,
+and stating what he had been able so far to accomplish.</p>
+<p>Van Dorn was intensely interested, and through his
+own practical knowledge and experience, was able to
+give Houston some valuable information, and to make
+some important suggestions.</p>
+<p>Houston was quick to see that here was just the help
+he would need a little later; he also knew that opportunities
+for seeing his friend would be limited, he must
+act promptly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Arthur,&rdquo; he asked rather abruptly, &ldquo;how soon do you
+go east?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;In about two weeks.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Any special engagements for this summer?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Nothing particularly important at present.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You remember my uncle, don&rsquo;t you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I remember Mr. Cameron perfectly, though I have
+not seen him for a number of years.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I suppose, for a sufficient consideration, you would
+come out here on business for us, at any time?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Like Lindlay, &lsquo;just to accommodate,&rsquo; I suppose,&rdquo;
+laughed Van Dorn, and continued, &ldquo;Everard, old boy,
+I am at the service of yourself and your uncle, and we&rsquo;ll
+say nothing about &lsquo;considerations&rsquo; until afterward; then
+arrange it between yourselves.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We will not require your time and services without
+ample compensation,&rdquo; returned Houston, &ldquo;but you will
+be just the man I will need later; an expert, familiar
+with this locality, in whom my uncle will repose perfect
+confidence, and whom the company here will not suspect.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But Mr. Cameron may not place much confidence in
+the harum-scarum sophomore that visited his home a
+few years since, if he remembers him at all,&rdquo; said Van
+Dorn, with a little laugh.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My word will be enough for that,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;I
+will write a letter this afternoon for you to take to him.
+There are the gentlemen now, coming down the road;
+I will see you again this evening, and probably to-morrow.
+I wonder what has become of Mr. Winters?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Probably he is taking his afternoon smoke,&rdquo; said
+Van Dorn. &ldquo;I think the old gentleman would throw
+up the whole mining deal rather than sacrifice that. After
+what you&rsquo;ve told me of this mining concern out here,
+I&rsquo;ve considerable curiosity to see this famous mine
+they&rsquo;ve been writing about. I&rsquo;ve got an idea just about
+how it will pan out, but I&rsquo;ll say nothing till I&rsquo;ve seen it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Let me know your impressions, later,&rdquo; said Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Agreed,&rdquo; answered Van Dorn, and the party outside
+having nearly reached the door, the subject was
+dropped.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, Mr. Winters, seated in the rustic porch,
+his attention divided between the picturesque scenery
+surrounding him, and the spirals of blue smoke which
+he loved to watch, was in no hurry to exchange his present
+enjoyment for subterranean explorations; the rest
+and solitude seemed doubly welcome after the last few
+weeks of travel.</p>
+<p>Rutherford, who lingered a few moments after the
+others had gone, did not find him very socially inclined,
+and picking up his magazine from the floor, where it had
+reposed since Van Dorn&rsquo;s appearance, he started up the
+canyon for a stroll among the rocks by the lake.</p>
+<p>It is to be feared that Mr. Winters, under the combined
+influence of his pipe and the warm sunshine, was
+very nearly asleep. It is certain that he never heard the
+sound of soft, trailing garments beside him, nor did he
+appear to be in full possession of all his faculties, until
+two arms rested lightly on his shoulders, and a pair of
+small, white hands were clasped across his eyes.</p>
+<p>Such a proceeding, under such circumstances, naturally
+had the effect of very quickly restoring his faculties
+to their normal condition, but on trying to turn his head,
+he found it held as firmly as in a vise, by the hands which
+had been quickly removed from his eyes, while a mischievous
+voice announced imperiously:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Guess who it is, and you are free!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Guess!&rdquo; exclaimed the old gentleman in some perplexity,
+&ldquo;why, if I were at home, I would know this was
+one of my little girl&rsquo;s tricks, but I cannot imagine who it
+is here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There was a musical, rippling laugh, as the hands were
+withdrawn, and Mr. Winters, turning quickly, came near
+losing his pipe in astonishment.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Bless my soul, Leslie! what does this mean? Well,
+well! so it was my little girl after all, up to her old
+tricks; but, child, how came you out here, in such a
+place as this?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At that moment, Houston or Rutherford would
+scarcely have recognized Miss Gladden, could they have
+seen her seated beside Mr. Winters with all the careless
+abandon of a child, laughing merrily in answer to his
+numerous questions, while he playfully pinched her
+cheek, or pulled her ear. To Mr. Winters, however, she
+seemed like one of his own children, for Leslie Gladden
+was an orphan, and Mr. and Mrs. Winters, having been
+deeply attached to her parents, and having no daughter
+of their own, had always regarded her as a daughter,
+and much of her life had been passed in their home.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, puss,&rdquo; said Mr. Winters, having answered her
+inquiries regarding his family, &ldquo;seems to me it&rsquo;s about
+time you gave an account of yourself; what are you
+doing here? and what have you been doing since last
+Easter? and where are Helen and her husband?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;One question at a time, if you please, sir,&rdquo; said Miss
+Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s right, giving the old man orders, as usual;
+we always spoiled you, Leslie. Well, in the first place,
+what possessed you to leave us in the way you did? We
+understood you had gone to spend Easter with Helen;
+and the next we heard, Helen wrote her sister that they
+were going to spend the summer traveling in the west,
+and that you were to accompany them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I will explain that a little later; what is the next in
+order?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is Helen here with you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, sir, she and George are in Denver.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And who is stopping here with you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No one; do you think I need a guardian, or a chaperon?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The old man&rsquo;s eyes twinkled; &ldquo;You always were an
+independent sort of a girl, and pretty level-headed, too,
+I must admit; but, my dear child, is it safe for you to be
+out here alone among the miners, and this rough class
+of people?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden laughed; &ldquo;Did you see any very rough
+people to-day at dinner?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why no, to be sure, I did not, but then, there must
+be many of them out here in this neighborhood.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I never see them,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;I associate
+only with the people you met to-day; no one here knows
+that I have wealth; so really, I am safer here than at
+home, where I am known.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But there is no society here,&rdquo; protested the old gentleman.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I came here to get away from society; there is plenty
+of refined and pleasant companionship, and if I have
+friends here, I know they are sincere friends, not money
+worshipers, or fortune hunters.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, I see,&rdquo; said Mr. Winters, &ldquo;the princess is out
+here in disguise, seeking some knight who will love her
+for herself alone, and not for her fortune.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden gravely, &ldquo;I have not come
+out here seeking for any knight, but to escape from a
+base, dishonorable and cowardly knave.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Has your cousin Humphrey been annoying you
+again?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, he and his mother made life a burden to me, that
+was my reason for leaving home as I did. Humphrey
+has sunk nearly every dollar of their property by his
+profligacy, and now, he and his mother are determined
+to have my fortune. Aunt exhausted all her stock of
+melodramatic and sentimental language and her tears
+in trying to get me to fulfill what she called my father&rsquo;s
+&lsquo;dying wish,&rsquo; by marrying that debauchee and libertine;
+then she tried threats, and finally became so wild with
+rage, that she reminded me of the will, and told me I
+should never marry any one else; that Humphrey
+should have the property, as my father intended, sooner
+or later, if not with me, then without me. I knew Helen
+intended to come west, and I went to her and asked to
+let me travel with them. Now, you know my reason for
+leaving so suddenly, and for not writing. We have all
+enjoyed our trip very much; you know George came
+out on business, and when he was occupied, of course
+it was pleasanter for Helen that I was with her. While
+we were at St. Paul, George met some mining men, and
+he immediately began to have symptoms of mining
+fever, and hearing of the mines out here, he brought us
+out, among the mountains and miners. We came out
+when the weather was warm and delightful, and Helen
+and I roamed over the mountains while George explored
+the mines. Then he decided to go to Denver, and I
+would probably have accompanied them, though I had
+become attached to this place, but just then I heard that
+my cousin had traced me to St. Paul, and was in pursuit,
+to renew his attentions to me, so I decided to remain
+here where he will be less likely to find me. Helen and
+her husband are in Denver, sworn to secrecy regarding
+my whereabouts.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, well!&rdquo; exclaimed the old gentleman, meditatively,
+&ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t have thought your aunt would so far
+have forgotten herself. It was unfortunate that your
+father made such a will, leaving everything to Humphrey
+in case of your dying unmarried, but that was
+when you were both children, and he was very fond of
+the little fellow. Leslie, my dear, I wish you were married.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But I am not, and perhaps never likely to be,&rdquo; Miss
+Gladden answered merrily.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, and you might have been married twenty times
+over,&rdquo; said Mr. Winters, shaking his head, &ldquo;and my own
+boy, Harry, among the lot.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Once is enough for me, papa dear,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden
+lightly, yet in a more tender tone, &ldquo;when the right
+one comes; but it could never have been Harry, any
+more than his brother, Richard; you and mamma were
+like parents to me, and the boys both seem like brothers.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Have you found the right one, yet?&rdquo; asked the old
+gentleman, watching her keenly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;As I told you, I am not looking for a knight,&rdquo; she
+answered brightly, but the color deepened on her cheek,
+&ldquo;if he ever comes, he must find me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Winters noted the telltale flush, and slowly shaking
+his head, remarked, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know, Leslie, about the
+advisability of leaving you here; you were always inclined
+to be very philanthropic, and it would be like you
+to adopt some young man out here, thinking you had
+money enough for yourself and him, too; that clerk
+down at the office, for instance, or this kid that was
+prancing around in eye-glasses.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The &lsquo;kid&rsquo; as you call him,&rdquo; Miss Gladden answered
+demurely, &ldquo;has plenty of money of his own, and Mr.
+Houston seems abundantly able to take care of himself;
+if I adopt any one, it will be that beautiful girl who
+waited on you at dinner.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is that, my dear?&rdquo; said the old gentleman,
+brightening, &ldquo;I noticed that girl at the table to-day; she
+is remarkably fine looking, and seemed to conduct herself
+like a perfect lady; who is she?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden, in her enthusiastic manner, began telling
+him of Lyle, and of the interest she had taken in her,
+but before she had proceeded very far, the team appeared
+at the junction of the roads, the men calling Mr.
+Winters.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Bless my stars, if there isn&rsquo;t the team!&rdquo; he exclaimed,
+&ldquo;well my little girl, good-bye for the present, you will
+see us both this evening,&rdquo; and having given Miss Gladden
+a promise that neither he nor his son would betray
+her secret, he hastened down the road to the waiting
+team.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, boys,&rdquo; he said, stopping to carefully empty the
+ashes from his pipe on a projecting ledge of rock, &ldquo;I will
+have to give you credit for being on hand very promptly;
+that was about the shortest half hour that I can remember.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A loud, ringing laugh greeted this remark, which
+caused Mr. Winters, who was replacing his pipe in its
+case, to look up in mild wonder.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s one on you, father,&rdquo; called his son, while Mr.
+Blaisdell remarked, &ldquo;The time evidently has passed very
+pleasantly.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is the origin of all this mirth?&rdquo; demanded Mr.
+Winters, as he seated himself with considerable dignity.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It seems,&rdquo; said Mr. Rivers, in explanation, &ldquo;to be because
+you were so unconscious of the lapse of time; we
+were delayed in getting together our papers, and it is
+over an hour since we left the house.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I looked for you at every turn of the road,&rdquo; said his
+son.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t,&rdquo; said Van Dorn, &ldquo;I thought he had fallen
+asleep over his pipe; I never dreamed he was disgracing
+the whole crowd of us by such open flirtation as that,&ndash;&ndash;I
+wish we had brought along a chaperon.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, gentlemen,&rdquo; said Mr. Winters very deliberately,
+&ldquo;all I have to say is, that had you been in my
+place, the time would have seemed equally short to you,
+and I don&rsquo;t think there&rsquo;s one of you but would have been
+mighty glad to have been in my place.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Winters,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell, &ldquo;I begin to think
+you&rsquo;re the youngest man of our party.&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XVII' id='CHAPTER_XVII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>With many jokes and much hilarity, the mining party
+proceeded on their way. Arriving at the mines, they
+found Morgan and Haight awaiting them, who were
+duly introduced to the party, the English expert looking
+at Haight with much the same expression with which a
+mastiff might regard a rat terrier.</p>
+<p>Everything being in readiness, they began the descent
+of the long incline shaft, Mr. Blaisdell and Haight leading
+the way with Mr. Lindlay, while Mr. Rivers followed
+with Mr. Winters and his son and Van Dorn,
+Morgan bringing up the rear.</p>
+<p>It was nearly three hours before they reappeared at
+the surface, and to a physiognomist, their faces, as they
+emerged from the mouth of the shaft, would have furnished
+an amusing study.</p>
+<p>Mr. Blaisdell looked irritated and annoyed, but jubilant.
+He had been thoroughly disgusted by the conduct
+of the English expert. Instead of taking Mr. Blaisdell&rsquo;s
+word regarding the mine, corroborated as it was
+by undisputable evidence in the shape of mining reports,
+surveyor&rsquo;s notes, and maps, he had insisted on
+ascertaining for himself the important data, the width,
+dip and course of the vein, and the measurement of
+various angles and distances, with a persistency and accuracy
+that was simply exasperating. He also picked up
+samples of ore in the most unexpected places which he
+examined with the closest scrutiny. But having taken
+his measurements and made his examinations, the results
+were immediately jotted down in his note book,
+and the samples dropped in his pockets, without a word,
+which convinced Mr. Blaisdell that the expert knew
+very little of his business, and was probably either doing
+this to keep up appearances, or to gain a little information
+for his own benefit. Not a word had been said contradicting
+the statements he had made, not a question
+raised implying any doubt of their correctness;&ndash;&ndash;evidently
+they were just the kind of purchasers he wanted,
+and his firmly set jaws and tightly compressed lips expressed
+his satisfaction.</p>
+<p>Mr. Rivers scanned the company keenly with his ferret-like
+glances; such unexpected acquiescence on their
+part made him slightly suspicious and very watchful.
+The thought uppermost in his mind was, &ldquo;Either these
+people know absolutely nothing about mining, or they
+know too much for our good.&rdquo; He had intended going
+back to the city that evening, but he now decided to remain
+over.</p>
+<p>Mr. Winters, senior, reappeared, wearing the same expression
+of benevolence and dignity with which he had
+entered the mine. He seemed serenely unconscious of
+the existence of deceit or fraud in business transactions
+generally, and in mining negotiations in particular.
+Only those well acquainted with him could detect from
+the exaggerated twinkle of his eyes, that something had
+more than ordinarily amused him.</p>
+<p>Van Dorn and Lindlay had agreed before hand that
+they would keep entirely separate, and each pursue his
+own course of investigation independently of the other,&ndash;&ndash;Van
+Dorn of course not being able to take any measurements,
+as he was not supposed to be an expert,&ndash;&ndash;and
+compare notes later. As the two emerged into daylight
+and their eyes met, Van Dorn&rsquo;s laughing, blushing
+face would have betrayed him, had any one known his
+real business there, but a young inventor, exploring
+mines just for the fun of the thing, is supposed to find
+plenty of amusement. Under the big, blond mustache
+of the Englishman, a pair of lips curled scornfully, and
+his eyes rolled wildly for a moment, but that was all.</p>
+<p>As the gentlemen gathered around the dump, the last
+vestige of Mr. Blaisdell&rsquo;s irritation seemed to have disappeared,
+as he blandly expatiated upon the quantity and
+quality of the ore.</p>
+<p>Van Dorn&rsquo;s eyes sparkled as he saw the shining lumps
+from the Yankee Boy, and he and Lindlay exchanged
+quick glances.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Look at that,&rdquo; said the latter, quickly extracting
+from his pocket a sample of the Sunrise ore and placing
+it beside a piece taken at random from the dump; &ldquo;does
+any one pretend to tell me that those are from the same
+vein?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is a different class of ore altogether,&rdquo; replied Van
+Dorn, &ldquo;such ore as that never would be found under the
+conditions existing in that mine, but I&rsquo;ll be blest if I
+wouldn&rsquo;t like to see the mine it did come from.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Rivers had observed this little side conversation
+and Van Dorn&rsquo;s close scrutiny of the samples, and was
+at his side in a moment, inquiring in his smoothest tones:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What do you think of that ore, Mr. Van Dorn?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very fine ore, so far as I can judge,&rdquo; said Van Dorn
+carelessly, &ldquo;I would like to see it run through that concentrator
+and amalgamator of mine; if these men ever
+get through talking about mines, Mr. Rivers, I must
+get you and Mr. Blaisdell interested in my machinery.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At the suggestion of Mr. Lindlay, the party next paid
+a visit to the Morning Star mine, that being the one
+which Mr. Blaisdell had declared was on the same lead
+as the Sunrise. This they found to be a valuable mine,
+but there was not the slightest indication of the vein being
+identical with that of the Sunrise, its strike carrying
+it in a totally different direction, and its characteristics
+being wholly dissimilar.</p>
+<p>As it was too late for any further mining explorations,
+the team was ordered, and preparations made for a return
+to the house.</p>
+<p>Lindlay and Van Dorn, by mutual agreement, started
+up the canyon road together, in advance of the others.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Boys, where are you going?&rdquo; called Mr. Winters.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Going to walk on ahead,&rdquo; answered Van Dorn.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Just as cheap to ride,&rdquo; said Mr. Winters.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Plenty of room,&rdquo; added Mr. Blaisdell.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We can&rsquo;t wait for you, you&rsquo;re too slow,&rdquo; laughed
+Van Dorn.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Give our places to those gentlemen,&rdquo; said Lindlay,
+indicating Haight and Morgan, and with rather a painful
+emphasis on the word &ldquo;gentlemen.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Egad!&rdquo; he exclaimed a few moments later, &ldquo;Van
+Dorn, what do you think of that for a mining proposition?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s pretty tough, in fact, about the toughest I ever
+saw,&rdquo; replied Van Dorn, &ldquo;but then, you remember we
+got a hint at Silver City that they were sharpers.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Sharpers!&rdquo; exclaimed Lindlay, &ldquo;but I don&rsquo;t call them
+sharpers; I can admire a good, genuine piece of keen
+rascality, don&rsquo;t you know, for I can play just as sharp
+a game myself as the best of them, but w&rsquo;en it comes
+to such downright, beastly work as this, so blundering
+and bungling you know, w&rsquo;y it looks too much as
+though they thought we were all born idiots, to be very
+complimentary.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll admit it looks that way,&rdquo; said Van Dorn, laughing,
+&ldquo;it doesn&rsquo;t look as though they had a very flattering
+opinion of our acquirements, or our natural penetration,
+if they suppose we can be gulled in this way.
+They are about the worst set of mining sharks I&rsquo;ve ever
+had the pleasure of meeting, and I shall tell Houston
+so.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;By the way, that Mr. &rsquo;Uston seems a very decent sort
+of a man,&rdquo; commented Lindlay.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s a fine fellow,&rdquo; responded Van Dorn warmly,
+&ldquo;you see I know him, he&rsquo;s a friend of mine, but don&rsquo;t
+say anything till we get out of here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;A friend of yours! and w&rsquo;at in the deuce is he doing
+out &rsquo;ere, among such a beastly lot?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He is out on a piece of detective work on his own account,&rdquo;
+and Van Dorn briefly gave Lindlay an outline
+of what Houston had told him. A prolonged &ldquo;Ah&ndash;&ndash;h&rdquo;
+from Lindlay was the only response.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I thought I&rsquo;d better tell you,&rdquo; said Van Dorn, &ldquo;for
+fear you would include him in the lot out here, and be
+down on him with the rest. He is a splendid fellow, and
+I want you to know him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That I will,&rdquo; responded the Englishman, &ldquo;&rsquo;ere, give
+&rsquo;im my card, and tell &rsquo;im I&rsquo;ll be very glad to &rsquo;elp &rsquo;im out
+a bit any time if he needs it later, you know; I would
+like to see &rsquo;im get the best of these fellows.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I will tell him,&rdquo; replied Van Dorn, &ldquo;he may give you
+a letter of introduction to his uncle. They are all fine
+people, and, as you say, I would like to see Houston
+get the best of these rascals; I believe he will, too,
+though he will have to lay low for a while yet, and there
+may be some pretty dangerous work for him before he
+gets through.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The pedestrians and the remainder of the party
+reached the house at nearly the same time, the latter
+having been slightly delayed in starting. Although a
+little late, Houston and Rutherford, with Miss Gladden
+and Lyle, were awaiting them in the porch. The rare
+beauty of the two ladies elicited expressions of admiration
+from both Lindlay and Van Dorn, the latter exclaiming:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They evidently have some fine specimens of ladies
+out here, and no mistake; there seems to be no fraud
+in that direction. No wonder the old gentleman was so
+indifferent as to whether we called for him or not!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden extended a welcome, both cordial and
+graceful, to Mr. Winters and his son, and also to Van
+Dorn, whom Rutherford introduced as an old friend.
+Other introductions followed, and the entire company
+entered the long, low dining room, whither Lyle had
+already preceded them to see that everything was in perfect
+readiness. Exclamations of surprise and pleasure
+were heard on all sides, as the table had been tastefully
+decorated by the skillful fingers of the ladies, with wild
+flowers, and their beauty and fragrance filled the room.
+A very social meal followed, interspersed with jokes and
+repartee, and pleasant reminiscences. Toward the close,
+Mr. Blaisdell entertained them with amusing sketches of
+western life, and soon was relating some of his first mining
+experiences, when he had just come from the east,
+a newly fledged mining expert.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I was asked, in company with another expert, a western
+man, much older than I, to examine some properties
+for some mining men. They were all experienced miners,
+old hands at the business, and they regarded me, a
+young graduate from an eastern mining school, with no
+practical knowledge that they knew of, as totally incompetent
+to advise them, and, I think, invited me more out
+of courtesy than anything else; perhaps also, out of
+benevolent intention to give me an opportunity to learn
+something about mines.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The evening previous to the day the examination
+was to be made, they met for a little conversation regarding
+the history of the mine, and to make plans for
+the following day. Of course, our talk was principally
+of mining in general. Well, didn&rsquo;t I play &lsquo;green&rsquo; that
+evening. You can bet your sweet life that I did!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Here Lindlay elbowed Houston, who in turn nudged
+Van Dorn. The last named gentleman telegraphed
+across to the younger Winters and Rutherford, and
+there seemed imminent danger of a general explosion;
+however, Mr. Blaisdell thought it was all in appreciation
+of his story, and blandly continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think when we broke up that night, the rest of
+them must have wondered among themselves why they
+had been such fools as to invite me. But I was only
+anxious for the time to come to go down into that mine.
+It was a property which the company had bought when
+it was nothing but a prospect, but which had then possessed
+every indication of being a wonderful producer
+of very rich ore, and it was supposed that with a little
+further development it would make a very fine property.
+The company had immediately proceeded to develop the
+mine, following the vein, as they supposed, for several
+hundred feet, but it did not amount to anything worth
+speaking of. Occasionally they would find croppings of
+very rich ore, but no true vein, and they had finally determined
+to call in one or two experts, and after an examination,
+decide whether it was worth the expenditure
+of any more money, or whether it had better be abandoned.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, aside from having received a fine education
+in this branch of science, I had worked a good deal in
+some of old Nature&rsquo;s laboratories, and was more familiar
+with these things than they thought. I knew, from
+their talk, that they were not following the course of the
+vein, though they thought they were, but of course, I
+said nothing of that kind; I was playing green.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The next day we went down into the mine, and I
+found just what I expected to find; that they were simply
+following a false lead, and in reality, going farther
+and farther from the vein every move they made. There
+was the original vein to start with, and they had struck
+a false lead close beside it, and were going down; digging
+down lower and lower, while the true vein was
+right over their heads, and those miners and that confounded
+expert that knew so much more than I did,
+didn&rsquo;t any of them know enough just to look up there
+and see it. Why, near the point where they had first
+started, I could see the ore shining in places over my
+head, and there were croppings of it all along.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, to make a long story short, I advised them to
+stick to the mine, and the expert advised them to abandon
+it. A little while afterward, I asked them what they
+would take for the mine; of course they thought that
+an additional proof of my greenness that I should talk
+of buying it, but I hung on, not appearing very anxious
+about it of course, for then they might suspect something.
+You won&rsquo;t believe me, but I bought that mine for five
+hundred dollars, cash, and they thought I was the biggest
+fool and tenderfoot that ever came out here. I
+tell you, I made sure of a good, clear title to that property,
+and then I went to work. I followed the old, original
+vein, and in less than six weeks I had gold just a
+pouring out of that mine. My! but didn&rsquo;t that company
+try to get back then! but I wouldn&rsquo;t have anything
+to do with them; I told them I was a greenhorn
+and a tenderfoot, and they had better let me alone.
+Well, sir, I worked that mine eighteen months, and
+cleared, over and above all expenses, one hundred and
+fifty thousand dollars, and then I sold it for half a million,
+and those other fellows have been kicking themselves
+ever since.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There was a hearty laugh at the termination of the
+story, and the company adjourned to the porch and the
+open space surrounding the house, for the evening.</p>
+<p>Taken all in all, there was in that little company sheltered
+under the old house that night, a strange combination
+of plots and counter plots, secrets and mysteries;
+and to Houston himself, as he sat a little apart from the
+others, watching the group with thoughtful eyes, it
+seemed a curious coincidence, that, on that evening, and
+at that place, there should be assembled so many of the
+principal actors in the drama which he knew must ere
+long be enacted, and he was unable to shake off a vague
+presentiment that this was the opening scene. Just what
+would that drama be, he wondered, would it be comedy
+or tragedy? never, with all his foresight, dreaming the
+depth of tragedy so soon to follow, or recognizing as
+such, some of the chief actors, even then passing within
+his ken.</p>
+<p>On one side of the low porch was seated Miss Gladden,
+entertaining Mr. Winters and his son, while behind her,
+Lyle was standing with unconscious grace, and a far-away,
+dreamy look in her eyes. Just across the entrance,
+on the other side, were Lindlay, Van Dorn and Rutherford,
+the last two engaged in animated conversation regarding
+old times, Lindlay occasionally joining with
+them, but most of the time watching Miss Gladden, with
+much admiration expressed in his usually critical face.
+Mr. Rivers sauntered back and forth before the house,
+smoking, while, at a little distance, Mr. Blaisdell, Haight
+and Morgan were talking together. Jim Maverick, coming
+from behind the house, touched his hat as a salute
+to Mr. Blaisdell, and after a quick glance of suspicious
+distrust at the elder Mr. Winters, shuffled off in the
+direction of the miners&rsquo; quarters. A little later, a man
+with powerful, athletic frame, who walked with quick,
+elastic step, and yet as though conscious of his power,
+passed the house, followed by a fine collie. His hat was
+drawn low over his eyes, partly concealing his face, but
+this did not prevent his watching the group on the porch
+with close, keen scrutiny. Houston and Rutherford
+started slightly, and exchanged glances, for they had
+recognized their fellow passenger from Valley City, and
+they would doubtless have made some comment, but
+that just then Miss Gladden spoke:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lyle, dear, I wonder who that can be; he is dressed
+like a miner, but his carriage and appearance is that of
+a gentleman.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That,&rdquo; answered Lyle, in a low tone, &ldquo;is Jack; he is
+a miner, and he is also a gentleman.&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XVIII' id='CHAPTER_XVIII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Several days had elapsed since the eastern party, accompanied
+by Mr. Blaisdell and Mr. Rivers, had returned
+to the city, and, as yet, nothing had been learned
+of their decision regarding the mine. The extra force
+of men on the Sunrise had returned to their regular
+shifts, and the work at the mining camp was going forward
+in the old routine, with the monotonous precision
+of clock-work.</p>
+<p>Houston was quietly pursuing his own way, conscious
+that the task before him involved difficulty and danger.
+He was aware that Haight, notwithstanding his obsequious
+politeness, was one of his worst enemies, and
+would injure him in every underhanded way within his
+power, as, beneath the smooth, smiling exterior, Houston
+could detect a deep, subtle malignity toward himself;
+and he rightly judged that Jim Maverick, the tool
+of the mining company, would be the instrument Haight
+would use when he was ready to work his revenge.</p>
+<p>Maverick, from the first, had hated Houston with that
+instinctive hatred which such vile natures, groveling in
+their own degradation, always feel toward those moving
+on a higher plane, in an atmosphere untainted by
+the putrescence which is their natural element. Maverick
+knew that, to a man like Houston, his own baseness
+and villainy were written in his face, and even in
+his slouching, cringing gait, as plainly as though branded
+in letters of fire, and this was sufficient to kindle his anger
+against him, and Haight, by his talk, added fuel to the
+slowly smoldering fire. At home, but more particularly
+among the miners, in the camp or at the Y, Maverick
+expressed his views regarding Houston in language
+abounding with profanity and obscenity, and many were
+the muttered threats of what he would do should the object
+of his hatred ever cross his path.</p>
+<p>Houston, meanwhile, was quick to discern the danger
+signals, and was laying his plans wisely and well. His
+own work in the office of the mining camp was nearly
+completed; there remained yet the information to be
+gathered from the Silver City office, to which he was now
+expecting to be called any day, and then the work of
+familiarizing himself with the mines. When this should
+be accomplished, the end, for which he was working and
+waiting, would be very near.</p>
+<p>As he sat in the office one afternoon, reviewing the
+past few weeks, he felt that he had succeeded thus far,
+even beyond his hopes. The coming of Van Dorn and
+the acquaintance formed with Lindlay would be of untold
+value to him in his work. A little later, Van Dorn
+would come to his assistance without arousing suspicion,
+not being known as a mining expert, and when the time
+came for the final denouement, Lindlay would accompany
+Mr. Cameron to the mines, as he was a skilled expert,
+and having already visited the mines, could furnish
+testimony as to the fraud practiced by the company.</p>
+<p>Thus far, everything had gone well, and the weeks of
+work in a secluded mining camp, to which he had looked
+forward with anything but pleasurable anticipations,
+had in reality proven,&ndash;&ndash;he was surprised to admit to himself,&ndash;&ndash;among
+the pleasantest of his life. He would really
+have many regrets on leaving the mountains to return
+to his old home, he had formed such pleasant associations;
+and then, he suddenly became conscious that,
+of his life among the mountains, there was little he would
+miss, excepting a pair of dark, soulful eyes, in whose
+depths he had failed to detect the least shadow of falseness
+or unworthiness; mirrors of a sweet, womanly
+nature, strong, pure and beautiful, which with a quick,
+ready sympathy entered into his feelings, and often
+seemed to fathom his unspoken thoughts, and clothe
+them with language of her own.</p>
+<p>Houston started in astonishment, and, locking the office,
+took a circuitous and little traveled road, determined
+to fully understand his own heart before he again looked
+into those eyes with their depths of sincerity and truth.</p>
+<p>For many years he had been the recipient of flattering
+attentions from fond papas and aspiring mammas.
+Invitations to club dinners, banquets and the most recherche
+lunches, on the one hand, were evenly balanced
+by cards to receptions, soirees and afternoon teas, on the
+other. Had he passed heart-whole through all these
+sieges, only to fall a victim, here and now?</p>
+<p>He had admired Miss Gladden from the first; then,
+in their mutual sympathy for Lyle, they had been drawn
+closer together, and since that time,&ndash;&ndash;yes, he could see
+it all now.</p>
+<p>Of Miss Gladden herself he knew very little, except
+that she was a true, noble woman; he needed no words to
+tell him that. Rutherford had learned from conversation
+with her, that she was an orphan, and had been
+traveling with friends because her home was made unpleasant
+by some of her relatives; and both had judged
+that she was probably, in a measure, dependent upon
+wealthy relatives.</p>
+<p>This much Houston did know, however, that he loved
+Leslie Gladden, that she was worthy of his love, and that
+life without her would not seem worth the living. He
+believed that she loved him, and his heart thrilled with
+the thought, that if so, it was for himself, not his wealth,
+that she cared. Before he reached the house, his mind
+was fully decided:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I love her for herself,&rdquo; he soliloquized, &ldquo;not caring
+whether she is rich or poor, and I believe she does, or
+will, love me in like manner. In any event, I must learn
+my fate before the arrival of my uncle.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>As Houston approached the house, Miss Gladden and
+Lyle were standing together in the porch. He greeted
+both ladies with even more than his usual courtesy, but
+as his eyes met those of Miss Gladden, there was that in
+his glance, which in itself, was a declaration of his love
+for her. Lyle, with her quick intuition, read the meaning,
+and with her natural sense of delicacy, as quickly
+withdrew, leaving them together. For an instant, Miss
+Gladden&rsquo;s eyes dropped before Houston&rsquo;s glance, while
+a lovely color suffused her cheek; then she raised her
+eyes, meeting his with an answering glance, and in that
+mutual recognition, though no word was spoken, they
+knew that they were lovers, and that was enough for the
+present.</p>
+<p>Of late, the four friends had spent much time together;
+sometimes climbing the mountains, to watch from their
+lofty summits the setting sun, slowly descending amid
+clouds of flame, whose glowing colors were reflected
+from the surrounding peaks in ever varying tints; the
+rose changing to amethyst and violet, and the violet
+deepening to purple; while far below, the canyon lay
+wrapped in soft, gray twilight. Or, sometimes, taking
+one or two boats from the little boat-house built for the
+accommodation of summer tourists, they rowed about
+the lake in the moonlight.</p>
+<p>On this particular night, Rutherford proposed a row,
+in one of the larger boats, the entire length of the lake,
+to the cascades, to which the rest readily acceded. The
+ladies soon appeared in light, fleecy wraps, Miss Gladden
+carrying a fine guitar, which called forth exclamations
+of pleasure from the gentlemen.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good!&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;that will be just the thing;
+now we will have some music.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Miss Gladden,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;why have we not
+been favored in this way earlier?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; she replied, archly, &ldquo;it has never been a necessity
+until to-night, but a long row in the moonlight would
+not be perfect without music.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>This was their first trip to the end of the lakes, and
+they found the scene beautiful beyond description. On
+one side an almost perpendicular wall of rock; in the
+opposite direction, the mountain ranges stretching far
+away in the distance, with snowy peaks gleaming here
+and there, like watch towers; while just before them,
+the shimmering cascades in the wondrous beauty of the
+moonlight, the deep, unceasing roar seeming to rise and
+fall with a rhythm of its own.</p>
+<p>For the first few moments, they sat in silent admiration
+of the beauty around them; then Miss Gladden
+touched the strings of the guitar, and began singing in
+a rich contralto, in which Houston joined with a fine
+baritone, while Rutherford added a clear, sweet tenor.
+Their voices blended perfectly, and accompanied by the
+sweet notes of the guitar, the music floated out over the
+lake, the lingering echoes dying away, in the distance.</p>
+<p>Lyle took no part in the song, but sat listening with
+parted lips and dreamy eyes. When the song was finished,
+she exclaimed:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, please do not stop, I love to listen to you; it reminds
+me of something I have heard long ago, I don&rsquo;t
+know when or where.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Do you never sing, Miss Maverick?&rdquo; asked Rutherford.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Only sometimes for myself,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;I know only
+two or three songs that I have heard others sing.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But you have a sweet voice,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;will
+you not sing for us?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If you will overlook any mistakes, I may,&rdquo; answered
+Lyle, &ldquo;for I probably do not sing correctly, as I know
+nothing of music.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly, Lyle, we would like to hear you,&rdquo; said Miss
+Gladden.</p>
+<p>As simply, and as free from self-consciousness as a
+child, Lyle began her song, her eyes fixed on the distant
+shining peaks, and her only accompaniment the music
+of the cascades.</p>
+<table summary=''><tr><td>
+<p class='cg'>&ldquo;Love is come with a song and a smile,<br />
+<span class='indent1'>&nbsp;</span>Welcome love with a smile and a song;<br />
+<span class='indent1'>&nbsp;</span>Love can stay but a little while:<br />
+<span class='indent4'>&nbsp;</span>Why can not he stay?<br />
+<span class='indent4'>&nbsp;</span>They call him away;<br />
+<span class='indent1'>&nbsp;</span>Ye do him wrong, ye do him wrong,<br />
+<span class='indent1'>&nbsp;</span>Love will stay for a whole life long.&rdquo;</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+<p>Whether Lyle sang correctly that night was never
+known; even the beautiful words of the old song that
+seemed so appropriate to the occasion, were forgotten
+before she had sung more than two or three lines, and
+her listeners sat entranced, spell-bound, by the voice of
+the singer; a voice of such exquisite sweetness and clearness,
+and yet possessing such power and depth of expression,
+that it thrilled the hearts of her listeners, seeming
+to lift them out of all consciousness of their surroundings,
+and to transport them to another world; a world</p>
+<table summary=''><tr><td>
+<p class='cg'>&ldquo;Where the singers, whose names are deathless,<br />
+One with another make music, unheard of men.&rdquo;</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+<p>As the last note died away, a long, deep sigh from
+Houston seemed to break the spell, and Miss Gladden
+looking up, her eyes shining with unshed tears, said, as
+she pressed Lyle&rsquo;s hand:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My dear, we have found our song-queen, our nightingale.
+We can all learn of you, and never equal you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston had been strangely moved, and as he spoke,
+there was a slight tremor in his voice.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have heard, in all my life, but one voice like that,
+and that was one who died when I was a child.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle looked surprised.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Has no one ever told you you could sing?&rdquo; asked
+Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I never sang for any one, excepting once, for Jack,&rdquo;
+answered Lyle.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What did he say of your voice?&rdquo; inquired Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He said, like Mr. Houston, that he had heard but one
+voice like mine, but that he did not like to hear me, so
+I have never sung since, excepting by myself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lyle,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden suddenly, &ldquo;how old is this
+man whom you call Jack?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Possibly forty, perhaps a little less,&rdquo; she answered indifferently.</p>
+<p>A new thought had flashed into Miss Gladden&rsquo;s mind.
+For some time she had doubted whether Lyle were really
+a child of Maverick and his wife, she was so utterly unlike
+them; could it be possible that Jack, whose life
+seemed so much a mystery, was the father of Lyle? Was
+that the reason for his interest in her? and had Lyle had
+some beautiful mother,&ndash;&ndash;unfortunate perhaps,&ndash;&ndash;whose
+life had suddenly gone out, as the little life had just begun,
+and whose memory was recalled too vividly by
+Lyle&rsquo;s song? Miss Gladden determined, if possible, to
+find a clue to this mystery.</p>
+<p>The boat was now on its homeward way, and a song
+with which all were familiar having been found, the four
+voices blended in exquisite harmony.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It seems to me there are some rare treats in store for
+us,&rdquo; was Rutherford&rsquo;s comment, as the friends separated
+for the night; then, a few moments later, when
+alone with Houston, he exclaimed:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;By Jove, Houston! but what a voice that girl has!
+I never heard anything like it in my life. I didn&rsquo;t say
+much before Miss Gladden, for fear she might think I
+didn&rsquo;t appreciate her singing, and I certainly did, for she
+sings magnificently.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You need have no fear of any sensitiveness on Miss
+Gladden&rsquo;s part,&rdquo; said Houston quickly, &ldquo;in the first place,
+their voices are altogether different, there is no comparison
+between them; and in addition, Miss Gladden&rsquo;s
+regard for Lyle is so disinterested and unselfish, there
+would be no room for any feeling of that kind. We must
+all acknowledge that Lyle certainly has a wonderful
+voice; as I said before, I have heard but one like it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Great Heavens!&rdquo; said Rutherford, with more feeling
+than Houston had ever seen him manifest, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sorry
+for that girl, Houston.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why?&rdquo; asked Houston quietly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why, only to think of her beauty and intellect, and
+such a voice as that, and then think of her parents, and
+the life to which she is tied down here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Granting the parents and present life,&rdquo; said Houston,
+&ldquo;is that any argument that she will always be &lsquo;tied down
+here&rsquo; as you say?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think it would always fetter her in a measure; it
+will leave its imprint upon her mind, or at least her memory,
+and although she is not in her proper sphere here,
+yet her life here, and all its associations, would be likely
+to make her feel out of place in a higher sphere,&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think not,&rdquo; said Houston, watching Rutherford
+closely, &ldquo;I think if she could be removed from here, and
+given a thorough education, there would remain no trace
+whatever of the early life.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But what about the question of heredity?&rdquo; asked
+Rutherford, &ldquo;there must be bad blood there, when and
+where would it make its appearance?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That would be a serious question,&rdquo; replied Houston,
+&ldquo;providing she is the child of these people; I have
+always had grave doubts of that, and Miss Gladden has
+often expressed the same.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;By Jove! I never thought of that! It seems likely
+enough, too. What do you think, that she was stolen?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Houston slowly, &ldquo;that does not seem so
+probable as that she may have been some child that they
+were hired to take.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;In that case,&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;I should think the
+uncertainty regarding her family and origin, would be
+almost as bad as the certainty in the other case.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It might seem so to some people,&rdquo; Houston replied,
+adding with a smile, &ldquo;especially to a Bostonian, who
+prided himself upon his &lsquo;blue blood&rsquo;.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; said Rutherford, coloring, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not pursuing
+this inquiry on my own account at all, I was only thinking
+of her prospects generally. I&rsquo;m not interested
+in that direction.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;In what direction are you interested, if I may ask?&rdquo;
+said Houston, experiencing, for the first time, a little
+twinge of jealousy.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;In the direction of the &lsquo;Hub,&rsquo; my dear boy,&rdquo; Rutherford
+replied, with another blush.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Spoken like a true Bostonian!&rdquo; said Houston approvingly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, sir,&rdquo; continued Rutherford, &ldquo;there&rsquo;s a little girl
+belongs back there in Boston, that&rsquo;s more to me than all
+the ladies you can produce in this part of the country,
+or any other, no matter how beautiful they may be; and
+she&rsquo;s not bad looking either. Her parents took her to
+Europe for a little trip this spring, and Boston seemed
+so lonesome, that was the reason I came west.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good for you, Ned, you have my best wishes,&rdquo; said
+Houston, shaking hands with his friend, &ldquo;but really, you
+and Lyle had seemed so fond of each other&rsquo;s society lately,
+that I thought perhaps it was to be your destiny to
+rescue her from her unhappy fate.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, as to each other&rsquo;s society,&rdquo; said Rutherford,
+very slowly, &ldquo;of late we have been restricted to that or
+none, for you and Miss Gladden have been growing so
+unconscious of us, that we&rsquo;ve had to console with each
+other; but then, I understood how &rsquo;twas, for I&rsquo;ve been
+there myself, you know, and I&rsquo;m ready to offer congratulations
+and all that sort of thing, whenever they are in
+order.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston appeared very unconscious of Rutherford&rsquo;s
+meaning, as he inquired, &ldquo;How does Lyle herself regard
+your attentions? There must be no trifling with her, I
+have too much regard for her myself, for that.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Miss Maverick is not a girl to be trifled with,&rdquo; replied
+Rutherford, &ldquo;I think a good deal of her, since I am
+better acquainted with her, and respect her and she
+knows it, but I think she realizes the sort of anomalous
+position that she occupies, and that is why I say I am
+sorry for her. She is far too brilliant for her surroundings,
+and yet not fitted for a much higher place.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not at present,&rdquo; replied Houston, &ldquo;but with her natural
+endowments and her innate delicacy and refinement,
+comparatively little training and culture would be necessary
+to fit her for almost any position in life.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I wonder what will be her fate.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Time will tell,&rdquo; replied Houston, who had his own
+plans.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XIX' id='CHAPTER_XIX'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Houston had been called away to the office at Silver
+City, a telegram coming one afternoon for him to come
+down by the next train. Rutherford was at that time
+expecting to leave in a few days, to continue his pleasure
+trip to the coast, having already prolonged his stay
+among the mountains far beyond his first intentions;
+but at Houston&rsquo;s request, he agreed to remain over until
+the latter&rsquo;s return, which he expected would be in
+about ten days.</p>
+<p>A few days after Houston&rsquo;s departure, Lyle started out
+one afternoon for the little cabin, at an hour a little later
+than she went to pursue her studies, or for reading. She
+knew that at this time, Jack usually came off his shift,
+as he and Mike were expert miners, and always completed
+their task some time in advance of the others.</p>
+<p>She had not seen Jack since the visit of the party from
+the east, although she was at the cabin but a few evenings
+preceding that event, and had explained her long
+absence. Now she had special reasons for wishing to
+meet him, and she hastened on, hoping to find him alone.
+When she reached the cabin, Jack had just come from
+the mine, and Mike, fortunately, had gone down to the
+Y for needed supplies, and would not return for some
+hours.</p>
+<p>After talking a little while, Lyle skillfully brought the
+conversation around to Mr. Houston, and stated that he
+was in Silver City.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is he doing there?&rdquo; asked Jack, in a tone of surprise,
+&ldquo;Is he going to remain there?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, he has gone over temporarily to assist the company
+in that office, as he said they needed extra help;
+he thought he would be back in about ten days.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He seems to make a very efficient clerk for the mining
+company,&rdquo; said Jack, with a peculiar emphasis which
+Lyle did not understand, but in which she detected a
+flavor of sarcasm.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He seems efficient in whatever he undertakes,&rdquo; she
+replied with a light laugh, &ldquo;clerking, fighting or love-making,
+he is successful in all.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How has he succeeded in love-making?&rdquo; asked Jack
+quickly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ask Miss Gladden,&rdquo; was Lyle&rsquo;s smiling rejoinder.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is he really in love with her, do you think?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Judging by indications, it is a case of genuine love
+on both sides, which, contrary to the old proverb, does
+run smoothly so far. I think they are engaged.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And you are left out in the cold?&rdquo; asked Jack kindly,
+but watching her keenly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You would not think so, if you could know how kind
+they are to me,&rdquo; Lyle answered, &ldquo;you and they are the
+only friends I have ever known.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How about Mr. Rutherford? Isn&rsquo;t he a friend of
+yours, too?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Rutherford is a gentleman,&rdquo; she replied slowly,
+&ldquo;he always treats me with respect, and we have very
+pleasant times together, but he never forgets that I belong
+to one station in life, and he to another. He
+is altogether unlike Mr. Houston and Miss Gladden; I
+wish you could know them, Jack, and that they could
+know you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They probably have no desire to form my acquaintance,
+and I have no need to form theirs. It is rather late
+in the day for me to make friends now.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But Jack,&rdquo; said Lyle, in almost a pleading tone, &ldquo;Miss
+Gladden wishes to meet you, and has repeatedly asked
+me to inquire if she might come and see you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is her motive for wishing to see me?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think because I have often spoken of you as my
+friend; then she said recently, that she would like, if
+possible, to take me east with her, and give me a musical
+education, and she would like to talk with you about
+it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Has she or Mr. Houston heard you sing?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What did they say of your voice?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Miss Gladden seems to think I have a wonderful
+voice, and Mr. Houston said he had heard but one like
+it in all his life.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack had risen, and was looking out of the window,
+his back toward Lyle; after a few moments he spoke, in
+an unusually gentle tone.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You can say to Miss Gladden, that if she wishes to see
+me regarding you, she is welcome to come. Though I
+seldom receive callers, and have no wish to meet strangers,
+I am willing to meet a true friend of yours.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then, under those conditions,&rdquo; said Lyle, with almost
+a tone of triumph in her voice, &ldquo;you would meet Mr.
+Houston.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why?&rdquo; asked Jack, quickly, turning toward her.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Because he is my friend.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack shook his head, and began pacing the room.
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; he said, as gently as ever, but very firmly, &ldquo;I
+would rather not meet him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle looked troubled. &ldquo;Jack,&rdquo; she said earnestly, &ldquo;you
+have always appeared rather peculiar regarding Mr.
+Houston; tell me candidly, are you his friend, or his
+enemy?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why!&rdquo; he exclaimed in surprise, stopping before her,
+and looking into her earnest face, with a smile, &ldquo;How
+should I be either? Am I not perfectly neutral? Are
+we not strangers?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle shook her head decidedly. &ldquo;I cannot say whether
+or not you are strangers, but you are not neutral toward
+him; I have seen all along that you have some strong
+feeling toward him, but whether of kindness or enmity,
+I cannot tell, but I must know.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why must you know?&rdquo; he asked, resuming his walk.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Perhaps I can tell you later,&rdquo; she replied, &ldquo;but, as
+you are my friend, I must know whether you are, or will
+be, his friend, or his enemy.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For some moments Jack was silent, and when he spoke
+his voice was full of some strong emotion:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My dear child, I have no reason for any enmity
+toward him, and if he is the true, honorable man that you
+think he is, God knows I would stand by him, even to
+death itself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then, if he was in difficulty or danger, and needed
+help, you would help him, would you not?&rdquo; asked Lyle
+eagerly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My child,&rdquo; he answered gravely, &ldquo;you must explain
+yourself; you certainly can trust me. I promise you
+this, I will not harm him or betray him, whatever may
+be the difficulty.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You are sure there is no one to hear us?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I will make sure,&rdquo; he answered briefly, and bidding
+the collie guard the outside door, he then closed the
+door between the two rooms, and sat down near Lyle.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You remember,&rdquo; she began, &ldquo;the evening you passed
+our house?&rdquo; He nodded. &ldquo;Well, among the strangers
+there that night, were an English expert, Mr. Lindlay,
+and a Mr. Van Dorn, who, they said, was an inventor of
+some mining machinery. A little while after you passed,
+I took a book and went out by the lake to read, sitting
+down behind a thick group of small evergreens. I read
+as long as I could see, and then sat for some time, thinking,
+and watching the reflection of the moon in the lake.
+Then the moon went behind that tall peak, you know,
+across the lake, and it was quite dark; but I remained
+there thinking so deeply that, although for a few minutes
+I heard low voices talking, I paid no attention to it, supposing
+it was simply some people going up the mountain,
+till suddenly I was aroused by Mr. Houston&rsquo;s voice,
+only a few feet from me, saying in a low tone, &lsquo;There
+may be considerable danger ahead of us, but you are
+just the one I need, and you will be well compensated,&rsquo;
+and Mr. Van Dorn answered, &lsquo;Hang compensation! if
+I can help you get the best of these rascals, I&rsquo;m going
+to do it, just for the gratification of the thing,&rsquo; and then
+I heard the Englishman, with his peculiar accent, saying
+something I couldn&rsquo;t quite catch, but it seemed to
+be to the effect that he would help Mr. Houston against
+what he called the &lsquo;domned scoundrels.&rsquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;At first, I wanted to leave, but I couldn&rsquo;t without
+their seeing me, and having to make explanations, and
+making it embarrassing all round; and then the thought
+flashed through my mind that Mr. Houston was a good
+friend of mine, and perhaps if I stayed, I might be able
+to help him if he should be in any danger later, as he
+spoke of, so I remained there.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t time to tell you all I heard, but this is what
+I learned: He is not a clerk at all, but is out here in the
+interest of some rich company in the east, with which an
+uncle of his is connected. This eastern company have
+for some time suspected crooked work on the part of
+the company here, and he has come out in the capacity
+of bookkeeper and clerk to get all the information he
+can against them. He has obtained all the proofs he can
+get in this office, and said he was going over in a few
+days to the main office at Silver City,&ndash;&ndash;and that is where
+he is now,&ndash;&ndash;to see what he can find against them there.
+When he returns he is going to examine the mines that
+this eastern company own, as fast as he can get opportunities,
+and it seems this Mr. Van Dorn is a mining expert
+himself, though no one out here knows it, and when
+Mr. Houston is ready, he is to come out here with some
+of his mining machinery that he is going to set up in the
+mills, to show the company his new method of reducing
+ores, but his real object in coming will be to help Mr.
+Houston carry on his investigations against the company.
+Then, when they have obtained all the information and
+proof they need, they will telegraph Mr. Houston&rsquo;s uncle,&ndash;&ndash;Mr.
+Cameron, I think was his name,&ndash;&ndash;and he and
+the English expert will come out together, unexpectedly
+to the company, and I think they said they would
+prosecute the officers of the company for fraud.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack&rsquo;s face was concealed with one hand, but Lyle
+could see that he had grown very pale, and beneath the
+heavy, black beard, his lips were moving under the influence
+of some deep emotion. She continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My reason for wishing to confide this to you was,
+that I heard Mr. Van Dorn ask Mr. Houston if there
+was any one among the miners whom he could trust to
+help them, as he said without the assistance of some one,
+familiar with the mines and their different workings, the
+undertaking would be much more difficult and dangerous;
+and I thought at once of you, Jack. You have
+often told me of the dishonesty and fraud practiced by
+the company, and said that you would like to see some
+of their schemes exposed, and I thought you would be
+just the one to help Mr. Houston, and no one would be
+likely to suspect you either.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>She paused a moment, then added, &ldquo;He has enemies
+working against him, and he ought to have some one to
+help him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Who are his enemies?&rdquo; asked Jack.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Haight, for one, and my father and all the men that
+he can influence; and you know, that if they once suspected
+what he is doing, they would not hesitate, for one
+moment, to kill him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They would not,&rdquo; said Jack, quietly but decidedly,
+&ldquo;and among the mines it is a very easy thing to put a
+man out of the way.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then you will look out for him, and help him, will
+you not?&rdquo; said Lyle, rising to go.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, child,&rdquo; he answered with unusual tenderness,
+&ldquo;you do not know what you are asking, but since hearing
+what you have told me, no harm shall come to your
+friend that I can prevent, no matter what it costs me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But Jack,&rdquo; said Lyle anxiously, going to him and
+laying her hands in his, &ldquo;this will not put you in danger,
+will it? My idea was that you could give him information,
+and no one would ever suspect you; but you have
+been too true a friend to me, for me to put you in any
+danger.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You need have no fear,&rdquo; he answered, &ldquo;I did not refer
+to any particular danger of that kind. I am only
+glad you have told me what you have. Had I learned
+it in any other way, I would have wished to help your
+friend. When he returns, say nothing to him of having
+asked me to help him; I will find him in my own way.&rdquo;
+ Lyle thanked Jack heartily, and as she looked up into
+his face, her beautiful eyes unusually bright, and her
+cheeks flushed with emotion, he seemed strangely
+touched, and bending over her, kissed her reverently on
+her forehead, for the first time in their acquaintance.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XX' id='CHAPTER_XX'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XX.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Nearly a week after the departure of Houston for Silver
+City, as Morgan was passing the sorting rooms one
+morning, on his way from the mines to the mills, he
+heard Haight calling him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hello, there, Morgan, the Sunrise deal is off.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Off? who says so? Got a wire from the boss?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, she just came, about fifteen minutes ago.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s the matter? did the old man say?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Nothing very definite; &lsquo;party writes property not satisfactory,&rsquo;
+that&rsquo;s all he says.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hang it! I should think it looked good enough for
+&rsquo;em. Well,&rdquo; he growled, &ldquo;there&rsquo;s so much hard work
+gone for nothing,&rdquo; and thrusting his hands deeper into
+his pockets in his disgust, Morgan started on his way,
+but Haight detained him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hold on a minute; say, Morgan, you don&rsquo;t suppose
+that they caught on to our deal, do you? or that anybody
+put &rsquo;em onto it?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Who was there to put &rsquo;em onto anything?&rdquo; asked
+Morgan.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, the confidential clerk, may be; he was on such
+good terms with Johnny Bull and the dude.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Morgan shook his head. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s too much of a sucker
+for the company, and knows too well which side his
+bread is buttered, for business of that kind.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know about that,&rdquo; said Haight, &ldquo;he&rsquo;s a dude
+and a tenderfoot himself, and likes to toady around with
+those eastern snobs; what else were they hob-nobbing
+with him for, if they didn&rsquo;t think they could get some information
+out of him? I&rsquo;ve got my own ideas on that
+subject and I&rsquo;m going to make some investigations, and
+if I find I&rsquo;m correct, he&rsquo;ll find pretty quick where he will
+be; I&rsquo;ve no use for him any way.&rdquo;
+&ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t any more use for him than you have,&rdquo; answered
+Morgan, &ldquo;but he ain&rsquo;t a very safe fellow to fool
+with now, I can tell you, and I don&rsquo;t think you want to
+run up against him yourself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know as I&rsquo;ve said anything about running
+up against anybody,&rdquo; said Haight, &ldquo;that isn&rsquo;t my style,
+but I&rsquo;ll run him out of this country in one way or another,
+see if I don&rsquo;t.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You think you&rsquo;re pretty smooth,&rdquo; Morgan called
+over his shoulder, as he started for the mills, &ldquo;and if you
+want to undertake the job, all right; for my part, I don&rsquo;t
+care to have much to do with him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Two or three evenings later, as Lyle sat in her favorite
+nook beside the lake, book in hand, watching for the
+return of Miss Gladden who had gone with Rutherford
+for a short row, she was much surprised to see Haight
+approaching, wearing his most ingratiating smile. For
+a day or two, he had, on several occasions, when unobserved
+by the others, treated her with a marked politeness
+intended to be very flattering, for the thought had
+occurred to him that possibly through her he might get
+some information regarding Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah,&rdquo; he said now, seating himself at a little distance
+from her, and with a glance at the book which she had
+closed and laid aside, &ldquo;I fear I have interrupted your
+reading.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I was not reading,&rdquo; she replied, &ldquo;I was merely glancing
+over a book of Miss Gladden&rsquo;s while awaiting her
+return.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For a few moments he talked in a light, frivolous manner,
+but Lyle, suspicious of some ulterior motive in his
+coming, did not respond very favorably to his efforts at
+conversation. At last he said, very pleasantly:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This is a favorite resort of yours, is it not, Miss Maverick?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, I come here frequently,&rdquo; she replied.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I judged so,&rdquo; he continued carelessly, &ldquo;I saw you
+out here the evening the eastern party was at the house,
+and I remember the English expert and his friend took
+a walk in this direction, with Mr. Houston. I suppose
+they were talking over the mine they had looked at, and
+took Mr. Houston along thinking he might be able to
+give them any additional information they needed. I
+wonder what they thought about that mine,&rdquo; he added,
+watching Lyle, &ldquo;I suppose you must have overheard
+some of their conversation.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle was not taken off guard, however, and answered
+indifferently, &ldquo;I heard voices, but I was so absorbed in
+thought I paid little attention to them; it was some time
+before I even recognized them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But you certainly must have overheard some of their
+conversation,&rdquo; said Haight, in his smoothest tones, &ldquo;can
+you not recall anything said about the mine?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There was nothing whatever said about the mine,&rdquo;
+she replied, &ldquo;and if there had been, I am not in the habit
+of listening to conversations and repeating them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Of course not, under ordinary circumstances,&rdquo;
+Haight rejoined, smiling, &ldquo;but you know &lsquo;all is fair in
+love and war&rsquo; and in mining deals, and as I am interested
+in behalf of the company, and we have, as yet, heard
+nothing from the party, you see I naturally had a little
+curiosity regarding their conversation that evening.
+You are sure they said nothing of the mine, or that Mr.
+Houston gave them no information?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle rose, her eyes flashing with scorn and indignation,
+as she replied, &ldquo;Why should Mr. Houston give
+them any information? As I have told you, there was
+nothing said about the mine; so far as I could judge,
+the gentlemen were talking of their own personal affairs;
+and it is false that you have received no word from
+the eastern party, for I heard you and Morgan talking
+at the table yesterday of the deal having fallen through,
+and you suspect Mr. Houston of dishonorable conduct
+only because you judge every one to be like yourself,&rdquo;
+and without giving him opportunity to reply, she turned
+and walked in the opposite direction toward the boat
+which she saw approaching in the distance.</p>
+<p>Haight walked away toward the house, conscious that
+his interview had been a failure, but more than ever determined
+to work his revenge upon Houston, and upon
+Lyle also, when the right time came.</p>
+<p>Lyle determined, for the present, to say nothing regarding
+the interview, and met her friends without any
+allusion to what had just occurred.</p>
+<p>After assisting Miss Gladden ashore, Rutherford returned
+to the boat, while Miss Gladden and Lyle started
+homeward. The former could detect in Lyle&rsquo;s manner
+signs of unusual excitement, but asked no questions, as
+she did not think it best to force her confidence.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lyle, when are you going to take me to call on your
+friend, Jack?&rdquo; she inquired.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Any time you wish,&rdquo; Lyle answered, &ldquo;I spoke to him
+the other day about your coming, and he said you would
+be most welcome.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then he graciously consented to receive me! Very
+well, suppose we go now, it is not late.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Arriving at the cabin, they found Jack and Mike sitting
+outside the door, watching the last fleeting colors of
+the gorgeous sunset. Miss Gladden was duly introduced,
+and invited within, and since the bashful Irishman could
+not be prevailed upon to enter the cabin, Jack entertained
+his guests alone.</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden, from Lyle&rsquo;s description of her friend,
+had expected to find in Jack a gentleman, but she was
+totally unprepared for the polished courtesy, the courtly
+ease and grace without a trace of self-consciousness or
+restraint, with which, though clad in rough, miner&rsquo;s
+clothes, he received her in the little cabin, and as she
+conversed with him, she found her respect for him increasing
+every moment.</p>
+<p>To Jack, isolated as he had been for years from refined,
+intellectual associations, it seemed like a glimpse into
+another, and not unfamiliar world, and the deference
+and respect expressed in Miss Gladden&rsquo;s manner were
+especially gratifying.</p>
+<p>Very easily Miss Gladden led the conversation, avoiding,
+with intuitive delicacy, all allusions to himself or
+his surroundings, till at last she said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have taken such an interest in my friend, Lyle, and
+she has so often spoken of your kindness to her, that I
+have wished to meet you, for I feel that in her welfare, we
+have a mutual interest.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack smiled gravely, as he replied, &ldquo;I have endeavored
+to help her as best I could under existing conditions,
+and notwithstanding the fact that the ways and means
+have been exceedingly restricted, she has proven herself
+an apt pupil, and has made good progress.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Indeed she has,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;and with her
+ability, it seems a pity that she should not have every
+possible advantage.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;To me,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;it seems a great pity that so
+much of her life has already been spent among such disadvantages,
+the greater part of the most valuable portion
+of her life wasted.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not entirely wasted,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;for what
+you have taught her will be of inestimable value to her
+always.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, indeed!&rdquo; exclaimed Lyle, &ldquo;what would my life
+have been without you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have laid the foundation so far as I was able,&rdquo; said
+Jack, smiling, &ldquo;but it was time, long ago, for the superstructure
+to be builded.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;One reason why I wish to see you,&rdquo; continued Miss
+Gladden, &ldquo;was to ask you what you would think of the
+feasibility of my taking Lyle east with me, when I return.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If you are willing to do that, Miss Gladden,&rdquo; said
+Jack, slowly, &ldquo;I can see nothing in the way of its practicability
+except to gain the consent of Mr. and Mrs.
+Maverick, and that might prove a formidable obstacle.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He does not call them her parents,&rdquo; thought Miss
+Gladden, &ldquo;does he know she is not their child?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack continued. &ldquo;If it had not been for that difficulty,
+I would gladly myself have furnished the means for
+a moderate education for Lyle, but I knew Maverick&rsquo;s
+decided objection to her possessing even the most rudimentary
+knowledge. I am of the opinion also, though I
+may be in error, that he would not allow her to leave
+home.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You are right, Jack,&rdquo; said Lyle, &ldquo;if I were to wait for
+his consent, I would never leave here, or have any advantages.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;May I inquire,&rdquo; said Jack, addressing Miss Gladden,
+&ldquo;at what time you expect to return east?&rdquo;
+A faint color tinged Miss Gladden&rsquo;s cheek, as she replied:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have not yet decided just when I will go east, but
+probably the latter part of the summer.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah, well,&rdquo; he answered, with a slight smile, &ldquo;I hope
+that between now and that time, some arrangement can
+be made to Lyle&rsquo;s advantage; but if I may make any
+suggestion, it would be this; that nothing be said at
+present regarding this subject to either Mr. or Mrs.
+Maverick, as it would only arouse their opposition, and
+perhaps lead to some unpleasant results.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>After a few moments&rsquo; further conversation, Miss Gladden
+thanked Jack for his kindness, and rose to go. At
+the door they found Mike, and while Lyle chatted merrily
+with the witty Irishman for a moment, Miss Gladden
+turned toward Jack, saying in a low tone:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I would like to have a talk with you regarding Lyle,
+some time when she is not present; may I come and see
+you by myself some day?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; he responded, &ldquo;I would be pleased to see
+you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For a moment, Miss Gladden stood in silent admiration,
+watching this man whose life seemed wrapped in so
+much mystery, while he replied to some laughing questions
+of Lyle&rsquo;s.</p>
+<p>He was, even now, a splendid specimen of manhood,
+although his shoulders were slightly stooped, and silver
+threads gleamed here and there in the black hair and
+beard, making him look older than his years. He had a
+face of remarkable beauty also,&ndash;&ndash;with fine, clear-cut
+features,&ndash;&ndash;though browned with exposure, and bearing
+the lines that only the fingers of sorrow can trace.
+His face did not resemble Houston&rsquo;s in the least, but
+something in his manner reminded Miss Gladden of her
+lover, and she watched him with a sort of fascination.</p>
+<p>As she and Lyle walked homeward together, the latter
+asked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What do you think now of my friend, Miss Gladden?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>And Miss Gladden replied thoughtfully, &ldquo;I think, my
+dear, that he is one of earth&rsquo;s heroes.&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXI' id='CHAPTER_XXI'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXI.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>The ten days which Houston was to spend at Silver
+City had expired, and his work there was completed. He
+had followed much the same plan as in the office at the
+camp, doing the work of the company by day, and
+pursuing his own investigations at night.</p>
+<p>Mr. Blaisdell had at first objected to his working evenings,
+telling him the company had no wish to make a
+slave of him, but upon Houston&rsquo;s representing that it
+was an absolute necessity in order to accomplish the
+needed work within a given time, he allowed him to
+have his own way. He had been able to get together
+much additional proof regarding the fraudulent transactions
+of the company, even ascertaining in what direction
+much of the revenue due the New York company
+had gone.</p>
+<p>He was present when the company received the brief
+but pointed letter from Mr. Winters, in which he stated
+that the property shown them had not been what they
+were looking for, and that they had found something
+more satisfactory in another direction.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, Blaisdell,&rdquo; said Mr. Rivers, in his quick, incisive
+way, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not in the least surprised.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not surprised!&rdquo; echoed Mr. Blaisdell, &ldquo;Why not? I
+confess I&rsquo;m surprised and disappointed.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s just what I expected,&rdquo; again chirped Mr. Rivers,
+&ldquo;just what I told you all along.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I knew you said you were rather suspicious just in
+the direction where I felt the surest of them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Just so,&rdquo; said Mr. Rivers, &ldquo;I said all along, &lsquo;those
+fish won&rsquo;t bite worth a nickel.&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell, with a heavy sigh, &ldquo;all we
+can do is to try again.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And next time, I&rsquo;d advise you to have a little more
+bait, or else don&rsquo;t tackle so big a fish.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>It was Houston&rsquo;s last evening in Silver City, and he
+sat in the hotel lobby reading letters which had just come
+from his uncle and Van Dorn, under cover from the
+Chicago firm, as usual.</p>
+<p>Mr. Cameron was delighted to have met Van Dorn
+and the Englishman, and had engaged both men to remain
+in New York, awaiting word from Houston, when
+he should be ready.</p>
+<p>The closing paragraph in Van Dorn&rsquo;s letter he read
+and re-read with a smile, it was so characteristic of his
+friend:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;I have had one of my machines carefully packed,
+and it now stands addressed, ready to accompany me to
+your mining camp on short notice, where I will show
+your people the latest method for the reduction of ores;
+and if the mining company itself is not pretty well reduced&rsquo;
+before we get through, my name is not that of</p>
+<p class='ralign'>Your friend,<span class='rindent8'>&nbsp;</span><br />
+ARTHUR VAN DORN.<span class='rindent2'>&nbsp;</span></p>
+<p class='lalign'>P. S. &lsquo;The mills of the gods grind slowly,<br />
+<span class='indent6'>&nbsp;</span>But they grind exceeding small.&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>As Houston folded his letters, his attention was attracted
+by loud talk among a group of men in another
+part of the lobby. Sauntering in that direction, he heard
+an excited voice exclaim:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I tell you, they&rsquo;re the biggest frauds on the face of
+the earth. If there&rsquo;s a dishonest scheme, or a sharp, underhanded
+little game that they&rsquo;re not onto, I&rsquo;d like to
+know what it is.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Which company do you mean?&rdquo; inquired another
+speaker.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I mean the mining company represented by Rivers
+and Blaisdell, with old Wilson as a figure-head. I can&rsquo;t
+remember all their long-winded names, but the whole
+combination is rotten, from beginning to end, nothing
+but a set of lying, scheming, thieving rascals.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s right,&rdquo; said an old gentleman who had not
+spoken before, &ldquo;they&rsquo;re a tough lot.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Tough!&rdquo; echoed the first speaker, &ldquo;I should say so!
+One of their little games is to take charge of mining
+claims for eastern parties. The parties send on money
+for development work, but do you suppose it is used in
+developing the mines? Not much! By and by, the first
+these parties know, they have forfeited their claims
+through lack of representation, but don&rsquo;t you think the
+company are not watching out, ready to jump the claim
+the very day the time expires. Sometimes they&rsquo;ll hire
+some poor Swede to locate the claim for them, and then
+assign it to them for a trifle. In that way, I&rsquo;ve heard of
+their getting possession of the same claim over and over
+again.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve heard pretty hard stories about Blaisdell,&rdquo; said
+another, &ldquo;but I guess he don&rsquo;t make much for himself,
+for as fast as he fleeces other people, Rivers fleeces him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There was considerable more talk in the same strain,
+but after the group had separated, Houston, who had
+learned the name of the principal speaker, approached
+him as he was standing alone, and said, in a low tone:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This is Mr. Hartwell, I believe; my name is Houston.
+Mr. Hartwell, I heard your remarks a little while
+ago concerning the North Western Mining Company
+and its officers. I am one of the clerks of that company,
+and I wish to know if you are prepared to substantiate
+the statements you have made here to-night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; the man exclaimed with an oath, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll substantiate
+every word I&rsquo;ve said here to-night, and I can get
+you a dozen more that will tell you more about that company
+than I can.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Never mind about the others, for the present,&rdquo; replied
+Houston coolly, &ldquo;what you have said to-night is likely
+to come to the ears of the company, and what I want
+to know is this; would you swear in court to what you
+have said here?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I tell you,&rdquo; said Mr. Hartwell, with another oath,
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll swear to it ten times over, and if I ever have a
+chance, I&rsquo;ll down you and your cursed company till you
+won&rsquo;t know that you ever existed,&rdquo; and then seeming
+to take Houston as the representative of the entire
+corporation, he poured upon him a torrent of vituperation
+and abuse which was very amusing to Houston,
+who was only thinking of securing a witness for the
+prosecution, by and by.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, Mr. Hartwell,&rdquo; he said at last, &ldquo;you seem so
+anxious to express your feelings, we may give you an
+opportunity later. For the present, I wish you good
+evening,&rdquo; and he walked smilingly away.</p>
+<p>Mr. Hartwell looked after him in amazement; &ldquo;By
+George!&rdquo; he soliloquized, &ldquo;but that fellow&rsquo;s a cool duck,
+anyhow! I couldn&rsquo;t faze him a particle.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The next morning, Houston, in company with Mr.
+Blaisdell, took the early train for the mines. He could
+not help contrasting this with his first trip over the same
+road. Then, he was a stranger, with his entire work before
+him, uncertain of success in his undertaking; now,
+his preparatory work was nearly done, and though the
+most difficult part of his task yet remained, he felt that
+success was sure. But the contrast which to him seemed,
+most striking, was in his own feelings, for though conscious
+of enemies and having no knowledge of the
+friends ready to assist him, he yet felt a certain pleasure
+in returning to the mines, as though returning home;
+and he realized as never before, that hidden away in the
+heart of the mountains was the source from which henceforth
+must flow all his earthly happiness.</p>
+<p>Arriving at the office, they found no one there, and
+Houston immediately began an attack upon the work
+accumulated during his absence, while Mr. Blaisdell proceeded
+to the mills and mines.</p>
+<p>On his way he met Haight, and the subject of the unsuccessful
+mining deal was at once taken up.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They simply wrote that the property was not what
+they wanted, and that they had found what they were
+looking for elsewhere,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell in explanation.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They seemed well enough satisfied when they were
+here,&rdquo; remarked Haight.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That was my impression,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell, &ldquo;but
+Rivers seems to think differently. He says he was suspicious
+of them all the time, because they said nothing
+one way or another, after seeing the property; but my
+impression was that they were very well pleased.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; answered Haight, who always made it
+a practice to have his opinions coincide with those expressed
+by the person with whom he happened to be
+talking, especially if it were for his interest to do so;
+&ldquo;everything seemed satisfactory as far as I could judge.
+It is my opinion, Mr. Blaisdell, and has been for some
+time, that something must have been said by some one
+to prejudice those people against the mine; that is the
+only way I could account for the deal falling through as
+it did.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But who was there to say anything prejudicial? We
+were all interested in selling the mine.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t care to call any names, Mr. Blaisdell, but I
+don&rsquo;t think it best to take people into our confidence till
+we are pretty sure of them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, you allude to Mr. Houston, but you are mistaken
+there; why, Haight, that fellow is working for our
+interests, and he has saved the company considerable
+money already in the way he has straightened the books
+and detected crooked work; he&rsquo;s going to be invaluable.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;ll work for our interests just as long as it is for
+his interest to do so, but I imagine anybody could buy
+him off pretty easy. He&rsquo;s one of your swells; see how
+he dresses and what hightoned notions he has for a man
+in his position, and then tell me he wouldn&rsquo;t take a little
+tip on the outside if he got a chance.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think you are mistaken,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell slowly,
+&ldquo;still, of course, there might be something in what you
+say; I&rsquo;ll think it over,&rdquo; and the subject was dropped for
+that day.</p>
+<p>Houston was very busy until nearly noon, but left the
+office a little earlier than usual, as he was anxious to
+meet Miss Gladden a few moments in advance of the
+others, if possible.</p>
+<p>She was outside the porch, training some vines which
+she and Lyle had transplanted from among the rocks by
+the lake. Her back was toward the road, but hearing
+Houston&rsquo;s step, as he approached the house, she quickly
+turned, and in the depths of her luminous eyes he read
+a welcome that made his return seem more than ever
+like a home-coming. Clasping warmly the shapely little
+hand extended to him in greeting, he drew it within
+his arm, and having led her to a comfortable seat within
+the porch, he drew his own chair close beside her, where
+he could watch the lovely face, so classic and perfect in
+its beauty, and clothed, when animated, with a subtle,
+spirituelle radiance.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You are very welcome,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, as he
+seated himself, &ldquo;we will all have to celebrate your return,
+for we have missed you very much. Have you been
+well?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; replied Houston, smiling, &ldquo;except for a
+touch of homesickness occasionally when I remembered
+our evenings among the mountains, or on the lake. It
+was fortunate that my evenings were so crowded with
+work, or the malady might have proved quite serious.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Our evenings have not been nearly so pleasant without
+you,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;we were all becoming
+frightfully dull and vapid, but I think we will now recover
+our spirits.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have learned one thing,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;that it is
+not any particular place or surroundings that constitutes
+home for us, so much as the presence of those who
+are dear to us. Imagine how it would have seemed to
+me, three months ago, to have called this place &lsquo;home,&rsquo;
+but it seems wonderfully home-like to me to-day.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;As to what constitutes a home, I am scarcely qualified
+to judge,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;for I hardly know
+what a home is; but my idea is, that any spot where my
+best loved ones were, would be home to me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And with such sentiments as those,&rdquo; Houston responded,
+&ldquo;you would make any spot on earth home to
+those whom you loved.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I should hope to,&rdquo; she replied, and added archly,
+&ldquo;and if they loved me, I think I would succeed.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I fear,&rdquo; said Houston, smiling, &ldquo;that we are very old
+fashioned and far behind the spirit of modern times,
+which considers love of small account in the elements
+that constitute a home.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I consider it an indispensable element, nevertheless,&rdquo;
+she replied, earnestly, &ldquo;for I have seen too much of so-called
+homes where it did not exist, and they were not
+even successful imitations of the genuine article; their
+hollowness and wretchedness were only too apparent.&rdquo;
+She paused a moment, then continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;To me, the home seems like one of the old-time temples;
+a place to be kept sacred to peace and purity and
+love; from which the sin and strife of the outside world
+should be faithfully excluded; whose inmates, on entering,
+should leave behind all traces of the evil and discord
+of the outer world, as the Oriental leaves his dust-laden
+sandals at the door of his sanctuary.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have never known any other than such a home
+as that,&rdquo; said Houston, slowly, &ldquo;and it is the only true
+home.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Pardon me,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;but are your
+parents living? I have often wondered.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;my parents died when I was a
+mere child, but the faint recollection of my early home,
+and the memory of my uncle&rsquo;s home, which has been
+mine also, correspond very closely with the picture you
+have just drawn.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then with you it is a reality,&rdquo; she answered, &ldquo;but
+with me, only an ideal.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Miss Gladden,&rdquo; said Houston very earnestly, but
+with great tenderness, &ldquo;will you not let me help you to
+make a reality of your ideal?&rdquo; Then, as she did not immediately
+reply, he continued, &ldquo;The love that we believe
+in as the foundation of a true home, is not lacking on
+my part. I love you, Leslie, so much that life with you
+anywhere would seem perfect and complete, while life
+without you, even in a palace, would not seem worth the
+living. Can you love me enough to share my life and
+home, whatever it may be, as my wife?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>He had taken her hand, and she did not withdraw it,
+but looking in his face, she asked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Would you make me your wife, knowing so little of
+me as you do?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think I know enough,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;I know that
+you are a pure, true-hearted woman; I know that
+whether you love me or not,&rdquo; her eyes dropped, &ldquo;there is
+no one you love better than me; and though I do not
+know it, I am almost sure that you do care for me in
+some degree, am I not right?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>She looked up into the face bending over her, and
+Houston read his answer in her eyes, and even had she
+tried to speak, he gave her no opportunity for doing so.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;To think of your conceit!&rdquo; exclaimed Miss Gladden,
+a few moments later, &ldquo;in having the assurance to say
+that I cared for no one more than you, whether I loved
+you or not; how did you ever come to make such an assertion?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Your eyes betrayed you,&rdquo; he answered, while she
+blushed, &ldquo;they often tell tales, but I have noticed they
+always tell the truth, and I knew they would never have
+told me some secrets that they have, if there was any one
+else you cared for.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The sound of approaching footsteps interrupted their
+conversation, and brought them back to the common,
+every-day affairs of life, and turning, they saw Rutherford
+coming up the path from the lake, where he had
+gone for a stroll.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hello, Houston!&rdquo; exclaimed the latter, catching a
+glimpse of his friend, &ldquo;when did you come? Well, I&rsquo;m
+awfully glad you&rsquo;ve got back, we&rsquo;ve missed you, old fellow,
+I can tell you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Welcome home!&rdquo; said a sweet voice, and Houston
+saw the starry eyes and golden crowned head of Lyle
+framed in the door-way, and hastened to greet her. She
+met him with a woman&rsquo;s grace, and with a child&rsquo;s affection
+looking frankly out of her lovely eyes. After
+his brief absence, Houston was impressed by her beauty
+as never before. &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know the child was so beautiful,&rdquo;
+he thought to himself, &ldquo;I believe she grows lovelier
+every day, and she reminds me strangely of some one I
+have seen long ago.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, by the way,&rdquo; said Rutherford, as the friends
+seated themselves around the dinner table, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve just received
+a letter from my brother, and he says he is coming
+out here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Your brother!&rdquo; exclaimed Miss Gladden and Houston,
+&ldquo;What! coming here among the mountains?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;he happened to be in New York
+when Van Dorn got back, and from his description of
+the place, and mine, he says he would like to see it. He
+is coming out to the coast by another route, and wants
+me to meet him in San Francisco, and then we will stop
+here on our return.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then you are coming back again,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden;
+&ldquo;that will be lovely, and we will be delighted to
+meet your brother with you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Indeed we will,&rdquo; added Houston cordially, &ldquo;what
+time do you expect to be here, Ned?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My brother wants to get here, he says, in about six
+or eight weeks, so it will probably be some time in August.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle had said nothing, but had listened to the conversation,
+a thoughtful, far-away look stealing into her
+eyes; and the rest of the boarders arriving just then,
+nothing more was said on the subject.</p>
+<p>Haight greeted Houston with his usual smiling politeness,
+but Morgan looked sullen, and Mr. Blaisdell was
+gloomy and taciturn. Haight&rsquo;s influence was working,
+and he could afford to smile. Lyle was quick to note
+the situation, and also to detect in Haight&rsquo;s face an expression
+of ill-concealed triumph, and as their eyes met,
+he read that in her face that boded no good to himself.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXII' id='CHAPTER_XXII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Mr. Blaisdell having returned to the city that same
+day, everything went forward in the same regular routine
+as prior to Houston&rsquo;s absence, and evening found
+the four friends seated on the summit of an immense
+rocky pile, watching the grand and rugged scenery surrounding
+them illumined by the glowing colors of the
+sunset sky. They had been talking of Rutherford&rsquo;s intended
+trip to the coast, when Miss Gladden said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Houston, how early can you join us to-morrow
+afternoon? We are going to have a little picnic party
+of four, in honor of your return, and also to give Mr.
+Rutherford pleasant memories of his last days among
+the mountains.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;now I understand; I&rsquo;ve wondered
+what you ladies were so mysterious about all day;
+you&rsquo;ve been holding secret sessions and making cabalistical
+signs to each other all the afternoon. Well, as this
+picnic is partly on my account, I&rsquo;m sure I feel flattered
+and shall be delighted to attend. Houston, old
+boy, when can we look for you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think, considering the importance of the occasion,
+I can be ready to join you at three o&rsquo;clock,&rdquo; replied
+Houston, while the ladies expressed their approval.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There seems to have been a great deal of mysterious
+consultation about this affair,&rdquo; remarked Rutherford,
+&ldquo;what is the program for to-morrow?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;for one thing, we must
+have plenty of music; have neither of you gentlemen
+any musical instruments with you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not I,&rdquo; replied Houston, while Rutherford answered,
+laughing, &ldquo;I have a banjo that I brought along to amuse
+myself with in case I got lonesome, but I&rsquo;ve had no use
+for it so far, I&rsquo;ve had such good company here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;A very graceful compliment, thank you,&rdquo; said Miss
+Gladden, smiling, &ldquo;but bring the banjo by all means, we
+will have use for it to-morrow, and I have just thought
+of something else for the occasion,&ndash;&ndash;but I&rsquo;m not going
+to divulge all my plans, we must keep something for a
+surprise, mustn&rsquo;t we, Lyle?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle laughed merrily; &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not going to tell a single
+plan of mine; you will all find when we reach the place,
+what a mountain picnic means.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But can we not even know where we are going?&rdquo;
+asked Rutherford, with a tragic air.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You would not know if I should tell you,&rdquo; responded
+Lyle, &ldquo;we are going to Sunset Park.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Sunset Park!&rdquo; they exclaimed, &ldquo;where is that?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is it in any way connected with the Sunrise mine of
+recent fame?&rdquo; inquired Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; replied Lyle, &ldquo;it is across the lake; you remember
+the landing I showed you among the rocks?
+You follow the broad trail leading up the mountains,
+and you will come to a beautiful plateau on the west side,
+as level as a floor,&ndash;&ndash;but I&rsquo;m not going to tell you about
+it, you must first see it for yourselves.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The next morning, immediately after breakfast, while
+Houston still stood talking with Miss Gladden and
+Rutherford, the graceful form of Lyle suddenly darted
+past them, her face nearly concealed by an enormous
+sunbonnet.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lyle, you gypsy, where are you going?&rdquo; called Miss
+Gladden.</p>
+<p>For answer, she turned and waved her hand with a
+merry laugh, then ran, fleet-footed as a deer, to the edge
+of the lake, and unfastening one of the little boats, was
+in it and rowing out upon the lake as dextrously as a
+professional oarsman, before those watching her could
+even guess her intentions.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Great C&aelig;sar! but that girl can row!&rdquo; exclaimed
+Rutherford, with all the enthusiastic admiration of a
+newly graduated collegian.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Where is the child going?&rdquo; asked Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Probably to the picnic ground,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden,
+&ldquo;but what for, I cannot imagine.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The sunbonnet was waved saucily in the air, and then
+instead of steering for the landing place as they expected,
+the boat suddenly disappeared around a corner of the
+rocks, in the opposite direction, while there came ringing
+out on the air, in mocking tones, the words of the
+old song:</p>
+<p class='center'>&ldquo;I saw the boat go &rsquo;round the bend.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>No one saw Lyle when she returned, a couple of hours
+later, and not even Miss Gladden knew that she was in
+the house until she made her appearance at the dinner
+table, with a very demure face, exceedingly pink fingers,
+and wearing an air of deep mystery that no amount
+of joking could diminish.</p>
+<p>After dinner, Lyle made two or three trips across the
+lake, carrying mysterious baskets and dishes. In one
+of these journeys she was intercepted by Miss Gladden,
+who was lying in wait for her, and who, tempted by the
+delightful aroma, lifted the cover of one of her dishes.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Strawberries!&rdquo; she exclaimed, &ldquo;and wild ones!
+Where did you get them, Lyle? They are the first I have
+seen out here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They are the first that have ripened,&rdquo; she replied, &ldquo;I
+went over to the gulch for them this morning, but don&rsquo;t
+say anything about them,&rdquo; she added, as she stepped
+into the boat with her treasures, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to cache
+them until they are needed.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Going to do what?&rdquo; said Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Going to &lsquo;cache&rsquo; them, hide them away among the
+rocks,&rdquo; she replied laughing, and, taking the oars, she
+was soon speeding across the lake.</p>
+<p>It was a merry party that started out two or three
+hours later. Houston carried the banjo, as Rutherford
+had his precious camera and a lot of plates, having declared
+his intention of immortalizing the occasion by
+taking a number of views for the benefit of their posterity.
+Miss Gladden had her guitar, and to the great astonishment
+of the gentlemen, Lyle appeared, carrying a fine
+old violin. It was Mike&rsquo;s, which she had borrowed for
+the occasion at the suggestion of Miss Gladden, and in
+reply to the expressions of wonder from the gentlemen,
+Miss Gladden said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This is the surprise I planned for you, but wait till
+you have heard her; I never heard her myself until a
+day or two ago.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>With song and laughter they crossed the lake, and
+having reached the landing place among the rocks and
+fastened their boats, proceeded up the mountain. Here
+they found a flight of natural stone steps, at the head
+of which a broad trail wound around the mountain, until,
+having passed a huge, shelving rock, they suddenly
+found themselves on a plateau, broad, grassy, and, as
+Lyle had said, &ldquo;as level as a floor.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Groups of large evergreens afforded a refreshing
+shade. Underneath the trees an immense, flat rock, covered
+with a snowy table-cloth and trimmed with vines
+and flowers, gave hint of some of the more substantial
+pleasures to be looked for later. At a distance gleamed
+the silvery cascades, their rainbow-tinted spray rising in
+a perpetual cloud of beauty. Far below could be seen
+the winding, canyon road, while above and beyond, on
+all sides, the mountains reared their glistening crests
+against the sky.</p>
+<p>For a time they gave themselves up to the enjoyment
+of the scene, till, at Miss Gladden&rsquo;s suggestion, the tuning
+of the various instruments began, interspersed with
+jokes and merry, rippling laughter. Amidst the general
+merriment, Houston, with an air of great gravity,
+produced from his pocket the different parts of a flute,
+which he proceeded to fit together, saying:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;When you were speaking last evening about the
+music for to-day I had entirely forgotten the existence
+of this flute, but after we went to our room, Ned persisted
+in practicing on that unmusical instrument of his,
+and in searching in my trunk for a weapon of self defense,
+I found this, and it answered my purpose so well
+then, I brought it with me to-day.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The music was a success, and it seemed as though the
+musicians would never grow weary, but when, at Miss
+Gladden&rsquo;s request, Lyle sang &ldquo;Kathleen Mavourneen,&rdquo;
+her sweet, rich tones blending with the wild, plaintive
+notes of the violin, her listeners again seemed entranced
+by the witchery of the music, as on the night when first
+they heard her sing, and were only aroused by the sound
+of hearty, prolonged cheering from the canyon below.</p>
+<p>Looking over the edge of the plateau, they discovered
+a party of about a dozen people, in a wagon drawn
+by six horses, who had stopped to listen to the music,
+and give their panting animals a chance to rest. Behind
+them was a line of three or four pack mules, laden with
+tents, cooking utensils and bedding.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;A camping party!&rdquo; exclaimed Lyle, &ldquo;the first of the
+season; they are on their way to Strawberry gulch.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>On catching sight of the group above on the plateau,
+the ladies below began waving their handkerchiefs, and
+the gentlemen were loud in their cheers and calls for
+more music.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Give them another song, Miss Maverick,&rdquo; said
+Rutherford, &ldquo;that is a decided encore.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Once more raising her violin, Lyle sang &ldquo;The Maid
+of Dundee,&rdquo; and never did song or singer meet with
+nobler applause, for the cheers from below in the canyon
+were joined with those from above on the plateau,
+and were echoed and re-echoed among the rocks, the
+last reverberations dying away and mingling with the
+roar of the distant cascades.</p>
+<p>As the camping party seemed in no haste to continue
+their journey, Miss Gladden with the gentlemen
+then came forward to the edge of the plateau, and all
+joined in singing a few familiar songs, some of them
+accompanied by the guitar and the violin, after which,
+the party in the canyon, with much waving of hats and
+handkerchiefs, and many cheers in token of their appreciation,
+passed on their way.</p>
+<p>After this little episode, a gypsy fire was kindled, and
+in a short time the rock table was spread with a dainty
+feast; chicken sandwiches, mountain trout, which Lyle
+had caught in the morning, delicately broiled, and the
+sweet, wild strawberries served in various ways, all
+equally tempting and delicious. After the feast, Houston
+proved himself an adept upon the violin, and he and
+Rutherford gave a number of college songs, and old
+plantation songs and dances, accompanied by the violin
+and banjo.</p>
+<p>At last, as the long, gray twilight was slowly deepening,
+and the stars silently marshaling their forces in the
+evening sky, the two boats drifted across the lake, only
+guided, not propelled, by the oars, and the air, for a
+while, was filled with song. As they slowly approached
+the shore, however, the singing gradually ceased. For a
+while Rutherford talked of the coming of his brother;
+then he and Lyle were silent, but from the other boat, at
+a little distance, came low, murmuring tones. They had
+just entered upon the first pages of that beautiful story,
+old as eternity itself, and as enduring; the only one of
+earth&rsquo;s stories upon whose closing page, as we gaze with
+eyes dim with the approaching shadows of death, we
+find no &ldquo;finis&rdquo; written, for it is to be continued in the
+shadowless life beyond.</p>
+<p>Rutherford was thinking of some one far away, under
+European skies, and wishing that she were present with
+him there, to make his happiness complete.</p>
+<p>And Lyle, with that face of wondrous beauty, yet
+calm and inscrutable as that of the sphinx, had any
+power as yet passed over the hidden depths of her
+woman&rsquo;s nature, and troubled the waters? Were those
+eyes, with their far-away look, gazing into the past with
+its strange darkness and mystery, or striving to pierce
+the dim, impenetrable veil of the future? No one could
+say; perhaps she herself was scarcely conscious, but as
+they landed, Miss Gladden noted the new expression
+dawning in her eyes, and as the friends and lovers separated
+for the night, each one avowing that day to have
+been one of the most delightful of their whole lives, she
+wound her arm about Lyle in sisterly fashion, and drew
+her into her own room. Lyle, as was her custom,
+dropped upon a low seat beside her friend, but was silent.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Are you looking backward or forward, to-night,
+Lyle?&rdquo; asked Miss Gladden, taking the lovely face in
+both her hands, and gazing into the beautiful eyes.</p>
+<p>Lyle&rsquo;s color deepened slightly, as she replied:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I hardly know; it seems sometimes as if I were looking
+into an altogether different life from this, a different
+world from that in which I have lived.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How so, my dear?&rdquo; inquired her friend.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I scarcely know how to describe it myself,&rdquo; she replied;
+then asked abruptly, &ldquo;Miss Gladden, do you believe
+we have ever had an existence prior to this? that
+we have lived on earth before, only amid different surroundings?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; answered Miss Gladden, &ldquo;I can see no reason
+for such a belief as that; but why do you ask?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Only because it seems sometimes as if that were
+the only way in which I could account for some of my
+strange impressions and feelings.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Tell me about them,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, interested.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They are so vague,&rdquo; Lyle replied, &ldquo;I hardly know
+how to describe them, but I have always felt them, more
+or less. When I read of life amid scenes of refinement
+and beauty, there is always an indefinable sense of familiarity
+about it all; and since you and Mr. Houston
+have been here, and I have lived such a different life,&ndash;&ndash;especially
+since we have sung together so much,&ndash;&ndash;the
+impression is much more vivid than before; even the
+music seems familiar, as if I had heard it all, or something
+like it, long ago, and yet it is utterly impossible,
+living the life I have. It must have been only in my
+dreams, those strange dreams I used to have so often,
+and which come to me even now.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And what are these dreams, dear? You have never
+before spoken to me of them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; Lyle answered, &ldquo;I have never spoken of them
+to any one; they have always been rather vague and indefinite,
+like the rest of my strange impressions and fancies;
+only they are all alike, it is almost precisely the
+same dream, no matter when it comes to me. There is
+only one feature that is very clear or distinct, and that
+is a beautiful face that is always bending over me, and
+always seems full of love and tenderness. Sometimes
+there are other faces in the background, but they are
+confused and indistinct,&ndash;&ndash;I can only recall this one that
+is so beautiful. Then there is always a general sense of
+light and beauty, and sometimes I seem to hear music;
+and then it is all suddenly succeeded by an indescribable
+terror, in which the face vanishes, and from which I
+awake trembling with fright.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And you say you have had this dream always?&rdquo;
+queried Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, ever since I could remember. I don&rsquo;t seem to
+be able to recall much about my early childhood, before
+I was five or six years old, but these dreams are among
+my earliest recollections, and I would sometimes awake
+crying with fright. After I met Jack, and he began
+teaching me, my mind was so taken up with study, that
+the dreams became less frequent, and for the last two or
+three years, I had almost forgotten them, till something
+seemed to recall them, and now it occurs often, especially
+after we have had an evening of song. I know I
+shall see that beautiful face to-night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But whose face is it, Lyle?&rdquo; questioned Miss Gladden;
+&ldquo;surely, it must resemble some one you have seen.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle shook her head; &ldquo;I have never seen any living
+person whom it resembled. That, together with all
+these strange impressions of which I have told you, is
+what seems so mysterious, and leads me to half believe
+I have lived another life, sometime, somewhere.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden sat silently caressing the golden head.
+Her suspicions that Lyle had had other parents than
+those whom she knew as such, were almost confirmed,
+but would it be best, with no tangible proof, to hint such
+a thought to Lyle herself? While she was thus musing,
+Lyle continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What seemed to me strangest of all, is, that though
+I cannot remember ever seeing a living face like the one
+in my dream, I have seen what I believe is a photograph
+of it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;When? and where?&rdquo; asked Miss Gladden quickly,
+hoping to find some key to the problem she was trying
+to solve.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;A few weeks after your coming, and at Jack&rsquo;s cabin,&rdquo;
+Lyle replied.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Did Jack show you the picture?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, I do not know that he intended me to see it, but
+it was lying on the table that evening; I took it up and
+looked at it, but he did not seem to want to talk about
+it. I have never seen it since, and he told me that until
+that evening, he had not seen it for a long time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And did you recognize it as the face of your
+dreams?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not then; it seemed familiar, but it was not until
+after I reached home that I remembered my dream, and
+from that time, the dream returned. I see the face often
+now, and it is just like the picture, only possibly a little
+older and sweeter.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And you have never spoken to Jack about the picture
+since?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, for I have not seen it, and he has never alluded
+to it. He admitted that evening it was the picture of
+some one he had loved dearly, and I have since thought
+perhaps he would rather I had not seen it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden was silent; her old theory regarding
+Jack&rsquo;s being the father of Lyle, seemed to her now more
+probable than ever. She believed the picture to be that
+of Lyle&rsquo;s own mother, who, it seemed evident, had lived
+long enough that her child remembered her in her
+dreams, though unable to recall her face at other times.</p>
+<p>Very tenderly she bade Lyle good-night, determined
+that her next call at the little cabin should be made as
+early as possible.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXIII' id='CHAPTER_XXIII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Houston and Rutherford, on retiring to their room,
+after the breaking up of the picnic party, donned their
+slippers and smoking jackets, and having lighted their
+cigars, and slipped into the easiest possible attitudes,
+prepared to devote the next few hours to a confidential
+tete-a-tete. The next day Rutherford would start on his
+journey to the coast, and naturally there were many topics
+of mutual interest to be discussed on this, their last
+night together for a number of weeks.</p>
+<p>Houston felt that the time had come for taking Rutherford
+into his confidence regarding his own work and
+plans, for it was evident that Van Dorn had posted his
+brother, and Rutherford would soon learn the truth from
+him, if in no other way. For a while Rutherford talked
+of his brother.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I knew he was intending to come west this summer,
+and I expected to meet him in some of the cities along
+the coast, but I supposed he would return by one of the
+southern routes. I&rsquo;m awfully glad he has decided to
+come back this way,&rdquo; he added, &ldquo;for I would enjoy it
+of course, to come around and see you again, and then,
+I&rsquo;d like to have you meet Mort. He and I are not a bit
+alike, but I think he&rsquo;s a splendid fellow, and I think you
+and he will like each other.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t a doubt of it, Ned,&rdquo; Houston replied, with
+an air of confidence rather surprising to his friend; &ldquo;in
+fact, I think I will be as glad to meet him as you yourself;&rdquo;
+then, as Rutherford&rsquo;s eyes expressed considerable
+wonder at such unexpected cordiality, he continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been thinking, for some time, Ned, that the
+friendship you have shown for the low-salaried clerk
+and bookkeeper whom you met on your way out here,
+deserves some degree of confidence in return, and this
+evening seems to be the best time for giving you a little
+explanation regarding the man whom you have called
+your friend for the last few weeks.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why, certainly, if you wish,&rdquo; Rutherford replied,
+with slight embarrassment, &ldquo;but then, it isn&rsquo;t at all necessary,
+you know; that is, unless it is your choice, for your
+salary or your position doesn&rsquo;t cut any figure with me.
+Whatever your circumstances may be, I know as well
+as I need to know that you are a gentleman; anybody
+can see that, and I have told my brother so.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am much obliged to you, Ned,&rdquo; Houston answered,
+with difficulty restraining a smile, &ldquo;but I am going to
+begin by saying that your brother knows me a great deal
+better than you do.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Rutherford&rsquo;s face expressed so much astonishment,
+that it resembled nothing so much as an exaggerated
+exclamation point. Houston continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have never in my life known what it was to have an
+own brother, but the one who for many years has held
+that place in my heart is Morton Rutherford, and I think
+he will tell you that of all his class mates, there was not
+one with whom he was upon more intimate, confidential
+terms, than Everard Houston, of New York.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Everard Houston! Great Scott!&rdquo; exclaimed Rutherford,
+springing to his feet, &ldquo;why I remember that
+name well; he was Mort&rsquo;s best friend. You don&rsquo;t mean
+to say you are the same? Why, I thought you said you
+were from Chicago!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I was from Chicago, when you met me,&rdquo; answered
+Houston, smiling, &ldquo;but I had come from New York less
+than ten days before.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, by Jove!&rdquo; said Rutherford, walking up and
+down the room, &ldquo;I am floored completely! If you had
+once said you were from New York, I might have suspected
+who you were, but Chicago! and then,&rdquo; here he
+stopped and gazed at his friend with a comical look of
+perplexity, &ldquo;why, Everard Houston was the nephew and
+adopted son of W. E. Cameron.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; assented Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well then, what in thunder,&ndash;&ndash;if I may ask the question,&ndash;&ndash;are
+you doing out here with this confounded Buncombe-Boomerang
+mining company?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That is just what I wished to tell you to-night,&rdquo;
+Houston replied, &ldquo;but we must talk low, for walls sometimes
+have ears,&rdquo; and placing a chair for his friend near
+his own, he proceeded to tell him of his object in coming
+out to the mining camp, of the work which he had accomplished,
+and of his plans for what yet remained to be
+done. Rutherford listened with much interest, deepening
+into admiration for his friend.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And now,&rdquo; said Houston, in conclusion, &ldquo;you will see
+why I could not very well reveal my identity to you
+when we first met. I knew you as soon as I saw your
+card, but I was a stranger in this part of the country,
+with a certain role to play, uncertain of success, and, not
+knowing what difficulties or obstacles I might meet,
+thought there would be less danger of unexpected complications,
+if you thought me just what I appeared to
+be.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You thought about right, too,&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;for
+I&rsquo;m awfully careless about anything of that kind, always
+putting my foot in it, you know; and I don&rsquo;t see how
+you ever could come out here, a perfect stranger, and
+carry everything along as smoothly as you have. Well,
+I remember I was awfully mixed there on the train,
+when you told me you had come out here to work for
+that company, for I thought all the time that if you were
+not a gentleman, then I never saw one; and it&rsquo;s lucky I
+did have sense enough to think of that, or I might have
+made a confounded chump of myself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You would have cut me, would you?&rdquo; asked Houston,
+laughing, &ldquo;I was looking out for that, and would
+have considered it a rich joke if you had.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Rather too rich, I should say,&rdquo; said Rutherford,
+coloring. &ldquo;Mort has always ridiculed me for that sort
+of thing, and told me I&rsquo;d make a precious fool of myself
+some day; I don&rsquo;t intend to be snobbish, though he says
+I am, but that&rsquo;s just my way somehow, unless I happen
+to like a person. Mort is different from me; he will get
+along with all sorts of people, you know, but I never
+could.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You are all right,&rdquo; answered Houston, &ldquo;you are a
+little conscious of your blue blood now and then, but as
+you grow older you will think less about that, and you
+have as good a heart as Morton, when a person is fortunate
+enough to find it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Say,&rdquo; said Rutherford, suddenly, &ldquo;if you and Mort
+were class mates, you must have known Van Dorn.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; said Houston, smilingly watching the
+blue coils of smoke from his cigar, &ldquo;and when I first saw
+him with the Winters party, I knew my little game was
+up, unless I got my work in very expeditiously,&rdquo; and
+he described the little pantomime which took place in
+the office shortly after Van Dorn&rsquo;s arrival, much to the
+amusement of Rutherford, who exclaimed:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Great Scott! but you fellows played that game well,
+no one ever would have dreamed that you had known
+each other.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston then told of the plan for Van Dorn&rsquo;s coming
+in a few weeks, and later, for the arrival of Mr. Cameron
+with Lindlay.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; Rutherford exclaimed, &ldquo;now I see why Mort
+is so anxious to get here at just about a certain time;
+he knows all about this, and wants to be in at the death
+himself; well, that suits me exactly. But say, old fellow,
+isn&rsquo;t this going to be a pretty nasty piece of business
+for you about that time?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It would be if any one should get hold of this before
+the right time comes, but I do not anticipate any trouble,
+because I intend to be so guarded that nothing regarding
+my work will be known or suspected until my uncle
+is here, and we have them securely trapped.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It will require a cool head and a level one to carry
+this thing through, and accomplish what you have undertaken,&rdquo;
+said Rutherford thoughtfully, as he took
+one or two turns up and down the room, &ldquo;and I guess
+you are the right one for the work. Van Dorn will be
+just the one to help you, too, he&rsquo;s pretty cool and quick-witted
+himself, but I should think you would both need a
+third party, somebody who has been on the ground for a
+long time and who understands all about the working
+of these things.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It would be of great assistance to us, and I intend to
+keep a look-out, and if it is possible to find such a person,
+and one whom we can trust at the same time, I shall
+secure him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, I&rsquo;m sure I wish you success, and I shall be
+anxious to hear from you while I&rsquo;m gone, and know
+how you are coming on.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>They smoked silently for a few moments, then Rutherford
+said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;By the way, Houston, how about the congratulations
+I told you some time ago I was ready to offer whenever
+the occasion required; are they in order now? or shall
+I reserve them until my return?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They are in order whenever you choose to offer
+them,&rdquo; Houston replied quietly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Indeed! well, I&rsquo;m glad to hear it, I thought it about
+time. I congratulate you most heartily, and tender you
+both my sincerest wishes for your happiness. I tell you
+what, old fellow, I think you&rsquo;ve found a splendid woman,
+and I think, too, that you are wonderfully suited to each
+other. Seems strange, doesn&rsquo;t it? to think of a pair like
+you two, finding each other in a place like this!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is rather unusual, I admit,&rdquo; said Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; added Rutherford, &ldquo;taking into consideration
+all the surroundings, and the why and wherefore of your
+coming here, I think it borders on the romantic.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A moment later he asked, &ldquo;Does Miss Gladden know
+what you are doing out here?&rdquo; Houston shook his
+head, in reply.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Doesn&rsquo;t she know who you really are?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not yet,&rdquo; Houston answered, &ldquo;no one out here
+knows any more about that than you did two hours
+ago.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Whew!&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;she will be slightly surprised
+when she finds that old Blaisdell&rsquo;s clerk and bookkeeper
+has a few cool millions of his own, won&rsquo;t she?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I hope she will not object to the millions,&rdquo; said
+Houston with a smile, &ldquo;but I have the satisfaction of
+knowing that they were not the chief attraction; she
+cares for me myself, and for my own sake, not for the
+sake of my wealth, and I am just old fashioned enough
+to consider that of first importance.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And when will she learn your secret? not until the
+closing scene of the last act?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I cannot tell just when,&rdquo; Houston answered, &ldquo;that
+will of course depend a great deal upon circumstances.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Rutherford then became confidential regarding his
+own hopes for the future, and gave Houston a description
+of his fiancee, and a brief history of their acquaintance
+and engagement.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Grace is all right,&rdquo; he said in conclusion, &ldquo;but her
+father is inclined to be a little old-fogyish, thinks we are
+too young for any definite engagement, and wants me to
+be permanently established in some business before we
+are married, and all that; when I can&rsquo;t see what in the
+deuce is the difference so long as I have plenty of stuff.
+So the upshot of it all was that he and his wife took
+Grace to Europe, and they&rsquo;re not coming back until the
+holidays, and if, by that time, we have neither of us
+changed our minds, and I am settled in business and all
+that sort of thing, we can be married. There&rsquo;s no danger
+of our changing our minds, so that&rsquo;s all right, but
+I declare I don&rsquo;t see the use of a fellow&rsquo;s tying himself
+down to some hum-drum business, when there&rsquo;s no need
+of it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It isn&rsquo;t a bad idea though to find some business for
+which you are adapted, and stick to it,&rdquo; was Houston&rsquo;s
+reply; &ldquo;that was the advice my uncle gave me when I
+returned from college, and he offered me the choice of
+going into business with himself, or selecting something
+else that I liked better.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Grace&rsquo;s father wants me to go in with him, but excuse
+me; if I went into business with any one, it would
+be somebody nearer my own age, where I&rsquo;d have about
+as much to say as the other fellow, not an old man, and
+my father-in-law, in the bargain.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You may find something you will like, within the
+next few months,&rdquo; said Houston, with a peculiar smile;
+&ldquo;By the way, Morton used to say he was going to stick
+to journalistic work; how is he succeeding?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Splendidly; you know he is one of the associate
+editors of the Dispatch, then he contributes regularly to
+several of the leading magazines, and lately he has some
+work of his own on hand besides, a work on some sort
+of scientific research: yes, he has succeeded well.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>So long did their conversation continue, that when
+they at last went to rest, it was nearly time for the surrounding
+peaks, standing like huge sentinels against
+the dark, eastern sky, to catch the first faint flush of the
+approaching day.</p>
+<p>They were a little late in making their appearance in
+the breakfast room. Miss Gladden and Lyle were awaiting
+them, but the others had gone. There was time for
+only a hasty breakfast before the team, going to the Y
+for supplies, which had been engaged to take Rutherford
+to the morning train, was at the door.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said the latter, having seen his baggage safely
+aboard, including the familiar square case containing his
+precious cameras, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve had a delightful time here, and
+I&rsquo;m awfully glad I&rsquo;m coming back again.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;So are we, Mr. Rutherford,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;and
+we will be very glad to welcome your brother also, and
+do all in our power to make his visit a pleasant one.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is doubtful whether he will ever want to leave
+here,&rdquo; Rutherford responded, &ldquo;for he appreciates anything
+of this kind even more than I do. He&rsquo;ll grow wild
+over these mountains. Well, Miss Maverick,&rdquo; he continued,
+shaking hands with Lyle, &ldquo;I thank you for all
+you&rsquo;ve done to make my visit so pleasant, and I&rsquo;m glad
+that we will only say good-bye for a little while.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am also,&rdquo; she replied, &ldquo;and I wish you a pleasant
+journey and a speedy return.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This is not &lsquo;good-bye,&rsquo; Mr. Rutherford,&rdquo; said Miss
+Gladden, extending her hand, &ldquo;it is only &lsquo;au revoir.&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That is right,&rdquo; he answered, then added in low tones,
+&ldquo;Miss Gladden, I have already congratulated Mr. Houston,
+and I hope you will accept my congratulations and
+best wishes also. I think almost as much of him as of
+my own brother, and I could not wish either of you
+any happier fortune than I believe you will find in each
+other.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>In a few moments Houston and Rutherford were riding
+rapidly down the canyon. At the office, where
+Houston had to prepare some orders for the driver, he
+and Rutherford took leave of each other.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Be good to yourself, old fellow,&rdquo; said Rutherford,
+&ldquo;and keep us posted just how you are coming on; and
+say,&rdquo; he added, lowering his voice, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll keep you posted
+of our whereabouts, and if anything should happen, and
+you need help, wire us and we&rsquo;ll be here by the next
+train; you can count on two brothers now, instead of
+one, you know.&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXIV' id='CHAPTER_XXIV'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>A day or two after the departure of Rutherford, Miss
+Gladden, having learned from Lyle at what hour Jack
+usually completed his day&rsquo;s work, set forth upon her
+visit to the cabin. She felt that her errand might prove
+embarrassing both to Jack and herself; she wished to
+obtain some clue regarding Lyle&rsquo;s parentage; at least,
+to learn what his suspicions, or possible knowledge
+might be concerning the matter, and taking into consideration
+the contingency that she might be his own
+child, whose existence he had kept secret for reasons of
+his own, it was a subject which would require very delicate
+handling.</p>
+<p>She found Jack at the cabin, and alone, and his courteous
+greeting, containing less formality and more cordiality
+and friendliness than on the former occasion,
+made her task seem far less difficult. He ushered her
+into the pleasant little sitting-room, and she noted even
+more particularly than on her former visit, the exquisite
+taste betrayed, not only in the furnishings of the room,
+but in their very arrangement.</p>
+<p>After chatting a few moments regarding the little circle
+of friends at the house, in whom he seemed to take
+more interest than she would have expected from a man
+of his secluded life, the conversation naturally turned to
+Lyle, and Miss Gladden said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have wished to see you regarding her because you
+seem to be the only one among those living here who
+appreciates her ability, or cares for her welfare; and you
+have known her and her surroundings so long, I believed
+you could give me some suggestions and advice
+regarding what is best to be done for her, even now,
+while she remains here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have taken a great interest in the child ever since I
+have known her,&rdquo; Jack replied, &ldquo;and I am only too glad
+that she has found another friend, and that friend a lady;
+and if I can assist, by suggestion or otherwise, I shall be
+most happy to do so.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I asked your opinion the other evening,&rdquo; continued
+Miss Gladden, &ldquo;as to taking her east with me, but there
+were other matters pertaining to her welfare, on which
+I wished your opinion and advice, but I could not so well
+speak of them before her, so I asked for this interview.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden hesitated a moment, almost hoping that
+Jack might make some remark which would give her a
+cue as to the best method for her to pursue in seeking
+the information she desired, but his attitude was that of
+respectful attention, and he was evidently waiting for
+her to proceed.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have felt attracted toward Lyle from the first,&rdquo; she
+began slowly, &ldquo;not alone by her wondrous beauty and
+grace of manner, but even more by her intelligence and
+intellectual ability, her natural refinement and delicacy,
+which, considering her surroundings, seemed to me simply
+inexplicable. From the very first, she has been to
+me a mystery, and as I become better acquainted with
+her, the mystery, instead of being lessened, is only deepened.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>She paused, but he offered no comment, only bowed
+gravely for her to continue.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I could not, and I cannot yet, understand how one
+like her could ever have been born, or could exist in
+such surroundings as hers; and the fact that she has
+existed here, her beautiful nature untainted, unsullied by
+the coarseness, the vulgarity and the immorality about
+her, to me seemed an indication that she was of an altogether
+different type, born in another and far higher
+sphere. I saw she was unhappy, and I determined to
+win her confidence, and in so doing, from a vague suspicion
+I have gradually arrived at a firm conviction that
+Lyle is not the child of those whom she calls her
+parents.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack manifested no surprise, neither was there anything
+in his manner to indicate that this was a subject
+upon which he had any knowledge. He simply asked
+very calmly,&ndash;&ndash;almost indifferently it seemed to Miss
+Gladden,&ndash;&ndash;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Have you discovered any direct evidence in support
+of this conviction that she is not their child?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No tangible evidence,&rdquo; replied Miss Gladden, &ldquo;nothing,
+of course, that could be called proof, but there are
+what I consider very strong indications.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Are the indications on Lyle&rsquo;s part, or on the part
+of Mr. and Mrs. Maverick?&rdquo; inquired Jack.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;On both sides,&rdquo; replied Miss Gladden, &ldquo;I have very
+little to say regarding Mrs. Maverick; she is a kind-hearted
+woman, and seems to treat Lyle with consideration
+and some degree of affection; there is very little of
+the latter, but perhaps it is all of which she is capable,
+for I should think life with that brute would quickly
+crush out all the affection, if not all the intelligence, in
+a woman&rsquo;s nature; but the neglect and ill treatment of
+Maverick himself towards Lyle surely indicate that she is
+no child of his.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Your remark regarding Mrs. Maverick might be
+still more applicable to him, that he is incapable of anything
+like affection or kindness.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Of course he is,&rdquo; replied Miss Gladden quickly, &ldquo;but
+I can not conceive of a man being quite so low as to be
+without even animal instincts; I cannot believe that a
+father would insult and degrade his own daughter as he
+has Lyle, and as he would continue to do, if he were not
+restrained through fear of his wife.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For the first time, Jack started. &ldquo;Fear of his wife,
+did you say, Miss Gladden? Pardon me, but I think
+that brute fears neither God, man nor devil, and how you
+can assert that he is in fear of his wife, whom he has always
+abused mercilessly, I cannot imagine.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is a fact, nevertheless; for one morning after he
+had been exceedingly abusive and insulting in his language
+toward Lyle, Mrs. Maverick told her that he was,
+in some way, in her power, and that it should never occur
+again; and it never has.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack rose, and began to pace the room.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Did you hear her say that, Miss Gladden?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, Lyle told me of it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Had Lyle any idea of what she meant by it?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She did not seem to have; nothing was ever said regarding
+that phase of the subject; she only seemed relieved
+that Mrs. Maverick promised to prevent a repetition
+of her father&rsquo;s abuse of her.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack seated himself. &ldquo;You spoke of some reasons on
+Lyle&rsquo;s part for your conclusions; what were they?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden then told him of Lyle&rsquo;s strange impressions
+and of her dream, but made no allusion to the photograph,
+wishing to reserve that until later.</p>
+<p>Jack looked thoughtful. &ldquo;I wonder that she has never
+spoken to me regarding this dream,&rdquo; he said at length.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She told me she had not had the dream so often since
+having been occupied with her studies and reading, probably
+that accounts for her not speaking of it; lately she
+says it has returned.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Both were silent for a while, then Miss Gladden asked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Do you not think these dreams and impressions are
+indications of an early life, far different from this?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I do,&rdquo; he replied gravely.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That was my opinion,&rdquo; then, determined to get some
+expression from him, she continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am so attached to her, so desirous, if possible, to
+rescue her from this wretched life, that I am anxious to
+get some clue as to her true parentage; that is why I
+have come to you, her friend. I thought possibly you
+might be able to aid me in getting some evidence, or
+some information regarding her early history.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden was watching Jack keenly, to note if her
+words produced any effect on that immobile face. She
+was not disappointed: he started, almost imperceptibly,
+and as he fixed his dark eyes upon her own, she noticed,
+as never before, how keen and piercing, and how eloquently
+beautiful they were. Miss Gladden&rsquo;s eyes did
+not drop before his searching gaze; she was determined
+that he should read only sincerity and candor in their
+depths, and make his answer accordingly. When he
+spoke, his voice was unlike its usual smooth, even tone;
+it was tender and deep, full of some strange emotion, and
+reminded her wonderfully of her lover.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Miss Gladden, may I ask,&ndash;&ndash;for I believe you will answer
+me truthfully and candidly,&ndash;&ndash;what ever led you to
+suppose that I could give you any information regarding
+Lyle&rsquo;s early history?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I will answer you candidly, as you wish,&rdquo; she replied;
+&ldquo;the thought first occurred to me of coming to you for
+advice regarding Lyle, simply because I regarded you
+as her best friend, in fact, until I came, her only friend.
+Then a remark accidently dropped by Lyle, as to what
+you had once said of her singing, that it reminded you
+of but one voice which you had heard, but that you did
+not like to hear her, led me to think that perhaps she was
+in some way connected with some one you had known,
+and that possibly that was the reason for the special interest
+you took in her welfare.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then there was something more, in connection with
+her dream,&rdquo; and she told him how Lyle had at last identified
+the pictured face which seemed so familiar to her,
+as the dream-face of her childhood, and how immediately
+after the dream had returned.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;After she told me this,&rdquo; continued Miss Gladden,
+&ldquo;you will see that I naturally concluded that the face was
+that of her mother; that her mother, her parents, and
+probably her early life were known to you; and I will
+frankly admit, that except that it seemed incredible that
+you would allow her to remain in these surroundings, if
+my hypothesis were correct, I would have believed that
+you were her father, and that grief from bereavement or
+separation, had caused you to choose this life for yourself
+and her.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack had again risen and was slowly pacing the room.
+Miss Gladden could read no sign of displeasure in his face,
+though she detected indications of some powerful emotion,
+and of acute suffering. He seemed battling with
+old-time memories, and when at last he seated himself
+and began speaking, there was a strange pathos vibrating
+through the forced calmness of his voice, and the
+piercing eyes, now looking so kindly into her own, had
+in their depths such hopeless sadness, that Miss Gladden&rsquo;s
+heart was stirred by a pity deeper than she had ever
+known, for she instinctively felt that she was in the presence
+of some great, despairing sorrow.</p>
+<p>With a smile of rare sweetness and beauty, he said:
+&ldquo;Your candor and frankness deserve confidence in return,
+and I will give it so far as it is within my power to do so,
+and yet I fear that you will be disappointed. Your surmises
+are incorrect in many respects, and yet contain a
+great deal of truth, and I will try, so far as possible, to
+be as frank with you as you have been with me. In the
+first place, I must say to you, that regarding Lyle&rsquo;s true
+parentage, whether or not she is the child of the Mavericks,
+I know, positively, nothing more than do you,
+yourself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>He smiled as he noted Miss Gladden&rsquo;s look of astonishment,
+and continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Like you, I have my suspicions that she is not their
+child, and have had them since first seeing her, years ago.
+As in your case, my suspicions long ago changed to conviction,
+and my convictions are probably even deeper
+than yours, for the reason, that in form, in feature, in
+voice and manner, in every expression and gesture,&rdquo; his
+voice trembled for an instant, but he controlled it, &ldquo;she
+is the exact counterpart of another; some one whom I
+knew in a life as remote, as far from this as it is possible
+to conceive. But I have no direct proof, not a shadow of
+tangible evidence with which I could confront Maverick
+and denounce him with having stolen the child, and,
+knowing him as I do, I know that for Lyle&rsquo;s sake, until
+I have some such proof, it were better to remain silent.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Pardon me for interrupting you,&rdquo; Miss Gladden exclaimed,
+&ldquo;but that is a contingency that never entered my
+mind, that Lyle had been stolen from her parents! That
+is far worse than anything I had dreamed of.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Nevertheless, if she is not their child, she was stolen,
+and just in proportion as the former is improbable, the
+latter is probable, almost certain. You will now see
+wherein your supposition that my interest in her was due
+to her connection in my mind with some one I had formerly
+known, was correct. I took a special interest in her
+for this reason; it was a pleasure to teach her, to note her
+mind expanding so rapidly, to watch her as she developed
+physically and mentally; every day growing more and
+more like the one I had known. I enjoyed tracing the
+resemblance day by day, though it often caused me almost
+as much pain as pleasure,&ndash;&ndash;but when I heard her
+sing, that was too much,&ndash;&ndash;it was more than I could
+bear,&ndash;&ndash;it was like compelling some lost soul in purgatory
+to listen to the songs of paradise.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There was a tremor in Jack&rsquo;s voice, and he paused,
+touched even more deeply by the sympathetic tears glistening
+in the beautiful eyes full of such tender pity, than by
+the bitter memories passing before his own mind.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What has perplexed me most,&rdquo; he continued, &ldquo;is the
+fact that Lyle has seemed unable to recall anything relating
+to her early childhood. I have tried in every way
+to arouse her memory, and that was my chief object in
+allowing her to see the photograph of which she told
+you; but, as she often says, the first few years of her life
+seem to be only blank. I cannot account for that.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Still,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;these dreams of hers show
+that there are memories there, and something may yet recall
+them to her mind.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That has been my hope,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;that is what I
+have been waiting for all these years, for her mind to recall
+some incident, or some individual, that would furnish
+the needed proof as to her parentage.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Do you think,&rdquo; asked Miss Gladden, after a pause,
+&ldquo;that it would be wise to give Lyle a hint of our suspicions?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have thought it might be well, if possible, to arouse
+her own suspicions by some process of reasoning on her
+part, not by any suggestions of ours.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;May I inquire whether those whom you consider her
+true parents are still living?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They both died many years ago.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then, if her identity could be proven beyond a doubt,
+would there be any one to give her such a home as she
+ought to have?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, there are those who would be only too glad to
+give her such a home as very few have the good fortune
+to possess.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And have they never made any inquiry for her?&rdquo; Miss
+Gladden asked in surprise.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They have no idea that she is living; her parents died
+under peculiar circumstances, and she was supposed to
+have died at the same time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then ought we not,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden thoughtfully,
+&ldquo;both for her sake and theirs, to let them know that she
+is living, and help them to find her?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Unless they could see her for themselves,&rdquo; he replied,
+&ldquo;they would probably be rather skeptical, and require
+very positive proof regarding her claims, they have believed
+her dead for so many years. But even though I
+may have known Lyle&rsquo;s mother, I am not in communication
+with her friends, and would not be the proper person
+to present her claims to them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For a few moments, Miss Gladden sat silently watching
+the play of the light and shade on the mountain side
+across the ravine, opposite the cabin, as the shadows cast
+by the light, floating clouds, followed each other in rapid
+succession.</p>
+<p>Jack seemed to be thinking deeply, and when he at
+last spoke, it was with great deliberation:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;For a long time, as I have become more and more
+convinced of Lyle&rsquo;s identity, I have been anxious to have
+her taken away from these surroundings, and placed in
+the home to which I believe she has a right; but without
+tangible evidence with which to establish her claims, and
+also to prove Maverick&rsquo;s guilt, I could think of no feasible
+plan, nothing that did not seem likely to result in failure,
+and leave Lyle possibly in a worse condition than at
+present. I will now say to you, Miss Gladden, in confidence,
+that I think before very long, the way will be
+opened for Lyle to find the home and friends that I consider
+are really hers. Through information given me in
+confidence, I have learned that some of those whom I believe
+to be most closely related to her and who would
+be most interested in her, did they know of her existence,
+will in all probability be out here on business this summer;
+if they do not recognize Lyle, I shall be greatly disappointed.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden&rsquo;s face expressed the delight she felt. &ldquo;Is
+it possible?&rdquo; she exclaimed, &ldquo;Why, I cannot conceive of
+anything lovelier! If she has been stolen all these years,
+and her people unconscious of her very existence, to have
+them appear on the scene, and recognize and claim her,
+will seem like a beautiful bit of fiction interwoven in our
+prosaic, every-day life, or like the closing scene in some
+drama, where the wrongs at last are all made right. To
+think what happiness it will bring to them, to her and to
+us!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack&rsquo;s face grew strangely serious. &ldquo;I shall be glad for
+her sake;&rdquo; he replied, then added: &ldquo;Sometimes, Miss
+Gladden, wrongs are righted only at a terrible cost, and
+what seems to you like the closing of a peaceful drama,
+may prove a tragedy to those who are concerned in it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Then, before she could reply, he said, in a different
+tone, as though to change the conversation:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It will not be best to mention what I have told you to
+any one; there is no knowing what course Maverick
+might pursue if he had a hint of it, for he is a desperate
+man; but if there is any way in which Lyle&rsquo;s mind could
+be carried back and made to recall something of her past
+life, I wish it might be done.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden had risen, preparatory to taking leave.
+Having given a searching glance around the room, she
+turned toward Jack, saying wistfully:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Am I asking too much? Could I see the photograph
+which you allowed Lyle to see?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For an instant Jack hesitated; then he replied, &ldquo;I am
+willing you should see it, but you must not expect me to
+say anything concerning that picture or myself. I have
+spoken to you in confidence regarding Lyle, but I can go
+no further.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I will not ask it,&rdquo; she replied.</p>
+<p>Without a word, he went to a small trunk, concealed by
+a fine bear-skin, and taking therefrom the picture, silently
+handed it to Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>She uttered a low cry of surprise, and then stood for
+some time intently studying the lovely face in every detail.
+When she returned the picture to Jack&rsquo;s hands, there were
+tears in her eyes, as she exclaimed, &ldquo;How beautiful! and
+how like Lyle!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I hoped she would see the resemblance,&rdquo; he replied.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It seems almost incredible that she did not,&rdquo; answered
+Miss Gladden, &ldquo;except for the fact that she has the least
+self-consciousness of any one I ever saw; it is doubtful
+if she would recognize her own picture.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For a long time Jack stood watching Miss Gladden, as,
+having thanked him for the interview, she walked slowly
+up the winding road. His eyes grew strangely wistful
+and tender, very unlike their ordinary expression, and a
+smile, sad but sweet, played about the usually stern lips.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He has chosen well,&rdquo; he murmured at length, &ldquo;they
+are well suited to each other; Heaven grant nothing may
+ever mar their happiness!&rdquo; and with a heavy sigh, he
+turned and entered the cabin.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXV' id='CHAPTER_XXV'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXV.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>As Miss Gladden slowly followed the winding canyon
+road on her return from the little cabin, the thoughts
+flashing through her mind very strongly resembled the
+lights and shadows which she had watched chasing each
+other across the mountain side. While she had gained
+very little direct information, Jack&rsquo;s theories had strengthened
+her own convictions, though placing the matter in a
+slightly different light. She had a very vivid imagination,
+and looked forward with anticipations of keenest pleasure
+to the coming of Lyle&rsquo;s friends,&ndash;&ndash;whoever they might
+be&ndash;&ndash;and their probable recognition of her; and yet she
+could not forget Jack&rsquo;s words regarding the terrible cost
+which might be involved, resulting in possible tragedy,
+and an indefinable dread seemed at times to overshadow
+all other thoughts, and perplex her. Not dreaming, however,
+that the words could refer to herself, or those in
+whom she was most deeply interested, she tried to banish
+this feeling by planning what course would be best to
+pursue regarding Lyle, and determined to confide the
+whole matter to Houston, and ask his advice. So absorbed
+was she in her own thoughts and plans, that not
+until she had nearly approached the house, did she observe
+the presence of strangers.</p>
+<p>A party of eight or ten ladies and gentlemen, including
+three or four tourists from the east, had come out from
+Silver City. They had come with wagons, bringing a
+large tent which was to be put up for those who could not
+be accommodated in the house. They proved to be very
+pleasant people, and during the ensuing ten days of their
+stay, Miss Gladden and Lyle seldom saw each other apart
+from their guests. There were numerous excursions to
+various points of interest, moonlight rides on the lake
+and impromptu dances.</p>
+<p>Houston at this time was more than usually occupied,
+as the day after the arrival of the camping party, Mr.
+Blaisdell unexpectedly appeared upon the scene. He arrived
+quite early in the morning, having been brought by
+special train from the Y. He found Houston alone in
+the office, and greeted him with a cordiality quite surprising
+to the latter, considering his taciturn, dissatisfied manner
+when at the mines a few days before. He seemed in
+no hurry to leave the office, but remained talking for
+some time concerning business affairs at Silver City.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I may want you to run over there, just for a day,
+while I&rsquo;m here,&rdquo; he said at length, &ldquo;for I expect to remain
+out here for about a week. By the way, Houston, I hear
+you pitched into old Hartwell one night, over there at
+the hotel, for some remarks he made about the company.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;how did you hear of that?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There was a friend of mine there, who overheard
+Hartwell&rsquo;s talk, and afterward saw you go up and speak
+to him. Having seen you in our office, he had a little
+curiosity as to what was going on. He said Hartwell
+cursed you up hill and down, but that you were so
+damned cool the old fellow couldn&rsquo;t rattle you. Hartwell
+told him afterward that you threatened to compel
+him to substantiate all he had said, and he was glad that
+the old fellow, for once, found somebody that wasn&rsquo;t
+afraid of him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, no,&rdquo; said Houston, quietly, &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t see any reason
+for being afraid.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell, &ldquo;I liked your spirit all right,
+but then, men like Hartwell are not worth paying any attention
+to. He is interested in another company, so of
+course he tries to run down ours, and he has a certain
+clique that he has persuaded to think just as he does. I
+never think it best to notice any of his remarks.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If he had simply made a few remarks,&rdquo; said Houston
+in reply, &ldquo;I would of course have let them remain unnoticed,
+but he had continued his harangue for nearly an
+hour before I spoke to him, so I thought it as well to have
+a word with him myself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, that was all right, perfectly right on your part,
+only I have adopted the policy of letting barking dogs
+alone.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>After a little further conversation, Mr. Blaisdell looked
+over the books, and finding everything in satisfactory
+shape, remarked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You seem to have familiarized yourself very thoroughly
+with the work so far as you have gone, and in a very
+short time. You will doubtless remember, Mr. Houston,
+that when we engaged you, you were told that we should
+probably need your services later at the mines, in assisting
+the general superintendent. Morgan&rsquo;s work is increasing
+lately, and I have been thinking that I would
+much prefer to have a trustworthy person like yourself,
+assist him, even if we have to employ another bookkeeper,
+than to put on an entirely new man at the mines. I am
+going out to the mines this afternoon, to see how Morgan
+is getting along, and I think that to-morrow we will
+close the office, and you had better go out with me, and
+I will show you the work that I wish you to have charge
+of there. It probably will not take all your time, you will
+still be in the office more or less, at least enough to superintend
+the work in case I bring out a new man. He will
+simply work under your direction and supervision, the
+responsibility will all devolve upon you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For the next day or two, Houston&rsquo;s time was spent at
+the mines, familiarizing himself with the underground
+workings, and becoming acquainted with the different
+classes and grades of ore, and the various methods of mining
+and reducing the same.</p>
+<p>This was just the opportunity for which Houston had
+been waiting, and he entered upon his new work with a
+zest and enthusiasm that delighted Mr. Blaisdell, and
+even won the esteem of Morgan. On the second day, to
+Houston&rsquo;s great joy, he was given charge, under Morgan,
+of what was known as the &ldquo;Yankee&rdquo; group of mines, containing
+the Yankee Boy, the Yankee Girl and the Puritan,
+the three most valuable mines in which the New
+York company was interested.</p>
+<p>In passing through one of these mines, Houston noticed
+two miners working together with wonderful precision
+and accuracy, and on looking at them closely, recognized
+in one of them, the man whom Rutherford had
+pointed out to him on the train from Valley City, and of
+whom he had heard Miss Gladden speak as Lyle&rsquo;s friend.
+The man seemed to pay little attention to his being there,
+and on coming out, Houston inquired of Mr. Blaisdell
+concerning him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I can tell you nothing about him,&rdquo; replied Mr. Blaisdell,
+&ldquo;except that he and his partner, the Irishman, are
+the two most expert miners we have. They live by themselves,
+and refuse to mingle with the other men, consequently
+they are not very popular among the miners, but
+of course that cuts no figure with us, so long as they are
+skilled workmen.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The next day, Houston went to Silver City, on business
+for Mr. Blaisdell, and while there, sent the following
+message over the wires, to Van Dorn:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Everything in readiness; bring machinery at once.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Upon his return to the mining camp to enter upon his
+new duties, Houston resolved to make a careful study of
+the men working under him, both foremen and miners,
+for the purpose of determining whether there were among
+them any whom he could trust sufficiently to seek from
+them whatever assistance might be necessary for himself
+and Van Dorn in their future work.</p>
+<p>Accordingly, for the first few days, he spent considerable
+time in the mines, apparently examining the workings,
+but in reality watching the men themselves. Among some
+of them he saw black looks and scowls, and heard muttered
+comments regarding himself: &ldquo;Git onto the dude!&rdquo;
+&ldquo;D&rsquo;ye see the tenderfoot?&rdquo; &ldquo;Thinks he&rsquo;s goin&rsquo; to boss
+us, does he? we&rsquo;ll show him a trick or two.&rdquo; These were
+mainly from Maverick&rsquo;s consorts, and men of their ilk,
+ignorant and brutal. Houston paid no attention to their
+remarks or frowns, but continued his rounds among them,
+conscious that he was master of the situation, meanwhile
+giving instructions to the foreman who accompanied him.
+As he passed and repassed Jack and Mike, working together
+with almost the automatic precision of machinery,
+he stopped to watch them, attracted partly by admiration
+for their work, and partly by a slight interest in the
+man who had been his fellow passenger, and concerning
+whom he had heard such various reports.</p>
+<p>During the slight pause in their work, the Irishman
+eyed him curiously, with indications of his native drollery
+and humor betraying themselves in his mirthful face; he
+seemed about to speak, but Jack, with set, stern features,
+was ready, and the work continued without a word. In
+that brief interim, however, Jack had fixed one of his
+keen, piercing glances upon Houston, which the latter returned
+with one equally searching, and though not a
+muscle relaxed in that immobile face, covered with dust
+and grime, yet a strange thrill of mutual sympathy quivered
+and vibrated through the soul of each man, and
+Houston knew that he had found a friend.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There is a man among a thousand,&rdquo; he thought as he
+walked away, &ldquo;a man of honor, in whom one could place
+unbounded confidence; no wonder Lyle has found him
+such a friend!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At the next pause in their work, Mike&rsquo;s feelings found
+expression:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Begorra! but the young mon is progressin&rsquo; foinely, to
+be put over the loikes of us, and bein&rsquo; as how most loikely
+he niver sit foot in a moine, till comin&rsquo; out into this counthry!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack&rsquo;s face had grown strangely set and white: &ldquo;We
+are to be his friends, remember that, Mike,&rdquo; he said, in
+a voice unnaturally stern.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Frinds!&rdquo; exclaimed the astonished Mike, &ldquo;Be-dad!
+and whin did I iver know ye to make frinds with ony of
+owld Blaisdell&rsquo;s men befoor?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Keep your eyes open and your mouth shut, Mike,&rdquo;
+was Jack&rsquo;s only reply as he again began work, and Mike
+had nothing to do but to follow his example.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXVI' id='CHAPTER_XXVI'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>In a short time Houston had become perfectly familiar
+with his new surroundings. He was thoroughly at home
+in the underground workings, readily finding his way in
+the labyrinth of shafts, tunnels and cross-cuts extending
+for miles in all directions, and connecting the various mining
+claims one with another.</p>
+<p>He knew the name and face of nearly every man employed
+in the various shifts, and by his keen perception
+and insight, was able to form a very correct estimate of
+their character and standing in that little community.
+Though no words had been exchanged between himself
+and Jack beyond those of the most commonplace greetings,
+yet his respect for the man, and confidence in him,
+increased with each day, and was plainly indicated by his
+manner toward him whenever they met.</p>
+<p>As he watched the men, in his frequent rounds through
+the mines, most of their faces were to him as an open
+book, on some of whose pages he read histories of misfortune
+and loss, or crime and shame in the past, and on
+others, of eager ambitions and bright hopes for the future.
+There were men with gray hair and bowed forms,
+whose dull eyes and listless step told of hopeless, irretrievable
+loss; men of intelligence and ability whose recklessness
+or whose despondency told of some living sorrow,
+worse than death; there were some whose stealthy,
+shrinking gait and watchful, suspicious glance bespoke
+some crime, unknown to their fellows, but which to
+themselves seemed ever present, suspended, like the
+sword of Damocles, above their heads.</p>
+<p>But even to Houston, Jack remained a mystery, and
+as he noted the powerful, athletic form, the profile of patrician
+beauty, perfect as though chiseled in marble, the
+hair and beard black and glossy as the raven&rsquo;s wing,
+though touched with silver here and there, he found himself
+unable to read the history of that life.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There is a man,&rdquo; he soliloquized, &ldquo;my equal, if not
+my superior, in birth, in education, in intellectual ability;
+how came he here? What has wrecked his life?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>But the dark, piercing eyes, turned on him for an instant,
+gave no answer to his query.</p>
+<p>As he and Morgan, their day&rsquo;s work completed, were
+returning to the house, Houston made some inquiries regarding
+the men, and from the information given by Morgan
+concerning some of them, found his own judgment
+of them correct.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And who is the man called &lsquo;Jack,&rsquo; who works with
+the Irishman?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Heaven knows, I don&rsquo;t, nor nobody else,&rdquo; replied
+Morgan; &ldquo;he came here about six or seven years ago,
+I guess, at least; he was here when I came, and was considered
+an expert then. He never would have anything
+to say to the other men, and always lived by himself till
+the Irishman came; he was another queer sort of duck
+and was a first-class miner, too, so him and Jack has
+worked together and lived together ever since, but Jack
+is boss.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Are they the only miners living by themselves?&rdquo;
+asked Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The only single men; there&rsquo;s six or seven of &rsquo;em that
+are married and have families, like Maverick; they have
+very good shacks, furnished by the company, but all the
+single men, excepting them two, live at the quarters. By
+the way, have you ever been down to the quarters?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; replied Houston, &ldquo;but I should like very well to
+visit them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;All right, we&rsquo;ll go to-night if you like; I go down
+there myself once in a while and listen to their stories;
+they&rsquo;ve most of &rsquo;em had some queer experiences, and
+they can spin as many yarns as a lot of sailors, any time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Later in the evening, Houston, having excused himself
+to the ladies in general, and Miss Gladden in particular,
+accompanied by Morgan, was on his way to the miners&rsquo;
+quarters. The latter were situated but a short distance
+from the office, on the road to the mines, and consisted
+of two boarding houses and four bunk houses.
+Farther down the road were the stables for the horses
+used in hauling supplies; also blacksmith and carpenter
+shops, and a storehouse.</p>
+<p>A rather novel scene presented itself to Houston as he
+approached. Scattered about on the ground, and loafing
+in the door-ways in all attitudes and positions, were over
+a hundred men, of various ages, classes and nationalities,
+but principally Cornishmen, or, in western vernacular,
+&ldquo;Cousin Jacks.&rdquo; Many of them were strangers to him,
+being employed in other mines than those with which he
+was familiar, but among them were many of his own men.
+From the door-way of one of the bunk houses came the
+strains of a violin, while in another, a concertina shrieked
+and groaned, and from all directions came the sound of
+ribald songs, coarse jests and boisterous laughter. Here
+and there were groups of men engaged in playing poker
+or seven-up, where little piles of silver and gold were
+rapidly changing hands, to the accompaniment of muttered
+oaths. At one side, Maverick and a few kindred
+spirits seemed trying to outrival one another in profanity
+and obscenity, while at some distance from them, was a
+large company of the better class of men, some lounging
+against trees and rocks, some sitting or lying at full length
+on the ground, but all listening with unmistakable
+interest, to a man, gray and grizzled, with a weather-beaten
+but kindly face, who evidently was entertaining
+the crowd with tales of his own early life.</p>
+<p>As Houston and Morgan approached, the speaker
+stopped; some of the men half rose from their recumbent
+positions out of respect for the &ldquo;new boss,&rdquo; and all eyed
+him rather curiously, though not unkindly. Houston
+recognized many of his own men among them, and
+greeted them with a pleasant &ldquo;Good evening, boys.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hullo, Billy,&rdquo; said Morgan, addressing the old miner,
+&ldquo;what do you know to-night?&rdquo; then noting that he was
+watching Houston with a half smile on his rugged face,
+he added, &ldquo;Thought I&rsquo;d bring the boss down to see you
+and the rest of the boys to-night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good evenin&rsquo; boss,&rdquo; responded the old fellow, while a
+merry smile twinkled in his eyes, &ldquo;I expect this is your
+first visit to a reg&rsquo;lar, genuwine minin&rsquo; camp?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My first, perhaps, but not my last,&rdquo; said Houston,
+with a winning smile.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s right,&rdquo; said the old man approvingly, as he proceeded
+to refill his pipe; &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been a watchin&rsquo; you, off
+and on, down there at the mines, bein&rsquo; as I&rsquo;d heerd you
+was a tenderfoot, and I must say you&rsquo;ve took a holt as if
+you was an old hand at the job.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, yes,&rdquo; Houston replied, &ldquo;with a little determination,
+a person can pick up anything of that kind easily.
+I think, with a little practice, I could make a pretty successful
+miner; it would require grit and stick-to-it-ativeness,
+that&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;Grit and stick-to-it-ativeness,&rsquo; that&rsquo;s good,&rdquo; said the
+old miner, highly pleased, &ldquo;well, you seem to have plenty
+of &rsquo;em both, and plenty of good muscle, too,&rdquo; with an admiring
+glance at Houston&rsquo;s fine, athletic form.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;See here, Billy,&rdquo; said Houston pleasantly, after chatting
+a few moments, &ldquo;when we came, it looked very much
+as though you were telling stories to the crowd here, and
+the boys all seemed very much interested; now we want
+you to go on with your story, we would enjoy it as much
+as the rest.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Let me see,&rdquo; said Billy, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t remember just where
+I was, but I guess I&rsquo;d finished as you come up.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Never mind, you can start another,&rdquo; said Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, Billy, give us another,&rdquo; chimed in the boys.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Go ahead, pardner,&rdquo; added Morgan, &ldquo;spin us a yarn,
+that&rsquo;s what we came for.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I was only tellin&rsquo; the boys about the old days when I
+came out to the mines, and for the first few years after,&rdquo;
+Billy began.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Those must have been interesting times,&rdquo; said Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Int&rsquo;restin&rsquo;? I should say so! You fellows don&rsquo;t know
+nothin&rsquo; about minin&rsquo; compared to them days; I tell you,
+things was lively then. I was there at Leadville when it
+was opened up, and you couldn&rsquo;t get anybody to look at
+you without payin&rsquo; &rsquo;em a good, round sum for it; couldn&rsquo;t
+get a place to roll yourself in your blanket and lie on the
+floor short of five or ten dollars; folks bought dry goods
+boxes and lived in &rsquo;em. Then I was down here when they
+opened up the Big Bonanza mine, in Diamond gulch, not
+far from Silver City. I tell you boys, them was high old
+times, everything was scarce and prices was high,&ndash;&ndash;flour
+was a hundred dollars a sack, and potatoes seventy-five
+dollars a bushel,&ndash;&ndash;but money was plenty,&ndash;&ndash;or gold dust,&ndash;&ndash;we
+didn&rsquo;t have no money, everything was paid for in
+gold dust. &rsquo;Twas pretty tough in them days, too, everybody
+went armed to the teeth, and guns and knives was
+used pretty free.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Was that in the days of the vigilantes?&rdquo; asked Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, they come along soon after, they had to. There
+was desperate characters here, but the vigilantes made
+short work of &rsquo;em, they didn&rsquo;t even give &rsquo;em time to say
+their prayers. I tell you, the gambling houses and the
+dance halls, and all them places was lively in them days.
+There wasn&rsquo;t many words over a game, if any quarrels
+come up, they was settled pretty quick with the revolver
+or bowie knife.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There must have been some high stakes played in
+those days,&rdquo; Houston remarked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;High? well, yes, rather; I&rsquo;ve seen men sit down to a
+game worth anywhere from fifty to two or three hundred
+thousand, and get up without a cent in the world.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The old man paused to relight his pipe, and having
+puffed reflectively for a few moments, settled himself with
+the air of a man who has a long story to tell, and the surrounding
+miners evidently so understood it, for they
+shifted their positions accordingly, and prepared to listen.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Speakin&rsquo; of gamblin&rsquo;,&rdquo; he began, &ldquo;puts me in mind of
+something that happened among the camps on the other
+side of the range, nigh onto fifteen years ago. A gang of
+us boys was in Dandy Jim&rsquo;s gambling hall one night.
+The place was crowded, I remember, and we was all tryin&rsquo;
+to make our fortunes on the high card. Some of us
+was dead broke, but them that hadn&rsquo;t the stuff borrowed
+from them that had, sure of better luck next time. They
+was all so deep in the game that none of &rsquo;em noticed a
+seedy-lookin&rsquo; chap who come in, kinder quiet like, and set
+down to the faro table and began to play. I guess I was
+the only one who noticed him, and at first, I couldn&rsquo;t
+make him out, but after a bit, I remembered him as &lsquo;Unlucky
+Pete.&rsquo; That man had a history. When I first saw
+him, some eight or ten years before that night, he had
+just come west with his wife, a pretty little woman, and
+had a good team of horses and a new wagon. He was
+a reg&rsquo;lar border character, and whenever a new country
+was opened up for settlement, him and his wife was the
+first on the ground, ready to make a run to secure a home.
+Pete was prosperous, till one night, in a quarrel over a
+game of cards, he killed his man, and from that time his
+luck changed. He secured one or two good claims, but
+lost title to them; he lost his horses, and as fast as he
+bought other horses, they died or was stolen, and everything
+went against him. He wandered from one country
+to another, but bad luck met him at every turn. The last
+I seen him was some two years before; then him and his
+wife and two or three babies was goin&rsquo; over the country
+in an old, broken-down wagon. The wheels was held together
+with wire and ropes, and the canvas top was in
+rags and tatters; the horses was the poorest, skinniest
+creatures you ever see, and him and his wife looked off
+the same piece.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, somehow or &rsquo;nuther, I knew him that night,
+though he looked harder than ever, and had an old
+slouched hat down over his face. He looked like a man
+that was pushed pretty close to the wall, and had got down
+to his last nickel. Well, he set down there to the table,
+and threw a silver dollar on the high card; then pulled
+that old hat down clean over his eyes, and never spoke,
+or looked one way or another. The high card won, and
+the dealer paid the bet, and pushed the money over to
+Pete, but he never stirred.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, that high card kep&rsquo; a winnin&rsquo; till there was a
+big pile of money there, but Pete, he never stirred, no
+more&rsquo;n a stone. The dealer, he got mad and begun to
+swear, but Pete didn&rsquo;t move.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;Somebody wake that fool up,&rsquo; says he, with an oath.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;A fellow sittin&rsquo; next to Pete shook him, and then tore
+off his hat. Well, boys, I&rsquo;ll never forget that sight, it
+makes me sort o&rsquo; shiver now, when I think of it; there set
+a dead man at the table before that pile of gold.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The dealer started to rake in that pile o&rsquo; money, but
+about a dozen revolvers was p&rsquo;inted at him, and he decided
+not to be in too big a hurry about it.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;What&rsquo;s the use anyway?&rsquo; says he, &lsquo;the man&rsquo;s dead and
+the money&rsquo;s no good for him, and besides, nobody knows
+who he is.&rsquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;I do,&rsquo; says I, jumpin&rsquo; up.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;And I,&rsquo; says another fellow, &lsquo;the man just come into
+camp a day or two ago, and his family&rsquo;s starvin&rsquo;.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, we bundled that money up pretty sudden, and
+a half a dozen of us started to find the folks; we found
+&rsquo;em, too, but the wife was dead, starved to death, and
+the children wouldn&rsquo;t have lasted much longer. The oldest,
+a girl about eight years old, told that they had nothin&rsquo;
+to eat for two days, and her father found the dollar,
+and started down to the store for food, but soon after he
+left the cabin, the mother died.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We buried Pete and his wife in one grave, and then
+with the pile of money we got good homes for the children,
+and some of it was to be used in givin&rsquo; &rsquo;em a good
+eddication, and the last I heerd, they was comin&rsquo; on well.
+But I&rsquo;ve never set down to a game sence, that I haven&rsquo;t
+thought of the night I played faro, with a dead man at
+the table.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At the conclusion of the old miner&rsquo;s story, a little suppressed
+thrill of excitement ran through his audience.
+Morgan, who had seemed restless and ill at ease, rose to
+go, and Houston, finding it much later than he supposed,
+after a few pleasant words with the boys, bade them good
+night, and hastened after Morgan, who was already sauntering
+up the road a little way in advance.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXVII' id='CHAPTER_XXVII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Morgan, as Houston overtook him, &ldquo;what
+do you think of a &lsquo;genuwine minin&rsquo; camp,&rsquo; as Billy calls
+it?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The quarters are much more extensive than I supposed,&rdquo;
+replied Houston, &ldquo;I never realized before that
+there were so many men employed here; some of them
+are good fellows, too, I enjoyed my visit to-night immensely.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I generally like to come down and listen to them once
+in a while,&rdquo; said Morgan, &ldquo;but somehow, I didn&rsquo;t care to
+stay there to-night, that story of Billy&rsquo;s made me feel sort
+of creepy; I&rsquo;m feeling a little off to-night, anyway.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That was a strange story the old fellow told, almost
+bordering on the improbable, it seemed to me, but I suppose
+there are a great many strange occurrences in a
+country like this.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, lots of things happen here, and folks think nothing
+of &rsquo;em, that would be considered improbable anywhere
+back east.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Are you from the east?&rdquo; inquired Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, part way,&rdquo; said Morgan, &ldquo;not from way back,
+though, I&rsquo;ve never been farther east than Ohio. I was
+born in Missouri, and raised in northern Iowa.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>He was silent for a moment, then continued: &ldquo;I believe
+I told you one day that sometime I&rsquo;d give you a bit
+of my life; I guess now&rsquo;s as good as any time, and when
+you&rsquo;ve heard it, maybe you won&rsquo;t wonder at some of my
+views.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;As I said, I was born in Missouri; when I was about
+three years old, my folks moved to Iowa. I can just remember
+my father being with us at that time, but I never
+saw him after I was three and a half or so, and when I
+got old enough to think about it and ask for him, mother
+told me he was dead, and I never knew anything different
+till years after. We were always moving, I remember,
+from one place to another, and though we never had
+any money saved up, yet we lived well and never wanted
+for anything. Mother used to have a good deal of company,
+and be away from home considerable, but she was
+always kind to me, and I was a soft, warm-hearted, little
+chap in those days, and I know I thought the world of
+her.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We lived together till I was about ten years old, and
+then times began to get pretty close; mother didn&rsquo;t have
+any money, and we had to pinch to get along, but she
+was always good to me.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Finally she decided to go to Denver; said she had
+heard of an opening there for her to run a boarding house
+and make money, but she didn&rsquo;t want to take me with her,
+and sent me to a brother of hers, living in Ohio. That
+was the end of all happiness for me. He was a man old
+enough to be my grandfather, for mother was the
+youngest of a large family. He and his wife lived by
+themselves, for they had no children, and a meaner,
+stingier old couple never lived. Mother wrote pretty
+often at first, and always sent money, but don&rsquo;t you think
+I ever got any of it. They never mentioned my mother
+to me, and they wouldn&rsquo;t let me speak of her.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, things went on from bad to worse, and finally,
+when I was fourteen, I run away. I stole rides on freight
+cars when I could, and when I couldn&rsquo;t do that, I
+tramped, till I got to St. Louis, and got a place there in
+a third-class hotel as bell boy. While I was there, I
+picked up a good many little accomplishments that have
+stuck to me ever since, gambling and swearing, and so
+on. I got to be pretty tough, I know, but in spite of it
+all, there was one good spot about me yet,&ndash;&ndash;I thought
+the world of my mother. I staid in St. Louis two years;
+in that time I had only heard from mother twice, but she
+sent me money both times, and wrote me kind letters,
+though she never said anything about my coming to see
+her.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>By this time, they had reached the main road, and as
+Morgan seated himself on a rock to finish his story,
+Houston followed his example.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I made up my mind I wanted to see her, so I took
+what little money I had saved up, about eighty dollars,
+and started for Denver. The last letter I had from mother,
+she said she was running a house on a certain street,
+and I supposed of course it was a boarding house. I won&rsquo;t
+tell you her real name; Morgan wasn&rsquo;t her name, nor
+mine neither, I took it afterwards, but I&rsquo;ll call her name
+Johnson. I got to Denver, and happened to meet an old
+acquaintance of mine named Tim, who took me to a fifth-class
+boarding and lodging house where he was staying.
+Tim had only been in Denver a few days, and knew very
+little of the city, but we found a crowd of old-timers at
+the house, and after a while I asked for Mrs. Johnson who
+kept a boarding house on such a street. The men all
+laughed and began to guy me; I got hot and was going
+to sail into them, but Tim persuaded me to go out with
+him, and we started in to paint the town.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, we&rsquo;d been out about two or three hours, when
+we came to a dancing hall, the toughest we&rsquo;d seen,&ndash;&ndash;a
+regular dive,&ndash;&ndash;and we went in, bound to have some fun.
+The place was full of tough-looking subs, and a lot of
+frouzy, dowdy girls, and what they lacked in good looks
+they made up in paint and brass,&ndash;&ndash;such brazen faces I
+never saw. Half way down the hall was a big, fat woman,
+with her hair blondined, who seemed to have charge of
+the place, and was giving orders to the man behind the
+bar. They had some loud talk, and something in her
+voice took my attention, and I looked at her; just then
+she turned &rsquo;round facing me, and great God! it was my
+mother! I knew her in spite of the blond hair and the
+paint, and she knew me. She gave one awful shriek, and
+then fell in a dead faint, and when she came to half an
+hour after, she went into hysterics, and screamed and
+raved and cried nearly all night.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I was so dazed, everything was going round and
+round, and I thought the world was coming to an end;
+and it would have been better for me if it had. The next
+day, she was able to see me, and I went to her room, and
+I guess I must have staid three or four hours. She told
+me then, that her husband was living, but that he quit her
+back in Iowa, and that he claimed I was not his child.
+She cried and begged me to stay with her, but I left her
+that day. That was fifteen years ago, and I have never
+seen her since. From that time, the last tie that bound
+me to even a belief in anything good was gone. I took
+a different name, and came up here in this part of the
+country. Once I found a girl I liked, but just as I began
+to think something of her, I found she was like all the
+rest of &rsquo;em. I&rsquo;ve no faith in man or woman, and don&rsquo;t
+believe there is any such thing as honor or virtue. If
+there are some people who seem virtuous and honorable,
+it is simply either because they have been so placed that
+there was no temptation to be anything else, or because
+they have succeeded in keeping up appearances a little
+better than other folks.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>As Morgan paused, Houston spoke very slowly and
+kindly:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Your experience has certainly been a sad one, Morgan,
+and I am truly sorry for you; sorry most of all that
+it has produced such an effect on you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Morgan, &ldquo;I guess it don&rsquo;t make much difference,
+one way or another, what we think or what we
+do.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Your mother&rsquo;s opinions and actions seem to have
+made considerable difference in your life,&rdquo; answered
+Houston, quietly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, by George! I should say so!&rdquo; replied Morgan,
+gloomily.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Perhaps your opinions and your conduct are wrecking
+some other life, in like manner. There is not one of us
+who does not exert a powerful influence on those about
+us, one way or the other, to build up and strengthen, or
+to wreck and destroy.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>As there was no reply, Houston said: &ldquo;I am very glad
+you have given me this sketch of your life, Morgan, I
+shall always feel differently toward you, remembering
+this.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Morgan, rising, &ldquo;I wanted you to know,
+and I thought this was as good a time as I would have.
+You will remember it, whatever happens,&rdquo; he added ambiguously,
+as he started slowly down the road, in an opposite
+direction from the house.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Which way are you going?&rdquo; asked Houston, also rising.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Down to the Y.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What! are you going that distance as late as this?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; replied Morgan, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t go all the way by the
+road; there&rsquo;s a cut across that makes it a good deal
+shorter, and I&rsquo;ll have plenty of time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>They both stood a few moments watching a tall, dark
+figure that had been pacing up and down the road all the
+time they had been talking, sometimes approaching quite
+near, then retreating out of sight. They both recognized
+it as Jack.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s a queer duck,&rdquo; muttered Morgan, &ldquo;wonder what
+he&rsquo;s doing, this is rather late for a constitutional;&rdquo; then
+added, &ldquo;I wish I had some of the money that chap&rsquo;s got.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why, has he money?&rdquo; inquired Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He must have,&rdquo; was the reply, &ldquo;he never spends anything,
+just hoards it up; he&rsquo;s got enough any way to help
+me out just now, if I could only have it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Are you in need of money?&rdquo; asked Houston, quickly,
+&ldquo;if so, I will gladly accommodate you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Much obliged,&rdquo; replied Morgan, starting down the
+road, &ldquo;but I can get along for the present. Luck has been
+against me a little lately, but I guess it will turn all right,&rdquo;
+adding, as he looked back over his shoulder, &ldquo;if it don&rsquo;t
+turn too late, like &lsquo;Unlucky Pete&rsquo;.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>As Houston walked rapidly up the canyon toward the
+house, he saw Jack again approaching, and glad of an
+opportunity to meet this man toward whom he felt such
+a powerful attraction, he slackened his pace as Jack came
+up, and greeting him cordially, stopped and entered into
+conversation with him. To his surprise, he found Jack&rsquo;s
+manner far less reserved than on the few occasions when
+they had met in the mine. He seemed as ready to stop
+as Houston himself, and though he spoke with a dignity
+of tone and manner utterly unlike an employe, the icy reserve
+was gone, and in its place, there was in his voice
+the genuine ring of friendliness.</p>
+<p>After a few moments of ordinary conversation, Jack
+remarked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You are not often out in this locality at this hour, and
+alone.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; Houston replied, &ldquo;but I have been visiting the
+miners in company with Morgan, and remained there
+later than I intended. Then a talk with Morgan out there
+among the rocks delayed me still longer.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Pardon me,&rdquo; said Jack, &ldquo;but I suppose you are aware
+that you have enemies here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Houston, slightly surprised, &ldquo;I am conscious
+of that fact.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And,&rdquo; continued Jack, lowering his tone, &ldquo;you are
+probably also aware that this enmity is likely to increase,
+so that unless you exercise great caution, your life will
+be in danger?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston was startled, not so much by the suggestion
+of personal danger, as by the thought that this man
+seemed to understand something of his position there.
+Was it possible his secret was known? It could not be,
+but if it were,&ndash;&ndash;his nerves quivered, not with fear for himself,
+but with apprehension lest his whole scheme should
+in some way prove a failure.</p>
+<p>These thoughts flashed through his mind with the
+speed of lightning, but Jack was quick to read them, and
+before Houston could make any reply, he continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I desire to have a private interview with you, as early
+as possible, and as we will wish to be perfectly secure
+from interruption, as well as from all danger of being
+overheard, I wish you would come to my cabin, there we
+can talk with perfect safety. And now, as a key to this
+contemplated interview, allow me to say that I fully
+understand your mission here; but have no fear, your
+secret is absolutely safe. My only reason for wishing to
+meet you is, that I desire to aid you if you will permit
+me. Will you fix an evening for this conference of ours?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; said Houston cordially, his momentary
+surprise giving way to the confidence which he had felt
+in this man, since first meeting him, face to face.</p>
+<p>An engagement was made for the near future, and with
+a cordial hand-clasp, the two men parted.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXVIII' id='CHAPTER_XXVIII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments
+in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which
+had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle
+suddenly left the group of players and joined him. Looking
+at him rather archly, she asked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Do you expect to remain out as late to-night as you
+did last night?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know just how late I may be detained,&rdquo; he
+answered, smiling, &ldquo;Why? are you keeping a watchful
+eye upon me?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; she replied, &ldquo;Mr. Rutherford used to call
+himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must
+make his place good;&rdquo; then she added more seriously,
+&ldquo;This is an altogether different country from what you
+have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant
+or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has
+enemies.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston was somewhat surprised by this second warning,
+but he answered lightly:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, I know I am in what Ned used to call &lsquo;the camp
+of the Philistines,&rsquo; but you do not think I have any dangerous
+enemies, do you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is only fear of detection that keeps some of them
+from being dangerous,&rdquo; said Lyle, who saw Miss Gladden
+approaching, &ldquo;don&rsquo;t give them any opportunities for
+working their spite in the dark.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden just then came up, and Lyle soon resumed
+her place among the players.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Going out again this evening, Mr. Houston?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, Miss Gladden,&rdquo; replied Houston with mock
+gravity.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Excuse me, Everard,&rdquo; she answered, blushing, &ldquo;but
+when so many strangers are about, I am obliged to be
+very circumspect, you know.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There are no strangers within hearing at present, Leslie,&rdquo;
+he replied, &ldquo;but isn&rsquo;t it nearly time for this crowd
+to take its departure?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, they expect to leave to-morrow.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Thank Heaven!&rdquo; exclaimed Houston devoutly.</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden laughed merrily.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; he continued rather savagely, &ldquo;I hope, after
+they are gone, we can enjoy our evenings again as we
+used to. For the last ten days, I have scarcely had an
+opportunity for a word with you, unless we deliberately
+gave the whole company the cold shoulder, which, of
+course, would not answer.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And so,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden laughing, &ldquo;you wreak
+your revenge upon poor me these last two evenings, by
+taking yourself away, where I cannot even have the satisfaction
+of seeing you, while I talk to somebody else.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston smiled; &ldquo;I am obliged to go out this evening,
+Leslie, I have an engagement to-night, with Jack, at his
+cabin.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;With Jack!&rdquo; exclaimed Miss Gladden, &ldquo;then you
+have made his acquaintance!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, I can scarcely say that, for I never exchanged a
+half dozen words with him before last evening. This interview
+to-night is wholly on business.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, who saw the players beckoning
+to her, &ldquo;I am glad you are going to meet him. I
+saw him the other day, and had a talk with him regarding
+Lyle, and I wanted to tell you about it, but have had no
+opportunity. I think you will find him one of the most
+perfect gentlemen you ever met,&rdquo; and with a little farewell
+wave of the hand, she left him to rejoin the players who
+were waiting for her.</p>
+<p>Half an hour later, Houston found himself in the inner
+room of the little cabin, alone with Jack, while at the outside
+door, Rex was stationed as guard.</p>
+<p>Already the twilight was beginning to gather in the
+little room, but even in its soft, shadowy light, Houston
+noted the evidences, existing on all sides, of a refined
+nature, a nature keenly appreciative of beauty in all its
+forms.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I hope,&rdquo; said Jack, seating himself near his guest,
+&ldquo;that you will excuse the gathering darkness; I thought
+it more prudent not to have a light, as it might attract attention,
+I am in the habit of sitting so much in the twilight,
+myself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;A light is not necessary,&rdquo; Houston replied, &ldquo;the twilight
+is very pleasant, and the moon will be up presently,
+and will afford us all the light we need.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There was a moment or two of silence, while Houston
+waited for his companion to broach the subject of the
+evening. He was anxious to ascertain how much regarding
+himself and his errand there in the camp, Jack really
+knew, and more particularly, to learn, if possible, how he
+had become possessed of his knowledge.</p>
+<p>Jack, on his part, was wondering whether, with their
+brief acquaintance, he could give Houston any assurance
+that the latter would consider sufficient to warrant taking
+himself into full confidence concerning his work and
+plans, so that he could render the assistance he desired.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You were doubtless somewhat surprised,&rdquo; he began
+very deliberately and slowly, &ldquo;by my request, last evening,
+for this interview.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; replied the other, &ldquo;I will admit that I was surprised,
+more especially by the reason which you gave
+for your request,&ndash;&ndash;that you understood my position here,
+and desired to help me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Did it never occur to you that, to a person with any
+degree of penetration, any ability at reading a man&rsquo;s character
+and habits of life, your position here, as clerk for a
+disreputable mining company, would, of itself, seem an
+anomaly, and be liable to excite the suspicion that you
+had some ulterior object in view?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think,&rdquo; said Houston, with a smile, &ldquo;you are supposing
+a person with keener perceptions than are possessed
+by many in this locality.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They nearly all possess them to a certain degree, in a
+latent, uncultivated form, perhaps, but still there. For
+example, what is the true secret of Maverick&rsquo;s hatred
+toward you, of Haight&rsquo;s enmity, except that they recognize
+by a sort of instinct that you belong to an altogether
+different sphere from that in which they move? They
+cannot reason it out perhaps, but they feel it;&ndash;&ndash;your language,
+your conduct, your manner, the very cut of your
+clothes, though but a plain business suit, proclaim to one
+who can read, and reason from these things correctly,
+and deduct their results therefrom, that you are a man
+of the highest culture and refinement, of high moral
+character, and of wealth. Consequently, the question
+arises, &lsquo;What are you doing here?&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Pardon me, I do not intend to be personal in my remarks,&rdquo;
+replied Houston, &ldquo;but in my opinion, only a
+person who has himself moved in the highest circles of
+life would be able to reason in this manner.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Possibly,&rdquo; said Jack, &ldquo;they would be better able to
+classify you, as it were, and assign you to your true position,
+but these others feel keenly that you are not of their
+world, but they are generally incapable of drawing any
+conclusions from their observations, as very few of them
+have the reasoning faculty, and hence, they would not be
+likely to question your object or motive in holding this
+position. My design, however, in thus calling your attention
+to these facts, is simply to show you that you need
+not be greatly surprised when I say that from your first
+coming here, I have felt that you were no ordinary employe;
+that you were merely holding this position temporarily,
+either in your own interests, or in the interests of
+some one else,&ndash;&ndash;but not in the interests of the mining
+company. Notwithstanding the fact that I live a very secluded
+life, I yet have means of ascertaining nearly all
+that is going on around me, and I will say to you truthfully,
+that I learned the secret of your mission here without
+even asking a question.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I can scarcely understand,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;how you
+came to be the recipient of this secret, since you do not
+mingle with others, and apparently take very little interest
+in their affairs.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Perhaps,&rdquo; said Jack, in low, musical tones, &ldquo;you
+would be able to understand the situation better, did you
+know that your secret was told me by a friend of yours,
+who believed that, through my very isolation and loneliness,
+I could the better assist you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;A friend of mine!&rdquo; exclaimed Houston, in surprise,
+&ldquo;Is it possible that my eastern friends are known to you,
+and that some one of them has written you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No one has written me, the story was told me by a
+friend of yours here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Instantly there flashed into Houston&rsquo;s mind the memory
+of Lyle&rsquo;s warning, and also of Miss Gladden&rsquo;s declaration
+that she had seen and talked with Jack, but how
+could his true position be known to either of them?</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have but two friends here, at present,&rdquo; was his reply,
+&ldquo;and they are women.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;True women are the truest friends,&rdquo; said Jack tersely.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But how can either of them know anything regarding
+my work here?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I will tell you,&rdquo; and very briefly Jack gave Houston
+an account of how his plans had first become known to
+Lyle, and of her subsequent interview with himself, begging
+his assistance in Houston&rsquo;s behalf.</p>
+<p>Houston was inexpressibly astonished and touched to
+find that the beautiful girl, whom he had considered
+friendless and helpless, and whom he had defended
+through a sense of chivalry, had, in return, served him
+so nobly and so opportunely. He resolved to see her and
+express to her his appreciation of what she had done, as
+early as possible.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think,&rdquo; said Jack, in conclusion, &ldquo;you will admit
+that by this means I have obtained a thorough understanding
+of what you wish to accomplish.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You understand it perfectly,&rdquo; Houston answered.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You will also admit that, after the years of experience
+that I have had in these particular mines, I must be
+thoroughly conversant with affairs in connection therewith,
+and could probably render you just the assistance
+you will need.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Most certainly you could,&rdquo; responded Houston quickly,
+&ldquo;I know of no one in the entire camp who could assist
+us so well as you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then,&rdquo; said Jack, &ldquo;the next and only consideration is,
+whether you have that degree of confidence in me, that
+you would feel warranted in trusting me implicitly,&ndash;&ndash;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Enough said,&rdquo; said Houston, interrupting him hastily
+but cordially, &ldquo;I have that confidence in you, that, even if
+you had not sought this interview, sooner or later, I
+would have come to you for assistance.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Indeed!&rdquo; exclaimed Jack, in surprise, &ldquo;may I ask
+why?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston hesitated a moment, and then replied:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I believe, though we have met so recently, we may
+speak together as friends, or as brothers; you spoke a
+while ago of the faculty of perception; please credit me
+with possessing it in some degree myself, and while I do
+not wish to be personal or intrusive in my remarks, I am
+sure you will allow me to say, that if there is any degree
+of incongruity between my appearance and the position
+I hold, it certainly exists in a much greater degree in your
+own case. I, of course, know nothing of your past life;
+I wish to know nothing of it, except so far as you yourself
+would tell me, should you ever choose to do so, but this
+much I do know, and have known from the first, that
+you are vastly superior to your surroundings here. You
+claim,&ndash;&ndash;and you are correct,&ndash;&ndash;that I have had the advantages
+of excellent birth and breeding, of culture and
+wealth, but you are not one whit behind me in any of
+these things. Added to all this is the experience which
+you have accumulated in these late years, in this particular
+branch of work; surely it was not strange that I felt
+your acquaintance would be invaluable, could I but secure
+your friendship sufficiently for you to be interested
+in my plans.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The moon had risen, flooding the little room with a
+soft, pale light, but Jack was sitting in the shadow, and
+Houston could not see the effect produced by his words.
+He wondered a little that Jack made no response, and,
+after waiting in silence for a moment or two, continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There is one other consideration which you have not
+mentioned, and which must not be omitted, and that is
+compensation.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A sudden movement on Jack&rsquo;s part caused Houston to
+pause for an instant, but nothing was said, and he proceeded:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I could not think of asking you to share the difficulties
+and dangers of this work without abundant compensation.
+Mr. Cameron, my uncle, who is interested&ndash;&ndash;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Stop!&rdquo; said Jack, putting up one hand as if to ward
+off a blow; his voice was hoarse, almost stern, and vibrated
+with some strange, deep emotion; &ldquo;If you ever
+speak to me again of compensation, I will utterly refuse
+to help you in any way.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I beg your pardon,&rdquo; said Houston, in a low, gentle
+tone, &ldquo;I intended no offense, and I shall certainly respect
+your wishes.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There was no offense,&rdquo; replied Jack, more calmly,
+&ldquo;but you spoke a few moments since of friendship; that
+word, to a man living the life I have lived, means volumes;
+whatever I do, let it be done for friendship&rsquo;s sake.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;So let it be!&rdquo; responded Houston solemnly, strangely
+moved by Jack&rsquo;s manner.</p>
+<p>For a long time they talked of the work before them,
+and Houston spoke of the expected arrival of Van Dorn
+within the next day or two, who was to remain until the
+end.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The end is not far distant,&rdquo; said Jack, &ldquo;for after his
+coming I can give you nearly all the additional proof
+needed,&rdquo; and he then proceeded to give information concerning
+matters of which Houston had not, as yet, obtained
+even a clue. An arrangement was made whereby
+Houston and Van Dorn, after the arrival of the latter,
+were to meet Jack at the cabin, and perfect their plans
+for the brief campaign before them.</p>
+<p>At last, as Houston rose to take his leave, he said: &ldquo;I
+hope you will pardon the remark, but while I have not the
+least doubt of your friendship toward me in this, I cannot
+overcome the impression that you also have some personal
+interest in this matter.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Possibly,&rdquo; replied Jack, gravely, still standing in the
+shadow as Houston stepped forth into the moonlight,
+&ldquo;but not in the way in which you think.&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXIX' id='CHAPTER_XXIX'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>The camping party had returned to Silver City, and the
+old house among the mountains slowly subsided into its
+former quiet. Lyle&rsquo;s time had been so occupied by the
+numerous demands made upon her by the departing
+guests, that Houston had found no opportunity for speaking
+with her, as he had planned the previous evening.</p>
+<p>When the day&rsquo;s work was completed, he, with Miss
+Gladden and Lyle, sat in the little porch, watching a brief
+but furious mountain storm, which had suddenly sprung
+up, preventing them from taking their customary evening
+stroll.</p>
+<p>To the ordinary beauty of the scene around them was
+added the grandeur of the tempest, forming a spectacle
+not easily forgotten. Around the summits of the lofty
+peaks the fierce lightnings were playing, sometimes darting
+back and forth like the swords of mighty giants, flashing
+in mortal combat; sometimes descending swiftly in
+fiery chains, then seeming to wrap the whole universe in
+sheets of flame; while the crash and roll of the thunder
+echoed and re-echoed from peak to peak, the lingering
+reverberations still muttering and rumbling in the distance,
+as the fierce cannonading was again renewed. The
+wind rushed, roaring and shrieking, down the canyon,
+while the rain fell in gusty, fitful torrents.</p>
+<p>At the end of half an hour, only a few stray drops were
+falling, the sun suddenly burst forth in a flood of golden
+light, and against the dark background of the storm-cloud,
+a rainbow spanned the eastern horizon, its glorious
+tints seeming almost to rival the gorgeous colors of the
+western sky.</p>
+<p>Soon after the storm had passed, Haight was seen approaching
+the house. As he came up, he handed a telegraphic
+dispatch to Houston, saying:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Just got a wire from the boss for you and Morgan;
+did you know anything about this kind of an arrangement?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston opened the telegram, and read:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;Van Dorn up to-morrow to set up machinery on trial;
+may not be able to come myself for a day or two. Have
+Morgan and Houston give him all help they can spare,
+but not to interfere with work.</p>
+<p class='ralign'>Blaisdell.&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>Houston read the message carefully, then said to
+Haight, who stood awaiting his reply:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I knew nothing of their having made any definite arrangement.
+I remember hearing Van Dorn say something
+to Mr. Blaisdell, just before they all went away,
+about bringing one of his machines out here, but Blaisdell
+didn&rsquo;t seem to give him any encouragement at that
+time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He evidently has roped the old man in on it, at last,&rdquo;
+said Haight, seating himself.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It looks like it,&rdquo; Houston answered indifferently.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is the machine anyway?&rdquo; Haight inquired. &ldquo;Is
+it any good?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I cannot tell you,&rdquo; replied Houston, &ldquo;because I know
+absolutely nothing about it, except that it is for the reduction
+of ores. I heard Van Dorn allude to it two or three
+times while he was here, and he seemed quite enthusiastic
+about it, which I thought was, of course, perfectly
+natural. Where is Morgan?&rdquo; Houston continued, &ldquo;have
+you told him?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Haight shook his head; &ldquo;Morgan is at the Y, I suppose,
+as usual, and nobody will see him before sometime
+to-morrow. Have you noticed that fellow lately, Mr.
+Houston? Half the time he don&rsquo;t seem to know what he&rsquo;s
+about.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have noticed that he scarcely appears like himself,
+of late,&rdquo; Houston replied; &ldquo;he seems to have some serious
+trouble.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s been losing pretty heavy lately, I guess, that&rsquo;s
+what&rsquo;s the matter; he&rsquo;s awful reckless in his gambling,
+it&rsquo;s neck or nothing, with him. I tell you,&rdquo; Haight continued,
+watching Houston sharply, &ldquo;Morgan would get the
+G.B. pretty sudden if the boss got onto the way he&rsquo;s carrying
+sail.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Possibly,&rdquo; said Houston, quietly, &ldquo;but he will not
+know of it from me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No?&rdquo; said Haight, with a curious, rising reflection.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, indeed,&rdquo; responded Houston, with some warmth,
+&ldquo;when a man is in trouble, it is no time to give him a push
+downward; besides, I would not do or say anything to
+injure Morgan, anyway.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Haight looked up curiously, and even the faces of the
+ladies expressed a slight surprise.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know you and Morgan were such good
+friends,&rdquo; Haight remarked wonderingly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I do not know,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;that either he or I
+consider that we are particular friends, though we are
+friendly enough, but I have learned this about Morgan;
+that whatever his principles, or his manner of life may
+be, he is far less to be blamed than people would ordinarily
+suppose.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Haight, rising, &ldquo;Morgan and I have been
+together, off and on, for the last three years, but I don&rsquo;t
+know anything about him except just what I have seen
+for myself, what anybody can see; of course his way isn&rsquo;t
+my way, but then, we don&rsquo;t any of us think alike, and
+I&rsquo;ve never had any fault to find with him, and we&rsquo;ve got
+along together first rate. I suppose,&rdquo; he continued, &ldquo;you
+will give directions in the morning for that fellow and his
+machines, for it isn&rsquo;t likely that Morgan will be around
+much before ten o&rsquo;clock.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;I will be up early and
+will see that one of the six-horse teams is at the Y to meet
+him, and I can get through at the mines in season to be
+at the office by the time he will reach there; he probably
+will not get up before noon, with all that load.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Happening to glance toward Lyle, as Haight withdrew,
+Houston read in her eyes, in their look of eager
+expectancy, and the firm determination expressed in her
+face, that she fully understood the meaning of what had
+passed.</p>
+<p>It was equally evident that Miss Gladden had received
+no hint of the situation, for at almost the same instant she
+inquired:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is Mr. Van Dorn going to erect one of his reducing
+machines here?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston answered in the affirmative.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He will be likely to remain here some time, then, will
+he not?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;In all probability,&rdquo; Houston replied, &ldquo;it must take
+considerable time to get one of those machines in perfect
+running order.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then of course he will be here when Mr. Rutherford
+returns, with his brother; they were all such intimate
+friends, it will be pleasant for them to meet here. But I
+am surprised,&rdquo; she added, &ldquo;that he is bringing one of
+his machines such a distance as this.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why so?&rdquo; inquired Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Because, Mr. Winters told me that although the
+amalgamator was undoubtedly a valuable invention, and
+would prove a great success in a mining country, Van
+Dorn was too indolent to even try to introduce it among
+mining men, as it would require too much exertion on
+his part.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston smiled at this accurate description of his class
+mate.</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden continued: &ldquo;Mr. Winters said that Van
+Dorn was a fine fellow, but that he was never so happy as
+when engaged in some little scheme, apparently doing
+one thing, and in reality, doing something else, as when
+he was acting as mining expert for Mr. Winters.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Houston, laughing, &ldquo;if that is the characteristic
+of Mr. Van Dorn, it will not be best to mention it
+here, as the officers of the company are very suspicious
+anyway, and very guarded as to who is permitted to have
+access to the mines and mills, and we might unconsciously
+make it rather unpleasant for him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The next morning, Houston went very early to the stables
+to order a team and three or four men to the Y to
+meet Van Dorn. Having given all necessary instructions,
+he returned to the house, but it was still early, and there
+was no one but Lyle in the breakfast room.</p>
+<p>At a signal from Houston, she approached the door-way,
+where he remained standing, as from that position
+he could easily watch both the porch and the interior of
+the room, to assure himself that they were safe from
+listeners.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have just discovered recently,&rdquo; he began in a low
+tone, &ldquo;that I am indebted to you for securing valuable assistance
+for me in my work here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why?&rdquo; she asked quickly, in surprise, &ldquo;did Jack tell
+you that it was I who asked him to help you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; replied Houston, &ldquo;I naturally wished to
+know where he obtained his information, and he told me
+of your interview with him, and your persistent efforts
+in my behalf. I want to thank you, for I appreciate your
+conduct under such circumstances; you acted wisely and
+nobly, and did the very best thing that could have been
+done.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am glad that I have your approval,&rdquo; she replied, &ldquo;my
+overhearing what I did was unintentional and unavoidable,
+but having learned your plans, and that you needed
+help, I sought it from the only one competent to give it,
+and at the same time perfectly true and worthy of your
+confidence.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You certainly made a noble use of the knowledge you
+had obtained; there are very few, Lyle, who could have
+been trusted with such a secret, and who would have
+proven so trustworthy.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If you will pardon me for saying it, Mr. Houston,
+there is one other, whom you could, and, in my opinion,
+should trust with this.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston looked at her inquiringly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I mean Miss Gladden,&rdquo; was her response.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I see you have given her no hint,&rdquo; he said, smiling.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not a word,&rdquo; Lyle answered, &ldquo;it was not my place to
+do so; you know best what you wish her to know, and
+when, but I think you ought to confide in her fully, for
+she is a noble woman; you could trust her, and she would
+help you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I realize that,&rdquo; Houston replied, &ldquo;but I did not wish
+her to be worried by this; there will probably be more or
+less danger before it is all over, and I thought she would
+be happier not to know.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle lifted her beautiful head proudly, with a gesture so
+full of grace, Houston could not but observe it.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If I were in her place,&rdquo; she said, slowly and firmly, and
+with peculiar emphasis, &ldquo;and my lover were in any danger,
+I would far rather know it, and give him my help,
+if possible, my prayers and sympathy at any rate, than to
+remain in ignorance, and perhaps unconsciously hinder
+him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston looked at Lyle in astonishment; was this
+clear-headed woman the untutored, untrained child of the
+mountains whom he had always regarded with a tender,
+chivalric regard, almost akin to pity?</p>
+<p>Lyle continued; &ldquo;Do not think that even if you refrain
+from telling her this secret, she will not know that it exists;
+she will be quick to see indications of a secret understanding
+between yourself and others,&ndash;&ndash;between yourself
+and myself, even,&ndash;&ndash;in which she has no share. Will
+that seem to her like confidence, or even justice, on your
+part. It will be better for her, for you and for me that
+you tell her your plans fully, for you will find her strong
+and true and brave, whatever the end shall prove.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My dear Lyle,&rdquo; said Houston, slowly, &ldquo;I believe you
+are right, and I will never consider you a child again; but
+I cannot understand how you, with your youth and inexperience,
+can think and act so wisely and well.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We none of us know what we can do or be,&rdquo; she
+answered gravely, &ldquo;till an emergency arises, and we are
+suddenly shown what is required of us.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I will follow your suggestion at the first opportunity,&rdquo;
+Houston said, after a pause, &ldquo;I shall tell Miss Gladden all
+that you know regarding my plans and my work, with
+but one reservation; for the present, I do not wish her to
+know that Mr. Cameron is related to me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle looked slightly surprised, &ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; she answered,
+in a tone of assent, adding, &ldquo;You are his nephew,
+are you not?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;His nephew and his adopted son,&rdquo; Houston replied,
+with a peculiar smile.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah!&rdquo; she replied quietly, &ldquo;I understand; Miss Gladden
+is to know nothing at present of your wealth.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have won her love with love, not with gold,&rdquo; he
+said proudly, &ldquo;but she will find, by and by, that the latter
+is not lacking.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A remark of Miss Gladden&rsquo;s, which she had made in
+confidence, soon after her engagement to Houston, was
+suddenly recalled to Lyle&rsquo;s mind; &ldquo;Whether he has
+money or not, I do not know or care, for I have enough
+for both of us.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A curious smile flitted over her face for a moment, but
+she only said, &ldquo;You must be very wealthy!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have enough,&rdquo; Houston responded, &ldquo;to give to Miss
+Gladden the home of which she is worthy, but which she
+has never known; and,&rdquo; he added, &ldquo;there is one thing,
+my dear Lyle, upon which we are both agreed; that our
+home, wherever it shall be, shall be your home also, as
+our sister.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For a moment, Lyle&rsquo;s lips quivered, and she was unable
+to speak. At that instant, Haight entered the breakfast
+room, darting at them a look of curiosity and suspicion,
+as they stood together in the door-way. Houston
+was pleased to see Lyle&rsquo;s perfect self-control. Without
+stirring in the least from her place by his side, she asked,
+in the most matter-of-fact tone, whether Mr. Van Dorn
+would be likely to arrive from the Y in season for dinner,
+and what room it would be best to prepare for him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You had better let him share my room, in case he has
+no objections,&rdquo; Houston answered indifferently, &ldquo;for
+you like to keep your rooms in readiness for guests as
+much as possible, and Rutherford, when he returns, will
+probably room with his brother.&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXX' id='CHAPTER_XXX'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXX.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>As Houston was hurrying up from the mines at about
+eleven o&rsquo;clock, on his way to the office, he met Morgan,
+just started on his rounds, and was shocked at the change
+which a few hours had made in his appearance. His
+heavy gait, his pale, haggard face and bloodshot eyes,
+told, not only of late hours and terrible dissipation, but of
+some severe mental strain, also. Morgan half smiled, as
+he saw Houston&rsquo;s look of pained surprise.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I know I look pretty hard this morning,
+but I was up late; I guess I&rsquo;ll be all right in a day or
+two. What&rsquo;s this Haight&rsquo;s been telling me about one
+of those fellows coming out here with some mining machinery?
+Which one is it, that English dude?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; answered Houston, &ldquo;Van Dorn, the one with
+glasses, he was the inventor, you remember.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, if he&rsquo;s invented anything that will make old
+Rivers hand out any cash, he&rsquo;d better get a patent on it,
+that&rsquo;s all I&rsquo;ve got to say. How in thunder the old man
+ever gave his consent to his coming out here, monkey-fooling
+around with his machines, is more&rsquo;n I can make
+out; but if the company want him up here, I&rsquo;m sure I
+don&rsquo;t care a damn. The boss himself isn&rsquo;t coming up, is
+he?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not for a day or two,&rdquo; replied Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Morgan, with one of his characteristic
+shrugs, &ldquo;I guess I&rsquo;ll have to spruce up a bit, before he
+comes.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That is so, Morgan,&rdquo; said Houston, kindly, &ldquo;I
+wouldn&rsquo;t want Mr. Blaisdell to see you as you look this
+morning; I&rsquo;m too much a friend of yours myself for
+that.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh well, I&rsquo;ll be all right before he gets here. Who&rsquo;s
+going down to meet that fellow and his contraptions?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I sent Hayes down with two or three men, and a six-horse
+team, early this morning.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good for you!&rdquo; laughed Morgan, starting on his way,
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;d make a first-rate boss &rsquo;round here; guess I&rsquo;ll
+have to give you a raise.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston walked slowly down the road after Morgan
+left him, having apparently forgotten his haste. The
+story which Morgan had told him a few nights before, of
+his own life, had awakened his pity for the man as nothing
+else could have done. He felt that Morgan was in
+serious trouble, and in danger of losing his position, and
+that he was already where it would take very little to drive
+him to complete ruin. He resolved to seize the first opportunity
+that presented itself, to try to ascertain the
+cause of his trouble, and to assist him in any way that he
+possibly could.</p>
+<p>On reaching the office, he found considerable work
+awaiting him, and for a while, all other thoughts were
+banished from his mind. About noon, a heavy rumbling
+and rattling attracted his attention, and, going to the
+door, he saw the slowly approaching team, winding from
+side to side of the steep, canyon road, the powerful horses
+straining and panting under the heavy load. Perched on
+the top of the load, under a wide-spread umbrella, and
+fanning himself with his straw hat, was Van Dorn, his
+face irradiated by a broad smile as he caught sight of
+Houston. Two of the men walked beside the team,
+blocking the wheels with rocks, as the horses were occasionally
+stopped to rest. As they came within speaking
+distance, Van Dorn sang out merrily:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I say, Houston, this is what I call up-hill work; it has
+been a pretty hard pull all the way.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;particularly hard on you, judging
+by appearances.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Van Dorn laughed, and proceeded to close his umbrella,
+while an expansive grin broke over the face of
+one of the workmen, trudging along the hot, dusty road.
+At the brow of the hill, the team again stopped to rest,
+and Van Dorn descended from his lofty position, Houston
+meanwhile giving instructions to the driver:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Drive over to the stables, Hayes, and take the horses
+off and let them rest; after dinner, put on another set of
+horses, and drive to the mills; we will be there to see to
+the unloading.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, Everard, old boy, how are you?&rdquo; exclaimed Van
+Dorn, as they started for the office; &ldquo;I started within five
+hours after I received your telegram, and here I am, at
+your service.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;When did you reach Silver City? yesterday?&rdquo; inquired
+Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yesterday!&rdquo; exclaimed Van Dorn, &ldquo;my dear boy, do
+you think the world was made in one day? No, sir; I
+got in the day before, and spent the remainder of that
+day, and all of yesterday in cultivating the good graces of
+your company. I went straight for their offices, and it
+took all the arguments and persuasion I could muster,
+with some treating, and a good deal of judicious flattery
+thrown in, before I could get the old fellows to consent
+to my giving the machine a trial. I got around Blaisdell
+pretty easy after I had flattered him a little, but that
+Rivers is a beast! Said he didn&rsquo;t see why I was so anxious
+to have them test the machine, and all that! I explained,
+of course, that this was the first I had ever
+brought it out into the west, and they were so well known
+that if I could only get their endorsement, and so on and
+so forth. Oh, I want to tell you all about it later, and if
+you don&rsquo;t acknowledge that I&rsquo;m a born diplomat, I&rsquo;ll give
+up; but at present, my first business must be to allay
+these pangs of hunger, they are becoming unendurable.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly, we will go to the house at once,&rdquo; said Houston,
+preparing to close the office.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Wait a minute!&rdquo; said Van Dorn, diving furiously into
+his pockets; &ldquo;I attended to that little business that you
+wrote me about, just according to directions, and I want
+you to see if it is perfectly satisfactory before we go any
+further, and then I&rsquo;ll have it off my mind; why, confound
+it! where is that thing anyway?&rdquo; he exclaimed, turning
+a half dozen pockets inside out, and emptying a heterogeneous
+collection upon the desk before him. &ldquo;Oh, here
+it is! I knew I had it safe somewhere; there now, Everard,
+I took as much pains as if it had been for myself, it
+was one of the finest stones I could find; I think it is a
+beauty, and I hope you will like it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>He handed a small case to Houston, partially open,
+from whose depths of white velvet a superb diamond ring
+flashed forth its wondrous rays, seeming almost to
+brighten the dingy little room in which they were standing.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is indeed a beauty,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;perfect! I
+could not have made a better selection myself. I knew I
+could trust to your good judgment, Arthur, and I am exceedingly
+obliged; I&rsquo;ll do as much for you when you
+are ready for a ring of this kind.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;All right, I&rsquo;m glad if you like it. I believe I sent my
+congratulations by letter, but I&rsquo;ll renew them now. I
+only hope the lady herself will be pleased with the selection.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>On their way to the house, Van Dorn said: &ldquo;Ned
+Rutherford has gone to the coast to meet his brother, I
+suppose.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes; you probably know he and Morton are intending
+to stop here on their return?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes; Mort, as soon as he found you were here, and
+especially after I gave him an inkling of what was going
+on, said he should certainly stop as he came back. You
+ought to have seen him though, when I told him you
+were out here! Good gracious! he was simply thunderstruck!
+He said Ned had been writing all along about
+a Houston, from Chicago, that he had met on the
+train, and that he was a fine fellow, and all that; but of
+course he never dreamed it was you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The remainder of the day passed very swiftly, for there
+was much to be done. After dinner, Houston and Van
+Dorn went down to the mills and superintended the unloading
+and unpacking of the machinery; then, as it was
+too late in the day to begin preparations for its erection,
+Houston visited the mines, Van Dorn accompanying him
+only a little way into the main shaft. As they came out
+together, half an hour later, and started for the office,
+Van Dorn drew a small piece of ore from his pocket, saying:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve discovered now where that fine ore on the dump
+of the famous Sunrise lode came from.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;and you will make other discoveries,
+shortly.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At the office there was much to be said on both sides;
+Van Dorn giving his friend messages and directions from
+Mr. Cameron, and giving also the particulars of his interview
+with the company, and how he had finally obtained
+their consent for the erection of the machinery at
+their mills.</p>
+<p>Houston, on his part, related what he had been doing
+in the few weeks intervening since Van Dorn&rsquo;s former
+visit, and explained his new position as assistant superintendent
+of the group of mines in which they were most
+interested.</p>
+<p>Van Dorn whistled; &ldquo;That&rsquo;s good!&rdquo; he exclaimed, &ldquo;I
+wondered how it was that you were going in and out
+among the mines in that way, I thought that was something
+new. Have you found any one whom we can trust
+to help us?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>In reply, Houston told his friend of Jack, of his experience
+and skill as a miner, and of his offer to help
+them.</p>
+<p>Van Dorn was greatly interested, and before they were
+aware, the afternoon had passed, and it was time to close
+the office and return to the house.</p>
+<p>At the supper table that evening, the diamond ring appeared,
+flashing on the white, shapely hand of Leslie
+Gladden, and she herself looked radiantly beautiful.</p>
+<p>After the meal was over, Morgan, who was still pale
+and haggard, and had been very silent at the table, pulled
+his hat down over his eyes, and started down the road.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Morgan,&rdquo; called Houston, &ldquo;where are you going?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I dun&rsquo;no,&rdquo; he answered moodily, &ldquo;down to the Y, I
+guess, by and by.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, hold on a minute, I will walk down with you a
+ways; I want to see you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;All right,&rdquo; responded Morgan, walking on very
+slowly.</p>
+<p>Houston hastily excused himself to Miss Gladden and
+Van Dorn, and hurrying after Morgan, soon overtook
+him. For some time, Houston talked with him regarding
+the work for the next day, and the men who could
+best be detailed to help Van Dorn. They had reached
+the same spot where they had stopped to talk a few nights
+before, and, as then, were seated on the rocks. At last,
+the business arrangements were all completed, and Morgan
+made a move as if to start, and then Houston&rsquo;s real
+errand in overtaking him became apparent.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Morgan, you are not fit to be out to-night, you must
+have rest, you will break down living this way.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Morgan, raising his hollow, heavy eyes to
+Houston&rsquo;s face, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m about done up, that&rsquo;s a fact.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t go to the Y to-night, if I were you; come
+back to the house and get a good night&rsquo;s rest, it will make
+a different man of you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Morgan looked undecided for a moment; &ldquo;&rsquo;Twouldn&rsquo;t
+be no use going up there now,&rdquo; he answered gloomily,
+&ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t rest if I tried. I haven&rsquo;t slept scarcely any
+for three nights; but I ain&rsquo;t going to stay out late to-night
+as I&rsquo;ve been doing; I shan&rsquo;t play after midnight.
+I&rsquo;m going to have two or three games just to see what
+luck I&rsquo;ll have, and if I don&rsquo;t have luck, why, that ends
+it, I ain&rsquo;t going to play all night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Morgan,&rdquo; said Houston earnestly, &ldquo;you spoke the
+other night about money; now, as I told you then, if
+you need any money, I&rsquo;m your friend, and I&rsquo;ll gladly accommodate
+you with whatever you need.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For the first time in all their acquaintance, Morgan&rsquo;s
+careless, indifferent manner changed, and for a few moments
+he seemed touched.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, I believe you,&rdquo; he said, after a pause, &ldquo;I believe
+you&rsquo;re more of a friend to me than anybody else. Blaisdell
+would kick me out quicker&rsquo;n it takes to say so, if he
+knew just how I stand to-night. Even Haight&rsquo;s got the
+big-head and puts on his airs since he&rsquo;s seen I&rsquo;m down;
+you&rsquo;re the only one that&rsquo;s showed me any kindness.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Now, Morgan, just say what money you need, and
+you shall have it; I want to help you out of this,&rdquo; said
+Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Morgan, decidedly, &ldquo;if I am a gambler, and
+all that, I ain&rsquo;t going to take the wages from a fellow that
+works for less than I do, to help me out of trouble. The
+Lord knows you&rsquo;ve earnt your money, for you&rsquo;ve worked
+faithful.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Never mind about that, Morgan,&rdquo; said Houston, hastily,
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not wholly dependent on my salary; I had a
+good little sum of money laid by before I came out here;
+there is plenty, I will not miss it, and you are welcome
+to it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Much obliged to you, Houston, but I can&rsquo;t take it,&ndash;&ndash;not
+now, at any rate,&ndash;&ndash;maybe I&rsquo;ll call on you for it to-morrow,
+if I don&rsquo;t have luck to-night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You are welcome to it whenever you want it,&rdquo; said
+Houston cordially, his hand on Morgan&rsquo;s shoulder; &ldquo;I
+only wish you were not going to the Y to-night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Morgan, as he rose slowly, &ldquo;don&rsquo;t think
+I don&rsquo;t appreciate your kindness, for I do. You&rsquo;ve heard
+me say that I didn&rsquo;t believe in honor in anybody; I guess
+I&rsquo;ll have to take that back, for if there is such a thing as
+honor, you&rsquo;ve got it. I don&rsquo;t know how it is,&rdquo; he said,
+with a heavy sigh, then added slowly, &ldquo;I guess you&rsquo;ve
+been raised different somehow, from most of us out here.
+The Lord knows how I was raised.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>He started a few steps down the road, hesitated, and
+came back.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Houston, there&rsquo;s one thing I want to say to you, for
+you&rsquo;ve been good to me, that&rsquo;s this; look out for Haight;
+he&rsquo;s no friend of yours, and I guess you&rsquo;re sharp enough
+to know it, but maybe you don&rsquo;t know what a sneaking,
+cowardly cur he is; look out for him!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Thank you, Morgan, I will.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He ain&rsquo;t like me,&rdquo; he continued, &ldquo;if I don&rsquo;t like anybody
+I let &rsquo;em know it, and fight &rsquo;em fair and square; you
+can tell that by the way I bucked up against you, when
+you first came here,&rdquo; and he smiled at the recollection,
+the first time he had smiled in the whole conversation.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Morgan,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been sorry for that a
+good many times since; if I had known about you then
+what you have since told me, I never would have been
+so severe in my judgment of you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, that was all right,&rdquo; he answered, &ldquo;it did me good;
+I didn&rsquo;t like you very well at first, but I&rsquo;ve always had a
+liking for you ever since. Well, so long!&rdquo; and with a
+faint smile, Morgan went on his way.</p>
+<p>Houston stood watching him for a few moments, then
+turned back in the direction of the house, little thinking
+how, or where, they would meet again.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXXI' id='CHAPTER_XXXI'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXI.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>The next morning dawned fair and cloudless, giving
+promise of one of those royal days, so frequent in the
+almost perfect climate of the higher altitudes.</p>
+<p>Long before noon the heat would be intense, but in
+the early morning there was wafted down from the mountain
+side, where the pines were nodding and whispering
+so mysteriously, a cool, exhilarating breeze, which kissed
+the surface of the azure lake, sleeping so peacefully, and,
+awakening immediately into smiles, it lay rippling and
+dimpling with laughter in the sunlight.</p>
+<p>The vines, transplanted by Miss Gladden and Lyle, under
+their fostering care, had transformed the little porch
+into a bower of beauty. Here stood Van Dorn, his fair,
+almost feminine face flushed with pleasure, and his blue
+eyes sparkling, as the light breeze played with the auburn
+curls clustering about his forehead, and he looked forth
+on the beauty of the scene.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah&ndash;&ndash;h!&rdquo; he exclaimed, drawing a long breath, &ldquo;isn&rsquo;t
+this refreshing after the stifling heat and dust of the journey
+out here? Isn&rsquo;t it glorious?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is,&rdquo; responded Houston, &ldquo;this is one of the mornings
+when it is a joy just simply to live and breathe.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston was fired with new ambition that morning;
+he would no longer have to work alone, keeping his anxieties
+and doubts, his plans and discoveries alike to himself;
+from henceforth he would have companionship,
+counsel and assistance, and he felt a new interest and enthusiasm.</p>
+<p>Immediately after breakfast, the two set forth upon
+their first day&rsquo;s work. Going first to the mills, Houston
+secured the services of two or three men who could be
+spared from the ordinary work, to assist Van Dorn in
+making preparations for the erection of the machinery;
+then he left for his early visit to the mines.</p>
+<p>It was nearly ten o&rsquo;clock when, having finished his
+round of duties at the mines, and coming up to the surface
+from the cool, underground workings, he found the
+heat almost unendurable, and strolled over to the mills,
+to see how Van Dorn was progressing. The latter did
+not seem averse to stopping for a few moments, and for
+a while, the two chatted and laughed with the old, careless
+abandon of their college days, without a thought of
+the more serious side of life, until, something being
+needed for the work, which Houston thought was in the
+tool-house, they proceeded together to look for it.</p>
+<p>Houston was still searching for the needed implements,
+when Van Dorn, who was near the door, called out:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I say, Everard, here&rsquo;s a small specimen of humanity
+who seems to be looking for you in a desperate hurry,&rdquo;
+and an instant later, he heard a familiar voice say:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is the boss in there, mister? Le&rsquo;me in quick, I wan&rsquo;ter
+see &rsquo;im!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Turning quickly, he saw Bull-dog, breathless, pale and
+quivering with excitement.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Say, boss,&rdquo; he gasped, before Houston could speak,
+&ldquo;they want yer&ndash;&ndash;down ter the Y,&ndash;&ndash;Morgan has shot hisself!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is that, boy?&rdquo; exclaimed Houston hoarsely,
+clearing the space between them at a bound.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Morgan&rsquo;s shot hisself, &rsquo;n they sent us fer yer,&ndash;&ndash;me&rsquo;n
+Hank,&ndash;&ndash;he&rsquo;s out there,&rdquo; with a backward jerk of his
+thumb over his shoulder toward the open door.</p>
+<p>Houston sprang to the door; another boy was talking
+excitedly with Van Dorn, while his horse stood, panting
+heavily and covered with dust and foam.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Here&rsquo;s the man you want,&rdquo; said Van Dorn, turning
+a white face toward Houston, &ldquo;Great God, Everard!&rdquo; he
+exclaimed, &ldquo;Morgan has killed himself!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He is not dead!&rdquo; exclaimed Houston, turning towards
+the boy.</p>
+<p>The latter nodded; &ldquo;They found &rsquo;im shot through the
+head, &rsquo;n this was in his hand, &rsquo;n the cops won&rsquo;t let nobody
+in till you come,&rdquo; and he handed Houston a bit of paper.</p>
+<p>It was a scrap of newspaper, crumpled and spattered
+with blood, and, as Houston smoothed it out, he read on
+the margin, in characters wavering and almost illegible,
+written with a trembling hand, but still Morgan&rsquo;s writing,
+&ldquo;Send to the camp for Houston, he&rsquo;s the only friend
+I&rsquo;ve got.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For an instant, it seemed to Houston as though the
+glorious sunlight had suddenly turned to blackness, a
+blackness in which the scrap of paper gleamed white before
+him, its red spots glowing like spots of flame. He
+seemed again to see Morgan as he looked when parting
+from him the previous evening; the haggard face, with
+its hollow eyes and faint, pathetic smile, and as he recalled
+his words in reply to his own repeated offers of money,
+there seemed a new meaning in them; &ldquo;Maybe I&rsquo;ll call on
+you for it to-morrow if I don&rsquo;t have luck to-night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>But Houston realized there was no time to waste, and
+in a few moments he was mounted on a powerful gray
+horse, on his way to the Y, notwithstanding Van Dorn&rsquo;s
+protests on account of the intense heat, having requested
+the latter to explain his absence at the house. Just as
+he was about to start, Bull-dog begged to be allowed to
+ride with him, to which Houston consented, and lifting
+the little fellow up, seated him in front of himself. Very
+little was said, for the horse seemed to understand what
+was expected of him, and sped like the wind down the
+narrow canyon road, but Houston&rsquo;s hand rested kindly
+on Bull-dog&rsquo;s shoulder, steadying the slender frame, and,
+at the same time, warming the heart of the forlorn little
+waif, to whom even the touch of kindness was something
+exceedingly rare.</p>
+<p>Houston&rsquo;s mind was occupied with thoughts of the
+terrible scene he was rapidly approaching, as well as with
+memories of his last interview with Morgan on the preceding
+night. At last, having crossed a ravine, the horse
+slackened his pace, as he climbed the steep ascent on the
+other side, and Houston, almost unconsciously, spoke his
+thoughts aloud.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Poor Morgan!&rdquo; he said, with a heavy sigh, &ldquo;poor
+fellow! If I could only have saved him from this! God
+knows I would have given him any amount of money to
+have prevented this.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;&rsquo;Twouldn&rsquo;t ha&rsquo; been no use, sir,&rdquo; Bull-dog broke in
+quickly, eager to console Houston, &ldquo;&rsquo;twouldn&rsquo;t ha&rsquo; been
+no use to have give &rsquo;im money, &rsquo;cause, ye see, them fellers
+that he played with would ha&rsquo; got it all.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Who were they?&rdquo; inquired Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, there was Faro Dick and Slicky Sam, and a lot
+of &rsquo;em; Morgan wasn&rsquo;t no match for fellers like them,
+they was all too swift fer him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How do you know?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, I seen &rsquo;em playin&rsquo; lots o&rsquo; times, and they&rsquo;re all
+reg&rsquo;lar sharpers, &rsquo;n Morgan, he&rsquo;d got reckless, &rsquo;n he didn&rsquo;t
+stan&rsquo; no show against &rsquo;em.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston looked down wonderingly and pityingly upon
+the little fellow, young in years, but who knew so much of
+the dark side of life, but nothing more was said, as, having
+reached the top of the hill, the station was close at
+hand.</p>
+<p>Having left his horse in charge of one of the company&rsquo;s
+men, Houston, accompanied by Bull-dog as guide, proceeded
+across the street, to the group of dirty, disreputable-looking
+buildings containing the saloons, gambling
+houses and dance halls. He had little need of a guide,
+for, before the shabbiest and most disreputable of the entire
+lot, was gathered a motley crowd, gazing with awestruck
+curiosity at the building in which had been enacted
+the tragedy of the night before. It was a saloon
+with gambling rooms in the rear. Here Morgan had
+played his last game,&ndash;&ndash;just to see what luck he would
+have,&ndash;&ndash;as he had said to Houston, and from which he had
+come forth ruined, despairing, desperate.</p>
+<p>Passing through the crowd of jabbering Chinamen and
+&ldquo;dagoes,&rdquo; of miners off shift, drawn hither by curiosity,
+and of gamblers of all grades from the professional expert
+to the &ldquo;tin-horn,&rdquo; Houston found his way around
+the corner of the building, down into an alley, dark, dismal
+and reeking with filth. Here were groups of slatternly,
+unkempt women, some of whom stared at him
+with brazen faces, while others slunk away, not quite lost
+to shame.</p>
+<p>At last they came to a rickety stair-way, and as they
+neared the top, Bull-dog whispered:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There&rsquo;s some of &rsquo;em now; that tall feller is Faro Dick,
+he deals down stairs, and the little, black feller is Slicky,
+and that short, fat one, that&rsquo;s Brocky Joe.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The group gathered about the door-way at the head of
+the stairs eyed Houston curiously as he approached. He
+gave them only a quick, keen glance, but in that glance
+he had detected the trio named by Bull-dog, and they
+cowered visibly beneath the scorn and contempt which
+flashed from his eye, while the entire group of loungers
+made way, impelled partly by an unconscious respect for
+the broad, powerful shoulders, and splendid, athletic
+frame.</p>
+<p>Down a dark, narrow hall, Bull-dog led the way to a
+door guarded by two men, who touched their caps respectfully
+to Houston. They were two of the mining
+company&rsquo;s watchmen, who were kept at the station to
+guard their property, and to preserve order generally,
+and hence were designated by the gamins of the place as
+police and &ldquo;cops.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Silently they unlocked and opened the door for Houston,
+and one of them entered with him. It was a small
+room, evidently a woman&rsquo;s, and its general squalor and
+dilapidation were made more apparent by tawdry, shabby
+bits of finery strewn here and there. Curtains of red
+damask, faded and ragged, hung at the window, excluding
+the daylight, and on a small table a kerosene lamp had
+burned itself out. But Houston took little notice of the
+room; as his eyes became accustomed to the dim light,
+he saw but one object.</p>
+<p>Across the bed in one corner of the room, lay Morgan,
+his left arm thrown out across the pillows, the other
+dropped at his side, and a revolver clenched in his right
+hand. His head was turned slightly to one side, exposing
+the ghastly wound near the temple, his face was blackened
+and mutilated, but still bore traces of the terrible strain
+of those last few hours of life.</p>
+<p>Houston stepped back, even his firm nerves quivering,
+and his heart throbbing with a great sorrow for the life
+so suddenly quenched in the darkness of despair.</p>
+<p>On a chair were Morgan&rsquo;s hat and coat, where he had
+thrown them, and as Houston turned toward the little
+table, he saw there a newspaper from which a scrap had
+been torn. Taking the bit of paper, containing Morgan&rsquo;s
+last message, from his pocket, he compared them; it
+fitted exactly, and beside the paper lay a bit of pencil with
+which those last words had been written, and to Houston,
+with his keen perception and vivid imagination, the whole
+scene of the previous night with its minute and pathetic
+details, seemed passing before his vision. He turned to
+the watchman:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Open the window,&rdquo; he said, and his voice sounded
+strange even to himself, &ldquo;draw back those curtains, this
+place is stifling.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Upon inquiry, Houston found the watchman could
+give him very little information. In passing down the
+alley at about eight o&rsquo;clock that morning, his attention
+had been arrested by screams issuing from the building.
+On rushing up-stairs, he saw a crowd gathering about the
+door of this room, and, on entering, was shocked at the
+sight revealed. Mollie, the girl who usually occupied the
+room, was screaming hysterically, but when able to talk
+explained that she had been out all night and had but just
+returned. Morgan was in the habit of coming to the
+room, and had a key, but he had not been there of late,
+having gambled every night till daylight.</p>
+<p>Her screams had attracted nearly the whole neighborhood,
+some of whom corroborated her statements, and
+one or two testified to having heard a shot sometime
+about midnight, but nothing had been thought of it, as
+it was supposed to be some row in the gambling rooms
+below. The watchman had ordered the crowd out of
+the room, and sent the messenger for Houston, and also
+a telegram to Silver City for the coroner, who was expected
+on the noon train.</p>
+<p>As it was nearly noon, Houston decided to step over to
+the depot, leaving the room in charge of the watchman.
+On his way, he heard various comments from groups
+gathered here and there. Passing a half-dozen miners,
+he heard one of them say:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If he&rsquo;d &rsquo;a been a union man, we&rsquo;d &rsquo;a taken care of &rsquo;im,
+but he worked for the bosses, and helped &rsquo;em to make big
+money, and now, let the bosses take care of &rsquo;im and bury
+&rsquo;im.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A bitter smile crossed Houston&rsquo;s face, and stepping
+into the little telegraph office, he sent a message, first, in
+his own name, to one of the undertaking firms of Silver
+City, for everything that was needed to be sent up by the
+special freight that afternoon; and then a brief dispatch
+to Mr. Blaisdell, stating what had occurred, but that the
+affairs of the company were all right, and there was no
+necessity for his coming to the camp immediately.</p>
+<p>A few moments later, the train arrived, bringing the
+coroner, and as quickly as possible the inquest was held.
+Very few facts were developed beyond those already
+learned by Houston, excepting the extent of Morgan&rsquo;s
+losses. These included not only everything which he had
+possessed, even to his watch and a few pieces of jewelry,
+but in addition, a large sum of money advanced him by
+Brocky Joe. Those with whom he was playing testified
+that he had quit shortly before midnight, and left the hall
+rather hastily. At the time, they thought he had gone
+to borrow more money, and perhaps try his luck at some
+other place, but nothing more was seen of him, and they
+soon forgot the occurrence.</p>
+<p>When all was over and the crowd was slowly dispersing,
+Houston saw several members of the gambling fraternity
+approaching him, headed by the two designated
+by Bull-dog as Slicky Sam and Brocky Joe. The latter,
+a stout, red-faced individual, with flaming necktie and
+blazing diamonds, was evidently speaker for the entire
+party.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We would like,&rdquo; he began, in a high-pitched, falsetto
+voice, &ldquo;to express our regrets for what has occurred, and
+I wish to state on behalf of my associates here, and also
+personally, that there was no ill feeling toward your
+friend, and I am perfectly willing to overlook the small
+amount of indebtedness; and if there is anything we can
+do, in the way of sharing the burial expenses, or anything
+of the kind, we shall be glad to do so.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Your assistance is not needed,&rdquo; replied Houston, in
+a cold, cutting tone, &ldquo;you have already done your work;
+you and your ilk have brought him where he is, and that
+is enough,&rdquo; and he turned abruptly from them.</p>
+<p>As he re-entered the room, he met Mollie, who cast an
+appealing glance at him. She could not have been over
+twenty years of age, but she looked worn and haggard.
+Her hair was disheveled, large, dark rings encircled her
+heavy, lusterless eyes, now swollen with weeping, and
+there was a look of helpless and hopeless despair in her
+glance that aroused Houston&rsquo;s pity. It was a new experience
+for him to be brought into contact with these
+wrecked and ruined lives, and sorrow for the one life
+which had gone out so suddenly and needlessly, made
+him pitiful toward all.</p>
+<p>A look of pity, a word of pure, disinterested kindness,
+was something new in the life of the poor creature before
+him, and she began sobbing afresh:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s gone,&rdquo; she moaned, &ldquo;and I don&rsquo;t want to live no
+longer.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Did you care so much for him?&rdquo; asked Houston, wonderingly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; she sobbed, &ldquo;I never cared for nobody but him.
+I thought once he cared for me, but after a while I found
+he didn&rsquo;t, and then I went to the bad as fast as I could,
+but still I cared for him. I never was very good, for I
+never had no chance to be, but I&rsquo;d &rsquo;a been different from
+what I am, if he&rsquo;d only &rsquo;a cared for me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston went back into the wretched room, and
+looked long and sadly at the one who, in his last moments
+of despair, had called him his friend. He recalled the
+story told him that night among the rocks; he thought
+of the life ruined by a mother&rsquo;s neglect and sin, and now
+of another life shut out in hopeless misery because of his
+indifference and neglect, and Houston realized at that
+moment, as never before, the influences, for good or for
+evil, extending from one human life to another, spreading
+onward and onward,</p>
+<p class='center'>&ldquo;As wave follows wave across the sea,&rdquo;</p>
+<p>till the widening circles at last touch the shores of eternity.</p>
+<p>An hour or two later, when Houston stepped over to
+the depot to meet the incoming special freight, he was
+somewhat surprised to see Mr. Blaisdell step from the
+train, and in his white face, his firmly set mouth with its
+hard lines, and his pale blue eyes, it could readily be seen
+that he knew nothing of pity or mercy for the man who
+had served him so faithfully.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I did not expect you so early, Mr. Blaisdell,&rdquo; said
+Houston, as they exchanged greetings, &ldquo;I thought after
+receiving my dispatch you would feel no anxiety, and
+would probably not come out till the evening train.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Your telegram was a great relief,&rdquo; Mr. Blaisdell answered
+in an excited tone, &ldquo;but I was all ready to come,
+as, from the tenor of Haight&rsquo;s message this morning, I
+feared the worst. You are sure the affairs of the company
+are all right?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Perfectly sure,&rdquo; replied Houston, calmly, &ldquo;so far as
+money is concerned, poor Morgan has wronged no one
+but himself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell, with a sigh of relief, &ldquo;I am
+glad to hear that, but this is an outrageous affair,&ndash;&ndash;simply
+outrageous,&ndash;&ndash;a man in his responsible position, trusted as
+he has been, coming to such an end as this, under such
+circumstances and amid such surroundings! It is a disgrace
+to himself, and to those associated with him in business,&ndash;&ndash;to
+the entire company!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The thought flashed through Houston&rsquo;s mind that a
+deeper disgrace than this awaited the company, but he
+only replied:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I had not looked at it in that light, Mr. Blaisdell; I, as
+one of his associates, certainly feel no disgrace attached
+to myself. I had thought only of the terrible pity for a
+life so needlessly ruined and lost.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Pity!&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell, contemptuously, &ldquo;If a man
+willfully degrades himself and disgraces his friends, I
+have no pity for him, he deserves none for such dishonorable,
+dishonest conduct.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;His dishonesty, as you term it, must have been of
+rather an unusual type,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;since I offered
+him money only last night, and he refused to take it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;So you knew of his habits and offered him money?
+It was your duty to have reported him to me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I do not need you, Mr. Blaisdell, or any one else, to
+tell me what my duty is here,&rdquo; replied Houston, with
+dignity, &ldquo;I did not know until recently to what extent
+Morgan was gambling, and when a man is in trouble, I
+will never give him a push downward.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>One of the workmen just then came to Houston for
+instructions regarding the shipment which he had ordered
+from Silver City, thus attracting Mr. Blaisdell&rsquo;s attention
+in that direction.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is this, Houston?&rdquo; he exclaimed angrily, &ldquo;what
+does this mean? You certainly had no right, no authority
+to order these things; the company will not pay one
+cent toward the burial of a man who has proven himself
+so unworthy of the confidence reposed in him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Blaisdell,&rdquo; said Houston, calmly, but in a tone
+his employer had never heard before, &ldquo;there is not the
+least necessity for the company to pay one cent, or for
+you to feel any concern in this matter. I have ordered
+these things myself, personally, upon my own responsibility.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For the first time Mr. Blaisdell had found an employe
+who evidently did not stand in fear of him, and surprise
+held him silent for a moment.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; he answered, in an altered tone, &ldquo;but I
+must say I can see no reason for such a quixotic proceeding
+on your part; I never supposed you and Morgan
+were particular friends.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Here is my reason,&rdquo; Houston replied, handing him
+the bit of paper bearing Morgan&rsquo;s last words; &ldquo;When a
+despairing man, in his last moments, appeals to me as his
+friend, and his only friend, even though that man were my
+worst enemy, I would feel in duty bound to do for him
+everything that a friend could do.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Blaisdell returned the slip, and there was a new respect
+indicated in tone and manner, as he replied:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know but you are right, do as you think best.
+I am going up to the camp, you can come whenever you
+are ready.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I shall be there in a few hours,&rdquo; said Houston, and
+they separated.</p>
+<p>A little later, everything that he could do had been
+done, and as Houston looked for the last time upon the
+pale face, where the angel of death was already smoothing
+out the lines traced by the last few days of suffering, and
+softening the features into a look of contentment and
+peace, he was glad that in the last moments of that life,
+there had come faith, even in one human being.</p>
+<p>Early the next morning, a little group was gathered in
+a beautiful, secluded spot, on the mountain side, overlooking
+the station. Houston and Van Dorn were there,
+and a clergyman from a little parish in a small town a few
+miles distant, to whom the sad story had been told, read
+the simple but impressive words of the burial service and
+offered a brief prayer. And, as the weary body was lowered
+to its final resting place, at the foot of the murmuring
+pines, there came to the minds of Houston and Van
+Dorn the memory of the burial of a class-mate in the old
+college days, and simultaneously their voices rose on the
+clear, morning air, blending in the words chanted on that
+former occasion:&ndash;&ndash;&ndash;</p>
+<p class='center'>&ldquo;Rest, brother, rest in thy last, long sleep.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Slowly the little company dispersed, each going his
+own way. Upon Houston&rsquo;s mind the events of those last
+twenty-four hours had left an impression never to be effaced,
+but to most in that community one human life,
+more or less, was of slight significance. To them, life
+was but one great game, in which fortune, reputation,
+character, everything which they possessed, whether
+much or little, was staked on the high card. No wonder
+that little thought was given to the losers, dropping out,
+one by one!</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXXII' id='CHAPTER_XXXII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>The following days were crowded with work for Houston.
+A bookkeeper was immediately sent over from Silver
+City to do the office work, but, excepting Houston,
+the company had no man, both competent and who could
+be trusted, to fill Morgan&rsquo;s position. It was therefore arranged
+that for the next few weeks, until they could ascertain
+the address of a former superintendent, who had
+recently returned east, and communicate with him, Houston
+was to superintend the working of all the mines.</p>
+<p>This involved much additional work and responsibility,
+but Houston filled the position so satisfactorily and
+showed such business tact and executive ability, that Mr.
+Blaisdell, on his return to Silver City, had fully determined
+to retain him permanently as superintendent at
+the mines, and, if possible, secure Barden, their former
+man, as an assistant.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I tell you, Rivers, that Houston is a capable man,
+wonderfully capable,&rdquo; he said, having related to the remaining
+officers of the company Houston&rsquo;s success in
+filling Morgan&rsquo;s position.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It seems to me, Blaisdell,&rdquo; said Mr. Brunnell, the
+benevolent looking old gentleman whom Houston had
+seen on his first visit to the offices, and one of the board of
+directors, &ldquo;it seems to me you had better look out for him
+yourself; that young man is rising so fast, he&rsquo;s likely to
+oust you yet.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, no, I guess not,&rdquo; replied Mr. Blaisdell confidently,
+with his complacent smile, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think you fellows
+could get along without me, just yet. I don&rsquo;t know what
+we would do with him, though, in case of any disagreement,
+he&rsquo;s as independent as though he were a millionaire
+instead of a salaried clerk; he would never care a rap
+for anything we might say, he would take his own way
+every time,&rdquo; and Mr. Blaisdell gave an account of his interview
+with Houston at the Y.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Humph!&rdquo; sniffed Mr. Rivers contemptuously, &ldquo;You&rsquo;d
+better let me manage that fellow, Blaisdell, he&rsquo;ll run away
+with you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;ll run away with those mines up there, Blaisdell,&rdquo;
+chuckled Mr. Brunnell, peering over his glasses at the
+general manager, who was strutting pompously about the
+office.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, you fellows may joke as much as you please,&rdquo;
+said Mr. Blaisdell, a little testily, &ldquo;I tell you the man is
+smart.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Confound it! I know he&rsquo;s smart; I tell you he&rsquo;s too
+damned smart for you!&rdquo; responded Mr. Rivers, who had
+very little respect for Mr. Blaisdell&rsquo;s business ability, but
+found him a very convenient cat&rsquo;s-paw.</p>
+<p>As early as possible after the completion of the new arrangements
+at the mines, Houston and Van Dorn, in accordance
+with a previous engagement, visited Jack at his
+cabin. The hour was late, and as they entered the room
+already familiar to Houston, a lamp was burning brightly,
+but a heavy screen hung over it, concentrating the light
+upon the table beneath, on which lay various drawings
+and tracings, and allowing only a dim light to pervade
+the room.</p>
+<p>Houston introduced Van Dorn, whom Jack greeted
+with characteristic courtesy, though with something of
+his old reserve, and having seated his guests, he at once
+proceeded to the discussion of the business which had
+brought them together.</p>
+<p>In reply to an inquiry of his regarding the present situation
+of affairs, Houston informed him of the arrangement
+just completed by which he was to have entire
+charge of the work at the mines for the next few weeks,
+until the coming of Mr. Barden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Your present position is much more favorable for your
+work,&rdquo; replied Jack, &ldquo;it is exceedingly doubtful whether
+the company will have any use for the services of Mr.
+Barden.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston then stated briefly what had been done since
+Van Dorn&rsquo;s arrival, adding in conclusion, &ldquo;Of course,
+we would have accomplished more within this time, had
+it not been for the confusion and changes resulting from
+Morgan&rsquo;s sudden death.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Jack, &ldquo;that has hindered you temporarily,
+but it will result to your advantage. All that I regretted
+was that an examination which I hoped you and Mr.
+Van Dorn might be able to make last week, immediately
+upon his arrival, will now have to be postponed until
+next week, but even that is better as it is.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How is that?&rdquo; inquired Houston, with much interest,
+&ldquo;to what do you refer?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I refer to the Lucky Chance mine; are you familiar
+with that property?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not especially,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;I have paid no attention
+to it, as it was not one in which our company was interested,
+nor one of which I was in charge. Since the
+recent change, I have visited the mine once with Mr.
+Blaisdell, but we only went in a short distance, and he
+informed me there was but little work done there, and
+but few men employed.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; replied Jack, with peculiar emphasis, &ldquo;but that
+&lsquo;little work&rsquo; as he terms it yields the company a larger percentage
+than any other single mine which they own.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston&rsquo;s face expressed considerable astonishment.
+&ldquo;You surprise me,&rdquo; he exclaimed, &ldquo;because I thought
+I knew their best paying properties, and I never would
+have supposed that was one of them, either from my own
+observation, or from anything I have heard of it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It would not be for the interests of the company to
+have much said regarding the mine, or to have the workings
+investigated very closely. You are probably aware
+that the claim adjoins the Yankee Boy?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; answered Houston, &ldquo;I am aware of that
+fact.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; replied Jack, rising and going to the
+table. &ldquo;I have prepared some diagrams here which I
+would like you and Mr. Van Dorn to examine. Here
+you will see,&rdquo; he continued, as they drew their chairs
+near the table,&ldquo; the boundaries and underground workings
+of the Lucky Chance mine, with their approximate
+measurements. Please look them over and see if you
+detect any irregularities.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Both Houston and Van Dorn studied the diagram carefully
+for a moment, when the latter exclaimed:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why, the main tunnel extends more than a hundred
+feet beyond the boundary line.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Now allow me to substitute this diagram,&rdquo; said Jack,
+spreading a larger tracing before them. &ldquo;This is the same
+as the other with the addition of a portion of the boundary
+lines and underground workings of the adjoining
+claim, the Yankee Boy.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah, I see,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;the tunnel from the Lucky
+Chance has been carried beyond the boundary line in
+such a direction as to strike the vein of the adjoining
+claim.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That is it exactly,&rdquo; said Van Dorn, &ldquo;no wonder the
+mine pays well!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;As I stated before,&rdquo; continued Jack, &ldquo;these measurements,
+and, to a certain extent, the course of the tunnel,
+are given approximately, as I had no means of ascertaining
+the exact data, but I know they are essentially correct.
+It only remains for you, gentlemen, to verify this,
+by making an examination of the tunnel and taking the
+courses and measurements exactly, and also by comparing
+the ore now taken out with that originally found in
+the mine, and with the ore of the Yankee Boy, and you
+will then have evidence of the greatest fraud which has
+been perpetrated upon the rightful owners of the Yankee
+Boy, and which has been carried on for the last four or
+five years.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But how did you discover this?&rdquo; asked Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I first came here,&rdquo; replied Jack, &ldquo;shortly after the
+sale of the Yankee Boy group of properties had been consummated.
+Within a few months afterward, the company
+located the Lucky Chance mine; development work
+was carried forward as rapidly as possible, quite a number
+of men being employed, of which I was one. It was evident
+that in locating this mine, the company hoped they
+had struck an extension of the vein of the Yankee Boy
+lode; it proved of an entirely different character, however,
+yielding rather a low-grade ore. The claim was surveyed
+and patented as soon as the necessary amount of improvements,
+required by law, had been placed upon it.
+After obtaining patent, the company then extended the
+tunnel in an entirely different direction, and, as you will
+find upon investigation, beyond the boundary line, until
+it intersected a portion of the Yankee Boy vein. Here
+a body of very rich ore was struck, and the mine has been
+a paying property ever since. For this last work very
+few men were retained, and but few have been employed
+there since, those few being men whom the company
+thought could be trusted, or upon whom they had some
+hold by which they could compel them to silence. I was
+employed there until very recently, and from the first
+had a thorough understanding of the course and extent
+of the different workings, and consequently am perfectly
+familiar with them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Everard,&rdquo; said Van Dorn, for whom work of this kind
+possessed a special attraction, &ldquo;I think this is just about
+the kind of an expedition we will like.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think so myself,&rdquo; Houston replied, &ldquo;but at the same
+time, it is the most risky piece of work we have yet undertaken,
+and we will have to depend upon our friend
+here for suggestions and advice. You will of course accompany
+us?&rdquo; he added, turning to Jack, who had withdrawn
+from the table and was sitting in the dim light.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; responded Jack, &ldquo;it would be a very dangerous
+undertaking for two strangers to go through that
+part of the mine without a guide at any time, especially
+at night, and it will be at best, a hazardous piece of work.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How many are employed there? and what class of
+men are they?&rdquo; inquired Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;About a dozen on the night shift,&rdquo; Jack replied,
+&ldquo;mostly Cornishmen, but whatever their nationality, it
+is usually the most treacherous and brutal men that we
+have that are employed by the company in that mine.
+Maverick used to work there until he was transferred
+above ground. It will not be necessary for us to come
+in contact with very many of them, however, as they are
+so widely scattered through the mine, and on the night
+shift next week, there will be four men,&ndash;&ndash;a father and
+three sons,&ndash;&ndash;who will do just about whatever I say, especially
+if a little money is given them. Mr. Houston&rsquo;s
+new position as superintendent, will aid us very materially.
+A visit from him, with me as guide, will not excite
+suspicion, but Mr. Van Dorn will be suspected in a moment,
+and we must disguise him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Van Dorn whistled softly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Could you assume the Irish dialect, on an occasion
+like this, Mr. Van Dorn?&rdquo; Jack inquired.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;An&rsquo; shure,&rdquo; exclaimed Van Dorn, with the broadest
+accent imaginable, &ldquo;an&rsquo; will yez be afther tellin&rsquo; me, be-dad!
+why I should not shpake me own mither tongue?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Both Houston and Jack laughed at Van Dorn&rsquo;s ready
+answer.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You will do,&rdquo; Jack said quietly, but in a tone so rich
+and musical as to chain the attention of his guests while
+he proceeded to plan the details of their visit to the mine.</p>
+<p>In an hour or two, the modus operandi had been fully
+decided upon, and nothing remained but to fix the night
+for their expedition, and this it was thought best to leave
+to be determined by circumstances the following week.
+The instruments needed for taking measurements were to
+be taken down beforehand by Houston, and concealed in
+a safe place near the mine, and on the night of the examination,
+he was to go from the house directly to the mine,
+where he would be joined by Jack and Van Dorn, the latter
+dressed in a suit of Mike&rsquo;s mining clothes, and personating
+him as closely as possible.</p>
+<p>All arrangements being now as nearly complete as possible,
+Houston and Van Dorn bade their host a cordial
+good night, and walked cheerfully homeward, in the cool,
+night air, under the star-lit sky, all unconscious of a pair
+of eyes, which from behind a large rock, had eagerly
+watched for their appearance, and followed their every
+movement.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXXIII' id='CHAPTER_XXXIII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>As Houston and Van Dorn disappeared around a turn
+in the road, the figure of Haight emerged into the starlight
+from behind a large rock where he had been concealed
+most of the time during their stay at the cabin. Incidently
+he had seen them on their way to visit Jack, and
+the lateness of the hour combined with the direction in
+which they were going, aroused his curiosity to such a
+degree that he followed them at a distance, and having
+seen them enter the cabin, his suspicious nature was at
+once on the alert.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I guess I&rsquo;ll find out what in the devil this means,&rdquo; he
+said to himself, as he paused behind a rock at a little distance,
+determined to ascertain what he could regarding
+their movements.</p>
+<p>It was a long and wearisome watch; once or twice he
+ventured near the cabin, to see whether by closer observation
+he could obtain any clue to what might be going
+on within, but the closely shaded window gave no sign,
+and beyond an occasional low murmuring of voices, nothing
+disturbed the silence, except once a low, ominous
+growl from Rex, as he caught sight of Haight&rsquo;s skulking
+figure from his station just outside the door.</p>
+<p>When at last the door opened, and Houston and Van
+Dorn stepped forth into the calm night, the lynx-eyed
+watcher failed to detect anything beyond a friendly leave-taking,
+after which the two walked homeward, chatting
+in the most commonplace manner imaginable.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;By George!&rdquo; he soliloquized, as he followed at a safe
+distance, &ldquo;I wonder if I haven&rsquo;t had my labor for my
+pains! But that did look mighty queer anyhow, their
+going &rsquo;round to see the old chap, and I&rsquo;ll wager there&rsquo;s
+something in it, too. I shouldn&rsquo;t wonder if that Van
+Dorn is out here in the interest of that old party who was
+looking at mines a while ago, and with Houston&rsquo;s help
+is going to get a few pointers. Jack knows pretty well
+what is going on around here, and may be a little money
+would make him talk. I&rsquo;m going to keep watch of some
+of these smart people, and I know of one or two that will
+help me about it. If I can get hold of anything, I&rsquo;ll report
+it to Rivers; Houston has pulled the wool over
+Blaisdell&rsquo;s eyes, but Rivers won&rsquo;t have anybody monkeying
+round these mines, and if I can once put him on the
+track, there&rsquo;ll be a few less of these swells about, and it
+will be money in my pocket.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Late as it was when Houston and Van Dorn returned
+to the house, Miss Gladden and Lyle had not retired.
+Houston had told Miss Gladden the secret of his business
+there in the mining camp, and, true to Lyle&rsquo;s prediction,
+he had found her, while quick to realize the dangers of his
+position, yet able to assist him by her readiness to enter
+into his feelings, her interest in his plans and her timely
+suggestions. Once she had met Jack since learning
+Houston&rsquo;s secret, and in a few, well-chosen words, had
+conveyed to him her knowledge of the fact that he was
+giving her lover aid and protection in his work, and her
+gratitude therefor.</p>
+<p>She and Lyle were aware of the import of the visit to
+the cabin that night, and they sat in the dusky shadows,
+looking out into the night, alternately talking in low
+tones, and listening for the return of Houston and his
+friend.</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden was the first to catch the sound of her
+lover&rsquo;s voice, as he and Van Dorn approached the house,
+and a moment later, they heard the ringing laugh of the
+latter.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They are evidently in good spirits,&rdquo; remarked Lyle,
+&ldquo;their visit must have been a satisfactory one.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Van Dorn seems so jubilant they must have made
+some new discoveries,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;he never
+seems so happy as when he is ferreting out some fraud,
+or unearthing some dishonest scheme.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There is material enough here to make his happiness
+complete for some time,&rdquo; said Lyle rather bitterly, &ldquo;I
+only wish every one of the guilty parties could be brought
+to justice, but I doubt whether they ever will be.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why?&rdquo; exclaimed Miss Gladden in surprise, &ldquo;do you
+think Mr. Houston will fail after all?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, not that necessarily,&rdquo; Lyle answered, &ldquo;but even
+if he succeeds in getting his evidence together, and his
+friends come out from the east, I do not believe they will
+ever succeed in securing the ones who are most guilty,
+who have planned and plotted the whole thing. Over
+and over again, people whom they have wronged and defrauded
+have brought suit against them, but to no purpose;
+they are continually involved in litigation, but they
+always manage to evade the law in one way or another,
+I do not claim to understand how.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I would not think they could escape with all the evidence
+accumulating against them now,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden
+thoughtfully.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You wouldn&rsquo;t think so,&rdquo; replied Lyle, &ldquo;but you don&rsquo;t
+know them. Who is that?&rdquo; she asked suddenly, catching
+sight in the dim light of a figure approaching the
+house.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It looks like Haight,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;but why
+is he creeping along so cautiously?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I believe he has been following Mr. Houston,&rdquo; said
+Lyle, quickly, &ldquo;wait a minute, keep perfectly quiet, so he
+will think every one is asleep up stairs,&rdquo; and in an instant,
+she was going swiftly and noiselessly down the stairs.
+The door at the foot of the stairs was partially open, and
+Lyle could hear Haight, as, after opening the outside
+door very carefully, he stepped lightly toward the room
+occupied by Houston and Van Dorn; here he paused and
+listened, but evidently hearing nothing, he cautiously
+made his way across to the room of Mr. and Mrs. Maverick,
+the door of which was ajar.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Jim!&rdquo; he whispered, &ldquo;Jim, wake up!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Who&rsquo;s that? What d&rsquo;ye want?&rdquo; came the response in
+a surly tone.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Sh! don&rsquo;t make any noise,&rdquo; he whispered, &ldquo;it&rsquo;s Haight;
+get up and come out on the porch, but be quiet about it;
+I want to have a talk with you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A muttered assent was given, and Haight tip-toed softly
+out to the porch, and sat down.</p>
+<p>Lyle crept up-stairs again to Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be frightened,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;but I believe Haight
+must have seen or heard something;&rdquo; and she hastily told
+what she had overheard.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Now,&rdquo; said she in conclusion, &ldquo;the window on the
+porch is open, and as soon as they are both outside, I will
+go there and listen. Even if I cannot hear all that is said
+I will probably catch enough to learn what is going on.
+You wait for me and keep perfectly quiet.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A few moments later, Maverick shuffled out on the
+porch and sat down beside Haight with a growl.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Damned pretty time, I sh&rsquo;d think, to talk! What in
+hell do you want?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, you were long enough getting out here,&rdquo; said
+Haight, in his smoothest tones, all unaware of a figure
+that had glided to the open window behind him, and now
+knelt within six feet of him. &ldquo;Now quit your growling,
+for you and I are good friends, Jim, and I want your advice.
+Jim,&rdquo; he continued in a lower tone, &ldquo;what would
+you think two fellows like Houston and Van Dorn would
+want with that old chap, Jack?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Huh?&rdquo; said Maverick, rather stupidly, &ldquo;what are ye
+drivin&rsquo; at?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Wake up! you&rsquo;re half asleep, Jim! Your two dandy
+boarders here only just came home about twenty minutes
+ago; they&rsquo;ve been for the last three or four hours
+down there in Jack&rsquo;s cabin, with the windows all shut
+tight and curtains down, and still as death. What do you
+suppose that means?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Damned if I know,&rdquo; was the laconic response.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Now, Jim, don&rsquo;t be so uncommunicative; there may
+be something in this for you and me if we just put our
+heads together, &lsquo;two heads are better than one,&rsquo; you know,
+so set your thinking machine to work and grind out some
+ideas.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Maverick, slowly, &ldquo;I dun&rsquo;no what that
+Houston, damn him, would be runnin&rsquo; &rsquo;round after Jack
+for, unless he wanted to get some p&rsquo;inters on the mines
+some way.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s it, go ahead!&rdquo; said Haight.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Houston,&rdquo; continued Maverick, with an oath and applying
+a vile epithet, &ldquo;is too all-fired smart to notice anybody,
+and Jack&rsquo;s another, so they&rsquo;d be likely to hitch.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s right,&rdquo; said Haight, &ldquo;now what object would
+he be likely to have in getting information from Jack?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I dun&rsquo;no,&rdquo; said the other, &ldquo;unless mebbe he&rsquo;s paid by
+somebody on the outside.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Haight, &ldquo;I guess we&rsquo;ve got about the same
+idea of it; it&rsquo;s my opinion he is paid by somebody, and
+that somebody is Van Dorn, or whoever&rsquo;s backing him.
+I don&rsquo;t put much stock in this machinery business of his;
+he don&rsquo;t act like a fellow that needs to go peddling machines
+about the country, and I notice he don&rsquo;t seem in
+any great rush about putting it up, now he&rsquo;s got here;
+he ain&rsquo;t one of the kind that has to rustle for a living, like
+you and me. I think he&rsquo;s just out here getting pointers
+on the mines for that old fellow that was here a while
+ago, and he&rsquo;s probably paying Houston a good, round
+sum for helping him along, and now they&rsquo;ve got Jack
+roped in on the deal.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Maverick savagely, &ldquo;if that&rsquo;s their game,
+I guess &rsquo;twill be dead easy stoppin&rsquo; it any time we&rsquo;re a
+mind to; these &rsquo;ere mines is awfully unsafe places for a
+tenderfoot to be prowlin&rsquo; &rsquo;round in,&rdquo; and he laughed a
+cruel laugh, very familiar to the listener at the window.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so,&rdquo; assented Haight, &ldquo;I think we&rsquo;d better keep
+close watch of these fellows, and if they get too fresh, just
+have &rsquo;em laid out with a sandbag or two.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Better&rsquo;n that,&rdquo; said Maverick, &ldquo;to take &rsquo;em some time
+in the mines; folks like them are likely to get dizzy and
+fall some times, or get in the way of the ore buckets and
+be knocked silly.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, I&rsquo;ll tell you what I want you to do; I&rsquo;ll keep
+watch, and if I know of their going down to the cabin
+again, I want you to put some men on to watch out for
+them; we&rsquo;ll investigate and find out what is going on.
+Put on what men you please, and have them report to
+me, and we&rsquo;ll find out what this means, and make our
+plans accordingly.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That there&rsquo;s a damned ticklish place to get any of the
+men to go late at night,&rdquo; said Maverick reflectively.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why so?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That place is harnted, ye know, by the man on the
+spotted horse.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, nonsense!&rdquo; ejaculated Haight.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a fact though; he rides up and down there once
+in a while, and I wouldn&rsquo;t want ter see him myself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, hang your ghost!&rdquo; said Haight, impatiently, &ldquo;tell
+your men if they see it to shoot it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That wouldn&rsquo;t do no good,&rdquo; responded Maverick
+doggedly, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the sight of it brings bad luck, and sometimes
+death. There was a fellow here two years ago, he
+seen it one night, and the next day he was killed in the
+mines; they said the ghost had called him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Haight, rising, &ldquo;It would be well if your
+ghost would only call Houston and Van Dorn some
+night; but I want you to do as I say, anyway.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle, who had caught nearly every word of this conversation,
+now rose quickly and retreated to the kitchen,
+knowing she would there be safe from detection, and
+could also judge of their movements. Nothing further
+was said, however; Haight went stealthily up-stairs to his
+room, and Maverick, after cursing to himself a few moments,
+was soon snoring profoundly, and Lyle then returned
+to Miss Gladden&rsquo;s room. She felt a sickening sensation
+as she repeated the conversation to her friend, and
+realized all that it meant. Miss Gladden was inexpressibly
+shocked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lyle, my dear child, is it possible that they would go
+to such extreme limits as that. I had thought that he
+would be in danger of some assault in the dark, or something
+of that kind, but to trap him in the mines! I never
+dreamed of anything so cowardly, so dastardly! He will
+be in constant danger in the performance of his daily
+round of duties.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Dear Leslie,&rdquo; said Lyle,&ndash;&ndash;for thus Miss Gladden had
+of late requested her to address her,&ndash;&ndash;&ldquo;I have told you,
+you did not realize what a place this is, and the worst of
+all is, that it is my father who is planning this, after all the
+kindness which you and Mr. Houston have shown me!
+What must you think of us?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Of you, my dear child? I love you and trust you the
+same as ever,&rdquo; exclaimed Miss Gladden impulsively, &ldquo;he
+is no father of yours!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle, in her grief, did not notice the import of Miss
+Gladden&rsquo;s words, but she exclaimed passionately:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I will never call that man father again as long as I
+live, and if it ever comes to that, I will shoot him, rather
+than let him injure Mr. Houston.&rdquo; Then, a moment later,
+she added more calmly:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I must not allow myself to become excited, I must
+think and plan. Do you know, I was so glad that they
+have not, as yet, found the real clue to what is going on,
+and do not even suspect the truth, and they must not be
+allowed even to surmise it; as long as they do not, Mr.
+Houston is comparatively safe, and they must not be allowed
+to watch him, or get any clue to his movements.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But how can you prevent it, dear? You know the
+country and the people so much better than I, that you
+can plan and direct far better than I can; you command,
+dear Lyle, and you will find me ready to obey, afraid of
+nothing, not death itself, if I can only help him and save
+him from his enemies.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You had better write a note to him to-night, to give
+him quietly in the morning, as you may not have an opportunity
+for a long talk with him so early, and tell him
+what I have told you. Then he can probably make arrangements
+with Jack by writing, so that he will not need
+to go to the cabin again at present; or, if necessary, I can
+go for him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But what will they do about their intended examination
+of the mines? They will surely be watched then.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;All they can do is to make their plans as quietly and
+secretly as possible, and then go prepared for the worst,
+but I think I can help them there; I have a scheme of
+my own, something that occurred to me while listening
+to their conversation, which I will tell you later.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The note was written, and it was nearly daylight, when
+the two at last retired, to rest possibly, but not to sleep.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXXIV' id='CHAPTER_XXXIV'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXIV.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>For the next ensuing days there were no more visits to
+the cabin. According to Lyle&rsquo;s suggestion, a few notes
+were quietly exchanged between Houston and Jack; thus
+their plans were maturing, while there was nothing which
+outsiders could detect.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, Haight had bestowed considerable attention
+upon Miss Araminta Bixby, to the unspeakable delight
+of that individual, and had so ingratiated himself
+into her favor that she only too gladly consented to play
+the part of spy on the movements of Houston and Van
+Dorn. The two Maverick boys had also agreed to report
+to him whatever they were able to learn concerning
+these two.</p>
+<p>Houston and Van Dorn, however, did not seem quite
+so intimate of late. They were apparently as good friends
+as ever, but were not so frequently seen together. Nearly
+every evening, Van Dorn started out for a stroll, sometimes
+with Lyle, sometimes alone, often sauntering in
+the direction of the cabin, but never seen to enter; while
+Houston, after spending an hour or two with Miss Gladden,
+would walk down to the mines, and entering the various
+tunnels, or descending the shafts of one mine and
+another, would watch the night shift at their work, or inspect
+the workings, occasionally taking measurements
+here and there. On one of these trips Jack accompanied
+him, and on their return, they completed the arrangements
+for the visit to the Lucky Chance mine, the following
+night.</p>
+<p>On the afternoon of the next day, Houston returned to
+the house a little earlier than usual, having finished his
+work for the day at the mines and mills, and as he with
+Miss Gladden and Lyle, sat in the little porch, they were
+joined a few moments later by Van Dorn. In low tones
+the plans for the evening were discussed.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Of course,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;we shall go prepared for
+trouble, but I do not anticipate that we shall meet with
+any. Even if we are watched, our course of procedure
+will differ so slightly from what we have followed for a
+week past, I think it will not excite suspicion.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They have watched me so many evenings to no purpose,
+they may be off guard to-night,&rdquo; said Van Dorn.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t flatter yourself that you will escape &lsquo;Minty&rsquo;s&rsquo;
+espionage for a single night,&rdquo; replied Lyle, &ldquo;she would remain
+out all night watching you to gain a smile from
+Haight in the morning.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Van Dorn laughed. &ldquo;So it is the charming Miss Bixby
+whose watchful eye is upon me!&rdquo; he exclaimed, &ldquo;I
+think I will have to enter the lists as Haight&rsquo;s rival, and
+see if I cannot win such faithful devotion upon the right
+side.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;After you are gone,&rdquo; said Lyle, &ldquo;I will soon be able to
+tell whether there will be men sent out to watch you to-night;
+and I shall act accordingly,&rdquo; she added, with a
+smile at Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why, Miss Maverick, what will you do?&rdquo; inquired
+Van Dorn, &ldquo;you must not expose yourself in any way.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I will be in no danger,&rdquo; she answered smiling.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have no idea what Lyle intends to do,&rdquo; said Houston,
+&ldquo;but I have great confidence in her plans, for she
+knows this class of people better than we, and I have
+found her judgment to be relied upon, on every occasion
+so far.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle&rsquo;s beautiful eyes spoke her thanks for his words of
+appreciation, as she asked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;At what hour will you have completed the examination,
+and be ready to leave the mine?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Probably very near twelve o&rsquo;clock,&rdquo; Houston replied,
+&ldquo;we cannot accomplish our work much before that time,
+and I do not wish to be out much later.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Lyle, merrily, but with a slightly mysterious
+air, &ldquo;if you are out at that hour, you may see the
+phantom horse and his rider.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why, how is that?&rdquo; inquired Van Dorn wonderingly,
+while Houston remarked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If we see nothing more than phantoms, we shall be
+very happily disappointed.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;All right,&rdquo; she responded, &ldquo;if the ghost walks to-night,
+don&rsquo;t be surprised,&rdquo; and hearing some one enter the dining
+room to make preparations for the evening meal, she
+left them, and the subject of conversation changed immediately.</p>
+<p>A few hours later, Houston started as usual for the
+mines. There was nothing out of the ordinary course of
+affairs in this, except that the leave-taking between him
+and Leslie was unusually tender, but of this no one knew
+but themselves. A little earlier, Van Dorn had left for
+his customary stroll, giving Lyle an invitation to accompany
+him, which she declined on the plea of being very
+busy. She immediately withdrew to the kitchen, and
+smiled to herself presently, as she saw Minty, with an air
+of great importance, starting out in the same direction.
+She had been gone about half an hour, when Lyle, who
+was again seated in the porch, caught sight of her moon-shaped
+face peering around the corner of the house in
+frantic endeavors to attract Haight&rsquo;s attention. As he
+was facing in almost an opposite direction, her efforts
+were unavailing, and Lyle, who could with difficulty restrain
+a smile, added to her embarrassment by inquiring
+in the blandest tones:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is it, Araminta? do you wish to see me?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At the mention of her name, Haight turned suddenly,
+just as the blushing Miss Bixby was stammering out his
+name, and catching his eye, she began nodding vigorously,
+to signify the importance of her errand.</p>
+<p>For once, Haight&rsquo;s punctilious suavity upon which he
+prided himself, deserted him, and exclaiming, partly in
+anger, and partly as a blind, &ldquo;Confound it! what does the
+fool want of me?&rdquo; he disappeared around the house, while
+Lyle exchanged glances with Miss Gladden, and the inoffensive
+young bookkeeper, recently imported from Silver
+City, looked on in mute astonishment.</p>
+<p>At the kitchen door, Haight found his agent and spy,
+her face shining with delight that she at last had some
+news to impart.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s went in there to-night, Mr. Haight,&rdquo; she cried
+breathlessly, &ldquo;I seen him; I&rsquo;ve watched him every night,
+but he&rsquo;s never went in till to-night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You fool!&rdquo; exclaimed Haight, angrily, &ldquo;why couldn&rsquo;t
+you come around and give me the tip on the quiet, instead
+of standing there grimacing like an idiot, making
+a fool of yourself and me, too? Where are the boys?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Such a greeting was too much for Minty, after her
+faithfulness; her anger was too great even for words, she
+was speechless and without deigning even a look at
+Haight, she went into the house, and rushing to her
+room, burst into a storm of tears, vowing then and there,
+between her sobs, that she would tell Mr. Van Dorn every
+word that Haight had said about him.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, Lyle, from her post of observation in the
+kitchen, saw Haight call Jim Maverick out from among
+a group of miners who had congregated for an evening&rsquo;s
+visit, and after a few words, Maverick signaled to one of
+the miners, who, with his two companions, came over
+and joined them. A few moments later the three started
+down the road, and Lyle heard Haight&rsquo;s final instructions
+to them:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Get onto what those fellows are about, if you have to
+stay till morning, and if you want any help, send Jake
+back.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>She knew the men; they were cruel and treacherous,
+and she was confident that they were well armed, but
+they were at the same time, cowards, and returning to
+Miss Gladden, she whispered:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I shall try my little experiment to-night, and I do not
+believe there will be any trouble.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>It was quite dark when the men who had been sent to
+watch for Van Dorn reached the little cabin. A lamp
+was burning within, as could be told by the lines of light
+around the edge of the dark shade at the window, but beyond
+this, there was neither sign nor sound. Having assured
+themselves that there was no way by which they
+could ascertain what was going on within, the men sat
+down behind a little clump of evergreens, and filling their
+pipes, prepared to await developments. Scarcely had they
+done so, however, when the light suddenly went out.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What the divil do they think they&rsquo;re givin&rsquo; us?&rdquo; said
+one of the men, with an oath.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They seen us mos&rsquo; likely, and they&rsquo;re tryin&rsquo; to fool us
+that there&rsquo;s nobody there.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They can&rsquo;t play no such trick on us as that, damn &rsquo;em,&rdquo;
+said the first speaker, but at that instant the cabin door
+opened, and two figures came out. The men sprang
+quickly to their feet, making no sound, and listening intently.
+They heard the lock click in the door, and Jack&rsquo;s
+voice bidding Rex take care of the house, to which he
+barked in reply; and then came Mike&rsquo;s broad voice:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The saints presarve us! but the baste knows more
+than mony a mon, I&rsquo;m afther thinkin&rsquo;.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That he does,&rdquo; replied Jack, &ldquo;and he is far more faithful.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The men, astonished, slunk back into the brush, their
+keen eyes watching every movement of the two as they
+passed; there was no mistaking those figures, or the
+rough clothes which they wore; it was Jack and Mike,
+and their powerful muscle was too well known throughout
+the camp, for any man, even the most brutal, to have
+the slightest wish to tackle either of them.</p>
+<p>As Jack and his companion passed out of hearing, the
+men dropped to the ground, and for a moment the air resounded
+with their profanity, while they held a brief consultation.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They&rsquo;ve tricked us, and that feller&rsquo;s hidin&rsquo; &rsquo;round
+here,&rdquo; said the leader, &ldquo;or else he went on ahead to the
+mines; he hadn&rsquo;t no time to go back to the house, for
+we&rsquo;d &rsquo;a met &rsquo;im. There&rsquo;s somethin&rsquo; in the wind to-night,&rdquo;
+he added with an oath, &ldquo;and I&rsquo;m goin&rsquo; to find out what
+&rsquo;tis. You fellers git after them two and keep &rsquo;em in sight;
+the boss is down there, and mebbe the other feller, too;
+if ye see &rsquo;im, send Jake to me, and I&rsquo;ll come &rsquo;round there
+and we&rsquo;ll lay for &rsquo;em. If he ain&rsquo;t there, he&rsquo;s here, hidin&rsquo;
+somewhere, and I&rsquo;ll watch and settle his hash for &rsquo;im all
+right when he does show up.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;d better git some more of the boys,&rdquo; said Jake,
+&ldquo;if we&rsquo;re goin&rsquo; to tackle them fellers with Jack and Mike
+along; that ain&rsquo;t no kind of a job I&rsquo;m hankerin&rsquo; after.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You damned fool!&rdquo; said the first speaker, &ldquo;who&rsquo;s
+said anything &rsquo;bout Jack and Mike? They&rsquo;ll come back
+the way they&rsquo;ve went, and them others will start up the
+canyon for the house, and if we three can&rsquo;t hold &rsquo;em up,
+my name ain&rsquo;t Pete Brody; now git!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack and his partner had met Houston in the Yankee
+Boy mine. As they emerged from the shaft a little later,
+the piercing eyes of Jack and Houston caught a glimpse
+of two figures skulking among the rocks at a distance.
+Van Dorn was at a slight disadvantage, being somewhat
+near-sighted, and having been obliged to take off his
+glasses when donning Mike&rsquo;s costume.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I know them,&rdquo; said Jack, &ldquo;they are two of the three
+that were outside the cabin, and one of them is about
+the biggest coward that breathes; we could dispose of a
+regiment of such men, but I prefer to get along without
+trouble if we can.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>They started for the other mine, Houston taking the
+lead and Van Dorn following, while Jack brought up the
+rear.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They are following us,&rdquo; said Jack, after two or three
+quick glances behind him, &ldquo;but at a distance; we will
+probably have a nearer view of them later, when we leave
+the mine.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>As they proceeded through the tunnel of the Lucky
+Chance mine, they met very few of the miners; they
+touched their caps to Houston with a sort of sullen civility,
+and greeted his companions with rough jests, which
+Jack received with his usual taciturn manner, but to
+which Van Dorn, from underneath his disguise, responded
+with bits of Irish blarney and wit, which greatly
+amused his associates.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, Pete Brody, as he kept his solitary watch
+before the cabin, was surprised by the sudden return of
+Jake.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Have ye found &rsquo;im?&rdquo; he inquired eagerly, &ldquo;Is he down
+there with the boss?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, he&rsquo;s not there.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then, what in hell are you back here for?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Bud sent me,&rdquo; answered Jake; &ldquo;he said to tell ye
+they&rsquo;ve gone into the Lucky Chance, and what do ye be
+thinkin&rsquo; o&rsquo; that?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The Lucky Chance!&rdquo; exclaimed Pete, &ldquo;then there&rsquo;s
+some diviltry a goin&rsquo; sure, for the old man, he don&rsquo;t let
+nobody into that mine &rsquo;thout he&rsquo;s along; and if that Van-what&rsquo;s-his-name
+ain&rsquo;t down there he&rsquo;s right here, that&rsquo;s
+all, and here I stays.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And me and Bud, we&rsquo;re to watch out for the boss?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, lay for &rsquo;im and overhaul &rsquo;im, and find out what
+the divil is goin&rsquo; on.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I guess he&rsquo;s a pretty tough feller to handle, from all
+I&rsquo;ve heerd,&rdquo; remarked Jake reflectively.</p>
+<p>Pete responded with an oath. &ldquo;Knock &rsquo;im silly, he&rsquo;ll
+be easy &rsquo;nough handlin&rsquo; then.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ye don&rsquo;t mean for to do &rsquo;im up, do ye Pete?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, I guess nobody&rsquo;d feel very bad if ye did.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jake went down the road, and Pete was alone once
+more. After waiting a while, he determined to ascertain,
+if possible, whether there was any one within the cabin.
+As he approached the door, there was a low savage growl
+from the faithful watcher within. Very stealthily he tried
+to open the door, but it was locked, and in response there
+was such a furious onset upon the other side, accompanied
+by such fierce growls, that he started back involuntarily.</p>
+<p>It was nearly twelve o&rsquo;clock, and Pete was growing
+desperate, and anxious to put an end to his long watch.
+He retreated to the road, and stood looking at the cabin,
+trying to decide whether he should break in the window
+and shoot the dog, and run the risk of being shot in return
+by whoever might be concealed within, when his
+attention was suddenly arrested by a strange sound, as
+of heavily muffled footsteps close behind him. He turned
+quickly, and in the starlight beheld a sight that seemed
+to chill the blood in his veins. Not more than fifty feet
+distant, and slowly approaching him, were the spotted
+horse and his ghostly rider.</p>
+<p>Every detail was perfect, like the description he had
+often heard given by others who had seen the frightful apparition:
+the man dressed in his miner&rsquo;s clothes, carrying
+the empty bag from which the gold had been stolen; his
+face ghastly white, and the blood streaming from his
+breast, while horse and rider were partially shrouded by
+a white covering which floated from behind them.</p>
+<p>Nearer and nearer came those strange footsteps, closer
+and closer the fearful sight, and still Pete stood, as if
+turned to stone, his eyes starting from their sockets, his
+hair rising, but unable to move or speak.</p>
+<p>Suddenly a long, low groan issuing from the ghastly
+lips seemed to break the spell, and with one terrible
+shriek, Pete gave two or three bounds out of the road,
+and ran for his life, jumping and leaping over the rocks
+and through the brush, like a wild man.</p>
+<p>The ghost gave a low, rippling laugh of satisfaction,
+and turning the horse, rode rapidly back in the direction
+from which it had come, until striking the road from the
+house to the mines, where the horse trotted briskly for
+some distance, but on nearing the mines, once more resumed
+his funereal pace.</p>
+<p>The two men concealed in the brush along the road
+had no warning of the approaching phantom, until they
+caught the sound of the strange footsteps, and peered
+cautiously out, only to see the fearful sight that Pete beheld
+shortly before.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Holy Moses!&rdquo; exclaimed Jake, with a yell, &ldquo;it&rsquo;s the
+ghost!&rdquo; The men jumped simultaneously into the road,
+and started for the miners&rsquo; quarters, screaming like maniacs.
+The ghost followed in swift pursuit until they were
+some distance past the mines; the men then being safely
+disposed of with no danger of their return, it turned slowly
+in the direction of the Lucky Chance mine.</p>
+<p>Houston and his friends, having accomplished their
+task, stepped forth from the tunnel into the starlight,
+looking carefully and searchingly in every direction.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There is no one to be seen at present,&rdquo; said Houston
+in low tones, &ldquo;they may be concealed about here, or we
+may meet them on the road to the house.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very probably,&rdquo; Jack replied, &ldquo;we must now proceed
+with the utmost caution. Mr. Van Dorn and I will accompany
+you to the house, and he had better then go with
+me to the cabin, in case there should be spies watching
+for our return, and it will be safer for him to remain there
+until nearly daylight, as none of the men will be out at
+that time, and he can return to the house unobserved.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>They had gone but a short distance, however, when,
+passing around a curve in the road, they beheld a sight
+that filled them with astonishment.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Shades of the departed!&rdquo; exclaimed Houston, &ldquo;what
+kind of an apparition is this?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack studied the approaching figures for an instant, a
+smile of amusement lighting up his usually stern features,
+while Van Dorn hastily slipped on his glasses for a better
+view.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That,&rdquo; said Jack, &ldquo;is evidently the famous phantom of
+Spotted Horse gulch, but who has originated the idea?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It must be Lyle,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;she said the ghost
+would walk to-night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, by George!&rdquo; exclaimed Van Dorn, &ldquo;that is pretty
+good anyway.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Slowly the ghost approached, giving the interested observers
+an opportunity to note the details of the make-up;
+the ghastly face, the heavy beard of dark colored wool,
+the narrow strips of red flannel streaming from breast
+and side, and even the heavy woolen socks upon the
+horse&rsquo;s feet, muffling the sound of his steps. Suddenly
+the slouch hat was raised, and the shining eyes of Lyle
+looked out from the strange disguise, as she announced
+in triumphant tones:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The road is clear, and you are safe!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lyle,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;how did you ever think of this?
+Did you devise this masquerade?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The idea was mine,&rdquo; she answered, &ldquo;it occurred to me
+the other night while listening to their talk, but Miss
+Gladden helped me to carry it out.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And was it a success?&rdquo; asked Van Dorn wonderingly,
+having more practical knowledge of mines than of
+miners, &ldquo;Were the men frightened?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You would have thought so, could you have seen Pete
+Brody,&rdquo; Lyle replied, with a low laugh, &ldquo;I believe he is
+running yet, and I wouldn&rsquo;t be surprised if Jake has lost
+what few wits he ever possessed.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It was one of the best schemes that could have been
+devised,&rdquo; said Jack, gravely, adding, &ldquo;We probably owe
+you more than we know.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Quietly and safely the little party proceeded up the
+winding road, and having reached their several destinations,
+all were soon at rest. Even the spotted horse, securely
+stabled in his accustomed place, gravely munched
+his wisp of hay without a thought of the ghostly escapade
+in which he had borne so prominent a part.</p>
+<p>But in the miners&rsquo; quarters consternation reigned, as
+Pete and Bud related their experiences, Jake being utterly
+incapacitated for speech. Even to Jack and Van
+Dorn, Mike had a fearful tale to tell of the sight he had
+witnessed, while alone with Rex in the cabin, and it was
+some time before his perturbed Irish fancies could be
+soothed; and &ldquo;the night that the ghost walked,&rdquo; was one
+long remembered and frequently recalled by many of the
+denizens of the little mining camp.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXXV' id='CHAPTER_XXXV'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXV.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>After the events leading up to the examination of the
+Lucky Chance mine, it was considered best for a while to
+pursue very nearly the same line of conduct that had
+been followed for the last ten days, carefully avoiding any
+abrupt change which might attract attention. All necessary
+data had now been secured, and Houston felt that he
+could better afford to remain quiet for a brief time and
+reconnoiter the situation, than by any hasty move to excite
+further suspicion at the present time.</p>
+<p>At the breakfast table the next morning, however, the
+thoughts of all present were partially diverted into different
+channels, by the arrival of a telegram for Houston
+which proved to be a message from Ned Rutherford, to
+the effect that he and his brother were on their way to
+Silver City, and would be at the mining camp within the
+next twenty-four or thirty-six hours.</p>
+<p>Haight had been exceedingly angry on learning from
+Maverick, early in the morning, of the failure of the men
+to report anything definite concerning the movements of
+those whom they had been sent out to watch. He had accomplished
+nothing, and was uncertain what course next
+to pursue, and he too, decided to remain quiet for the
+present. He continued to watch Houston and Van Dorn,
+his ugly suspicions only half concealed by the smiling exterior
+which he tried to assume. He had hastened to
+make peace with Minty, as he feared the results which
+might follow should his plottings become known to
+Houston, not dreaming that the latter had woven such
+a web around, not the mining company alone, but including
+also its principal employes, that in remaining
+where he was, a fate far worse than his fears awaited him.</p>
+<p>During the day, Miss Gladden and Lyle busied themselves
+with preparations for the expected guests. A room
+on the ground floor, adjoining and connecting with the
+one occupied by Houston and Van Dorn, and with a
+view of the lake and cascades, was put in readiness; and
+books, sketches and bric-a-brac contributed by Houston
+and Miss Gladden, and tastefully arranged by Lyle, relieved
+the blank walls and plain furniture, and made the
+place look quite attractive.</p>
+<p>Houston was jubilant over the information acquired
+by their expedition of the previous night; nothing out
+of the usual course occurred that day, and returning earlier
+from his customary visit to the mines than he had
+done of late, the remainder of the evening was devoted to
+music and song.</p>
+<p>After Miss Gladden and Lyle had gone up-stairs, they
+sat for some time talking over the events of the last few
+days, and anticipating the coming of Rutherford and his
+brother on the morrow. Many were Miss Gladden&rsquo;s surmises
+regarding the stranger, and Lyle then learned for
+the first time that he was an intimate friend of Houston&rsquo;s.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Everard tells me that though Ned is a pleasant fellow
+and good hearted, yet he is not in the least like his brother.
+He says Morton, as he always calls him, is a most
+perfect gentleman in every sense of the word, and a
+scholar of rare intellectual attainments, fond of scientific
+research, and a brilliant writer.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I judged from his picture that the two brothers were
+very unlike,&rdquo; said Lyle, &ldquo;and from your description he
+will be in many respects a new specimen to come under
+my limited observation; I will have to make a study of
+him, and see if he is at all like my idea of a literary person.
+I would not suppose, though, there would be much
+to interest him here; the only rarities he will find are possibly
+new phases of ignorance and coarseness and crime.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden thought, as she looked at Lyle, that if
+the new-comer did not find rare beauty of mind and soul,
+as well as of form and face, in that secluded region, he
+certainly must be very unappreciative; but she only said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You seem to have forgotten what Ned said of his
+brother, that his love of the beautiful was so intense, he
+doubted whether he would ever want to leave the scenery
+and surroundings here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That was simply one of Mr. Rutherford&rsquo;s extravagant
+expressions,&rdquo; Lyle replied, &ldquo;the natural surroundings
+here are certainly beautiful, but their beauty only makes
+the conditions mentally and morally the more painfully
+conspicuous, and if I can see the contrast so plainly, who
+have always lived here and known no other life, how must
+it look to one such as he!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why do you always insist upon it so strongly that
+you have never known any other life than this?&rdquo; inquired
+Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why?&rdquo; asked Lyle, in surprise, &ldquo;I suppose simply because
+it is a fact, the one hateful truth that I despise, and
+so I say it over and over to myself, to check these foolish
+dream-fancies of mine, that seem as if I had known something
+better sometime.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle spoke with more bitterness than Miss Gladden
+had ever heard before, and the latter answered gently:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If I were in your place, Lyle dear, I would not try to
+check these fancies; I would encourage them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle gazed at her friend in astonishment. &ldquo;Encourage
+them!&rdquo; she repeated, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t understand your meaning,
+why would you advise that?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;To see to what they would lead, my dear.&rdquo; Then, as
+Lyle looked bewildered, she continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Did it never occur to you, Lyle, that these fancies,
+as you call them, might possibly be an effort on the part
+of memory to recall something, long ago forgotten?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I never thought of such a possibility,&rdquo; she replied,
+slowly.</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden threw one arm about her caressingly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If these were mere fancies why should they occur so
+persistently, and why should there be this sense of familiarity,
+of which you have spoken, with other and far different
+associations than these, unless there is some distinct
+image hidden away in the recesses of your brain,
+which your mind is trying to recall?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle had grown very pale; she had caught the idea
+which Miss Gladden was trying to convey, and her form
+trembled, while her lips and delicate nostrils quivered
+with suppressed agitation.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Leslie,&rdquo; she cried, &ldquo;do you mean that you think it
+possible there is any reality in it,&ndash;&ndash;that I have ever known
+a different life from this,&ndash;&ndash;a life anything like that which
+seems to come back to me?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think it not only possible, but probable,&rdquo; said her
+friend, drawing the trembling girl closer to herself, &ldquo;and
+that is why I want you to encourage these impressions,
+and see if you will not, after a time, be able to recall the
+past more definitely.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But why do you believe this?&rdquo; questioned Lyle, &ldquo;How
+did you ever think of it?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;When you first told me of your fancies, as you called
+them, and of your dreams, constantly recurring since
+your earliest childhood, I felt that they must be produced
+by something that had really occurred, some time
+in the past, but perhaps so long ago that only the faintest
+impression was left upon your mind; but however faint,
+to me it seemed proof that the reality had existed. The
+more I have questioned you, the more I have become
+convinced of this, and I find I am not alone in my opinion.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Have you talked with Jack, and does he think as you
+do?&rdquo; Lyle questioned. Miss Gladden answered in the
+affirmative.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is that the reason he has asked me so often regarding
+my early life?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, he has questioned you, hoping you might be
+able to recall something of those years which you say
+seem to you only a blank. We can only surmise regarding
+your early life, but if you could recall some
+slight incident, or some individual, it might prove whether
+our surmises were correct.&rdquo; Then, as Lyle remained
+silent, Miss Gladden continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That face which you always see in your dreams, must
+be the face of some one you have really seen and known.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; Lyle answered dreamily, &ldquo;I have often thought
+of that, and have tried to remember when, or where, it
+could have been.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For a few moments, both were silent; Lyle, in her abstraction,
+loosened her hair, and it fell around her like
+a veil of fine-spun gold. An idea suddenly occurred to
+Miss Gladden, and rising from her chair, she gathered
+up the golden mass, and began to rearrange and fasten
+it, Lyle scarcely heeding her action, so absorbed was she
+in thought.</p>
+<p>When she had completed her work, she looked critically
+at Lyle for a moment, and seeming satisfied with the
+result, asked her to look in the glass. Half mechanically,
+Lyle did as requested, but at the first glance at the face
+reflected there, she uttered a low cry, and stood as if
+transfixed. Miss Gladden had arranged her hair in a
+style worn nearly twenty years before, and in imitation
+of the photograph which Jack had shown her. The
+effect was magical, as it showed Lyle&rsquo;s face to be an
+exact counterpart of the beautiful pictured face.</p>
+<p>To Lyle it revealed much more, for to her astonished
+gaze there was brought back, with life-like distinctness
+and realism, the face of her dreams; the one which she
+had seen bending tenderly over her since her earliest
+recollection, and which had seemed so often to comfort
+her in the days of her childish griefs when she had sobbed
+herself to sleep.</p>
+<p>Suddenly, Miss Gladden saw the face in the glass grow
+deathly white, and Lyle, quickly turning toward her
+friend, exclaimed:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I see it now! That is my mother&rsquo;s face that I have
+seen in my dreams! And I have seen it living some time,
+somewhere, but not here. These people are not my parents;
+I am no child of theirs. Oh, Leslie, tell me, is
+this true?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Very gently Miss Gladden soothed the excited girl, telling
+her that while her friends knew nothing as yet, for a
+certainty, regarding her parentage, they felt that she, in
+her early life, had had a home and surroundings far different
+from those she knew here, and that they hoped ere
+long, with her help, to arrive at the whole truth.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But how did I ever come to live here with these people?&rdquo;
+inquired Lyle, a new fear dawning in her eyes, &ldquo;do
+you suppose they were hired to take me?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, never,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;as nearly as we can
+judge, you must have been stolen.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And do you think my own parents are now living?&rdquo;
+she asked.</p>
+<p>So far as she was able to do so, Miss Gladden explained
+the situation, as Jack had told it to her, making
+no reference, however, to what he had said regarding the
+possibility of Lyle&rsquo;s friends coming to the mountains,
+where they would be likely to recognize her. Of this,
+Miss Gladden herself understood so little, she thought
+best not to allude to it now.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But why has Jack never told me of this, and of my
+mother? He must have known her,&rdquo; said Lyle.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You must remember, dear, that he had no proof that
+any such relation really existed; as I understood him, he
+with others, supposed that this child was not living, but
+he was struck with the resemblance between you and the
+mother of this child, and the relationship occurred to him
+at first as the merest possibility, but grew almost to a
+certainty, as the resemblance between you increased; and
+yet, you can see that under the circumstances, while you
+were under the control and in the power of these people,
+it would not be best to say anything until he had some
+proof as to your identity.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I see,&rdquo; Lyle answered, thoughtfully, &ldquo;but now that I
+remember her as my mother, do you suppose that he
+would talk with me about her, or help me to find my true
+relatives?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I hardly know how to answer you,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden
+slowly, &ldquo;there is some mystery about it all, dear, that I do
+not understand; he might perhaps talk more freely with
+you, but with me he appeared willing to say very little
+regarding your mother, or your friends. Still, he gave
+me a hint, so vague and shadowy I scarcely understood
+it, but to the effect that he thought there might, before
+long, be an opportunity for a meeting between you and
+those whom he believed to be your friends.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Lyle, after a pause, &ldquo;Jack is a true friend
+to me, he knows what is best, and I can afford to wait with
+even such a possibility to look forward to. I will not
+wait in idleness either, I shall try to find some clue, some
+evidence as to who I really am, and something tells me I
+will succeed.&rdquo; Then she added tenderly, &ldquo;Do you know,
+I believe, whoever my mother may have been, Jack must
+have loved her.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She certainly was very dear to him,&rdquo; replied Miss
+Gladden.</p>
+<p>They talked till far into the morning hours, and as
+they finally separated for the night, Lyle approached her
+friend, and throwing her arms about her neck, she exclaimed,
+almost in tears:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, Leslie, you can never know how glad I am that
+you have shown me this, and shown it to me to-night! I
+have felt so disgraced, so degraded by the life here, it
+seemed as if I were a part of it all, a part of my own hateful
+surroundings but now, I know I am not; now,&rdquo; she
+continued, lifting her head proudly and raising her arms
+slowly with a beautiful gesture, &ldquo;they can fetter me no
+longer! The chains that have held me so long and so
+cruelly are already bursting; even now, I can rise above
+them; soon, I shall be free!&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXXVI' id='CHAPTER_XXXVI'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXVI.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Do coming events cast their shadows before? Did the
+silently-waving pinions of the angel who &ldquo;troubled the
+waters&rdquo; give any hint of his beneficent approach? However
+that may be, certain it is that on the morning of the
+day in which the hitherto untroubled depths of Lyle&rsquo;s
+womanly nature were to be stirred by the mightiest of influences,
+there came to her a prescience, thrilling and
+vibrating through her whole being, that this day was to
+be the crisis, the turning point of her life. On that day,
+she was to meet one whose influence upon her own life
+she felt would be far greater than that of any human being
+she could recall.</p>
+<p>Lyle was not in love. As yet, she knew nothing of
+what love might be, but she possessed rare depth of feeling.
+In her lonely, secluded life, she had known few
+emotions, but those few were deep and lasting; and when,
+a few months before, she had incidentally seen the photograph
+of Morton Rutherford,&ndash;&ndash;only one among many,
+all unknown to her,&ndash;&ndash;it had left an impression upon her
+heart and brain, never to be effaced.</p>
+<p>His was no ordinary face; it would attract the most
+casual observer, and to one gifted with Lyle&rsquo;s wonderful
+insight and perception, and possessing her fine susceptibilities,
+there would be revealed such rare strength and
+beauty of mind and character combined, that, once seen,
+it might not be easily forgotten.</p>
+<p>To Lyle, in her isolation, it seemed a glimpse of a
+kindred soul, and she had often wondered what the living
+face itself might be, and what acquaintance and friendship
+with such a soul might mean. She had looked forward
+to his coming to the camp with mingled pleasure
+and dread. She thoroughly understood the position
+which she held in the estimation of the younger Mr.
+Rutherford; would his brother regard her with the same
+half pitying, half patronizing admiration? Would her
+narrow, restricted life seem so small and poor to him, with
+his superior attainments, that he would altogether ignore
+her? Or would he be able, like Mr. Houston and Miss
+Gladden, to overlook her hateful and hated environment,
+and help her rise above it?</p>
+<p>These were the questions which for the past few weeks
+had perplexed and troubled her; but the revelation which
+had come to her on the previous night had changed the
+whole current of her thought. What matter now, how
+mean or debasing her surroundings, since no taint from
+them could attach itself to her? What matter if her life
+had been cramped and restricted, since she was soon to
+rise above it into the life for which she had been created?
+Perhaps her natural sphere was not, after all, so unlike
+that in which her friends moved, to which even he was
+accustomed, the stranger, whose coming she now anticipated
+with a strange, unaccountable thrill of expectation.
+Would he, with that wonderful power which she felt he
+possessed, to elevate or to crush the souls with whom he
+came in contact, would he recognize her true sphere, as
+her other friends had done, or would he be blinded by her
+surroundings?</p>
+<p>She could not rest; she rose and looked forth upon the
+glorious dawn of the new day, and was impressed as
+never before, with the beauty of the vision which met her
+eyes. To her, it seemed like the dawning of a new epoch
+in her life; nay, more than that, like the dawning of a
+new life itself.</p>
+<p>Impatient of restraint, she left the house, and went out
+into the morning fresh from the hand of the Creator,
+as yet undefiled by contact with human life. Hastily
+climbing a series of rocky ledges, she reached a broad
+plateau, and looked about her. The life which she had so
+hated and despised seemed suddenly to have dropped forever
+out of sight, and she was conscious only of a new
+beauty, a new glory surrounding her.</p>
+<p>The mountains, blushing in the first rosy light, lifted
+their gleaming, glory-crowned spires heavenward; the
+cascades chanted in thunderous, yet rhythmic tones, their
+unceasing anthem of praise, their snow-white spray ascending
+skyward, like clouds of incense, while the little
+flowers, clinging to rock and ledge and mountain-side,
+turned their sweet faces upward in silent adoration. The
+place seemed pervaded by a spirit of universal adoration
+and praise, and instinctively, Lyle bowed her head in
+silent worship; and as she did so, there came to her, as
+though revealed by the lightning&rsquo;s flash, the vision of her
+mother kneeling beside her, in those dim days so long
+ago, clasping her tiny hands within her own, and teaching
+her baby lips to lisp the words of prayer.</p>
+<p>For a long time she knelt in that temple made without
+hands, till mountain and valley were bathed in glorious
+sunlight; and when at last, she descended the rocky footpath,
+she felt, as she looked forth upon the new life opening
+before her, no fear, no shrinking, but strong to go
+forward and meet her destiny, whatever it might be.</p>
+<p>All were impressed that morning by Lyle&rsquo;s manner,
+the added dignity of bearing, the new expression that
+looked forth from her soulful eyes, though none but Miss
+Gladden understood the cause.</p>
+<p>At the breakfast table, the final plans were made for
+the reception of the guests to arrive that day. Word had
+been received that they were already in Silver City, and
+would come out on the noon train. Houston had telegraphed
+to the Y for the best team there to be in readiness
+to bring them up to the camp, and an hour or so before
+noon, he and Van Dorn were to take two horses and ride
+to the Y to meet them, and accompany them on their
+ride up the canyon. A late dinner was to be served upon
+their arrival, when the two ladies would be present, as
+Lyle no longer acted in the capacity of waiter, Miss Gladden
+having some time before insisted that she should preside
+at the table, and the blushing Miss Bixby, after much
+painstaking effort, having been finally educated up to
+the point of performing that ceremony very creditably.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Everard,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden after breakfast, as Houston
+stopped for his customary chat with her before starting
+out on his daily routine, &ldquo;did you observe Lyle this
+morning? I never saw her look so lovely;&rdquo; adding playfully,
+&ldquo;I wonder you did not fall in love with her, she is
+far more beautiful than I.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Allow me to be judge,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;though I will admit
+that I think she grows more beautiful every day.
+But as to falling in love with her, I doubt if I would have
+done that even had I not met you. From the first she
+has seemed to me unaccountably like a sister; I cannot
+explain why, unless it was because of that child-like, almost
+appealing manner she had at that time. She has
+none of it now, however, she is developing very rapidly
+into a noble womanhood, and yet I still have the same
+feeling toward her, and I think she regards me as a
+brother.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That is true,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;she cares for you
+more than for any of the others, but only, as you say, as
+a brother. Her heart does not seem to be very susceptible.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She may be none the less susceptible,&rdquo; Houston replied,
+&ldquo;but she realizes her position here, and she is far
+too proud spirited to carry her heart upon her sleeve.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden then related to Houston the events oi
+the preceding night, and Lyle&rsquo;s sudden recollection of
+her own mother. He was much interested.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am more than glad,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;doubtless the
+memory of her early childhood will gradually come back
+to her, and we may be able to ascertain her true parentage.
+I hope so, at least, for I believe Maverick to be an out
+and out scoundrel, capable of any villainy, and I would
+like to see him brought to justice.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The room set apart for the expected guests, as well as
+the dining-room, was decorated with wild flowers and
+trailing vines, and in this pleasant employment, and the
+preparation of a few dainty dishes for the table, the forenoon
+passed swiftly.</p>
+<p>The noon train had scarcely come to a stop at the little
+station at the Y, when Ned Rutherford was seen rushing
+impetuously from the car, his camera case as usual in one
+hand, at sight of which the two young men waiting on the
+platform burst into a hearty laugh.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There he is,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;the same old Ned!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The very same old boy!&rdquo; added Van Dorn, as they
+hastened to meet him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hullo, Everard!&rdquo; cried Ned, jumping upon the platform,
+&ldquo;I say, but it seems mighty good to see you again!
+How are you, Van Dorn?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How are you, Ned?&rdquo; said Van Dorn, extending his
+hand, &ldquo;we wouldn&rsquo;t have known you if it hadn&rsquo;t been for
+that camera box of yours!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That so?&rdquo; answered Ned, good-naturedly, &ldquo;well, I always
+considered it indispensable, but I didn&rsquo;t suppose my
+identity would be lost without it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, Houston had hastened to meet the elder
+brother, and it could readily be seen that they were more
+than ordinary friends.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Everard, old fellow!&rdquo; he exclaimed, in response to
+Houston&rsquo;s greeting, &ldquo;this is the greatest pleasure I&rsquo;ve had
+in many a day. I never dreamed that the Houston of
+whom Ned wrote such glowing accounts was my old
+friend.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I used to think sometimes,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;when
+Ned was writing you, that I would like to send you some
+reminder of old times, a college password or signal that
+you would understand; but at that time, I didn&rsquo;t know
+Ned very well, and of course I was anxious to conceal
+my identity here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That was right,&rdquo; said the elder Rutherford, with a
+comical glance at his brother, &ldquo;Ned is rather injudicious,
+he belongs to that unfortunate class of people, with the
+best of intentions, who usually succeed in doing as much
+mischief as others with the worst.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Right you are there,&rdquo; said Ned, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m always putting
+my foot in it one way or another; I wouldn&rsquo;t advise anybody
+to make a confidant of me, I&rsquo;d give them away sure.
+I say, Everard,&rdquo; he continued, while his brother and Van
+Dorn exchanged cordial greetings, &ldquo;how are you getting
+on, and how is the Buncombe-Boomerang combination?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We have been very successful so far, everything is
+nearly in readiness, and the combination as you call it,
+cannot exist much longer; we will give you full particulars
+later.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And how are the ladies?&rdquo; Ned inquired further.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They are well, and waiting to give you and your
+brother a royal welcome.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; Morton Rutherford replied, &ldquo;I am quite
+anxious to meet them, Ned, of course, can speak for himself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That he can, and generally does when the right time
+comes,&rdquo; responded that individual, &ldquo;you will find I am a
+universal favorite here, in the camp of the Philistines.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>In a little while they were on their way to camp, Houston
+and Morton Rutherford occupying the back seat
+of the light, canopy-top wagon, while Van Dorn and
+Ned took the forward seat with the driver, the horses and
+baggage following with one of the mining teams.</p>
+<p>Morton Rutherford gave his friend a glowing account
+of his journey through the west, dwelling at considerable
+length on his enjoyment of the scenic routes. As
+they wound upward through the canyon, he grew ecstatic
+over the wild beauty and rugged grandeur extending
+in every direction, and when they finally drew rein before
+the long, low boarding house, nestling at the foot of
+the mountain, with its rustic, vine-covered porch, and
+surrounded on all sides by the wild scenery of that region,
+his admiration knew no bounds.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What a delightful retreat!&rdquo; he exclaimed, &ldquo;what a
+study for an artist!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Within the porch, among the vines, the ladies awaited
+their coming, and Lyle, looking forth from her shady retreat,
+saw the face whose image had been imprinted on
+heart and brain, and at a glance she read all she had expected
+to find, and more. There were the fine features,
+expressing such depth and power, and yet such delicacy
+of thought and feeling, the intellectual brow, the dark,
+expressive eyes, all as she had seen them in the picture;
+but what picture could convey the living beauty of the
+whole? It was the face of one whom women would
+worship, and men would follow even to death.</p>
+<p>The gentlemen approached the house, Houston and
+his friend leading the way. Miss Gladden advanced to
+meet them, and as Houston introduced Mr. Rutherford,
+she extended to him a most gracious and graceful welcome,
+and also to Ned. Her gown was white, of soft,
+clinging material, trimmed with quantities of rich, rare
+lace, and brightened here and there with touches of
+crimson and gold. She wore a few costly jewels, and the
+diamond hilt of a tiny dagger glistened and scintillated
+in her auburn-tinted hair. She looked very beautiful,
+and as Mr. Rutherford paused to respond to her welcome
+with a few courteous words, he thought his friend
+was surely to be congratulated on the prize he had won.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, Ned had discovered Lyle, as she stood
+partially hidden among the vines, awaiting her turn, and
+hastened to greet her in his impetuous fashion.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How do you do, Miss Maverick? I&rsquo;m awfully glad
+to see you. I want you to know my brother,&rdquo; and his
+cheerful voice sounded on his brother&rsquo;s ear, as he replied
+to some remark of Miss Gladden&rsquo;s.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Morton, I want to introduce you to our nightingale;
+Miss Maverick, allow me to make you acquainted with
+my brother.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>With a rare smile lighting up his face, Morton Rutherford
+turned toward the speaker, and as he did so, saw a
+vision of the most royal young womanhood his eyes had
+ever beheld. She, too, was dressed in white, but it was
+a filmy, cloud-like mass, with trimmings of ethereal blue.
+She wore no jewels, but a crown of golden hair gleamed
+like a coronet above her head, and her delicately molded
+face had a spirituelle beauty and radiance unlike any
+living face he had ever seen, and which he could only
+compare to the exquisite Madonna faces, painted by
+artists of the old world, and of the olden time.</p>
+<p>And Lyle, coming forward with unconscious, queenly
+grace, looked for an instant into that face whose subtle
+power she already felt, her wondrous, starry eyes, luminous
+with a new, strange light, meeting his with their
+depth of meaning, their powerful magnetism, and from
+that brief instant, life for each was changed, wholly and
+completely; whether for good or ill, for weal or woe,
+neither as yet could say.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXXVII' id='CHAPTER_XXXVII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXVII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>It was a very congenial little company that somewhat
+later gathered about the dinner table. There were no
+outsiders present on this occasion to check their conversation,
+and the room resounded with merry laughter as
+the young men related various reminiscences of their
+college days, or as Lyle gave her eastern friends some
+amusing glimpses of western life.</p>
+<p>Morton Rutherford added his share to the general enjoyment,
+as he gave in an inimitable manner which fascinated
+his listeners, sketches of places and people he had
+met in his western journey; but a close observer would
+have noticed that his dark eyes often wandered to the
+face of the fair hostess, presiding at the table with such
+dignity, and his thoughts much of the time were far removed
+from the subject of conversation.</p>
+<p>Of the strange, wild tumult in Lyle&rsquo;s breast there was
+no token, save in her heightened color, and the added
+brilliancy of her eyes.</p>
+<p>The plain, but wholesome mountain fare disappeared
+rapidly before the appetites sharpened by the bracing air
+of that altitude, and still the little company lingered at
+the table, loath to tear themselves away.</p>
+<p>Plans were made for a few days and evenings of genuine
+enjoyment, before proceeding any further with the
+business in which all were so deeply interested. Houston
+and Van Dorn would of course be more or less confined
+by their work, and it was voted that, during the day, Mr.
+Rutherford should be entertained by the ladies, or, as
+the hunting and fishing season had now opened, he and
+Ned would be able to find considerable sport in the surrounding
+country. But the evenings were to be spent by
+the entire party in visits to the different points of interest
+and beauty already familiar to some of their number.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And one of the first places to visit,&rdquo; said Ned Rutherford,
+at this point in the conversation, &ldquo;will be the cascades;
+we will go out there in boats, you know, with the
+guitar and violin, and have music just as we did the first
+time we ever went out. Great Scott! but I never will
+forget that night as long as I live!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;With the ladies&rsquo; approval, that will be one of our first
+trips,&rdquo; said Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You play and sing, do you not, Mr. Rutherford?&rdquo;
+Miss Gladden inquired, addressing the elder brother.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, occasionally,&rdquo; he answered, with a peculiar smile.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What instrument do you use?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I can accompany myself on several different instruments,&rdquo;
+he replied, &ldquo;but the violin is my favorite; it is
+capable of more expression than most others.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At last the little party adjourned to the porch, and
+Lyle, under the pretext of some household duties, excused
+herself, and escaped to her own little room. Here
+her forced composure gave way, and her highly wrought
+feelings found relief in a passionate burst of tears, though
+why she wept, she could not have told.</p>
+<p>Unconsciously to herself, perhaps, Morton Rutherford
+had of late become the hero of her thoughts, partially
+on account of her high estimate of him, and also because
+of the sympathy which she felt would exist between
+them in taste and thought and feeling. She had dreamed
+of a friendship with him, perhaps more perfect and helpful
+than any she had yet known; but they had met, and
+in that one glance had been revealed to her a natural
+affinity deeper than any of which she had ever dreamed,
+and the impossibility of a calm, Platonic friendship between
+kindred spirits such as theirs.</p>
+<p>Unconsciously to herself, Lyle had that day crossed the
+great divide, and womanhood, with its dower of love and
+joy, of pain and suffering, was henceforth hers. The
+mightiest element in her nature, which had lain dormant
+all these years, its power unsuspected even by herself,
+was now aroused, and even while she felt the throbbing of
+its new life, as yet, she knew not its name. She was
+young, her observation and her experience had been limited,
+and there had been no one to prepare her for the
+certain awakening of this mighty power, before whose
+conquering sway all else must yield.</p>
+<p>She grew more calm, and as she reviewed the few
+friendships she had known,&ndash;&ndash;the helpful kindness and
+tenderness of Jack in whom she had confided her childish
+griefs, the chivalry of Everard Houston, who from the
+first had constituted himself her champion and protector,
+and even the pleasant kindliness of Ned Rutherford,
+whom she scarcely deemed more than an acquaintance,&ndash;&ndash;there
+was suddenly revealed to her quickened perception
+the distinction between friendship and love, and instantly
+she recognized the stranger who had taken possession of
+her heart: Love had come. Love was to be henceforth
+king, and she stood trembling and abashed in the presence
+of the new sovereign. Her tears flowed silently, but
+she was far from unhappy; love, even unknown and unreciprocated,
+brings its own sweet reward.</p>
+<p>Whether her love would ever be returned by the one
+whose glance had awakened it in its might, she dared not
+even think. She knew not, as yet, in what light he would
+regard her. Notwithstanding the friendship and esteem
+manifested by the younger brother, she fully understood
+the insurmountable barrier which his pride had placed
+between himself and her. Would it exist in the mind of
+the elder brother also? Or would his keener insight, his
+superior perception discern her true position? Time
+alone would tell.</p>
+<p>A little later, calm and queenly as ever, Lyle rejoined
+the little group, who had strolled out a short distance
+from the house, and were seated beside the lake, in the
+cooling shadow of a large rock.</p>
+<p>She could not help observing the smile of pleasure with
+which Mr. Rutherford welcomed her approach, but she
+would not yet trust herself to hold any protracted conversation
+with him, and giving him only a bright little smile
+of recognition, she seated herself beside Ned, and began
+a playful badinage, as they had been accustomed to banter
+each other on his former visit. Morton Rutherford
+watched them curiously, listening to the war of words
+with a half smile, and evidently absorbed in his own
+thoughts, as, for a while, Miss Gladden and Mr. Van
+Dorn had the conversation to themselves, Houston having
+gone to the mines.</p>
+<p>As the shadows began to lengthen, and the sun seemed
+hovering over a snow-crowned peak that stood out boldly
+against the western horizon, Houston was seen approaching
+the house, and at a little distance, Maverick and his
+two sons. Lyle, who was then standing on the outer
+edge of the group, talking with Miss Gladden, was quick
+to observe a sudden movement on Ned&rsquo;s part, as, turning
+toward his brother, he made some brief remark in
+low tones, regarding the approaching trio. She well
+knew the tenor of his remark, and watched closely to see
+its effect.</p>
+<p>She saw Morton Rutherford glance in the direction indicated
+by a slight motion of Ned&rsquo;s head, and then,
+though he betrayed no surprise by word or movement, an
+expression of astonishment crossed his face, but only for
+an instant. His features grew white and stern, and he
+watched every movement of the three figures, as, with
+stealthy, slouching gait and suspicious looks, they stole
+around the corner of the house, and the expression of
+his eye seemed to Lyle like that of a judge passing sentence
+on a condemned criminal.</p>
+<p>He did not look at Lyle immediately, perhaps he was
+conscious of the eyes watching him so narrowly from
+under the heavily drooping lids, fringed with long, golden
+lashes, but when he did look toward her, there was a
+depth of meaning in those dark eyes which she could not
+fathom.</p>
+<p>Twenty-four hours before, Lyle standing there, under
+those circumstances, would have been crushed with humiliation,
+but in the light of the revelation of the night
+before, she met his glance with an expression which to
+him seemed utterly inscrutable. There was neither
+shame nor apology written on her face, as with a calm,
+bright smile, and the same self-possessed manner, she
+turned and passed into the house.</p>
+<p>Upon entering the dining-room, Lyle heard angry
+words in the kitchen, and paused to listen. The voice
+was Maverick&rsquo;s.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Who in hell is that new feller you&rsquo;ve got up here?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s the brother of the young feller that was here
+a spell ago,&rdquo; answered the voice of Minty, who was just
+emerging from the pantry.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Damn you! who asked you to say anything? Git out
+of here,&rdquo; he roared, and Minty made a hasty retreat into
+the cellar.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Who&rsquo;s that new feller out there?&rdquo; he again demanded
+of his wife.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;His name is Rutherford, and he&rsquo;s a brother of the
+young man that come out here with Mr. Houston,&rdquo; was
+her reply.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s his business here?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I guess he hain&rsquo;t got none, he seems to be out here
+for pleasure like his brother.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Pleasure!&rdquo; growled Maverick, with an oath, &ldquo;there&rsquo;s
+too many of &rsquo;em, damn &rsquo;em, out here for pleasure; I&rsquo;d
+give some of &rsquo;em some pleasure that they ain&rsquo;t a lookin&rsquo;
+for, if I had a chance.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>His wife made no response.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s that girl Lyle tricked out in such finery for?&rdquo;
+he next asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They&rsquo;re clothes that Miss Gladden give her,&rdquo; Mrs.
+Maverick replied, &ldquo;and it saves us jest so much, so you
+needn&rsquo;t growl; besides she looks nice.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Looks nice!&rdquo; said Maverick, contemptuously, &ldquo;you&rsquo;re
+always bound to stick up for her! Look here, old woman,&rdquo;
+he added, in a lower tone, but which Lyle could hear,
+&ldquo;have you been tellin&rsquo; that girl anything? She don&rsquo;t
+own me for her daddy lately, I notice; now, if you&rsquo;ve
+been puttin&rsquo; her or anybody else onto anything of the
+kind, I can tell you you&rsquo;ll be damned sorry for it before
+you git through with me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I hain&rsquo;t said a word, it&rsquo;s jest a notion she&rsquo;s took, I
+dun&rsquo;no why. I hain&rsquo;t said nothin&rsquo; nor I ain&rsquo;t a goin&rsquo;
+to, as long as you behave yourself, Jim Maverick, but the
+proofs is all ready in case you don&rsquo;t treat me and her jest
+as you&rsquo;d orter.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A terrible oath burst from Maverick&rsquo;s lips, but the entrance
+of the two boys and Minty, prevented any further
+conversation on this subject; and Lyle, seated in the
+little porch whither she had retreated from the dining-room,
+reflected on what she had just heard, its meaning
+seeming very clear to her in the light of what Miss Gladden
+had told her the night before.</p>
+<p>There were proofs then in existence, probably in that
+very house, as to her identity. Her friends were correct
+in their surmises: she had been stolen, and the villain who
+had committed the deed, even now trembled with apprehension
+lest his villainy should become known. Those
+proofs she must have, and it would be worse than useless
+to demand them of either Maverick or his wife. She
+must search for them. This she resolved to do, day by
+day, as opportunity afforded, until there should be no
+nook or corner which she had not thoroughly explored.</p>
+<p>As Lyle recalled all that occurred within the past
+twenty-four hours, the most eventful period within her
+recollection thus far, she felt that she had virtually broken
+with the old life and all its associations, and that she
+stood upon the threshold of a new life, higher, nobler,&ndash;&ndash;perhaps
+sweeter,&ndash;&ndash;than any of which she had ever
+dreamed.</p>
+<p>The return of the little company of friends to the house
+interrupted her thoughts, but not before she had decided
+fully as to her future course.</p>
+<p>After supper, it was decided to spend that first evening
+on the summit of one of the nearest mountains, to watch
+the glories of the sunset, and to give Morton Rutherford
+a bird&rsquo;s-eye view of the beautiful scenery, before introducing
+him to its details.</p>
+<p>But on the second evening, the entire party set forth for
+the trip to the cascades, for which Ned was so especially
+desirous.</p>
+<p>Mr. Houston and Miss Gladden led the little procession,
+Houston carrying her guitar. Ned had constituted himself
+Lyle&rsquo;s escort by taking the violin, and they came
+next, while Morton Rutherford and Arthur Van Dorn
+brought up the rear.</p>
+<p>Their two boats were already awaiting them, and Ned,
+having assisted Lyle to a seat, turned to Van Dorn.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Van Dorn,&rdquo; he said in his blandest tones, &ldquo;may
+we have the pleasure of your company in our boat?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>As Van Dorn laughingly accepted the invitation, Morton
+Rutherford turned toward his brother, saying:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Are you not going to extend an invitation to me,
+also?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Unfortunately,&rdquo; said Ned, with as much dignity as he
+could assume, &ldquo;this boat will seat but three people.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is that so!&rdquo; replied his brother, with a curious downward
+inflection, &ldquo;unfortunately, then, for Mr. Houston
+and Miss Gladden, you will have to take the other boat,
+as I am going in this one myself,&rdquo; and stepping lightly
+into the boat, he pulled it quickly out into the water, leaving
+Ned in a state of bewilderment, alone on shore, as
+Mr. Houston and Miss Gladden were already seated in
+their boat, and watching this little by-play.</p>
+<p>There was a general laugh at Ned&rsquo;s expense, as he
+clambered into the other boat, exclaiming good-naturedly:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, Mort, that&rsquo;s an awfully shabby trick, but then,
+it&rsquo;s all I can expect of you, anyhow.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s all you deserve, after such attempted selfishness
+on your part,&rdquo; replied his brother.</p>
+<p>They rowed across the lake in the soft light, the glory
+of the setting sun still reflected from the surrounding
+peaks, the music of their boat songs accompanied by the
+dip and plash of the oars.</p>
+<p>At last they reached the cascades, and rounding a little
+promontory, the glory of that wondrous scene suddenly
+burst upon them. For a moment Mr. Rutherford sat
+speechless, and Lyle, facing him, silently enjoyed his
+surprise and his ecstasy as keenly as he enjoyed the wonderful
+beauty about him. In his face, she read the same
+capacity for joy or for suffering which Nature had bestowed
+upon herself, and when his eyes suddenly met hers
+again, he saw the tears glistening in their shining depths,
+and with quick, intuitive sympathy, readily understood the
+cause.</p>
+<p>For a while they rowed back and forth in almost silent
+admiration; then the boats were brought side by side at
+the foot of the cascades, and the air resounded with song;
+sometimes their voices all blending together in exquisite
+harmony, then in twos and threes, while occasionally,
+some beautiful old song would be given as a solo.</p>
+<p>It had been an evening of rare enjoyment for each one,
+and they were just about to turn their boats homeward,
+when Ned Rutherford exclaimed:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I say, don&rsquo;t let us leave this spot until Miss Maverick
+sings that song she gave us the first time we came out
+here, the first we ever heard her sing. I never can forget
+that song, and it is always associated with this place.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The others joined in the request. Lyle hesitated.
+Could she trust herself to sing that song to-night? It
+was easy to sing when love had come to another&rsquo;s heart,
+but could she sing it now that he had come to her own?</p>
+<p>She consented, and the oars rested once more. With
+her eyes fixed on the distant mountains, Lyle began her
+song:</p>
+<p class='center'>&ldquo;Love is come with a song and a smile.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At the first words, Morton Rutherford started, and as
+he fixed his eyes on the beautiful singer, her fair form and
+shining hair outlined against the silvery cascades, it
+seemed to him the loveliest sight of his whole life.</p>
+<p>Her voice, exquisitely sweet as she began, gained in
+expression and power, until she sang as she had never
+sung before; and as the last notes died away, Houston,
+bending his head low, whispered to Miss Gladden:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Leslie, my dear, do you think now that Lyle&rsquo;s heart
+is not susceptible? She never could sing that song in
+that way if she knew nothing of love.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>And Miss Gladden made no reply, for her own heart
+was too full for words.</p>
+<p>The song was ended, and Lyle&rsquo;s eyes suddenly met the
+dark ones fixed upon her face, and though no words were
+spoken, she read in their depths that hers was not the
+only heart to which love had come.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXXVIII' id='CHAPTER_XXXVIII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXVIII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>That night the diminutive lamp that did duty in the
+room assigned to the two brothers burned till long past
+the hour of midnight. By its dim light, Ned Rutherford indited
+a letter to his fiancee, while his brother quietly
+paced back and forth, the entire length of the small apartment,
+his hands clasped behind him and his head thrown
+back,&ndash;&ndash;his usual attitude when in deep thought.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Getting up another article on the application of electric
+force?&rdquo; inquired Ned, as he paused to watch his
+brother.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; was the reply, &ldquo;I am thinking at present of a
+force far more subtle and more powerful than that of
+electricity.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why, how&rsquo;s that?&rdquo; asked Ned in surprise, &ldquo;I thought
+electricity was one of your pet hobbies.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Never mind about my pet hobbies,&rdquo; said his brother,
+with a smile, &ldquo;just continue your writing for the present.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Half an hour later, as Ned folded and sealed the voluminous
+letter, and placed upon it the long, foreign address,
+his brother, watching him with a curious half smile,
+said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I shall have to give you credit for a great deal of constancy,
+Ned, more than I really supposed you possessed.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How&rsquo;s that?&rdquo; asked Ned, with a slight blush, &ldquo;to what
+do you refer.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;To your fidelity to your affianced,&rdquo; Morton replied,
+&ldquo;under the rather adverse circumstances that attend your
+suit, and notwithstanding the unusual attractions by
+which you have been surrounded here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, as to that,&rdquo; said Ned, slowly, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know as
+I deserve so very much credit. Houston appropriated
+Miss Gladden to himself pretty soon after we came here,
+and besides, she isn&rsquo;t exactly my style, after all; she
+would suit Houston a great deal better than me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah,&rdquo; said his brother, quietly, &ldquo;and what of the younger
+lady? Perhaps she is not your style, either?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, no, I should say not,&rdquo; Ned replied, with the least
+perceptible scorn in his tone, &ldquo;not but what she is a
+lovely girl, and I respect her, and feel sorry for her, but
+I should think one glimpse of her family would decide
+that question, once for all.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ned,&rdquo; said Morton Rutherford, pausing in his walk,
+directly in front of his brother, &ldquo;is it possible that you are
+so blind as not to see that Miss Maverick, as you call her,&ndash;&ndash;I
+prefer to call her Lyle,&ndash;&ndash;has no connection whatever
+with the family in which she lives?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Do you think so?&rdquo; Ned inquired, with surprise, &ldquo;I
+remember Houston and Miss Gladden expressed the
+same opinion when I was here before, but I don&rsquo;t think
+they had any proof that such was the case, and even if it
+were so, I don&rsquo;t see how it helps the matter much, for
+nobody knows to what sort of a family she really does
+belong.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ned,&rdquo; said his brother, indignantly, &ldquo;I know nothing
+of the opinion of Houston or Miss Gladden upon this subject,
+but where are your own eyes, and where is your reason?
+If you discovered one of the rarest and most beautiful
+flowers known to exist in the plant world, in a heap of
+tailings out here among these mines, would you immediately
+conclude that, because you had found it there, it
+must be indigenous to the spot? Look at that girl, and
+tell me if there is one trace in feature, in form, in manner,
+or in speech, of plebeian blood, and then will you
+tell me that she is in any way connected with people such
+as these? They are not merely plebeian, they are low, debased,
+criminal. They are criminals of the deepest dye,
+not only capable of any villainy, but already guilty, and
+to such a degree that their guilt has made them shrinking,
+skulking cowards.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But, Mort, if you are correct, and I don&rsquo;t say that you
+are not, how does she come to be in such a place as this,
+with no memory of anything different?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Through the villainy of that man whom you pointed
+out to me as her father; through his villainy, and in no
+other way.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You think she was stolen?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I do; I can see in his face that he has committed some
+terrible crime,&ndash;&ndash;perhaps many of them,&ndash;&ndash;and he is afraid
+to look a stranger in the eye; and a glance at that beautiful
+girl is enough to fasten upon him one of his crimes.
+She is from a family whose blood is as pure from any
+taint, physical, mental, or moral, as is your own, and unless
+I am greatly mistaken, she is not wholly unconscious
+of this herself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Great Heavens!&rdquo; exclaimed the younger brother, &ldquo;I
+never dreamed of all this! If it is really as you think, I
+only wish we could find her true home, and have her
+restored to it, and make that scoundrel suffer for his
+crime.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If it is among the possibilities, it shall be done,&rdquo; said
+Morton Rutherford, quietly, but in a tone which startled
+Ned with its volume of meaning. The latter looked up
+in quick surprise, a question on his lips, but he knew his
+brother&rsquo;s face too well; the question was not asked, and
+he only said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good for you, Mort, and here&rsquo;s my hand; I&rsquo;m with
+you on this, whatever you do.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For the next few days, nothing of any special import
+occurred at the camp. Houston, soon after the arrival
+of Morton and Ned Rutherford, had written to his uncle
+that preparations were now about completed, and everything
+was so nearly in readiness that he and his party had
+better come out immediately to one of the western cities,
+from which they could be summoned by telegraph on
+short notice. Accordingly, Mr. Cameron had already
+left New York, and in company with his attorney and the
+English expert, was now on his way west, Mrs. Cameron
+also accompanying him as far west as Chicago, where she
+was to stop with friends while he went on to the mines,
+as she had insisted that she would feel much happier to
+be nearer her husband and Everard, so that she could
+more easily reach them in the event of any trouble at the
+mines.</p>
+<p>Van Dorn was progressing well with his work, and the
+machine would soon be ready for its trial test, though he
+said he would in all probability first have to go to Silver
+City, in order to have replaced one or two small but important
+parts which had been broken in the long, westward
+journey.</p>
+<p>Lyle, in the midst of the strange happiness which had
+lately come to her heart, had not forgotten her resolve
+to search for the proofs, of such importance to her. On
+the contrary, she had now a new and powerful incentive
+which gave additional zest to her efforts, although, thus
+far, they had proved unsuccessful.</p>
+<p>One afternoon, after having made a particularly thorough
+but fruitless search, she stole quietly out of the
+house, and following the little path along the shore of the
+lake, soon found herself in her favorite retreat among
+the rocks, a secluded place from which there was no sign
+of human habitation; only the mountains in their vast
+solitudes were visible, their silent grandeur more eloquent
+than words. It was a spot that she had loved even
+in her childhood, and which had, in later years, been her
+resort for study and reflection.</p>
+<p>In a brief interview with Jack, at the cabin, the previous
+evening, she had told him of her increasingly distinct
+recollections of her mother, of the angry words between
+Maverick and his wife which she had overheard, and of
+her search which she felt would yet result in her obtaining
+possession of the necessary proofs of her identity.</p>
+<p>To her surprise, Jack, while commending the course
+which she was taking, yet seemed strangely averse to
+talking much with her upon the subject. At last, as she
+was leaving the cabin, he had taken her hands in his,
+saying, in a strangely tender tone:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My dear Lyle, because I say little, you must not
+think I take no interest in this affair which concerns you
+so closely. I am deeply interested, more deeply than you
+will probably ever know, but it is for many reasons a
+painful subject to me, one full of bitter memories; but I
+have one favor to ask of you, my dear child, which I
+know you will grant for the sake of the memory of the
+happy hours we have spent together,&ndash;&ndash;it is this; that
+whatever proof you may succeed in finding, you will first
+bring to me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly I will, dear Jack,&rdquo; Lyle had replied, wondering
+at his manner, &ldquo;in whom should I confide if not in
+you, who have been my first and best friend.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>And he, his dark, piercing eyes looking into the depths
+of her own, their gaze softened by tender affection, had
+replied:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, your friend always, Lyle, remember that; none
+truer or more devoted to you or your welfare; but before
+long, my dear, your heart will learn, if it has not
+learned already, the difference between friendship and
+love.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>With burning cheeks and tearful eyes Lyle recalled his
+words, and pondered deeply on the strange bond that
+seemed, in some way, to exist between his life and hers,
+but the longer she tried to solve the problem, the deeper
+and more obscure it seemed.</p>
+<p>In the midst of her reflections, she heard a light step
+upon the rocky footpath, and looking up, saw Morton
+Rutherford approaching. So absorbed was he in the
+study of the masses of rock about him, on which had been
+traced by the finger of the centuries, in wonderful hieroglyphics,
+the early history of the earth, that for a time he
+was unconscious of her presence there. When he saw
+her he raised his hat and came quickly forward.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I beg your pardon,&rdquo; he said, in deep, musical tones,
+&ldquo;I supposed myself alone with my own thoughts; am I
+intruding? if so, send me away at once.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, stay, if you please,&rdquo; said Lyle.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; he answered, seating himself on the
+rocks at a little distance, &ldquo;you appeared so lost in thought
+I feared my coming might annoy you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; she replied, &ldquo;my thoughts were too perplexing,
+I was growing weary of them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Rutherford glanced at the surrounding mountains;
+&ldquo;Were you, too, trying to fathom the mystery of the
+eternal hills?&rdquo; he asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; was her reply, &ldquo;I have never attempted anything
+so far beyond me as that; I have found more mysteries
+in every-day, human life than I could solve.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Morton Rutherford was silent for a few moments, then
+he said in low tones:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I hope you will pardon me when I say, that to me,
+your own life here, under the existing circumstances and
+conditions, is a mystery, one which seems capable of but
+one solution.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And what would be your solution?&rdquo; she asked quickly.</p>
+<p>He saw that she understood his meaning, and was
+watching him intently, eagerly, and he said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Permit me to reply to your question by asking one in
+return. Do you not believe that your life had a beginning
+elsewhere than here, and under far different conditions?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is more than a belief with me, it is a certainty, and
+yet, strange as it may appear to you, this knowledge has
+come to me but recently, and even now, I know nothing
+of what those conditions may have been, except that they
+were totally unlike these that exist here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You interest me very much are you willing to tell me
+how you arrived at this knowledge of which you speak?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Very briefly, and without going into details, Lyle, in
+response to the magnetic sympathy of those dark eyes,
+gave a vivid outline of her life, and of the vague impressions
+which of late were becoming distinct recollections,
+and of her hope of soon finding tangible evidence regarding
+the life which was daily growing more and more of a
+reality.</p>
+<p>Mr. Rutherford listened with intense interest to the
+strange story, and when she had finished, he said slowly,
+as he took a short turn up and down the rocky path:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Believe me, I have not listened to this through mere,
+idle curiosity; much as your story has interested me, it
+has not surprised me, for I read the truth almost from our
+first meeting.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle gave him a smile of rare sweetness and deep significance;
+&ldquo;I am glad to know that,&rdquo; she said simply.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why so?&rdquo; he asked, pausing and seating himself beside
+her; &ldquo;Did you think I could fail to recognize the
+soul that looked out to welcome me when I first came,
+no matter amid what surroundings I found it?&rdquo; Then, as
+she remained silent, he continued, his tones thrilling her
+heart as no human voice had ever done before:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Since the hour that I first met you, Lyle, life has
+changed for me,&ndash;&ndash;I think perhaps it will never be quite
+the same again for either of us. I know that I love you
+with a love that, whether reciprocated or not, can never
+die; that henceforth, you will be,&ndash;&ndash;you must be,&ndash;&ndash;a part
+of my very life. Let me care for you and help you; let
+me help you in your search for the home for which you
+were created, and of which you are worthy; but, Lyle,
+before you search any farther for that home, will you not
+consent to become the queen of my home, as you are already
+the queen of my heart?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle lifted her head proudly, though the tears glistened
+on the long, golden lashes; &ldquo;Do you ask me that, here
+and now, knowing nothing as yet, of what the future may
+reveal?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I do; I have no fear for the future if I but have your
+love. Do you think that, perhaps, in the days to come,
+amid other and different surroundings, you might find
+some one whose love your heart would choose in preference
+to mine?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Never!&rdquo; cried Lyle, impulsively, turning with outstretched
+arms to him, &ldquo;You are the only one I have
+ever loved,&ndash;&ndash;the only one I could ever love!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then that is enough for me,&rdquo; he replied, drawing her
+closely to his breast; &ldquo;you have come forth from the
+years of the wretched past, with a soul star-white and
+shining, and I have no fears for the future.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>When the little group of friends assembled that evening,
+it was not long before some one discovered that a
+small diamond ring, of exquisite, antique design, which
+Morton Rutherford had worn, had, in some manner, become
+transferred to Lyle&rsquo;s hand. &ldquo;Wear this, for the
+present,&rdquo; he had said, in taking it from his own hand,
+&ldquo;until I can obtain a costlier one for you,&rdquo; but Lyle had
+insisted that once placed upon her hand, there it must remain,
+as she would prize it far above any other which
+money could buy; and such had been the final decision.</p>
+<p>When this significant fact had been discovered by one
+of the little company, the intelligence was speedily telegraphed
+to the rest, and Morton and Lyle soon found
+themselves the recipients of hearty and affectionate congratulations
+from the others.</p>
+<p>The astonishment depicted on Ned&rsquo;s face, when he
+comprehended the turn affairs had taken, was beyond
+description, but in the little excitement which prevailed
+for a few moments, it passed unnoticed, so that he had
+sufficiently recovered himself to join very gracefully in
+the general congratulations when his turn came.</p>
+<p>A few hours later, however, as he went out for a stroll
+with Van Dorn, while his brother and Houston started
+out in the direction of Jack&rsquo;s cabin, his astonishment
+found expression.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Great Scott! but I never was so dumfounded in my
+life! I tell you what, Van, I believe people lose their wits
+when they are in love!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;On whose experience do you base your highly original
+remark, your brother&rsquo;s or your own?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, both, and lots of others besides. I never yet
+saw a person who was in love that didn&rsquo;t act just the
+reverse of what you would expect, or of what they would
+under ordinary circumstances. Now, look at us two, for
+instance. Look at me! Everybody calls me rash and
+impetuous, and Mort is always lecturing me for it, and
+it&rsquo;s always my way to rush head-first into anything that
+comes along, and here I&rsquo;ve been making love, in the regular,
+orthodox fashion, to a girl I&rsquo;ve known ever since I
+wore knickerbockers, and playing propriety and all that
+to my prospective father-in-law; and now see Mort! the
+most precise, deliberate fellow you ever saw, never says or
+does anything that isn&rsquo;t exactly suited to the occasion,
+you know; and here he goes and tumbles head over heels
+in love with a pretty girl the first time he sees her, and
+when he doesn&rsquo;t know a blessed thing about her, and, by
+George! engages himself to her before he&rsquo;s known her a
+week! If that isn&rsquo;t a case of clear-gone lunacy, then I
+never saw one.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Van Dorn laughed; &ldquo;Well, of the two, I should prefer
+your brother&rsquo;s form of lunacy to yours; if I ever was to
+be in love, I should want the misery over as quickly as
+possible.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>As Houston and his friend, having made a brief call at
+the cabin, rose to take their leave, the former observed
+Jack watching Rutherford&rsquo;s face with a degree of interest
+unusual for him to manifest in a stranger.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I want you and my friend, Rutherford, to know each
+other the little time he will be here,&rdquo; he said, addressing
+Jack, &ldquo;for though I have never known what it was to have
+a brother in reality, he seems to me to more nearly fill that
+position than any one I have known, and I have told him
+of your kindness and assistance, and the strange bond
+that has seemed to unite us from the first, though we met
+as strangers, so he naturally wishes to meet you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There was a peculiar quiver of the lips under the heavy,
+black beard, as Jack replied, in deep, full tones, &ldquo;Mr.
+Rutherford&rsquo;s face carries with it its own recommendation,
+and the fact that he is as a brother to yourself will insure
+him a double welcome here as often as he pleases to come
+during his stay.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston passed onward into the outer room, pausing
+to chat with Mike, while Morton Rutherford lingered,
+and extending his hand to Jack, said in low tones:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have another reason for wishing to meet you. From
+what Lyle has told me, I know you to have been, until
+very recently, her only friend, and to you, as to her friend,
+and perhaps, in one sense, her guardian, I wish to state
+that I love her, and have been so fortunate as to win her
+love in return; and that I hope before very long, my
+home will be hers.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, I know,&rdquo; Jack responded, briefly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What! has she already told you?&rdquo; Rutherford asked
+in surprise.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Only unconsciously; but I read soon after your coming,
+that her heart was no longer her own.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Then grasping Rutherford&rsquo;s hand warmly, he added, in
+tones vibrating with some deep emotion.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You have chosen better than you know. I believe
+I can trust her and her happiness in your hands. God
+bless you both! and may He bless you in proportion to
+your love and fidelity toward her!&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXXIX' id='CHAPTER_XXXIX'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXIX.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>The following day, Mr. Blaisdell suddenly made his appearance
+at the camp, accompanied by Mr. Rivers and a
+mining expert who had come out in the interests of a
+Chicago firm, looking for good paying investments.
+Houston had received no word of their coming, and the
+first intimation which he had of their arrival was the sight
+of the three gentlemen, as he approached the house at
+dinner time.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How are you, Houston?&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell, pausing
+in his walk up and down before the house, and extending
+his hand, &ldquo;How&rsquo;s the work progressing?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Finely,&rdquo; replied Houston, &ldquo;the output is steadily increasing,
+week by week.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Keeps you pretty busy, I suppose? Well, I hope we
+can give you a little help before long; we&rsquo;ve located Barden
+at last, and he starts for the west next week. Let
+me introduce you to Mr. Parsons, a mining expert from
+Chicago; Mr. Parsons, this is Mr. Houston, our general
+superintendent.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston exchanged greetings with the stranger, and
+with Mr. Rivers, the latter watching him closely, though
+saying very little.</p>
+<p>Dinner was served as quickly as possible, as Mr. Parsons
+was limited for time, and was to return to Silver City
+on the evening train. Most of the conversation at the
+table was on mines and mining, Mr. Blaisdell trying to
+impress each one present, Mr. Parsons in particular, with
+his extensive knowledge, both theoretical and practical,
+on all that pertained to the subject, as well as with a sense
+of the immense value of the properties owned by the
+company.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. W. E. Cameron, of New York, owns some very
+valuable mines out here, I understand,&rdquo; said Mr. Parsons
+casually, his innocent remark producing rather a startling
+effect upon the minds of his listeners, though they, one
+and all, succeeded in preserving a calm exterior.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He has an interest in some very fine properties,&rdquo; replied
+Mr. Blaisdell blandly, though with a visible contracting
+of the muscles about the mouth, &ldquo;you are acquainted
+with Mr. Cameron, I presume?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, no, on the contrary, I never even met the gentleman,
+but he is extensively known among the leading
+business houses of Chicago, and he was pointed out to
+me, the day I came away, as the owner of some of the
+finest mines in this locality,&rdquo; Mr. Parsons explained,
+thereby carrying consternation to the heart of every one
+present.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Did I understand you to say that Mr. Cameron was in
+Chicago?&rdquo; inquired Mr. Blaisdell, while Mr. Rivers&rsquo; restless
+eyes were at once on the alert.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly, he was there the day I left; at least, a
+gentleman with whom I happened to be talking about
+western investments, pointed him out to me, and cited
+him as the owner of western properties.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah, yes, did you hear anything said as to whether he
+was coming this way?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Nothing, nothing whatever, except what I have
+stated.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s all right,&rdquo; said Mr. Rivers, speaking for the first
+time, and in his quick, incisive way; he feared Mr. Blaisdell
+had betrayed his anxiety; &ldquo;all right, only we would
+like to know his whereabouts, as it will be necessary to
+wire him in a day or two, regarding some ore shipments.
+Can you give us the hotel where he was stopping?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am very sorry that I cannot oblige you, but I have
+not the least idea where he was located; I simply saw
+him passing on the street.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is of no consequence,&rdquo; replied Mr. Blaisdell, with
+assumed indifference, &ldquo;we can of course ascertain his
+present address from the New York house; it will take a
+little more time, that is all. We had better proceed to
+the mines at once, if Mr. Parsons is ready.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>When they had left and Haight was on his way to the
+mills, the four young men held a few moments&rsquo; consultation
+outside the house.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;By Jingo!&rdquo; exclaimed Ned Rutherford, &ldquo;it looks as
+though old Buncombe was going to get on to our surprise
+party that we&rsquo;re planning for him! What are you
+fellows going to do about it?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Van Dorn. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not sure whether this
+is going to interfere with our arrangements or not; what
+do you think, Everard? will the company &lsquo;smell a rat&rsquo;
+anywhere?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They are evidently alarmed at the possibility of Mr.
+Cameron&rsquo;s coming out here, but there is nothing yet to
+arouse their suspicions against us, so I do not think it
+will interfere materially with our plans at present. They
+will be able to learn nothing of my uncle&rsquo;s movements
+from the New York house, as he will have forestalled
+them there. He had but just reached Chicago when this
+Parsons left, and as he and Mr. Whitney wished, if possible,
+to remain there a few days, to consult with a legal
+firm who are personal friends of theirs, I think it best, in
+case this company remains quiet, to take no action yet
+for two or three days; but if the officers of the company
+begin to appear suspicious, or as if they were trying to
+cover their tracks, the sooner we telegraph for our party,
+the better; get them here as quickly as possible.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, that will be best,&rdquo; said Morton Rutherford, &ldquo;if
+their suspicions are aroused, we cannot be too expeditious,
+for they will be desperate when they find themselves
+cornered.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We must hold ourselves in readiness to act promptly,&rdquo;
+Houston added, &ldquo;probably within twenty-four hours we
+will be able to decide which course to pursue.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston went to his work determined to keep a close
+watch on the movements of Blaisdell and Rivers. A
+couple of hours later, however, the three men entered the
+mill where he was engaged superintending the weighing
+of some ore; Mr. Rivers went at once to Haight&rsquo;s little
+private office, while Blaisdell approached him with the
+expert.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Houston,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;just take Mr. Parsons
+through the mills and entertain him for the next half
+hour. Mr. Rivers and myself will be engaged about that
+length of time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston complied with the request, and in a very short
+time discovered that Mr. Parsons&rsquo; knowledge of metallurgy
+and mineralogy was exceedingly limited, but that in
+exact proportion to his own ignorance, he had been profoundly
+impressed by the knowledge which Mr. Blaisdell
+had aired for his especial benefit, and the parrot-like way
+in which he repeated some of the expressions which Mr.
+Blaisdell kept as his &ldquo;stock in trade,&rdquo; was very amusing.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile Houston was deeply interested in the private
+meeting held in Haight&rsquo;s little dingy room, as he
+felt certain that some issues were being discussed and decisions
+reached that would, in their results, be of the
+greatest importance to him, and he awaited the reappearance
+of the general manager and secretary with considerable
+expectancy.</p>
+<p>He was not disappointed; a glance at their faces revealed
+that the subjects under discussion had not been
+pleasant. Mr. Blaisdell&rsquo;s face was white, and set in hard,
+determined lines, while that of his companion was flushed
+with anger, and his cunning, crafty eyes were full of suspicion,
+as they glanced repeatedly in Houston&rsquo;s direction.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Parsons,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell, &ldquo;we will have to ask
+you to excuse Mr. Houston, as we have a little business
+with him, and if you will step over there in the office and
+sit down, we will have completed our business in half or
+three-quarters of an hour; by that time the team will be
+here, in readiness to take us to the train.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>After a few moments of desultory conversation about
+the work which Houston knew to be only preliminary,
+during which Mr. Rivers moved about in a nervous,
+restless manner, Mr. Blaisdell said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Houston, we hear some rather strange reports
+concerning your conduct lately; your actions have certainly
+been highly censurable, and the least that can be
+said is that you have exceeded your authority here in a
+very marked degree.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;In what respect have I exceeded my authority?&rdquo; demanded
+Houston, folding his arms, with an expression
+on his face that made the general manager regret that
+he had begun the encounter; but it was too late to retreat,
+besides, Rivers was watching him!</p>
+<p>&ldquo;In your manner of discharging the duties assigned to
+you; you have taken advantage of your position in the
+most reprehensible and unworthy way, and have overstepped
+the bounds when you had no right whatever to
+do so.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I shall have to ask you to be a little more explicit,
+Mr. Blaisdell,&rdquo; Houston replied.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why don&rsquo;t you come to the point, Blaisdell?&rdquo; said
+Rivers impatiently. &ldquo;What&rsquo;s the use of beating about
+the bush? The long and the short of it is just this,&rdquo; he
+added, turning to Houston, &ldquo;you have been taking upon
+yourself what did not concern you, prying around, late at
+night, in mines with which you had nothing whatever to
+do, in company with miners who had no more business
+there than you had.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;To what mine do you refer?&rdquo; asked Houston, with exasperating
+persistency.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I mean the Lucky Chance, and you know it,&rdquo; retorted
+Rivers angrily.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Rivers,&rdquo; said Houston, in a tone that Blaisdell
+had heard on a former occasion, and with a steel-like
+glitter in his eyes that was anything but attractive to
+either of the gentlemen present; &ldquo;Mr. Blaisdell knows, if
+you do not, that since my first coming here, whatever
+kind of work has been assigned to me, I have thoroughly
+familiarized myself with it. When I was given charge of
+these mines I had reason to suppose that each and every
+mine owned by the company was included under my supervision,
+and if there were any which the officers of the
+company, for reasons of their own, wished excluded from
+such supervision, it was their business so to inform me. I
+have not been so informed. Mr. Blaisdell himself took
+me into that mine, and nothing was said to lead me to
+suppose that that mine was any exception to those placed
+in my charge, and your informant, if he chose so to do,
+could tell you that I have inspected in like manner each
+and every mine under my supervision, taking with me
+one or both of the same men, when the mine happened
+to be one with which I was not familiar.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;His intentions were all right,&rdquo; interposed Mr. Blaisdell,
+&ldquo;he was over-zealous, that was all.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Intentions be damned!&rdquo; said Mr. Rivers, angrily, &ldquo;he
+was altogether too officious, and I won&rsquo;t have it; people
+in my employ have to know their place and keep it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That is all very well,&rdquo; said Houston, in cutting tones,
+&ldquo;but I will not ask you, Mr. Rivers, or any one connected
+with this company, to tell me my place.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What!&rdquo; exclaimed Rivers in a rage, &ldquo;let me tell you,
+young man, it is to your interest to be a little careful.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is it?&rdquo; answered Houston scornfully; &ldquo;Mr. Rivers,&rdquo;
+he added, advancing toward that gentleman, &ldquo;why don&rsquo;t
+you discharge me? Wouldn&rsquo;t that be to your interest?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Rivers saw he had gone too far; &ldquo;No,&rdquo; he answered
+quickly, though sullenly, &ldquo;we have said nothing
+about discharging you; you are too efficient a man for us
+to lose.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, Houston,&rdquo; added Mr. Blaisdell, &ldquo;we wouldn&rsquo;t
+think of discharging you, you&rsquo;re too good a man.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, I&rsquo;m not too good a man,&rdquo; replied Houston, facing
+them both with a look which they understood; &ldquo;you don&rsquo;t
+discharge me simply because,&ndash;&ndash;you don&rsquo;t dare to!&rdquo; and
+he emphasized the last words with a heavy blow upon a
+rude desk standing near.</p>
+<p>Blaisdell and Rivers exchanged glances, and for a moment
+were speechless. The former was the first to recover
+himself.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Come, Houston,&rdquo; he said, in a conciliatory tone, &ldquo;we
+won&rsquo;t have any more words; we all understand one another
+pretty well, and there&rsquo;ll be no more complaints or
+trouble. You go on pretty much as you have done, and
+it will be all right. It&rsquo;s time we were getting back now,
+but I&rsquo;ll be out here next week with Barden, and we&rsquo;ll fix
+things up satisfactory all &rsquo;round.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;When will he get here?&rdquo; asked Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The latter part of next week.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston thought an instant, his party would be there
+the first or middle of the week.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;I tender my resignation now,
+to take effect when he comes.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, no, Houston, no indeed, why, we couldn&rsquo;t think
+of such a thing,&rdquo; said Blaisdell, really alarmed, while Rivers
+maintained a sullen silence.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am not particularly anxious to hold this position, I
+can assure you; there is very little in it but hard work.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, well, well, you stay by us a while longer, and
+we&rsquo;ll take you into the company yet.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;it would be no use taking me
+into the company, I wouldn&rsquo;t know my place, or keep it,&rdquo;
+and with that parting shot, he turned and left them.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Blaisdell,&rdquo; said Rivers, his face relaxing for a moment
+into a grim smile, &ldquo;it&rsquo;s just as I told you, your smart
+young man is too smart for you. It&rsquo;s my opinion we&rsquo;ve
+caught a tartar;&ndash;&ndash;we&rsquo;re afraid to keep him, and we don&rsquo;t
+dare let him go.&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XL' id='CHAPTER_XL'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XL.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>As Houston, on the following morning, in the execution
+of his daily round of duties, happened to be passing
+the Yankee Boy mine, his attention was arrested by a
+quantity of powder deposited near the mouth of the shaft,
+which the workmen were preparing to take below.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is the meaning of this?&rdquo; he inquired sternly.
+&ldquo;Who has given any orders for this powder to be brought
+here?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Them was the boss&rsquo;s orders, sir,&rdquo; replied one of the
+men, respectfully.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The boss? whom do you mean?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Begging your pardon, sir, I meant the boss as was up
+here yisterday; Mr. Haight, he told me this morning as
+these was the orders he give him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Haight,&rdquo; said Houston, as, a few moments later, he
+entered the office of that individual, &ldquo;did Mr. Blaisdell
+leave orders yesterday for powder to be taken over to the
+Yankee Boy mines?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; replied Haight, with his usual smile, &ldquo;and I intended
+to have spoken to you about it this morning, but
+I forgot it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is his object? any blasting to be done?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, we had quite a long consultation together yesterday,
+he and Rivers and I, and we decided that it would
+pay to do some extensive drifting in those mines, and a
+good deal of that rock will have to be blasted.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How soon is this blasting to begin?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, I can&rsquo;t say exactly, just how soon, probably
+within the next seven or eight days.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;In what direction is the drifting to extend?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Haight looked slightly surprised but replied: &ldquo;We&rsquo;re
+a little undecided about that, just what course to take;
+Rivers was for one thing, and Blaisdell and I for another.
+After they have blasted a ways, we can tell something
+from the character of the rock in what direction it will be
+best to run the drift.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>After a few more questions, some of which Haight did
+not answer so readily as might have been expected,
+Houston left him. He did not proceed at once to the
+building where Van Dorn was at work, but first returned
+to the mines, where he discovered that the powder was
+not only being stored in the Yankee Boy group, but also
+in the Lucky Chance, and one or two others of the surrounding
+mines. A little later he made an errand to that
+part of the mills where Van Dorn was to be found, and
+quietly calling him to one side, related to him what he
+had discovered, and his talk with Haight.</p>
+<p>Van Dorn was more familiar with mines, their methods
+of operation, and the rules governing their underground
+workings, than Houston, and he immediately exclaimed:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;By George! that fellow is a fool, Everard, or else he
+was simply &lsquo;stuffing&rsquo; you; to drift in the direction he mentioned
+would be a useless expenditure of time and money,
+there would be nothing in it, it is utterly absurd!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I mistrusted as much,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;and I have my
+own opinion as to the meaning of all this, but I wished
+to get your idea of the matter. What do you think of
+it?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It looks to me,&rdquo; said Van Dorn slowly, &ldquo;as though
+they were making preparations to blow up these mines,
+at a moment&rsquo;s warning.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;was just the conviction that
+forced itself upon my mind when I saw that powder,
+though I will admit I had never once thought of their resorting
+to such measures as that.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s about the only thing left for them to do, by
+George! after the shape in which they have got things;
+their idea probably would be, in the event of Mr. Cameron&rsquo;s
+coming, to destroy in this way all the evidence, as
+they think, existing against them. It shows pretty conclusively
+that they have no suspicions of us, for if they
+knew the evidence in our possession they would blow us
+up rather than the mines. You will telegraph at once for
+Mr. Cameron, will you not?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;At once; we must get him here as quickly and as
+quietly as we can; before they put their plans into action,
+if possible.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That is the thing to do; they probably will take no
+action unless they hear of his coming. We ought to get
+a dispatch off before night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We will,&rdquo; Houston replied, with quiet decision.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How will you manage it? It will look rather suspicious
+for you or me to leave our work and go down to the
+Y with a message.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Give Morton our dispatch and cipher book, and he
+will attend to it better than you or I, for he is an expert
+operator.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;By George! that&rsquo;s so, I had forgotten it; he learned
+telegraphy there at college just to amuse himself, and had
+a battery in his room; well, that&rsquo;s fortunate, he will be
+just the one for us.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is nearly noon,&rdquo; said Houston, consulting his watch,
+&ldquo;we will see Morton at the house, and arrange the message
+between us, and he will send it immediately.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>After dinner, there was a brief consultation in Houston&rsquo;s
+room with the result that the following dispatch
+was formulated, written in cipher, and addressed to Mr.
+Whitney, at Chicago, the attorney from New York, accompanying
+Mr. Cameron:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;Come at once, no delay; go to Arlington Hotel, Silver
+City; keep dark, do not register. Van Dorn will meet you at
+hotel.&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>Houston realized that they were now rapidly approaching
+the final denouement,&ndash;&ndash;the closing act of the drama
+which might yet prove a tragedy,&ndash;&ndash;and as he placed the
+folded slip of paper in Morton Rutherford&rsquo;s hand, he
+said with a sigh:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This is the beginning of the end.&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XLI' id='CHAPTER_XLI'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XLI.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>As Morton Rutherford&rsquo;s fingers touched the key of the
+little instrument that was to send forth that fateful message,
+it was the unconscious touching of a secret spring
+which was to set in motion a succession of events of which
+he little dreamed.</p>
+<p>He remained at the station until the answer came back
+over the wires:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;Leave Chicago to-night; will follow instructions to the letter.&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>This was on Saturday. On Tuesday the expected party
+would reach Silver City, where they were to be met by
+Van Dorn, who would furnish them all details and accompany
+them on the evening train to the Y, from which
+point Houston and Morton Rutherford would convey
+them by team to the mining camp.</p>
+<p>From Saturday until Tuesday only! but those intervening
+days were full of a strange excitement for the little
+group of friends who were in the secret, and there was
+that constant sense of expectancy, combined with an
+alert watchfulness, which kept the nerves tense and rigid,
+and rendered the mind unusually clear and active.</p>
+<p>On Monday, Van Dorn left for Silver City, his errand
+ostensibly being to replace the broken portions of the machinery,
+now nearly finished, which were necessary for
+its completion.</p>
+<p>All felt that the climax to which they had looked forward
+was now very near, and Lyle, who perhaps realized
+the situation the most keenly of any, was restless and excited,
+something very unusual for her.</p>
+<p>Her search, thus far unsuccessful, had not been abandoned,
+and as she sat in the little porch on that particular
+afternoon, idle because she could not fix her attention
+upon book or work, it seemed as if the years of her early
+life among the mountains stood out with more than usual
+distinctness. Among other trifling objects, there was
+suddenly recalled to her memory a box which used always
+to stand in Mrs. Maverick&rsquo;s little bed-room, and
+which had looked wonderfully attractive to her childish
+eyes on account of a flowered red and green paper with
+which it was covered. Once, overcome with infantile
+curiosity, she had tried to open it, and had received a severe
+whipping therefor. She could remember it very distinctly
+now, a box about eighteen inches square, with no
+fastening, but always securely tied with a stout cord.
+Late years it had been removed to the little attic and she
+had forgotten it. Where was it now? She had not seen
+it for months, or was it years? What could it have contained?</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden was occupied with a new magazine.
+Morton and Ned Rutherford had gone out for a stroll
+among the rocks. Quietly Lyle slipped up-stairs, and going
+to the dark, dusty attic, began searching for the object
+so suddenly recalled to mind.</p>
+<p>She could find no trace of it, however, and had about
+concluded that it must have been destroyed, when her attention
+was arrested by a pile of old clothing and rubbish
+on the floor in a particularly dark corner, behind
+some large boxes. A slight examination revealed that
+there was some solid substance underneath. Hastily
+overturning the rubbish, her eyes descried in the dim
+light the identical red and green papered box familiar to
+her childhood.</p>
+<p>With an exclamation of joy she dragged it forth from
+its hiding place, and going over to the one tiny window,
+covered with dust and cobwebs, she sat down with the
+newly found treasure, first arranging a pile of old bedding
+as a screen between herself and the door, to preclude all
+possibility of her whereabouts being discovered.</p>
+<p>With fingers trembling with excitement, she undid the
+fastenings of the heavy cord and slowly lifted the cover,
+not knowing exactly what she expected or hoped to find,
+but certain that the key for which she had searched was
+close at hand.</p>
+<p>Within the box lay a large parcel wrapped in a newspaper,
+worn and yellow with age, and pinned to the parcel
+was a letter, addressed in a cramped, almost illegible
+hand:</p>
+<p class='center'>&ldquo;To Lyle,<br />
+to be read after my death.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle recognized the writing,&ndash;&ndash;it was Mrs. Maverick&rsquo;s,
+whose educational advantages, though exceedingly limited,
+were yet superior to those of her husband, in that
+she could read and write, though she had little idea of the
+rules of grammar or orthography.</p>
+<p>Lyle unpinned the letter and turned it over curiously
+in her hands for a moment; then she laid it aside, saying
+to herself:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I will first see what this package contains, and will
+probably open that later.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>She lifted the parcel and began removing the paper
+wrappings, which burst like tissue and dropped in pieces,
+leaving a mass of fine cambric and dainty laces and embroideries,
+from which was exhaled a perfume, faint and
+subtle, and yet which recalled to Lyle so vividly the memories
+of that long-ago forgotten time, that she seemed
+like one awakening from a long oblivion to the scenes of
+a once familiar life. For a moment, she grew faint and
+dizzy, and, closing her eyes, leaned against the wall for
+support, while she tried to grasp the vision that seemed
+just ready to open up before her. But it passed, and with
+a sigh she opened her eyes, her gaze falling on the contents
+of the package which had fallen open.</p>
+<p>She saw the dress of a little child,&ndash;&ndash;apparently about
+two years of age,&ndash;&ndash;a marvelous creation of the finest of
+white linen and the daintiest of embroideries; lying within
+it was a broad sash of blue silk, neatly folded together,
+a pair of tiny, blue silk stockings, and little kid shoes of
+the same delicate shade; but the shoes and sash, as well
+as the dress, were soiled and blackened as if they had
+come in contact with charred wood.</p>
+<p>The dress and the little undergarments each and all
+bore the initials &ldquo;M. L. W.,&rdquo; and Lyle pondered over
+them with wondering eyes, while handling with reverent
+touch these relics of her childhood,&ndash;&ndash;a childhood which
+she could not recall.</p>
+<p>As she unrolled the blue sash, there dropped from within
+its folds a small, pasteboard box, which she hastily
+opened, exposing to view a tiny gold locket and chain of
+rare workmanship and exquisite design. Upon touching
+a little spring, it opened, and Lyle gave a low cry of delight,
+for there was revealed the same beautiful face which
+she had seen in Jack&rsquo;s cabin,&ndash;&ndash;the face of her mother.
+For some time she gazed at it through fast-gathering
+tears, then happening to note the engraving on the inside
+of the case, opposite to the picture, she held it closer to
+the light, to discern the delicate characters of the inscription,
+and read:</p>
+<table summary=''><tr><td>
+<p class='cg'>&ldquo;To Marjorie Lyle Washburn,<br />
+Upon her second birthday.&rdquo;</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+<p>Lyle Maverick no longer, but Marjorie Lyle Washburn!
+She repeated the name over and over to herself,&ndash;&ndash;the
+magic talisman by which she was to find the home and
+friends she sought!</p>
+<p>Kissing the locket reverently, she replaced it in the
+box, and folding together the little garments, she again
+took up the letter. She studied it for a moment, then
+resolutely breaking the seal, began to read its contents.
+It was slow work, for the writing in many places was so
+poor as to be nearly illegible, but, with burning cheeks
+and eyes flashing with indignation at what it revealed,
+she read it to the end.</p>
+<p>In uncouth phrases and illiterate language, and yet
+with a certain pathos, Mrs. Maverick told the story of
+the death, years before, while their home was east, in
+Ohio, of her own little girl between two and three years
+of age, and her inconsolable sorrow. A few months afterward,
+Jim had suddenly returned from a neighboring
+town where he was working, bringing with him a beautiful
+little girl of the same age as her own, but unusually
+advanced for her years, whose father and mother he
+claimed had been killed in a railroad accident, and of
+whose friends nothing could be learned. His wife had
+accepted his story in good faith, and welcomed the motherless
+little one to her own lonely heart. Unknown to
+Jim, who had charged her to burn them, she had also
+preserved the garments worn by the little stranger on
+that day.</p>
+<p>But the little one did not take kindly to her new surroundings
+but cried piteously for her mother, night and
+day, even refusing food of all kinds, until she was suddenly
+taken with a strange illness which lasted for many
+weeks. When she finally recovered, all memory of her
+former life seemed to have been completely blotted out
+of her mind, and she no longer called for her mother, except
+occasionally in her sleep. Very soon after they had
+come out to the mines, and nothing of any importance
+occurred until Lyle was about seven years old.</p>
+<p>At that time, Jim had suddenly made his appearance at
+the house one day, appearing both angry and frightened,
+and had ordered his wife to keep Lyle locked up, on pretext
+of punishing her, until he gave permission for her
+release. He would give no explanation, and by his curses
+and threats compelled her to obey.</p>
+<p>That day, a fine-looking, elderly gentleman, who had
+just arrived from the east to purchase some mining property,
+came to the house for dinner, and took his meals
+there for the two days following, during which time, Lyle
+was not allowed her liberty. Not until nearly a year later
+did Mrs. Maverick learn that the eastern stranger, whose
+coming had so terrified Maverick, was Lyle&rsquo;s grandfather.
+Jim then confessed that he had taken the child from the
+wreck where its mother had lost her life, and brought her
+west with him, knowing whose child she was, and keeping
+her out of revenge for some wrong which he claimed
+this man had done him years before.</p>
+<p>In vain his wife urged to have the child returned to her
+rightful home; he threatened her life if she ever breathed
+the secret to any living soul. A sense of guilt made her
+unhappy for a time, but as years passed she grew more
+indifferent to it, and as she saw, more and more, how utterly
+unlike any of her own family Lyle was growing, she
+no longer cared for her as she had done, though she tried
+to treat her kindly. Jim&rsquo;s hatred of Lyle seemed to increase
+with every year, until his wife sometimes feared
+that he would resort to personal violence.</p>
+<p>As she found her own health and strength failing she
+began to reflect upon the terrible position in which Lyle
+would find herself in case of her own death, left alone with
+Maverick and his two sons, and to save her from such a
+fate, she had resolved to write this letter, acquainting Lyle
+with her own history so far as she was able to give it.</p>
+<p>At the close she begged Lyle not to think too harshly
+of her or consider that she was altogether to blame in
+this matter, and expressed the wish that she might some
+day find her own friends from whom she had been taken.</p>
+<p>It would be impossible to describe Lyle&rsquo;s emotions as
+she finished the perusal of this strange letter; joy that
+she had finally found the evidence she sought, and an intense
+longing to see those from whom she had been so
+cruelly separated all these years, mingled with a fearful
+apprehension lest this knowledge might have come too
+late, when those whose affection she would claim, might
+have already passed beyond the limits of finite, human
+love, into the love infinite and eternal. And deep in her
+heart burned indignation, fierce and strong, against the
+one who had wrought all this wretchedness,&ndash;&ndash;carrying
+additional sorrow to a home already bereaved, robbing
+her of the love that was rightfully hers and of the dower
+of a happy childhood which could never be restored,&ndash;&ndash;all
+to gratify his cowardly revenge!</p>
+<p>In the midst of these reflections, Lyle suddenly recalled
+the promise she had given Jack that he should be
+the first to learn of her success. It was now time for
+him to be at the cabin and she would have an opportunity
+to see him before the return of the others to the house.
+Accordingly, she restored the empty box to its hiding
+place, and having concealed the most of its contents in
+her own room, started forth on her joyful errand, taking
+with her the tiny locket and the letter.</p>
+<p>As she approached the cabin she saw Jack sitting with
+Rex in the door-way and knew that he was alone. Jack,
+to whom her face was an open book, read the tidings
+which she had brought before they had exchanged a
+word. He rose to meet her, and looking into her radiant
+face, he said in gentle tones and with a grave smile:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You have good news! Have you found what you
+hoped to find?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have,&rdquo; she replied, &ldquo;and you who have shared all
+my troubles must be the first sharer of my joy.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Together they entered the cabin, and seated in the
+little, familiar room, Lyle told the story of her discovery,
+and opening the locket, placed it in Jack&rsquo;s hands.</p>
+<p>For a moment he gazed silently at the little trinket,
+then he said in low tones, as if half to himself, &ldquo;It is she,
+and you are her child, as I have always believed,&rdquo; then
+added, &ldquo;I rejoice with you, Lyle, I am glad for your
+sake.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>But even as he spoke, Lyle, notwithstanding the exuberance
+of her own joy, could not fail to observe in his
+face indications of poignant pain, as he looked at the
+lovely pictured face, and as she repeated the name inscribed
+opposite.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Jack!&rdquo; she suddenly exclaimed, &ldquo;have I made you
+suffer by my thoughtlessness? Forgive me!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, my dear,&rdquo; he answered tenderly, &ldquo;you have caused
+me no pain; if I suffer, it is on account of bitter memories
+of which you as yet know nothing, and I pray you
+may never know. What letter have you there?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle read the letter, Jack silently pacing up and down
+the room, listening, with a look of intense indignation
+deepening on his face, until she had finished.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is as I have suspected all these years,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;the
+dastardly villain! the scoundrel! Thank God, it is not
+yet too late, there are those who can and will right the
+wrong, so far as it is possible to right it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At Lyle&rsquo;s request, they compared the picture with the
+photograph in Jack&rsquo;s possession; they were one and the
+same, except that the latter had been taken a few years
+earlier.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Jack,&rdquo; said Lyle earnestly, &ldquo;can you tell me anything
+about my relatives? Are my grandparents living? and had
+my parents brothers or sisters?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have learned quite recently that your grandparents
+are still living,&rdquo; Jack answered slowly, after a pause, &ldquo;as
+to the others I cannot say; even of your own mother I
+can trust myself to say but very little, it is too painful!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What would you advise me to do now?&rdquo; Lyle asked
+wistfully, but with slight hesitation. &ldquo;What would be the
+best course for me to take?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>With an expression unlike anything she had ever seen
+on his face, and a depth of pathos in his voice she had
+never heard, he replied very tenderly:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I can no longer advise you, my dear Lyle; take these
+proofs which you have found to Everard Houston; he
+can advise you now far better than I; show them to him,
+my dear, and you will have no further need of counsel
+or help from me, much as I wish it were in my power
+to give both.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;To Mr. Houston?&rdquo; Lyle had risen in her surprise,
+and stood regarding Jack with tearful, perplexed astonishment;
+there was a hidden significance in his words
+which as yet she could not fathom. &ldquo;I do not understand
+you, Jack; why do you speak as though you could no
+more be to me the friend and counselor that you have
+been?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>He smiled one of his rare, sweet smiles. &ldquo;Do as I have
+suggested, dear,&ndash;&ndash;then you will understand; and I shall
+want to see you for a few moments again to-night, after
+you have seen him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Somewhat reassured by his smile, and yet perplexed
+by his manner, Lyle left the cabin and slowly returned
+to the house, everything about her seeming unreal, as
+though she were walking in a dream.</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden was chatting with Morton and Ned
+Rutherford, and in reply to Lyle&rsquo;s question whether Mr.
+Houston had returned, stated that he was in his room,
+having just come up from the mines.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Thank you, I will see him just a moment,&rdquo; Lyle responded,
+passing into the house.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You have not heard any bad news, have you?&rdquo; asked
+Miss Gladden apprehensively, noting the peculiar expression
+on Lyle&rsquo;s face.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; the latter answered with a smile, &ldquo;it is about
+nothing regarding himself that I wish to see him, only
+something concerning myself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The door stood open into Houston&rsquo;s room, and Lyle
+could see him standing by the table, arranging some
+papers which he proceeded to sort and tie up in separate
+parcels.</p>
+<p>In response to her light knock he glanced quickly
+around, and observing her unusual expression, advanced
+to meet her, thinking, as did Miss Gladden, that possibly
+she had heard something appertaining to the present
+situation of affairs at the camp.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good evening, Lyle, come in; you look as though
+you were the bearer of important news of some kind.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have news,&rdquo; she replied, &ldquo;though of importance
+only to myself; I need a little counsel, and was told to
+come to you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You know, Lyle, I will only be too glad to give you
+any advice, or render any assistance within my power.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; she answered, at the same time producing
+the little box and the letter. &ldquo;Leslie has probably
+told you of the manner in which I learned that the proofs
+as to my true parentage and my own identity existed
+within this house, and of my search for them since that
+time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston bowed in assent.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;To-day,&rdquo; she continued, &ldquo;my search proved successful,
+in so far as that I have discovered my own name,
+and also the proofs that I was stolen by that villain, Maverick,
+in a spirit of retaliation and revenge; but I have
+as yet no knowledge as to who or where my friends may
+be. Naturally, I took these proofs to Jack, and asked
+his advice as to the best course to pursue, and he has
+sent me to you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am more than glad to hear this, my dear Lyle,&rdquo; responded
+Houston cordially; &ldquo;I have always felt a great
+interest in you, and it will give me much pleasure if I
+can assist you in finding your friends, and I shall appreciate
+it highly if Jack has intrusted me with this responsibility.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Taking the locket from the box, Lyle handed it, unopen,
+to Houston, saying as she did so, &ldquo;This is the only
+clue I have by which to find my friends; it contains my
+mother&rsquo;s picture, and my own name,&ndash;&ndash;Marjorie Lyle
+Washburn.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Washburn!&rdquo; exclaimed Houston in surprise, pausing
+as he was about to open the locket. &ldquo;Washburn! Marjorie
+Washburn! That sounds familiar, both those names
+occur in my uncle&rsquo;s family, his wife and his daughter,&ndash;&ndash;ah,
+I recall it now, that was the name of my cousin&rsquo;s little
+daughter. Strange!&ndash;&ndash;what! what is this?&rdquo; He had
+opened the locket and was gazing in astonishment at
+the beautiful face. &ldquo;This,&ndash;&ndash;this is her picture, the picture
+of my cousin, Edna Cameron Washburn! What is
+the meaning of this?&rdquo; And, unable to say anything further,
+he looked to Lyle for an explanation.</p>
+<p>She, too, was nearly speechless with astonishment.
+&ldquo;What did you say was her name?&rdquo; she stammered.</p>
+<p>Houston repeated the name, while a strange light began
+to dawn in his face.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She was my mother,&rdquo; Lyle said simply. She could
+say nothing more, the walls of the little room seemed to
+be whirling rapidly about her, and she could see nothing
+distinctly.</p>
+<p>Faintly, as though sounding far in the distance, she
+heard Houston&rsquo;s voice as he exclaimed:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Can it be possible? and yet, you resemble her! Why
+have I never thought of it before? She had a little daughter
+Marjorie, whom we always supposed was killed in the
+wreck in which her own life was lost.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And this,&rdquo; said Lyle, holding out the letter, but
+speaking with great effort, for the room was growing
+very dark, and a strange numbness seemed stealing over
+heart and brain, &ldquo;this tells that I was stolen from the
+side of my dead mother who was killed in a wreck&ndash;&ndash;&rdquo;
+She could get no farther, and she knew nothing of his
+reply. A thick darkness seemed to envelop her, fast shutting
+out all sense even of life itself. There was a sound
+for an instant like the deafening roar of waters surging
+about her, and then she seemed sinking down, down
+into infinite depths, until she lost all consciousness. For
+the first time in her life she had fainted.</p>
+<p>Houston caught her as she was falling, and a moment
+later the little group outside were startled by his sudden
+appearance.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Leslie,&rdquo; he said, in quick, low tones, &ldquo;you and Morton
+come to my room. Lyle has fainted.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is the trouble, Everard?&rdquo; asked Ned, springing
+to his feet. &ldquo;Anything serious?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think not,&rdquo; was Houston&rsquo;s reply. &ldquo;Her fainting
+was the result of over-excitement. Come into my room,
+Ned, when she has revived, I think I have made a discovery
+in which we will all be interested.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>When he returned Lyle was beginning to revive,
+though unable to speak, and leaving her in the care of
+Leslie and Morton for a few moments, Houston hastily
+scanned the letter which Lyle had given him, soon reading
+enough of its contents here and there to get a correct
+idea of the whole.</p>
+<p>Both Miss Gladden and Morton Rutherford realized
+that something had transpired out of the usual order
+of events. Each believed it connected with some discovery
+relating to Lyle&rsquo;s early history, but of what
+nature the discovery might be they had no clue.</p>
+<p>As soon as she was able to speak Houston was at her
+side, and she read in his face the confirmation of the
+truth which had dawned upon her mind as he had repeated
+her mother&rsquo;s name, but which had seemed to her
+past belief.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is really true, and I have not been dreaming?&rdquo;
+she asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is most certainly true, my dear Lyle,&rdquo; Houston replied,
+&ldquo;and I am very glad to find that you, who have
+seemed to me like a sister from our first acquaintance,
+will soon be my sister in reality.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Stooping, he kissed her on the forehead, and then in
+reply to the glances of astonishment on the part of the
+others, he said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Leslie, I will have to prepare you for a double surprise,
+and since we four are now members of one family,
+I can speak here without reserve. When I first won
+your love, my dear, it was as the salaried clerk of a disreputable
+mining company. I was old-fashioned enough
+to wish to win your love with love, to feel assured that
+you cared for me for my own sake. Lately, you have
+known that I was the representative of Mr. Cameron,
+of New York, but you did not know that I was Mr.
+Cameron&rsquo;s nephew and adopted son,&ndash;&ndash;his son in all respects,
+excepting that I have not taken his name.&rdquo; He
+paused a moment, and laid his hand affectionately on
+Lyle&rsquo;s shoulder. &ldquo;I now have a pleasant surprise for
+you both. I wish to introduce you to Marjorie Lyle
+Washburn, my cousin and my adopted sister.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>With a burst of tears, Miss Gladden knelt beside Lyle,
+throwing her arms about her neck, while Lyle whispered:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Dear Leslie, you have been like a sister to me in
+my poverty and loneliness. I am glad we will not be
+separated in the life of love and happiness that awaits
+me. We will be sisters still, more closely united than
+ever.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Turning to Morton Rutherford, whose emotion seemed
+nearly as deep as Miss Gladden&rsquo;s, Houston said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Morton, you remember hearing of my beautiful
+cousin Edna, and of the sad death of herself and her little
+daughter, as we always supposed. This is her daughter,
+and I know that when my uncle and aunt meet her,
+they will adopt her as their own daughter in her mother&rsquo;s
+place.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>It would be impossible to depict the scene that followed,
+the surprise and delight of Miss Gladden, or the
+deep joy of Morton Rutherford, but by and by, when
+they had become more calm, a knock was heard. Houston
+opened the door, and Ned Rutherford, looking in,
+was entirely unable to comprehend the scene. Houston
+held in his hand a small gold locket and a photograph
+which he seemed to be comparing with each other. Lyle
+looked very pale, but radiantly happy. Morton was
+standing near, while Miss Gladden still knelt at her side,
+her eyes overflowing with tears of joy.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Come in, Ned,&rdquo; said Houston cordially. &ldquo;We want
+you here to complete the family group.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Ned looked rather bewildered, as he replied: &ldquo;I just
+wanted to inquire for Miss Maverick, to know if she was
+better.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She is much better,&rdquo; said Houston with a smile, but
+before he could say anything further, Morton turned toward
+his brother, saying in gentle, quiet tones, but with
+a look in his eye which spoke volumes to Ned&rsquo;s inner
+consciousness:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ned, this is Miss Maverick no longer, but Miss Washburn,
+the grand-daughter of the Mr. Cameron whom we
+expect here to-morrow.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Poor Ned Rutherford! If he had ever laid any claim
+to dignity and self-possession, they both deserted him
+now. Utterly bereft of speech, he stood for a moment
+as if petrified. Then approaching Lyle, he stammered:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I beg your pardon, Miss,&ndash;&ndash;Miss Washburn, but that
+is always Mort&rsquo;s way, to spring anything on me in such
+a fashion as to knock me out completely. I beg your
+pardon for appearing so stupid, and I congratulate you
+on the good news, and extend you my best wishes, Miss&ndash;&ndash;&ndash;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, call me Lyle,&rdquo; she interrupted, with a rippling
+laugh. &ldquo;I have a right to that name yet.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is that so?&rdquo; said Ned, with the air of a drowning
+man clutching at a straw. &ldquo;Thank you; I&rsquo;m glad that&rsquo;s
+left for a sort of land mark, you know. I&rsquo;ll call you
+&lsquo;Lyle&rsquo; then, &rsquo;till I can get accustomed to the new name,&rdquo;
+and he sank in a heap in the nearest chair.</p>
+<p>The letter was read, and bitter were the denunciations
+against Maverick.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The scoundrel! He ought to be lynched this very
+night,&rdquo; said Ned. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s the way they do those things
+out here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not late years, Ned,&rdquo; corrected his brother, &ldquo;and even
+if they did, that would not be best.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is a question with me,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;situated
+just as we are at present, and with Mr. Cameron expected
+in a few hours, whether it would be wise to do anything
+about this until after his arrival.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think not,&rdquo; said Morton, &ldquo;under the circumstances,
+you do not want to arouse the antipathy of any of the
+miners before Mr. Cameron&rsquo;s coming, and as Maverick
+knows nothing of this discovery, he will of course remain
+here, and Mr. Cameron can advise in this matter as
+he thinks best.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>And this was the final decision.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XLII' id='CHAPTER_XLII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XLII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>A few hours later Lyle stood in the gloaming, taking
+leave of Jack, in the quaint, cozy room in the cabin, little
+dreaming that they stood there together for the last
+time.</p>
+<p>They had talked long and earnestly of the new life
+opening up before her, and her tears flowed fast as she
+recalled the happy hours they had spent together, or as
+she anticipated the days to come. Her tears were not
+the only ones, but the friendly twilight, rapidly deepening,
+concealed the others.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And to think that you have known so much of this
+all the time, and did not tell me!&rdquo; she exclaimed.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It was best, my little one, best for each of us. I was
+constantly planning how I might bring this about when
+the right time came. That time has come, and as my
+little girl, whom I have loved as deeply as any one in the
+future can ever love her, and whom I have cherished and
+helped to the extent of my limited power, goes forth into
+this new life, I can and will rejoice in the joy, the love
+and the happiness that will be hers. And I know that
+amid new scenes, new friends and new loves, she will
+never quite forget the old friend and the old love.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Never, Jack; I could never forget you, and Everard
+and Morton will never forget you. They are coming to
+see you to-night. Dear Jack, why could you not give
+up this lonely life, and go with us to the east? We
+would all love you and make you one of us, and our home
+would be yours.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My dear child,&rdquo; he replied with a slight shudder, &ldquo;you
+know not what you ask. I know the love that prompted
+it, but never ask it again.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; said Lyle, with a sorrowful submission,
+&ldquo;but I know what I can do.&rdquo; And she put her arms
+about his neck. &ldquo;I will come out to the mountains and
+visit you here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Then, as he remained silent, she queried:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You would be here, wouldn&rsquo;t you, Jack, where I
+could find you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Oh, the agony which his strong, loving heart endured!
+How could he tell her that even then he never expected
+to look upon her face again! He could not. He only
+said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I cannot tell, dear, my life is an erratic and wandering
+one. No one, not even I, can say where I may be.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But you have not lived a wandering life lately; you
+have lived here for many years.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Because the lodestone, the magnet of my heart was
+here,&rdquo; he answered half-playfully, half-tenderly. &ldquo;When
+that is gone, I shall be likely to fly off in a tangent
+again.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, Jack, you must not talk so. I want to see you
+in the years to come. I must and I will. I feel it,&rdquo; she
+added brightly.</p>
+<p>For answer, Jack, for the first time, placed his arms
+about her, and for a moment folded her closely to his
+breast. Then, bending his head, he kissed her reverently,
+first on the forehead, then on the lips, saying, &ldquo;God bless
+you always, my dear child!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>She returned the kiss, and as he released her, she whispered:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good-night, dear Jack!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good-night, my dear,&rdquo; he answered, adding under
+his breath, &ldquo;and good-bye!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>After she had gone, he sat in the gathering darkness
+alone, lost in thought. The collie, returning from attending
+Lyle on her homeward walk, divined, with keen,
+unerring instinct, the sorrow in his master&rsquo;s heart, and
+coming close, laid his head upon his knee, in mute sympathy
+and affection. His master stroked the noble head,
+but his thoughts were far away, and he was only aroused
+at length by the sound of voices, as Everard Houston and
+Morton Rutherford entered the cabin. The moon had
+now risen, and the little room in which he sat was filled
+with a soft, silver radiance.</p>
+<p>Jack rose to meet his guests, and his quick ear detected
+the vibration of a new emotion in Houston&rsquo;s voice, and
+as they exchanged greetings, there was something in
+the clasp of their hands that night that thrilled the
+heart of each one as never before.</p>
+<p>At heart, Jack was glad of the presence of Morton
+Rutherford. He feared that alone with Houston, after
+the events of that day, and in the light of the anticipated
+events of the morrow, his own emotions might prove too
+strong, weakening the perfect self-control which he felt
+he must now exercise. The presence of Rutherford acted
+as a tonic, and restored the desired equilibrium.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Houston already knows my aversion to a lamp,
+and if you do not object, Mr. Rutherford, we will sit for
+a while in the moonlight.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;By all means,&rdquo; said Rutherford. &ldquo;I myself dislike
+the glare of a bright light for genuine, friendly intercourse.
+A soft, subdued light is much more conducive
+to mutual confidence and interchange of thought and
+feeling.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Jack, my dear friend,&rdquo; said Houston, after a few moments
+of general conversation upon indifferent subjects,
+an effort on Jack&rsquo;s part to ward off the inevitable which
+he felt was surely coming, &ldquo;You have added very materially
+to our happiness to-day, in that you have helped
+us to a happy solution of some of the mysteries that have
+perplexed us, and in doing this, have brought us all into
+much closer relations with one another.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You refer, of course, to Lyle,&rdquo; Jack replied, &ldquo;but while
+I am very glad to have contributed to your happiness, I
+really deserve no credit therefor. I have suspected the
+relationship for some time, and was only waiting for
+the necessary proofs, which I felt would be found in good
+time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But that is not the only mystery you have solved for
+us, or for me,&rdquo; said Houston. &ldquo;I think we now have a
+reason for the interest you have manifested in Lyle, and
+the kindness you have shown her; and, speaking for
+myself, I believe I have found a clue to the strange bond
+of mutual sympathy which has united us almost from
+our first meeting, even before we had exchanged one
+word; notwithstanding the coldness and reserve of your
+manner, I felt that back of it all you were my friend, and
+so it has proved. There has sprung up between us an
+affection which I believe to be mutual, and of a depth
+and power remarkable for such a brief acquaintance.
+But to-night there seems, to my mind, to be a reason
+for this, which I have been so blind as never to suspect.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And what may that reason be?&rdquo; inquired Jack,
+calmly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You will understand of course, my dear friend, as I
+have often said to you, I have no wish to question you
+regarding your life in the past, or to lead you to make
+any statements regarding yourself which you would not
+make freely and voluntarily; but to me it is evident that,
+although we met as strangers, you must sometime have
+been at least a trusted friend of the members of my
+uncle&rsquo;s family, if not more intimately connected with
+them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>After a pause Jack replied, slowly:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;As you are aware, I once knew Lyle&rsquo;s mother, and
+her memory is still unspeakably dear to me. I also knew
+the other members of Mr. Cameron&rsquo;s family, but that
+was all long ago in that past which is gone beyond recall,
+and to which any reference only brings the most bitter
+pain. When I learned your name and your true business
+here, I knew, of course, to what family you belonged,
+and I may have felt some degree of interest in
+you on that account, but the deep affection between us,
+which is, as you say, mutual, is, on my part, wholly for
+your own sake, because I knew you worthy of it. Regarding
+Lyle, I observed the wonderful resemblance between
+her and her mother, and it has been to me a source
+both of joy and of pain, especially of late, since it has
+grown so marked, and I have sometimes wondered that
+you did not observe it for yourself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Now that I can see the resemblance so plainly, it
+seems strange that I did not think of it before,&rdquo; Houston
+replied. &ldquo;She has always reminded me vaguely of
+some one, I could not recall whom. I can only account
+for it from the fact that I really saw my cousin Edna but
+seldom after I went to my uncle&rsquo;s home, as she was married
+very soon, and then we saw her only occasionally
+until her death, which occurred when I was only about
+twelve years of age. Consequently, my recollection of
+her was not particularly distinct. I am anticipating the
+meeting between her and my uncle and aunt,&ndash;&ndash;they will
+recognize her immediately, and I am confident they will
+adopt her as their own daughter, in her mother&rsquo;s place.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack started almost imperceptibly. &ldquo;You do not expect
+Mrs. Cameron here with her husband?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She will not come out with him, but she insisted on
+coming as far as Chicago, so that she would be able to
+reach us more readily in case of trouble, and I have
+thought to-day, since this recent discovery, that if the
+case against the company seems likely to take some time,
+I might go on to Chicago and bring her out to meet
+Lyle, and I would, of course, like her to meet Leslie,
+also.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack remained silent, and withdrew a little farther into
+the shadow. It was Morton Rutherford who spoke now.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Did you not once tell me, Everard, in the old college
+days, that Mr. Cameron had lost a son also?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Houston, with a sigh. &ldquo;That was a far
+heavier blow for them than the death of their daughter.
+He was their joy and pride, their hearts were bound up
+in him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah,&rdquo; said Jack, in a voice almost cold in its even
+calmness. &ldquo;I remember that Miss Cameron,&ndash;&ndash;as I knew
+her,&ndash;&ndash;had a brother. Is he also dead?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We are compelled to believe that he must be dead,&rdquo;
+Houston answered, after a pause, in a tone of deep sadness.
+&ldquo;He left home soon after his sister&rsquo;s death, and we
+have never heard from him since, though his parents
+searched for him, not in this country alone, but in others
+as well.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I beg your pardon for having alluded to it, Everard,&rdquo;
+said Rutherford, &ldquo;you never told me the particulars, and
+I did not realize they were so painful.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No apologies are necessary among us three friends,&rdquo;
+Houston replied. &ldquo;Guy&rsquo;s parents and I are the only living
+human beings who know, or ever will know, the reason
+for his leaving as he did. My uncle spent vast sums
+of money and employed detectives all over the world in
+his efforts to find him, and to let him know that the old
+home was open to him, and would always be just what
+it had been in the past. But it was of no avail, we could
+not even get any tidings of him, and uncle, long ago,
+gave him up for dead, though Aunt Marjorie believes that
+he is still living, and that he will yet return.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The faith of a good woman is sometimes simply sublime,&rdquo;
+replied Rutherford, &ldquo;and a mother&rsquo;s love is something
+wonderful. To me it seems the nearest divine of
+anything we meet on earth.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There was no response from the figure sitting motionless
+in the shadow. At that moment it required all the
+force of his tremendous will power to stem the current
+of almost uncontrollable emotion, surging across his soul.</p>
+<p>But the moments passed, other topics were introduced
+and discussed, and Jack joined in the conversation as
+calmly as the others.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I suppose,&rdquo; he remarked, as, a little later, he accompanied
+his guests to the door, &ldquo;I suppose that before
+this time to-morrow, Mr. Cameron will have already arrived
+at the camp?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; Houston replied, &ldquo;we expect him over on the
+evening train, with Van Dorn.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>As Houston and Rutherford took leave of Jack, there
+was something in his manner, something in the long,
+lingering hand-clasp which seemed more like a farewell
+than like a simple good-night, at which they silently
+wondered.</p>
+<p>Could they have looked in upon him an hour later,
+they would have understood the cause. Silently he
+moved about the room, gathering together the few little
+keepsakes among his possessions which he most prized.
+These he placed in a small gripsack which he carefully
+locked, saying to himself, as he looked around the room
+with a sigh, &ldquo;Mike can have the rest.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Then going to the window, he stood looking out upon
+the calm, moonlit scene, which for many years had been
+the only home he had known.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This is my last night here,&rdquo; he soliloquized, &ldquo;my work
+here is done. After to-morrow, Everard Houston will
+need me no longer, everything in which I can render him
+assistance is now done, and his friends will afford him all
+needed protection. Lyle has found her own, her future
+is provided for. The wrongs which I have witnessed for
+years in silence, will be righted without any assistance
+of mine. There is nothing more for me to do, and to-morrow
+I will start forth on the old, wandering life
+again.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>His head dropped lower; he was thinking deeply.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He said the old home was open, and would always
+be what it had been in the past. Home! What would
+that not mean now, after all these years! But that was
+long ago. I am dead to them now,&ndash;&ndash;dead and forgotten.
+They will be happy with their new-found daughter,
+and Everard will be to them as a son, their happiness will
+be complete, and I will not mar it by any reminders of
+the wretched past.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>He glanced upward at the surrounding peaks.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;To-morrow I go forth again into the mountains,&ndash;&ndash;those
+towers of refuge and strength,&ndash;&ndash;and in their soothing
+solitudes I shall once more find peace!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Then he retired. But to Jack, resting for the last time
+in his cabin home, to those then peacefully sleeping in
+the little mining camp, or to the others speeding westward
+through the night, on the wings of steam, there
+came no vision, no thought of what the morrow was, in
+reality, to bring.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XLIII' id='CHAPTER_XLIII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XLIII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Tuesday morning dawned,&ndash;&ndash;a day never to be forgotten
+in the history of the little mining camp, or in the lives
+of many outsiders as well.</p>
+<p>A strange thrill of subdued excitement ran through
+the little group, assembled before breakfast in the porch,
+as they realized that the day to which they had looked
+forward with varying anticipations had at last arrived;
+and there was, unconsciously, a look of watchful expectancy
+on every face.</p>
+<p>Even Nature herself seemed in sympathy with them.
+For a few days the heat had been intense, devouring
+with its scorching breath every vestige of verdure on the
+mountain sides and foothills, and leaving them dull and
+dun. On this particular morning the heat seemed more
+terrible than ever, and there was not a breath of air stirring
+to cool the oppressive atmosphere. The earth and
+sky were suffused with a bright, red light, which gradually
+died away into a dim, purplish haze, through which
+the sun ascended like a ball of fire; while every blade
+and leaf hung motionless, as if awaiting breathlessly the
+coming of some great catastrophe.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This portends a storm,&rdquo; said Houston, as he watched
+the strange phenomena.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; added Morton Rutherford, &ldquo;an electric storm,
+and, if I am not mistaken, a very severe one.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How strange!&rdquo; exclaimed Leslie, in a low tone, to
+Lyle, &ldquo;everything is so hushed and still; it seems as if the
+elements, like ourselves, were just waiting.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t like it,&rdquo; Lyle answered, &ldquo;it seems ominous,&rdquo;
+and she shuddered visibly.</p>
+<p>There was little breakfast eaten that morning, and the
+group of friends adjourned to the porch on the pretext
+of watching the weather, thereby attracting the attention
+of Haight, who still remained at the table.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s in the wind now, I wonder,&rdquo; he soliloquized.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There was some kind of excitement here last evening,
+and everybody seems on the qui vive this morning.
+I guess I&rsquo;d better look into this,&rdquo; and calling Minty to
+him, he gave her a quarter, with his most insinuating
+smile, saying in low tones:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You find out to-day, if you can, whether there&rsquo;s anything
+unusual going on among those folks out there,
+and let me know.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>She pocketed the money with her customary giggle,
+as she responded, nodding her head emphatically, &ldquo;You
+jest betcher life I will.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Haight then departed for the mills, and Houston soon
+after left for the mines, while an hour or two later Morton
+Rutherford, taking one of the horses, rode leisurely
+in the direction of the Y, where he was to await a telegram
+from Van Dorn, immediately upon the arrival of
+the Eastern train at Silver City.</p>
+<p>In due time the message came, in cipher:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;Party arrived all right; over on evening train.&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>To which Rutherford replied as follows:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;All quiet here. Will wire later if anything occurs.&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>Then starting on his return up the canyon, he urged
+his horse forward with all possible speed, conscious that
+the most critical time was now approaching, and fully
+decided regarding his course of action on reaching the
+camp.</p>
+<p>At the mines, Houston found everything progressing
+as usual, the work going forward in the same unending,
+monotonous routine.</p>
+<p>At the Silver City office of the mining company, however,
+the greatest excitement was prevailing. Having
+been utterly unable to obtain any clue as to the whereabouts
+or the intentions of Mr. Cameron, the mining
+company, to guard against being taken wholly by surprise,
+had devised a new scheme. Every morning had
+found Mr. Wilson seated on the early train which left
+Silver City for the East at five A. M., and which was sidetracked
+at a small station about ninety miles distant, to
+give the right of way to the regular, West-bound Pacific
+Express. Here both trains stopped for about fifteen
+minutes, affording Mr. Wilson ample opportunity to pass
+through the West-bound train, and satisfy himself whether
+or not there were any old acquaintances aboard. Failing
+to find the party for whom he was seeking, he himself
+returned to Silver City on the same train.</p>
+<p>On this particular morning, however, upon cautiously
+entering one of the sleepers, he had seen, seated in one
+section, apparently in close consultation, three gentlemen,
+one of whom he immediately recognized as Mr.
+Cameron. Opposite and facing him, was an elderly man
+whose face Mr. Wilson was unable to see, but the back
+of whose head presented a severely judicial appearance,
+while at Mr. Cameron&rsquo;s right was seated the English expert
+who had come out early in the season with Mr. Winters&rsquo;
+party. Evidently, Mr, Cameron was en route for
+the mines.</p>
+<p>Mr. Wilson had hastily retreated, and, stopping at the
+little station only just long enough to send a wire to the
+company, had returned to the east-bound train, to continue
+his journey indefinitely, which had not been a part
+of the programme prepared by the officers of the said
+company in common with their various other plans. But
+Mr. Wilson had suddenly come to the conclusion that
+there were other localities better suited to his health just
+at that particular time than the great and glorious North
+West which had so long been his favorite theme, and
+whose praises he had so persistently sung.</p>
+<p>It was about ten o&rsquo;clock when Mr. Wilson&rsquo;s telegram,
+announcing his discovery, reached the Silver City office,
+creating general consternation. After a hurried consultation,
+numerous papers and documents were hastily
+stored in a private vault belonging to the officers of the
+company, a dispatch was sent out over their private wire
+to Haight, informing him of the situation and giving certain
+instructions; after which Mr. Blaisdell and a confidential
+clerk betook themselves to the depot to await the
+arrival of the Pacific Express. Concealing themselves
+among the crowd, they watched Mr. Cameron and his associates
+as they left the train, and having waited till
+they were safely ensconced within a carriage, ready to
+start for their hotel, Mr. Blaisdell then ordered his clerk
+to take another carriage and follow them, remaining at
+the hotel long enough to ascertain all he possibly could
+concerning their movements, after which he was to report
+at the office.</p>
+<p>Turning once more toward the crowd, Mr. Blaisdell expected
+to meet Mr. Wilson, but to his astonishment and
+perplexity, he was nowhere to be seen. From the conductor,
+however, who had thought Mr. Wilson&rsquo;s conduct
+rather peculiar, he learned the facts in the case.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, sir,&rdquo; said that individual in conclusion, swinging
+himself on to the departing train, &ldquo;if that&rsquo;s the man you&rsquo;re
+looking for, he&rsquo;s vamoosed sure, and judging by the way
+he got aboard that train, he&rsquo;ll be traveling for some time
+to come.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Great was the indignation of the remaining officers of
+the company on learning of the sudden departure of
+their worthy president, and it was not lessened when, upon
+investigation at the office, it was discovered that Mr.
+Wilson had not only relieved the company of his presence,
+but of all the available funds in their private vault
+as well, which, at that time, happened to be considerable;
+nevertheless, for obvious reasons, it was decided best to
+say nothing about it for a few days.</p>
+<p>The clerk, on his return from the hotel, stated that none
+of Mr. Cameron&rsquo;s party had registered, but had gone immediately
+to their rooms, where they had ordered a private
+lunch served. He had seen nothing more of them,
+but had seen Van Dorn there, however, and upon inquiry
+had learned that he had been there since the preceding
+day, apparently waiting for some one, evidently this
+party, as, immediately upon their arrival, he had sent a
+cipher dispatch to some one at the Y; and one of the
+party had been heard to inquire quite particularly at what
+time the evening train would leave Silver City for Cokeville,
+a small station near the Y.</p>
+<p>It was evident that Van Dorn was in league with Mr.
+Cameron&rsquo;s party, and that they intended going out to the
+camp that evening; prompt action was necessary. A
+message was sent to Haight, and after his reply, it was
+decided that desperate measures were also necessary.</p>
+<p>While Morton Rutherford was leisurely riding toward
+the Y, Haight, sitting at his desk in his dingy, stifling office,
+suddenly heard his name clicked by the little telegraphic
+instrument near him. Having given the usual
+signal in return, the following message came over the
+wire with peremptory haste:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;Get everything in readiness at once; Cameron coming on
+eastern train with mining expert and attorney. Get everything
+ready for the final touch and await further instructions
+in about two hours.&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>Haight sprang to his feet, and calling one of the men,
+ordered, &ldquo;Send Maverick to me as quickly as you can.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>In a few moments the slouching figure of Maverick
+stood in the door-way.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Come in, Jim, and shut that door,&rdquo; said Haight, in a
+quick, decisive tone that Maverick knew meant business.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Jim, in what shape is the powder in those mines?
+How long would it take to get everything ready for
+action?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Maverick&rsquo;s eyes gleamed; here evidently was to be a
+piece of work such as he enjoyed!</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The powder&rsquo;s all there,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;all there, jest in
+the right places, an&rsquo; all there is ter do is ter lay the trains
+&rsquo;round there an&rsquo; fix a few fuses; &rsquo;twouldn&rsquo;t take more&rsquo;n
+half an hour, or sech a matter.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Think you could get it all done at noon, while the
+men are away?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, easy.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well, now listen; you are to get everything ready
+so that it will be nothing but &rsquo;a touch and a go,&rsquo; as soon as
+I say the word, understand? Get everything ready this
+noon, give the men warning that there&rsquo;s going to be some
+blasting, and then, as quick as you&rsquo;ve had your dinner,
+you be around here prompt, and stay within sight of this
+room till I send you word to quit. You know the rest,
+what directions Blaisdell left the last time he was here;
+you know what you&rsquo;re to wait for, and if you get a signal
+from me, you know what you&rsquo;re to do.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You bet I do, and I&rsquo;ll do a damned good job, too,&rdquo;
+Maverick replied, with a grin; &ldquo;but what&rsquo;s the signal,
+boss?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Let me see, I want something you&rsquo;ll recognize without
+any trouble, and that nobody else would notice, or
+think meant anything. Where will you be?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Out there, behind them rocks; I can see your winders
+plain from there.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, but if I made you any signal there, or put anything
+in the window, others would see it as well as yourself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll tell you what, boss,&rdquo; said Maverick, glancing at
+the window on the right of Haight&rsquo;s desk, where hung an
+old, dilapidated shade, which had been lowered its full
+length in an effort to keep out the intolerable heat, &ldquo;you
+let that there shade hang jest as it is till you want me, and
+when I see that yanked up, I&rsquo;ll know what it means, and
+you&rsquo;ll hear from me in jest about ten minits at the latest.
+But say, boss, what&rsquo;s all this racket about, anyhow? Some
+o&rsquo; them eastern chaps comin&rsquo; out here?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s none of your business, Jim,&rdquo; said Haight in a
+joking way, &ldquo;you attend to what you&rsquo;ve been told, and
+don&rsquo;t meddle with what don&rsquo;t concern you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is old Cameron comin&rsquo; out here?&rdquo; persisted Maverick,
+with an expression of fear and hatred combined, visible in
+his countenance.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Cameron!&rdquo; exclaimed Haight, with a slight start, and
+wondering at Maverick&rsquo;s appearance, &ldquo;What do you
+know about him?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I know he owns these &rsquo;ere mines, damn him!&rdquo; answered
+Maverick doggedly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Do you! Well, that&rsquo;s enough, go along, you&rsquo;re not
+interested in Cameron.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ain&rsquo;t I though!&rdquo; said Maverick with a snarl and an
+oath, the hatred and wrath increasing in his face; &ldquo;Me&rsquo;n
+him has got an old score to settle yet. I only wisht he
+was a goin&rsquo; ter be in them mines this afternoon. When&rsquo;s
+he comin&rsquo;?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; answered Haight shortly, &ldquo;probably
+before very long though.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;When you git word he&rsquo;s comin&rsquo; I wan&rsquo;ter know it,
+that&rsquo;s all,&rdquo; growled Maverick.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Haight, beginning to lose his temper,
+&ldquo;when you see that curtain raised, you may know he&rsquo;s
+coming, and pretty damned quick too; now get out of the
+way, and attend to your business. Remember I&rsquo;ve told
+you to give the men warning.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Maverick, with a leer, &ldquo;&rsquo;specially the new
+superintendent, you&rsquo;d like me ter give &rsquo;im an extra warnin&rsquo;
+I s&rsquo;pose.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There was a corresponding leer on Haight&rsquo;s face, as he
+replied with a peculiar grimace,</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;ve had your orders; if you are particularly anxious
+to give anybody an extra warning, go ahead!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>With a low, cruel laugh, Maverick withdrew, and a few
+moments later was shuffling along in the direction of the
+mines intent upon the work of destruction assigned to
+him, his face distorted with mingled fear and rage, his
+usually dull eyes gleaming with the fires of revenge.</p>
+<p>Haight hastened to the house to take a hurried dinner,
+and having learned from Minty that Morton Rutherford
+had gone to the Y, he again charged her to immediately
+report to him whatever she might learn, and returned
+to the office to await further instructions from the
+company.</p>
+<p>To Houston, constantly on the alert for danger signals,
+Haight&rsquo;s hurried and excited manner was the first indication
+of approaching trouble. It was evident that the company
+had received some inkling of impending danger, but
+of the extent of their information, or the nature of their
+communications with Haight, he had no means of ascertaining.
+Stating that he wished to see Morton Rutherford
+immediately upon his return, and that he would be
+at the Yankee Boy, near the entrance to the incline shaft,
+he hastened back to the mines at an earlier hour than
+usual.</p>
+<p>Finding Jack and Mike who had already returned, he
+told them of his surmises, and arranged a set of signals,&ndash;&ndash;a
+certain number of blows on the rocks above them,&ndash;&ndash;whereby
+he would give them warning if he found indications
+of immediate danger, upon which they were to make
+their escape in an opposite direction, by means of a tunnel,
+designated as tunnel No. 3, where he would speedily
+join them.</p>
+<p>On returning to the shaft, he found the majority of the
+men returning to their work as usual, Maverick having
+given them no warning, partly through his own cowardice,
+and partly through a determination that Houston
+should have no hint of what was to follow.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, the long threatened storm was rapidly approaching
+with signs of unusual severity. Heavy clouds
+had obscured the sun and were, moment by moment,
+growing denser and blacker, while the heat was, if possible,
+more intense than before. There was that ominous
+calm that presages the coming of the tempest, while the
+air grew oppressive almost to suffocation. In the distant
+canyons, far up among the mountains, could be heard the
+muffled roaring of the wind, while the branches began to
+sway occasionally under the first hot breath of the approaching
+hurricane, which seemed like a blast from a
+furnace.</p>
+<p>On through the fast-gathering storm rode Morton
+Rutherford, urging forward his foam-covered horse, feeling
+by a certain, unerring intuition, that that ride through
+the winding canyon was a race between life and death.
+Having reached the camp, and left his dripping, panting
+horse at the stables, he walked rapidly on to the house,
+arriving shortly after Houston had left, and just in time
+to meet Maverick, hurrying to the house for a bit of food,
+his work of preparation having taken longer than he anticipated.</p>
+<p>One look at his malignant, demon-like face convinced
+Rutherford that he had arrived none too early, and that
+his own plans must be put in execution very soon.</p>
+<p>Pausing only long enough to exchange a few words
+with his brother and the ladies, in reply to their eager
+questions, he hurried on to the mines, he and they all
+unaware of a figure skulking behind him, in the fast-deepening
+gloom, in the direction of the mills. From
+an open window, aided by the peculiar condition of the
+atmosphere in those altitudes before a storm, which transmits
+the slightest sound with wonderful distinctness,
+Minty had overheard most of the conversation, and was
+hastening to fulfill her contract with Haight.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XLIV' id='CHAPTER_XLIV'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XLIV.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Morton Rutherford was not the only one who had observed
+the expression on Maverick&rsquo;s face. To Lyle it
+seemed she had never seen such venomous malignity as
+was in the look which he gave her. Stepping into the
+dining room a few moments after Morton had left, she
+heard imprecations and curses mingled with her own
+name and that of Mr. Cameron, and realized at once that
+their secret was known; then, as he hastily left the house,
+she heard a few words of bitter hatred which would have
+no special meaning to his wife, but which Lyle, knowing
+what Houston and his friends had been anticipating for
+the last few days, readily understood.</p>
+<p>The wind was now raging down the canyon with terrific
+force, but Lyle had but one thought, to warn those
+whom she loved and save them from danger. Catching
+up a light wrap which she threw about her shoulders, she
+rushed out of the house, passing Miss Gladden and Ned,
+who were in the porch watching the storm, and who tried
+to detain her.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lyle, what is the matter? Where are you going?&rdquo;
+they cried.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;To the mines!&rdquo; Lyle answered, raising her voice above
+the roar of the storm; &ldquo;They are going to fire the mines,
+and they are all there, Morton and Everard and Jack. I
+must warn them if I can!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lyle, come back!&rdquo; shouted Ned, &ldquo;let me go!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>She shook her head; &ldquo;I must go, I know the mines,&rdquo;
+she cried, and turning ran down the road, battling with
+the terrific wind, and was out of sight, almost before
+they realized what had happened.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, Morton Rutherford had found Houston
+without difficulty. &ldquo;They are coming, Everard,&rdquo; he
+announced, in a low tone, &ldquo;they will be here to-night.
+What are the indications here?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I judge from Haight&rsquo;s manner, that word of some
+kind has been received from headquarters, but just what
+is to be done, or whether there is any immediate danger,
+I cannot yet tell.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am going over to Haight&rsquo;s office for a few moments,&rdquo;
+said Rutherford, &ldquo;I may catch some message
+from the company that will show us the situation.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Just what I was intending to suggest,&rdquo; said Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You will remain here until I come back?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, unless I should detect some certain signs of danger;
+in that case I shall warn the men, and shall start for
+tunnel No. 3, that part of the mine will be safe for a
+while, in any event.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well, you will probably hear from me within
+twenty or thirty minutes,&rdquo; and Rutherford started for the
+mills.</p>
+<p>Haight, on returning to the office from dinner, waited
+some little time for the expected dispatch. At last it
+came:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;Cameron just arrived with Englishman, Lindlay, and attorney;
+going out to the mines on evening train. Are at
+Arlington Hotel, Van Dorn at same hotel and in telegraphic
+communication with some one at the Y. There is a conspiracy
+somewhere; what do you know? Answer at once; is everything
+ready?&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>He was still studying the contents of the telegram,
+wondering just what the conspiracy might mean, when
+Minty slyly entered, and by means of the information she
+had secured, furnished him the needed key to the situation.
+In a few moments the following answer was returned:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;The truth is out; have just discovered Houston is Cameron&rsquo;s
+nephew, out here in his interests; Van Dorn et al. working
+with him. Cameron coming out to-night for the grand coup.
+Everything is ready awaiting your orders.&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>Just as the message was sent, Maverick passed on his
+way to his post, and seeing him, Haight stepped to the
+door and called him:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I say, Jim, I&rsquo;ve learned the truth at last about that
+superintendent of ours, damn him! You seemed so interested
+in old Cameron this morning, I thought you&rsquo;d
+like to know that it has turned out that this Houston is
+his nephew.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Houston, old man Cameron&rsquo;s nephew!&rdquo; gasped Maverick,
+with a terrible oath, and growing fairly livid,
+&ldquo;How&rsquo;d ye get onto that?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No matter how, Jim, but it seems he&rsquo;s been out here all
+summer getting onto some of our little business ways
+and reporting to the old man, and now he&rsquo;s got the old
+fellow out here to see the fun. Never mind, Jim, I guess
+the fun will be on the other side after all. I&rsquo;ll attend to
+my business and you&rsquo;ll attend to yours, but I thought
+you&rsquo;d go at it with a better relish after this little piece of
+news.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Maverick passed on his way, regardless of the storm,
+incapable of coherent speech, muttering oaths and curses
+intermingled with the vilest epithets, Haight watching
+him with a grim smile for a few moments. Then going
+back to his office, he had but just reseated himself at his
+desk, when Morton Rutherford entered the outer room.
+&ldquo;Damn him! what is he sneaking around here for?&rdquo;
+Haight soliloquized, at the same time hastily transferring
+a revolver from his desk to his pocket, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll spoil that
+mug of his if he attempts any funny business here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>This movement was seen by Rutherford, who was
+watching him closely, but he appeared to take no notice
+of it and entered the office as usual, with a civil greeting
+to Haight. The latter sprang to his feet, taking his position
+close by the shaded window, his right hand grasping
+the revolver in his pocket.</p>
+<p>Rutherford&rsquo;s lips curled with scorn and contempt as
+he looked at Haight; he saw there could be no semblance
+of civility between them, it was to be open war.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You are a coward!&rdquo; he said.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And you are a sneak,&rdquo; Haight hissed in reply, &ldquo;prying
+around here when you had better be minding your
+own business.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Let me tell you that I am attending to my own business,
+and you will find before you are much older, that I
+have more right here than you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For a moment Haight hesitated, astonished by Rutherford&rsquo;s
+words and manner, then was about to make some
+reply, when the click of the instrument attracted his attention.
+Keeping his eye on Rutherford, he gave the
+answering signal with his left hand, then listened intently
+for the message. It came, containing the final orders and
+the farewell words of the Silver City office:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;Send the mines to hell, and Houston and his crowd with
+them. Look out for yourself. Good-bye.&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>In his interest in the message, Haight seemed, for an
+instant, to have partially forgotten Rutherford&rsquo;s presence,
+his eyes dropped toward the instrument, and in that
+instant, Rutherford cleared the space between them at a
+bound, gripping Haight firmly with one hand, while with
+the other he knocked the revolver which Haight had
+hastily drawn, half way across the room. With a single
+blow he knocked Haight to the floor, partially stunning
+him, but as he regained his senses, he rolled over towards
+the window, and with a strength born of desperation,
+struggled to his knees, and before Rutherford
+realized what he was trying to do, the shade flew upward
+to the top of the window. Even then, Rutherford would
+have thought little of it, had not Haight betrayed himself
+by a leer of fiendish triumph. In an instant Rutherford
+understood that it had been some pre-arranged signal.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You cowardly villain!&rdquo; he exclaimed, and pausing
+only long enough to give him a blow which left him unconscious
+on the floor, he rushed forth into the darkness
+and fury of the storm, in the direction of the mines.</p>
+<p>As he did so, he stumbled against a small boy, running
+even more swiftly in the same direction.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mister, Mister Houston! is that you?&rdquo; rang out Bull-dog&rsquo;s
+voice, above the storm.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, my boy, I am going to find Mr. Houston, to save
+him if I can.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, sir, let me go! I know about it, they&rsquo;re goin&rsquo; to
+fire the mines, I heerd Jake say so, and I was a goin&rsquo; to
+find Mister Houston myself; I&rsquo;ll get there quicker, &rsquo;n I
+know the mine better &rsquo;n you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But, my boy, you risk your own life,&rdquo; said Rutherford.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Never mind that, sir; Mister Houston, he&rsquo;s been my
+friend, &rsquo;n his life&rsquo;s worth more&rsquo;n mine anyhow; I&rsquo;ll risk
+it,&rdquo; and he was already rushing on ahead, shouting back
+to Rutherford, &ldquo;You go to the tunnels, sir, you can help
+him there.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Tell him the signal has been given!&rdquo; called Rutherford,
+and Bull-dog, swinging his ragged hat in reply,
+sped swiftly on through the raging wind.</p>
+<p>Rutherford paused for a moment, then started in the
+direction of the tunnels. At that instant, Lyle, still struggling
+against the fury of the wind, had just reached the
+ground surrounding the mines; in a few seconds more
+she would have been within the fatal boundary line, but
+Bull-dog&rsquo;s voice, as he rushed past, warned her back.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Go back, go back, Miss Lyle! they&rsquo;ve given the signal
+to fire the mines, I&rsquo;m goin&rsquo; to warn &rsquo;em; don&rsquo;t be afraid,
+I&rsquo;ll save &rsquo;em, Mister Houston and Jack,&rdquo; and with these
+words, he rushed on, disappearing through the incline
+shaft.</p>
+<p>Lyle retreated a few steps, and then paused, looking
+wildly about her, dreading, expecting, she scarcely knew
+what.</p>
+<p>Suddenly the darkness seemed divided by a blinding
+flash, which spread into a sheet of flame, enveloping her
+within its lurid folds, while peal after peal of deafening
+thunder crashed and roared about her, and the lightning
+flashed and gleamed till it seemed as if earth and sky were
+commingled in one mass of flaming combat.</p>
+<p>Scarcely had the blinding flashes died in darkness, and
+the reverberations of the thunder still echoed and re-echoed
+among the surrounding mountains, when the
+earth began to rock and vibrate beneath her feet; there
+was the sound of a terrific explosion, she felt for an instant
+a strange sensation as if floating through the air,&ndash;&ndash;then
+she knew nothing more; she had been thrown to
+the ground, unconscious, by the shock.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, down the rough, narrow road, leading to
+the mines, Leslie Gladden and Ned Rutherford were
+making their way, having started immediately after Lyle,
+but unaccustomed to the furious mountain storms and
+unfamiliar with the road, they made slow progress in the
+darkness and tempest.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Miss Gladden, this is too hard for you,&rdquo; said Ned, as
+they paused once, gasping for breath, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t believe it
+is safe either, you ought never to have come.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What do I care for difficulty or danger?&rdquo; she replied,
+&ldquo;Think of Lyle going through this storm alone; I only
+pray she may not have been too late!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Scarcely had she finished speaking, when, without an
+instant&rsquo;s warning, the timber through which they were
+passing suddenly seemed one mass of blinding flame,
+while almost simultaneously came the deafening crash of
+the thunder.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Great Heavens! that must have struck awfully near
+us!&rdquo; exclaimed Ned, but no cry escaped from Leslie&rsquo;s lips,
+as, shuddering, she clasped his arm more closely and
+struggled bravely on.</p>
+<p>It was not until a few seconds later, when there came
+the sound of the terrible explosion, followed by the
+bursting and crashing of the rocks, while the ground
+quivered and trembled as though shaken by an earthquake,
+that, for an instant, her courage failed, and with a
+low cry, she sank to the ground, shivering with horror.
+But only for an instant, and then she rose to her feet,
+dizzy and trembling from the shock, but brave and determined
+as ever.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Come,&rdquo; she said hoarsely, &ldquo;we must hasten; perhaps
+we can help them in some way, even if we are too late to
+save them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Speechless from a horrible, sickening realization of all
+which that terrible shock might mean to those whom
+they were striving to save, Ned silently helped her forward.
+They had gone but a few steps, when there suddenly
+burst upon the dark and stormy heavens a dull, red
+glare, which grew brighter moment by moment, and on
+emerging from the timber into the open ground, a frightful
+scene met their gaze.</p>
+<p>Dense clouds of smoke were pouring from the shafts
+of the nearest mine, while, at a little distance, could be
+seen the mills, their whole interior already ablaze with
+light. In that end of the buildings containing the sorting
+rooms and Haight&rsquo;s office, the fire was raging, having
+come in contact with quantities of chemicals which had
+increased its fury.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Great C&aelig;sar!&rdquo; ejaculated Ned, &ldquo;the mills were struck,
+and are on fire.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>But Leslie uttered a sharp cry, and ran swiftly down the
+path to where Lyle lay unconscious, followed quickly by
+Ned.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Poor child, poor child!&rdquo; she moaned, &ldquo;oh, merciful
+heaven, she came too late, and they are all lost!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Then, as she knelt beside the unconscious form, there
+came another terrific explosion, which seemed to jar even
+the rocks about them to their very foundations, while
+from the already smoking shafts, the flames now issued,
+towering higher and higher, and adding new terror to the
+scene.</p>
+<p>Men were seen running from all directions, from the
+distant groups of mines, rushing to the burning mills,
+where the little fire corps belonging to the camp, were
+already engaged in a futile battle with the flames; but
+around the Yankee Boy mine there was no sign of life.</p>
+<p>The rain now began to descend in torrents, and the
+first dash of the storm seemed to revive Lyle, whom Leslie
+and Ned had raised to a sitting posture in their efforts
+to restore her to consciousness. Slowly she opened her
+eyes with a bewildered look, then springing to her feet,
+still weak and trembling, but resolute and determined,
+she gazed about her at the flaming shafts and burning
+mills, and suddenly cried,</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, I can remember now! I remember it all, it has
+come back to me,&ndash;&ndash;the terrible wreck, the burning cars
+all around us, and my mother crushed in the wreck; then
+the people carried us out and they put me down beside
+her, lying so white and still, and then,&ndash;&ndash;then that villain
+came and took me away,&ndash;&ndash;I can see it all,&rdquo; and she shuddered.</p>
+<p>Then looking at Leslie and Ned, who were watching
+her with startled faces, she seemed trying to recall the
+present situation. Before either of them could speak,
+however, there came the report of another explosion,
+more distant and deeper underground than any that had
+yet occurred, and the sound seemed to bring back to Lyle
+the memory of her last moments of consciousness before
+the first terrible shock, while the faces of her companions
+were blanched with terror.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I know now,&rdquo; she exclaimed quickly, &ldquo;I was too late,
+but Bull-dog warned them, and they are probably safe;
+we must go to the tunnels, they will make their escape
+there, and we may help them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>She ran swiftly down the path leading the way, while
+they followed only too gladly, their hearts filled with new
+hope.</p>
+<p>The men, finding it impossible to check the flames at
+the mills, were flocking in the direction of the Yankee
+group of mines. Fearing, however, to approach very
+near the scene of danger, they gathered in groups here
+and there, while a company of wretched women, the
+wives and daughters of the few married men who worked
+in the fated mines, ran hither and thither, sobbing and
+wringing their hands in their agony of fear and suspense
+for their own loved ones. Seeing Lyle leading the way
+to the tunnels, they all, men and women, followed in the
+same direction.</p>
+<p>The fury of the storm had passed; a heavy rain was still
+falling, but the wind had subsided, and the clouds had
+lifted and were already breaking away.</p>
+<p>Arriving at the tunnels, they found a crowd of men,
+among them a number who had made their escape from
+the mines. The hearts of Ned Rutherford and Lyle
+throbbed with joy as they descried Morton standing
+among the crowd, but Lyle&rsquo;s heart sank again with sickening
+dread as she saw no signs of Everard Houston or
+of Jack, while Leslie Gladden moaned in despair. Morton
+Rutherford was unhurt, except for a few bruises from
+flying rocks, and he was pleading with some of the men,
+and offering large sums of money to any one or two who
+would go with him into the tunnel in search of Houston
+and some of the missing men.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Houston told me that this part of the mine would
+be safe for some time,&rdquo; he shouted, &ldquo;and I will pay a
+thousand dollars to any one who will go with me as
+guide.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For a moment no one responded, then one of the men
+who had escaped, spoke,</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No sir, I wouldn&rsquo;t go back in that there mine for five
+thousand dollars, I&rsquo;m out, an&rsquo; I stays out,&rdquo; while another
+added, &ldquo;&rsquo;Twouldn&rsquo;t be of no use, sir; mos&rsquo; likely he was
+catched in some o&rsquo; them cave-ins; he stopped to give us
+all warnin&rsquo; an&rsquo; he was about the last one to start.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Cowards!&rdquo; exclaimed Lyle, stepping forth among
+them with blazing eyes, &ldquo;he risked his life to save yours,
+and you will not even try to save him. Morton,&rdquo; she
+added, turning toward her lover, &ldquo;I know every step of
+the tunnels, and I will go with you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The men slunk back like whipped curs, but made no
+response. The miners employed by the company throughout
+this group of mines were of the lowest class, and they
+were none too friendly to Houston, while the better
+class of men employed in the other mines were not familiar
+with these workings.</p>
+<p>Morton Rutherford advanced to meet Lyle; &ldquo;My
+darling,&rdquo; he said, in low tones, &ldquo;I cannot allow you to
+subject yourself to danger.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I would rather share the danger with you,&rdquo; she replied
+proudly, &ldquo;besides we must save them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I will go, too,&rdquo; said Ned eagerly, &ldquo;I surely can help.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle was about to suggest that he remain with Miss
+Gladden, but Leslie herself interposed.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, no, I do not need him,&rdquo; she said earnestly, &ldquo;I
+would suffer no more waiting alone, and he may do much
+good.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At that instant, two young men from another group of
+mines stepped forward; &ldquo;If you please, sir,&rdquo; said one of
+them, &ldquo;we don&rsquo;t want no money, and we can&rsquo;t act as
+guides, not being acquainted with the lay of things
+around here, but we&rsquo;d like to help you, for we like Mr.
+Houston, and we&rsquo;re his friends.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Their offer was gladly accepted, and preparations were
+hastily and silently made by the little party. Wet cloths
+and sponges were fastened across the lower portion of
+their faces, to prevent their inhaling the smoke and gases,
+while ropes were securely tied about their waists, the ends
+of which were to be held by persons on the outside. A
+frequent jerking of the rope would assure those outside
+that all was right in the tunnel, but a suspension of the
+jerking would indicate that that person had been overcome
+by the gases, and he would be immediately drawn
+out to the fresh air, by those at the outer end of the line.</p>
+<p>Pausing only for a bright smile of encouragement to
+Leslie, Lyle led the way into the tunnel, followed by Morton
+and Ned, the two miners bringing up the rear, and
+all disappeared in the subterranean darkness.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XLV' id='CHAPTER_XLV'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XLV.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>When Bull-dog&rsquo;s voice rang out above the storm, with
+its warning to Lyle, Houston, standing near the entrance
+of the shaft, alert, watchful for the first indication of danger,
+heard the words distinctly and acted instantly.</p>
+<p>Having given the usual danger signal, he shouted, &ldquo;To
+the tunnels, boys, for your lives! The mine has been
+fired, go to the tunnels!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>On returning from giving the agreed signal to Jack and
+Mike, he heard Bull-dog&rsquo;s voice above him in the shaft,
+calling his name and shouting the warning.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Come, my boy,&rdquo; shouted Houston in return, &ldquo;we&rsquo;ll
+start for the tunnels.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes sir, I&rsquo;m a comin&rsquo;, I know the way, but don&rsquo;t you
+wait fer me &rsquo;cause you may git catched.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I shall not leave you, Bull-dog, we&rsquo;ll go together,&rdquo;
+Houston answered, waiting for the little figure gliding
+swiftly toward him in the darkness.</p>
+<p>Suddenly the rocks by which they were surrounded began
+to quiver and vibrate; there was a deafening roar followed
+by a terrific crash, and an instant later, a mass of
+loosened rock was tearing its way through the shaft.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Cling to the wall, Bull-dog,&rdquo; shouted Houston, at the
+same time seizing a projecting ledge with a vise-like grip,
+and swinging himself upward, where he hung by his
+hands and wrists. It was a horrible position, but his
+powerful, athletic muscles bore the strain until the grinding,
+tearing mass had passed, and he dropped, scratched
+and bruised, but otherwise unhurt, to the ground.</p>
+<p>As he did so, he heard a faint moan, and hastening in
+the direction from whence it came, found Bull-dog, who,
+unable to spring high enough to escape the passing rocks,
+had been swept along and partially buried under the
+debris that followed.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My boy, are you hurt?&rdquo; asked Houston, bending over
+him in the darkness, and removing as fast as possible the
+mass of crushed and broken rock under which he lay.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not much, I guess,&rdquo; replied the little, familiar voice,
+in tones that tried to be brave and cheery, but which
+quivered with pain, &ldquo;I tried to hold on, Mister Houston,
+but that big rock was a little too much fer me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>As Houston at last freed him, the little fellow tried to
+rise, but sank quickly back, with an involuntary cry:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I guess I&rsquo;m done fer&ndash;&ndash;Mister Houston,&rdquo; he gasped
+faintly, &ldquo;but I don&rsquo;t care&ndash;&ndash;if you only&ndash;&ndash;get out safe.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The smoke and gases were now pouring down the
+shaft, and Houston realized that there was no time to be
+lost. Very tenderly he lifted the little form in his arms,
+and began, as rapidly as possible, the descent of the shaft,
+groping his way amid the rocks, toward the cut leading to
+the tunnels, through which he hoped to escape.</p>
+<p>The motion roused Bull-dog who had fainted. &ldquo;Mister
+Houston,&rdquo; he cried, &ldquo;don&rsquo;t mind me&ndash;&ndash;I wanted to save
+you, and I guess you can make it yet, if you hurry and
+don&rsquo;t bother with me; I won&rsquo;t mind bein&rsquo; left here, &rsquo;cause
+I&rsquo;ll know then that you&rsquo;re safe.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you worry, my boy,&rdquo; replied Houston, and his
+own voice trembled, &ldquo;we&rsquo;ll reach daylight all right, but
+we&rsquo;ll reach it together; I&rsquo;ll never leave you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There was no reply except a contented, confiding nestling
+of the little head against Houston&rsquo;s shoulder; then,
+as a second explosion thundered above them, jarring the
+foundations of the rocks once more, he murmured drowsily,
+&ldquo;There she goes again,&rdquo; and sank into unconsciousness.</p>
+<p>The smoke was now so stifling that Houston was
+obliged to go upon his hands and knees, carrying Bull-dog
+in one arm; his progress was necessarily slow, but to
+his great joy he succeeded in finding the cut leading to
+tunnel No. 3; then, to his horror, he discovered that the
+entrance was blocked by a mass of earth and loose rock
+which had caved in.</p>
+<p>Laying Bull-dog carefully down, he examined the obstruction,
+and found there was a small opening at the top,
+and that the mass was of such a character that it could
+easily be removed with pick and shovel, but he had nothing.
+With desperate energy, he began tearing away the
+earth and rocks with his hands, then to his intense relief,
+after a few moments&rsquo; work, he heard voices on the other
+side. Houston listened; it was Jack and Mike, who, having
+waited for him in the tunnel, expecting him to join
+them immediately, had become alarmed at his non-appearance,
+and were returning with their picks and shovels,
+which they had taken out with them, calling him and
+searching for him.</p>
+<p>Houston shouted, and they hastened to the rescue,
+and the entrance was very quickly cleared sufficiently for
+Houston to crawl through. Before passing through,
+himself, however, he lifted Bull-dog, and carefully handed
+the unconscious form to Jack.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Who is this?&rdquo; the latter asked in surprise.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Bull-dog, the little hero who has saved our lives by
+sacrificing his own,&rdquo; Houston replied.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is he still living?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, but unconscious.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Silently and tenderly Jack handed the little fellow to
+the tender-hearted Mike, who at once started toward the
+tunnel with his burden, while Jack turned to assist Houston.</p>
+<p>At that instant, there came the third explosion, which
+was farther underground than either of those preceding.
+It was but a short distance from them, and an immense
+scale of overhanging rock quivered for an instant, then
+fell, throwing its fragments in every direction. Mike, at
+the distance which he had already gained, escaped unhurt.
+Jack and Houston sprang in opposite directions, but the
+pieces of flying rock overtook them, though they escaped
+being buried beneath the mass as it fell. They were both
+thrown to the ground; Houston staggered to his feet,
+badly bruised and cut and his left arm broken, but Jack
+remained motionless.</p>
+<p>Hearing Houston&rsquo;s call, Mike quickly returned, and he
+and Houston found that Jack was still alive, though badly
+injured about the head. The full extent of his injuries
+they realized they would be unable to ascertain until they
+could reach the surface. Together they consulted as to
+the best course to pursue. Mike wished to go back and
+get help immediately, but Houston insisted that they must
+first remove Jack and little Bull-dog as speedily as possible,
+as there was danger of other explosions following
+now in rapid succession, and also danger from the smoke
+and gases of the gradually approaching flames, which
+were consuming the timbering of the various shafts, and
+would at length communicate with the tunnels also.</p>
+<p>Instructing Mike to lay Jack&rsquo;s head across his shoulder,
+Houston then clasped his right arm closely about
+Jack&rsquo;s neck and shoulders. Mike, carrying Bull-dog on
+one arm, with the other was to lift Jack underneath the
+knees; and in this way they started for the tunnel.</p>
+<p>Houston suffered excruciating pain from the arm
+hanging helpless at his side, but he traveled forward
+without a murmur, scarcely conscious of his own suffering
+in his anxiety for Jack. The cut was comparatively
+short, but their progress was slow.</p>
+<p>Nearly overcome by the suffocating gases and the
+smoke, and faint from pain and loss of blood, Houston
+had just staggered into the tunnel, when he heard the
+welcome sound of the voices of Lyle and of Morton
+Rutherford, and knew that they were saved.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XLVI' id='CHAPTER_XLVI'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XLVI.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Meanwhile, the work of destruction went swiftly forward,
+explosions following in quick succession and with
+terrific force, throughout the Yankee group of mines,
+and the adjoining claims; while the flames from the burning
+shafts were rivaled by those which spread from the
+mills to the shops, storehouses and stables, and finally, to
+the miners&rsquo; quarters, till all were speedily reduced to
+ashes.</p>
+<p>Around the entrance to tunnel No. 3, a large crowd had
+gathered, not only from the various mines, but also from
+neighboring mining camps, all anxiously awaiting the
+return of the rescue party.</p>
+<p>At last they appeared. The first to emerge into daylight,
+was Ned Rutherford, bearing in his arms the
+crushed and mutilated form of little Bull-dog. Behind
+him came Houston, partially supported by one of the
+young miners and by Lyle, his left arm hanging at his
+side, his face deathly white beneath the blood and grime,
+but firm and dauntless as ever. As he stepped forth into
+the light, a wild cheer rose on the air, but Houston, raising
+his right hand with a deprecatory motion, silently
+pointed backward toward the tunnel, where, slowly
+emerging into view of the crowd, were Morton Rutherford
+and Mike, carrying, with the assistance of the other
+miner, the bleeding and unconscious form of Jack.</p>
+<p>The cheers were hushed, and the crowd silently surged
+about Houston and the two motionless, unconscious
+forms laid side by side upon the ground, their heads pillowed
+upon the rough jackets of the men, folded and tenderly
+placed beneath them by the hands of Lyle and Leslie,
+the latter half fainting with excitement.</p>
+<p>The men crowding about Houston congratulated him
+with a hearty hand-clasp, unaccompanied by words, except
+for an occasional inquiry as to his own condition.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am all right,&rdquo; he said in reply to the latter, &ldquo;my arm
+is nothing, the merest trifle; my only thought is for the
+two lives which I fear have been sacrificed for mine.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Anxiously he bent above the prostrate forms. Jack&rsquo;s
+head was frightfully gashed, and his heavy, labored
+breathing indicated that his brain was already affected.
+Houston spoke a word to Morton Rutherford, who
+quickly withdrew, and taking the swiftest horse in camp,
+was soon speeding down the road to the Y, in a second
+race against death.</p>
+<p>Houston next knelt beside Bull-dog; a faint fluttering
+about the heart was the only sign of life. The little waif
+was well known among the mining camps of that vicinity,
+and there were few dry eyes in the crowd as Houston told
+the story of his heroism.</p>
+<p>Houston saw the end was very near, and gently
+slipped his right arm under Bull-dog&rsquo;s head. Slowly the
+little fellow opened his eyes, looking, with a happy smile,
+into the face bending so tenderly over him. At that instant,
+the sun, bursting through the clouds, threw a ray
+of golden light in shining benediction across the little
+white face. His eyes brightened still more; &ldquo;We&rsquo;re safe!&rdquo;
+he whispered joyously. There was a slight quiver, and
+the little form was still.</p>
+<p>The sun, shining as brightly and serenely as though
+storms were unknown, looked down into that beautiful
+canyon upon a strange scene of ruin, desolation and
+death. Amid the wreck and debris of the explosions, lay
+the little hero who had saved so many lives that day, upon
+his face a child-like smile which it had never worn in life;
+while farther on down the canyon, beside the smoking
+embers of the milling plant, lay the one whose signal had
+wrought all this destruction. The men, rushing into the
+burning mills, had found the electrical apparatus in ruins,
+as though torn to pieces by giant hands, and beside it upon
+the floor lay Haight, a ghastly sight, his face blackened
+and distorted, his right arm and side seared and shriveled,
+by the mighty servant who had suddenly burst its fetters.</p>
+<p>Slowly and tenderly Jack was borne to the house, and
+laid in the room which had been Houston&rsquo;s, which Lyle
+had made ready for him with loving care, her tears falling
+fast as she recalled his farewell of the preceding night.
+To the house came also his two faithful friends, Mike and
+Rex, for the little cabin was no more, Jack had indeed
+spent his last night beneath its roof, though the succeeding
+night, to which he had looked forward, was far different
+from his anticipations.</p>
+<p>Days afterward, his gripsack, packed with such care on
+that last night in the cabin, was found by Houston concealed
+among the rocks, where Jack had hidden it on the
+morning of that eventful day, intending, when his work
+was done, to set forth upon his wandering life once more.</p>
+<p>Morton Rutherford, on arriving at the Y, had sent the
+following cipher dispatch to Van Dorn:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;Come out on special at once. The mines have been fired
+by telegraphic orders from Silver City office. Everard badly
+cut and arm broken, but not seriously injured. Jack but just
+alive. Bring surgeons and nurse as quickly as possible.&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>Having sent this message, and finding there was a very
+good physician at the Y, he sent him at once to the camp,
+to remain there until the surgeons should arrive, doing
+meantime all in his power to relieve the sufferers. Then
+giving orders for one of the company&rsquo;s men to take his
+horse, and replace it with a fresh one, Morton returned to
+the station to await Van Dorn&rsquo;s reply.</p>
+<p>At the house, Jack was being cared for by Mike and
+one of the older miners, who had had considerable experience
+in nursing, Houston doing everything which his
+crippled condition and the intense pain he was suffering,
+would permit.</p>
+<p>On the arrival of the physician from the Y, he first
+visited Jack, and leaving directions to be carried out for
+his temporary relief, next attended to the setting of Houston&rsquo;s
+arm and the dressing of his wounds. The operation
+required some time, but at last it was completed, and
+Houston returned to Jack&rsquo;s room.</p>
+<p>The room had been darkened, and in accordance with
+the physician&rsquo;s directions, Jack&rsquo;s beard had been shaven
+and his hair closely cut, to relieve his head as much as
+possible. His breathing was more natural, but he lay
+quiet and motionless as before.</p>
+<p>As Houston approached the bed in the dim light, he
+scarcely recognized his friend, so great was the change in
+his appearance, but as he drew nearer, he started visibly.
+Something in the smooth face and closely clipped head
+seemed wonderfully familiar, and carried him back to the
+days when he had first entered his uncle&rsquo;s home. Bending
+over him for an instant, he scanned the features more
+closely. It was enough! The face with its patrician features
+carved in such perfect beauty, though lined by sorrow,
+was the face of his cousin,&ndash;&ndash;his boyish hero and
+ideal.</p>
+<p>With a quick, dry sob, Houston turned from the bedside,
+more deeply moved than any of his associates had
+ever seen him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Great God!&rdquo; he exclaimed, in low tones, &ldquo;it is Guy
+Cameron! my cousin Guy!&rdquo; and bending over the unconscious
+form once more, while the great tears coursed
+slowly down his face, he murmured:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Guy, dear old fellow, and you have known me all this
+time! God grant this has not come too late!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>With a low cry, Lyle had sprung to Houston&rsquo;s side,
+while Leslie and Ned Rutherford followed, and the others
+looked on in mute wonder and astonishment. Her quick
+ear had caught the name.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What name did you say?&rdquo; she cried eagerly, &ldquo;Did you
+say Guy Cameron? Is Jack&ndash;&ndash;my Jack&ndash;&ndash;is he my mother&rsquo;s
+brother?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston bowed in assent, he could not speak.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; moaned Lyle, &ldquo;no wonder that he loved us so!
+and we have not loved him half enough!&rdquo; and dropping
+on her knees beside the bed, sobbing bitterly, she seized
+the hand, nearly as white as the sheet upon which it lay,
+and covered it with passionate kisses.</p>
+<p>A few moments later, Morton Rutherford entered the
+room; Lyle was still kneeling by the bedside; beside her
+was Leslie, quietly weeping. Ned&rsquo;s eyes were suspiciously
+red, while in one corner, honest-hearted Mike was
+vainly trying to check his fast-flowing tears upon the
+sleeves of his blouse. Morton looked quickly toward the
+strangely altered face upon the pillows, and was struck by
+its wondrous beauty.</p>
+<p>Glancing inquiringly at Houston, as he advanced to
+meet him, he asked anxiously:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is he worse?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, there is no change yet, one way or another,&rdquo;
+Houston replied in low tones, and continued, &ldquo;Morton,
+we were speaking last night, at the cabin, of my uncle&rsquo;s
+son,&ndash;&ndash;my cousin, Guy Cameron.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, I remember.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He is found,&rdquo; Houston&rsquo;s voice trembled, and he could
+say no more, but Morton understood. He gazed with
+new and tearful interest upon the beautiful face in its
+death-like calm; then beckoning to Houston, he said, as
+they passed from the room:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah, you have at last found the key to the wondrous
+bond between you, and to his self-sacrificing love toward
+you and yours.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For a few moments they recalled certain incidents in
+their acquaintance with the silent, yet gentle and courteous
+occupant of the little cabin, and much that had
+seemed mysterious was now clear and plain in the light
+of this recent revelation.</p>
+<p>At last Morton said; &ldquo;I must hasten back to the Y,&rdquo;
+at the same time handing his friend the telegram received
+from Van Dorn:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;Leave in half an hour on special, with surgeons and nurse.
+Whitney and Lindlay remain here to attend to business. Warrants
+for arrests have been issued.&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;That is good,&rdquo; said Houston, with a sigh of relief,
+&ldquo;They are already on their way. And now, my dear Morton,
+I have one other commission for you, if you are willing
+to perform it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You know I am at your service,&rdquo; Morton replied.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My aunt, whose faith and love have watched and
+waited for her son&rsquo;s return during all these years, must
+be brought here as quickly as possible. I am not in very
+good condition for travel, and do not feel that I can leave
+Guy. I know I can trust her in your care, you will be to
+her as a son, and such she will regard you when she knows
+all, and I commission you in my name to meet her and
+bring her out here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That I will very gladly do, my dear Everard, and at
+once; there must be no delay. By going out this evening,
+I will be able to take the early train east from Silver City:
+the special arrives at 6:10, the six o&rsquo;clock train being
+held at the Y, until after its arrival. I will return to the
+Y, meet Mr. Cameron and have a word with him, and go
+directly on to Silver City on the regular train.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Thirty minutes later, having hastily packed a small
+grip, and taken a tender farewell of Lyle, who knew his
+errand, and with tearful eyes bade him &ldquo;God-speed,&rdquo; Morton
+Rutherford left the house, accompanied by Ned, who
+was to return with Mr. Cameron and Van Dorn.</p>
+<p>The sun was slowly sinking behind the crests of the
+mountains, flooding the surrounding peaks with glory,
+when a wagon drawn by four panting, foaming horses,
+drew up before the house.</p>
+<p>From the front seat beside the driver, Ned Rutherford
+and Van Dorn sprang hastily to the ground, turning
+quickly to assist a fine-looking, elderly gentleman, with
+iron-gray hair and beard, whose dark, piercing eyes bore
+a strong resemblance to those of both Houston and Jack.
+He needed little assistance, however, and having alighted,
+turned with firm step and erect bearing, but with an expression
+of deep anxiety, toward the house, followed by
+the two young men, and by three strangers.</p>
+<p>At that instant Houston appeared within the little
+porch, his left arm in a sling, his face pale and haggard,
+though with a grave smile of affectionate welcome.</p>
+<p>Even in that brief instant, Mr. Cameron could not but
+observe the change which those few short months had
+wrought in the face of Everard Houston, the high-born
+son of wealth and culture, the pet of society; it had matured
+wonderfully; alert and keen, yet grave and thoughtful,
+he looked as though he had found a deeper and
+broader meaning to life than he had ever dreamed of in
+his luxurious eastern home.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My boy!&rdquo; exclaimed Mr. Cameron, hastening toward
+him, &ldquo;are you sure you have escaped without serious injury?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Quite sure,&rdquo; Houston replied, limping slightly, as he
+advanced to meet his uncle, &ldquo;my arm was hurt, and I am
+somewhat scratched and bruised and a little weak, but
+otherwise, sound as ever.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Thank God for that! I don&rsquo;t mind the loss of the
+property if you are safe; all the way out here, my boy, I
+have been reproaching myself for ever allowing you to
+come out to this country.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My dear uncle,&rdquo; Houston replied, with peculiar emphasis,
+&ldquo;I think you will soon find you have reason to be
+very glad and grateful that I came.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Cameron introduced the two surgeons and the
+nurse; &ldquo;I feared,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;from your sending for these
+gentlemen that you might be hurt far more seriously than
+I knew.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;but the one who has nearly sacrificed
+his own life in helping to save mine, needs their
+best skill, and I sent for them on his account.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That was right,&rdquo; replied Mr. Cameron, &ldquo;all that
+money can do shall be done for him,&rdquo; while one of the
+surgeons said, &ldquo;We will see our patient at once, Mr.
+Houston, if you please.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You will see him very soon,&rdquo; Houston replied with
+grave courtesy, &ldquo;but there are reasons why my uncle must
+first see him, and alone.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Cameron looked surprised, but silently followed
+Houston into the room which had been occupied by the
+two brothers, but which was now prepared for him. Then
+observing something peculiar in Houston&rsquo;s manner as
+he closed the door, he asked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is it, my boy?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Pardon me, if I seem abrupt, uncle,&rdquo; Houston answered,
+&ldquo;but every moment is precious in saving a life unspeakably
+dear to each of us.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Cameron looked startled; Houston continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You have been like a father to me all these years, and
+I have felt toward you as a son, but to-day I have the joy
+of bringing you to the one, who holds in your heart, and
+always will hold, precedence even over myself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Everard, my boy!&rdquo; exclaimed Mr. Cameron, in tones
+vibrating with suppressed emotion, &ldquo;what is it? Speak
+quickly, do not keep me in suspense,&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My dear uncle,&rdquo; said Houston very tenderly, &ldquo;the lost
+is found.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Cameron sank, nearly overcome, into the nearest
+chair, while his face grew deathly white.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Guy?&rdquo; he gasped, looking upward at Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said the latter brokenly.</p>
+<p>The strong man covered his face with his hands, while
+his powerful frame shook with emotion.</p>
+<p>Houston, when he was able to speak, told him, very
+briefly, of his meeting with Jack, of their association, and
+the strange bond of sympathy and affection between
+them, of Jack&rsquo;s devotion, and how at last, he had been
+enabled to recognize him.</p>
+<p>Controlling himself with a mighty effort, Mr. Cameron
+rose, saying:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Take me to him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Opening the door connecting the two rooms, Houston
+signaled to those within to leave the room, then led the
+father into the presence of the son whom he had so long
+mourned as dead.</p>
+<p>Mr. Cameron walked to the bedside, and looked long
+and earnestly upon the white face, drawn with pain, but
+still beautiful, and bearing to a great extent, the imprint
+of his own features; then as he tenderly clasped the hand
+lying upon the sheet, he murmured brokenly, between
+great, tearless sobs:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is he, my boy, my son! Thank God, it is not too
+late!&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XLVII' id='CHAPTER_XLVII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XLVII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>There was a long consultation between the physicians
+and surgeons following a careful and thorough examination
+of their patient, before the rendering of their decision.</p>
+<p>He had received various injuries of a serious character,
+but the injury to the head was far the most dangerous of
+all. There was a possibility that with the most careful
+nursing and the most skillful medical aid, he might live,
+but his recovery was exceedingly doubtful,&ndash;&ndash;one chance
+out of a hundred.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Do your best,&rdquo; was Mr. Cameron&rsquo;s reply to this decision,
+&ldquo;do your best, regardless of cost; if you wish counsel,
+have it; send out another nurse, the best you can secure,
+to relieve this one, and I wish one or the other of
+you gentlemen to remain here constantly, we must not
+be left without a physician. I may as well inform you
+now,&rdquo; Mr. Cameron added, with great dignity, in conclusion,
+&ldquo;that your patient is my son.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Astonishment was depicted upon the faces of the physicians,
+but Mr. Cameron continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;For some months my nephew has been out here incognito,
+engaged in unearthing the dishonest schemes
+and plots of the mining company who constituted our
+western agents, and I have just discovered that he was
+aided in this work by my son, who, unknown to me, was
+out here in disguise, working with the same end in view.
+You will, of course, understand, gentlemen, that money
+is no object; do everything within your power, and you
+shall be abundantly compensated.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Thus it was arranged that one or two physicians were
+constantly at the house, and when these returned to Silver
+City for a few hours, others took their places.</p>
+<p>A competent cook and housekeeper were also sent out
+from Silver City, as the excitement resulting from the
+terrible events of that day, together with her husband&rsquo;s
+connection therewith, which had in some way become
+generally known, proved too much for the feeble strength
+of Mrs. Maverick, and she was prostrated by the shock.</p>
+<p>Minty, terror-stricken by the results which she believed
+had followed her report to Haight, and by his fearful fate,
+in a fit of hysteria, confessed the share she had taken in
+the plot, and was summarily dismissed.</p>
+<p>After the coming of Mr. Cameron with the surgeons
+and nurse, Lyle and Leslie had withdrawn from the sick-room,
+and busied themselves in caring for Mrs. Maverick,
+and in superintendence of the necessary work; Van Dorn,
+whose astonishment at the revelations of the last two days
+was beyond expression, keeping them informed of the
+condition of the sufferer. Lyle was pale with excitement,
+but calmly and bravely took her place as head of the
+strangely assorted household, her heart throbbing wildly
+as she anticipated the meeting with Mr. Cameron.</p>
+<p>Within the sick-room the soft, gray twilight had deepened
+into darkness. At one side of the bed sat the nurse,
+his fingers upon the pulse of the patient, while he listened
+attentively to his breathing, now becoming irregular, and
+broken by low moans and occasional mutterings. On the
+other side sat Mr. Cameron, his head bowed upon his
+hands, his mind going back to the years of Guy&rsquo;s childhood
+and youth. How vividly he recalled many little incidents,
+seemingly trivial when they occurred, but carefully
+treasured among the most precious memories in the
+long, sad years that followed! With the memory of his
+son, his heart&rsquo;s pride and joy, came also that of the
+beautiful daughter, with her golden hair and starry eyes,
+the light of their home in those happy days.</p>
+<p>Mr. Cameron seemed lost in thought, but in reality,
+while thus reviewing the past, his mind was keenly conscious
+of the present. In one corner sat the faithful Mike,
+while at his feet lay the equally faithful Rex, who could be
+neither coaxed nor driven from the room, but remained
+quietly watching his master&rsquo;s face, an almost human love
+and sorrow looking out of his eyes, as he answered the
+occasional moans with a low, piteous whine.</p>
+<p>In another corner Everard talked in low tones with
+the two physicians who were to remain that night, Mr.
+Cameron taking cognizance, in the midst of his own sorrowful
+thoughts, of every word.</p>
+<p>At length some one called for a light, and a moment
+later, Mr. Cameron was conscious of a light step crossing
+the room, and of a lamp being placed on the table
+near the physicians, though none of its rays fell in the
+direction of the sufferer. Lifting his head, he saw the
+lamp with a screen so attached as to throw a shade over
+almost the entire room, leaving only a small portion
+lighted; but within that brightly illumined portion he had
+a glimpse, for an instant, of a face, which with its radiant
+eyes and its shining aureole of golden hair, was so
+nearly a counterpart of the one but just recalled so
+vividly to his mind, that it seemed a living reproduction
+of the same. Only a glimpse, for as he started, wondering
+if it could be a figment of his own imagination, the
+face suddenly vanished into the shadow, and the figure
+glided from the room. Still it haunted him; could there
+have been a real resemblance? or was it only a hallucination
+of his own?</p>
+<p>About an hour later, Houston, who had observed his
+uncle&rsquo;s involuntary start of surprise on seeing Lyle, and
+who was anxious that he should learn the truth as early
+as possible, slipping his arm within that of his uncle&rsquo;s,
+led him out upon the porch, where they lighted their
+cigars, smoking for a few moments in silence, then talking
+together in low tones of the one so dear to each of
+them, while Houston related the details of his first meeting
+and early acquaintance with the miner, Jack.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Even if Guy cannot recover,&rdquo; said Mr. Cameron, in
+tremulous tones, when Houston had finished, &ldquo;Yet if he
+lives long enough to see and recognize his mother and
+myself, and realize our feeling for him&ndash;&ndash;even then, I shall
+be more than repaid for your coming out here,&ndash;&ndash;though
+all else were lost.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Indeed you would,&rdquo; responded Houston, &ldquo;but I cannot
+help feeling that Guy&rsquo;s life will be spared, that he will
+live to bless your future years. But my dear uncle,&rdquo; he
+continued, very slowly, &ldquo;although you are yet unaware
+of it, you have nearly as much, if not an equal cause for
+joy in another direction.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I do not understand you, Everard; you surely do not
+allude to the property?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, very far from that; did you notice the young girl
+who came into Guy&rsquo;s room to-night?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;To bring the light?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The same.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, and I intended to inquire of you concerning her.
+Her face impressed me strangely; I cannot tell whether
+it was a fact or my own imagination, but I had been
+thinking of the children,&ndash;&ndash;Guy and his sister,&ndash;&ndash;as they
+were years ago, and it seemed to me that her face, as I
+saw it for an instant, was almost an exact counterpart of
+my own Edna&rsquo;s, as she used to look, even to the hair and
+eyes which were very peculiar.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It was no imagination on your part, the resemblance
+is very marked, not only in face, but in voice and manner
+as well.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How do you account for it?&rdquo; asked Mr. Cameron
+quickly, &ldquo;Who is she?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She is the one who, of all the world, would have the
+best right to resemble your daughter,&rdquo; replied Houston;
+then, in answer to Mr. Cameron&rsquo;s look of perplexed inquiry,
+he continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Pardon me, uncle, for any painful allusion, but at the
+time of my cousin&rsquo;s death, I believe you had no direct
+proof as to the fate of her child?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No absolute proof, of course,&rdquo; replied Mr. Cameron,
+&ldquo;only the testimony of those who identified the mother,
+that there was no child with her, and no child among any
+of those saved answering to the description given, from
+which we naturally supposed the little one to have been
+killed outright. Why, Everard,&rdquo; he exclaimed, as a new
+thought occurred to him, &ldquo;you certainly do not think this
+Edna&rsquo;s child, do you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why might it not be possible?&rdquo; inquired Houston,
+wishing to lead his uncle gradually up to the truth.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is this her home?&rdquo; asked Mr. Cameron in turn.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;this has been her home, I believe,
+for the last ten years.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If the supposition mentioned a moment ago were correct,
+how would she be here, amid such surroundings?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Do you know the man who runs this house?&rdquo; Houston
+asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;A man by the name of Maverick had charge of it
+when I was out here years ago; I do not know whether
+he is still here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He is; do you know him? Did you ever have any
+business with him personally?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, I had him in my employ years ago, in the east,
+and was obliged to discharge him for dishonesty.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Thereby incurring his life-long hatred and enmity, so
+that years afterward, he sought to wreak his revenge upon
+you by stealing from the wrecked train, where your
+daughter lost her life, the little child who would otherwise
+have been your solace in that time of bereavement.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Everard!&rdquo; exclaimed Mr. Cameron, &ldquo;are you sure
+you are correct? What proof have you of this?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The proofs were not discovered until recently,&rdquo;
+Houston replied, &ldquo;although we knew that they existed,
+but now this girl has found a letter from Maverick&rsquo;s
+wife confessing the whole crime, and stating that it was
+committed through a spirit of revenge; and she also has
+in her possession the articles of clothing she wore at the
+time she was stolen, together with a locket containing
+her mother&rsquo;s picture and her own name,&ndash;&ndash;Marjorie Lyle
+Washburn.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That is enough,&rdquo; said Mr. Cameron briefly, &ldquo;let me
+see her, Everard.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston stepped within the house, reappearing a few
+moments later, with Lyle. Very beautiful she looked
+as she came forward in the soft radiance of the moonlight,
+a child-like confidence shining in the lovely eyes.</p>
+<p>Mr. Cameron rose to meet her, and taking both her
+hands within his own, he stood for an instant, gazing into
+the beautiful face.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My dear child, my own Edna!&rdquo; he said in broken
+tones, folding her closely within his arms, &ldquo;Thank God
+for another child restored to us from the dead!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston returned to the sick-room, leaving Mr. Cameron
+and Lyle in their new-found joy. Lyle told him
+briefly the story of her life, his eyes growing stern with
+indignation as he listened to the wrongs she had endured,
+then luminous with tenderness, as she told of Jack&rsquo;s affectionate
+care for her.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Call me &lsquo;papa&rsquo; my child, as you used to in the days of
+your babyhood,&rdquo; he said, kissing her, as they rose to return
+to Guy&rsquo;s room, &ldquo;you never even then, would call
+Mrs. Cameron or myself anything but &lsquo;mamma&rsquo; and
+&lsquo;papa,&rsquo; and now you shall be as our own child!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Together they watched beside the sick-bed until the
+morning sun touched the mountain peaks with glory, but
+there came no relief to the sufferer, now moaning and
+tossing in delirium.</p>
+<p>Eastward, across the mountain ranges, Morton Rutherford
+was speeding swiftly, scarcely heeding in his sorrow
+and anxiety, the grandeur and beauty through which
+he was passing; while from Chicago, the sweet-faced
+mother was hastening westward, all unconscious that she
+was being swiftly and surely borne to the answer of her
+prayers,&ndash;&ndash;that in that distant western country to which
+she was journeying, her son lay calling her in his fever
+and delirium.</p>
+<p>She had started in response to a dispatch from Morton
+Rutherford, at Silver City:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Cameron and Everard Houston safe and well, but wish
+you to come out immediately. Wire where I will meet you in
+St. Paul. Will explain when I see you.</p>
+<p class='ralign'>&ldquo;Morton Rutherford.&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>The mining camp that morning, presented a strange
+scene of idleness and desolation. Many of the mines
+were in ruins, while the remainder were shut down.</p>
+<p>They would remain shut down for an indefinite period,
+Houston told the men who had gathered about the house
+for information. The officers of the company, he further
+stated, had been arrested and their property would
+soon be seized, hence it would be impossible to state
+when the mines would be reopened. It was probable
+that with the next spring, an entirely new corporation
+would be organized, and the mining and milling plant
+rebuilt, and operated on a much more extensive scale
+than before; and should this be the case, he would then
+and there vouch that those of his men who had proven
+themselves trustworthy and honorable, would be certain
+of work, should they desire it, in the newly opened mines.</p>
+<p>The men knew of Jack&rsquo;s condition, and while not a
+sound was made that would disturb the sufferer, the better
+class swung their hats high in the air, in token of applause,
+and then walked silently away.</p>
+<p>It was found in the succeeding days that several
+miners had lost their lives in the explosions of the Yankee
+Boy mine; a few were so far underground that their doom
+was inevitable, while others, whom Houston had warned,
+instead of following his instructions, had endeavored to
+escape through the shafts, and had discovered too late
+that they had only rushed on to certain death.</p>
+<p>Maverick, the tool by which all this destruction had
+been wrought, after his deadly work was done, overcome
+by his wretched cowardice, remained concealed until a
+late hour; then creeping from his hiding place to gloat
+over the havoc and ruin he had wrought, he suddenly
+found his triumph was short. Under the shelter of a few
+boards, temporarily erected, he found the ghastly remains
+of his companion and director in crime. Shivering and
+trembling with fear, he crept up the road till within sight
+of the house, arriving just in time to see Houston,&ndash;&ndash;whom
+he supposed crushed and buried within the mine,&ndash;&ndash;presenting
+Lyle to Mr. Cameron. He lingered long
+enough to see her clasped in his arms, then skulked back
+into the shadow, retreating down the road, gnashing his
+teeth with rage and disappointment. The following day
+search was made for him, under instructions from Mr.
+Cameron and Houston, who offered a large reward for
+him, living or dead. His body was found in an old,
+abandoned shaft on the mountain side, riddled with bullets.
+The vengeance of the miners, desperate from the
+loss of homes and employment, had overtaken him first.
+He was buried hastily and with little ceremony, his two
+sons having already taken themselves to parts unknown,
+fearful lest the penalty of their father&rsquo;s crimes might be
+inflicted upon them, and his fate become theirs also. A
+day or two later, Mrs. Maverick, who had been prostrated
+by the shock of the explosions and the succeeding
+events, died from a sudden paralysis, her feeble mind having
+first been cheered and soothed by the assurance from
+Mr. Cameron of his forgiveness for the small share which
+she had taken in the withholding Lyle from her true
+friends and home. She was given a decent burial in the
+miners&rsquo; little cemetery at the Y, and the house which for
+so many years had been called by their name, knew the
+Mavericks no more.</p>
+<p>Kind hands laid little Bull-dog under the murmuring
+pines on the mountain side, near Morgan&rsquo;s last resting
+place, but in the hearts, of Houston and his friends, his
+memory could never grow dim.</p>
+<p>The small community of miners suddenly vanished,
+the deserted quarters, with their blackened ruins, seeming
+little like the busy camp of but a few days before, resounding
+with their songs and jests.</p>
+<p>Only in the house nestling at the foot of the mountain
+there were no signs of desertion. It was crowded to
+overflowing, and within its walls, during those next succeeding
+days, what combats were waged, between hope
+and fear, joy and despair, life and death!</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XLVIII' id='CHAPTER_XLVIII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XLVIII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Five days had passed, days of raging fever and delirium
+so violent that already the powerful frame seemed nearly
+exhausted; the sufferer calling almost incessantly for the
+loved ones of his old home, but oftenest for his mother.
+Some faint glimmer of recognition must occasionally
+have reached those darkened chambers of the brain, since
+when attended by Mr. Cameron, Houston or Lyle, he
+rested more quietly, though never calling Lyle by her
+own name, but always by that of his sister, Edna.</p>
+<p>The fever had subsided, and he was now rapidly passing
+into a death-like stupor, hovering between life and
+death, unconscious of skilled physicians and trained
+nurses that came and went, unconscious of loving friends
+bending above him, their prayers and efforts combined
+with the skill of the former, in the terrible combat against
+the mighty foe.</p>
+<p>The physicians watching by the bedside, shook their
+heads, as they felt the pulse, fluttering more and more
+faintly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He is sinking, failing rapidly,&rdquo; they said, &ldquo;to-night
+will be the crisis, the turning point; unless there is a
+change then for the better, he will never see the dawning
+of another day.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>To Mrs. Cameron, journeying westward with Morton
+Rutherford, the moments had seemed like hours, the
+hours like days, since learning for whose sake had come
+the summons to that distant country. Only the speed
+of the lightning could have satisfied the heart of the
+mother hastening to her long-lost son.</p>
+<p>They had been kept informed along the route of Guy&rsquo;s
+condition, and now, upon their arrival at Silver City, on
+the noon train, they found a special car awaiting them,
+to convey them at once to the Y, which had been ordered
+by telegraphic dispatch from Mr. Cameron.</p>
+<p>The watchers by the bedside heard the sound of swiftly
+approaching wheels; Mr. Cameron and Houston stepped
+quickly out to greet the sweet-faced woman hastening
+toward the house on the arm of Morton Rutherford.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Am I in time? Is our boy still living?&rdquo; were her first
+words, as her husband met her with outstretched arms,
+his face working with deep emotion.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Just in time, thank God!&rdquo; was the broken reply.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, Walter, is there no hope?&rdquo; she queried, understanding
+his words only too well.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I must not deceive you, Marjorie, there is the barest
+possibility that he may live, no more.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He must live, and he will,&rdquo; replied the mother, in
+tones that reminded both Houston and Morton Rutherford
+wonderfully of Lyle.</p>
+<p>Turning toward Houston, Mrs. Cameron greeted him
+affectionately, and gently touching the wounded arm, exclaimed:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My poor, dear boy, what a terrible risk you have
+run!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>To which he replied, &ldquo;I would go through it all again,
+Aunt Marjorie, for the joy I believe it will bring you and
+yours.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A few moments later, Mr. Cameron led his wife into
+the sick-room. Lyle had already left the room, and there
+remained only Leslie Gladden, sitting quietly near the foot
+of the bed, and the nurse, who respectfully withdrew
+from his place beside the patient, as Mrs. Cameron approached.</p>
+<p>Calmly, though through fast-falling tears, the mother
+gazed for a moment upon her son; then dropping upon
+her knees beside the bed, she slipped one arm underneath
+the pillows, and gently drew the wounded head upon her
+own breast, tenderly kissing the brow and cheeks; then
+taking his hand within her own, she stroked and caressed
+it, meanwhile crooning over him in low, murmuring
+tones, as though he had been an infant.</p>
+<p>There were no dry eyes in that little room, not excepting
+even the nurse, while from the door-way of the adjoining
+room, Morton Rutherford, Lyle and Everard
+Houston watched the scene with hearts too full for utterance.
+Something in that gentle touch must have carried
+the troubled mind of the sufferer back to the days
+of his childhood; gradually the faint moaning ceased, the
+drawn, tense features relaxed, and a sweet, child-like
+smile stole over his face now assuming a death-like pallor.</p>
+<p>For hours the mother knelt there, her husband by her
+side, Everard and Leslie standing near, while in the background,
+in the dim light, was Lyle with Morton Rutherford.</p>
+<p>At last, Mr. Cameron, bending over his wife, entreated
+her to take a few moments&rsquo; rest and a little food. She hesitated,
+but Everard spoke:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You must take some refreshment, Aunt Marjorie,
+you have had no food for hours; Leslie and I will watch
+here, and if there should be the slightest change, I will
+call you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At the name of Leslie, Mrs. Cameron looked up, with
+a sweet, motherly smile, into the beautiful but tear-stained
+face beside her, and gently withdrawing from the bedside,
+she turned and clasped Miss Gladden in her arms,
+saying:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My dear Leslie, I did not think we would meet for
+the first time under such circumstances as these, but I am
+more than glad to find you here. Everard has always
+been, and still is as our own son, and I welcome you, my
+dear, as a daughter.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>On entering the dining-room, Mr. and Mrs. Cameron
+found a most tempting luncheon prepared for them, but
+no one in the room, Lyle having judged they would prefer
+to be by themselves for awhile.</p>
+<p>As Mrs. Cameron, having partaken of some slight refreshment,
+was preparing to return to the sick-room, her
+husband said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Wait a moment, my dear; there is another joy in store
+for you, Marjorie, in that, through Everard&rsquo;s coming out
+into this country, we have received back from the dead,
+as it were, not only our son, but also a daughter. I
+want you to meet her now, my dear, so prepare yourself
+for a great surprise, and perhaps, something of a shock.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I do not understand you, dear,&rdquo; replied Mrs. Cameron,
+looking bewildered, &ldquo;you certainly do not refer to
+Leslie, I have met her.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, my love, Leslie is a beautiful girl, and will be to
+us a lovely daughter, but I refer to a daughter of our own
+flesh and blood.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Stepping to an adjoining room, Mr. Cameron called
+in a low tone, &ldquo;Lyle, my dear,&rdquo; returning immediately to
+his wife&rsquo;s side to support her in case the shock should
+prove too much in her present agitated condition.</p>
+<p>Lyle glided into the room, slowly approaching Mrs.
+Cameron, who sat speechless, pale as death, but controlling
+herself by a visible effort.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Edna, my child! my own Edna!&rdquo; she cried, rising
+with outstretched arms, and clasping Lyle to her breast;
+then turning toward her husband, she asked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What does this mean, Walter? Can this be Edna&rsquo;s
+child?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, my love,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;this is the little Marjorie
+we have mourned as dead for so many years.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For a while they sat clasped in each other&rsquo;s arms, their
+tears commingling, while Mr. Cameron briefly explained
+to his wife the main facts in Lyle&rsquo;s strange history.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She shall be our own daughter, shall she not, Walter?
+She shall be to us just what Edna was?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; was the response, &ldquo;she is our own daughter,
+Marjorie Lyle Cameron.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>They returned to Guy&rsquo;s room, Mrs. Cameron resuming
+her old place, with Guy&rsquo;s head upon her breast, his
+hand in hers, only that now Lyle knelt beside her. At
+their side, and very near his son, was Mr. Cameron, while
+just back of them were Everard, Leslie and Morton Rutherford.
+Ned Rutherford and Van Dorn lingered in the
+door-way watching, while at the foot of the bed stood
+Mike, the tears coursing down his rugged face. On the
+other side of the bed stood the physicians and nurse,
+their keen eyes watching the subtle changes passing over
+the face, now white as marble, and almost as motionless.</p>
+<p>Fainter and shorter grew the gasping breaths, more
+and more feeble the pulse, until at last it was evident to
+every one within that little room, that life had very nearly
+ebbed away.</p>
+<p>But there was one who did not, for one instant, lose
+faith or hope. The sublime faith which had upheld her
+through all those years of a sorrow greater than death,
+did not desert her now. Lyle seemed to share her faith,
+and they alone remained calm and tearless, the saint-like
+face of the mother shining with love and trust.</p>
+<p>Suddenly, upon that death-like stillness, her voice rang
+out, with startling clearness:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Guy! oh, Guy, my darling!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>And to that soul, slipping through the fast-darkening
+shadows, almost within the grasp of the great enemy,
+there seemed to have come some echo of those tones, with
+their piercing sweetness, recalling him to life; for, with a
+long, quivering breath, Guy slowly opened his eyes, gazing,
+for an instant, with a dreamy smile, upon the faces
+surrounding him. His eyes closed with a gentle sigh,
+but while those about him anxiously awaited the next
+breath, they again opened, full of the light of recognition,
+while a rapturous smile grew and deepened upon his face,
+irradiating his features with joy, his lips moving in a
+whisper so faint that only the mother&rsquo;s ear could catch
+the words:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I thought&ndash;&ndash;it was&ndash;&ndash;all&ndash;&ndash;a dream,&ndash;&ndash;but&ndash;&ndash;it&ndash;&ndash;is true,&rdquo;
+then, exhausted, he sank into a deep sleep like a child&rsquo;s,
+his breathing growing more and more regular and natural,
+moment by moment.</p>
+<p>The physicians withdrew from the bedside, their vigil
+was over; &ldquo;He will live,&rdquo; they said briefly, while in response,
+there rose from all parts of the room, deep sobs
+of joy.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XLIX' id='CHAPTER_XLIX'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XLIX.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>For the first week or two, Guy Cameron&rsquo;s recovery was
+slow, but at the expiration of that time his vigorous constitution
+reasserted itself, and he gained rapidly.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, at Silver City, affairs were progressing under
+the efficient management of Mr. Whitney, the clear-headed
+attorney from New York.</p>
+<p>When orders for arrest were first issued, it was soon
+discovered that the office of the North Western Mining,
+Land &amp; Investment Company was practically deserted.
+None of their books or papers were to be found, their
+clerks had been dismissed, and no trace existed of the
+officers of the company. No information regarding their
+whereabouts could be obtained from any of the officers of
+the several high-titled companies occupying the same
+room, as they were supremely and serenely unconscious
+that anything out of the usual order had occurred, and
+full of regrets that they were unable to furnish the desired
+information.</p>
+<p>Blaisdell was discovered the following day, in company
+with his eldest son, in an old abandoned mine about two
+miles from town, which he claimed they were working,
+his limited means not allowing him to wander far from
+the scene of his crimes. He was brought back to town
+and held pending the discovery of Wilson and Rivers,
+for whom detectives were searching in every direction.
+The former was never found, but at the end of about two
+weeks, the latter was run to earth in an eastern city, where
+he was masquerading in snow-white wig and beard and
+colored eye-glasses, as a retired and invalid clergyman,
+living in great seclusion.</p>
+<p>Blaisdell and Rivers were tried on the charge of murder,
+the most important witnesses for the prosecution being
+Everard Houston and Morton Rutherford; the latter
+testifying as to the nature of the final and fatal dispatch
+sent on that eventful day, in which he was corroborated
+by the telegraph operator of the Silver City office, who
+had been found and secured as a witness, and who verified
+Rutherford&rsquo;s statements regarding the message, but
+at the same time cleared Mr. Blaisdell from all connection
+therewith; the message having been sent by Rivers
+in Blaisdell&rsquo;s absence, whether with his knowledge and
+consent, they were unable to ascertain. The charge
+against Blaisdell was therefore dismissed through lack of
+evidence, while in Rivers&rsquo; case, a verdict was returned for
+manslaughter, and he was given the extreme limit of the
+law, imprisonment for ten years.</p>
+<p>Blaisdell was then speedily arraigned for a new trial
+on the charge of embezzlement, the date on which his
+case was set for hearing being the same as that upon
+which his partner in crime was to be transferred to the
+state penitentiary.</p>
+<p>On that morning, however, the guard on going to the
+cell occupied by Rivers, found him just expiring, having
+succeeded in smuggling into his cell a quantity of
+morphine, how or when, no one could ascertain. He left
+a letter in which he stated that no state penitentiary had
+ever held him, or ever would, but that &ldquo;as the game was
+up&rdquo; he would give them a few particulars regarding his
+past life. He gave his true name, the name of a man who,
+twenty-five years before, had been wanted in the state
+of New York for a heavy bank robbery and murder. For
+years, under an alias, he had belonged to a gang of counterfeiters
+in Missouri, but upon the discovery and arrest
+of the leaders of the band, he had assumed his present
+alias and had come west.</p>
+<p>As Blaisdell took his place that morning in the prisoner&rsquo;s
+box, he was a pitiable object. Haunted almost to
+madness by the awful fate of his associate, confronted by
+an overwhelming array of evidence, furnished by Houston,
+Van Dorn and Lindlay, including also a deposition
+of Guy Cameron&rsquo;s, taken in his sick-room, his own abject
+and hopeless appearance bore the most damaging testimony
+against him. His case was quickly decided, his
+sentence being for seven years.</p>
+<p>After the trial, Morton Rutherford and Van Dorn returned
+at once to the camp, and a day or two later, when
+business affairs had at last been satisfactorily adjusted,
+Mr. Cameron and Houston returned, bringing with them
+Mr. Whitney and Lindlay, for a visit of a week among the
+mountains, before the entire party should return east.</p>
+<p>It was now early in the fall. Already the nights were
+frosty, but the days were royal as only early autumnal
+days among the mountains can be. Every breath was
+exhilarating, each inhalation seeming laden with some
+subtle elixir of life.</p>
+<p>Guy Cameron was now convalescent, able to sit with
+his friends in the low, rustic porch, or even to join them
+in short strolls among the rocks by the lake.</p>
+<p>One afternoon they all sat in and about the porch, in
+the soft, hazy sunlight, the vines and shrubbery about
+them brilliant in their autumnal tints of crimson and
+orange and gold. The group was complete, with the exception
+of Mr. Cameron and Mr. Whitney, who still lingered
+within doors, engaged in drawing up some papers
+of which no one seemed to understand the import, excepting
+Houston, who had just left the gentlemen to join
+the group outside.</p>
+<p>It was a strikingly beautiful picture; Mrs. Cameron
+seated in the center, with her sweet face and snow-white
+hair, and on either side a lovely daughter. Near Lyle
+were seated Guy Cameron and Morton Rutherford,&ndash;&ndash;between
+whom there already existed a deep affinity,&ndash;&ndash;-with
+their faces of remarkable strength and beauty. On
+the grass, just outside the porch, in various easy attitudes,
+were Ned Rutherford, Van Dorn and Lindlay, and
+it was noticeable that under the influence of late events,
+even Ned&rsquo;s boyish face was gradually assuming a far
+more mature and thoughtful expression.</p>
+<p>As Houston seated himself beside Leslie, both she and
+Lyle observed that his face was lighted with a smile of
+deep satisfaction, but he remained silent, and the conversation
+continued as before, the members of the little
+group engaged in anticipations of their return to their
+respective homes, and in comments upon this particular
+portion of the west with which they had become familiar.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Which will you love best, Jack, my dear,&rdquo; Lyle asked
+of Guy in low tones, using the old form of address still
+very dear to her, &ldquo;the eastern home, or the mountains?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My old home was never so dear to me as now,&rdquo; he
+replied, &ldquo;but I am deeply attached to the mountains; for
+years they were my only friends, and I shall wish to look
+upon them occasionally in the future.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; Ned Rutherford was saying, &ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t have
+thought it, but I&rsquo;ve got so attached to this place out here,
+I&rsquo;d like an excuse of some sort,&ndash;&ndash;some kind of business,
+you know,&ndash;&ndash;that would bring me here part of the time;
+what do you think, Mort?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think our associations here have had a great deal to
+do with the attractions of the place, but as a quiet retreat
+in which to spend a few weeks of each summer, I can
+not imagine a more delightful place.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Everard, of what are you thinking so deeply?&rdquo; demanded
+Lyle, watching his thoughtful face, &ldquo;you have
+not spoken a word since you came out.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am thinking of the evening when first we had Mr.
+Lindlay and Mr. Van Dorn as guests in this house; thinking
+of the contrast between then and now; that was
+ushering in the close of the old regime, and this is the
+eve of the new.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;When will the mines be reopened?&rdquo; inquired Van
+Dorn.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Just as soon as possible after the rebuilding of the
+plant, next spring.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;All these mines will be owned and controlled by the
+New York company, will they not?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, and they will probably purchase other good
+properties.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;&rsquo;Pon my soul, but that will make a fine plant, out
+&rsquo;ere!&rdquo; exclaimed Lindlay.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I should say so,&rdquo; responded Van Dorn.</p>
+<p>Just at that instant, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Whitney appeared,
+the latter carrying a large roll of legal cap, covered
+with his well-known hieroglyphics.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My dear,&rdquo; said Mr. Cameron, seating himself beside
+his wife and a little in the rear of the remainder of the
+group, &ldquo;Mr. Whitney and myself have been engaged in
+drawing up the articles of incorporation of the new mining
+company to be organized out here very shortly, and I
+thought perhaps you and the young people would be interested
+in them. I want to say that they are drawn up
+subject to the approval of all parties interested, and after
+you have heard them read, we want you to express your
+opinions, jointly and severally. Mr. Whitney, as I believe
+you are the only one who would be able to read
+those cabalistic signs, we will now listen to you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Amid a general laugh at Mr. Whitney&rsquo;s expense, he began
+the reading of the articles of incorporation. The
+first article, setting forth the object of the corporation,
+was read, and by the time Mr. Whitney had reached the
+second, the members of the party were all attention.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Article II. This corporation shall be known as The
+Rocky Mountain Mining Company.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A murmur of approval ran through the little group,
+and the sonorous tones continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Article III. The officers of the company hereby incorporated
+shall be as follows: Walter E. Cameron,
+president; Walter E. Houston, vice-president; Guy M.
+Cameron, treasurer and general manager; Edward B.
+Rutherford, Jr., secretary.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Cameron, from his post of observation, watching
+to see the effect produced by the reading of this document,
+did not have to wait long. The faces of the ladies
+expressed their delight, while Ned Rutherford was
+speechless with astonishment; but it was the figure half
+reclining in the invalid chair that he watched most
+closely; it was his son&rsquo;s approval that he most desired.</p>
+<p>At the mention of his name, Guy Cameron had given a
+slight start, but he now lay with closed eyes, the only
+sign of emotion visible being that his pale face had grown
+still paler. Only the preceding day, Guy and his parents
+had held their first and only conversation together regarding
+the time so long past, Mr. and Mrs. Cameron intending
+it to be the first and last allusion which should be
+made to that sad time. Guy well knew that all was forgiven;
+he knew that the unhappy secret had been guarded
+with such loving care that his reputation was untarnished,
+there was nothing to be recalled against him on his
+return; yet he would consent only to a brief visit to the old
+home; he would not yet return permanently.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Let me first go into business somewhere, and retrieve
+myself in my own eyes at least,&rdquo; he had said, &ldquo;not be
+taken back as a prodigal.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Cameron had conferred with Houston, and both
+hoped that a responsible position in the newly organized
+company, amid the old familiar scenes and work, and associated
+with those to whom he had become personally
+attached, would more than meet his wishes. Mr. Cameron
+had wished to make him general manager on account
+of his familiarity with the business, while Houston
+wished him to hold the office of treasurer, as token of
+their perfect trust; hence the two were combined.</p>
+<p>After all the articles of incorporation had been read in
+full, the little group broke up, and crowded around the
+newly-chosen young officers with many congratulations.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Great Scott!&rdquo; ejaculated Ned, &ldquo;I never was so thunder
+struck in my life! Accept it? well, I should say so,
+Mr. Cameron, and with many thanks; you couldn&rsquo;t have
+picked out anything that would suit me better. I guess,&rdquo;
+he added in a confidential aside to Houston, &ldquo;I guess that
+will fix the old fellow down there in Boston all right.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Guy grasped his father&rsquo;s hand and Houston&rsquo;s in a manner
+that removed every anxiety from their minds.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is more than satisfactory,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;more than I
+could wish.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The following day, Mr. Whitney, Lindlay and Van
+Dorn returned east, leaving the &ldquo;family party&rdquo; as they
+laughingly styled themselves, to follow later.</p>
+<p>Among the pleasant surprises of those last few days of
+their stay, it was discovered that Leslie Gladden, whom
+Mrs. Cameron and Lyle had urged to make her home
+with them upon their return, was the owner of a palatial
+residence not many blocks from their own city home, besides
+having a snug little fortune in bonds and stocks.</p>
+<p>Houston&rsquo;s surprise was unbounded, but remembering
+how he had won Leslie&rsquo;s love, there was little he could
+say.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I thought you once said you never had a home of your
+own,&rdquo; he remarked in considerable perplexity.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; she replied archly, &ldquo;a residence is not necessarily
+a home; it has never been a home to me since my
+earliest recollection, but it will be one soon, in the truest
+sense of the word.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>One morning a few days later, they awoke to find the
+mountains about them white with snow, and a light snowfall
+in the canyon; and though the latter vanished presently
+under the balmy breath of a &ldquo;chinook,&rdquo; it had given
+them warning that the winter king was approaching, and
+would soon seize the scepter from autumn&rsquo;s hand, to begin
+his long reign among the mountains.</p>
+<p>That day, the old house which had witnessed such
+varied scenes within the past few months, was closed, and
+a very joyous party started for Silver City, the initial point
+of the long eastward journey, their hearts throbbing with
+delight that they were homeward bound.</p>
+<p>In the first carriage rode Mr. and Mrs. Cameron and
+their newly-found son and daughter, while following so
+closely that their merry jokes and song and laughter were
+intermingled, were Everard Houston, Leslie Gladden
+and the two brothers; and as they passed down the winding
+canyon road, casting loving, farewell glances at the
+friendly peaks, clad that day in dazzling brightness, and
+recalled their first coming to the heart of the Rockies,
+they were, one and all, agreed that the end was better
+than the beginning.</p>
+<hr class='tb' />
+<p>According to Houston&rsquo;s prediction, the mines were reopened
+the following year, and operated on a far more
+extensive scale. On the site of the old mills, an immense
+building was erected, thoroughly equipped with the latest
+improvements in mining machinery and electrical and
+mechanical appliances. The old mines were repaired
+and extended and new properties were purchased, giving
+employment to hundreds of men. Early in the second
+year, a railroad was constructed by the company, extending
+up the canyon from the Y, to the camp, for the transportation
+of ore, mining supplies, freight and passengers.</p>
+<p>As the mines were enlarged and new properties developed,
+quite a community sprang up in that vicinity,
+which, after the construction of the railroad, speedily developed
+into a typical mining town; and now, after a lapse
+of three years, few would recognize the old camp.</p>
+<p>Half way up the steep grade from the Y, is the smelting
+plant of the company, while at the terminus of the
+road, are the long, stone storehouses, at one end of which
+is the general office and a pleasant reception room. Next
+comes the great milling and reduction plant, while just
+beyond are the offices of the company, a fine, three-story
+brick building. From this building can be seen, in one
+direction the extensive mining works, with their labyrinth
+of shafts and tunnels, diggings and dumps; while in another
+direction are stretched the homes of the miners,
+the boarding houses, and, at a little distance, the post-office,
+hotel, stores and shops of the little town, as well
+as a tasteful church and school house. As one gazes upon
+the peaceful picture of the mountain town, there is
+nothing to recall the frightful scene of destruction and
+ruin of only three years past.</p>
+<p>There is little to remind one of former times, until, having
+followed the broad, winding road for some distance,
+one suddenly comes upon a familiar sight. Nestling at
+the foot of the pine-covered mountain, on the site of the
+old boarding house, is a beautiful, wide-spreading stone
+cottage, so built that its numerous bow-windows take
+in a view of the azure lake and shining cascades, as well
+as of the surrounding peaks and the sunset sky; and on
+the broad, vine-covered veranda, is a well-known group,
+who come from their distant, city homes, to spend a few
+weeks of each summer amid the grandeur and beauty of
+the mountains, to listen to the whispering of the pines
+and the music of the cascades.</p>
+<p>Morton Rutherford and his bride are here; Lyle, physically
+and mentally developed into royal, radiant womanhood,
+more beautiful than ever, but to whom there comes
+occasionally an irresistible longing to revisit her old
+mountain home, for the years of happiness and love have
+obliterated all bitter memories of the loveless, joyless
+childhood, and only the remembrance of its beauty remains.</p>
+<p>By her side, is Guy Cameron, his proud, erect bearing
+showing the change which these few years have wrought
+in his life; lonely and solitary no longer, for near him is a
+queenly woman, who, knowing the sad secret of his past,
+will share and brighten his future.</p>
+<p>Everard Houston and his lovely wife need no introduction,
+but, beside them is a little stranger, possessing Leslie&rsquo;s
+wondrous dark eyes, but Houston&rsquo;s features,&ndash;&ndash;another
+little Marjorie,&ndash;&ndash;while beside the wee maiden is a
+small chevalier, only two months her senior, rejoicing in
+the name of Morton Rutherford. In the dignified, business-like
+face of the proud father, it is difficult to recognize
+the former Ned Rutherford, but while possessing
+still the same light-hearted nature, yet the responsibilities
+intrusted to him, and the years of constant association
+with a man like Everard Houston, have developed a business
+ability surprising even to himself. As secretary of
+the Rocky Mountain Mining Company, he has proved to
+be the right man in the right place, thereby reflecting
+much credit upon Houston&rsquo;s insight and good judgment
+in selecting him for the position. By his side is a fair
+woman, the &ldquo;Grace&rdquo; of whom he used to dream when
+first he visited the mountains.</p>
+<p>Strolling up and down the graveled walks, in consultation
+regarding the mines, are two figures, one of whom
+is easily recognized as Arthur Van Dorn, mining expert
+for the company, and superintendent of the milling and
+reduction plant. The energetic, business man by his
+side is M. T. Donovan, superintendent of the entire mining
+plant, but a second glance is necessary to recognize
+in him, Mike, the old-time miner, and the faithful friend
+of Guy Cameron in his years of loneliness. Donovan
+and Van Dorn present a striking contrast, but they are
+good friends, and the latter&rsquo;s personation of the former,
+on a certain occasion, is a standing joke between them.</p>
+<p>There is one more familiar figure, not to be omitted,
+and that is Rex, stretched on the soft grass in an attitude
+of perfect content, his nose resting on his paws, his eyes
+fixed on his master&rsquo;s face with the old-time devotion.</p>
+<p>Beautiful as this picture may be, it is not quite complete
+without a glimpse of a far-away, eastern home, where, in
+the gloaming, beside an open grate, sit a couple with
+peaceful faces, crowned with snow-white hair. They
+have passed the grand summit of middle age, with its
+broad horizons, where hope and ambition are at their
+zenith, and together are journeying down the long, gentle
+declivity; but the clouds of loss and bereavement and
+pain that gathered about their path in the years gone by,
+have passed, and the valley before them is flooded with
+golden light. Their home circle, once broken, is now
+nearly complete; the once vacant places by the fireside
+are again filled, and the old home, silent for so many
+years, again resounds with song and laughter, and echoes
+once more to the music of childish voices and the patter
+of little feet.</p>
+<p>For hours, they sit talking together of the joys which
+the late years have brought them; until the moonlight
+steals in through the open windows, reverently touching
+their heads with a silvery radiance, at the same time looking
+down in silent, shining benediction upon the peaceful
+scene in the heart of the Rockies.</p>
+<p style='text-align:center;margin-top:1.5em;margin-bottom:1em'>FINIS</p>
+
+<!-- generated by ppg.rb version: 3.14 -->
+<!-- timestamp: Sat Sep 19 07:02:09 -0600 2009 -->
+
+<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 30028 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
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+
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+
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #30028 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/30028)
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Award of Justice, by A. Maynard Barbour
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Award of Justice
+       Told in the Rockies
+
+Author: A. Maynard Barbour
+
+Release Date: September 19, 2009 [EBook #30028]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE AWARD OF JUSTICE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE AWARD OF JUSTICE
+
+OR
+
+TOLD IN THE ROCKIES.
+
+A Pen Picture of the West.
+
+BY
+
+A. MAYNARD BARBOUR,
+
+AUTHOR OF "That Mainwaring Affair."
+
+"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof."--Ecc. vii, 8.
+
+CHICAGO AND NEW YORK:
+
+RAND, McNALLY & COMPANY,
+
+PUBLISHERS.
+
+
+
+
+Copyright, 1897, by Rand, McNally & Co.
+
+Copyright, 1901, by Rand, McNally & Co.
+
+
+
+
+DEDICATION.
+
+To W. James Barbour,
+
+ My co-worker in this pleasant task,
+ at whose suggestion it was undertaken,
+ and by whose inspiration it has been guided,
+ from inception to completion,
+ this book is affectionately dedicated
+ by the author,
+
+A. MAYNARD BARBOUR.
+
+
+
+
+THE AWARD OF JUSTICE
+
+By A. Maynard Barbour.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+The Pacific Express was due at Valley City at 1:45 p.m. Within ten
+minutes of that time, a spring-board wagon, containing two young men
+and drawn by a pair of bronchos, suddenly appeared around one end of
+the dingy little depot. One of the men, dressed in a tweed traveling
+suit, jumped hastily from the wagon, while the other, who looked like
+a prosperous young ranchman, seemed to have all he could attend to in
+holding the restive little ponies, who were rearing and kicking in
+their impatience at being compelled to stand.
+
+"I'm afraid, Ned," he said, "that you'll have to look out for your
+traps yourself; these little rats haven't been driven for four days,
+and they're feeling pretty frisky."
+
+"All right, Tom," responded the other, diving under the seat of the
+spring-board and bringing out the said "traps," which consisted of two
+grips, a rifle case, a set of fishing rods, and, last but not least, a
+large, square case which he handled with great care, and now held up
+to his companion saying,
+
+"See that, Tom? that's my set of cameras; they're fine too, I tell
+you."
+
+"But why do you bother to take them around with you all the time, like
+that?" inquired his friend.
+
+"Oh," replied Ned, "I do that so as to be ready to catch any choice
+scenes I come across; I'm making a collection of views, you know, and
+I expect to get a good many on this trip. By the way, I got some
+stunning views over there at your place this morning, just before
+breakfast."
+
+"The dickens, you did!" exclaimed Tom, suddenly remembering a
+ludicrous predicament in which his guest had caught him.
+
+"Oh, yes," said Ned, "and when I get away at a safe distance I'm going
+to develop them and send them to you. I've got an awfully fine--well,
+by Jove, if that isn't just my luck!"
+
+Ned had just deposited his belongings on the depot platform and in
+doing so, noticed a piece of blackboard propped up against the wall,
+on which were chalked these words, "Train 3 ours late." His eyes
+seemed riveted to the spot.
+
+"What's the matter now?" asked Tom, who took in the situation at a
+glance.
+
+"Matter! Why, that blasted train is three hours behind time."
+
+"Too bad!" said Tom, with a grin; "if I'd only known that I needn't
+have driven my horses so hard."
+
+"Oh, confound those little beasts of yours;" exclaimed Ned, "a little
+exercise won't hurt them, but to think of three hours in a place like
+this! and say, don't you know how to spell out here?"
+
+"Well," said Tom, coolly, "I don't hold myself personally responsible
+for the wording of that blackboard, but I suppose that's the phonetic
+spelling they used to talk about when I lived east; you see we've
+adopted it out here, for we westerners have to rustle lively, and
+don't have time for old-fashioned ways."
+
+"I see," said Ned, rather sarcastically; "perhaps you can tell me why
+they don't 'rustle' that train along on time."
+
+"I suppose," replied Tom, "it's on account of that wreck two days ago;
+you know your train was ten hours late yesterday."
+
+"Yes," assented Ned, gazing about him with an expression of intense
+disgust; "I got here after dark; that's how it comes about that I
+never realized until the present moment what a paradise this place is.
+Valley City! I can't see more than a dozen buildings here."
+
+"That's probably because you're so near-sighted, my dear boy,"
+replied Tom; and Ned, who was very sensitive on the subject of his
+near-sightedness, colored, and readjusted his eye-glasses, while he
+asked in a tone of despair:
+
+"Well, what am I to do in this beastly place, anyhow?"
+
+"You might take a stroll about the city," suggested Tom, "if you get
+lost you'll have to inquire your way of some of the police. I would be
+delighted to stay and keep you company, but work on the ranch is
+rushing and I must hurry back; so I'll wish you good luck and
+good-bye."
+
+"All right, old fellow," said Ned, shaking hands in a slightly
+patronizing way, "if you ever get out of this country, and find
+yourself within the limits of civilization again, just take a run down
+to the 'Hub' and see me."
+
+"Much obliged," said Tom, turning around for a parting shot; "I say,
+Ned, while you're waiting for the train, you'd better get out your
+cameras; you might catch some more 'stunning views' you know," and
+lightly snapping his whip, he started off, the bronchos standing on
+their forefeet with their heels in the air.
+
+"Good-bye, Tom," Ned called, after the rapidly retreating spring-board,
+"if you ever had any brains to lose I'd be anxious about you, but I
+guess you're safe enough."
+
+Tom's only reply was a crack of the whip, and he and the ponies soon
+disappeared in a cloud of dust, leaving Ned to survey his surroundings
+at his leisure.
+
+In the foreground was the low, dingy depot, and on the platform,
+leaning against the building as though their spinal columns were
+unable to support them, were two specimens of the genus homo, which
+were entirely new to the young Bostonian. He gazed at them with
+undisguised interest, being unable to determine whether they were
+cow-boys or miners, these being the two classes into which, as he
+imagined, the western population was about evenly divided. That they
+immediately classified him, in their western vernacular, as a
+"tenderfoot," and a remarkably verdant specimen at that, was not owing
+to their superior penetration, as it was a self-evident fact.
+
+Mr. Edward B. Rutherford, Jr., prided himself upon being a
+resident of Boston, a son of one of her best families, and a
+graduate of Harvard, and it is scarcely to be wondered at if he
+felt himself slightly superior to ordinary mortals who had not been
+blessed with these advantages. Nevertheless, the fact remained that
+Mr. Rutherford's personal appearance could not be considered
+especially prepossessing, even when moving in his own sphere where
+he felt himself, as he would have expressed it, "en rapport" with his
+surroundings; under other circumstances, as at the present time, it
+very nearly approached the ludicrous. He was small in stature, but
+his bump of self-esteem was developed in an inverse ratio to his
+size. He seemed to be making a constant effort to maintain his
+dignity at the proper level, in which direction he was greatly
+assisted by a pair of eye-glasses, perched on a very large and
+decidedly Roman nose. It had been claimed by his college chums
+that the eye-glasses were worn for this especial purpose; be that
+as it may, without their assistance, his task would certainly have
+been a difficult one, as his eyes, which were very full and round,
+and surmounted by a pair of extremely high-arched eyebrows, gave him
+always an expression of exaggerated surprise and bewilderment,
+which, when intensified as on the present occasion, rendered his
+appearance very far from the otium cum dignitate to which he aspired.
+But upon very few is the "giftie" bestowed, "to see oursel's as
+ithers see us," and to many besides the junior Mr. Rutherford, such
+a vision would be anything but satisfactory.
+
+At the present time, however, Rutherford's only troubles were his
+immediate surroundings, and the problem of how to pass the next three
+hours. The loungers, who by this time had changed to a sitting
+posture, and who were staring at him with an unwinking fixedness which
+made him rather nervous, did not seem very congenial companions. The
+town consisted of merely a few, straggling, unpainted buildings, while
+in every direction extended the apparently interminable stretches of
+undulating prairie, partially covered with sage brush and wild cactus.
+Though early in the season, the heat was intense, and the glare of the
+sunlight reflected from the patches of white, chalk-like sand, was so
+blinding as to seem unendurable.
+
+The interior of the depot was even more cheerless than the exterior. A
+rusty stove, minus one leg, two or three battered benches, a flaming
+circus poster, and an announcement of the preceding year's county fair
+constituted the entire furnishing and decoration. No signs of life
+were visible, the window into the ticket office being closed, while
+from somewhere within the little inclosure, a telegraphic instrument
+clicked with a cheerful pertinacity that to Rutherford seemed simply
+exasperating.
+
+In the course of half an hour, however, the monotony was relieved by
+the appearance of half a dozen soldiers, who strolled over from a
+neighboring fort, about two miles distant. Rutherford had soon
+introduced himself to them, with a formality which they considered
+highly amusing, and they entertained him with tales of various
+thrilling adventures and hair breadth escapes, nearly all invented for
+the occasion, to which he listened with an open-mouthed astonishment
+that elicited many winks and grins from the blue-coats. Finally, two
+of them escorted him to a small Indian camp, about a mile distant,
+which was hidden from view by a sandy knoll, where, in some cottonwood
+brush, beside a small creek, they found half a dozen tepees, around
+which were squatted twenty or thirty disreputable-looking Indians,
+their ponies tethered in the brush near by. The bucks were sullen and
+uncommunicative, maintaining a solemn silence broken only by an
+occasional grunt. Their dress was a combination of Indian costume and
+articles purchased from the white people, the latter being put on to
+suit the individual taste of the wearer, without the least regard to
+the use for which it was originally intended. One, who seemed a leader
+in the camp, in addition to his native toggery of feathers, beads and
+brass rings, wore trousers of striped bed-ticking, two or three pairs
+of gayly colored suspenders knotted together for a belt and sash, and
+a flaming red necktie braided in his hair. The squaws in their
+blankets were quite socially inclined, and the wig-wams at a little
+distance looked very romantic to the young easterner, but the odors
+wafted from them were sufficient for him, and he declined to penetrate
+any further into the mysteries of an Indian camp; and after taking one
+or two views of the Indians and their tepees, he returned to the
+depot.
+
+It was now nearly train time, and the number of loungers and loafers
+had increased amazingly, considering the size of the town. There were
+thirty or forty of them, all more or less resembling the first
+specimens, and Rutherford wondered where they stowed themselves away,
+not realizing that many came in from little shacks scattered over the
+prairies; for to them, the coming of the train from the east was the
+one great event of the day.
+
+Among them Rutherford noticed a man, who, though clad as roughly as
+the others, yet had an individuality so distinct from them as to be
+noticeable even to a stranger. He wore an old soft hat and rough
+blouse, his trousers being tucked into a pair of heavy, hobnailed
+boots that reached to his knees. He was tall and stooped slightly, but
+there was none of the slouching figure and gait that characterized
+those around him. His movements were quick, and, when standing
+motionless, there was something in his very pose that conveyed an
+impression of alertness and of latent strength. His back was turned
+toward Rutherford, who was watching him under a sort of subtle
+fascination, when suddenly he wheeled, facing him. His eyes were keen
+and piercing, and as he looked for an instant at Rutherford with an
+expression of suspicion and distrust, and then seemed to survey his
+diminutive figure with a quick glance of contempt, that young man felt
+a sudden and violent terror in his inmost soul, which was not lessened
+when his eyes fell upon a sheath knife and huge revolver in the
+stranger's belt. Involuntarily Rutherford's hand went to his hip
+pocket, where reposed a dainty, pearl-handled Smith and Wesson,
+38-calibre, but he immediately regretted the movement, for the
+blue-black eyes watching him scintillated for a moment with a cold,
+steel-like glitter, and the lips under the heavy, black beard curled
+with a smile of fine scorn, that made our young hero exceedingly
+uncomfortable.
+
+The whistle of the approaching train afforded him unspeakable relief,
+and at the first opportunity he put himself and his belongings aboard
+with a celerity very remarkable in one of his usual dignity.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+As the Pacific Express was speeding westward across the prairies, a
+young man, half reclining among the cushions of the smoking car, was
+enjoying a choice Havana. He took no note of external objects as they
+flashed with almost lightning rapidity past the car windows, and he
+seemed equally unconscious of the presence of his fellow passengers.
+His dress and manner, as well as his nonchalant, graceful attitude,
+and even the delicate poise of his cigar, were all indicative of
+wealth and refinement, and of a courtesy innate, not acquired. His
+head was slightly thrown back, and with half-closed, dreamy eyes, he
+watched the coils of blue smoke wreathing and curling above his head,
+but his mind was actively engaged in planning the details of the new
+life opening up before him in the west. Walter Everard Houston, of New
+York, the possessor of a million in his own name, and prospective heir
+to many millions more, was en route for a small mining camp, far west,
+in the heart of the Rockies, where he was to fill the position of
+bookkeeper and corresponding secretary in the office of a mining
+company, at a salary of one hundred dollars per month.
+
+Mr. Houston's parents had died when he was very young, and he had been
+tenderly reared in the home of his uncle, his mother's brother, Walter
+Everard Cameron. Even now, as he watched the blue coils above his
+head, his memory was going back to the time when he had entered that
+beautiful home. He recalled the different members of that lovely
+family, as they then appeared to him; the dark, patrician face of his
+aunt, with its wondrous beauty, which, in the following years had
+been so softened and deepened by sorrow that now it was almost
+saint-like in the calm look of peace and love which it wore, with the
+soft, snow-white hair surrounding it like a halo of glory. Then his
+beautiful cousin Edna, with her sunny hair and starry eyes, and her
+wonderful voice filling the home with music. She had married soon
+after he entered the family, and went with her husband to a distant,
+western city, often returning to visit the old home. How well he
+remembered the last visit! Her baby was then nearly two years old; he
+could not now recall her name, but she was a little, golden-haired
+toddler, with her mother's eyes and voice. His cousin was suddenly
+called home by a telegram that her husband was ill; then, in a day or
+two, came the news of a frightful railroad accident, a collision and a
+fire which quickly consumed the wreck. Edna was rescued from the
+flames, unconscious and dying, but no trace could be found of the
+little one. Then followed word of the death of Edna's husband; he had
+died a few hours later than the accident occurred, ignorant of the
+terrible fate of his wife and child.
+
+Next came the memory of his cousin, Guy Cameron, but a few years older
+than himself; dark and beautiful like his mother, proud spirited and
+headstrong, the pride of his parents, but through him came their most
+bitter sorrow. Through fast living and gambling he became deeply
+involved, and forged his father's name to several checks, amounting to
+nearly a hundred thousand; then, overcome by shame and remorse, he had
+fled in the night, no one knew whither. His father payed the full
+amount of the debt, without even betraying his son's guilt, and then
+for years employed the most skillful detectives, trying to bring back
+the wanderer to the love and forgiveness which awaited him; but in
+vain, no trace of him existed. The father had long ago given up all
+hope of ever seeing his boy again, and doubted whether he were living.
+Only the sweet-faced mother, strong in her mother-love and in her
+faith in God, believed that he would yet return, and was content to
+watch and wait.
+
+Meantime, Everard Houston had become like a son to Mr. and Mrs.
+Cameron. After leaving college, he had been taken by his uncle as a
+partner into his enormous banking house, and intrusted more or less
+with the charge of various departments of business with which he was
+connected, and he had proven himself worthy of the trust reposed in
+him.
+
+For a number of years, Mr. Cameron had been president of a large
+investment company, which, among other properties, owned a number of
+mines in the west which had been represented to be very valuable, and
+which, at the time of purchase, possessed every indication of being
+heavy producers of very rich ore. Lately, these mines had not been
+yielding the profit which it was reasonable to expect from them, and
+there were indications of bad management, if not of dishonesty, at the
+western end of the line. One or two so-called experts had been sent
+out to investigate, but they had after all so little knowledge of
+practical mining, that they were unable to produce any tangible
+evidence against the company who constituted their western agents,
+although their reports had only tended to strengthen Mr. Cameron's
+belief that there was underhanded and dishonest dealing somewhere,
+which could only be detected by a person on the ground whom the
+western company would not suspect of being personally interested.
+Happening to learn, through a Chicago firm who were friends of Mr.
+Cameron's, that the western company were desirous of getting a
+bookkeeper and confidential clerk, it was decided, after consultation,
+to send out Everard Houston to take this position. Accordingly, he had
+gone to Chicago, and the firm there had written a letter to the mining
+company, recommending him as a young man of their acquaintance, of
+exceptional ability, reliable, and thoroughly to be trusted in all
+confidential matters. The company had responded favorably, offering
+the position to Mr. Houston for one month on trial, at one hundred
+dollars, his traveling expenses to be paid by them. If he proved
+satisfactory, they would retain him as long as would be mutually
+agreeable, and if his services proved as valuable as expected, would
+increase his salary. Mr. Houston was, therefore, on his way to the
+mines to accept this position, together with the munificent salary,
+and hoped to prove so satisfactory as to soon be admitted to the
+"confidential" clerkship, in which event he anticipated being able to
+accomplish a nice little piece of detective work.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+Mr. Houston was aroused from his pleasant revery by the rather noisy
+entrance of a young man, who, with flushed face, and manner more
+indicative of self-assertion than self-possession, passed down the car
+and took a seat facing himself. This was none other than our friend,
+Rutherford, who, having secured his berth in the sleeper, and arranged
+his belongings to his entire satisfaction, immediately repaired to the
+smoking car to soothe his perturbed and agitated spirits by a cigar.
+
+From under his heavily drooping eyelids, Houston regarded his
+vis-a-vis with concealed amusement, for he was an apt student of human
+nature, and possessed an unusual degree of insight into the
+characteristics of those with whom he was thrown in contact.
+
+Rutherford, on his part, was watching Houston with his usual degree of
+interest and curiosity. Each was measuring the other from his own
+standpoint: Houston's prompt decision was,--"A good-hearted fellow,
+but something of a cad;" while Rutherford's vague surmises, summed up
+verbally, would have been,--"Nice looking sort of fellow, a gentleman;
+guess he's got the stuff, too; 'twon't do any harm to make his
+acquaintance."
+
+An opportunity for this soon presented itself, for as the conductor
+passed leisurely through the car, examining tickets, Rutherford
+discovered that their destinations were the same, and hastily drawing
+his card case from his pocket, said:
+
+"As we seem likely to be fellow travelers for a while, I should be
+pleased to make your acquaintance; allow me," at the same time
+offering his card.
+
+Houston took the card, greeting him courteously, and giving his own
+in exchange. He half smiled as he looked at the diminutive slip of
+cardboard with its Boston address made unnecessarily prominent, while
+Rutherford, after scanning the card he held, bearing simply the name
+of W. E. Houston, remarked with a decidedly upward inflection,
+
+"You are from--?"
+
+"From Chicago," Houston replied promptly.
+
+"Ah," Rutherford responded, "then I suppose you are quite familiar
+with this part of the country."
+
+"Well, not exactly," replied Houston, smiling, "Chicago, I'll admit,
+seems inclined to embrace a small part of the state of Illinois within
+her city limits, but I never heard of her attempting to claim the
+prairies of the Missouri valley among her suburbs."
+
+"Well, no," said Rutherford, laughing, "not quite so bad as that, I
+guess, but perhaps I didn't convey my meaning very clearly; my idea
+was, that living in one of the western cities, you know, perhaps you
+were out this way often."
+
+"On the contrary, this is my first trip out here."
+
+"Indeed! A pleasure trip, I presume?"
+
+"No, I am out on business," replied Houston, not caring to state very
+definitely just then the nature of his business.
+
+"Well," said Rutherford, settling himself into an attitude more
+comfortable than graceful, "I came out on a pleasure trip, but I must
+say that so far, the pleasure has been rather an uncertain quantity;
+for the last forty-eight hours, I haven't seen much besides dust,
+Indians and desperadoes."
+
+"Forty-eight hours!" exclaimed his companion, "you surely have not
+been on this train that length of time."
+
+"Not on this train; I stopped off last night to see an old friend of
+mine that has a ranch out here," and forthwith, Rutherford launched
+into a recital of his experiences of the last few hours, not omitting
+a description of the man whose appearance had struck such terror to
+his heart and expedited his departure from Valley City.
+
+"I tell you, he was a man I wouldn't like to meet in the dark; he was
+armed to the teeth, and there was a look in his eye that was awfully
+unpleasant."
+
+Mr. Houston judged from his companion's manner that he had not been
+particularly pleased at meeting this alleged desperado in broad
+daylight, but he courteously refrained from any such insinuation, and
+as supper was just then announced, the young men adjourned to the
+dining car, and the experiences of Mr. Rutherford were, for the time,
+forgotten.
+
+Nothing special occurred that evening, except that the monotony of the
+journey was slightly relieved by the train entering upon the Bad
+Lands. For some time, Houston and Rutherford stood upon the rear
+platform, enjoying their cigars, and watching the strange phenomena of
+that weird region; on all sides, vast tracts of ashen gray or black,
+as if burnt to a crisp, with no sign of life, animal or vegetable, the
+lurid lights flashing and playing in the distance, until it seemed as
+though they might be gliding through the borderland of Dante's
+Inferno.
+
+Their cigars finished, they separated for the night, to be agreeably
+surprised by the delightful change that met their eyes the following
+morning. Houston was already at the breakfast table enjoying the
+scenery, when Rutherford sauntered into the dining car. They exchanged
+greetings, and the latter dropped into a seat facing his companion,
+exclaiming as he did so,
+
+"Well, say now, this looks a little more like civilization, doesn't
+it?" and having ordered his breakfast and helped himself to fruit, he
+proceeded to watch the beautiful panorama flashing past in the
+sunlight.
+
+They were passing through one of the most fertile valleys of the
+northwest. Away to the south, a beautiful river glistened like a broad
+ribbon of silver, and leading from it was a gleaming net-work of
+irrigating canals and ditches, carrying the life-giving waters over
+thousands of broad acres; some already green with grass and alfalfa,
+while others were dotted with scores of men and horses opening the
+brown earth in long, straight lines of furrows, or scattering
+broadcast the golden grain.
+
+Far in the distance, faintly outlined against the blue sky, was a
+fleecy, cloud-like mass, grayish blue at the base, with points here
+and there of dazzling whiteness, which Houston had known at once as
+the first glimpse of the Rocky Mountains, but which Rutherford failed
+to notice.
+
+"Well," said the latter, withdrawing his head from the window, and
+preparing to attack his breakfast, "it seems to me, after nearly
+forty hours of nothing but prairies, it's about time to see some
+mountains."
+
+"They're in sight now," responded Houston quietly.
+
+"What!" exclaimed his companion, dropping his knife and fork in
+haste.
+
+"You can see them now; I've been waiting for you to recognize them,"
+said Houston, smiling; "look off there to the southwest," he added, as
+Rutherford was readjusting his eye-glasses, preparatory to a careful
+survey of the horizon.
+
+"Well, I'll be blessed!" ejaculated the latter, "I supposed those were
+clouds. My! but they must be mighty far away, twenty-five miles, I
+expect, at the least."
+
+"Sixty miles, at least," said Houston, glancing at them, "perhaps
+more."
+
+"Pardon me, gentlemen," said a bland voice across the aisle, and the
+young men, turning, saw a much-bejewelled individual, with a florid,
+but very smiling face; "I see you have not yet become accustomed to
+the vast distances of this great country of ours in the northwest.
+Those mountains which you are discussing are about ninety miles
+distant."
+
+Rutherford's eyes expressed an immense amount of incredulity, while
+Houston simply bowed silently. The man continued:
+
+"The wonderful rarity of our atmosphere in these altitudes is
+something that has to be experienced in order to be thoroughly
+understood and appreciated, or even believed. You tell an eastern man
+of the great distances here at which you can see and hear, clearly and
+readily; he will immediately doubt your veracity, simply because it is
+without the line of his experience. Now I myself, personally, with my
+own, unaided vision, have been able to count the mules in a pack-train
+sixty-three miles distant, and have repeatedly held conversations at
+a distance of fifteen miles."
+
+"Guess the conversation was pretty much all on one side, wasn't it?"
+asked Rutherford, adding sotto voce to Houston, "as on the present
+occasion."
+
+"Ah, no, indeed not," the man replied; "I see, my young friend, that
+you are inclined, like all strangers, to be a little incredulous and
+skeptical, but if you remain in this country of ours any length of
+time, that will soon pass away, very soon."
+
+"I don't think I care to remain here very long then, if it will have
+any such effect on my brain as that," said Rutherford.
+
+"You are inclined to be facetious, my friend; that is all right, I
+appreciate a little witticism myself occasionally. By the way," he
+continued, evidently determined to get into conversation with Houston,
+"I suppose you young gentlemen are out here on business, looking for
+valuable investments in this wonderful country."
+
+At the word "Business" Mr. Rutherford instantly assumed his dignity,
+dropping into the slightly drawling tone he always used on such
+occasions, and which he intended as an extinguisher on any person whom
+he deemed too familiar.
+
+"Well, no," he replied, twirling an incipient mustache, "at least, not
+so far as I am concerned; I am just out on a sort of an extended
+pleasure trip, you know."
+
+"Ah, your friend is a business man, I judge; perhaps," turning to
+Houston, "we can interest you in some of our rare bargains in the line
+of real estate, improved or unimproved, city or country; or possibly
+in our mines, gold or silver properties, quartz or placer, we have
+them all."
+
+"You seem to have a 'corner' on this part of the northwest?" remarked
+Rutherford, rather sarcastically.
+
+"Indeed, young man, we have a good many 'corners,' pretty valuable
+ones, too," the man replied imperturbably, still watching Houston, who
+replied in a courteous but indifferent tone:
+
+"I am out here on business, but am not in a position to make any
+investments at present, nor do I expect to be for some time."
+
+"Ah, your business?" asked his interlocutor.
+
+"I am an accountant," he replied quietly.
+
+The man seemed satisfied. "Well, gentlemen," he said, rising from the
+table, "I am glad to have met you, and hope to have the pleasure of
+seeing you later in our city. Allow me to present my card, and if
+there is anything we can ever do for you in our line, please give us a
+call," and smilingly handing each a card, he bowed himself out of the
+car.
+
+"Well, by Jove!" exclaimed Rutherford, his grammar getting a little
+mixed, "either that man's a fool, or he thought we were; I don't know
+which."
+
+"Probably the latter," said Houston, smiling; then glancing at the
+card beside his plate, he read, "J. D. Wilson, President of the
+Northwestern Mining, Land and Investment Company, Silver City;" and he
+was the prospective clerk of The Northwestern Mining, Land and
+Investment Company!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+An hour or two later, the Pacific Express was slowly winding up the
+long mountain grade, the engine puffing and wheezing in apoplectic
+fashion, and occasionally emitting short shrieks of protest. The
+mountains, which had gradually been assuming shape and color, were now
+looming up in grand proportions, their rugged outlines clearly defined
+against the sky. Already the mountain breezes, fragrant with the
+breath of tamarack, spruce and pine, stole in on adventurous wings
+through the car windows; lifted locks, both golden and silvered, from
+heated brows, kissed a fretful infant into peaceful slumber, turned
+the pages of novels and flapped newspapers so persistently that their
+readers were compelled to abandon them, and brought new energy and
+inspiration to the languid, listless passengers, so that they began to
+evince symptoms of interest in their surroundings.
+
+In his favorite lounging attitude, Houston sat, his eyes fixed on the
+mountains, moment by moment growing more distinct in their rugged
+grandeur, a half-smile of amusement playing over his face, as he
+recalled the interview with the president of The Northwestern Mining,
+Land and Investment Company. Upon inquiry, he had learned that Mr.
+Wilson had boarded the train at a little way station, before daylight
+that morning, and the zeal displayed by that gentleman in thus seeking
+to ascertain something regarding the characteristics of his future
+clerk, by anticipating his arrival in this manner seemed to Houston
+decidedly amusing, and at the same time furnished him a clue
+concerning the character of one of the men with whom he was to be
+associated.
+
+He was aroused by the entrance of Rutherford, who, having learned that
+the train would make stops among the canyons they were approaching,
+was getting his kodak and plates in readiness, preparatory to taking
+impressions of some of the finest views.
+
+After a few moments, the conversation drifted to the subject of their
+destination, which they would reach in three or four hours.
+
+"I suppose," said Rutherford, addressing his companion rather
+hesitatingly, "I suppose you will remain in Silver City for some
+time?"
+
+"I am not quite certain," he replied, "my impression is, however, that
+I shall not be detained there more than a day or two."
+
+"Indeed! then are you going on farther west?"
+
+"No, I expect to go out among the mines for a while."
+
+"Among the mines! Now I should think that would be fine; you'll have a
+chance to see western life in earnest. So you are interested in mines!
+Well, I thought something of the kind when you said you were out on
+business. No wonder you were so cool with old Boomerang this morning,
+and didn't care for any of his wonderful investments."
+
+Houston was silent for a moment, a curious smile playing over his fine
+features; then watching Rutherford keenly through half-closed eyes, he
+said,
+
+"On the contrary, instead of being a mine owner, as you surmise, I am
+the employe of a mining company, and 'old Boomerang,' as you call him,
+is the president of that company."
+
+Rutherford sat for an instant as if petrified; then managed to gasp,
+"Great Heavens! are you associated in business with that man?"
+
+"Yes," said Houston, looking almost as if he enjoyed the situation,
+"associated as employer and employe. I am going out to fill the
+position of accountant for the same company of which he is president."
+
+"Oh, I see; you are just going to take the position. Did you know all
+the time who he was?"
+
+"I had no more idea than you until I saw his card; but I think he knew
+me, was looking around, in fact, to see what his new clerk was like."
+
+"The old beast!" exclaimed Rutherford. His face was a study, it
+represented so many conflicting emotions; several times he seemed
+about to speak, then remained silent, looking more and more perplexed.
+He was sorely puzzled; Houston was the embodiment of courtesy and
+refinement, his every word and gesture revealed a man of wealth,
+education and culture,--and yet, a clerk, and for such a man! and
+strangest of all, he seemed to feel no chagrin in speaking of his
+position.
+
+Houston's voice broke in pleasantly upon his cogitations: "I saw it
+would never do for you to travel about here under such erroneous
+impressions; imagining you were associating with a heavy capitalist,
+or a mining broker, when--"
+
+"Oh, hang it all!" interrupted Rutherford, brusquely, "What difference
+does it make? You're a gentleman, anybody can see that. I'll own up
+that it did knock me out at first to find you were connected in any
+way with that old chap; but I know you're all right, and I had no
+business questioning around as I did about your affairs; I beg your
+pardon, and I'll explain now why I did it. I'm a stranger out here,
+and I've taken an awful liking to you, and when we get to Silver City,
+if you don't mind, I'd like to keep in with you until I get a little
+accustomed to the ways out here; that is, if you've no objections."
+
+"That's all right," responded Houston cordially, "stay with me as long
+as you like; and now, let's go out and take a look at the mountains,"
+and the two young men shook hands, each feeling a sort of presentiment
+that the friendship begun under these peculiar circumstances was one
+for life, and such it proved.
+
+On reaching the rear platform they discovered that the train was
+following the course of a river winding through a rocky gorge that
+grew narrower, moment by moment. The walls grew higher and steeper at
+every turn, while towering above and beyond were the mountain peaks.
+They stood clinging to the railings, and watching the rapidly changing
+scene, as the train swerved and swept from one direction to another,
+following the winding of the river.
+
+Suddenly the walls shot upward almost perpendicularly for hundreds of
+feet, shutting out the sunlight, leaving nothing visible but a narrow
+strip of sky; and still the great rocks came closer and closer, until
+little more than the width of the car was left, and it seemed that in
+a moment that must be crushed. The ponderous wheels were slowly
+revolving over a trestle bridge of steel, mortised into the rocks,
+while the deafening echoes reverberated between the narrowing walls,
+and rippled the surface of the river flowing deep and black below.
+Then suddenly another swift, sharp turn, and they were out in the
+dazzling sunshine, amidst a scene of untold beauty and grandeur.
+
+Here, at the entrance of the canyon, the train stopped, giving the
+passengers an opportunity to alight and enjoy the scenery. On all
+sides rose masses of rock, some fashioned in wondrous beauty, others
+in forms weird and fantastic; some gray and rugged, some tinted with
+intermingling shades of color, and others sparkling in the sunlight as
+though studded with gems innumerable. Here and there were piles of
+rock, crimson and green and golden, resembling the moss-grown,
+ivy-covered castles of the olden time. Farther on were mountains
+covered with heavy forests of pine, through which the winds sighed and
+whispered mysteriously, while at their feet the little streams
+lingered lovingly long enough to catch the whispered secrets, and
+bear them away, laughing and singing, on their journey toward the
+great sea.
+
+The train moved slowly on to another canyon, more grand in its awful
+solitude than the first, surrounded on all sides by walls nearly a
+thousand feet in height. At one side, a broad sheet of water,
+shimmering in the sunlight, fell, like a bridal veil, down the
+precipitous rock, with a deafening roar disappearing into unseen
+depths below, while at the base of the canyon lay a lake of sapphire,
+in whose calm, untroubled depths, rocks and cascade and sky were
+mirrored in perfect beauty.
+
+Slowly the train wound its way upward, until it paused again near the
+summit of the range, on the "divide," the boundary line between the
+east and the west. There were the serried ranks of the mountains,
+vast, solemn, grand; and in that awful solitude, under the spell of
+that eternal silence, a sense of the infinite hushed every tongue, and
+each one stood with bated breath, as if on holy ground. On every side
+the billowy ranges surged, like the gigantic waves of a storm-tossed
+ocean suddenly congealed to stone, while here and there, towered
+mighty peaks, like huge sentinels, their brows seamed with furrows
+plowed by the hand of the centuries, their heads white with the snows
+of countless ages.
+
+Here two tiny streams flowed side by side, then separated; the one to
+start on its long journey toward the old Atlantic, the other toward
+the Golden Gate, to mingle its waters with those of the sunset sea.
+
+Slowly the passengers returned to the train, stopping on their way to
+gather the little wild flowers growing between the loosened
+rocks,--frail mountain children of the sun and wind,--to be preserved
+as souvenirs of the "divide."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+Rutherford had so diligently improved the opportunities afforded by
+the stopping of the train, in securing views of some of the finest
+scenes, that when the divide was reached, he had only two plates
+left. These he quickly used, and then gave himself up to silent
+contemplation and enjoyment of the beauty around him. Very slowly and
+regretfully he and Houston followed the example of the others, and
+turned toward the waiting train, like them, picking the delicate
+wild flowers and pressing them in their note books.
+
+It was during the first of these stops, at the entrance to the
+canyons, that Rutherford, hastily glancing up from his work, saw,
+standing among the passengers, a little in the background, the man
+whom he had last seen at the Valley City depot. He was standing in the
+same alert, watchful attitude, but the soft hat was drawn downward
+over his face concealing his eyes, and the knife and revolver were
+hidden by a rough jacket. He was not then looking toward Rutherford,
+but was facing in another direction, where Houston was strolling among
+the rocks, and when, a few moments later, Houston sauntered over to
+observe his work, Rutherford called his attention to the man, but he
+was nearly hidden behind a group of men, only a little of his figure
+being visible. Later, when they were again seated in the car,
+descending the western grade, Rutherford asked his companion whether
+he had succeeded in getting a glimpse of the man.
+
+"Yes," said Houston, "a glimpse and no more; once or twice I was near
+him, but his face was turned the other way. I passed him in taking the
+train, but I had only a hurried glimpse of his face; it seemed to me
+that it was a face of unusual intelligence for a man of that class, as
+I should judge him to be a miner, but I did not think he looked
+particularly dangerous."
+
+"Wait till you see his eyes," said Rutherford, then inquired, "By the
+way, did you see the old mining chap anywhere?"
+
+"Oh, yes," said Houston, laughing, "twice; once with a townsite map
+spread out before him, talking real estate to a couple of men, and
+again in the smoking car where he was playing poker."
+
+"I didn't see him out looking at the mountains."
+
+"No, probably they have no interest for him, except just so far as
+they contain gold mines."
+
+They talked of the mountains, and Rutherford suddenly exclaimed, "I
+wish I could find some way of getting out and camping right among
+the mountains themselves. I don't care to stop in any little
+half-civilized western town for any length of time, but if I could
+just go right out into the heart of the mountains somewhere, and
+stay for a few weeks, that would be an experience worth having."
+
+Houston smiled; "How would you like a trip out into the part of the
+country where I am going? As near as I can make out, it is twenty-five
+miles from the nearest town, just a rough mining camp, with very few
+people aside from the miners."
+
+"Why," replied Rutherford, "I think that would be fine; anyhow, I'll
+try it if you have no objections; it will be a change anyway."
+
+And so it was decided that Rutherford should extend his pleasure trip
+into the mining camp, and Houston was pleased with the arrangement,
+for, notwithstanding the work which he had planned, he expected to
+find many lonely hours and monotonous days, little dreaming of the
+interests that awaited him, or that he was entering upon the most
+eventful portion of his life.
+
+At about one o'clock the train arrived at Silver City, a town of about
+fifteen thousand inhabitants. The young men, as they left the train,
+caught a glimpse of the indefatigable Mr. Wilson as he was boarding a
+street car in company with two intended victims which he had already
+secured. They took a carriage, and as they were whirled rapidly
+through the steep, narrow streets on their way to the hotel, the
+little city seemed to them like a thoroughly typical, western, mining
+town. The town was surrounded by mountains, and prospect holes and
+abandoned placer diggings could be seen in every direction, while
+interspersed among the business blocks of brick and stone, were tiny
+cabins, built of logs,--all relics of the earlier days when Silver
+City was but a large mining camp.
+
+After lunch, Houston started forth in search of the city office of The
+Northwestern Mining, Land and Investment Company, which he found
+without difficulty. He was surprised to discover that business there
+was conducted on something of a co-operative plan, as the one large
+room in which he found himself constituted the offices of some
+half-dozen mining and real estate companies, and was occupied at the
+time by eight or ten different men, each seated at his own desk, and
+separated from his neighbors by a little wooden railing. A broad aisle
+extended through the center of the room, and at the farther end were
+two or three accountants' desks, two large safes and two typewriters.
+
+The whole arrangement seemed to Houston extremely crowded and
+confusing, but he afterward learned that it had its advantages; as
+certain deeds, contracts and leases could be so easily mislaid and
+lost; then too, it had an effect upon the minds of some of their
+patrons that was particularly desirable, as they usually left the
+office in a state of such bewilderment, that they were unable to tell
+with any degree of certainty, just which one of the many high-sounding
+companies it was, with which they had entered into agreement, and as
+the eight or ten men were each connected in some way with all of the
+companies, they all came in for a share of the profits, no matter who
+was the victim.
+
+Houston having inquired of a white-haired, benevolent-looking
+individual at his right, for Mr. Wilson, was politely directed to the
+third desk on the left-hand side. Here he found Mr. Wilson, who
+greeted him effusively, and introduced him to Mr. Blaisdell, the
+general manager of the company. The secretary of the company was, at
+that moment, doing duty in another part of the room, as president of
+The North American Townsite & Irrigation Company, consequently Houston
+did not meet him until later.
+
+As Messrs. Wilson and Blaisdell were just then engaged with a
+customer, they begged Mr. Houston to excuse them for a few moments,
+which he did very willingly, and thus was afforded an opportunity to
+observe the two men closely. Mr. Blaisdell had rather a long and
+narrow face, and what is called a "sandy" complexion; his hair, face
+and small goatee (he wore no mustache) were all of the same, light,
+indefinite color; his eyes were small and pale blue, while his lips
+were thin and tightly compressed. His face, when at rest, had a
+sanctimonious expression which was sadly at variance with the
+avaricious, grasping look which it instantly assumed when animated. He
+said little, but Houston soon discovered that he was in reality the
+head man of the company, while Mr. Wilson was but the mouthpiece.
+
+In the twenty or thirty minutes which elapsed before these gentlemen
+could give Mr. Houston their undivided attention, he obtained
+sufficient insight into their characters, and enough of an inkling of
+their business methods, to make him more determined than ever to
+unearth their schemes, and doubly anxious to succeed in the role which
+he had assumed.
+
+As soon as they were at liberty, Mr. Wilson and the general manager
+turned very smilingly toward their new clerk, and after some questions
+regarding his business qualifications and experience, all of which he
+answered in a manner very satisfactory, they proceeded to give him
+detailed instructions relating to his future duties in the branch
+office, at the mining camp.
+
+"Of course," remarked Mr. Wilson, "you understand that as you become
+accustomed to the business, greater responsibility will devolve upon
+you; for the present, you are to have charge of the books and our
+correspondence from that point; and when you have sufficiently
+familiarized yourself with the details of the business, we shall
+expect you, in Mr. Blaisdell's absence, to take charge of the office,
+to receive the reports of the different superintendents and foremen of
+the mines, and if necessary, to inspect the work at the mines
+yourself, occasionally, in order to see that our instructions are
+being carried out."
+
+Houston thought that this included quite a range of work for an
+accountant, but as he was only too glad of the opportunities which
+would thus be afforded him for his own investigations, he raised no
+objections.
+
+"I suppose, Mr. Houston," added Mr. Blaisdell, very deliberately, "it
+is unnecessary to say that in a position of this kind, we require the
+utmost secrecy on your part regarding the affairs of the company. In
+giving you this very responsible position, we repose great confidence
+in you, and we expect you to prove yourself worthy of it."
+
+"Oh well," chuckled Mr. Wilson, "I should say, judging by Mr.
+Houston's appearance on the train this morning, he understands the art
+of preserving a golden silence as well as any one I ever saw. It was
+all I could do to get a dozen words out of him."
+
+Mr. Blaisdell smiled in a way that Houston understood he had received
+a full account of the meeting on the train. There being little more to
+be said, Houston inquired regarding accommodations at the camp,
+stating that a young acquaintance of his wished to remain in the
+mountains for a week or two.
+
+"Is he interested in mines?" inquired Mr. Blaisdell.
+
+"Oh, no," replied Houston, "he is the young man who informed Mr.
+Wilson he was out on an extended pleasure trip, and he imagines it
+would be great sport to be out in a genuine mining camp for a while,
+as far from civilization as possible."
+
+"That's all right," responded Mr. Blaisdell, "I was only going to
+state that we allow no visitors through the mines except those who are
+personally interested, or who have intentions of becoming purchasers,
+but if your friend merely wants to stop among the mountains for the
+fun of the thing, why, he's welcome to stay all summer for aught I
+care. As to accommodations, I think we can fix you both very
+comfortably. There are two boarding houses near the mines, for the
+miners, of course you would not go there; but old Jim Maverick and his
+wife run a boarding house about a quarter of a mile from there that is
+very good, and is a sort of stopping place for any tourists that find
+their way out there. I stop there myself, and I know Maverick and his
+wife are glad of all the boarders they can get. I believe they already
+had a lady when I was there last week, a school teacher or something
+of that sort, who had just come, and I think you will find it very
+comfortable there."
+
+Having learned that they would have to start for the camp at eight
+o'clock the next morning, Houston took his leave, promising to be in
+readiness at that time. He next visited a number of assay offices,
+where he learned a good many valuable points regarding the different
+classes of ore in that vicinity; then having purchased two or three
+works on practical mining and mineralogy, which he thought might be of
+assistance to him, he returned to the hotel, where he entertained
+Rutherford until dinner with an account of their trip to be taken on
+the morrow and the accommodations that awaited them, with the added
+attraction of the society of a solitary school teacher, whom their
+imaginations already depicted as of uncertain age, with short hair and
+spectacles. Many were Rutherford's speculations concerning this
+individual.
+
+"I've had the pleasure of the acquaintance of two specimens of that
+class," said he, "one was in the Catskill Mountains; she had a
+geological fad, and went out every morning with a little hammer, to
+hammer among the rocks all day; the other was a botanist, and returned
+every evening about covered with plants which she had pulled up, root
+and branch; I wonder which of them this one will resemble."
+
+"We shall soon see," said Houston.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+Nearly twenty-five miles from the nearest town, and not a human being
+visible from the point of observation occupied by Miss Gladden, as she
+slowly swung backward and forward in her hammock under the pines, half
+way up the mountain side; and the only sign of human life was a faint,
+blue smoke curling upward among the evergreens on one side, at the
+base of the mountain.
+
+Directly at the foot of the mountain lay a small lake of azure blue,
+at one end of which was a narrow bridge crossing the stream which
+formed the outlet to the lake, and from which a footpath wound in the
+direction of the solitary house from which the smoke ascended. At the
+other extremity of the lake, where the gulch narrowed into a deep
+ravine, walled with irregular masses of gray rock, a mountain stream
+came dashing down over the ledges, forming a series of cascades, and
+with a final leap plunged into the azure waters. It was a wild,
+solitary place, and had there been another human being visible, he
+doubtless would have been much astonished at the sight of a young
+lady, dressed in the height of fashion, lazily swinging to and fro,
+half way up the pine covered mountain.
+
+But for Miss Gladden the charm of the situation lay in its solitude;
+she was tired of society, and, glad to free herself for a while at
+least from its conventionalities, was congratulating herself upon her
+good fortune in finding this retreat, all unconscious that others were
+already entering into her little world, soon to enter into her heart
+and life.
+
+As she swung dreamily under the pines she was aroused by a clear,
+musical voice calling her name, and turning, saw the lithe, slender
+form of Lyle Maverick, the daughter of her host, rapidly approaching.
+Although Miss Gladden had been but a few days among the mountains,
+there already existed between her and Lyle Maverick a mutual
+admiration, though each was, as yet, unconscious of the admiration of
+the other.
+
+Lyle secretly worshipped Miss Gladden as the most beautiful being she
+had ever seen, nor was it strange, for Leslie Gladden had all her life
+received the homage always yielded to beauty, and from hearts far less
+susceptible than that of this untutored child of the mountains; but
+Lyle, notwithstanding her surroundings and her disadvantages, was
+proud spirited, and did not proclaim her admiration for the beautiful
+stranger. Miss Gladden, on her part, admired the imperious mountain
+maid, as the loveliest specimen of uncultured, untrained girlhood,
+just blossoming into womanhood, that she had ever met. She wondered
+how she came to be so unlike her surroundings, and what would be the
+result if this wild mountain flower could be transplanted to some more
+favorable spot, there to receive the care and nurture bestowed on so
+many far less beautiful. She had within the last few days, led by a
+desire to know the proud, shy girl, made a companion of her; this was
+a new experience for Lyle, and was fast deepening her admiration for
+Miss Gladden into confidence and regard.
+
+Miss Gladden watched Lyle now, as she came up the mountain path, as
+fleet of foot and graceful in every motion as a deer, her head thrown
+proudly back, her wavy hair rippling over her shoulders to her waist,
+and shining in the sunlight like fine spun gold.
+
+"Oh, Miss Gladden," she exclaimed, as, having reached the group of
+pines, she threw herself carelessly at the foot of one of them, "the
+solitude and isolation which you have prized so highly are to be
+invaded by two new boarders of masculine gender."
+
+A slight frown gathered on Miss Gladden's face, at the prospect of
+intruders thus encroaching upon the mountain retreat which she was
+beginning to regard as hers exclusively. Lyle, watching her, saw the
+frown, and continued, her eyes dancing with mischief:
+
+"They are city gentlemen, too, from the east; from Chicago and from
+Boston, only think of the honor conferred upon us! They have come from
+the land of civilization and culture to the wild west, to see how we
+barbarians live; at least that is the object of one of them who is out
+on a pleasure trip, for that is usually the meaning of western
+pleasure trips."
+
+"Lyle, are you not rather severe? They come for the sake of the
+scenery, or as I have, for rest."
+
+"A few for rest perhaps, but scenery? nonsense! Look at the majority
+of your 'western stories,' as they are called; how much is there in
+them of scenery? A few lines here and there, but pages devoted to
+descriptions of western life with its ignorance and uncouthness."
+
+"But stories of western life usually contain a great deal of
+originality and piquancy; that is why they are popular."
+
+"Possibly," said Lyle dryly, "but I have seen very little originality
+in the life I have led here. It may seem original to outsiders; it is
+monotonous enough to those who live it, year after year. The scenery
+of the west is grand, I love it, and if I could see it with such eyes
+as yours, eyes accustomed to beauty in all its infinite kinds and
+degrees, and with a mind cultivated, fed on the choicest thought than
+can be culled not only from our own country and in our own tongue, but
+from other countries and in other tongues as well, I would appreciate
+the beauty about me more keenly than I can now; but I despise this
+life in which I have been reared, a life of ignorance, coarseness,
+brutality and deceit. Here I have lived for the past ten years, here I
+am likely to live for ten, twenty years to come."
+
+Both were silent for a few moments, while Miss Gladden watched the
+beautiful face, in this instance an index of an equally beautiful
+soul, and she marveled more than ever. At last she said gently:
+
+"Lyle, dear, pardon me for asking such a question, but you are an
+anomaly; how is it, living all these years as you have, in these
+surroundings, that you have so good an education? You have evidently
+read considerable, and you converse well; you cannot be called
+ignorant."
+
+"No," the girl replied sadly, "I am not quite so ignorant as a
+stranger would think to see me, but I have learned just enough to make
+me realize how little I do know, and that little I have acquired by
+stealth. I could read a very little when we came here from some small
+town, somewhere in the east, I have forgotten where, and I wanted to
+learn, but father forbade it; he said he wouldn't have any of his
+children putting on airs, that what was good enough for him would have
+to do for them. He has always been severe with me, I suppose he didn't
+want any girls, that's what mother says. Mother was always as kind to
+me as she dared to be, but she was afraid to help me to learn
+anything, and she couldn't have taught me much anyway. I studied every
+little bit of print I could come across, if it were nothing more than
+a scrap of newspaper, I was so anxious to be able to read. Then, when
+I was about twelve years old, a little girl who stayed here one summer
+with her governess, left some of her old, worn-out school books and
+writing books. I hid them in my room as carefully as if they had been
+diamonds, and pored over them every chance I could get for the next
+year. About that time, I got acquainted with one of the miners who had
+been here a long time, a strange, silent man, who was very different
+from the others, and who kept by himself. He seemed to take a great
+liking to me, and I consider him to-day the best friend that I have in
+the world. He found out how I was studying and trying to learn, and he
+helped me, for he had had a fine education. He bought books for me,
+not only school books, but choice books to read, stories, poems and
+plays, and he has talked with me a great deal, and told me about
+places and people and authors, and so has saved me from being a total
+ignoramus."
+
+"How kind!" exclaimed Miss Gladden, "I don't wonder that you consider
+him your friend. Is he here now?"
+
+"Yes," replied Lyle, "he has been away for a few days, but he came
+back last night, and I went down to his cabin to see him. He brought
+me some beautiful books, but I keep them at his cabin most of the
+time, so no one at the house will get hold of them."
+
+"Does he live alone?" asked Miss Gladden.
+
+"No, an Irishman, who has a pretty good education, lives with him most
+of the time; he is quite a musician and is teaching me to play the
+violin. 'Mike' they call the Irishman, and my friend is 'Jack'; the
+other miners nicknamed him 'Lone Jack,' but nobody, I suppose, knows
+what their real names are."
+
+"Why, how interesting!" exclaimed Miss Gladden. "Why haven't you ever
+told me before? It sounds like a story with a deep-laid plot, and a
+typical villain lurking somewhere."
+
+"There are plots enough, and villains enough, but Jack is not one of
+them," quietly replied the girl, with a curious expression.
+
+"Would he let me come and see him?" inquired Miss Gladden.
+
+"He might, if I asked him, but you would find him very uncommunicative.
+He does not care for strangers. He was telling me last night about a
+comical, dudish looking fellow whom he saw on the train, and who got
+off at Silver City, and he said he was coming up here into the
+mountains in company with another young gentleman; he thought I would be
+likely to see them, and I think they are the new boarders."
+
+"Why, have you seen them?" asked Miss Gladden, in surprise.
+
+"Yes," laughed Lyle, "one of them, from my post of observation behind
+the kitchen door, and he did appear so ridiculous with his gold
+eye-glasses, looking as solemn as an owl, and glancing around with
+that expression of supercilious curiosity, as though he expected to
+find us all wild Indians, or something of the sort."
+
+"Ah, that accounts for the little tirade against western pleasure
+tourists I heard when you first came up. Evidently the eye-glasses did
+not produce a very favorable impression on you."
+
+"Well," retorted Lyle, "see him yourself, and see what impressions you
+will receive."
+
+"Well, my dear," said Miss Gladden, "as it is nearly dinner time, I
+would suggest that we adjourn to the house, alleviate these pangs of
+hunger, take an observation of the gold eye-glasses and report our
+impressions later."
+
+"Agreed," said Lyle merrily, and the two began to descend the
+mountain.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+Houston and Rutherford were promptly at the depot, as agreed, to take
+the early morning train to the mines.
+
+Mr. Blaisdell met them with a great show of cordiality, his thin lips
+contracted into a smile which was doubtless intended to be very
+agreeable, but which produced a sensation exactly the reverse.
+
+"Well," Rutherford began, with his peculiar drawl, when he and Houston
+were seated together in the car, with Mr. Blaisdell safely engaged in
+conversation at a little distance, "I can't say that I'm any more
+favorably impressed with Mr. Buncombe, or whatever his name is, than I
+was with old Boomerang yesterday. That fellow looked like a silly,
+pompous, old fool, and this one like a sly, old villain. I wish he'd
+stop that confounded, wolfish grin of his, it makes me feel
+uncomfortable, he looks as if he knew he had his prey just dead easy,
+and his chops were watering in anticipation. I say, old fellow, I
+don't think much of this Buncombe-Boomerang combination of yours, and
+I guess it's a good thing I'm along with you till we find out what
+sort of a trap we're getting into."
+
+Houston smiled; Rutherford had expressed his own opinion a great deal
+nearer than he cared to admit. He had seen enough of the men with whom
+he was to be associated to convince him that they were villains,
+cowardly villains too, the very sort of men that would be most
+desperate and dangerous when cornered; but he was fast laying his
+plans, and now the only drawback seemed that he would have no
+assistant, and he felt the time would come when he would need one, and
+some one familiar with mining. An expert from the east would not do,
+he would be suspected; and a detective would not possess the necessary
+information regarding mining in general, and these mines in
+particular. At times, a vague idea of taking Rutherford into his
+confidence came into his mind, but he was not ready to do this yet, if
+at all.
+
+All this flashed through Houston's mind as Rutherford made the above
+remark, and he answered:
+
+"I don't apprehend any particular danger at present, but I am glad you
+are with me."
+
+"The question with me is," continued Rutherford, "how I'll amuse
+myself during your office hours in such a region as this; I don't
+imagine I'll find a great many congenial companions."
+
+"You seem to have forgotten the school teacher," Houston remarked,
+with a quiet smile.
+
+"Oh, bother the school ma'am! I had forgotten her. I suppose she'll be
+as graceful as a scalene triangle, and about as entertaining as a
+mummy. They're mostly that kind, or else the gushing, adoring sort,
+that can't talk of anything but Browning, or Emerson, or theosophy, or
+something of that kind; and the most conceited lot of creatures that
+ever lived."
+
+Meanwhile, the train wound in and out among the mountains, stopping
+for a few moments at a small town where huge smelters were pouring
+forth their clouds of dense smoke, darkening the air until it seemed
+more like night than day; then on a few miles farther, to the little
+station known as the "Y," so-called on account of the form of the spur
+tracks owned by the mining company, by which the ore was brought down
+from the mines above.
+
+At the station was a store containing general mining supplies, with
+the post-office in one front window, a boarding and lodging house, and
+three or four saloons and gambling houses, these last designed to
+catch the wages of the miners from the surrounding camps.
+
+Mr. Blaisdell having found one of the superintendents who had come
+down with a team for supplies, they were soon on their way up the
+gulch, and in the course of an hour were left at the office buildings,
+while the team went on to the mines.
+
+Here Rutherford waited in the outer room of the little unpainted,
+frame building, while Mr. Blaisdell took Houston into the further
+room, and introduced him to Morgan, the general superintendent, and to
+his work, at the same time. Then, having seen Houston duly installed
+at his post of duty, perched on a wabbly stool, before a rickety,
+ink-bespattered desk, beside a window gray with the dust and smoke of
+ages, through which a few straggling sunbeams fell, Mr. Blaisdell
+sailed complacently forth to escort Rutherford to Jim Maverick's
+boarding house, whither the baggage had already been taken by the
+team; then, all necessary arrangements for rooms and board having been
+completed, he went out to the mines, leaving Rutherford alone in the
+camp of the Philistines. He found no one, however, more formidable
+than Mrs. Maverick, an old woman bent nearly double, with white hair
+and hollow, deep-sunken eyes, so faded it was impossible to tell what
+their original color might have been, and the "help," a stout,
+red-cheeked, coarse-featured girl of fifteen, whom Mrs. Maverick
+called "Minty," but who rejoiced in the euphonious name of Araminta
+Bixby, and who ogled and grinned at Rutherford until he found the task
+of preserving his dignity more difficult than ever.
+
+In the course of an hour he sauntered down to the office to meet
+Houston, and a little later the two sat in the porch of the low,
+wide-spreading house, partly frame and partly of logs, the roof of the
+porch supported by the trunks of slender trees, unhewn, from which
+even the bark had not been removed.
+
+From the porch there was a view of the lake, and in the distance the
+gleaming cascades, while just opposite, the gulch road followed its
+winding course and disappeared among the mountains.
+
+Presently there came up the winding road three men, apparently father
+and sons,--low-browed, heavy-eyed, brutal looking creatures,--who
+followed the foot path up toward the house, and glaring sullenly at
+the young men, shuffled around to the back door.
+
+"Evidently mine host and his sons," remarked Houston.
+
+"Well," replied Rutherford, "I think if I see a few more such
+specimens as those, I'll take the first train out. Say though, I
+haven't seen a sign of that school teacher, I begin to think she is a
+myth."
+
+"Sh!" said Houston quickly, under his breath, "see what you think of
+this!"
+
+Rutherford turned in the direction Houston was facing, and had two
+beings just then descended from the mythical regions, he could not
+have been more astonished than at sight of the pair approaching from
+the lake. The first was a young girl, apparently about sixteen, but
+tall and well developed, the scant garments that she wore revealing
+the beautifully rounded outlines of her form, her carriage free and
+every movement full of grace. Her face was exquisitely beautiful, the
+features refined and perfect as though chiseled in marble; her eyes
+shone with a star-like brilliancy, and her hair fell about her
+shoulders like a mass of burnished gold.
+
+Beside her was a woman several years her senior, equally beautiful,
+but an altogether different type of beauty; more mature, more perfect
+and more rare. Tall and splendidly developed, she moved with a queenly
+grace. Her face was classical in its contours, the profile resembling
+that of some of the old Grecians, while its beauty was so refined, so
+subtile, it could not be easily described. Perhaps the eyes were its
+chief attraction; large and dark, and of Madonna-like depth and
+tenderness; soulful eyes that reflected every emotion of the pure,
+womanly nature, as the calm lake mirrors the sunlit sky or the
+lowering storm-cloud, the silvery moon or the lightning's flash. The
+wavy, auburn hair, tinged in the sunlight with red gold, was gathered
+into a knot near the top of a shapely, well-poised head, while stray
+curls clustered rebelliously about the broad, fair brow, forming a
+shining aureole.
+
+Like a vision, the pair passed silently into the house, leaving
+Rutherford, for once in his life, speechless, and Houston watching
+him, apparently enjoying the situation.
+
+"What's the matter, my boy?" he asked, in a low, laughing tone, "Are
+you spell-bound?"
+
+"Spell-bound? well, slightly!" responded Rutherford. "Great Heavens,
+Houston! do they have such women as those out here?"
+
+"Evidently they have some fine samples of the genuine article, but I
+am not prepared to state how large a stock they carry. I'm positive of
+one thing though, that within the last three minutes you have changed
+your mind about taking the next train out. Not all the desperadoes and
+villains you've met from Valley City out, could drive you away from
+the mountains now."
+
+"You're right, they couldn't," said Rutherford, with a broad grin,
+"not if I know myself; no, sir, when I'm in the line of duty nothing
+can scare me out of it worth a cent, and just now I feel it to be my
+duty to solve some of the mysteries thickening around me, among them,
+that of the mountain nymphs."
+
+"Altogether too substantial for mountain nymphs, my boy," said
+Houston, "and you will please remember, while pursuing your line of
+duty, that I have vouched for your good behavior here, and am in a
+measure responsible for you, and I don't want to get into any trouble
+on your account."
+
+Rutherford cleared his throat, and rising slowly with all the dignity
+he could muster, looked gravely over his glasses at Houston in exact
+imitation of Mr. Blaisdell, and in an oracular tone remarked:
+
+"And you will please remember, my young friend, that I am out here as
+your duly constituted guardian, and as such, it is my duty to form the
+acquaintance of these--ahem!--these fair daughters of Eve, and judge
+for myself whether or not they will be suitable companions for an
+unsophisticated youth, like yourself."
+
+"Good!" said Houston, and after a few more jokes, dinner being
+announced by the moon-faced Minty, they went in to partake of their
+first meal in what Rutherford styled the "Hotel de Maverick."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+A few moments later, Houston and his friend had been duly presented by
+Mrs. Maverick, to Miss Gladden and to "our daughter, Lyle," the former
+in a gown of soft, clinging material, of a delicate, golden tint,
+combined with a reddish brown velvet, which suited her style of beauty
+to perfection; and Lyle, in dainty white apron, her beautiful hair
+loosely plaited in an enormous braid, prepared to act in the capacity
+of waiter.
+
+Never were guests served so deftly, or with such grace and dignity;
+she seemed absolutely free from all coquettish airs, and although the
+glances of the two gentlemen were about evenly divided between the
+beauty at their side and the fair waitress, Lyle carried herself with
+an equanimity that was remarkable. Not until the arrival, later, of
+the other boarders, Morgan, the general superintendent, and Haight,
+the mining expert,--so-called, though his expertness embraced much
+beside mining,--was there any change in her demeanor; then her eyes
+flashed, her lips curled, and a look of superb scorn passed over her
+face, an expression that reminded Rutherford unaccountably of the face
+he had seen at Valley City.
+
+Old Jim Maverick and his sons were not present, having taken their
+meal hastily in the kitchen. Beside her husband and sons, poor, old
+Mrs. Maverick was positively refined. She was a kind-hearted, motherly
+woman, and looked as though, in her younger days, she might have been
+very pretty, but poverty, hard work and abuse had very nearly
+obliterated all traces of youthful bloom, and her face had a hopeless,
+appealing look which was pathetic.
+
+A little later, Mr. Blaisdell arrived, rubbing his hands and smiling
+in his usual complacent manner, and he entertained the guests for some
+time with anecdotes of western life, some of them very well told, but
+in most of which it was noticeable that he bore a very prominent
+part.
+
+After dinner, Houston returned to the office in company with Morgan
+and the expert, two new characters which he was studying attentively.
+The former was a tall, raw-boned individual, with a genial,
+good-natured manner, but a weak face; one who would willingly be a
+tool for any villain, but an unreliable tool. He would betray his best
+friend, and knowing nothing of honor himself, he did not believe in
+its existence, among men or women. To him, all men were rogues, all
+business simply gambling on a large scale, and his only care was to be
+on the winning side.
+
+Haight was a small, dark man, with soft, insinuating manner, and, in
+accordance with his pet theory that every person, high or low, rich or
+poor, might sometime be useful to him in the furtherance of his own
+objects, he treated every one with punctilious politeness. To some his
+manner might have been pleasing, but to one with any degree of
+penetration, the crafty, scheming nature under the thin veneer was
+very apparent.
+
+Meanwhile, Rutherford had rather reluctantly accepted an invitation
+from Mr. Blaisdell to go through the mills and visit one or two of the
+less important mines. The young easterner was soon much interested,
+as, after having explored one of the smaller mines, the Peep
+o'Day,--which he thought very appropriately named as he glanced upward
+from a depth of a few hundred feet,--he was taken to the mills, and
+there saw the various stages through which the ores pass in the
+process of reduction. He almost forgot his dislike of Mr. Blaisdell
+as he listened to his explanation of the different classes of ore, and
+the various kinds of treatment which they required, and met some of
+his old college acquaintances,--the sulphates, nitrates, carbonates,
+and other members of that numerous family,--in new and startling
+array; for Mr. Blaisdell was thoroughly at home in chemistry and
+mineralogy, and enjoyed nothing so much as airing the knowledge he
+possessed in that one direction. Of other branches of science, and
+even on subjects of general information, he was profoundly ignorant,
+although blissfully unconscious of the fact.
+
+Rutherford was next shown the method by which the ore ready for
+shipment was conveyed down the mountain to the cars on the spur
+tracks, hundreds of feet below, by means of a rail tramway on trestle
+work, some three thousand feet in length, having a grade of nine feet
+per each hundred feet, over which cars of ore were passing, operated
+by gravity, the weight and velocity of the descending, loaded car,
+carrying the empty car upward. He thoroughly enjoyed these novel
+scenes, and congratulated himself upon the many picturesque mining
+views which he would add to his collection.
+
+As they were passing through one of the sorting rooms, they came upon
+Mr. Haight seated before a large table covered with specimens of ore,
+which he was examining with a powerful microscope, while beside him
+were various chemical and mechanical appliances for testing the
+different ores. Rutherford was enthusiastic in his admiration of the
+specimens, particularly those from the copper mines, with their
+beautiful coloring,--the blending tints of green and purple and
+blue,--and he created considerable amusement by his ecstasies over a
+large sample of iron pyrites, which he had mistaken for a splendid
+specimen of gold ore. Altogether it was a novel and pleasant
+experience for him, and when he joined Houston later, he felt himself
+considerably wiser in western lore.
+
+After supper, Mr. Blaisdell and Haight returned to the office for a
+private conference regarding some new ores which the latter had been
+testing. Morgan strolled down the gulch in the direction of the Y,
+drawn by the attractions of the gambling house and dance hall, leaving
+the two strangers to seek their own amusement, or to be entertained by
+Miss Gladden; they chose the latter, and, since among the mountains as
+on the ocean, friendships are quickly formed, the three were soon
+chatting as pleasantly, out in the low, rustic porch, as though their
+acquaintance dated back a number of days, instead of only a few hours.
+At the kitchen door, old Jim Maverick and his sons, with a dozen or so
+miners, lounged about, smoking their pipes, and enlivened by the
+blushing, giggling Miss Bixby.
+
+With the latter crowd Lyle would never mingle, much to the indignation
+of Maverick himself, and the chagrin of two or three would-be
+admirers, and not feeling at liberty to join, unasked, the group in
+the porch, she withdrew to her little room up-stairs, and taking from
+its hiding place one of the new books her friend had brought her,
+she was for a while unconscious of everything else. Then, as the
+twilight deepened, she closed the book, and having again concealed it,
+sat watching the stars just beginning to appear, one by one, and
+musing, as she often did, on her own life. Why had she not, with her
+passionate love of the beautiful and her thirst for knowledge, been
+given the birth and training, the social advantages of any one of
+that little group below? Or, if the fates had decreed that she must be
+born in such ignorance and degradation, and spend her life in such
+surroundings, why had they not given her a nature corresponding to
+her environment, as indifferent and unaspiring as that of the
+phlegmatic Miss Bixby? Why must she always feel as if she had been
+born to a better life than this, when in all probability, it must
+always go on in the same old routine which she hated and despised?
+She wondered what Jack meant by the questions he had asked her so
+often lately, as to where they had lived before coming to the
+mountains, and regarding her earliest recollections. Well, what were
+her earliest recollections? Something so shadowy she could not
+determine whether it were remembrance or imagination; but it was a
+vague idea of light and music and beauty; and why was it that when
+she heard or read of that bright life, so foreign to her, of which she
+had never had one glimpse, that it all seemed somehow half familiar?
+She did not believe she would be very awkward or out of place, if she
+could step for the first time into some of those bright scenes as
+she imagined them; why did it all seem so home-like to her?
+
+Meanwhile, the little group below were discussing the same problem
+that Lyle herself was trying to solve.
+
+"I cannot understand," Rutherford was saying, "how such a style of
+beauty, so delicate and refined you know, could ever exist in such
+surroundings."
+
+"She is a mystery," added Houston, "and unless I am greatly mistaken,
+she has a nature as sensitive and refined as her face."
+
+"You are right, Mr. Houston," replied Miss Gladden, "she possesses
+a refinement of nature that is wonderful; and not only that, she
+has a brilliant intellect if she could only have advantages, and
+notwithstanding all the difficulties and obstacles with which she
+has had to contend, she has already acquired a fair education, is
+remarkably well informed and a good conversationalist."
+
+A few moments later, Lyle was aroused from her revery by a familiar
+voice calling her, and coming down stairs, found Miss Gladden awaiting
+her.
+
+"You runaway!" she exclaimed, "why have you been hiding when you
+should have been helping me entertain the new guests?"
+
+"I didn't think you needed any help," replied Lyle, brightly.
+
+"You never made a worse mistake in your life," said Miss Gladden,
+leading the way out on the porch. "I have been trying to tell these
+gentlemen something about this country around here, and I have only
+succeeded in betraying my own ignorance."
+
+Both gentlemen greeted Lyle pleasantly, and Houston rose and gave her
+his chair with a grave, gentle courtesy which was new to her, and
+which she was quick to observe and appreciate. For some time they
+chatted of the surrounding country, Lyle telling them where the
+finest scenery, the best hunting and fishing and the pleasantest
+picnic grounds were to be found.
+
+"About a quarter of a mile from here," she said, "in Strawberry
+gulch is a small canyon that has been fitted up for tourists and
+excursionists, and every summer numerous camping parties come out from
+Silver City for a few days or weeks. There is a fine lake at the head
+of the canyon, a boat house, and a good supply of boats, tents,
+and almost everything needed for camp life."
+
+"Have there been any camping parties yet?" asked Houston.
+
+"Not yet," replied Lyle. "It is too early; they usually begin coming
+in July; we are likely to have snow-storms out here in the mountains
+yet."
+
+"Snow-storms!" they all exclaimed; "What!" said Miss Gladden, "after
+such warm weather as this?"
+
+"Oh, yes," said Lyle, "this is only the early warm weather we always
+have in May, but it will be much colder again before summer really
+begins in earnest; though the weather is never so severe here as in
+the gulches farther up the mountains."
+
+"It seems to me," said Rutherford, "I've heard of the greatest number
+of 'gulches' out here, and some of them have the most remarkable
+names; very original, certainly."
+
+"Their names are mostly indicative of their early history," Lyle
+answered; "there are a number of them in this vicinity,--Last Chance
+gulch, Poor Man's gulch, Lucky gulch, Bloody gulch, and so on."
+
+"Has this gulch where we are, any such euphonious title?" inquired
+Miss Gladden.
+
+"This one has two names, equally euphonious and equally historical; it
+is now called Spotted Horse gulch, but years since it was known as
+Dead Man's gulch."
+
+"That sounds cheerful!" commented Miss Gladden.
+
+"Is there a ghost story connected with the gulch, Miss Maverick?"
+inquired Houston.
+
+"Yes," said Lyle, "several of them, for the miners are mostly very
+superstitious. Years ago, when there were no well developed mines
+here, only a few prospects, a man who had just sold one of the
+properties, was murdered for his money, about half way between here
+and the mines, where the road is so narrow and passes under the
+overhanging rocks. He rode a spotted horse, and from the indications
+when he was found a few days after, he must have made a desperate
+fight, for both he and the horse were shot several times. Ever since,
+it has been said that the spotted horse goes up and down the gulch at
+night, sometimes alone, and sometimes with his rider, and so the gulch
+received its name."
+
+"Is that story still believed here?" asked Houston.
+
+"More or less," replied Lyle. "There is just enough faith in it, that,
+excepting Jack," and she nodded slightly to Miss Gladden, "there is
+not a miner in camp who could be hired to pass through that part of
+the gulch at midnight, for fear of seeing the phantom horse and his
+rider."
+
+"Possibly," said Miss Gladden, "it would be well for us to adjourn for
+the night, or we may have a glimpse of the phantoms; it must be after
+ten o'clock."
+
+"After ten, impossible!" exclaimed Rutherford, springing to his feet;
+"I beg your pardon, ladies, for having detained you so long; I never
+dreamed it was so late."
+
+"The long twilight here deceives one, I have hardly become accustomed
+to it myself," said Miss Gladden.
+
+"The ladies will surely pardon us," said Houston, "since it is through
+their making the time pass so pleasantly that we have trespassed."
+
+They separated for the night, and a little later, Mr. Blaisdell and
+Haight came up from the office, but Morgan did not return until
+daylight was beginning to tinge the eastern sky.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+A number of days passed uneventfully. Houston was occupied in getting
+familiarized with the work at the office, having first created an
+epoch in the history of that institution by having the windows
+thoroughly cleaned.
+
+One of the noted characters of the mining camp was a small boy who,
+when he could scarcely walk, had, on account of his fearless spirit
+and indomitable pluck, been dubbed with the name of "Bull-dog." The
+name was so appropriate, and the little fellow himself so proud of it,
+that as he grew older it was forgotten if he ever had any other; if he
+had, no one knew what it was. He was now nearly twelve years of age,
+as small as most boys of eight or nine, but he possessed the same
+spirit as of old. Bull-dog was the oldest of five children; his
+parents lived at the Y, a worthless, disreputable pair; he spent very
+little time under the parental roof, and filial respect was entirely
+left out of his composition, and no wonder! He was a favorite among
+the miners, spending much of his time in the camp, and the shrewd
+little fellow was very observant of what went on around him, and very
+keen and worldly-wise in his judgment of human nature as he found it.
+
+He speedily made the acquaintance of Houston, and when the latter came
+down to the office on his second morning, he found the boy awaiting
+him, and an idea occurred to him.
+
+"Say, Bull-dog, can you wash windows?" he asked.
+
+"Bet yer life," was the laconic reply, accompanied by a grin.
+
+"What will you charge me for washing these four?"
+
+The small individual surveyed the windows critically, then answered:
+
+"Six bits."
+
+"Go ahead," said Houston, "let's see how good a job you can do."
+
+Two hours afterward the windows were shining, and Houston paid the
+little fellow an equally shining dollar, instead of the six bits, thus
+making of Bull-dog a friend for life, and one whose friendship
+afterward proved of great value.
+
+Nearly every afternoon found Lyle at Jack's cabin, diligently reading
+or studying, guarded by Rex, the faithful collie, who would let no one
+but Lyle enter the cabin while Jack and Mike were at their work. Two
+or three evenings of each week she spent there, reviewing her lessons
+with Jack, or listening, either to the stories which he and Mike told
+of other countries, or to the music of Mike's violin, fierce and wild,
+or sweet and pathetic, according to the mood of the musician. The
+cabin, built of logs and plaster, and consisting of two rooms and a
+small attic, resembled miners' cabins in general, with the exception
+of the second and inner room. Here, the floor was nearly covered with
+skins of animals, while on the walls were shelves and brackets,
+hand-carved in delicate designs, and filled with books and choice
+pictures, beautiful etchings and photographs of various works of art.
+A few larger pictures hung on the walls, framed in some of the same
+skillfully carved work. The pine table, covered with a brightly
+colored spread, was strewn with finely bound volumes, and scattered
+about the room were several comfortable folding chairs, which Jack had
+bought in some of his trips to Silver City. A rude fireplace had been
+built in one side of the room, over which were arranged artistically
+two or three rifles, and the heads and horns of various animals, while
+on the mantel was a fine collection of ores. Altogether, it was a
+pleasant room, and gave more evidence of good taste, education and
+refinement than could have been found for more than a score of miles
+in that region. This was Jack's sanctum, and none but his two friends,
+Lyle and Mike, were ever allowed within it.
+
+In this room, a few evenings after the arrival of the two strangers,
+Lyle was sitting with her friends. The weather was already much
+cooler, and a bright fire was burning, before which Rex was
+comfortably stretched, while he watched the faces of his two friends,
+Jack and Lyle, who, having finished their usual reading, were silent
+for a few moments, looking into the fire and listening to Mike as he
+sat in his corner, his eyes closed, his head bent lovingly over his
+violin, while he evoked some of the wild, plaintive airs of his native
+country.
+
+Jack was the first to speak, as he asked in a low tone, "You have met
+the young men I spoke of the other evening?"
+
+"Yes," replied Lyle, still gazing into the fire, "they are stopping at
+the house."
+
+"How long will they remain?"
+
+"The younger one, the one you particularly admired, is to stop for a
+few weeks only; the other will probably remain permanently, as he is
+bookkeeper for the mining company."
+
+Jack gave an almost imperceptible start, but slight as it was, Lyle
+noticed it, and turning quickly, saw a peculiar expression of mingled
+surprise, perplexity and annoyance on his usually immobile face.
+
+"Bookkeeper for the mining company!" he exclaimed, "are you sure you
+are correct?"
+
+"I can only quote for my authority the Honorable J. O. Blaisdell," she
+replied archly, "you surely wouldn't doubt his word under any
+circumstances, would you? You look surprised; did you consider Mr.
+Houston one of the 'lilies'?"
+
+Jack looked at her inquiringly.
+
+"One of the 'lilies' like Mr. Rutherford," she explained, "who 'toil
+not neither do they spin,' I supposed him one at first, but I think
+differently now; I believe he would always be a worker of some kind,
+whether it were necessary or not; at the same time I don't believe it
+is exactly necessary for him to be a bookkeeper."
+
+"You seem to have made a study of him," remarked Jack, quietly.
+
+"Of course," answered Lyle, "what else are my eyes and my small stock
+of brains for, but to study everybody and everything that comes in my
+way? Besides, it's rather interesting to find a person of some depth,
+after such shallow people as Mr. Blaisdell and Haight, and that
+class."
+
+"Sometimes, Lyle," said Jack, slowly, "these deep people make a
+dangerous study; they are likely to become too interesting."
+
+"Never you fear for me, Jack," said the girl, with considerable
+spirit, but kindly, "I know too well how the world would look upon old
+Jim Maverick's daughter, to carry my heart on my sleeve."
+
+Both were silent for a moment, Jack watching her face intently. Mike
+had left the room. Lyle continued, in a gentler tone,
+
+"Mr. Houston is a perfect gentleman; he would make a safe study for
+me, even if I didn't realize my position. He reminds me of you, Jack,
+in some ways."
+
+"Of me!" said Jack sarcastically, "your Mr. Houston would doubtless
+feel nattered at being compared to a weather-beaten miner."
+
+"You were not always a miner," retorted Lyle quickly, "and you are a
+gentleman, and always will be."
+
+"In your opinion, child," said Jack pleasantly; then turning the
+subject, he asked, "What do you think of the 'lily' as you styled him,
+Mr. Rutherford, I think you called his name?"
+
+"Oh, he is a gentlemanly fellow, not so ridiculous as he looks;
+good-hearted, but not deep like the other,--not half so interesting to
+study."
+
+"Very well," replied Jack, "go on with your 'study,' but I wish you
+would make a little more of a study of yourself and of your own life,"
+and as he spoke, he carelessly took up a magazine and began turning
+the pages.
+
+"I don't know why," answered Lyle slowly, at the same time going over
+to the table where she had caught sight of a photograph which had
+evidently been concealed by the magazine, "my life before you became
+my friend and teacher would not make an interesting study for any
+one.--Oh, Jack, whose picture is this? and when did you get it?"
+
+"That?" said Jack, answering indifferently, but watching her face
+keenly, "Oh, that is a picture I've had a great while."
+
+"But, Jack, I never saw it, did I?"
+
+"No, Lyle, I haven't seen it myself for years, until to-night."
+
+"Not for years? how strange!" said Lyle in a low tone; then looking
+wistfully at the picture, she said, half to herself, "She must have
+been some one you loved some time."
+
+"She was very dear to me," he replied, so quietly that Lyle said
+nothing, but remained looking long and earnestly at the photograph. It
+was the picture of a young girl, a few years older than herself, but
+much more matured, and wondrously beautiful. The features were almost
+perfect, and the eyes, even there, seemed so radiant and tender. There
+seemed a wealth of love and sympathy in those eyes that touched Lyle's
+lonely heart, and her own eyes filled with tears, while she gazed as
+if under a spell; then she asked in a sort of bewildered tone:
+
+"Jack, I never saw her, did I?"
+
+"Certainly not while you have been here," he replied, "I cannot say
+whom you may have seen before that."
+
+"Before I came here," repeated Lyle dreamily, laying down the picture
+and preparing to go, "that is a sort of blank for the most part. It
+seems as though this hateful life had obliterated everything before
+it; the early years of my life seem buried out of sight."
+
+"Try to resurrect them," said Jack, adding, "Keep your eyes and ears
+open, and let me know results. Had I not better go home with you?"
+
+"Oh, no, thank you," said Lyle, smiling brightly, "it isn't late."
+
+"Then Rex must go," and Rex who was only waiting for the word bounded
+to the door to signify his readiness.
+
+After Lyle had gone, Jack took the picture, and after looking at it
+sadly for a moment, replaced it in the little case in his trunk where
+it had lain so long, and then sat down by the fire, muttering,
+"Strange she did not see the resemblance! I hoped she would; there
+could not be two faces more alike."
+
+All the way home, Lyle was thinking of the beautiful face, wondering
+where she had seen it, that it should seem so familiar, and after
+dismissing Rex with a caress, she sat for some time in the low porch,
+trying to solve the mystery.
+
+"It is no use," she said to herself at length, "it is no face I have
+ever seen, unless in some of those strange dreams I used to have."
+
+Going into the house, she found her parents had retired. Rutherford
+sat in his room reading, waiting for Houston, who was working late
+that night, Mr. Blaisdell having gone back to the city for a day or
+two. Miss Gladden was writing in her room, but Lyle would not disturb
+her, and going quietly to her own little room, she was soon sleeping
+peacefully, and the beautiful face was for a time forgotten.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+
+The next morning was several degrees colder, and there were
+indications of a snow-storm. Within doors, the atmosphere betokened a
+coming storm, as old Jim Maverick was several degrees more quarrelsome
+and ugly-tempered than usual. He glared sullenly at Lyle, as she
+stepped quietly about the kitchen, preparing the early breakfast that
+he and the boys took before starting for their work.
+
+Finally he growled, "What was you doin' out so late last night? Pretty
+time 'twas when you come in, where'd you been?"
+
+Lyle seemed to take no notice of his questions for a moment, then
+replied, without a glance at him:
+
+"I was not out late; I went out for a walk early in the evening, and
+came back early, but I staid out on the porch."
+
+"Oh," he replied with a sneer, "so you was settin' out there waitin'
+for the new clerk to come home, wasn't you?"
+
+"I didn't even know he was out of the house," said Lyle, indifferent
+to his sneers, so long as he did not mistrust where she had really
+spent the evening.
+
+"Oh, no, of course not! I understand you pretty well, and don't you
+forgit it, always puttin' on your damned airs round here, too nice for
+any of your own folks; I'd like to see you made a fool of by some of
+the dudes you're so stuck on."
+
+"You never will have that pleasure," replied Lyle, coolly, "I know too
+well the opinion that people have of you and your family, to ever be
+in any danger of being made a fool of."
+
+Old Jim's face grew livid with rage, and he clenched his hand with an
+oath, but hearing some of the boarders coming in to breakfast in the
+next room, he only hissed, with a terrible leer:
+
+"Never mind, even if you are my child, with that doll-face o' yourn,
+you might rope in that rich young feller for a few thousands."
+
+Lyle staggered under the insult as if she had received a blow, and
+pale and trembling, went into the next room to wait on the guests. She
+was relieved to see that Rutherford was not there; she felt she could
+not have faced him while those words of her father's were ringing in
+her ears. There was only Mr. Houston, who greeted her with his usual
+gentle courtesy, and Morgan, whom she despised.
+
+Out in the kitchen, however, her cause was being championed by Mrs.
+Maverick, the fire flashing from her faded eyes, as she talked in a
+manner very unusual for her.
+
+"You may abuse me as much as you like, Jim Maverick," she was saying,
+"I've had nothing but abuse from you for the past twenty years, and I
+don't never expect nothing else, but if you ever lay a hand on that
+girl, or speak to her like that again, you'll be sorry for it. I can
+make you smart for it, and you know it, and I'll do it too."
+
+The boys, Joe and Jim, aged respectively twenty and eighteen, stared
+at their mother in astonishment, but their father, several shades
+paler, ordered them from the house; then advancing toward his wife,
+shaking his fist and cursing her, he exclaimed:
+
+"You damned old fool! do you think you can try to scare me? you'll
+find 'tain't very healthy business for you."
+
+"Kill me, if you want to," she replied doggedly, "but you'll find it
+won't make you any better off; I've fixed you for that."
+
+"What do you mean?" he asked, now thoroughly frightened.
+
+"Mean!" said his wife, as she saw that she at last had the brute in
+her power, "it means that you've got to let that girl alone, and
+behave yourself to me, or you'll wish you had, that's all."
+
+Just then, Minty entered on the scene, her round eyes wide open with
+astonishment, and Lyle entering an instant later from the breakfast
+room, Maverick slunk away to his work.
+
+Meanwhile, the other boarders were gathering in the breakfast room,
+Miss Gladden and Rutherford being the last to enter.
+
+"Whew!" exclaimed the latter, rubbing his hands, "this seems a little
+wintry, doesn't it? Looks like a storm, too!"
+
+"Yes," said Morgan, glancing up, "we'll probably have a snow-storm
+before noon."
+
+"How do you pleasure seekers intend to spend the day?" inquired
+Houston, addressing Miss Gladden and Rutherford.
+
+"I think I shall spend it beside the fire," replied Miss Gladden,
+shivering slightly, and sitting down for a moment beside the little
+box stove, where a wood fire was crackling and spluttering; "I haven't
+quite decided what to do, because I didn't come out here prepared for
+snow-storms."
+
+"I believe," said Rutherford, "I'll take a day off and develop some of
+the pictures I've taken lately, and sort over my collection of
+views."
+
+"That will be delightful," exclaimed Miss Gladden, smiling brightly at
+Lyle who had entered the room in time to hear Rutherford's remark, "We
+will make Mr. Rutherford entertain us with his collection, won't we
+Lyle?"
+
+Lyle smiled in assent, but Miss Gladden very quickly detected traces
+of trouble in her face, and determined, if possible, to gain her
+confidence, and find the cause. Rutherford also noticed the change in
+her appearance, and remarked, after she had again left the room:
+
+"Miss Maverick doesn't look like herself this morning, I wonder what
+is the matter."
+
+"I think there has been a storm of some kind in the kitchen," Houston
+replied, "I heard pretty loud talk when I first came in."
+
+"Yes," said Morgan, joining in the conversation, "she and the old man
+have some high old times, once in a while; and one thing is curious,
+the girl never seems afraid of him, and that's more than can be said
+of many of the men around here."
+
+"Why," asked Houston, "is he considered dangerous?"
+
+"He is a pretty tough customer," said Morgan, "I guess there's no job
+too dirty for him to do, if he's only paid for it;" and then added
+carelessly, "that's the kind of a man Blaisdell likes to have 'round
+once in a while."
+
+"What does he do?" asked Houston, "does he work in the mines?"
+
+"He used to," replied Morgan, "but he don't do any more underground
+work, he--"
+
+"Doesn't he?" interrupted Haight, with a peculiar emphasis.
+
+"Oh, yes, in some ways, plenty of it," laughed Morgan, "but I was
+speaking of the mines; he's a sort of foreman now in one of 'em, and
+tends to the sorting of the ore occasionally; helps Haight out
+sometimes, when he has a particularly delicate job on hand," and
+Morgan winked across the table at the expert, who smiled knowingly in
+return.
+
+Lyle coming into the room again, the talk regarding Maverick ceased,
+but when she had left, Morgan continued:
+
+"She's a queer girl; she gives it to the old man sometimes, up and
+down; the boys don't dare give him any lip, but she's no more afraid
+of him, than--"
+
+"Than she is of you," again interrupted Haight, with a smile that
+seemed to discompose Morgan considerably, for he colored and bit his
+lip.
+
+Miss Gladden looked annoyed, as did Houston, and Rutherford, feeling
+something was amiss, unintentionally said about the worst thing he
+could just at that moment.
+
+"I think Miss Maverick is an awfully nice girl."
+
+"We all think so," said Haight, in his blandest manner, "Mr. Morgan
+especially."
+
+"Oh," said Morgan, angrily, but trying to speak indifferently, "she's
+nice enough, as nice as girls of her class generally are."
+
+With a look of scorn and contempt that neither Haight nor Morgan soon
+forgot, Miss Gladden rose from the table and left the room, while
+Rutherford exclaimed indignantly:
+
+"Whatever 'her class' is, she is deucedly your superior, you
+contemptible puppy!"
+
+Lyle just then entering, there was an ominous silence for an instant;
+then Houston, rising from the table, remarked in a cool, even tone:
+
+"There has been enough said for the present, but" turning toward
+Morgan and Haight, "I've something to say to you two, a little
+later."
+
+Morgan put on his hat and started sullenly for the office, but Haight,
+assuming his most ingratiating smile, stepped up to Houston, and, in a
+low tone, began to apologize. Houston interrupted him.
+
+"There is no need of any words here," he said coldly, "I shall call on
+you at the sorting rooms this morning, and shall then have something
+to say to you, but I wish no words from you, at all," and retiring to
+his room, he left Haight in a state of considerable trepidation. He
+hurried after Morgan, and soon overtook him.
+
+"I say," he began, "we've got that new fellow stirred up, and I wish
+we hadn't; I don't want any trouble."
+
+"Hang you, you little, sneaking coward!" answered Morgan, "if you
+didn't want trouble, why didn't you hold your tongue? Whatever fuss
+there is you've kicked up yourself, with your own smartness, so what
+are you whining about?"
+
+"Oh, well, you know my principles, Morgan; I never want quarrels with
+anybody; you know the old saying, 'the good will of a dog is better
+than--'"
+
+"Oh, shut up!" said Morgan, "you make me tired! You're a damned
+coward, and that's all there is about it. It's my opinion, though, in
+the case of this dog, that his bark is a good deal worse than his
+bite."
+
+Meanwhile, Houston was preparing to go to the office.
+
+"Say, old boy," said Rutherford, "hadn't I better go down with you?
+You may have some trouble, you know, and I shouldn't wonder if they
+would be two pretty nasty fellows to meddle with."
+
+"Much obliged, Ned," said Houston, "but I can take care of those two
+fellows, and twenty more just like them. Haight is an out and out
+coward, he wouldn't fight any more than he would cut his own throat.
+Morgan would show fight, perhaps, but I'd finish him up before he even
+knew where he was."
+
+"I guess I put my foot in it, saying what I did," said Rutherford,
+staring through his eye-glasses in a meditative manner, "but it did
+make me hot, their insinuating things in that way about such a nice
+little girl as Lyle, and before Miss Gladden, too."
+
+"There will be no more of it, that is certain," replied Houston
+decidedly, and he was gone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+A few moments later, Houston stepped briskly into the office. Morgan
+sat at his desk, sorting some mining reports, and looked up with a
+sullen, defiant glance, but Houston ignored him, and going to his own
+desk, began making preparations for his day's work.
+
+Bull-dog, who, since washing the windows, had constituted himself
+office boy, had built the fire and was now sweeping. Houston greeted
+him pleasantly, but his keen eyes at once detected trouble between
+Houston and Morgan, and he was immediately on the alert.
+
+After the little fellow had finished his work, and Houston supposed he
+had gone, he walked with a firm, decided step, over to where Morgan
+stood lounging and looking out of the window. Morgan turned, and angry
+as he was, he could not help a feeling of admiration for the splendid,
+athletic form standing, firm as a rock, before him. Houston's keen,
+dark eyes looked straight into his own, and for a moment, not a muscle
+of his face moved, the finely cut features might have been chiseled in
+stone; then he spoke, in even, measured tones, cold and cutting as
+steel itself:
+
+"Mr. Morgan, I have this much to say to you, and it will be well for
+you to remember it; that if I ever hear another insinuation against
+that young lady of whom you were speaking this morning, or an
+improper word of any kind in the presence of either of those ladies at
+the house, I will put you in such shape, that you will not be able to
+come to the office for a week; and more than that, there will be no
+office work here for you."
+
+"What do you mean by that last threat?" asked Morgan defiantly.
+
+"I mean just this; that I know enough about you, that if I should
+repeat what I know to Mr. Blaisdell, you would not remain in this
+office one day longer."
+
+Morgan grew pale. "You seem to know a great deal for a man that's been
+here no longer than you have. I suppose Lyle Maverick has been filling
+you up with stuff about me."
+
+"She has never mentioned your name to me, and you will do well not to
+bring her name into this conversation."
+
+"Seems to me you're wonderfully particular about old Jim Maverick's
+girl," Morgan sneered, "I suppose you want her for yourself, though I
+should think the other one--"
+
+Morgan never finished his sentence; a blow that he afterwards said was
+"worse than the kick of a mule," had closed one eye.
+
+With an oath, he made a terrible lunge toward Houston, but he knew
+nothing more until about fifteen minutes later, when he found himself
+lying on the floor, under the long desk, on the opposite side of the
+room, while Houston stood a few feet away, watching him.
+
+"You dirty contemptible cur!" said Houston, "do you think because you
+have no sense of honor, because you are so vile you can have no idea
+of what purity means, that every one is like yourself? You deserve to
+be kicked like a dog; come out from there and fight, why don't you?"
+
+"I don't believe I'm very anxious to, if you'd just as soon excuse
+me," said Morgan, who had gradually assumed a sitting posture, and was
+passing his hand over his eye and jaw. Then, looking up with as much
+of a grin as he could muster, with his rapidly swelling face, he
+said, "Give it up, Houston; you're a better man than I am; I'll let
+you boss this ranch."
+
+"Do you mean," asked Houston sternly, "that from this time there will
+be no more insinuations against ladies, and no innuendoes in their
+presence?"
+
+"Yes, I agree," said Morgan, "I'll never say anything myself, and I'll
+smash any other fellow that does; I think," he added, reflectively,
+"that you've showed me how pretty well, though I'd a little rather
+you'd practiced on some other fellow, Haight, for instance."
+
+"I'll attend to Haight," said Houston, helping Morgan to his feet, and
+smiling grimly at the figure he made.
+
+An hour later, Houston presented himself at the sorting rooms, where
+Haight met him with many smiles, offering to show him through the
+rooms.
+
+"Another time will do, Mr. Haight," said Houston coldly, "I have
+business with yourself this morning."
+
+"Oh, yes," said Haight, as if the thought had just occurred to him,
+"that unfortunate business at the table this morning; Mr. Houston, I
+am more than sorry for what happened, and assure you, that, so far as
+I am concerned, it shall never occur again."
+
+"It will be much better for your interests that it should not,"
+replied Houston; "I have not been in the habit of hearing such
+insinuations against ladies, or such language in their presence; and
+there is something more I have to say to you," he continued, as he saw
+Haight was trying to speak; "you were bookkeeper for the company, for
+a while, were you not?"
+
+"Certainly," replied Haight in a tone of surprise, "I kept the books
+for a few months last year."
+
+"So I have been informed since coming here, and I wish to state that
+the other day I had occasion to refer to some of the old books kept by
+you, and I very soon found evidences of a few shady transactions on
+your part that I think you would not care to have come to the
+knowledge of the company."
+
+"You must be mistaken, Mr. Houston," said Haight, trying to preserve a
+calm exterior, but paling visibly; "it must have been some of Mr.
+Johnson's work you found."
+
+"No, Mr. Haight," said Houston firmly, "it was your own work, in your
+own writing, and very bunglingly done at that; a man would not need to
+be an expert accountant,--and that is what I am,--to detect the
+fraud."
+
+"Mr. Houston," interrupted Haight, in trembling tones, "everything
+here shall be as you wish, and I will help you too,--I can be of
+use to you,--if you will just say nothing. There were certain
+circumstances that I cannot now explain, that justified the
+transactions you allude to; and as I have told you, I regret what
+occurred this morning, and it shall not be repeated. But really,
+Mr. Houston," he continued, "I had no idea that my teasing Morgan
+this morning would have such an effect; you see, what I was joking
+about was really to Miss Maverick's credit; it seems that a few
+weeks ago, he was rather smitten with her and attempted to be what she
+thought was a little too familiar, and she gave him a black eye,
+and--"
+
+"He has another one now," said Houston, rising abruptly.
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed Haight.
+
+"Yes, and there will be more black eyes if there are any more
+insinuations of that character," and Houston returned to the office,
+leaving behind him a bitter enemy, but one whose enmity would be
+concealed by a cloak of friendship.
+
+Meanwhile, while Houston was pursuing his chivalric course, Miss
+Gladden, sitting by the fire in the deserted breakfast room, was
+planning in what way and by what means she could best help her young
+friend in whom she felt such an interest. The scene at the table had
+given her a new insight into Lyle's surroundings; the rudeness and
+insult to which the beautiful girl was likely to be subjected in such
+a home, the possible dangers to which she might also be exposed, and
+she was more than ever determined to win the confidence of the
+reserved, proud-spirited girl.
+
+In the midst of her reflections, Lyle entered the room, and Miss
+Gladden saw there were still traces of trouble in her face.
+Unconscious of the friends who were beginning to care for her welfare,
+Lyle had felt that morning as though she could endure her life there
+no longer. She had felt by a sort of instinct that she was in some way
+connected with the talk at the table, and she knew that both Morgan
+and Haight would not hesitate to injure her by their insinuations, in
+retaliation for the manner in which she had met their advances.
+Thirsting for human sympathy, her heart quickly responded to Miss
+Gladden's words, as she told Lyle of her interest in her, her sympathy
+for her, and her desire to help her, and in reply to one or two
+questions, she spoke freely of the trials she had suffered, inevitably
+connected with a life such as hers, and touched by the kindness of her
+new-found friend, Lyle continued:
+
+"The insults and insinuations of those men, and others like them,
+are bad enough, but I expect nothing else from such as they, but
+when one receives insult from the source where one would expect
+protection,--that is hardest of all," and with flushed cheeks and
+quivering lips, Lyle related the scene with her father, and his
+words to her, while Miss Gladden looked inexpressibly shocked.
+
+"I was almost desperate this morning," she said in conclusion, "I felt
+as though I could not live such a life any longer; I must go
+somewhere, anywhere, to get away from it. Mother says that nothing of
+that kind shall ever happen again, that father is in her power in some
+way, and she will not let him abuse me; but it is this whole wretched
+life that I despise, if I could only be freed from that!"
+
+"I hope, dear, your life will not always be like this," said Miss
+Gladden, "it shall not be if it is in my power to prevent it; perhaps
+I may be able to brighten it in some way."
+
+"You have already," said Lyle gratefully, "I shall be happy now, as
+long as you are here; after you are gone away,--" she shuddered
+slightly, then added, "who knows what may happen before that time?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+A few hours later, a wild, mountain storm was raging outside, the wind
+roaring down the canyon from the icy fields above, driving the fast
+falling snow in every direction, with blinding fury.
+
+Within doors, however, a happy group were seated around the fire,
+oblivious of the storm outside, or with just enough consciousness of
+its fury to add to the enjoyment of the warmth and comfort inside.
+
+Miss Gladden was, as usual, becomingly gowned in a house dress of
+rich, warm color, while she had persuaded Lyle to put on a dark blue
+dress of her own, which, with a very little change, fitted as though
+originally intended for her, and also to dress her beautiful, golden
+hair high on her head, thus producing a change in her appearance which
+astonished even Miss Gladden herself.
+
+The perfectly fitting gown revealed the outlines of her well developed
+and finely proportioned form; its color seemed to enhance the delicacy
+of her face and the brilliancy of her eyes, while the graceful
+coiffure showed to good advantage the beautifully shaped head, and
+added to her dignity. She seemed suddenly to have been transformed
+from shy, reserved girlhood, to graceful, royal womanhood.
+
+As she, with Miss Gladden, entered the room where Rutherford awaited
+them, that young gentleman started suddenly, and turning, gazed at the
+regal little beauty, with her golden coronet, in undisguised
+admiration, much to the amusement of both ladies.
+
+"Great Cæsar!" he exclaimed, "what metamorphosis is this? Excuse me,
+Miss Maverick, I really couldn't help it; I thought you were a sort of
+little girl, you know, and you are,--begging your pardon,--a very
+beautiful young lady."
+
+Both ladies laughed merrily, and Miss Gladden secretly resolved that
+Lyle, in the future, should always be dressed becomingly, if her
+influence could accomplish anything in that direction.
+
+The afternoon passed very pleasantly in looking over the beautiful
+views which Rutherford had collected since he left his distant,
+eastern home. The pictures taken among the mountains had developed
+finely, and they all grew enthusiastic over them. Then there were
+pictures of his friends, in groups and singly, and in laughable
+combinations and positions; among them, some which Rutherford had
+taken of his friend, Tom Durston, and his family, at the ranch where
+he had stopped over night on his way out. There was one of Tom
+himself, in a futile attempt to milk a refractory cow, where he lay
+sprawling ingloriously upon the ground, the milk bucket pouring its
+foaming contents over him, the excited cow performing a war dance,
+while two others, more peaceably inclined, looked on in mild-eyed
+astonishment: chickens were flying in every direction, with
+outstretched necks and wings, while in the background, a company of
+geese were hissing their disapproval of the scene.
+
+The girls laughed until the tears were in their eyes. "How did you
+ever get such a picture? and so perfect!" they asked.
+
+"Oh, I just happened to," he answered, "I was out that morning, with
+my kodak all ready, looking for a subject, and I saw Tom milking, and
+thought it would be fun to take a picture of him to send back to the
+class-boys, you know; I held the kodak up and was just ready--when
+that old cow sent him flying quicker than lightning, and I caught the
+picture all right. I'm going to mail him one copy."
+
+There was a picture of Tom's baby, taking his bath, his mouth wide
+open and his eyes shut, crying lustily for his mother, who had
+deserted him to run to Tom's assistance. Then there were pictures of
+Rutherford's home and friends, among them, that of a brother, older
+than himself, which particularly attracted Lyle's attention; she
+looked at it long and earnestly. He was sitting in an easy attitude,
+smoking a cigar, and looking at the face of a beautiful, dark-eyed
+girl, of about her own age, which appeared above him, encircled by
+the light clouds of smoke,--just the face and no more. Rutherford
+stated that it was his brother and their only sister, and explained
+the process by which it was taken, but the picture remained in Lyle's
+memory for many a day.
+
+After a while, Houston, returning a little early on account of the
+storm, joined them, and the four friends spent the most enjoyable
+evening which they had yet known together, notwithstanding the storm.
+
+It had been an eventful day. To Lyle, and one or two of the others, it
+was the beginning of a new life, though they did not then realize it;
+the first, faint flush that heralds the coming of the sun to brighten
+the new day, but which is so subtle and silent, that few are aware of
+its presence.
+
+Houston, on his return to the house at noon, had given, in answer to
+Rutherford's eager inquiries, an account of the "skirmish" as he
+called it. Rutherford was so proud of his friend, and of the victory
+he had won, that at the first opportunity, he told the story to Miss
+Gladden, before Houston had even returned to the office. Miss Gladden
+was enthusiastic in her admiration of the course he had taken, so
+different from many of the young men she had known in wealthy,
+aristocratic circles, in thus defending a poor, friendless girl,
+subject to insult because she had the misfortune, under such
+circumstances, to be beautiful; and obeying the impulses of her
+noble-hearted, high-spirited nature, she went to Houston, as she saw
+him standing alone a few minutes after dinner, and extending her hand,
+with a bright smile, said:
+
+"Sir Knight, I want to thank you, in Lyle's name and my own, for the
+chivalric course you have taken this morning."
+
+She could get no further; Houston, still holding her hand, interrupted
+her.
+
+"Do not thank me, Miss Gladden; I have only done what it is the duty
+of every true man to do."
+
+"Then," said Miss Gladden, interrupting him in turn, "true men must be
+exceedingly rare. I know very few, Mr. Houston, who would champion
+the cause of a girl in Lyle's circumstances, in the manner you have
+done," and then, with much feeling, she spoke of some of Lyle's
+trials, and of her own determination to help her.
+
+A beautiful woman is never so lovely as when defending the cause of
+some sister less fortunate than herself, and Houston thought he had
+never seen Miss Gladden so beautiful as at that moment, and the
+thought must in some way have conveyed itself to his eyes, for there
+was something in his glance that brought a bright color to Miss
+Gladden's cheek, and an added tenderness to her soulful eyes;
+something that remained with her all that day, and somehow made life,
+even in the heart of the mountains, shut out from the rest of the
+world, look more inviting, more alluring than it had ever done
+before.
+
+With Houston, also, the memory of those eyes with their depths of
+tenderness, and the hand whose touch had thrilled him with its
+magnetism, lingered, and brightened all that stormy afternoon.
+
+To Lyle, this day seemed the beginning of a new epoch in her solitary,
+isolated life. For the first time, she had found genial companionship,
+human sympathy and love, and chivalrous protection; for Miss Gladden
+had hastened to tell her of the part Mr. Houston had taken in her
+defense; and as the slowly maturing bud suddenly unfolds in the
+morning sunlight, so in the new light and warmth which she had found
+that day, her nature had suddenly expanded into mature, conscious
+womanhood.
+
+That evening, as the little group of friends were separating for the
+night, Miss Gladden having already gone up-stairs, Lyle, with a new
+dignity and grace, walked over to where Houston stood by the fire,
+with dreamy, thoughtful eyes.
+
+"Mr. Houston," said she, in low, sweet tones, "Miss Gladden has told
+me of your kindness toward me to-day, and though she has thanked you
+for us both, yet I wish to thank you personally."
+
+"Miss Maverick," he replied in his grave, gentle manner, "you are more
+than welcome to any kindness I can do for you, but do not thank me for
+what I did to-day; that was nothing, I would have been a beast not to
+have done that little."
+
+"If you could know," she said, earnestly, "how rare such kindness and
+protection have been in my past life, you would realize that it does
+not seem like 'nothing' to me."
+
+To Houston, Lyle seemed much less mature than Miss Gladden, and though
+he had been quick to observe the added charm in her manner that
+evening, still she seemed to him little more than a child. Her words,
+and something in the expression of those star-like eyes, touched him
+deeply, and taking her hands in his, he answered tenderly:
+
+"My dear child, I am very sorry for the loneliness of your past life,
+and I want you, from this time, to regard me as a brother, and if
+there should be any way in which I could protect you, or help you, do
+not hesitate to tell me freely."
+
+For the first time in all those weary years within her recollection,
+Lyle went to her rest that night with a heart satisfied; for as yet,
+only the surface of her affections had been stirred, and the hidden
+depths below were still unfathomed, awaiting the influence of some
+mightier power.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+The snow-storm detained Mr. Blaisdell in the city rather longer than
+he intended, and Houston had improved the time in going over all the
+old books and office records which were available.
+
+The books of the company he could examine at his leisure, on some
+pretext or other, in Morgan's presence, but his extra work, which had
+occupied his evenings, consisted in going over the old letter files,
+mining reports and assay statements, making copies of whatever he
+found that would be of value to him later. He had found evidence of
+fraudulent transactions in the books of the company, and of these he
+had made careful memoranda, but so far, the greatest amount of
+evidence which he had secured, had been discovered in the old letters
+written by Mr. Blaisdell to other members of the company at Silver
+City, and received by him in return. These were copied exactly into a
+set of small books which he had brought for that purpose, and he had
+also made tracings and blue print copies of plats and maps of the most
+important mines, and of the plans of their underground workings.
+
+What he now particularly desired was some turn of affairs that would
+necessitate his visiting the mines, and give him an opportunity to
+become familiar with their workings, and that, in some way, he could
+gain access to the books and papers of the main office at Silver City,
+as he would there find records of the business transacted directly
+with the company in New York. He had taken the precaution to bring
+with him copies of letters on file in the New York offices, but he now
+felt that much of the most important evidence was contained in the
+office at Silver City, and was the missing link which he would need
+before going much farther, and as he sat at his desk one bright
+morning, a few days after the storm, mentally reviewing the whole
+situation, he was planning how he could best secure this also.
+
+Morgan, still carrying a few scars, sat with his legs crossed on top
+of his table, reading a newspaper, when the door opened, and Mr.
+Blaisdell entered.
+
+"Well, boys, good-morning," was his greeting, as he glanced quickly
+around the office, and Morgan's feet suddenly descended to the floor.
+"What's the matter with your eye, Morgan?"
+
+"Oh, nothing, been sparring a little, that's all."
+
+"Been down to the mines this morning?"
+
+"No, sir, not yet; I thought maybe you'd be up and want to give some
+directions before I went down."
+
+"Very considerate!" remarked Mr. Blaisdell sarcastically, "you know I
+would come to the mines myself, anyway, and could give directions
+there just as well as here. Get ready to go down there with me, I'm
+going in a few minutes."
+
+Going over to Houston's desk, he glanced hastily over the books, gave
+some instructions, and saying that he wished to see him later, went
+out to join Morgan.
+
+"Morgan, how did you get that eye?" he asked again.
+
+"Oh, Houston and I had a little set-to the other day, and he hit me
+pretty hard, that's all."
+
+"What was it about?" demanded Mr. Blaisdell.
+
+"Nothing much," answered Morgan, carelessly, "we had some words about
+that girl of Maverick's; I guess he's a little stuck on her himself,
+and was afraid I'd be in his way, or something of the kind; I got mad
+and hit him, or tried to, and he gave me a knock-out."
+
+"I was going to say that he doesn't look as though you had hit him
+very hard," remarked Mr. Blaisdell dryly, and then continued, "Well, I
+don't see the use of coming to blows over Maverick's girl, or any
+other for that matter, they're not so scarce as all that. Jim's girl
+has got a pretty face, but she isn't worth fighting about, that I can
+see."
+
+There were reasons for Mr. Blaisdell's superior indifference to Lyle's
+attractions, as she had been compelled more than once, in a most
+emphatic manner, to check attempts at undue familiarity on his part,
+notwithstanding the fact that he was a much-married man, living with
+his third wife, his table surrounded with "olive plants"--fifteen in
+number--of all sizes and descriptions, and regarded in the bosom of
+his family as a model husband and father.
+
+Late in the afternoon, Mr. Blaisdell returned to the office, looking
+very weary and somewhat worried. Morgan remained at the mines the rest
+of the day. Mr. Blaisdell went over the books with Houston, and after
+expressing considerable satisfaction at the work which he had
+accomplished, he sat down by himself, and seemed lost in thought for
+some time. At last he said:
+
+"Mr. Houston, I've been thinking for some time that we need a little
+extra help in the office at Silver City, and yet not enough that it
+has seemed advisable to employ another bookkeeper. Our books there are
+getting behind, and a little mixed, too, I'm afraid. Mr. Lewis, our
+bookkeeper, is quite an old man, and he has charge of two or three
+sets of books for the different companies, and it is not to be
+wondered at if he occasionally gets a little confused; and it occurred
+to me while sitting here, that perhaps you might be willing to come
+down, for a day or two, and straighten out the books for us."
+
+Houston seemed for a moment to be weighing the matter very deliberately.
+
+"Of course I could do it," he replied, "but it would involve
+considerable extra time and expense for me, and I would want extra
+compensation."
+
+"Oh, of course," responded Mr. Blaisdell, readily, "I understand that;
+indeed, I was going to remark that you have already accomplished so
+much work, and your methods seem to be so exact and, at the same time,
+expeditious, that we will consider your term of probation here at an
+end; we agreed to raise your salary at the end of the month, if your
+services were satisfactory; they are eminently so, and I will take the
+responsibility of paying you one hundred and twenty-five dollars for
+this first month also. As to your fare back and forth between here and
+Silver City, of course we will pay that."
+
+"Then," said Houston, smiling and inwardly congratulating himself, "I
+do not see but that it is settled that I go to Silver City whenever
+you are ready."
+
+"Very well," said Mr. Blaisdell, "you will not need to go down there
+for ten days or so, as the time will make no appreciable difference in
+the state of affairs there, and I shall need you here during that
+time, as some parties are coming out from the east to look at some
+mining properties, and both Morgan and myself will probably have to
+spend most of our time at the mines."
+
+That evening, at the boarding house, Houston sat apparently interested
+in a game of chess between Miss Gladden and Rutherford, but in
+reality, paying close attention to a conversation carried on in low
+tones between Mr. Blaisdell and Morgan. Only an occasional sentence
+was audible, but he could gather enough to satisfy himself regarding
+the nature of their plans.
+
+"Clean the rubbish out of the shaft, and set a couple of men to work
+there for a day or two," Mr. Blaisdell was saying; a few words were
+lost, and then he said, "Whenever I hear what day they are coming up,
+we'll put on a good force."
+
+"They'll have their own expert with them, I suppose?" asked Morgan.
+
+"Yes," answered Mr. Blaisdell, "but if he's like the most of those
+eastern experts, Haight and I can fix him very easily."
+
+A little later the conversation ended, Mr. Blaisdell saying, as he
+rose to go to his room:
+
+"It is a confoundedly poor property, but I think a few tons of ore
+from the Yankee Boy will sell it all right."
+
+This remark gave Houston considerable food for reflection, as the
+Yankee Boy was one of the richest properties owned by the New York
+company. He had that day received his first letter from his uncle, in
+New York, sent under cover of an envelope from the Chicago firm, and
+written in reply to a letter from himself mailed immediately upon his
+arrival at the mines; and Mr. Blaisdell and Morgan having left,
+Houston retired to his room to make his first report of the
+information he had secured and seemed likely to secure, concerning the
+ways and means of the western mining company; leaving the chess
+players deep in their game, and Lyle watching them.
+
+Lyle, though keeping up her studies afternoons, had not been down to
+Jack's cabin since the evening he had shown her the picture, partly on
+account of the storm, and partly because she feared her father might
+be watching her.
+
+Jack had wondered at her absence, thinking perhaps her new friends had
+something to do with it; but on this night, Jack had other company, as
+Bull-dog had ensconced himself in Mike's chair beside the stove, and
+having also appropriated Mike's briar pipe,--its owner being
+absent,--was smoking with all the gravity and self-possession of an
+old-timer, and entertaining Jack with his quaint talk.
+
+"Say," he said at last, clasping his hands about his knee, and holding
+the pipe between his teeth, "have ye seen that new feller up at the
+orfice. Mister Houston, they call him?"
+
+Jack replied, very indifferently, that he had seen him once or twice.
+
+"Well, now, he's a Joe-dandy, a regular cracker-jack; an' he's goin'
+ter be boss of that whole shootin' match, Morgan an' that little,
+black, snaky feller, an' old Blaisdell, too, if he don't look out fer
+hisself."
+
+"What makes you think so?" asked Jack, much amused.
+
+"I don't think so, I know it. He's got more sand than all the rest of
+'em put together, an' he ain't afraid of nobody. 'D ye hear 'bout that
+fight that him 'n Morgan had?"
+
+"No, did they fight?" inquired Jack, much surprised.
+
+"Did they fight!" exclaimed the little Arab, removing the pipe from
+his mouth, and shaking his head with evident satisfaction at the
+remembrance of the scene, "well, I should smile! Morgan, he tried hard
+enough ter fight, but the other feller did him up in 'bout the
+sixteenth part of a second!"
+
+"Were you there?" asked Jack, laughing.
+
+"I was peekin' through a crack in the door; they s'posed I'd gone, but
+I see somethin' was up when Mister Houston first come in, an' I just
+makes up my mind I'll see the fun through, an' when I goes out, I
+bangs the door hard, and then opens it agin, careful like, and peeks
+in; an' Mister Houston, he had walked over ter where Morgan was, an'
+had lit into him 'bout somethin' or ruther he'd ben sayin', an' if he
+didn't lay down the law ter him, I'll eat my hat. An' then Morgan he
+sets out to give him some of his lip, and by Jiminy! 'fore he could
+spit the words out, biff! comes a stunner right in his face, and shut
+one eye. My, wasn't he mad though! Then he goes ter give the other
+feller a punch in the head, an' Houston, he ducked the purtiest ye
+ever see, and let out a blow at Morgan's jaw, an' gee-whizz! Morgan
+goes a flying across the room, and lan's under the big desk, and he
+never come to fer 'bout twenty minits. My, but 'twas the slickest
+knock-out ye ever see, Corbett couldn't a done it slicker hisself! an'
+I rolled down them steps a laughin' so I 'most died. I went back after
+he'd come to, an' Mister Houston was a tellin' him ter come out an'
+fight, but he didn't seem ter wan'ter very bad, an' I see the fun was
+over, so I come away."
+
+Jack had laughed heartily over Bull-dog's description of the scene;
+now he asked:
+
+"What was the fight about?"
+
+"Well," said Bull-dog, gravely replacing his pipe in his mouth, "'s
+near 's I could make out, 'twas 'bout some girl."
+
+"What girl?" inquired Jack, rather quickly.
+
+"Well, the new feller, he didn't call no names, but I heerd Morgan say
+somethin' 'bout Lyle Maverick, an' so I guess 'twas her, but I knew
+you was always kinder sweet on her yourself, an' so I wasn't goin' ter
+say nothin', 'cause, 'nless you're a scrapper, you won't stand no sort
+of a chance with that feller."
+
+"All right, Bull-dog," said Jack, "I'm something of a 'scrapper'
+myself, but I don't expect to get into any trouble;" the tone was
+kind, and he spoke with a half smile, but the keenly observant eyes of
+the boy detected a shade on Jack's face. However, all conversation was
+suddenly checked by the entrance of Mike, who, in a manner more
+forcible than ceremonious, dispossessed Bull-dog of his chair and
+pipe. The little waif soon took his departure, but it was some time
+before the cloud on Jack's brow was dispelled.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+For the next day or two, Houston saw very little of either Mr.
+Blaisdell or Morgan, as they spent most of their time at the mines,
+but his own work was greatly increased, as copies of mining reports
+regarding the Sunrise mine, and duplicate sets of statements of the
+assay values of samples of ore taken from its various shafts, were to
+be made out with the greatest care. There were tracings and blue
+prints to be made from the original plats, by which it was to be shown
+that the vein of the Sunrise mine was but an extension of that of the
+Morning Star, one of the famous North Star group of mines; and there
+were also very important and strictly confidential letters to be
+written, under Mr. Blaisdell's directions, to the Silver City office,
+more particularly to Mr. Rivers, the secretary of the company, whom
+Houston had not yet seen.
+
+The Sunrise mine which was suddenly looming up into such prominence,
+was one of which Houston had never heard, but judging from the rich
+samples of ore produced, and the testimony of experts and assayers, it
+seemed to be one of the most valuable properties in that locality; but
+to Houston, situated as he was, behind the scenes, it only afforded an
+additional glimpse of the business methods of the company.
+
+As he still sat at his desk, having just completed his day's work,
+Morgan came in and threw himself down heavily into a chair, taking his
+favorite attitude, with his feet crossed on the table, and his hands
+clasped behind his head.
+
+"You look tired, Morgan," commented Houston.
+
+"I am tired," he replied, "too tired to breathe if I wasn't obliged
+to; this has been a hard day's work, and if old Blaisdell sells that
+mine, as he expects to, he'll have to divy up pretty liberally."
+
+Houston turned around facing Morgan, with a peculiar smile.
+
+"The Sunrise mine seems to have developed wonderfully within the past
+few days," he remarked quietly.
+
+Morgan laughed; "You'd think so," he replied, "if you could have seen
+it four days ago. There hasn't been a day's work done on it for over a
+year; some of it had caved in, and even the main shaft was pretty well
+filled up with rubbish. Now that's all cleaned out, and the few places
+where there is any quantity of ore in sight show up to good advantage,
+and we've hauled eight or ten tons of ore from the Yankee Boy down
+onto the dump, so it makes a pretty respectable showing. Oh, the boss
+is a cuckoo for any job of that kind."
+
+"Does the mining company own the Yankee Boy?" asked Houston.
+
+"No," answered Morgan, "that whole group of mines is owned by a set
+of New Yorkers; this company out here is their agent, that's all."
+
+"And New Yorkers are not supposed to know all the ins and outs of
+their western agent's mining deals," commented Houston.
+
+"Well, I should say not! There's a good many things going on that they
+are not supposed to know about, and that they wouldn't be very likely
+to get onto, either, some of 'em, even if they were right on the
+ground. Some of those ducks are pretty green, and fellows like
+Blaisdell or Rivers can make them believe most anything. If Blaisdell
+was half as smart as he makes some of those eastern fellows think he
+is, he would have been a rich man before this."
+
+"Why," said Houston, in surprise, "Blaisdell is quite well off, isn't
+he?"
+
+Morgan's only answer was a significant shake of the head.
+
+"What!" exclaimed Houston in astonishment.
+
+"Really, he is not worth a dollar," answered Morgan, "every nickle's
+worth of property that he ever had, that he hasn't lost outright, has
+been put into the hands of his wife, or his sons, or somebody or
+other, heaven knows who, I don't, nor nobody else."
+
+"Well, I am surprised," said Houston, "he seems shrewd and sharp in
+business matters, and I supposed he was a rich man. He must have made
+considerable money, what has become of it?"
+
+Morgan shrugged his shoulders; "Have you seen old Rivers yet?" he
+inquired.
+
+"The secretary? No, I've never met him."
+
+"Well," continued Morgan, "you probably will, in a day or two, he'll
+be likely to come up with the eastern party; and when you've seen him,
+you've seen the biggest rascal, and at the same time the slickest duck
+there is on this side of the divide, and I doubt if there's any on the
+other side can beat him. Old Blaisdell's pretty smooth, but he ain't a
+circumstance to Rivers. Rivers will rob you of your last dollar, and
+make you think he's your best friend all the time. Oh, he's a lulu,
+and no mistake!"
+
+Further conversation was prevented by the entrance of Mr. Blaisdell,
+with a fine lot of ore samples with their assay values attached, which
+he arranged on his desk, his thin lips drawn back meanwhile in his
+accustomed self-satisfied smile. When this was done, he turned to the
+young men.
+
+"Well," he began, with a low chuckle of delight, "I've got word my
+party is coming all right. Haight just got a telegram from Rivers,
+that Winters had wired him that he and his son and the expert would be
+in Silver City, on to-morrow's train, so I will have to go back to the
+city to-night, to be in readiness to meet them. Let me see, this is
+Wednesday, they arrive Thursday; Morgan, set the men to work on that
+mine Friday morning; we will be up here in the course of the forenoon,
+you see that everything is in first-class order. Houston, are those
+statements and tracings all ready?"
+
+"They are," replied Houston.
+
+"Very well, put them up as quick as you can, I'll take them to the
+city with me, and the team will be here in half a minute; I want to
+catch that six o'clock train. I didn't expect to have to go to-night,
+but that telegram has hurried up matters. Morgan, you keep everything
+straight to-morrow, and be ready for us Friday morning."
+
+"Shall I send a team down?" asked Morgan.
+
+"No, no matter about that, I'll take Joe Hunt's team there at the Y,
+it will be a rather more stylish turnout than one of the mining teams.
+Everything is here O.K. I suppose," as Houston handed him the papers
+he had requested, "all right, there's my team; well, so long, boys,
+don't get into any more fights while I'm gone," and he was soon
+rattling down the canyon toward the Y, while Houston and Morgan began
+to make preparations for closing the office.
+
+"Well," said Morgan, as he stood looking out of the window, and
+waiting for Houston to put away his books and papers for the night, "I
+can just imagine the little scene that will be enacted down there at
+the main office to-morrow, it would be as good as a play just to watch
+it. There will be old Wilson, with his diamonds and palaver,
+expatiating on the country and the mines; and Blaisdell, with that
+dignified way of his, talking of nitrates and sulphides, and so many
+milligrams equaling so many grains troy, and so many gramestons in so
+many pounds avoirdupois, and all that razzle-dazzle, and Rivers, not
+saying much of anything, but smiling, and calculating how many
+thousands he is going to put in his own pockets."
+
+Houston laughed, and was about to reply, when Rutherford came in, as
+he often walked down to meet Houston and accompany him to the house.
+
+"Come in, Ned," said Houston, "you should have been here a minute ago;
+Morgan has been giving some verbal portraits of the mining company.
+Your descriptive powers are excellent, Morgan, and you seem to know
+these men pretty well."
+
+"Know them," said Morgan, swinging himself astride a chair and folding
+his arms upon the back, while Rutherford perched upon a large writing
+table, and Houston leaned against his long desk, with his arms folded,
+"Know them, I should think I ought to. I worked in the Silver City
+office as bookkeeper for a year before coming out here, and six months
+of that time I boarded in Blaisdell's family; and as his wife hates
+Rivers' wife, and couldn't say enough about her, I knew about as much
+of one family as the other before I came away."
+
+"Does Mr. Blaisdell try to impress his better half with a sense of his
+intellectual superiority, as he does the rest of his fellow mortals?"
+asked Rutherford.
+
+"If he ever did," answered Morgan, "he must have got bravely over it
+some time ago; she treats him with a contempt that would have cured
+him of that habit. I've sometimes thought that the reason he swells so
+much out among people is because he's so unmercifully snubbed at
+home."
+
+"I see," said Rutherford, "just a natural effort to keep his
+self-respect in equilibrium."
+
+"Has he many children?" inquired Houston.
+
+"Well, no," said Morgan, "not many, only fifteen."
+
+"Only fifteen!" said Houston, in astonishment, while Rutherford
+exclaimed, "Oh, come off now, you're joking!"
+
+"No joking about it," said Morgan seriously, "I took the old man's
+word for it. I tried several times to count 'em, but had to give it
+up, it seemed that every day I saw a new one. Some of 'em are as old
+as I; you see this is his third wife, and some of the children are
+older than she."
+
+"I think," said Rutherford, "I'd like a wife younger than my
+children."
+
+"He seems to," replied Morgan, "they're as spooney as can be, when
+they're not quarreling."
+
+"Oh, deliver me!" said Rutherford, "I don't want to hear any more
+about them. How about that other man, Rivers? He hasn't such a surplus
+of children and wives, has he?"
+
+"Well," said Morgan slowly, "I guess if his children could all be got
+together, there'd be more of 'em than of Blaisdell's, and he has full
+as many wives, only, in his case, they are all living."
+
+"Great Scott!" said Rutherford, "is he a Mormon?"
+
+Morgan shook his head, and Houston said:
+
+"Morgan, I think in your efforts to be entertaining, you are drawing
+slightly on your imagination, thinking that we are fresh enough to
+believe anything you choose to tell us."
+
+"No, it's all true, whether you believe it or not. That man left a
+wife and family of children somewhere in New York State, more than ten
+years ago, and ran away with another woman; they have five or six
+children, and here, about three years ago, since I came here, he got
+his divorce from the first woman, and married this one. Then he spent
+last winter in San Francisco, and it seems now, that he circulated
+around there under another name,--and his name is no more Rivers, than
+mine is Jenks,--and passed himself off for an unmarried man, and now
+there's a woman there has entered suit against him, for breach of
+promise."
+
+"Well," said Rutherford, descending from his elevated position, "I
+move that we adjourn to the boarding house at once; if I hear any
+more such stuff, I'll lose my appetite."
+
+"The mystery to me is," said Houston, when they were started on their
+way to the house, "how such a man is allowed to live and do business
+in a respectable community."
+
+"Oh," said Morgan carelessly, "he isn't any worse than the rest of
+'em, only he's a little more out and out with it; and the rest of 'em
+know it, and as long as they all live in glass houses, they don't any
+of 'em want to throw any stones."
+
+"It cannot be quite as bad as that," said Houston.
+
+"Well, I've found 'em all about alike, men and women too, for that
+matter, though I believe you shut me off from expressing my views
+about women."
+
+"But you certainly would not include all women in such an assertion?"
+said Houston.
+
+"I don't know why not, as far as my experience goes, they're all off
+the same piece."
+
+"Why, man," said Houston indignantly, "what are you talking about? You
+had a mother once, you do not mean to traduce her memory?"
+
+For a moment, Morgan was silent, then he replied in a tone that
+sounded very unlike his usual voice:
+
+"Yes, I had a mother once, and that is what has made me what I am;
+sometime I will tell you about her."
+
+And nothing more was said until they reached the house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+Friday morning, word was received from Mr. Blaisdell, over the
+private wire connecting the office at Silver City with the mines,
+that he and Mr. Rivers would be up on the first train with a party of
+four, and to have everything in readiness for them; also to make
+arrangements for their accommodation at the boarding house. Morgan
+had already placed a small force of men at work on the mine, and
+after carrying out Mr. Blaisdell's instructions, remained himself at
+the mine, superintending the work.
+
+It was one of those perfect days, so frequent among the mountains; a
+cloudless sky, and the air so clear that one could see the most
+distant mountain peaks with wonderful distinctness. The weather was
+again warm, yet the air was cool and invigorating, and aromatic with
+the breath of the evergreen forests clothing the sides of the
+mountains and foot hills, while everywhere, the spring flowers were
+adding their color and beauty to the scene, their fragrance rising
+continuously, like an invisible cloud of incense, on every hand.
+
+At about eleven o'clock, Houston heard the noise of the approaching
+team, and stepping to the window, saw a three-seated, open wagon,
+drawn by a pair of powerful horses. On the back seat, with Mr.
+Blaisdell, was an old gentleman, evidently Mr. Winters, and on the
+second seat, facing them, were two whom Houston judged to be Mr.
+Rivers and the junior Mr. Winters; but he took little notice of them,
+for his attention was arrested by one of the two young men sitting on
+the front seat, with the driver. The figure looked wonderfully
+familiar, but the face was almost wholly concealed by a broad-brimmed,
+soft hat. The team stopped, and at once the passengers prepared to
+alight; the hat was suddenly pushed back, revealing to the astonished
+Houston, the shining spectacles and laughing face of Arthur Van Dorn,
+his college class mate and chum.
+
+The men were alighting, and it was evident that Mr. Blaisdell was in a
+most genial frame of mind, he fairly beamed on every one; but Houston,
+not waiting to meet him, made a hasty retreat into the back room, to
+decide quickly upon his course of action. Nearly a thousand plans
+occurred to him, but none seemed feasible. If Mr. Blaisdell were the
+only member of the firm present, he felt he would have little
+difficulty, but the presence of Mr. Rivers made it considerably harder
+for him.
+
+Meanwhile, in the front room, Mr. Blaisdell was receiving his guests
+in the most effusive manner, reminding Houston, even in his dilemma,
+of a gushing school girl.
+
+"Mr. Winters, let me assist you, you must be exceedingly weary; here,
+take this chair, you will find it a little more comfortable; sorry not
+to have more luxurious quarters in which to receive you, but this is
+the wild west, you know. Mr. Rivers, won't you see that Mr. Winters is
+comfortable, while I wait on his son. Mr. Lindlay, let me show you
+these specimens of ore, I think you will appreciate them as few can."
+
+In the midst of all this effusion, Mr. Rivers suddenly appeared in the
+back room. He was a small man, quite bald, with small, twinkling,
+peering eyes, and a quick motion of his head from one side to the
+other that reminded Houston of a ferret. Seeing Houston, his eyes
+twinkled until they nearly closed, he smiled, and extending his hand,
+said:
+
+"Ah, the new clerk, Mr. Houston, I suppose; very glad to meet you."
+
+At that moment Mr. Blaisdell entered; "Well, Mr. Rivers, you have
+found Mr. Houston, I see; Mr. Houston, this is Mr. Rivers, the
+secretary of the company. I was just looking for you, Houston, I want
+you to come in and meet the people in the other room."
+
+"In a moment, Mr. Blaisdell," said Houston, "but first, will you and
+Mr. Rivers just look over something I have found here. This looks to
+me as though a serious error had been made in this report regarding
+the Sunrise mine, and as you will probably need it to-day, had it
+better not be corrected?"
+
+"Error in the report of the Sunrise!" said Mr. Blaisdell, adjusting
+his spectacles, "let me see; why yes, that is an error, and a bad one,
+too, I am glad you called our attention to it; look here, Rivers," and
+the two men were deeply engrossed in a study of the papers before
+them.
+
+Houston improved the opportunity to reconnoiter the situation in the
+front room. Mr. Winters and his son were in a close consultation. The
+third man was busily engaged in looking at some ores, his back towards
+the door, while beside him stood Van Dorn, indifferently watching him.
+Houston gave a slight cough that attracted Van Dorn's attention; he
+turned, and seeing Houston, his face brightened, and he was about to
+spring forward to greet him, when the latter, with a quick motion of
+his hand, gave him the signal of their old college days, its
+equivalent in the western vernacular being, "Don't give me away," at
+the same time putting his finger on his lips. A look of intense
+surprise flashed across Van Dorn's face, but he grasped the situation
+at once, and silently giving the return signal, he turned and walked
+in the opposite direction with the most nonchalant manner imaginable,
+and Houston knew that his secret was safe. A few moments afterward,
+"Mr. Houston, our private secretary," was introduced to the entire
+party, and a hearty grip from Van Dorn's hand, which Houston returned
+with interest, was the only sign of mutual recognition.
+
+"Well friends," said Mr. Blaisdell, blandly, having looked at his
+watch, "it is now so near noon, that when we have allowed Mr. Winters
+ample time for rest, we had better proceed to the house and have our
+dinner, before going to the mines."
+
+"If you dine at noon," replied Mr. Winters, in a very genial, yet
+dignified manner, "there is scarcely time for a very extended
+exploration, but don't discommode yourselves in the least, gentlemen,
+on account of my age and feebleness. I have always enjoyed perfect
+health, and notwithstanding my gray hairs, I don't believe I am much
+older than my friend, here, Mr. Blaisdell."
+
+"Not older than I am, sir!" exclaimed Mr. Blaisdell, who prided
+himself upon his youthful appearance, "why, how old do you take me to
+be?"
+
+"Much older than you look," replied Mr. Winters, "I am sixty-five, and
+you are at least sixty, although you look ten years younger than
+that."
+
+"You have certainly proven yourself a Yankee by your guessing," said
+Mr. Blaisdell, slightly disconcerted, while the others joined in a
+general laugh at his expense, "I wouldn't have thought you would have
+made so good a guess as that, neither did I think you were so near my
+own age."
+
+"You have the advantage of me now," returned Mr. Winters, pleasantly,
+"but if we live twenty years, as I expect to, I'll then look younger
+than you, for I have the better health of the two."
+
+"Have you ever visited the west before, Mr. Winters?" inquired Mr.
+Rivers.
+
+"Yes, a few times," replied the old gentleman, while the mining
+expert, an Englishman, with large blue eyes, full face and blond
+mustache, smiled quietly at Van Dorn and Houston, who were seated near
+each other; "I've been west once or twice a year for the last ten
+years."
+
+"Indeed!" said Mr. Rivers, with considerable surprise, while the
+younger Mr. Winters said with a laugh, "Oh, you couldn't keep father
+at home in New York, any more than you could one of these Indians out
+here; he's got to be roaming around all over the country continually.
+If he didn't drag me about with him everywhere, I wouldn't object."
+
+"You have been out in this country often, I suppose," said Mr.
+Blaisdell, addressing the expert, who replied coolly, with a very
+slight accent:
+
+"No, sir; I simply come out 'ere once in a w'ile, you know, just as an
+accommodation to Mr. Winters."
+
+"You live in New York, I suppose?"
+
+"No, sir; my 'ome is in London," he replied, with an air that seemed
+to indicate he did not care for any further conversation.
+
+"Blaisdell," said Mr. Rivers, "I thought you said something some time
+ago, about dinner; if the ride in the mountain air has given the rest
+of these gentlemen such an appetite as it has me, we would like to see
+that dinner materialize before very long."
+
+On the way to the boarding house, Van Dorn managed to walk with
+Houston, and exclaimed in a low tone:
+
+"Good heavens, Everard, what does this mean? What are you masquerading
+around in this style for?"
+
+"Don't ask me to explain now, there are too many around; after dinner
+we will go down by ourselves, and I'll tell you the whole story. I may
+want a little advice from you, as you're a mining expert yourself."
+
+"Don't let any of these people out here know that," Van Dorn answered
+quickly; "Mr. Winters has introduced me as an inventor of some mining
+machinery that they use, just out here looking around for the pleasure
+of it; you know I did invent an amalgamator that is being used to some
+extent; but I'm not supposed to know anything about practical
+mining."
+
+Houston laughed; "How about the Englishman?" he asked.
+
+"He's no fool," said Van Dorn quickly, "though he is playing verdant;
+only comes out here to accommodate Mr. Winters, and so forth; that's
+all right, but he accommodates Mr. Winters pretty often. He's a fine
+expert and understands his business thoroughly, only I happen to be a
+little more familiar with the ores in this locality, as I spent a good
+many months out here in the mountains two years ago, experting mines;
+not in this camp of course, but only a few miles from here. Mr.
+Winters himself is sharp, and with Lindlay and myself out here, he's
+not going to be very badly taken in."
+
+"Good!" said Houston, "and now there is one thing more before we get
+to the house. You remember Morton Rutherford?"
+
+"Mort Rutherford, of old college days? well, I should say so; what
+about him?"
+
+"His brother is stopping here, you will see him at dinner."
+
+"What!" interrupted Van Dorn, "little Ned? What under heaven is he
+doing out here? Are you two fellows out here incognito making love to
+rustic maidens? or what are you doing?"
+
+"No, Ned is out here in his own name, you won't need be under any
+restrictions with him, but what I want to say is this: Don't let him
+know who I am, or that you used to know me, or that I know his
+brother."
+
+"Anything else I'm not to let him know?" queried Van Dorn, taking out
+a small note book.
+
+"No, put up your book, or Mr. Blaisdell will think I am giving you
+pointers on the mine. But this is how it is; Rutherford met me on the
+train coming out here, introduced himself to me, took a fancy to the
+mountains, and decided to stay a few weeks. He thinks I am--what you
+found me--the clerk for this company, and my home in Chicago. I am not
+ready to explain matters to him yet, so just simply appear as if you
+had never met me or heard of me till to-day."
+
+"But how is it Ned didn't know you? Didn't you ever see him when you
+visited Mort?"
+
+"No, I was there only once, and he was away at school at the time, and
+then he never went to Yale, you know, he is a Harvard graduate."
+
+"Oh, I see; all right, I'll be mum."
+
+A sharp turn in the road brought the house into view, with Rutherford
+seated on the porch, reading a magazine.
+
+He glanced up with his usual assumption of dignity, as the party
+approached, but catching sight of Van Dorn, at the rear of the little
+procession, his magazine and his dignity were suddenly flung to the
+winds, and he bounded down from the porch like a school-boy.
+
+"By Jove! Hello there, Van Dorn, how do you do? Great Scott! how did
+you ever come out here? I'm awfully glad to see you."
+
+"Very glad to see you, my dear boy," said Van Dorn, heartily, "but the
+mystery to me is, how do you happen to be here?"
+
+Mr. Blaisdell looked on greatly astonished and amused by Rutherford's
+impetuous greeting.
+
+"Well, Mr. Rutherford," he remarked, "you seem to have met an old
+friend; ah, yes, I see, you are from Boston, and so is Mr. Van Dorn."
+
+Introductions followed, and the party sat down to dinner. Houston,
+seated between Van Dorn and Rutherford, did not lack for entertainment,
+but he had been at the table but a few seconds when he became aware
+that Miss Gladden was not there. He waited till the meal was nearly
+over, and then quietly inquired of Lyle whether Miss Gladden were ill.
+
+"Oh no," Lyle answered, in a low tone, "Miss Gladden thought best, as
+so many gentlemen were to be here, and on business, to let them have
+the table to themselves."
+
+After dinner, Houston started a little early for the office, and Van
+Dorn took his hat, saying:
+
+"If you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I'll walk down with Mr. Houston. You
+know I'm not so crazy on mining as you are, and I'd like to see
+somebody for a change, that can talk on some other subject."
+
+"Go ahead," said Mr. Winters, "I suppose you'll want to go through the
+mines in our company, though, by and by."
+
+"I probably will have to go in your company, if I go at all," Van Dorn
+replied carelessly, "my choice is rather limited."
+
+"You'll be here this evening, won't you Van?" said Rutherford, who was
+then engaged in a sort of one-sided conversation with the Englishman.
+
+"I suppose so," Van Dorn answered.
+
+"All right, I'll see you later," Rutherford responded.
+
+The confidential clerk and the young inventor strolled down the road
+together, and the officers of the mining company never dreamed of the
+results.
+
+Half an hour later, Mr. Blaisdell and Mr. Rivers rose to return to the
+office, and the others followed their example, with the exception of
+Mr. Winters, who said:
+
+"If you boys are in a hurry to start, all right, go ahead; I'm going
+to take my after-dinner smoke out here on the porch," at the same time
+producing a fine meerschaum.
+
+"Now, father, don't you get left behind," said his son jokingly.
+
+"Get left, you young rattle-brains! I'll have my smoke out and be down
+there at the office, before you are ready to start; your old father
+generally 'gets there' in as good time as you can make."
+
+"I'll tell you what we will do, Mr. Winters," said Mr. Blaisdell, "the
+road to the mine branches off just below here, and we can just as well
+drive around here and call for you."
+
+"All right, Mr. Blaisdell, that will be perfectly satisfactory,
+whatever suits you young fellows, suits me."
+
+"Very well, then, Mr. Winters," said Mr. Blaisdell, "we 'young
+fellows' will be along in the course of half an hour," and they went
+down the canyon, leaving the old gentleman in the low porch, deep in
+the enjoyment of his pipe.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+
+As the quondam class-mates disappeared together down the winding road,
+Houston gave his friend, as succinctly as possible, an explanation of
+his presence there in the capacity of clerk, briefly outlining his
+plans, and stating what he had been able so far to accomplish.
+
+Van Dorn was intensely interested, and through his own practical
+knowledge and experience, was able to give Houston some valuable
+information, and to make some important suggestions.
+
+Houston was quick to see that here was just the help he would need a
+little later; he also knew that opportunities for seeing his friend
+would be limited, he must act promptly.
+
+"Arthur," he asked rather abruptly, "how soon do you go east?"
+
+"In about two weeks."
+
+"Any special engagements for this summer?"
+
+"Nothing particularly important at present."
+
+"You remember my uncle, don't you?"
+
+"I remember Mr. Cameron perfectly, though I have not seen him for a
+number of years."
+
+"I suppose, for a sufficient consideration, you would come out here on
+business for us, at any time?"
+
+"Like Lindlay, 'just to accommodate,' I suppose," laughed Van Dorn,
+and continued, "Everard, old boy, I am at the service of yourself and
+your uncle, and we'll say nothing about 'considerations' until
+afterward; then arrange it between yourselves."
+
+"We will not require your time and services without ample compensation,"
+returned Houston, "but you will be just the man I will need later; an
+expert, familiar with this locality, in whom my uncle will repose perfect
+confidence, and whom the company here will not suspect."
+
+"But Mr. Cameron may not place much confidence in the harum-scarum
+sophomore that visited his home a few years since, if he remembers him
+at all," said Van Dorn, with a little laugh.
+
+"My word will be enough for that," said Houston, "I will write a
+letter this afternoon for you to take to him. There are the gentlemen
+now, coming down the road; I will see you again this evening, and
+probably to-morrow. I wonder what has become of Mr. Winters?"
+
+"Probably he is taking his afternoon smoke," said Van Dorn. "I think
+the old gentleman would throw up the whole mining deal rather than
+sacrifice that. After what you've told me of this mining concern out
+here, I've considerable curiosity to see this famous mine they've been
+writing about. I've got an idea just about how it will pan out, but
+I'll say nothing till I've seen it."
+
+"Let me know your impressions, later," said Houston.
+
+"Agreed," answered Van Dorn, and the party outside having nearly
+reached the door, the subject was dropped.
+
+Meanwhile, Mr. Winters, seated in the rustic porch, his attention
+divided between the picturesque scenery surrounding him, and the
+spirals of blue smoke which he loved to watch, was in no hurry to
+exchange his present enjoyment for subterranean explorations; the rest
+and solitude seemed doubly welcome after the last few weeks of
+travel.
+
+Rutherford, who lingered a few moments after the others had gone, did
+not find him very socially inclined, and picking up his magazine from
+the floor, where it had reposed since Van Dorn's appearance, he
+started up the canyon for a stroll among the rocks by the lake.
+
+It is to be feared that Mr. Winters, under the combined influence of
+his pipe and the warm sunshine, was very nearly asleep. It is certain
+that he never heard the sound of soft, trailing garments beside him,
+nor did he appear to be in full possession of all his faculties, until
+two arms rested lightly on his shoulders, and a pair of small, white
+hands were clasped across his eyes.
+
+Such a proceeding, under such circumstances, naturally had the effect
+of very quickly restoring his faculties to their normal condition, but
+on trying to turn his head, he found it held as firmly as in a vise,
+by the hands which had been quickly removed from his eyes, while a
+mischievous voice announced imperiously:
+
+"Guess who it is, and you are free!"
+
+"Guess!" exclaimed the old gentleman in some perplexity, "why, if I
+were at home, I would know this was one of my little girl's tricks,
+but I cannot imagine who it is here."
+
+There was a musical, rippling laugh, as the hands were withdrawn,
+and Mr. Winters, turning quickly, came near losing his pipe in
+astonishment.
+
+"Bless my soul, Leslie! what does this mean? Well, well! so it was my
+little girl after all, up to her old tricks; but, child, how came you
+out here, in such a place as this?"
+
+At that moment, Houston or Rutherford would scarcely have recognized
+Miss Gladden, could they have seen her seated beside Mr. Winters with
+all the careless abandon of a child, laughing merrily in answer to his
+numerous questions, while he playfully pinched her cheek, or pulled
+her ear. To Mr. Winters, however, she seemed like one of his own
+children, for Leslie Gladden was an orphan, and Mr. and Mrs. Winters,
+having been deeply attached to her parents, and having no daughter of
+their own, had always regarded her as a daughter, and much of her life
+had been passed in their home.
+
+"Well, puss," said Mr. Winters, having answered her inquiries
+regarding his family, "seems to me it's about time you gave an account
+of yourself; what are you doing here? and what have you been doing
+since last Easter? and where are Helen and her husband?"
+
+"One question at a time, if you please, sir," said Miss Gladden.
+
+"That's right, giving the old man orders, as usual; we always spoiled
+you, Leslie. Well, in the first place, what possessed you to leave us
+in the way you did? We understood you had gone to spend Easter with
+Helen; and the next we heard, Helen wrote her sister that they were
+going to spend the summer traveling in the west, and that you were to
+accompany them."
+
+"I will explain that a little later; what is the next in order?"
+
+"Is Helen here with you?"
+
+"No, sir, she and George are in Denver."
+
+"And who is stopping here with you?"
+
+"No one; do you think I need a guardian, or a chaperon?"
+
+The old man's eyes twinkled; "You always were an independent sort of a
+girl, and pretty level-headed, too, I must admit; but, my dear child,
+is it safe for you to be out here alone among the miners, and this
+rough class of people?"
+
+Miss Gladden laughed; "Did you see any very rough people to-day at
+dinner?"
+
+"Why no, to be sure, I did not, but then, there must be many of them
+out here in this neighborhood."
+
+"I never see them," said Miss Gladden, "I associate only with the
+people you met to-day; no one here knows that I have wealth; so
+really, I am safer here than at home, where I am known."
+
+"But there is no society here," protested the old gentleman.
+
+"I came here to get away from society; there is plenty of refined and
+pleasant companionship, and if I have friends here, I know they are
+sincere friends, not money worshipers, or fortune hunters."
+
+"Oh, I see," said Mr. Winters, "the princess is out here in disguise,
+seeking some knight who will love her for herself alone, and not for
+her fortune."
+
+"No," said Miss Gladden gravely, "I have not come out here seeking for
+any knight, but to escape from a base, dishonorable and cowardly
+knave."
+
+"Has your cousin Humphrey been annoying you again?"
+
+"Yes, he and his mother made life a burden to me, that was my reason
+for leaving home as I did. Humphrey has sunk nearly every dollar of
+their property by his profligacy, and now, he and his mother are
+determined to have my fortune. Aunt exhausted all her stock of
+melodramatic and sentimental language and her tears in trying to get
+me to fulfill what she called my father's 'dying wish,' by marrying
+that debauchee and libertine; then she tried threats, and finally
+became so wild with rage, that she reminded me of the will, and told
+me I should never marry any one else; that Humphrey should have the
+property, as my father intended, sooner or later, if not with me, then
+without me. I knew Helen intended to come west, and I went to her and
+asked to let me travel with them. Now, you know my reason for leaving
+so suddenly, and for not writing. We have all enjoyed our trip very
+much; you know George came out on business, and when he was occupied,
+of course it was pleasanter for Helen that I was with her. While we
+were at St. Paul, George met some mining men, and he immediately began
+to have symptoms of mining fever, and hearing of the mines out here,
+he brought us out, among the mountains and miners. We came out when
+the weather was warm and delightful, and Helen and I roamed over the
+mountains while George explored the mines. Then he decided to go to
+Denver, and I would probably have accompanied them, though I had
+become attached to this place, but just then I heard that my cousin
+had traced me to St. Paul, and was in pursuit, to renew his attentions
+to me, so I decided to remain here where he will be less likely to
+find me. Helen and her husband are in Denver, sworn to secrecy
+regarding my whereabouts."
+
+"Well, well!" exclaimed the old gentleman, meditatively, "I wouldn't
+have thought your aunt would so far have forgotten herself. It was
+unfortunate that your father made such a will, leaving everything to
+Humphrey in case of your dying unmarried, but that was when you were
+both children, and he was very fond of the little fellow. Leslie, my
+dear, I wish you were married."
+
+"But I am not, and perhaps never likely to be," Miss Gladden answered
+merrily.
+
+"Yes, and you might have been married twenty times over," said Mr.
+Winters, shaking his head, "and my own boy, Harry, among the lot."
+
+"Once is enough for me, papa dear," said Miss Gladden lightly, yet in
+a more tender tone, "when the right one comes; but it could never have
+been Harry, any more than his brother, Richard; you and mamma were
+like parents to me, and the boys both seem like brothers."
+
+"Have you found the right one, yet?" asked the old gentleman, watching
+her keenly.
+
+"As I told you, I am not looking for a knight," she answered brightly,
+but the color deepened on her cheek, "if he ever comes, he must find
+me."
+
+Mr. Winters noted the telltale flush, and slowly shaking his head,
+remarked, "I don't know, Leslie, about the advisability of leaving you
+here; you were always inclined to be very philanthropic, and it would
+be like you to adopt some young man out here, thinking you had money
+enough for yourself and him, too; that clerk down at the office, for
+instance, or this kid that was prancing around in eye-glasses."
+
+"The 'kid' as you call him," Miss Gladden answered demurely, "has
+plenty of money of his own, and Mr. Houston seems abundantly able to
+take care of himself; if I adopt any one, it will be that beautiful
+girl who waited on you at dinner."
+
+"What is that, my dear?" said the old gentleman, brightening, "I
+noticed that girl at the table to-day; she is remarkably fine looking,
+and seemed to conduct herself like a perfect lady; who is she?"
+
+Miss Gladden, in her enthusiastic manner, began telling him of Lyle,
+and of the interest she had taken in her, but before she had proceeded
+very far, the team appeared at the junction of the roads, the men
+calling Mr. Winters.
+
+"Bless my stars, if there isn't the team!" he exclaimed, "well my
+little girl, good-bye for the present, you will see us both this
+evening," and having given Miss Gladden a promise that neither he nor
+his son would betray her secret, he hastened down the road to the
+waiting team.
+
+"Well, boys," he said, stopping to carefully empty the ashes from his
+pipe on a projecting ledge of rock, "I will have to give you credit
+for being on hand very promptly; that was about the shortest half hour
+that I can remember."
+
+A loud, ringing laugh greeted this remark, which caused Mr. Winters,
+who was replacing his pipe in its case, to look up in mild wonder.
+
+"That's one on you, father," called his son, while Mr. Blaisdell
+remarked, "The time evidently has passed very pleasantly."
+
+"What is the origin of all this mirth?" demanded Mr. Winters, as he
+seated himself with considerable dignity.
+
+"It seems," said Mr. Rivers, in explanation, "to be because you were
+so unconscious of the lapse of time; we were delayed in getting
+together our papers, and it is over an hour since we left the house."
+
+"I looked for you at every turn of the road," said his son.
+
+"I didn't," said Van Dorn, "I thought he had fallen asleep over his
+pipe; I never dreamed he was disgracing the whole crowd of us by such
+open flirtation as that,--I wish we had brought along a chaperon."
+
+"Well, gentlemen," said Mr. Winters very deliberately, "all I have to
+say is, that had you been in my place, the time would have seemed
+equally short to you, and I don't think there's one of you but would
+have been mighty glad to have been in my place."
+
+"Mr. Winters," said Mr. Blaisdell, "I begin to think you're the
+youngest man of our party."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+
+With many jokes and much hilarity, the mining party proceeded on their
+way. Arriving at the mines, they found Morgan and Haight awaiting
+them, who were duly introduced to the party, the English expert
+looking at Haight with much the same expression with which a mastiff
+might regard a rat terrier.
+
+Everything being in readiness, they began the descent of the long
+incline shaft, Mr. Blaisdell and Haight leading the way with Mr.
+Lindlay, while Mr. Rivers followed with Mr. Winters and his son and
+Van Dorn, Morgan bringing up the rear.
+
+It was nearly three hours before they reappeared at the surface, and
+to a physiognomist, their faces, as they emerged from the mouth of the
+shaft, would have furnished an amusing study.
+
+Mr. Blaisdell looked irritated and annoyed, but jubilant. He had been
+thoroughly disgusted by the conduct of the English expert. Instead
+of taking Mr. Blaisdell's word regarding the mine, corroborated as
+it was by undisputable evidence in the shape of mining reports,
+surveyor's notes, and maps, he had insisted on ascertaining for
+himself the important data, the width, dip and course of the vein,
+and the measurement of various angles and distances, with a
+persistency and accuracy that was simply exasperating. He also picked
+up samples of ore in the most unexpected places which he examined
+with the closest scrutiny. But having taken his measurements and made
+his examinations, the results were immediately jotted down in his
+note book, and the samples dropped in his pockets, without a word,
+which convinced Mr. Blaisdell that the expert knew very little of his
+business, and was probably either doing this to keep up appearances,
+or to gain a little information for his own benefit. Not a word had
+been said contradicting the statements he had made, not a question
+raised implying any doubt of their correctness;--evidently they were
+just the kind of purchasers he wanted, and his firmly set jaws and
+tightly compressed lips expressed his satisfaction.
+
+Mr. Rivers scanned the company keenly with his ferret-like glances;
+such unexpected acquiescence on their part made him slightly
+suspicious and very watchful. The thought uppermost in his mind was,
+"Either these people know absolutely nothing about mining, or they
+know too much for our good." He had intended going back to the city
+that evening, but he now decided to remain over.
+
+Mr. Winters, senior, reappeared, wearing the same expression of
+benevolence and dignity with which he had entered the mine. He seemed
+serenely unconscious of the existence of deceit or fraud in business
+transactions generally, and in mining negotiations in particular. Only
+those well acquainted with him could detect from the exaggerated
+twinkle of his eyes, that something had more than ordinarily amused
+him.
+
+Van Dorn and Lindlay had agreed before hand that they would keep
+entirely separate, and each pursue his own course of investigation
+independently of the other,--Van Dorn of course not being able to take
+any measurements, as he was not supposed to be an expert,--and compare
+notes later. As the two emerged into daylight and their eyes met, Van
+Dorn's laughing, blushing face would have betrayed him, had any one
+known his real business there, but a young inventor, exploring mines
+just for the fun of the thing, is supposed to find plenty of
+amusement. Under the big, blond mustache of the Englishman, a pair of
+lips curled scornfully, and his eyes rolled wildly for a moment, but
+that was all.
+
+As the gentlemen gathered around the dump, the last vestige of Mr.
+Blaisdell's irritation seemed to have disappeared, as he blandly
+expatiated upon the quantity and quality of the ore.
+
+Van Dorn's eyes sparkled as he saw the shining lumps from the Yankee
+Boy, and he and Lindlay exchanged quick glances.
+
+"Look at that," said the latter, quickly extracting from his pocket a
+sample of the Sunrise ore and placing it beside a piece taken at
+random from the dump; "does any one pretend to tell me that those are
+from the same vein?"
+
+"It is a different class of ore altogether," replied Van Dorn, "such
+ore as that never would be found under the conditions existing in that
+mine, but I'll be blest if I wouldn't like to see the mine it did come
+from."
+
+Mr. Rivers had observed this little side conversation and Van Dorn's
+close scrutiny of the samples, and was at his side in a moment,
+inquiring in his smoothest tones:
+
+"What do you think of that ore, Mr. Van Dorn?"
+
+"Very fine ore, so far as I can judge," said Van Dorn carelessly, "I
+would like to see it run through that concentrator and amalgamator of
+mine; if these men ever get through talking about mines, Mr. Rivers, I
+must get you and Mr. Blaisdell interested in my machinery."
+
+At the suggestion of Mr. Lindlay, the party next paid a visit to the
+Morning Star mine, that being the one which Mr. Blaisdell had declared
+was on the same lead as the Sunrise. This they found to be a valuable
+mine, but there was not the slightest indication of the vein being
+identical with that of the Sunrise, its strike carrying it in a
+totally different direction, and its characteristics being wholly
+dissimilar.
+
+As it was too late for any further mining explorations, the team was
+ordered, and preparations made for a return to the house.
+
+Lindlay and Van Dorn, by mutual agreement, started up the canyon road
+together, in advance of the others.
+
+"Boys, where are you going?" called Mr. Winters.
+
+"Going to walk on ahead," answered Van Dorn.
+
+"Just as cheap to ride," said Mr. Winters.
+
+"Plenty of room," added Mr. Blaisdell.
+
+"We can't wait for you, you're too slow," laughed Van Dorn.
+
+"Give our places to those gentlemen," said Lindlay, indicating
+Haight and Morgan, and with rather a painful emphasis on the word
+"gentlemen."
+
+"Egad!" he exclaimed a few moments later, "Van Dorn, what do you think
+of that for a mining proposition?"
+
+"It's pretty tough, in fact, about the toughest I ever saw," replied
+Van Dorn, "but then, you remember we got a hint at Silver City that
+they were sharpers."
+
+"Sharpers!" exclaimed Lindlay, "but I don't call them sharpers; I can
+admire a good, genuine piece of keen rascality, don't you know, for I
+can play just as sharp a game myself as the best of them, but w'en it
+comes to such downright, beastly work as this, so blundering and
+bungling you know, w'y it looks too much as though they thought we
+were all born idiots, to be very complimentary."
+
+"I'll admit it looks that way," said Van Dorn, laughing, "it doesn't
+look as though they had a very flattering opinion of our acquirements,
+or our natural penetration, if they suppose we can be gulled in this
+way. They are about the worst set of mining sharks I've ever had the
+pleasure of meeting, and I shall tell Houston so."
+
+"By the way, that Mr. 'Uston seems a very decent sort of a man,"
+commented Lindlay.
+
+"He's a fine fellow," responded Van Dorn warmly, "you see I know him,
+he's a friend of mine, but don't say anything till we get out of
+here."
+
+"A friend of yours! and w'at in the deuce is he doing out 'ere, among
+such a beastly lot?"
+
+"He is out on a piece of detective work on his own account," and Van
+Dorn briefly gave Lindlay an outline of what Houston had told him. A
+prolonged "Ah--h" from Lindlay was the only response.
+
+"I thought I'd better tell you," said Van Dorn, "for fear you would
+include him in the lot out here, and be down on him with the rest. He
+is a splendid fellow, and I want you to know him."
+
+"That I will," responded the Englishman, "'ere, give 'im my card, and
+tell 'im I'll be very glad to 'elp 'im out a bit any time if he needs
+it later, you know; I would like to see 'im get the best of these
+fellows."
+
+"I will tell him," replied Van Dorn, "he may give you a letter of
+introduction to his uncle. They are all fine people, and, as you say,
+I would like to see Houston get the best of these rascals; I believe
+he will, too, though he will have to lay low for a while yet, and
+there may be some pretty dangerous work for him before he gets
+through."
+
+The pedestrians and the remainder of the party reached the house at
+nearly the same time, the latter having been slightly delayed in
+starting. Although a little late, Houston and Rutherford, with Miss
+Gladden and Lyle, were awaiting them in the porch. The rare beauty of
+the two ladies elicited expressions of admiration from both Lindlay
+and Van Dorn, the latter exclaiming:
+
+"They evidently have some fine specimens of ladies out here, and no
+mistake; there seems to be no fraud in that direction. No wonder the
+old gentleman was so indifferent as to whether we called for him or
+not!"
+
+Miss Gladden extended a welcome, both cordial and graceful, to Mr.
+Winters and his son, and also to Van Dorn, whom Rutherford introduced
+as an old friend. Other introductions followed, and the entire company
+entered the long, low dining room, whither Lyle had already preceded
+them to see that everything was in perfect readiness. Exclamations of
+surprise and pleasure were heard on all sides, as the table had been
+tastefully decorated by the skillful fingers of the ladies, with wild
+flowers, and their beauty and fragrance filled the room. A very social
+meal followed, interspersed with jokes and repartee, and pleasant
+reminiscences. Toward the close, Mr. Blaisdell entertained them with
+amusing sketches of western life, and soon was relating some of his
+first mining experiences, when he had just come from the east, a newly
+fledged mining expert.
+
+"I was asked, in company with another expert, a western man, much
+older than I, to examine some properties for some mining men. They
+were all experienced miners, old hands at the business, and they
+regarded me, a young graduate from an eastern mining school, with no
+practical knowledge that they knew of, as totally incompetent to
+advise them, and, I think, invited me more out of courtesy than
+anything else; perhaps also, out of benevolent intention to give me an
+opportunity to learn something about mines.
+
+"The evening previous to the day the examination was to be made, they
+met for a little conversation regarding the history of the mine, and
+to make plans for the following day. Of course, our talk was
+principally of mining in general. Well, didn't I play 'green' that
+evening. You can bet your sweet life that I did!"
+
+Here Lindlay elbowed Houston, who in turn nudged Van Dorn. The last
+named gentleman telegraphed across to the younger Winters and
+Rutherford, and there seemed imminent danger of a general explosion;
+however, Mr. Blaisdell thought it was all in appreciation of his
+story, and blandly continued:
+
+"I think when we broke up that night, the rest of them must have
+wondered among themselves why they had been such fools as to invite
+me. But I was only anxious for the time to come to go down into that
+mine. It was a property which the company had bought when it was
+nothing but a prospect, but which had then possessed every indication
+of being a wonderful producer of very rich ore, and it was supposed
+that with a little further development it would make a very fine
+property. The company had immediately proceeded to develop the mine,
+following the vein, as they supposed, for several hundred feet, but it
+did not amount to anything worth speaking of. Occasionally they would
+find croppings of very rich ore, but no true vein, and they had
+finally determined to call in one or two experts, and after an
+examination, decide whether it was worth the expenditure of any more
+money, or whether it had better be abandoned.
+
+"Well, aside from having received a fine education in this branch
+of science, I had worked a good deal in some of old Nature's
+laboratories, and was more familiar with these things than they
+thought. I knew, from their talk, that they were not following the
+course of the vein, though they thought they were, but of course, I
+said nothing of that kind; I was playing green.
+
+"The next day we went down into the mine, and I found just what I
+expected to find; that they were simply following a false lead, and in
+reality, going farther and farther from the vein every move they made.
+There was the original vein to start with, and they had struck a false
+lead close beside it, and were going down; digging down lower and
+lower, while the true vein was right over their heads, and those
+miners and that confounded expert that knew so much more than I did,
+didn't any of them know enough just to look up there and see it. Why,
+near the point where they had first started, I could see the ore
+shining in places over my head, and there were croppings of it all
+along.
+
+"Well, to make a long story short, I advised them to stick to the
+mine, and the expert advised them to abandon it. A little while
+afterward, I asked them what they would take for the mine; of course
+they thought that an additional proof of my greenness that I should
+talk of buying it, but I hung on, not appearing very anxious about it
+of course, for then they might suspect something. You won't believe
+me, but I bought that mine for five hundred dollars, cash, and they
+thought I was the biggest fool and tenderfoot that ever came out here.
+I tell you, I made sure of a good, clear title to that property, and
+then I went to work. I followed the old, original vein, and in less
+than six weeks I had gold just a pouring out of that mine. My! but
+didn't that company try to get back then! but I wouldn't have anything
+to do with them; I told them I was a greenhorn and a tenderfoot, and
+they had better let me alone. Well, sir, I worked that mine eighteen
+months, and cleared, over and above all expenses, one hundred and
+fifty thousand dollars, and then I sold it for half a million, and
+those other fellows have been kicking themselves ever since."
+
+There was a hearty laugh at the termination of the story, and the
+company adjourned to the porch and the open space surrounding the
+house, for the evening.
+
+Taken all in all, there was in that little company sheltered under the
+old house that night, a strange combination of plots and counter
+plots, secrets and mysteries; and to Houston himself, as he sat a
+little apart from the others, watching the group with thoughtful eyes,
+it seemed a curious coincidence, that, on that evening, and at that
+place, there should be assembled so many of the principal actors in
+the drama which he knew must ere long be enacted, and he was unable to
+shake off a vague presentiment that this was the opening scene. Just
+what would that drama be, he wondered, would it be comedy or tragedy?
+never, with all his foresight, dreaming the depth of tragedy so soon
+to follow, or recognizing as such, some of the chief actors, even then
+passing within his ken.
+
+On one side of the low porch was seated Miss Gladden, entertaining Mr.
+Winters and his son, while behind her, Lyle was standing with
+unconscious grace, and a far-away, dreamy look in her eyes. Just
+across the entrance, on the other side, were Lindlay, Van Dorn and
+Rutherford, the last two engaged in animated conversation regarding
+old times, Lindlay occasionally joining with them, but most of the
+time watching Miss Gladden, with much admiration expressed in his
+usually critical face. Mr. Rivers sauntered back and forth before the
+house, smoking, while, at a little distance, Mr. Blaisdell, Haight and
+Morgan were talking together. Jim Maverick, coming from behind the
+house, touched his hat as a salute to Mr. Blaisdell, and after a quick
+glance of suspicious distrust at the elder Mr. Winters, shuffled off
+in the direction of the miners' quarters. A little later, a man with
+powerful, athletic frame, who walked with quick, elastic step, and yet
+as though conscious of his power, passed the house, followed by a fine
+collie. His hat was drawn low over his eyes, partly concealing his
+face, but this did not prevent his watching the group on the porch
+with close, keen scrutiny. Houston and Rutherford started slightly,
+and exchanged glances, for they had recognized their fellow passenger
+from Valley City, and they would doubtless have made some comment, but
+that just then Miss Gladden spoke:
+
+"Lyle, dear, I wonder who that can be; he is dressed like a miner, but
+his carriage and appearance is that of a gentleman."
+
+"That," answered Lyle, in a low tone, "is Jack; he is a miner, and he
+is also a gentleman."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+
+Several days had elapsed since the eastern party, accompanied by Mr.
+Blaisdell and Mr. Rivers, had returned to the city, and, as yet,
+nothing had been learned of their decision regarding the mine. The
+extra force of men on the Sunrise had returned to their regular
+shifts, and the work at the mining camp was going forward in the old
+routine, with the monotonous precision of clock-work.
+
+Houston was quietly pursuing his own way, conscious that the task
+before him involved difficulty and danger. He was aware that Haight,
+notwithstanding his obsequious politeness, was one of his worst
+enemies, and would injure him in every underhanded way within his
+power, as, beneath the smooth, smiling exterior, Houston could detect
+a deep, subtle malignity toward himself; and he rightly judged that
+Jim Maverick, the tool of the mining company, would be the instrument
+Haight would use when he was ready to work his revenge.
+
+Maverick, from the first, had hated Houston with that instinctive
+hatred which such vile natures, groveling in their own degradation,
+always feel toward those moving on a higher plane, in an atmosphere
+untainted by the putrescence which is their natural element. Maverick
+knew that, to a man like Houston, his own baseness and villainy were
+written in his face, and even in his slouching, cringing gait, as
+plainly as though branded in letters of fire, and this was sufficient
+to kindle his anger against him, and Haight, by his talk, added fuel
+to the slowly smoldering fire. At home, but more particularly among
+the miners, in the camp or at the Y, Maverick expressed his views
+regarding Houston in language abounding with profanity and obscenity,
+and many were the muttered threats of what he would do should the
+object of his hatred ever cross his path.
+
+Houston, meanwhile, was quick to discern the danger signals, and was
+laying his plans wisely and well. His own work in the office of the
+mining camp was nearly completed; there remained yet the information
+to be gathered from the Silver City office, to which he was now
+expecting to be called any day, and then the work of familiarizing
+himself with the mines. When this should be accomplished, the end, for
+which he was working and waiting, would be very near.
+
+As he sat in the office one afternoon, reviewing the past few weeks,
+he felt that he had succeeded thus far, even beyond his hopes. The
+coming of Van Dorn and the acquaintance formed with Lindlay would be
+of untold value to him in his work. A little later, Van Dorn would
+come to his assistance without arousing suspicion, not being known as
+a mining expert, and when the time came for the final denouement,
+Lindlay would accompany Mr. Cameron to the mines, as he was a skilled
+expert, and having already visited the mines, could furnish testimony
+as to the fraud practiced by the company.
+
+Thus far, everything had gone well, and the weeks of work in a
+secluded mining camp, to which he had looked forward with anything but
+pleasurable anticipations, had in reality proven,--he was surprised to
+admit to himself,--among the pleasantest of his life. He would really
+have many regrets on leaving the mountains to return to his old home,
+he had formed such pleasant associations; and then, he suddenly became
+conscious that, of his life among the mountains, there was little he
+would miss, excepting a pair of dark, soulful eyes, in whose depths he
+had failed to detect the least shadow of falseness or unworthiness;
+mirrors of a sweet, womanly nature, strong, pure and beautiful, which
+with a quick, ready sympathy entered into his feelings, and often
+seemed to fathom his unspoken thoughts, and clothe them with language
+of her own.
+
+Houston started in astonishment, and, locking the office, took a
+circuitous and little traveled road, determined to fully understand
+his own heart before he again looked into those eyes with their depths
+of sincerity and truth.
+
+For many years he had been the recipient of flattering attentions from
+fond papas and aspiring mammas. Invitations to club dinners, banquets
+and the most recherche lunches, on the one hand, were evenly balanced
+by cards to receptions, soirees and afternoon teas, on the other. Had
+he passed heart-whole through all these sieges, only to fall a victim,
+here and now?
+
+He had admired Miss Gladden from the first; then, in their mutual
+sympathy for Lyle, they had been drawn closer together, and since that
+time,--yes, he could see it all now.
+
+Of Miss Gladden herself he knew very little, except that she was a
+true, noble woman; he needed no words to tell him that. Rutherford had
+learned from conversation with her, that she was an orphan, and had
+been traveling with friends because her home was made unpleasant by
+some of her relatives; and both had judged that she was probably, in
+a measure, dependent upon wealthy relatives.
+
+This much Houston did know, however, that he loved Leslie Gladden,
+that she was worthy of his love, and that life without her would not
+seem worth the living. He believed that she loved him, and his heart
+thrilled with the thought, that if so, it was for himself, not his
+wealth, that she cared. Before he reached the house, his mind was
+fully decided:
+
+"I love her for herself," he soliloquized, "not caring whether she is
+rich or poor, and I believe she does, or will, love me in like manner.
+In any event, I must learn my fate before the arrival of my uncle."
+
+As Houston approached the house, Miss Gladden and Lyle were standing
+together in the porch. He greeted both ladies with even more than his
+usual courtesy, but as his eyes met those of Miss Gladden, there was
+that in his glance, which in itself, was a declaration of his love for
+her. Lyle, with her quick intuition, read the meaning, and with her
+natural sense of delicacy, as quickly withdrew, leaving them together.
+For an instant, Miss Gladden's eyes dropped before Houston's glance,
+while a lovely color suffused her cheek; then she raised her eyes,
+meeting his with an answering glance, and in that mutual recognition,
+though no word was spoken, they knew that they were lovers, and that
+was enough for the present.
+
+Of late, the four friends had spent much time together; sometimes
+climbing the mountains, to watch from their lofty summits the setting
+sun, slowly descending amid clouds of flame, whose glowing colors were
+reflected from the surrounding peaks in ever varying tints; the rose
+changing to amethyst and violet, and the violet deepening to purple;
+while far below, the canyon lay wrapped in soft, gray twilight. Or,
+sometimes, taking one or two boats from the little boat-house built
+for the accommodation of summer tourists, they rowed about the lake in
+the moonlight.
+
+On this particular night, Rutherford proposed a row, in one of the
+larger boats, the entire length of the lake, to the cascades, to which
+the rest readily acceded. The ladies soon appeared in light, fleecy
+wraps, Miss Gladden carrying a fine guitar, which called forth
+exclamations of pleasure from the gentlemen.
+
+"Good!" said Rutherford, "that will be just the thing; now we will
+have some music."
+
+"Miss Gladden," said Houston, "why have we not been favored in this
+way earlier?"
+
+"Oh," she replied, archly, "it has never been a necessity until
+to-night, but a long row in the moonlight would not be perfect without
+music."
+
+This was their first trip to the end of the lakes, and they found
+the scene beautiful beyond description. On one side an almost
+perpendicular wall of rock; in the opposite direction, the mountain
+ranges stretching far away in the distance, with snowy peaks gleaming
+here and there, like watch towers; while just before them, the
+shimmering cascades in the wondrous beauty of the moonlight, the deep,
+unceasing roar seeming to rise and fall with a rhythm of its own.
+
+For the first few moments, they sat in silent admiration of the beauty
+around them; then Miss Gladden touched the strings of the guitar, and
+began singing in a rich contralto, in which Houston joined with a fine
+baritone, while Rutherford added a clear, sweet tenor. Their voices
+blended perfectly, and accompanied by the sweet notes of the guitar,
+the music floated out over the lake, the lingering echoes dying away,
+in the distance.
+
+Lyle took no part in the song, but sat listening with parted lips and
+dreamy eyes. When the song was finished, she exclaimed:
+
+"Oh, please do not stop, I love to listen to you; it reminds me of
+something I have heard long ago, I don't know when or where."
+
+"Do you never sing, Miss Maverick?" asked Rutherford.
+
+"Only sometimes for myself," she said, "I know only two or three songs
+that I have heard others sing."
+
+"But you have a sweet voice," said Houston, "will you not sing for
+us?"
+
+"If you will overlook any mistakes, I may," answered Lyle, "for I
+probably do not sing correctly, as I know nothing of music."
+
+"Certainly, Lyle, we would like to hear you," said Miss Gladden.
+
+As simply, and as free from self-consciousness as a child, Lyle began
+her song, her eyes fixed on the distant shining peaks, and her only
+accompaniment the music of the cascades.
+
+               "Love is come with a song and a smile,
+                Welcome love with a smile and a song;
+                Love can stay but a little while:
+                   Why can not he stay?
+                   They call him away;
+                Ye do him wrong, ye do him wrong,
+                Love will stay for a whole life long."
+
+Whether Lyle sang correctly that night was never known; even the
+beautiful words of the old song that seemed so appropriate to the
+occasion, were forgotten before she had sung more than two or three
+lines, and her listeners sat entranced, spell-bound, by the voice of
+the singer; a voice of such exquisite sweetness and clearness, and yet
+possessing such power and depth of expression, that it thrilled the
+hearts of her listeners, seeming to lift them out of all consciousness
+of their surroundings, and to transport them to another world; a
+world
+
+            "Where the singers, whose names are deathless,
+            One with another make music, unheard of men."
+
+As the last note died away, a long, deep sigh from Houston seemed to
+break the spell, and Miss Gladden looking up, her eyes shining with
+unshed tears, said, as she pressed Lyle's hand:
+
+"My dear, we have found our song-queen, our nightingale. We can all
+learn of you, and never equal you."
+
+Houston had been strangely moved, and as he spoke, there was a slight
+tremor in his voice.
+
+"I have heard, in all my life, but one voice like that, and that was
+one who died when I was a child."
+
+Lyle looked surprised.
+
+"Has no one ever told you you could sing?" asked Miss Gladden.
+
+"I never sang for any one, excepting once, for Jack," answered Lyle.
+
+"What did he say of your voice?" inquired Miss Gladden.
+
+"He said, like Mr. Houston, that he had heard but one voice like mine,
+but that he did not like to hear me, so I have never sung since,
+excepting by myself."
+
+"Lyle," said Miss Gladden suddenly, "how old is this man whom you call
+Jack?"
+
+"Possibly forty, perhaps a little less," she answered indifferently.
+
+A new thought had flashed into Miss Gladden's mind. For some time she
+had doubted whether Lyle were really a child of Maverick and his wife,
+she was so utterly unlike them; could it be possible that Jack, whose
+life seemed so much a mystery, was the father of Lyle? Was that the
+reason for his interest in her? and had Lyle had some beautiful
+mother,--unfortunate perhaps,--whose life had suddenly gone out, as
+the little life had just begun, and whose memory was recalled too
+vividly by Lyle's song? Miss Gladden determined, if possible, to find
+a clue to this mystery.
+
+The boat was now on its homeward way, and a song with which all were
+familiar having been found, the four voices blended in exquisite
+harmony.
+
+"It seems to me there are some rare treats in store for us," was
+Rutherford's comment, as the friends separated for the night; then, a
+few moments later, when alone with Houston, he exclaimed:
+
+"By Jove, Houston! but what a voice that girl has! I never heard
+anything like it in my life. I didn't say much before Miss Gladden,
+for fear she might think I didn't appreciate her singing, and I
+certainly did, for she sings magnificently."
+
+"You need have no fear of any sensitiveness on Miss Gladden's part,"
+said Houston quickly, "in the first place, their voices are altogether
+different, there is no comparison between them; and in addition, Miss
+Gladden's regard for Lyle is so disinterested and unselfish, there
+would be no room for any feeling of that kind. We must all acknowledge
+that Lyle certainly has a wonderful voice; as I said before, I have
+heard but one like it."
+
+"Great Heavens!" said Rutherford, with more feeling than Houston had
+ever seen him manifest, "I'm sorry for that girl, Houston."
+
+"Why?" asked Houston quietly.
+
+"Why, only to think of her beauty and intellect, and such a voice as
+that, and then think of her parents, and the life to which she is tied
+down here."
+
+"Granting the parents and present life," said Houston, "is that any
+argument that she will always be 'tied down here' as you say?"
+
+"I think it would always fetter her in a measure; it will leave its
+imprint upon her mind, or at least her memory, and although she is
+not in her proper sphere here, yet her life here, and all its
+associations, would be likely to make her feel out of place in a
+higher sphere,"
+
+"I think not," said Houston, watching Rutherford closely, "I think if
+she could be removed from here, and given a thorough education, there
+would remain no trace whatever of the early life."
+
+"But what about the question of heredity?" asked Rutherford,
+"there must be bad blood there, when and where would it make its
+appearance?"
+
+"That would be a serious question," replied Houston, "providing she is
+the child of these people; I have always had grave doubts of that, and
+Miss Gladden has often expressed the same."
+
+"By Jove! I never thought of that! It seems likely enough, too. What
+do you think, that she was stolen?"
+
+"No," said Houston slowly, "that does not seem so probable as that she
+may have been some child that they were hired to take."
+
+"In that case," said Rutherford, "I should think the uncertainty
+regarding her family and origin, would be almost as bad as the
+certainty in the other case."
+
+"It might seem so to some people," Houston replied, adding with a
+smile, "especially to a Bostonian, who prided himself upon his 'blue
+blood'."
+
+"Oh," said Rutherford, coloring, "I'm not pursuing this inquiry on my
+own account at all, I was only thinking of her prospects generally.
+I'm not interested in that direction."
+
+"In what direction are you interested, if I may ask?" said Houston,
+experiencing, for the first time, a little twinge of jealousy.
+
+"In the direction of the 'Hub,' my dear boy," Rutherford replied, with
+another blush.
+
+"Spoken like a true Bostonian!" said Houston approvingly.
+
+"Yes, sir," continued Rutherford, "there's a little girl belongs back
+there in Boston, that's more to me than all the ladies you can produce
+in this part of the country, or any other, no matter how beautiful
+they may be; and she's not bad looking either. Her parents took her to
+Europe for a little trip this spring, and Boston seemed so lonesome,
+that was the reason I came west."
+
+"Good for you, Ned, you have my best wishes," said Houston, shaking
+hands with his friend, "but really, you and Lyle had seemed so fond of
+each other's society lately, that I thought perhaps it was to be your
+destiny to rescue her from her unhappy fate."
+
+"Well, as to each other's society," said Rutherford, very slowly, "of
+late we have been restricted to that or none, for you and Miss Gladden
+have been growing so unconscious of us, that we've had to console with
+each other; but then, I understood how 'twas, for I've been there
+myself, you know, and I'm ready to offer congratulations and all that
+sort of thing, whenever they are in order."
+
+Houston appeared very unconscious of Rutherford's meaning, as he
+inquired, "How does Lyle herself regard your attentions? There must be
+no trifling with her, I have too much regard for her myself, for
+that."
+
+"Miss Maverick is not a girl to be trifled with," replied Rutherford,
+"I think a good deal of her, since I am better acquainted with her,
+and respect her and she knows it, but I think she realizes the sort of
+anomalous position that she occupies, and that is why I say I am sorry
+for her. She is far too brilliant for her surroundings, and yet not
+fitted for a much higher place."
+
+"Not at present," replied Houston, "but with her natural endowments
+and her innate delicacy and refinement, comparatively little training
+and culture would be necessary to fit her for almost any position in
+life."
+
+"I wonder what will be her fate."
+
+"Time will tell," replied Houston, who had his own plans.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+
+Houston had been called away to the office at Silver City, a telegram
+coming one afternoon for him to come down by the next train.
+Rutherford was at that time expecting to leave in a few days, to
+continue his pleasure trip to the coast, having already prolonged his
+stay among the mountains far beyond his first intentions; but at
+Houston's request, he agreed to remain over until the latter's return,
+which he expected would be in about ten days.
+
+A few days after Houston's departure, Lyle started out one afternoon
+for the little cabin, at an hour a little later than she went to
+pursue her studies, or for reading. She knew that at this time, Jack
+usually came off his shift, as he and Mike were expert miners, and
+always completed their task some time in advance of the others.
+
+She had not seen Jack since the visit of the party from the east,
+although she was at the cabin but a few evenings preceding that event,
+and had explained her long absence. Now she had special reasons for
+wishing to meet him, and she hastened on, hoping to find him alone.
+When she reached the cabin, Jack had just come from the mine, and
+Mike, fortunately, had gone down to the Y for needed supplies, and
+would not return for some hours.
+
+After talking a little while, Lyle skillfully brought the conversation
+around to Mr. Houston, and stated that he was in Silver City.
+
+"What is he doing there?" asked Jack, in a tone of surprise, "Is he
+going to remain there?"
+
+"No, he has gone over temporarily to assist the company in that
+office, as he said they needed extra help; he thought he would be back
+in about ten days."
+
+"He seems to make a very efficient clerk for the mining company," said
+Jack, with a peculiar emphasis which Lyle did not understand, but in
+which she detected a flavor of sarcasm.
+
+"He seems efficient in whatever he undertakes," she replied with a
+light laugh, "clerking, fighting or love-making, he is successful in
+all."
+
+"How has he succeeded in love-making?" asked Jack quickly.
+
+"Ask Miss Gladden," was Lyle's smiling rejoinder.
+
+"Is he really in love with her, do you think?"
+
+"Judging by indications, it is a case of genuine love on both sides,
+which, contrary to the old proverb, does run smoothly so far. I think
+they are engaged."
+
+"And you are left out in the cold?" asked Jack kindly, but watching
+her keenly.
+
+"You would not think so, if you could know how kind they are to me,"
+Lyle answered, "you and they are the only friends I have ever known."
+
+"How about Mr. Rutherford? Isn't he a friend of yours, too?"
+
+"Mr. Rutherford is a gentleman," she replied slowly, "he always treats
+me with respect, and we have very pleasant times together, but he
+never forgets that I belong to one station in life, and he to another.
+He is altogether unlike Mr. Houston and Miss Gladden; I wish you could
+know them, Jack, and that they could know you."
+
+"They probably have no desire to form my acquaintance, and I have no
+need to form theirs. It is rather late in the day for me to make
+friends now."
+
+"But Jack," said Lyle, in almost a pleading tone, "Miss Gladden wishes
+to meet you, and has repeatedly asked me to inquire if she might come
+and see you."
+
+"What is her motive for wishing to see me?"
+
+"I think because I have often spoken of you as my friend; then she
+said recently, that she would like, if possible, to take me east with
+her, and give me a musical education, and she would like to talk with
+you about it."
+
+"Has she or Mr. Houston heard you sing?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What did they say of your voice?"
+
+"Miss Gladden seems to think I have a wonderful voice, and Mr. Houston
+said he had heard but one like it in all his life."
+
+Jack had risen, and was looking out of the window, his back toward
+Lyle; after a few moments he spoke, in an unusually gentle tone.
+
+"You can say to Miss Gladden, that if she wishes to see me regarding
+you, she is welcome to come. Though I seldom receive callers, and have
+no wish to meet strangers, I am willing to meet a true friend of
+yours."
+
+"Then, under those conditions," said Lyle, with almost a tone of
+triumph in her voice, "you would meet Mr. Houston."
+
+"Why?" asked Jack, quickly, turning toward her.
+
+"Because he is my friend."
+
+Jack shook his head, and began pacing the room. "No," he said, as
+gently as ever, but very firmly, "I would rather not meet him."
+
+Lyle looked troubled. "Jack," she said earnestly, "you have always
+appeared rather peculiar regarding Mr. Houston; tell me candidly, are
+you his friend, or his enemy?"
+
+"Why!" he exclaimed in surprise, stopping before her, and looking into
+her earnest face, with a smile, "How should I be either? Am I not
+perfectly neutral? Are we not strangers?"
+
+Lyle shook her head decidedly. "I cannot say whether or not you are
+strangers, but you are not neutral toward him; I have seen all along
+that you have some strong feeling toward him, but whether of kindness
+or enmity, I cannot tell, but I must know."
+
+"Why must you know?" he asked, resuming his walk.
+
+"Perhaps I can tell you later," she replied, "but, as you are my
+friend, I must know whether you are, or will be, his friend, or his
+enemy."
+
+For some moments Jack was silent, and when he spoke his voice was full
+of some strong emotion:
+
+"My dear child, I have no reason for any enmity toward him, and if he
+is the true, honorable man that you think he is, God knows I would
+stand by him, even to death itself."
+
+"Then, if he was in difficulty or danger, and needed help, you would
+help him, would you not?" asked Lyle eagerly.
+
+"My child," he answered gravely, "you must explain yourself; you
+certainly can trust me. I promise you this, I will not harm him or
+betray him, whatever may be the difficulty."
+
+"You are sure there is no one to hear us?"
+
+"I will make sure," he answered briefly, and bidding the collie guard
+the outside door, he then closed the door between the two rooms, and
+sat down near Lyle.
+
+"You remember," she began, "the evening you passed our house?" He
+nodded. "Well, among the strangers there that night, were an English
+expert, Mr. Lindlay, and a Mr. Van Dorn, who, they said, was an
+inventor of some mining machinery. A little while after you passed, I
+took a book and went out by the lake to read, sitting down behind a
+thick group of small evergreens. I read as long as I could see, and
+then sat for some time, thinking, and watching the reflection of the
+moon in the lake. Then the moon went behind that tall peak, you know,
+across the lake, and it was quite dark; but I remained there thinking
+so deeply that, although for a few minutes I heard low voices talking,
+I paid no attention to it, supposing it was simply some people going
+up the mountain, till suddenly I was aroused by Mr. Houston's voice,
+only a few feet from me, saying in a low tone, 'There may be
+considerable danger ahead of us, but you are just the one I need, and
+you will be well compensated,' and Mr. Van Dorn answered, 'Hang
+compensation! if I can help you get the best of these rascals, I'm
+going to do it, just for the gratification of the thing,' and then I
+heard the Englishman, with his peculiar accent, saying something I
+couldn't quite catch, but it seemed to be to the effect that he would
+help Mr. Houston against what he called the 'domned scoundrels.'
+
+"At first, I wanted to leave, but I couldn't without their seeing me,
+and having to make explanations, and making it embarrassing all round;
+and then the thought flashed through my mind that Mr. Houston was a
+good friend of mine, and perhaps if I stayed, I might be able to help
+him if he should be in any danger later, as he spoke of, so I remained
+there.
+
+"I haven't time to tell you all I heard, but this is what I learned:
+He is not a clerk at all, but is out here in the interest of some rich
+company in the east, with which an uncle of his is connected. This
+eastern company have for some time suspected crooked work on the part
+of the company here, and he has come out in the capacity of bookkeeper
+and clerk to get all the information he can against them. He has
+obtained all the proofs he can get in this office, and said he was
+going over in a few days to the main office at Silver City,--and that
+is where he is now,--to see what he can find against them there. When
+he returns he is going to examine the mines that this eastern company
+own, as fast as he can get opportunities, and it seems this Mr. Van
+Dorn is a mining expert himself, though no one out here knows it, and
+when Mr. Houston is ready, he is to come out here with some of his
+mining machinery that he is going to set up in the mills, to show the
+company his new method of reducing ores, but his real object in coming
+will be to help Mr. Houston carry on his investigations against the
+company. Then, when they have obtained all the information and proof
+they need, they will telegraph Mr. Houston's uncle,--Mr. Cameron, I
+think was his name,--and he and the English expert will come out
+together, unexpectedly to the company, and I think they said they
+would prosecute the officers of the company for fraud."
+
+Jack's face was concealed with one hand, but Lyle could see that he
+had grown very pale, and beneath the heavy, black beard, his lips were
+moving under the influence of some deep emotion. She continued:
+
+"My reason for wishing to confide this to you was, that I heard Mr.
+Van Dorn ask Mr. Houston if there was any one among the miners whom
+he could trust to help them, as he said without the assistance of some
+one, familiar with the mines and their different workings, the
+undertaking would be much more difficult and dangerous; and I thought
+at once of you, Jack. You have often told me of the dishonesty and
+fraud practiced by the company, and said that you would like to see
+some of their schemes exposed, and I thought you would be just the one
+to help Mr. Houston, and no one would be likely to suspect you
+either."
+
+She paused a moment, then added, "He has enemies working against him,
+and he ought to have some one to help him."
+
+"Who are his enemies?" asked Jack.
+
+"Haight, for one, and my father and all the men that he can influence;
+and you know, that if they once suspected what he is doing, they would
+not hesitate, for one moment, to kill him."
+
+"They would not," said Jack, quietly but decidedly, "and among the
+mines it is a very easy thing to put a man out of the way."
+
+"Then you will look out for him, and help him, will you not?" said
+Lyle, rising to go.
+
+"Yes, child," he answered with unusual tenderness, "you do not know
+what you are asking, but since hearing what you have told me, no harm
+shall come to your friend that I can prevent, no matter what it costs
+me."
+
+"But Jack," said Lyle anxiously, going to him and laying her hands in
+his, "this will not put you in danger, will it? My idea was that you
+could give him information, and no one would ever suspect you; but you
+have been too true a friend to me, for me to put you in any danger."
+
+"You need have no fear," he answered, "I did not refer to any
+particular danger of that kind. I am only glad you have told me what
+you have. Had I learned it in any other way, I would have wished to
+help your friend. When he returns, say nothing to him of having asked
+me to help him; I will find him in my own way."  Lyle thanked Jack
+heartily, and as she looked up into his face, her beautiful eyes
+unusually bright, and her cheeks flushed with emotion, he seemed
+strangely touched, and bending over her, kissed her reverently on her
+forehead, for the first time in their acquaintance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+
+Nearly a week after the departure of Houston for Silver City, as
+Morgan was passing the sorting rooms one morning, on his way from the
+mines to the mills, he heard Haight calling him.
+
+"Hello, there, Morgan, the Sunrise deal is off."
+
+"Off? who says so? Got a wire from the boss?"
+
+"Yes, she just came, about fifteen minutes ago."
+
+"What's the matter? did the old man say?"
+
+"Nothing very definite; 'party writes property not satisfactory,'
+that's all he says."
+
+"Hang it! I should think it looked good enough for 'em. Well," he
+growled, "there's so much hard work gone for nothing," and thrusting
+his hands deeper into his pockets in his disgust, Morgan started on
+his way, but Haight detained him.
+
+"Hold on a minute; say, Morgan, you don't suppose that they caught on
+to our deal, do you? or that anybody put 'em onto it?"
+
+"Who was there to put 'em onto anything?" asked Morgan.
+
+"Oh, the confidential clerk, may be; he was on such good terms with
+Johnny Bull and the dude."
+
+Morgan shook his head. "He's too much of a sucker for the company, and
+knows too well which side his bread is buttered, for business of that
+kind."
+
+"I don't know about that," said Haight, "he's a dude and a tenderfoot
+himself, and likes to toady around with those eastern snobs; what else
+were they hob-nobbing with him for, if they didn't think they could
+get some information out of him? I've got my own ideas on that subject
+and I'm going to make some investigations, and if I find I'm correct,
+he'll find pretty quick where he will be; I've no use for him any
+way." "I haven't any more use for him than you have," answered
+Morgan, "but he ain't a very safe fellow to fool with now, I can tell
+you, and I don't think you want to run up against him yourself."
+
+"I don't know as I've said anything about running up against anybody,"
+said Haight, "that isn't my style, but I'll run him out of this
+country in one way or another, see if I don't."
+
+"You think you're pretty smooth," Morgan called over his shoulder, as
+he started for the mills, "and if you want to undertake the job, all
+right; for my part, I don't care to have much to do with him."
+
+Two or three evenings later, as Lyle sat in her favorite nook beside
+the lake, book in hand, watching for the return of Miss Gladden who
+had gone with Rutherford for a short row, she was much surprised to
+see Haight approaching, wearing his most ingratiating smile. For a day
+or two, he had, on several occasions, when unobserved by the others,
+treated her with a marked politeness intended to be very flattering,
+for the thought had occurred to him that possibly through her he might
+get some information regarding Houston.
+
+"Ah," he said now, seating himself at a little distance from her, and
+with a glance at the book which she had closed and laid aside, "I fear
+I have interrupted your reading."
+
+"I was not reading," she replied, "I was merely glancing over a book
+of Miss Gladden's while awaiting her return."
+
+For a few moments he talked in a light, frivolous manner, but Lyle,
+suspicious of some ulterior motive in his coming, did not respond very
+favorably to his efforts at conversation. At last he said, very
+pleasantly:
+
+"This is a favorite resort of yours, is it not, Miss Maverick?"
+
+"Yes, I come here frequently," she replied.
+
+"I judged so," he continued carelessly, "I saw you out here the
+evening the eastern party was at the house, and I remember the English
+expert and his friend took a walk in this direction, with Mr. Houston.
+I suppose they were talking over the mine they had looked at, and
+took Mr. Houston along thinking he might be able to give them any
+additional information they needed. I wonder what they thought about
+that mine," he added, watching Lyle, "I suppose you must have
+overheard some of their conversation."
+
+Lyle was not taken off guard, however, and answered indifferently, "I
+heard voices, but I was so absorbed in thought I paid little attention
+to them; it was some time before I even recognized them."
+
+"But you certainly must have overheard some of their conversation,"
+said Haight, in his smoothest tones, "can you not recall anything said
+about the mine?"
+
+"There was nothing whatever said about the mine," she replied, "and if
+there had been, I am not in the habit of listening to conversations
+and repeating them."
+
+"Of course not, under ordinary circumstances," Haight rejoined,
+smiling, "but you know 'all is fair in love and war' and in mining
+deals, and as I am interested in behalf of the company, and we
+have, as yet, heard nothing from the party, you see I naturally had
+a little curiosity regarding their conversation that evening. You
+are sure they said nothing of the mine, or that Mr. Houston gave
+them no information?"
+
+Lyle rose, her eyes flashing with scorn and indignation, as she
+replied, "Why should Mr. Houston give them any information? As I have
+told you, there was nothing said about the mine; so far as I could
+judge, the gentlemen were talking of their own personal affairs; and
+it is false that you have received no word from the eastern party, for
+I heard you and Morgan talking at the table yesterday of the deal
+having fallen through, and you suspect Mr. Houston of dishonorable
+conduct only because you judge every one to be like yourself," and
+without giving him opportunity to reply, she turned and walked in the
+opposite direction toward the boat which she saw approaching in the
+distance.
+
+Haight walked away toward the house, conscious that his interview had
+been a failure, but more than ever determined to work his revenge upon
+Houston, and upon Lyle also, when the right time came.
+
+Lyle determined, for the present, to say nothing regarding the
+interview, and met her friends without any allusion to what had just
+occurred.
+
+After assisting Miss Gladden ashore, Rutherford returned to the boat,
+while Miss Gladden and Lyle started homeward. The former could detect
+in Lyle's manner signs of unusual excitement, but asked no questions,
+as she did not think it best to force her confidence.
+
+"Lyle, when are you going to take me to call on your friend, Jack?"
+she inquired.
+
+"Any time you wish," Lyle answered, "I spoke to him the other day
+about your coming, and he said you would be most welcome."
+
+"Then he graciously consented to receive me! Very well, suppose we go
+now, it is not late."
+
+Arriving at the cabin, they found Jack and Mike sitting outside the
+door, watching the last fleeting colors of the gorgeous sunset. Miss
+Gladden was duly introduced, and invited within, and since the bashful
+Irishman could not be prevailed upon to enter the cabin, Jack
+entertained his guests alone.
+
+Miss Gladden, from Lyle's description of her friend, had expected to
+find in Jack a gentleman, but she was totally unprepared for the
+polished courtesy, the courtly ease and grace without a trace of
+self-consciousness or restraint, with which, though clad in rough,
+miner's clothes, he received her in the little cabin, and as she
+conversed with him, she found her respect for him increasing every
+moment.
+
+To Jack, isolated as he had been for years from refined, intellectual
+associations, it seemed like a glimpse into another, and not
+unfamiliar world, and the deference and respect expressed in Miss
+Gladden's manner were especially gratifying.
+
+Very easily Miss Gladden led the conversation, avoiding, with
+intuitive delicacy, all allusions to himself or his surroundings, till
+at last she said:
+
+"I have taken such an interest in my friend, Lyle, and she has so
+often spoken of your kindness to her, that I have wished to meet you,
+for I feel that in her welfare, we have a mutual interest."
+
+Jack smiled gravely, as he replied, "I have endeavored to help her as
+best I could under existing conditions, and notwithstanding the fact
+that the ways and means have been exceedingly restricted, she has
+proven herself an apt pupil, and has made good progress."
+
+"Indeed she has," said Miss Gladden, "and with her ability, it seems a
+pity that she should not have every possible advantage."
+
+"To me," he replied, "it seems a great pity that so much of her life
+has already been spent among such disadvantages, the greater part of
+the most valuable portion of her life wasted."
+
+"Not entirely wasted," said Miss Gladden, "for what you have taught
+her will be of inestimable value to her always."
+
+"Yes, indeed!" exclaimed Lyle, "what would my life have been without
+you?"
+
+"I have laid the foundation so far as I was able," said Jack, smiling,
+"but it was time, long ago, for the superstructure to be builded."
+
+"One reason why I wish to see you," continued Miss Gladden, "was to
+ask you what you would think of the feasibility of my taking Lyle east
+with me, when I return."
+
+"If you are willing to do that, Miss Gladden," said Jack, slowly, "I
+can see nothing in the way of its practicability except to gain the
+consent of Mr. and Mrs. Maverick, and that might prove a formidable
+obstacle."
+
+"He does not call them her parents," thought Miss Gladden, "does he
+know she is not their child?"
+
+Jack continued. "If it had not been for that difficulty, I would
+gladly myself have furnished the means for a moderate education for
+Lyle, but I knew Maverick's decided objection to her possessing even
+the most rudimentary knowledge. I am of the opinion also, though I may
+be in error, that he would not allow her to leave home."
+
+"You are right, Jack," said Lyle, "if I were to wait for his consent,
+I would never leave here, or have any advantages."
+
+"May I inquire," said Jack, addressing Miss Gladden, "at what time you
+expect to return east?" A faint color tinged Miss Gladden's cheek, as
+she replied:
+
+"I have not yet decided just when I will go east, but probably the
+latter part of the summer."
+
+"Ah, well," he answered, with a slight smile, "I hope that between now
+and that time, some arrangement can be made to Lyle's advantage; but
+if I may make any suggestion, it would be this; that nothing be said
+at present regarding this subject to either Mr. or Mrs. Maverick, as
+it would only arouse their opposition, and perhaps lead to some
+unpleasant results."
+
+After a few moments' further conversation, Miss Gladden thanked Jack
+for his kindness, and rose to go. At the door they found Mike, and
+while Lyle chatted merrily with the witty Irishman for a moment, Miss
+Gladden turned toward Jack, saying in a low tone:
+
+"I would like to have a talk with you regarding Lyle, some time when
+she is not present; may I come and see you by myself some day?"
+
+"Certainly," he responded, "I would be pleased to see you."
+
+For a moment, Miss Gladden stood in silent admiration, watching this
+man whose life seemed wrapped in so much mystery, while he replied to
+some laughing questions of Lyle's.
+
+He was, even now, a splendid specimen of manhood, although his
+shoulders were slightly stooped, and silver threads gleamed here and
+there in the black hair and beard, making him look older than his
+years. He had a face of remarkable beauty also,--with fine, clear-cut
+features,--though browned with exposure, and bearing the lines that
+only the fingers of sorrow can trace. His face did not resemble
+Houston's in the least, but something in his manner reminded Miss
+Gladden of her lover, and she watched him with a sort of fascination.
+
+As she and Lyle walked homeward together, the latter asked:
+
+"What do you think now of my friend, Miss Gladden?"
+
+And Miss Gladden replied thoughtfully, "I think, my dear, that he is
+one of earth's heroes."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+
+The ten days which Houston was to spend at Silver City had expired,
+and his work there was completed. He had followed much the same plan
+as in the office at the camp, doing the work of the company by day,
+and pursuing his own investigations at night.
+
+Mr. Blaisdell had at first objected to his working evenings, telling
+him the company had no wish to make a slave of him, but upon Houston's
+representing that it was an absolute necessity in order to accomplish
+the needed work within a given time, he allowed him to have his own
+way. He had been able to get together much additional proof regarding
+the fraudulent transactions of the company, even ascertaining in what
+direction much of the revenue due the New York company had gone.
+
+He was present when the company received the brief but pointed letter
+from Mr. Winters, in which he stated that the property shown them had
+not been what they were looking for, and that they had found something
+more satisfactory in another direction.
+
+"Well, Blaisdell," said Mr. Rivers, in his quick, incisive way, "I'm
+not in the least surprised."
+
+"Not surprised!" echoed Mr. Blaisdell, "Why not? I confess I'm
+surprised and disappointed."
+
+"It's just what I expected," again chirped Mr. Rivers, "just what I
+told you all along."
+
+"I knew you said you were rather suspicious just in the direction
+where I felt the surest of them."
+
+"Just so," said Mr. Rivers, "I said all along, 'those fish won't bite
+worth a nickel.'"
+
+"Well," said Mr. Blaisdell, with a heavy sigh, "all we can do is to
+try again."
+
+"And next time, I'd advise you to have a little more bait, or else
+don't tackle so big a fish."
+
+It was Houston's last evening in Silver City, and he sat in the hotel
+lobby reading letters which had just come from his uncle and Van Dorn,
+under cover from the Chicago firm, as usual.
+
+Mr. Cameron was delighted to have met Van Dorn and the Englishman, and
+had engaged both men to remain in New York, awaiting word from
+Houston, when he should be ready.
+
+The closing paragraph in Van Dorn's letter he read and re-read with a
+smile, it was so characteristic of his friend:
+
+  "I have had one of my machines carefully packed, and it now stands
+  addressed, ready to accompany me to your mining camp on short
+  notice, where I will show your people the latest method for the
+  reduction of ores; and if the mining company itself is not pretty
+  well reduced' before we get through, my name is not that of
+
+                                                Your friend,
+                                                  ARTHUR VAN DORN.
+
+  P. S. 'The mills of the gods grind slowly,
+        But they grind exceeding small.'"
+
+As Houston folded his letters, his attention was attracted by loud
+talk among a group of men in another part of the lobby. Sauntering in
+that direction, he heard an excited voice exclaim:
+
+"I tell you, they're the biggest frauds on the face of the earth. If
+there's a dishonest scheme, or a sharp, underhanded little game that
+they're not onto, I'd like to know what it is."
+
+"Which company do you mean?" inquired another speaker.
+
+"I mean the mining company represented by Rivers and Blaisdell, with
+old Wilson as a figure-head. I can't remember all their long-winded
+names, but the whole combination is rotten, from beginning to end,
+nothing but a set of lying, scheming, thieving rascals."
+
+"That's right," said an old gentleman who had not spoken before,
+"they're a tough lot."
+
+"Tough!" echoed the first speaker, "I should say so! One of their
+little games is to take charge of mining claims for eastern parties.
+The parties send on money for development work, but do you suppose it
+is used in developing the mines? Not much! By and by, the first these
+parties know, they have forfeited their claims through lack of
+representation, but don't you think the company are not watching out,
+ready to jump the claim the very day the time expires. Sometimes
+they'll hire some poor Swede to locate the claim for them, and then
+assign it to them for a trifle. In that way, I've heard of their
+getting possession of the same claim over and over again."
+
+"I've heard pretty hard stories about Blaisdell," said another, "but I
+guess he don't make much for himself, for as fast as he fleeces other
+people, Rivers fleeces him."
+
+There was considerable more talk in the same strain, but after the
+group had separated, Houston, who had learned the name of the
+principal speaker, approached him as he was standing alone, and said,
+in a low tone:
+
+"This is Mr. Hartwell, I believe; my name is Houston. Mr. Hartwell, I
+heard your remarks a little while ago concerning the North Western
+Mining Company and its officers. I am one of the clerks of that
+company, and I wish to know if you are prepared to substantiate the
+statements you have made here to-night."
+
+"Yes," the man exclaimed with an oath, "I'll substantiate every word
+I've said here to-night, and I can get you a dozen more that will tell
+you more about that company than I can."
+
+"Never mind about the others, for the present," replied Houston
+coolly, "what you have said to-night is likely to come to the ears of
+the company, and what I want to know is this; would you swear in court
+to what you have said here?"
+
+"I tell you," said Mr. Hartwell, with another oath, "I'll swear to it
+ten times over, and if I ever have a chance, I'll down you and your
+cursed company till you won't know that you ever existed," and then
+seeming to take Houston as the representative of the entire
+corporation, he poured upon him a torrent of vituperation and abuse
+which was very amusing to Houston, who was only thinking of securing
+a witness for the prosecution, by and by.
+
+"Well, Mr. Hartwell," he said at last, "you seem so anxious to express
+your feelings, we may give you an opportunity later. For the present,
+I wish you good evening," and he walked smilingly away.
+
+Mr. Hartwell looked after him in amazement; "By George!" he
+soliloquized, "but that fellow's a cool duck, anyhow! I couldn't faze
+him a particle."
+
+The next morning, Houston, in company with Mr. Blaisdell, took the
+early train for the mines. He could not help contrasting this with his
+first trip over the same road. Then, he was a stranger, with his
+entire work before him, uncertain of success in his undertaking; now,
+his preparatory work was nearly done, and though the most difficult
+part of his task yet remained, he felt that success was sure. But the
+contrast which to him seemed, most striking, was in his own feelings,
+for though conscious of enemies and having no knowledge of the friends
+ready to assist him, he yet felt a certain pleasure in returning to
+the mines, as though returning home; and he realized as never before,
+that hidden away in the heart of the mountains was the source from
+which henceforth must flow all his earthly happiness.
+
+Arriving at the office, they found no one there, and Houston
+immediately began an attack upon the work accumulated during his
+absence, while Mr. Blaisdell proceeded to the mills and mines.
+
+On his way he met Haight, and the subject of the unsuccessful mining
+deal was at once taken up.
+
+"They simply wrote that the property was not what they wanted, and
+that they had found what they were looking for elsewhere," said Mr.
+Blaisdell in explanation.
+
+"They seemed well enough satisfied when they were here," remarked
+Haight.
+
+"That was my impression," said Mr. Blaisdell, "but Rivers seems to
+think differently. He says he was suspicious of them all the time,
+because they said nothing one way or another, after seeing the
+property; but my impression was that they were very well pleased."
+
+"Certainly," answered Haight, who always made it a practice to have
+his opinions coincide with those expressed by the person with whom he
+happened to be talking, especially if it were for his interest to do
+so; "everything seemed satisfactory as far as I could judge. It is my
+opinion, Mr. Blaisdell, and has been for some time, that something
+must have been said by some one to prejudice those people against the
+mine; that is the only way I could account for the deal falling
+through as it did."
+
+"But who was there to say anything prejudicial? We were all interested
+in selling the mine."
+
+"I don't care to call any names, Mr. Blaisdell, but I don't think it
+best to take people into our confidence till we are pretty sure of
+them."
+
+"Oh, you allude to Mr. Houston, but you are mistaken there; why,
+Haight, that fellow is working for our interests, and he has saved the
+company considerable money already in the way he has straightened the
+books and detected crooked work; he's going to be invaluable."
+
+"He'll work for our interests just as long as it is for his interest
+to do so, but I imagine anybody could buy him off pretty easy. He's
+one of your swells; see how he dresses and what hightoned notions he
+has for a man in his position, and then tell me he wouldn't take a
+little tip on the outside if he got a chance."
+
+"I think you are mistaken," said Mr. Blaisdell slowly, "still, of
+course, there might be something in what you say; I'll think it over,"
+and the subject was dropped for that day.
+
+Houston was very busy until nearly noon, but left the office a little
+earlier than usual, as he was anxious to meet Miss Gladden a few
+moments in advance of the others, if possible.
+
+She was outside the porch, training some vines which she and Lyle had
+transplanted from among the rocks by the lake. Her back was toward the
+road, but hearing Houston's step, as he approached the house, she
+quickly turned, and in the depths of her luminous eyes he read a
+welcome that made his return seem more than ever like a home-coming.
+Clasping warmly the shapely little hand extended to him in greeting,
+he drew it within his arm, and having led her to a comfortable seat
+within the porch, he drew his own chair close beside her, where he
+could watch the lovely face, so classic and perfect in its beauty, and
+clothed, when animated, with a subtle, spirituelle radiance.
+
+"You are very welcome," said Miss Gladden, as he seated himself, "we
+will all have to celebrate your return, for we have missed you very
+much. Have you been well?"
+
+"Very well," replied Houston, smiling, "except for a touch of
+homesickness occasionally when I remembered our evenings among the
+mountains, or on the lake. It was fortunate that my evenings were so
+crowded with work, or the malady might have proved quite serious."
+
+"Our evenings have not been nearly so pleasant without you," said Miss
+Gladden, "we were all becoming frightfully dull and vapid, but I think
+we will now recover our spirits."
+
+"I have learned one thing," said Houston, "that it is not any
+particular place or surroundings that constitutes home for us, so much
+as the presence of those who are dear to us. Imagine how it would have
+seemed to me, three months ago, to have called this place 'home,' but
+it seems wonderfully home-like to me to-day."
+
+"As to what constitutes a home, I am scarcely qualified to judge,"
+said Miss Gladden, "for I hardly know what a home is; but my idea is,
+that any spot where my best loved ones were, would be home to me."
+
+"And with such sentiments as those," Houston responded, "you would
+make any spot on earth home to those whom you loved."
+
+"I should hope to," she replied, and added archly, "and if they loved
+me, I think I would succeed."
+
+"I fear," said Houston, smiling, "that we are very old fashioned and
+far behind the spirit of modern times, which considers love of small
+account in the elements that constitute a home."
+
+"I consider it an indispensable element, nevertheless," she replied,
+earnestly, "for I have seen too much of so-called homes where it did
+not exist, and they were not even successful imitations of the genuine
+article; their hollowness and wretchedness were only too apparent."
+She paused a moment, then continued:
+
+"To me, the home seems like one of the old-time temples; a place to be
+kept sacred to peace and purity and love; from which the sin and
+strife of the outside world should be faithfully excluded; whose
+inmates, on entering, should leave behind all traces of the evil and
+discord of the outer world, as the Oriental leaves his dust-laden
+sandals at the door of his sanctuary."
+
+"I have never known any other than such a home as that," said Houston,
+slowly, "and it is the only true home."
+
+"Pardon me," said Miss Gladden, "but are your parents living? I have
+often wondered."
+
+"No," he replied, "my parents died when I was a mere child, but the
+faint recollection of my early home, and the memory of my uncle's
+home, which has been mine also, correspond very closely with the
+picture you have just drawn."
+
+"Then with you it is a reality," she answered, "but with me, only an
+ideal."
+
+"Miss Gladden," said Houston very earnestly, but with great
+tenderness, "will you not let me help you to make a reality of your
+ideal?" Then, as she did not immediately reply, he continued, "The
+love that we believe in as the foundation of a true home, is not
+lacking on my part. I love you, Leslie, so much that life with you
+anywhere would seem perfect and complete, while life without you, even
+in a palace, would not seem worth the living. Can you love me enough
+to share my life and home, whatever it may be, as my wife?"
+
+He had taken her hand, and she did not withdraw it, but looking in his
+face, she asked:
+
+"Would you make me your wife, knowing so little of me as you do?"
+
+"I think I know enough," he replied, "I know that you are a pure,
+true-hearted woman; I know that whether you love me or not," her eyes
+dropped, "there is no one you love better than me; and though I do
+not know it, I am almost sure that you do care for me in some degree,
+am I not right?"
+
+She looked up into the face bending over her, and Houston read his
+answer in her eyes, and even had she tried to speak, he gave her no
+opportunity for doing so.
+
+"To think of your conceit!" exclaimed Miss Gladden, a few moments
+later, "in having the assurance to say that I cared for no one more
+than you, whether I loved you or not; how did you ever come to make
+such an assertion?"
+
+"Your eyes betrayed you," he answered, while she blushed, "they often
+tell tales, but I have noticed they always tell the truth, and I knew
+they would never have told me some secrets that they have, if there
+was any one else you cared for."
+
+The sound of approaching footsteps interrupted their conversation, and
+brought them back to the common, every-day affairs of life, and
+turning, they saw Rutherford coming up the path from the lake, where
+he had gone for a stroll.
+
+"Hello, Houston!" exclaimed the latter, catching a glimpse of his
+friend, "when did you come? Well, I'm awfully glad you've got back,
+we've missed you, old fellow, I can tell you."
+
+"Welcome home!" said a sweet voice, and Houston saw the starry eyes
+and golden crowned head of Lyle framed in the door-way, and hastened
+to greet her. She met him with a woman's grace, and with a child's
+affection looking frankly out of her lovely eyes. After his brief
+absence, Houston was impressed by her beauty as never before. "I
+didn't know the child was so beautiful," he thought to himself, "I
+believe she grows lovelier every day, and she reminds me strangely of
+some one I have seen long ago."
+
+"Oh, by the way," said Rutherford, as the friends seated themselves
+around the dinner table, "I've just received a letter from my brother,
+and he says he is coming out here."
+
+"Your brother!" exclaimed Miss Gladden and Houston, "What! coming here
+among the mountains?"
+
+"Yes," he replied, "he happened to be in New York when Van Dorn got
+back, and from his description of the place, and mine, he says he
+would like to see it. He is coming out to the coast by another route,
+and wants me to meet him in San Francisco, and then we will stop here
+on our return."
+
+"Then you are coming back again," said Miss Gladden; "that will be
+lovely, and we will be delighted to meet your brother with you."
+
+"Indeed we will," added Houston cordially, "what time do you expect to
+be here, Ned?"
+
+"My brother wants to get here, he says, in about six or eight weeks,
+so it will probably be some time in August."
+
+Lyle had said nothing, but had listened to the conversation, a
+thoughtful, far-away look stealing into her eyes; and the rest of the
+boarders arriving just then, nothing more was said on the subject.
+
+Haight greeted Houston with his usual smiling politeness, but Morgan
+looked sullen, and Mr. Blaisdell was gloomy and taciturn. Haight's
+influence was working, and he could afford to smile. Lyle was quick to
+note the situation, and also to detect in Haight's face an expression
+of ill-concealed triumph, and as their eyes met, he read that in her
+face that boded no good to himself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+
+Mr. Blaisdell having returned to the city that same day, everything
+went forward in the same regular routine as prior to Houston's
+absence, and evening found the four friends seated on the summit of an
+immense rocky pile, watching the grand and rugged scenery surrounding
+them illumined by the glowing colors of the sunset sky. They had been
+talking of Rutherford's intended trip to the coast, when Miss Gladden
+said:
+
+"Mr. Houston, how early can you join us to-morrow afternoon? We are
+going to have a little picnic party of four, in honor of your return,
+and also to give Mr. Rutherford pleasant memories of his last days
+among the mountains."
+
+"Oh," said Rutherford, "now I understand; I've wondered what you
+ladies were so mysterious about all day; you've been holding secret
+sessions and making cabalistical signs to each other all the
+afternoon. Well, as this picnic is partly on my account, I'm sure I
+feel flattered and shall be delighted to attend. Houston, old boy,
+when can we look for you?"
+
+"I think, considering the importance of the occasion, I can be ready
+to join you at three o'clock," replied Houston, while the ladies
+expressed their approval.
+
+"There seems to have been a great deal of mysterious consultation
+about this affair," remarked Rutherford, "what is the program for
+to-morrow?"
+
+"Well," said Miss Gladden, "for one thing, we must have plenty of
+music; have neither of you gentlemen any musical instruments with
+you?"
+
+"Not I," replied Houston, while Rutherford answered, laughing, "I have
+a banjo that I brought along to amuse myself with in case I got
+lonesome, but I've had no use for it so far, I've had such good
+company here."
+
+"A very graceful compliment, thank you," said Miss Gladden, smiling,
+"but bring the banjo by all means, we will have use for it to-morrow,
+and I have just thought of something else for the occasion,--but I'm
+not going to divulge all my plans, we must keep something for a
+surprise, mustn't we, Lyle?"
+
+Lyle laughed merrily; "I'm not going to tell a single plan of mine;
+you will all find when we reach the place, what a mountain picnic
+means."
+
+"But can we not even know where we are going?" asked Rutherford, with
+a tragic air.
+
+"You would not know if I should tell you," responded Lyle, "we are
+going to Sunset Park."
+
+"Sunset Park!" they exclaimed, "where is that?"
+
+"Is it in any way connected with the Sunrise mine of recent fame?"
+inquired Houston.
+
+"No," replied Lyle, "it is across the lake; you remember the landing I
+showed you among the rocks? You follow the broad trail leading up the
+mountains, and you will come to a beautiful plateau on the west side,
+as level as a floor,--but I'm not going to tell you about it, you must
+first see it for yourselves."
+
+The next morning, immediately after breakfast, while Houston still
+stood talking with Miss Gladden and Rutherford, the graceful form of
+Lyle suddenly darted past them, her face nearly concealed by an
+enormous sunbonnet.
+
+"Lyle, you gypsy, where are you going?" called Miss Gladden.
+
+For answer, she turned and waved her hand with a merry laugh, then
+ran, fleet-footed as a deer, to the edge of the lake, and unfastening
+one of the little boats, was in it and rowing out upon the lake as
+dextrously as a professional oarsman, before those watching her could
+even guess her intentions.
+
+"Great Cæsar! but that girl can row!" exclaimed Rutherford, with all
+the enthusiastic admiration of a newly graduated collegian.
+
+"Where is the child going?" asked Houston.
+
+"Probably to the picnic ground," said Miss Gladden, "but what for, I
+cannot imagine."
+
+The sunbonnet was waved saucily in the air, and then instead of
+steering for the landing place as they expected, the boat suddenly
+disappeared around a corner of the rocks, in the opposite direction,
+while there came ringing out on the air, in mocking tones, the words
+of the old song:
+
+                  "I saw the boat go 'round the bend."
+
+No one saw Lyle when she returned, a couple of hours later, and not
+even Miss Gladden knew that she was in the house until she made her
+appearance at the dinner table, with a very demure face, exceedingly
+pink fingers, and wearing an air of deep mystery that no amount of
+joking could diminish.
+
+After dinner, Lyle made two or three trips across the lake, carrying
+mysterious baskets and dishes. In one of these journeys she was
+intercepted by Miss Gladden, who was lying in wait for her, and who,
+tempted by the delightful aroma, lifted the cover of one of her
+dishes.
+
+"Strawberries!" she exclaimed, "and wild ones! Where did you get them,
+Lyle? They are the first I have seen out here."
+
+"They are the first that have ripened," she replied, "I went over to
+the gulch for them this morning, but don't say anything about them,"
+she added, as she stepped into the boat with her treasures, "I'm going
+to cache them until they are needed."
+
+"Going to do what?" said Miss Gladden.
+
+"Going to 'cache' them, hide them away among the rocks," she replied
+laughing, and, taking the oars, she was soon speeding across the
+lake.
+
+It was a merry party that started out two or three hours later.
+Houston carried the banjo, as Rutherford had his precious camera and a
+lot of plates, having declared his intention of immortalizing the
+occasion by taking a number of views for the benefit of their
+posterity. Miss Gladden had her guitar, and to the great astonishment
+of the gentlemen, Lyle appeared, carrying a fine old violin. It was
+Mike's, which she had borrowed for the occasion at the suggestion of
+Miss Gladden, and in reply to the expressions of wonder from the
+gentlemen, Miss Gladden said:
+
+"This is the surprise I planned for you, but wait till you have heard
+her; I never heard her myself until a day or two ago."
+
+With song and laughter they crossed the lake, and having reached the
+landing place among the rocks and fastened their boats, proceeded up
+the mountain. Here they found a flight of natural stone steps, at the
+head of which a broad trail wound around the mountain, until, having
+passed a huge, shelving rock, they suddenly found themselves on a
+plateau, broad, grassy, and, as Lyle had said, "as level as a floor."
+
+Groups of large evergreens afforded a refreshing shade. Underneath the
+trees an immense, flat rock, covered with a snowy table-cloth and
+trimmed with vines and flowers, gave hint of some of the more
+substantial pleasures to be looked for later. At a distance gleamed
+the silvery cascades, their rainbow-tinted spray rising in a perpetual
+cloud of beauty. Far below could be seen the winding, canyon road,
+while above and beyond, on all sides, the mountains reared their
+glistening crests against the sky.
+
+For a time they gave themselves up to the enjoyment of the scene,
+till, at Miss Gladden's suggestion, the tuning of the various
+instruments began, interspersed with jokes and merry, rippling
+laughter. Amidst the general merriment, Houston, with an air of great
+gravity, produced from his pocket the different parts of a flute,
+which he proceeded to fit together, saying:
+
+"When you were speaking last evening about the music for to-day I had
+entirely forgotten the existence of this flute, but after we went to
+our room, Ned persisted in practicing on that unmusical instrument of
+his, and in searching in my trunk for a weapon of self defense, I
+found this, and it answered my purpose so well then, I brought it with
+me to-day."
+
+The music was a success, and it seemed as though the musicians would
+never grow weary, but when, at Miss Gladden's request, Lyle sang
+"Kathleen Mavourneen," her sweet, rich tones blending with the wild,
+plaintive notes of the violin, her listeners again seemed entranced by
+the witchery of the music, as on the night when first they heard her
+sing, and were only aroused by the sound of hearty, prolonged cheering
+from the canyon below.
+
+Looking over the edge of the plateau, they discovered a party of about
+a dozen people, in a wagon drawn by six horses, who had stopped to
+listen to the music, and give their panting animals a chance to rest.
+Behind them was a line of three or four pack mules, laden with tents,
+cooking utensils and bedding.
+
+"A camping party!" exclaimed Lyle, "the first of the season; they are
+on their way to Strawberry gulch."
+
+On catching sight of the group above on the plateau, the ladies below
+began waving their handkerchiefs, and the gentlemen were loud in their
+cheers and calls for more music.
+
+"Give them another song, Miss Maverick," said Rutherford, "that is a
+decided encore."
+
+Once more raising her violin, Lyle sang "The Maid of Dundee," and
+never did song or singer meet with nobler applause, for the cheers
+from below in the canyon were joined with those from above on the
+plateau, and were echoed and re-echoed among the rocks, the last
+reverberations dying away and mingling with the roar of the distant
+cascades.
+
+As the camping party seemed in no haste to continue their journey,
+Miss Gladden with the gentlemen then came forward to the edge of the
+plateau, and all joined in singing a few familiar songs, some of them
+accompanied by the guitar and the violin, after which, the party in
+the canyon, with much waving of hats and handkerchiefs, and many
+cheers in token of their appreciation, passed on their way.
+
+After this little episode, a gypsy fire was kindled, and in a short
+time the rock table was spread with a dainty feast; chicken
+sandwiches, mountain trout, which Lyle had caught in the morning,
+delicately broiled, and the sweet, wild strawberries served in various
+ways, all equally tempting and delicious. After the feast, Houston
+proved himself an adept upon the violin, and he and Rutherford gave a
+number of college songs, and old plantation songs and dances,
+accompanied by the violin and banjo.
+
+At last, as the long, gray twilight was slowly deepening, and the
+stars silently marshaling their forces in the evening sky, the two
+boats drifted across the lake, only guided, not propelled, by the
+oars, and the air, for a while, was filled with song. As they slowly
+approached the shore, however, the singing gradually ceased. For a
+while Rutherford talked of the coming of his brother; then he and Lyle
+were silent, but from the other boat, at a little distance, came low,
+murmuring tones. They had just entered upon the first pages of that
+beautiful story, old as eternity itself, and as enduring; the only one
+of earth's stories upon whose closing page, as we gaze with eyes dim
+with the approaching shadows of death, we find no "finis" written, for
+it is to be continued in the shadowless life beyond.
+
+Rutherford was thinking of some one far away, under European skies,
+and wishing that she were present with him there, to make his
+happiness complete.
+
+And Lyle, with that face of wondrous beauty, yet calm and inscrutable
+as that of the sphinx, had any power as yet passed over the hidden
+depths of her woman's nature, and troubled the waters? Were those
+eyes, with their far-away look, gazing into the past with its strange
+darkness and mystery, or striving to pierce the dim, impenetrable veil
+of the future? No one could say; perhaps she herself was scarcely
+conscious, but as they landed, Miss Gladden noted the new expression
+dawning in her eyes, and as the friends and lovers separated for the
+night, each one avowing that day to have been one of the most
+delightful of their whole lives, she wound her arm about Lyle in
+sisterly fashion, and drew her into her own room. Lyle, as was her
+custom, dropped upon a low seat beside her friend, but was silent.
+
+"Are you looking backward or forward, to-night, Lyle?" asked Miss
+Gladden, taking the lovely face in both her hands, and gazing into the
+beautiful eyes.
+
+Lyle's color deepened slightly, as she replied:
+
+"I hardly know; it seems sometimes as if I were looking into an
+altogether different life from this, a different world from that in
+which I have lived."
+
+"How so, my dear?" inquired her friend.
+
+"I scarcely know how to describe it myself," she replied; then asked
+abruptly, "Miss Gladden, do you believe we have ever had an existence
+prior to this? that we have lived on earth before, only amid different
+surroundings?"
+
+"No," answered Miss Gladden, "I can see no reason for such a belief as
+that; but why do you ask?"
+
+"Only because it seems sometimes as if that were the only way in which
+I could account for some of my strange impressions and feelings."
+
+"Tell me about them," said Miss Gladden, interested.
+
+"They are so vague," Lyle replied, "I hardly know how to describe
+them, but I have always felt them, more or less. When I read of life
+amid scenes of refinement and beauty, there is always an indefinable
+sense of familiarity about it all; and since you and Mr. Houston have
+been here, and I have lived such a different life,--especially since
+we have sung together so much,--the impression is much more vivid
+than before; even the music seems familiar, as if I had heard it all,
+or something like it, long ago, and yet it is utterly impossible,
+living the life I have. It must have been only in my dreams, those
+strange dreams I used to have so often, and which come to me even
+now."
+
+"And what are these dreams, dear? You have never before spoken to me
+of them."
+
+"No," Lyle answered, "I have never spoken of them to any one; they
+have always been rather vague and indefinite, like the rest of my
+strange impressions and fancies; only they are all alike, it is almost
+precisely the same dream, no matter when it comes to me. There is only
+one feature that is very clear or distinct, and that is a beautiful
+face that is always bending over me, and always seems full of love and
+tenderness. Sometimes there are other faces in the background, but
+they are confused and indistinct,--I can only recall this one that is
+so beautiful. Then there is always a general sense of light and
+beauty, and sometimes I seem to hear music; and then it is all
+suddenly succeeded by an indescribable terror, in which the face
+vanishes, and from which I awake trembling with fright."
+
+"And you say you have had this dream always?" queried Miss Gladden.
+
+"Yes, ever since I could remember. I don't seem to be able to recall
+much about my early childhood, before I was five or six years old, but
+these dreams are among my earliest recollections, and I would
+sometimes awake crying with fright. After I met Jack, and he began
+teaching me, my mind was so taken up with study, that the dreams
+became less frequent, and for the last two or three years, I had
+almost forgotten them, till something seemed to recall them, and now
+it occurs often, especially after we have had an evening of song. I
+know I shall see that beautiful face to-night."
+
+"But whose face is it, Lyle?" questioned Miss Gladden; "surely, it
+must resemble some one you have seen."
+
+Lyle shook her head; "I have never seen any living person whom it
+resembled. That, together with all these strange impressions of which
+I have told you, is what seems so mysterious, and leads me to half
+believe I have lived another life, sometime, somewhere."
+
+Miss Gladden sat silently caressing the golden head. Her suspicions
+that Lyle had had other parents than those whom she knew as such, were
+almost confirmed, but would it be best, with no tangible proof, to
+hint such a thought to Lyle herself? While she was thus musing, Lyle
+continued:
+
+"What seemed to me strangest of all, is, that though I cannot remember
+ever seeing a living face like the one in my dream, I have seen what I
+believe is a photograph of it."
+
+"When? and where?" asked Miss Gladden quickly, hoping to find some key
+to the problem she was trying to solve.
+
+"A few weeks after your coming, and at Jack's cabin," Lyle replied.
+
+"Did Jack show you the picture?"
+
+"No, I do not know that he intended me to see it, but it was lying on
+the table that evening; I took it up and looked at it, but he did not
+seem to want to talk about it. I have never seen it since, and he told
+me that until that evening, he had not seen it for a long time."
+
+"And did you recognize it as the face of your dreams?"
+
+"Not then; it seemed familiar, but it was not until after I reached
+home that I remembered my dream, and from that time, the dream
+returned. I see the face often now, and it is just like the picture,
+only possibly a little older and sweeter."
+
+"And you have never spoken to Jack about the picture since?"
+
+"No, for I have not seen it, and he has never alluded to it. He
+admitted that evening it was the picture of some one he had loved
+dearly, and I have since thought perhaps he would rather I had not
+seen it."
+
+Miss Gladden was silent; her old theory regarding Jack's being the
+father of Lyle, seemed to her now more probable than ever. She
+believed the picture to be that of Lyle's own mother, who, it seemed
+evident, had lived long enough that her child remembered her in her
+dreams, though unable to recall her face at other times.
+
+Very tenderly she bade Lyle good-night, determined that her next call
+at the little cabin should be made as early as possible.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+
+Houston and Rutherford, on retiring to their room, after the breaking
+up of the picnic party, donned their slippers and smoking jackets, and
+having lighted their cigars, and slipped into the easiest possible
+attitudes, prepared to devote the next few hours to a confidential
+tete-a-tete. The next day Rutherford would start on his journey to the
+coast, and naturally there were many topics of mutual interest to be
+discussed on this, their last night together for a number of weeks.
+
+Houston felt that the time had come for taking Rutherford into his
+confidence regarding his own work and plans, for it was evident that
+Van Dorn had posted his brother, and Rutherford would soon learn the
+truth from him, if in no other way. For a while Rutherford talked of
+his brother.
+
+"I knew he was intending to come west this summer, and I expected to
+meet him in some of the cities along the coast, but I supposed he
+would return by one of the southern routes. I'm awfully glad he has
+decided to come back this way," he added, "for I would enjoy it of
+course, to come around and see you again, and then, I'd like to have
+you meet Mort. He and I are not a bit alike, but I think he's a
+splendid fellow, and I think you and he will like each other."
+
+"I haven't a doubt of it, Ned," Houston replied, with an air of
+confidence rather surprising to his friend; "in fact, I think I will
+be as glad to meet him as you yourself;" then, as Rutherford's eyes
+expressed considerable wonder at such unexpected cordiality, he
+continued:
+
+"I've been thinking, for some time, Ned, that the friendship you have
+shown for the low-salaried clerk and bookkeeper whom you met on your
+way out here, deserves some degree of confidence in return, and this
+evening seems to be the best time for giving you a little explanation
+regarding the man whom you have called your friend for the last few
+weeks."
+
+"Why, certainly, if you wish," Rutherford replied, with slight
+embarrassment, "but then, it isn't at all necessary, you know; that
+is, unless it is your choice, for your salary or your position doesn't
+cut any figure with me. Whatever your circumstances may be, I know as
+well as I need to know that you are a gentleman; anybody can see that,
+and I have told my brother so."
+
+"I am much obliged to you, Ned," Houston answered, with difficulty
+restraining a smile, "but I am going to begin by saying that your
+brother knows me a great deal better than you do."
+
+Rutherford's face expressed so much astonishment, that it resembled
+nothing so much as an exaggerated exclamation point. Houston
+continued:
+
+"I have never in my life known what it was to have an own brother, but
+the one who for many years has held that place in my heart is Morton
+Rutherford, and I think he will tell you that of all his class mates,
+there was not one with whom he was upon more intimate, confidential
+terms, than Everard Houston, of New York."
+
+"Everard Houston! Great Scott!" exclaimed Rutherford, springing to his
+feet, "why I remember that name well; he was Mort's best friend. You
+don't mean to say you are the same? Why, I thought you said you were
+from Chicago!"
+
+"I was from Chicago, when you met me," answered Houston, smiling, "but
+I had come from New York less than ten days before."
+
+"Well, by Jove!" said Rutherford, walking up and down the room, "I am
+floored completely! If you had once said you were from New York, I
+might have suspected who you were, but Chicago! and then," here he
+stopped and gazed at his friend with a comical look of perplexity,
+"why, Everard Houston was the nephew and adopted son of W. E.
+Cameron."
+
+"Certainly," assented Houston.
+
+"Well then, what in thunder,--if I may ask the question,--are you
+doing out here with this confounded Buncombe-Boomerang mining
+company?"
+
+"That is just what I wished to tell you to-night," Houston replied,
+"but we must talk low, for walls sometimes have ears," and placing a
+chair for his friend near his own, he proceeded to tell him of his
+object in coming out to the mining camp, of the work which he had
+accomplished, and of his plans for what yet remained to be done.
+Rutherford listened with much interest, deepening into admiration for
+his friend.
+
+"And now," said Houston, in conclusion, "you will see why I could not
+very well reveal my identity to you when we first met. I knew you as
+soon as I saw your card, but I was a stranger in this part of the
+country, with a certain role to play, uncertain of success, and, not
+knowing what difficulties or obstacles I might meet, thought there
+would be less danger of unexpected complications, if you thought me
+just what I appeared to be."
+
+"You thought about right, too," said Rutherford, "for I'm awfully
+careless about anything of that kind, always putting my foot in it,
+you know; and I don't see how you ever could come out here, a perfect
+stranger, and carry everything along as smoothly as you have. Well, I
+remember I was awfully mixed there on the train, when you told me you
+had come out here to work for that company, for I thought all the time
+that if you were not a gentleman, then I never saw one; and it's lucky
+I did have sense enough to think of that, or I might have made a
+confounded chump of myself."
+
+"You would have cut me, would you?" asked Houston, laughing, "I was
+looking out for that, and would have considered it a rich joke if you
+had."
+
+"Rather too rich, I should say," said Rutherford, coloring. "Mort has
+always ridiculed me for that sort of thing, and told me I'd make a
+precious fool of myself some day; I don't intend to be snobbish,
+though he says I am, but that's just my way somehow, unless I happen
+to like a person. Mort is different from me; he will get along with
+all sorts of people, you know, but I never could."
+
+"You are all right," answered Houston, "you are a little conscious of
+your blue blood now and then, but as you grow older you will think
+less about that, and you have as good a heart as Morton, when a person
+is fortunate enough to find it."
+
+"Say," said Rutherford, suddenly, "if you and Mort were class mates,
+you must have known Van Dorn."
+
+"Certainly," said Houston, smilingly watching the blue coils of
+smoke from his cigar, "and when I first saw him with the Winters
+party, I knew my little game was up, unless I got my work in very
+expeditiously," and he described the little pantomime which took
+place in the office shortly after Van Dorn's arrival, much to the
+amusement of Rutherford, who exclaimed:
+
+"Great Scott! but you fellows played that game well, no one ever would
+have dreamed that you had known each other."
+
+Houston then told of the plan for Van Dorn's coming in a few weeks,
+and later, for the arrival of Mr. Cameron with Lindlay.
+
+"Oh," Rutherford exclaimed, "now I see why Mort is so anxious to get
+here at just about a certain time; he knows all about this, and wants
+to be in at the death himself; well, that suits me exactly. But say,
+old fellow, isn't this going to be a pretty nasty piece of business
+for you about that time?"
+
+"It would be if any one should get hold of this before the right time
+comes, but I do not anticipate any trouble, because I intend to be so
+guarded that nothing regarding my work will be known or suspected
+until my uncle is here, and we have them securely trapped.
+
+"It will require a cool head and a level one to carry this thing
+through, and accomplish what you have undertaken," said Rutherford
+thoughtfully, as he took one or two turns up and down the room, "and I
+guess you are the right one for the work. Van Dorn will be just the
+one to help you, too, he's pretty cool and quick-witted himself, but I
+should think you would both need a third party, somebody who has been
+on the ground for a long time and who understands all about the
+working of these things."
+
+"It would be of great assistance to us, and I intend to keep a
+look-out, and if it is possible to find such a person, and one whom we
+can trust at the same time, I shall secure him."
+
+"Well, I'm sure I wish you success, and I shall be anxious to hear
+from you while I'm gone, and know how you are coming on."
+
+They smoked silently for a few moments, then Rutherford said:
+
+"By the way, Houston, how about the congratulations I told you some
+time ago I was ready to offer whenever the occasion required; are they
+in order now? or shall I reserve them until my return?"
+
+"They are in order whenever you choose to offer them," Houston replied
+quietly.
+
+"Indeed! well, I'm glad to hear it, I thought it about time. I
+congratulate you most heartily, and tender you both my sincerest
+wishes for your happiness. I tell you what, old fellow, I think you've
+found a splendid woman, and I think, too, that you are wonderfully
+suited to each other. Seems strange, doesn't it? to think of a pair
+like you two, finding each other in a place like this!"
+
+"It is rather unusual, I admit," said Houston.
+
+"Yes," added Rutherford, "taking into consideration all the
+surroundings, and the why and wherefore of your coming here, I think
+it borders on the romantic."
+
+A moment later he asked, "Does Miss Gladden know what you are doing
+out here?" Houston shook his head, in reply.
+
+"Doesn't she know who you really are?"
+
+"Not yet," Houston answered, "no one out here knows any more about
+that than you did two hours ago."
+
+"Whew!" said Rutherford, "she will be slightly surprised when she
+finds that old Blaisdell's clerk and bookkeeper has a few cool
+millions of his own, won't she?"
+
+"I hope she will not object to the millions," said Houston with a
+smile, "but I have the satisfaction of knowing that they were not the
+chief attraction; she cares for me myself, and for my own sake, not
+for the sake of my wealth, and I am just old fashioned enough to
+consider that of first importance."
+
+"And when will she learn your secret? not until the closing scene of
+the last act?"
+
+"I cannot tell just when," Houston answered, "that will of course
+depend a great deal upon circumstances."
+
+Rutherford then became confidential regarding his own hopes for the
+future, and gave Houston a description of his fiancee, and a brief
+history of their acquaintance and engagement.
+
+"Grace is all right," he said in conclusion, "but her father is
+inclined to be a little old-fogyish, thinks we are too young for any
+definite engagement, and wants me to be permanently established in
+some business before we are married, and all that; when I can't see
+what in the deuce is the difference so long as I have plenty of stuff.
+So the upshot of it all was that he and his wife took Grace to Europe,
+and they're not coming back until the holidays, and if, by that time,
+we have neither of us changed our minds, and I am settled in business
+and all that sort of thing, we can be married. There's no danger of
+our changing our minds, so that's all right, but I declare I don't see
+the use of a fellow's tying himself down to some hum-drum business,
+when there's no need of it."
+
+"It isn't a bad idea though to find some business for which you are
+adapted, and stick to it," was Houston's reply; "that was the advice
+my uncle gave me when I returned from college, and he offered me the
+choice of going into business with himself, or selecting something
+else that I liked better."
+
+"Grace's father wants me to go in with him, but excuse me; if I went
+into business with any one, it would be somebody nearer my own age,
+where I'd have about as much to say as the other fellow, not an old
+man, and my father-in-law, in the bargain."
+
+"You may find something you will like, within the next few months,"
+said Houston, with a peculiar smile; "By the way, Morton used to say
+he was going to stick to journalistic work; how is he succeeding?"
+
+"Splendidly; you know he is one of the associate editors of the
+Dispatch, then he contributes regularly to several of the leading
+magazines, and lately he has some work of his own on hand besides, a
+work on some sort of scientific research: yes, he has succeeded
+well."
+
+So long did their conversation continue, that when they at last went
+to rest, it was nearly time for the surrounding peaks, standing like
+huge sentinels against the dark, eastern sky, to catch the first faint
+flush of the approaching day.
+
+They were a little late in making their appearance in the breakfast
+room. Miss Gladden and Lyle were awaiting them, but the others had
+gone. There was time for only a hasty breakfast before the team, going
+to the Y for supplies, which had been engaged to take Rutherford to
+the morning train, was at the door.
+
+"Well," said the latter, having seen his baggage safely aboard,
+including the familiar square case containing his precious cameras,
+"I've had a delightful time here, and I'm awfully glad I'm coming back
+again."
+
+"So are we, Mr. Rutherford," said Miss Gladden, "and we will be very
+glad to welcome your brother also, and do all in our power to make his
+visit a pleasant one."
+
+"It is doubtful whether he will ever want to leave here," Rutherford
+responded, "for he appreciates anything of this kind even more than I
+do. He'll grow wild over these mountains. Well, Miss Maverick," he
+continued, shaking hands with Lyle, "I thank you for all you've done
+to make my visit so pleasant, and I'm glad that we will only say
+good-bye for a little while."
+
+"I am also," she replied, "and I wish you a pleasant journey and a
+speedy return."
+
+"This is not 'good-bye,' Mr. Rutherford," said Miss Gladden, extending
+her hand, "it is only 'au revoir.'"
+
+"That is right," he answered, then added in low tones, "Miss Gladden,
+I have already congratulated Mr. Houston, and I hope you will accept
+my congratulations and best wishes also. I think almost as much of him
+as of my own brother, and I could not wish either of you any happier
+fortune than I believe you will find in each other."
+
+In a few moments Houston and Rutherford were riding rapidly down the
+canyon. At the office, where Houston had to prepare some orders for
+the driver, he and Rutherford took leave of each other.
+
+"Be good to yourself, old fellow," said Rutherford, "and keep us
+posted just how you are coming on; and say," he added, lowering his
+voice, "I'll keep you posted of our whereabouts, and if anything
+should happen, and you need help, wire us and we'll be here by the
+next train; you can count on two brothers now, instead of one, you
+know."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+
+A day or two after the departure of Rutherford, Miss Gladden, having
+learned from Lyle at what hour Jack usually completed his day's work,
+set forth upon her visit to the cabin. She felt that her errand might
+prove embarrassing both to Jack and herself; she wished to obtain some
+clue regarding Lyle's parentage; at least, to learn what his
+suspicions, or possible knowledge might be concerning the matter, and
+taking into consideration the contingency that she might be his own
+child, whose existence he had kept secret for reasons of his own, it
+was a subject which would require very delicate handling.
+
+She found Jack at the cabin, and alone, and his courteous greeting,
+containing less formality and more cordiality and friendliness than
+on the former occasion, made her task seem far less difficult. He
+ushered her into the pleasant little sitting-room, and she noted
+even more particularly than on her former visit, the exquisite
+taste betrayed, not only in the furnishings of the room, but in
+their very arrangement.
+
+After chatting a few moments regarding the little circle of friends at
+the house, in whom he seemed to take more interest than she would have
+expected from a man of his secluded life, the conversation naturally
+turned to Lyle, and Miss Gladden said:
+
+"I have wished to see you regarding her because you seem to be the
+only one among those living here who appreciates her ability, or
+cares for her welfare; and you have known her and her surroundings so
+long, I believed you could give me some suggestions and advice
+regarding what is best to be done for her, even now, while she remains
+here."
+
+"I have taken a great interest in the child ever since I have known
+her," Jack replied, "and I am only too glad that she has found another
+friend, and that friend a lady; and if I can assist, by suggestion or
+otherwise, I shall be most happy to do so."
+
+"I asked your opinion the other evening," continued Miss Gladden, "as
+to taking her east with me, but there were other matters pertaining to
+her welfare, on which I wished your opinion and advice, but I could
+not so well speak of them before her, so I asked for this interview."
+
+Miss Gladden hesitated a moment, almost hoping that Jack might make
+some remark which would give her a cue as to the best method for her
+to pursue in seeking the information she desired, but his attitude was
+that of respectful attention, and he was evidently waiting for her to
+proceed.
+
+"I have felt attracted toward Lyle from the first," she began slowly,
+"not alone by her wondrous beauty and grace of manner, but even more
+by her intelligence and intellectual ability, her natural refinement
+and delicacy, which, considering her surroundings, seemed to me simply
+inexplicable. From the very first, she has been to me a mystery, and
+as I become better acquainted with her, the mystery, instead of being
+lessened, is only deepened."
+
+She paused, but he offered no comment, only bowed gravely for her to
+continue.
+
+"I could not, and I cannot yet, understand how one like her could ever
+have been born, or could exist in such surroundings as hers; and the
+fact that she has existed here, her beautiful nature untainted,
+unsullied by the coarseness, the vulgarity and the immorality about
+her, to me seemed an indication that she was of an altogether
+different type, born in another and far higher sphere. I saw she was
+unhappy, and I determined to win her confidence, and in so doing, from
+a vague suspicion I have gradually arrived at a firm conviction that
+Lyle is not the child of those whom she calls her parents."
+
+Jack manifested no surprise, neither was there anything in his manner
+to indicate that this was a subject upon which he had any knowledge.
+He simply asked very calmly,--almost indifferently it seemed to Miss
+Gladden,--
+
+"Have you discovered any direct evidence in support of this conviction
+that she is not their child?"
+
+"No tangible evidence," replied Miss Gladden, "nothing, of course,
+that could be called proof, but there are what I consider very strong
+indications."
+
+"Are the indications on Lyle's part, or on the part of Mr. and Mrs.
+Maverick?" inquired Jack.
+
+"On both sides," replied Miss Gladden, "I have very little to say
+regarding Mrs. Maverick; she is a kind-hearted woman, and seems to
+treat Lyle with consideration and some degree of affection; there is
+very little of the latter, but perhaps it is all of which she is
+capable, for I should think life with that brute would quickly crush
+out all the affection, if not all the intelligence, in a woman's
+nature; but the neglect and ill treatment of Maverick himself towards
+Lyle surely indicate that she is no child of his."
+
+"Your remark regarding Mrs. Maverick might be still more applicable to
+him, that he is incapable of anything like affection or kindness."
+
+"Of course he is," replied Miss Gladden quickly, "but I can not
+conceive of a man being quite so low as to be without even animal
+instincts; I cannot believe that a father would insult and degrade his
+own daughter as he has Lyle, and as he would continue to do, if he
+were not restrained through fear of his wife."
+
+For the first time, Jack started. "Fear of his wife, did you say, Miss
+Gladden? Pardon me, but I think that brute fears neither God, man nor
+devil, and how you can assert that he is in fear of his wife, whom he
+has always abused mercilessly, I cannot imagine."
+
+"It is a fact, nevertheless; for one morning after he had been
+exceedingly abusive and insulting in his language toward Lyle, Mrs.
+Maverick told her that he was, in some way, in her power, and that it
+should never occur again; and it never has."
+
+Jack rose, and began to pace the room.
+
+"Did you hear her say that, Miss Gladden?"
+
+"No, Lyle told me of it."
+
+"Had Lyle any idea of what she meant by it?"
+
+"She did not seem to have; nothing was ever said regarding that phase
+of the subject; she only seemed relieved that Mrs. Maverick promised
+to prevent a repetition of her father's abuse of her."
+
+Jack seated himself. "You spoke of some reasons on Lyle's part for
+your conclusions; what were they?"
+
+Miss Gladden then told him of Lyle's strange impressions and of her
+dream, but made no allusion to the photograph, wishing to reserve that
+until later.
+
+Jack looked thoughtful. "I wonder that she has never spoken to me
+regarding this dream," he said at length.
+
+"She told me she had not had the dream so often since having been
+occupied with her studies and reading, probably that accounts for her
+not speaking of it; lately she says it has returned."
+
+Both were silent for a while, then Miss Gladden asked:
+
+"Do you not think these dreams and impressions are indications of an
+early life, far different from this?"
+
+"I do," he replied gravely.
+
+"That was my opinion," then, determined to get some expression from
+him, she continued:
+
+"I am so attached to her, so desirous, if possible, to rescue her from
+this wretched life, that I am anxious to get some clue as to her true
+parentage; that is why I have come to you, her friend. I thought
+possibly you might be able to aid me in getting some evidence, or some
+information regarding her early history."
+
+Miss Gladden was watching Jack keenly, to note if her words produced
+any effect on that immobile face. She was not disappointed: he
+started, almost imperceptibly, and as he fixed his dark eyes upon her
+own, she noticed, as never before, how keen and piercing, and how
+eloquently beautiful they were. Miss Gladden's eyes did not drop
+before his searching gaze; she was determined that he should read
+only sincerity and candor in their depths, and make his answer
+accordingly. When he spoke, his voice was unlike its usual smooth,
+even tone; it was tender and deep, full of some strange emotion, and
+reminded her wonderfully of her lover.
+
+"Miss Gladden, may I ask,--for I believe you will answer me truthfully
+and candidly,--what ever led you to suppose that I could give you any
+information regarding Lyle's early history?"
+
+"I will answer you candidly, as you wish," she replied; "the thought
+first occurred to me of coming to you for advice regarding Lyle,
+simply because I regarded you as her best friend, in fact, until I
+came, her only friend. Then a remark accidently dropped by Lyle, as to
+what you had once said of her singing, that it reminded you of but one
+voice which you had heard, but that you did not like to hear her, led
+me to think that perhaps she was in some way connected with some one
+you had known, and that possibly that was the reason for the special
+interest you took in her welfare.
+
+"Then there was something more, in connection with her dream," and she
+told him how Lyle had at last identified the pictured face which
+seemed so familiar to her, as the dream-face of her childhood, and how
+immediately after the dream had returned.
+
+"After she told me this," continued Miss Gladden, "you will see that I
+naturally concluded that the face was that of her mother; that her
+mother, her parents, and probably her early life were known to you;
+and I will frankly admit, that except that it seemed incredible that
+you would allow her to remain in these surroundings, if my hypothesis
+were correct, I would have believed that you were her father, and that
+grief from bereavement or separation, had caused you to choose this
+life for yourself and her."
+
+Jack had again risen and was slowly pacing the room. Miss Gladden
+could read no sign of displeasure in his face, though she detected
+indications of some powerful emotion, and of acute suffering. He
+seemed battling with old-time memories, and when at last he seated
+himself and began speaking, there was a strange pathos vibrating
+through the forced calmness of his voice, and the piercing eyes, now
+looking so kindly into her own, had in their depths such hopeless
+sadness, that Miss Gladden's heart was stirred by a pity deeper than
+she had ever known, for she instinctively felt that she was in the
+presence of some great, despairing sorrow.
+
+With a smile of rare sweetness and beauty, he said: "Your candor and
+frankness deserve confidence in return, and I will give it so far as
+it is within my power to do so, and yet I fear that you will be
+disappointed. Your surmises are incorrect in many respects, and yet
+contain a great deal of truth, and I will try, so far as possible, to
+be as frank with you as you have been with me. In the first place, I
+must say to you, that regarding Lyle's true parentage, whether or not
+she is the child of the Mavericks, I know, positively, nothing more
+than do you, yourself."
+
+He smiled as he noted Miss Gladden's look of astonishment, and
+continued:
+
+"Like you, I have my suspicions that she is not their child, and have
+had them since first seeing her, years ago. As in your case, my
+suspicions long ago changed to conviction, and my convictions are
+probably even deeper than yours, for the reason, that in form, in
+feature, in voice and manner, in every expression and gesture," his
+voice trembled for an instant, but he controlled it, "she is the exact
+counterpart of another; some one whom I knew in a life as remote, as
+far from this as it is possible to conceive. But I have no direct
+proof, not a shadow of tangible evidence with which I could confront
+Maverick and denounce him with having stolen the child, and, knowing
+him as I do, I know that for Lyle's sake, until I have some such
+proof, it were better to remain silent."
+
+"Pardon me for interrupting you," Miss Gladden exclaimed, "but that is
+a contingency that never entered my mind, that Lyle had been stolen
+from her parents! That is far worse than anything I had dreamed of."
+
+"Nevertheless, if she is not their child, she was stolen, and just in
+proportion as the former is improbable, the latter is probable, almost
+certain. You will now see wherein your supposition that my interest in
+her was due to her connection in my mind with some one I had formerly
+known, was correct. I took a special interest in her for this reason;
+it was a pleasure to teach her, to note her mind expanding so rapidly,
+to watch her as she developed physically and mentally; every day
+growing more and more like the one I had known. I enjoyed tracing the
+resemblance day by day, though it often caused me almost as much pain
+as pleasure,--but when I heard her sing, that was too much,--it was
+more than I could bear,--it was like compelling some lost soul in
+purgatory to listen to the songs of paradise."
+
+There was a tremor in Jack's voice, and he paused, touched even more
+deeply by the sympathetic tears glistening in the beautiful eyes full
+of such tender pity, than by the bitter memories passing before his
+own mind.
+
+"What has perplexed me most," he continued, "is the fact that Lyle has
+seemed unable to recall anything relating to her early childhood. I
+have tried in every way to arouse her memory, and that was my chief
+object in allowing her to see the photograph of which she told you;
+but, as she often says, the first few years of her life seem to be
+only blank. I cannot account for that."
+
+"Still," said Miss Gladden, "these dreams of hers show that there are
+memories there, and something may yet recall them to her mind."
+
+"That has been my hope," he replied, "that is what I have been waiting
+for all these years, for her mind to recall some incident, or some
+individual, that would furnish the needed proof as to her parentage."
+
+"Do you think," asked Miss Gladden, after a pause, "that it would be
+wise to give Lyle a hint of our suspicions?"
+
+"I have thought it might be well, if possible, to arouse her own
+suspicions by some process of reasoning on her part, not by any
+suggestions of ours."
+
+"May I inquire whether those whom you consider her true parents are
+still living?"
+
+"They both died many years ago."
+
+"Then, if her identity could be proven beyond a doubt, would there be
+any one to give her such a home as she ought to have?"
+
+"Yes, there are those who would be only too glad to give her such a
+home as very few have the good fortune to possess."
+
+"And have they never made any inquiry for her?" Miss Gladden asked in
+surprise.
+
+"They have no idea that she is living; her parents died under peculiar
+circumstances, and she was supposed to have died at the same time."
+
+"Then ought we not," said Miss Gladden thoughtfully, "both for her
+sake and theirs, to let them know that she is living, and help them to
+find her?"
+
+"Unless they could see her for themselves," he replied, "they would
+probably be rather skeptical, and require very positive proof
+regarding her claims, they have believed her dead for so many years.
+But even though I may have known Lyle's mother, I am not in
+communication with her friends, and would not be the proper person to
+present her claims to them."
+
+For a few moments, Miss Gladden sat silently watching the play of the
+light and shade on the mountain side across the ravine, opposite the
+cabin, as the shadows cast by the light, floating clouds, followed
+each other in rapid succession.
+
+Jack seemed to be thinking deeply, and when he at last spoke, it was
+with great deliberation:
+
+"For a long time, as I have become more and more convinced of Lyle's
+identity, I have been anxious to have her taken away from these
+surroundings, and placed in the home to which I believe she has a
+right; but without tangible evidence with which to establish her
+claims, and also to prove Maverick's guilt, I could think of no
+feasible plan, nothing that did not seem likely to result in failure,
+and leave Lyle possibly in a worse condition than at present. I will
+now say to you, Miss Gladden, in confidence, that I think before very
+long, the way will be opened for Lyle to find the home and friends
+that I consider are really hers. Through information given me in
+confidence, I have learned that some of those whom I believe to be
+most closely related to her and who would be most interested in her,
+did they know of her existence, will in all probability be out here on
+business this summer; if they do not recognize Lyle, I shall be
+greatly disappointed."
+
+Miss Gladden's face expressed the delight she felt. "Is it possible?"
+she exclaimed, "Why, I cannot conceive of anything lovelier! If she
+has been stolen all these years, and her people unconscious of her
+very existence, to have them appear on the scene, and recognize and
+claim her, will seem like a beautiful bit of fiction interwoven in our
+prosaic, every-day life, or like the closing scene in some drama,
+where the wrongs at last are all made right. To think what happiness
+it will bring to them, to her and to us!"
+
+Jack's face grew strangely serious. "I shall be glad for her sake;" he
+replied, then added: "Sometimes, Miss Gladden, wrongs are righted only
+at a terrible cost, and what seems to you like the closing of a
+peaceful drama, may prove a tragedy to those who are concerned in
+it."
+
+Then, before she could reply, he said, in a different tone, as though
+to change the conversation:
+
+"It will not be best to mention what I have told you to any one; there
+is no knowing what course Maverick might pursue if he had a hint of
+it, for he is a desperate man; but if there is any way in which Lyle's
+mind could be carried back and made to recall something of her past
+life, I wish it might be done."
+
+Miss Gladden had risen, preparatory to taking leave. Having given a
+searching glance around the room, she turned toward Jack, saying
+wistfully:
+
+"Am I asking too much? Could I see the photograph which you allowed
+Lyle to see?"
+
+For an instant Jack hesitated; then he replied, "I am willing you
+should see it, but you must not expect me to say anything concerning
+that picture or myself. I have spoken to you in confidence regarding
+Lyle, but I can go no further."
+
+"I will not ask it," she replied.
+
+Without a word, he went to a small trunk, concealed by a fine
+bear-skin, and taking therefrom the picture, silently handed it to
+Miss Gladden.
+
+She uttered a low cry of surprise, and then stood for some time
+intently studying the lovely face in every detail. When she returned
+the picture to Jack's hands, there were tears in her eyes, as she
+exclaimed, "How beautiful! and how like Lyle!"
+
+"I hoped she would see the resemblance," he replied.
+
+"It seems almost incredible that she did not," answered Miss Gladden,
+"except for the fact that she has the least self-consciousness of any
+one I ever saw; it is doubtful if she would recognize her own
+picture."
+
+For a long time Jack stood watching Miss Gladden, as, having thanked
+him for the interview, she walked slowly up the winding road. His eyes
+grew strangely wistful and tender, very unlike their ordinary
+expression, and a smile, sad but sweet, played about the usually stern
+lips.
+
+"He has chosen well," he murmured at length, "they are well suited to
+each other; Heaven grant nothing may ever mar their happiness!" and
+with a heavy sigh, he turned and entered the cabin.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+
+As Miss Gladden slowly followed the winding canyon road on her
+return from the little cabin, the thoughts flashing through her mind
+very strongly resembled the lights and shadows which she had watched
+chasing each other across the mountain side. While she had gained
+very little direct information, Jack's theories had strengthened
+her own convictions, though placing the matter in a slightly
+different light. She had a very vivid imagination, and looked
+forward with anticipations of keenest pleasure to the coming of
+Lyle's friends,--whoever they might be--and their probable recognition
+of her; and yet she could not forget Jack's words regarding the
+terrible cost which might be involved, resulting in possible tragedy,
+and an indefinable dread seemed at times to overshadow all other
+thoughts, and perplex her. Not dreaming, however, that the words
+could refer to herself, or those in whom she was most deeply
+interested, she tried to banish this feeling by planning what
+course would be best to pursue regarding Lyle, and determined to
+confide the whole matter to Houston, and ask his advice. So
+absorbed was she in her own thoughts and plans, that not until she
+had nearly approached the house, did she observe the presence of
+strangers.
+
+A party of eight or ten ladies and gentlemen, including three or four
+tourists from the east, had come out from Silver City. They had come
+with wagons, bringing a large tent which was to be put up for those
+who could not be accommodated in the house. They proved to be very
+pleasant people, and during the ensuing ten days of their stay, Miss
+Gladden and Lyle seldom saw each other apart from their guests. There
+were numerous excursions to various points of interest, moonlight
+rides on the lake and impromptu dances.
+
+Houston at this time was more than usually occupied, as the day after
+the arrival of the camping party, Mr. Blaisdell unexpectedly appeared
+upon the scene. He arrived quite early in the morning, having been
+brought by special train from the Y. He found Houston alone in the
+office, and greeted him with a cordiality quite surprising to the
+latter, considering his taciturn, dissatisfied manner when at the
+mines a few days before. He seemed in no hurry to leave the office,
+but remained talking for some time concerning business affairs at
+Silver City.
+
+"I may want you to run over there, just for a day, while I'm here," he
+said at length, "for I expect to remain out here for about a week. By
+the way, Houston, I hear you pitched into old Hartwell one night, over
+there at the hotel, for some remarks he made about the company."
+
+"Ah," said Houston, "how did you hear of that?"
+
+"There was a friend of mine there, who overheard Hartwell's talk, and
+afterward saw you go up and speak to him. Having seen you in our
+office, he had a little curiosity as to what was going on. He said
+Hartwell cursed you up hill and down, but that you were so damned cool
+the old fellow couldn't rattle you. Hartwell told him afterward that
+you threatened to compel him to substantiate all he had said, and he
+was glad that the old fellow, for once, found somebody that wasn't
+afraid of him."
+
+"Oh, no," said Houston, quietly, "I didn't see any reason for being
+afraid."
+
+"Well," said Mr. Blaisdell, "I liked your spirit all right, but then,
+men like Hartwell are not worth paying any attention to. He is
+interested in another company, so of course he tries to run down ours,
+and he has a certain clique that he has persuaded to think just as he
+does. I never think it best to notice any of his remarks."
+
+"If he had simply made a few remarks," said Houston in reply, "I would
+of course have let them remain unnoticed, but he had continued his
+harangue for nearly an hour before I spoke to him, so I thought it as
+well to have a word with him myself."
+
+"Oh, that was all right, perfectly right on your part, only I have
+adopted the policy of letting barking dogs alone."
+
+After a little further conversation, Mr. Blaisdell looked over the
+books, and finding everything in satisfactory shape, remarked:
+
+"You seem to have familiarized yourself very thoroughly with the work
+so far as you have gone, and in a very short time. You will doubtless
+remember, Mr. Houston, that when we engaged you, you were told that we
+should probably need your services later at the mines, in assisting
+the general superintendent. Morgan's work is increasing lately, and I
+have been thinking that I would much prefer to have a trustworthy
+person like yourself, assist him, even if we have to employ another
+bookkeeper, than to put on an entirely new man at the mines. I am
+going out to the mines this afternoon, to see how Morgan is getting
+along, and I think that to-morrow we will close the office, and you
+had better go out with me, and I will show you the work that I wish
+you to have charge of there. It probably will not take all your time,
+you will still be in the office more or less, at least enough to
+superintend the work in case I bring out a new man. He will simply
+work under your direction and supervision, the responsibility will all
+devolve upon you."
+
+For the next day or two, Houston's time was spent at the mines,
+familiarizing himself with the underground workings, and becoming
+acquainted with the different classes and grades of ore, and the
+various methods of mining and reducing the same.
+
+This was just the opportunity for which Houston had been waiting, and
+he entered upon his new work with a zest and enthusiasm that delighted
+Mr. Blaisdell, and even won the esteem of Morgan. On the second day,
+to Houston's great joy, he was given charge, under Morgan, of what was
+known as the "Yankee" group of mines, containing the Yankee Boy, the
+Yankee Girl and the Puritan, the three most valuable mines in which
+the New York company was interested.
+
+In passing through one of these mines, Houston noticed two miners
+working together with wonderful precision and accuracy, and on looking
+at them closely, recognized in one of them, the man whom Rutherford
+had pointed out to him on the train from Valley City, and of whom he
+had heard Miss Gladden speak as Lyle's friend. The man seemed to pay
+little attention to his being there, and on coming out, Houston
+inquired of Mr. Blaisdell concerning him.
+
+"I can tell you nothing about him," replied Mr. Blaisdell, "except
+that he and his partner, the Irishman, are the two most expert miners
+we have. They live by themselves, and refuse to mingle with the other
+men, consequently they are not very popular among the miners, but of
+course that cuts no figure with us, so long as they are skilled
+workmen."
+
+The next day, Houston went to Silver City, on business for Mr.
+Blaisdell, and while there, sent the following message over the wires,
+to Van Dorn:
+
+"Everything in readiness; bring machinery at once."
+
+Upon his return to the mining camp to enter upon his new duties,
+Houston resolved to make a careful study of the men working under him,
+both foremen and miners, for the purpose of determining whether there
+were among them any whom he could trust sufficiently to seek from them
+whatever assistance might be necessary for himself and Van Dorn in
+their future work.
+
+Accordingly, for the first few days, he spent considerable time in the
+mines, apparently examining the workings, but in reality watching the
+men themselves. Among some of them he saw black looks and scowls, and
+heard muttered comments regarding himself: "Git onto the dude!" "D'ye
+see the tenderfoot?" "Thinks he's goin' to boss us, does he? we'll
+show him a trick or two." These were mainly from Maverick's consorts,
+and men of their ilk, ignorant and brutal. Houston paid no attention
+to their remarks or frowns, but continued his rounds among them,
+conscious that he was master of the situation, meanwhile giving
+instructions to the foreman who accompanied him. As he passed and
+repassed Jack and Mike, working together with almost the automatic
+precision of machinery, he stopped to watch them, attracted partly by
+admiration for their work, and partly by a slight interest in the man
+who had been his fellow passenger, and concerning whom he had heard
+such various reports.
+
+During the slight pause in their work, the Irishman eyed him
+curiously, with indications of his native drollery and humor betraying
+themselves in his mirthful face; he seemed about to speak, but Jack,
+with set, stern features, was ready, and the work continued without a
+word. In that brief interim, however, Jack had fixed one of his keen,
+piercing glances upon Houston, which the latter returned with one
+equally searching, and though not a muscle relaxed in that immobile
+face, covered with dust and grime, yet a strange thrill of mutual
+sympathy quivered and vibrated through the soul of each man, and
+Houston knew that he had found a friend.
+
+"There is a man among a thousand," he thought as he walked away, "a
+man of honor, in whom one could place unbounded confidence; no wonder
+Lyle has found him such a friend!"
+
+At the next pause in their work, Mike's feelings found expression:
+
+"Begorra! but the young mon is progressin' foinely, to be put over the
+loikes of us, and bein' as how most loikely he niver sit foot in a
+moine, till comin' out into this counthry!"
+
+Jack's face had grown strangely set and white: "We are to be his
+friends, remember that, Mike," he said, in a voice unnaturally stern.
+
+"Frinds!" exclaimed the astonished Mike, "Be-dad! and whin did I iver
+know ye to make frinds with ony of owld Blaisdell's men befoor?"
+
+"Keep your eyes open and your mouth shut, Mike," was Jack's only reply
+as he again began work, and Mike had nothing to do but to follow his
+example.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+
+In a short time Houston had become perfectly familiar with his new
+surroundings. He was thoroughly at home in the underground workings,
+readily finding his way in the labyrinth of shafts, tunnels and
+cross-cuts extending for miles in all directions, and connecting the
+various mining claims one with another.
+
+He knew the name and face of nearly every man employed in the various
+shifts, and by his keen perception and insight, was able to form a
+very correct estimate of their character and standing in that little
+community. Though no words had been exchanged between himself and Jack
+beyond those of the most commonplace greetings, yet his respect for
+the man, and confidence in him, increased with each day, and was
+plainly indicated by his manner toward him whenever they met.
+
+As he watched the men, in his frequent rounds through the mines,
+most of their faces were to him as an open book, on some of whose
+pages he read histories of misfortune and loss, or crime and shame in
+the past, and on others, of eager ambitions and bright hopes for the
+future. There were men with gray hair and bowed forms, whose dull
+eyes and listless step told of hopeless, irretrievable loss; men
+of intelligence and ability whose recklessness or whose despondency
+told of some living sorrow, worse than death; there were some whose
+stealthy, shrinking gait and watchful, suspicious glance bespoke
+some crime, unknown to their fellows, but which to themselves seemed
+ever present, suspended, like the sword of Damocles, above their
+heads.
+
+But even to Houston, Jack remained a mystery, and as he noted the
+powerful, athletic form, the profile of patrician beauty, perfect as
+though chiseled in marble, the hair and beard black and glossy as the
+raven's wing, though touched with silver here and there, he found
+himself unable to read the history of that life.
+
+"There is a man," he soliloquized, "my equal, if not my superior, in
+birth, in education, in intellectual ability; how came he here? What
+has wrecked his life?"
+
+But the dark, piercing eyes, turned on him for an instant, gave no
+answer to his query.
+
+As he and Morgan, their day's work completed, were returning to the
+house, Houston made some inquiries regarding the men, and from the
+information given by Morgan concerning some of them, found his own
+judgment of them correct.
+
+"And who is the man called 'Jack,' who works with the Irishman?"
+
+"Heaven knows, I don't, nor nobody else," replied Morgan; "he came
+here about six or seven years ago, I guess, at least; he was here when
+I came, and was considered an expert then. He never would have
+anything to say to the other men, and always lived by himself till the
+Irishman came; he was another queer sort of duck and was a first-class
+miner, too, so him and Jack has worked together and lived together
+ever since, but Jack is boss."
+
+"Are they the only miners living by themselves?" asked Houston.
+
+"The only single men; there's six or seven of 'em that are married and
+have families, like Maverick; they have very good shacks, furnished by
+the company, but all the single men, excepting them two, live at the
+quarters. By the way, have you ever been down to the quarters?"
+
+"No," replied Houston, "but I should like very well to visit them."
+
+"All right, we'll go to-night if you like; I go down there myself once
+in a while and listen to their stories; they've most of 'em had some
+queer experiences, and they can spin as many yarns as a lot of
+sailors, any time."
+
+Later in the evening, Houston, having excused himself to the ladies in
+general, and Miss Gladden in particular, accompanied by Morgan, was on
+his way to the miners' quarters. The latter were situated but a short
+distance from the office, on the road to the mines, and consisted of
+two boarding houses and four bunk houses. Farther down the road were
+the stables for the horses used in hauling supplies; also blacksmith
+and carpenter shops, and a storehouse.
+
+A rather novel scene presented itself to Houston as he approached.
+Scattered about on the ground, and loafing in the door-ways in all
+attitudes and positions, were over a hundred men, of various ages,
+classes and nationalities, but principally Cornishmen, or, in
+western vernacular, "Cousin Jacks." Many of them were strangers to
+him, being employed in other mines than those with which he was
+familiar, but among them were many of his own men. From the
+door-way of one of the bunk houses came the strains of a violin,
+while in another, a concertina shrieked and groaned, and from all
+directions came the sound of ribald songs, coarse jests and
+boisterous laughter. Here and there were groups of men engaged in
+playing poker or seven-up, where little piles of silver and gold
+were rapidly changing hands, to the accompaniment of muttered oaths.
+At one side, Maverick and a few kindred spirits seemed trying to
+outrival one another in profanity and obscenity, while at some
+distance from them, was a large company of the better class of
+men, some lounging against trees and rocks, some sitting or lying
+at full length on the ground, but all listening with unmistakable
+interest, to a man, gray and grizzled, with a weather-beaten but
+kindly face, who evidently was entertaining the crowd with tales of
+his own early life.
+
+As Houston and Morgan approached, the speaker stopped; some of the men
+half rose from their recumbent positions out of respect for the "new
+boss," and all eyed him rather curiously, though not unkindly. Houston
+recognized many of his own men among them, and greeted them with a
+pleasant "Good evening, boys."
+
+"Hullo, Billy," said Morgan, addressing the old miner, "what do you
+know to-night?" then noting that he was watching Houston with a half
+smile on his rugged face, he added, "Thought I'd bring the boss down
+to see you and the rest of the boys to-night."
+
+"Good evenin' boss," responded the old fellow, while a merry smile
+twinkled in his eyes, "I expect this is your first visit to a reg'lar,
+genuwine minin' camp?"
+
+"My first, perhaps, but not my last," said Houston, with a winning
+smile.
+
+"That's right," said the old man approvingly, as he proceeded to
+refill his pipe; "I've been a watchin' you, off and on, down there at
+the mines, bein' as I'd heerd you was a tenderfoot, and I must say
+you've took a holt as if you was an old hand at the job."
+
+"Oh, yes," Houston replied, "with a little determination, a person can
+pick up anything of that kind easily. I think, with a little practice,
+I could make a pretty successful miner; it would require grit and
+stick-to-it-ativeness, that's all."
+
+"'Grit and stick-to-it-ativeness,' that's good," said the old miner,
+highly pleased, "well, you seem to have plenty of 'em both, and plenty
+of good muscle, too," with an admiring glance at Houston's fine,
+athletic form.
+
+"See here, Billy," said Houston pleasantly, after chatting a few
+moments, "when we came, it looked very much as though you were telling
+stories to the crowd here, and the boys all seemed very much
+interested; now we want you to go on with your story, we would enjoy
+it as much as the rest."
+
+"Let me see," said Billy, "I don't remember just where I was, but I
+guess I'd finished as you come up."
+
+"Never mind, you can start another," said Houston.
+
+"Yes, Billy, give us another," chimed in the boys.
+
+"Go ahead, pardner," added Morgan, "spin us a yarn, that's what we
+came for."
+
+"I was only tellin' the boys about the old days when I came out to the
+mines, and for the first few years after," Billy began.
+
+"Those must have been interesting times," said Houston.
+
+"Int'restin'? I should say so! You fellows don't know nothin' about
+minin' compared to them days; I tell you, things was lively then. I
+was there at Leadville when it was opened up, and you couldn't get
+anybody to look at you without payin' 'em a good, round sum for it;
+couldn't get a place to roll yourself in your blanket and lie on the
+floor short of five or ten dollars; folks bought dry goods boxes and
+lived in 'em. Then I was down here when they opened up the Big Bonanza
+mine, in Diamond gulch, not far from Silver City. I tell you boys,
+them was high old times, everything was scarce and prices was
+high,--flour was a hundred dollars a sack, and potatoes seventy-five
+dollars a bushel,--but money was plenty,--or gold dust,--we didn't
+have no money, everything was paid for in gold dust. 'Twas pretty
+tough in them days, too, everybody went armed to the teeth, and guns
+and knives was used pretty free."
+
+"Was that in the days of the vigilantes?" asked Houston.
+
+"Yes, they come along soon after, they had to. There was desperate
+characters here, but the vigilantes made short work of 'em, they
+didn't even give 'em time to say their prayers. I tell you, the
+gambling houses and the dance halls, and all them places was lively in
+them days. There wasn't many words over a game, if any quarrels come
+up, they was settled pretty quick with the revolver or bowie knife."
+
+"There must have been some high stakes played in those days," Houston
+remarked.
+
+"High? well, yes, rather; I've seen men sit down to a game worth
+anywhere from fifty to two or three hundred thousand, and get up
+without a cent in the world."
+
+The old man paused to relight his pipe, and having puffed reflectively
+for a few moments, settled himself with the air of a man who has a
+long story to tell, and the surrounding miners evidently so understood
+it, for they shifted their positions accordingly, and prepared to
+listen.
+
+"Speakin' of gamblin'," he began, "puts me in mind of something that
+happened among the camps on the other side of the range, nigh onto
+fifteen years ago. A gang of us boys was in Dandy Jim's gambling hall
+one night. The place was crowded, I remember, and we was all tryin' to
+make our fortunes on the high card. Some of us was dead broke, but
+them that hadn't the stuff borrowed from them that had, sure of better
+luck next time. They was all so deep in the game that none of 'em
+noticed a seedy-lookin' chap who come in, kinder quiet like, and set
+down to the faro table and began to play. I guess I was the only one
+who noticed him, and at first, I couldn't make him out, but after a
+bit, I remembered him as 'Unlucky Pete.' That man had a history. When
+I first saw him, some eight or ten years before that night, he had
+just come west with his wife, a pretty little woman, and had a good
+team of horses and a new wagon. He was a reg'lar border character, and
+whenever a new country was opened up for settlement, him and his wife
+was the first on the ground, ready to make a run to secure a home.
+Pete was prosperous, till one night, in a quarrel over a game of
+cards, he killed his man, and from that time his luck changed. He
+secured one or two good claims, but lost title to them; he lost his
+horses, and as fast as he bought other horses, they died or was
+stolen, and everything went against him. He wandered from one country
+to another, but bad luck met him at every turn. The last I seen him
+was some two years before; then him and his wife and two or three
+babies was goin' over the country in an old, broken-down wagon. The
+wheels was held together with wire and ropes, and the canvas top was
+in rags and tatters; the horses was the poorest, skinniest creatures
+you ever see, and him and his wife looked off the same piece.
+
+"Well, somehow or 'nuther, I knew him that night, though he looked
+harder than ever, and had an old slouched hat down over his face. He
+looked like a man that was pushed pretty close to the wall, and had
+got down to his last nickel. Well, he set down there to the table, and
+threw a silver dollar on the high card; then pulled that old hat down
+clean over his eyes, and never spoke, or looked one way or another.
+The high card won, and the dealer paid the bet, and pushed the money
+over to Pete, but he never stirred.
+
+"Well, that high card kep' a winnin' till there was a big pile of
+money there, but Pete, he never stirred, no more'n a stone. The
+dealer, he got mad and begun to swear, but Pete didn't move.
+
+"'Somebody wake that fool up,' says he, with an oath.
+
+"A fellow sittin' next to Pete shook him, and then tore off his hat.
+Well, boys, I'll never forget that sight, it makes me sort o' shiver
+now, when I think of it; there set a dead man at the table before that
+pile of gold.
+
+"The dealer started to rake in that pile o' money, but about a dozen
+revolvers was p'inted at him, and he decided not to be in too big a
+hurry about it.
+
+"'What's the use anyway?' says he, 'the man's dead and the money's no
+good for him, and besides, nobody knows who he is.'
+
+"'I do,' says I, jumpin' up.
+
+"'And I,' says another fellow, 'the man just come into camp a day or
+two ago, and his family's starvin'."
+
+"Well, we bundled that money up pretty sudden, and a half a dozen of
+us started to find the folks; we found 'em, too, but the wife was
+dead, starved to death, and the children wouldn't have lasted much
+longer. The oldest, a girl about eight years old, told that they had
+nothin' to eat for two days, and her father found the dollar, and
+started down to the store for food, but soon after he left the cabin,
+the mother died.
+
+"We buried Pete and his wife in one grave, and then with the pile of
+money we got good homes for the children, and some of it was to be
+used in givin' 'em a good eddication, and the last I heerd, they was
+comin' on well. But I've never set down to a game sence, that I
+haven't thought of the night I played faro, with a dead man at the
+table."
+
+At the conclusion of the old miner's story, a little suppressed thrill
+of excitement ran through his audience. Morgan, who had seemed
+restless and ill at ease, rose to go, and Houston, finding it much
+later than he supposed, after a few pleasant words with the boys, bade
+them good night, and hastened after Morgan, who was already sauntering
+up the road a little way in advance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+
+"Well," said Morgan, as Houston overtook him, "what do you think of a
+'genuwine minin' camp,' as Billy calls it?"
+
+"The quarters are much more extensive than I supposed," replied
+Houston, "I never realized before that there were so many men employed
+here; some of them are good fellows, too, I enjoyed my visit to-night
+immensely."
+
+"I generally like to come down and listen to them once in a while,"
+said Morgan, "but somehow, I didn't care to stay there to-night, that
+story of Billy's made me feel sort of creepy; I'm feeling a little off
+to-night, anyway."
+
+"That was a strange story the old fellow told, almost bordering on the
+improbable, it seemed to me, but I suppose there are a great many
+strange occurrences in a country like this."
+
+"Yes, lots of things happen here, and folks think nothing of 'em, that
+would be considered improbable anywhere back east."
+
+"Are you from the east?" inquired Houston.
+
+"Yes, part way," said Morgan, "not from way back, though, I've never
+been farther east than Ohio. I was born in Missouri, and raised in
+northern Iowa."
+
+He was silent for a moment, then continued: "I believe I told you one
+day that sometime I'd give you a bit of my life; I guess now's as good
+as any time, and when you've heard it, maybe you won't wonder at some
+of my views.
+
+"As I said, I was born in Missouri; when I was about three years old,
+my folks moved to Iowa. I can just remember my father being with us at
+that time, but I never saw him after I was three and a half or so, and
+when I got old enough to think about it and ask for him, mother told
+me he was dead, and I never knew anything different till years after.
+We were always moving, I remember, from one place to another, and
+though we never had any money saved up, yet we lived well and never
+wanted for anything. Mother used to have a good deal of company, and
+be away from home considerable, but she was always kind to me, and I
+was a soft, warm-hearted, little chap in those days, and I know I
+thought the world of her.
+
+"We lived together till I was about ten years old, and then times
+began to get pretty close; mother didn't have any money, and we had to
+pinch to get along, but she was always good to me.
+
+"Finally she decided to go to Denver; said she had heard of an opening
+there for her to run a boarding house and make money, but she didn't
+want to take me with her, and sent me to a brother of hers, living in
+Ohio. That was the end of all happiness for me. He was a man old
+enough to be my grandfather, for mother was the youngest of a large
+family. He and his wife lived by themselves, for they had no children,
+and a meaner, stingier old couple never lived. Mother wrote pretty
+often at first, and always sent money, but don't you think I ever got
+any of it. They never mentioned my mother to me, and they wouldn't let
+me speak of her.
+
+"Well, things went on from bad to worse, and finally, when I was
+fourteen, I run away. I stole rides on freight cars when I could, and
+when I couldn't do that, I tramped, till I got to St. Louis, and got a
+place there in a third-class hotel as bell boy. While I was there, I
+picked up a good many little accomplishments that have stuck to me
+ever since, gambling and swearing, and so on. I got to be pretty
+tough, I know, but in spite of it all, there was one good spot about
+me yet,--I thought the world of my mother. I staid in St. Louis two
+years; in that time I had only heard from mother twice, but she sent
+me money both times, and wrote me kind letters, though she never said
+anything about my coming to see her."
+
+By this time, they had reached the main road, and as Morgan seated
+himself on a rock to finish his story, Houston followed his example.
+
+"I made up my mind I wanted to see her, so I took what little money I
+had saved up, about eighty dollars, and started for Denver. The last
+letter I had from mother, she said she was running a house on a
+certain street, and I supposed of course it was a boarding house. I
+won't tell you her real name; Morgan wasn't her name, nor mine
+neither, I took it afterwards, but I'll call her name Johnson. I got
+to Denver, and happened to meet an old acquaintance of mine named Tim,
+who took me to a fifth-class boarding and lodging house where he was
+staying. Tim had only been in Denver a few days, and knew very little
+of the city, but we found a crowd of old-timers at the house, and
+after a while I asked for Mrs. Johnson who kept a boarding house on
+such a street. The men all laughed and began to guy me; I got hot and
+was going to sail into them, but Tim persuaded me to go out with him,
+and we started in to paint the town.
+
+"Well, we'd been out about two or three hours, when we came to a
+dancing hall, the toughest we'd seen,--a regular dive,--and we went
+in, bound to have some fun. The place was full of tough-looking subs,
+and a lot of frouzy, dowdy girls, and what they lacked in good looks
+they made up in paint and brass,--such brazen faces I never saw. Half
+way down the hall was a big, fat woman, with her hair blondined, who
+seemed to have charge of the place, and was giving orders to the man
+behind the bar. They had some loud talk, and something in her voice
+took my attention, and I looked at her; just then she turned 'round
+facing me, and great God! it was my mother! I knew her in spite of the
+blond hair and the paint, and she knew me. She gave one awful shriek,
+and then fell in a dead faint, and when she came to half an hour
+after, she went into hysterics, and screamed and raved and cried
+nearly all night.
+
+"I was so dazed, everything was going round and round, and I thought
+the world was coming to an end; and it would have been better for me
+if it had. The next day, she was able to see me, and I went to her
+room, and I guess I must have staid three or four hours. She told me
+then, that her husband was living, but that he quit her back in Iowa,
+and that he claimed I was not his child. She cried and begged me to
+stay with her, but I left her that day. That was fifteen years ago,
+and I have never seen her since. From that time, the last tie that
+bound me to even a belief in anything good was gone. I took a
+different name, and came up here in this part of the country. Once I
+found a girl I liked, but just as I began to think something of her, I
+found she was like all the rest of 'em. I've no faith in man or woman,
+and don't believe there is any such thing as honor or virtue. If there
+are some people who seem virtuous and honorable, it is simply either
+because they have been so placed that there was no temptation to be
+anything else, or because they have succeeded in keeping up
+appearances a little better than other folks."
+
+As Morgan paused, Houston spoke very slowly and kindly:
+
+"Your experience has certainly been a sad one, Morgan, and I am truly
+sorry for you; sorry most of all that it has produced such an effect
+on you."
+
+"Well," said Morgan, "I guess it don't make much difference, one way
+or another, what we think or what we do."
+
+"Your mother's opinions and actions seem to have made considerable
+difference in your life," answered Houston, quietly.
+
+"Yes, by George! I should say so!" replied Morgan, gloomily.
+
+"Perhaps your opinions and your conduct are wrecking some other life,
+in like manner. There is not one of us who does not exert a powerful
+influence on those about us, one way or the other, to build up and
+strengthen, or to wreck and destroy."
+
+As there was no reply, Houston said: "I am very glad you have given me
+this sketch of your life, Morgan, I shall always feel differently
+toward you, remembering this."
+
+"Yes," said Morgan, rising, "I wanted you to know, and I thought this
+was as good a time as I would have. You will remember it, whatever
+happens," he added ambiguously, as he started slowly down the road, in
+an opposite direction from the house.
+
+"Which way are you going?" asked Houston, also rising.
+
+"Down to the Y."
+
+"What! are you going that distance as late as this?"
+
+"Yes," replied Morgan, "I don't go all the way by the road; there's a
+cut across that makes it a good deal shorter, and I'll have plenty of
+time."
+
+They both stood a few moments watching a tall, dark figure that had
+been pacing up and down the road all the time they had been talking,
+sometimes approaching quite near, then retreating out of sight. They
+both recognized it as Jack.
+
+"He's a queer duck," muttered Morgan, "wonder what he's doing, this is
+rather late for a constitutional;" then added, "I wish I had some of
+the money that chap's got."
+
+"Why, has he money?" inquired Houston.
+
+"He must have," was the reply, "he never spends anything, just hoards
+it up; he's got enough any way to help me out just now, if I could
+only have it."
+
+"Are you in need of money?" asked Houston, quickly, "if so, I will
+gladly accommodate you."
+
+"Much obliged," replied Morgan, starting down the road, "but I can get
+along for the present. Luck has been against me a little lately, but I
+guess it will turn all right," adding, as he looked back over his
+shoulder, "if it don't turn too late, like 'Unlucky Pete'."
+
+As Houston walked rapidly up the canyon toward the house, he saw Jack
+again approaching, and glad of an opportunity to meet this man toward
+whom he felt such a powerful attraction, he slackened his pace as Jack
+came up, and greeting him cordially, stopped and entered into
+conversation with him. To his surprise, he found Jack's manner far
+less reserved than on the few occasions when they had met in the mine.
+He seemed as ready to stop as Houston himself, and though he spoke
+with a dignity of tone and manner utterly unlike an employe, the icy
+reserve was gone, and in its place, there was in his voice the genuine
+ring of friendliness.
+
+After a few moments of ordinary conversation, Jack remarked:
+
+"You are not often out in this locality at this hour, and alone."
+
+"No," Houston replied, "but I have been visiting the miners in company
+with Morgan, and remained there later than I intended. Then a talk
+with Morgan out there among the rocks delayed me still longer."
+
+"Pardon me," said Jack, "but I suppose you are aware that you have
+enemies here."
+
+"Yes," said Houston, slightly surprised, "I am conscious of that
+fact."
+
+"And," continued Jack, lowering his tone, "you are probably also aware
+that this enmity is likely to increase, so that unless you exercise
+great caution, your life will be in danger?"
+
+Houston was startled, not so much by the suggestion of personal
+danger, as by the thought that this man seemed to understand something
+of his position there. Was it possible his secret was known? It could
+not be, but if it were,--his nerves quivered, not with fear for
+himself, but with apprehension lest his whole scheme should in some
+way prove a failure.
+
+These thoughts flashed through his mind with the speed of lightning,
+but Jack was quick to read them, and before Houston could make any
+reply, he continued:
+
+"I desire to have a private interview with you, as early as possible,
+and as we will wish to be perfectly secure from interruption, as well
+as from all danger of being overheard, I wish you would come to my
+cabin, there we can talk with perfect safety. And now, as a key to
+this contemplated interview, allow me to say that I fully understand
+your mission here; but have no fear, your secret is absolutely safe.
+My only reason for wishing to meet you is, that I desire to aid you if
+you will permit me. Will you fix an evening for this conference of
+ours?"
+
+"Certainly," said Houston cordially, his momentary surprise giving way
+to the confidence which he had felt in this man, since first meeting
+him, face to face.
+
+An engagement was made for the near future, and with a cordial
+hand-clasp, the two men parted.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+
+The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little
+porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily
+improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players
+and joined him. Looking at him rather archly, she asked:
+
+"Do you expect to remain out as late to-night as you did last night?"
+
+"I don't know just how late I may be detained," he answered, smiling,
+"Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?"
+
+"Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your
+guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then
+she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country
+from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant
+or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has
+enemies."
+
+Houston was somewhat surprised by this second warning, but he answered
+lightly:
+
+"Yes, I know I am in what Ned used to call 'the camp of the
+Philistines,' but you do not think I have any dangerous enemies, do
+you?"
+
+"It is only fear of detection that keeps some of them from being
+dangerous," said Lyle, who saw Miss Gladden approaching, "don't give
+them any opportunities for working their spite in the dark."
+
+Miss Gladden just then came up, and Lyle soon resumed her place among
+the players.
+
+"Going out again this evening, Mr. Houston?"
+
+"Yes, Miss Gladden," replied Houston with mock gravity.
+
+"Excuse me, Everard," she answered, blushing, "but when so many
+strangers are about, I am obliged to be very circumspect, you know."
+
+"There are no strangers within hearing at present, Leslie," he
+replied, "but isn't it nearly time for this crowd to take its
+departure?"
+
+"Yes, they expect to leave to-morrow."
+
+"Thank Heaven!" exclaimed Houston devoutly.
+
+Miss Gladden laughed merrily.
+
+"Well," he continued rather savagely, "I hope, after they are gone, we
+can enjoy our evenings again as we used to. For the last ten days, I
+have scarcely had an opportunity for a word with you, unless we
+deliberately gave the whole company the cold shoulder, which, of
+course, would not answer."
+
+"And so," said Miss Gladden laughing, "you wreak your revenge upon
+poor me these last two evenings, by taking yourself away, where I
+cannot even have the satisfaction of seeing you, while I talk to
+somebody else."
+
+Houston smiled; "I am obliged to go out this evening, Leslie, I have
+an engagement to-night, with Jack, at his cabin."
+
+"With Jack!" exclaimed Miss Gladden, "then you have made his
+acquaintance!"
+
+"No, I can scarcely say that, for I never exchanged a half dozen words
+with him before last evening. This interview to-night is wholly on
+business."
+
+"Well," said Miss Gladden, who saw the players beckoning to her, "I am
+glad you are going to meet him. I saw him the other day, and had a
+talk with him regarding Lyle, and I wanted to tell you about it, but
+have had no opportunity. I think you will find him one of the most
+perfect gentlemen you ever met," and with a little farewell wave of
+the hand, she left him to rejoin the players who were waiting for
+her.
+
+Half an hour later, Houston found himself in the inner room of the
+little cabin, alone with Jack, while at the outside door, Rex was
+stationed as guard.
+
+Already the twilight was beginning to gather in the little room, but
+even in its soft, shadowy light, Houston noted the evidences, existing
+on all sides, of a refined nature, a nature keenly appreciative of
+beauty in all its forms.
+
+"I hope," said Jack, seating himself near his guest, "that you will
+excuse the gathering darkness; I thought it more prudent not to have
+a light, as it might attract attention, I am in the habit of sitting
+so much in the twilight, myself."
+
+"A light is not necessary," Houston replied, "the twilight is very
+pleasant, and the moon will be up presently, and will afford us all
+the light we need."
+
+There was a moment or two of silence, while Houston waited for his
+companion to broach the subject of the evening. He was anxious to
+ascertain how much regarding himself and his errand there in the camp,
+Jack really knew, and more particularly, to learn, if possible, how he
+had become possessed of his knowledge.
+
+Jack, on his part, was wondering whether, with their brief acquaintance,
+he could give Houston any assurance that the latter would consider
+sufficient to warrant taking himself into full confidence concerning
+his work and plans, so that he could render the assistance he desired.
+
+"You were doubtless somewhat surprised," he began very deliberately
+and slowly, "by my request, last evening, for this interview."
+
+"Yes," replied the other, "I will admit that I was surprised, more
+especially by the reason which you gave for your request,--that you
+understood my position here, and desired to help me."
+
+"Did it never occur to you that, to a person with any degree of
+penetration, any ability at reading a man's character and habits of
+life, your position here, as clerk for a disreputable mining company,
+would, of itself, seem an anomaly, and be liable to excite the
+suspicion that you had some ulterior object in view?"
+
+"I think," said Houston, with a smile, "you are supposing a person
+with keener perceptions than are possessed by many in this locality."
+
+"They nearly all possess them to a certain degree, in a latent,
+uncultivated form, perhaps, but still there. For example, what is the
+true secret of Maverick's hatred toward you, of Haight's enmity,
+except that they recognize by a sort of instinct that you belong to an
+altogether different sphere from that in which they move? They cannot
+reason it out perhaps, but they feel it;--your language, your conduct,
+your manner, the very cut of your clothes, though but a plain
+business suit, proclaim to one who can read, and reason from these
+things correctly, and deduct their results therefrom, that you are a
+man of the highest culture and refinement, of high moral character,
+and of wealth. Consequently, the question arises, 'What are you doing
+here?'"
+
+"Pardon me, I do not intend to be personal in my remarks," replied
+Houston, "but in my opinion, only a person who has himself moved in
+the highest circles of life would be able to reason in this manner."
+
+"Possibly," said Jack, "they would be better able to classify you,
+as it were, and assign you to your true position, but these others
+feel keenly that you are not of their world, but they are generally
+incapable of drawing any conclusions from their observations, as very
+few of them have the reasoning faculty, and hence, they would not be
+likely to question your object or motive in holding this position. My
+design, however, in thus calling your attention to these facts, is
+simply to show you that you need not be greatly surprised when I say
+that from your first coming here, I have felt that you were no
+ordinary employe; that you were merely holding this position
+temporarily, either in your own interests, or in the interests of
+some one else,--but not in the interests of the mining company.
+Notwithstanding the fact that I live a very secluded life, I yet have
+means of ascertaining nearly all that is going on around me, and I
+will say to you truthfully, that I learned the secret of your
+mission here without even asking a question."
+
+"I can scarcely understand," said Houston, "how you came to be the
+recipient of this secret, since you do not mingle with others, and
+apparently take very little interest in their affairs."
+
+"Perhaps," said Jack, in low, musical tones, "you would be able to
+understand the situation better, did you know that your secret was
+told me by a friend of yours, who believed that, through my very
+isolation and loneliness, I could the better assist you."
+
+"A friend of mine!" exclaimed Houston, in surprise, "Is it possible
+that my eastern friends are known to you, and that some one of them
+has written you?"
+
+"No one has written me, the story was told me by a friend of yours
+here."
+
+Instantly there flashed into Houston's mind the memory of Lyle's
+warning, and also of Miss Gladden's declaration that she had seen and
+talked with Jack, but how could his true position be known to either
+of them?
+
+"I have but two friends here, at present," was his reply, "and they
+are women."
+
+"True women are the truest friends," said Jack tersely.
+
+"But how can either of them know anything regarding my work here?"
+
+"I will tell you," and very briefly Jack gave Houston an account of
+how his plans had first become known to Lyle, and of her subsequent
+interview with himself, begging his assistance in Houston's behalf.
+
+Houston was inexpressibly astonished and touched to find that the
+beautiful girl, whom he had considered friendless and helpless, and
+whom he had defended through a sense of chivalry, had, in return,
+served him so nobly and so opportunely. He resolved to see her and
+express to her his appreciation of what she had done, as early as
+possible.
+
+"I think," said Jack, in conclusion, "you will admit that by this
+means I have obtained a thorough understanding of what you wish to
+accomplish."
+
+"You understand it perfectly," Houston answered.
+
+"You will also admit that, after the years of experience that I have
+had in these particular mines, I must be thoroughly conversant with
+affairs in connection therewith, and could probably render you just
+the assistance you will need."
+
+"Most certainly you could," responded Houston quickly, "I know of no
+one in the entire camp who could assist us so well as you."
+
+"Then," said Jack, "the next and only consideration is, whether you
+have that degree of confidence in me, that you would feel warranted in
+trusting me implicitly,--"
+
+"Enough said," said Houston, interrupting him hastily but cordially,
+"I have that confidence in you, that, even if you had not sought this
+interview, sooner or later, I would have come to you for assistance."
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed Jack, in surprise, "may I ask why?"
+
+Houston hesitated a moment, and then replied:
+
+"I believe, though we have met so recently, we may speak together as
+friends, or as brothers; you spoke a while ago of the faculty of
+perception; please credit me with possessing it in some degree myself,
+and while I do not wish to be personal or intrusive in my remarks, I
+am sure you will allow me to say, that if there is any degree of
+incongruity between my appearance and the position I hold, it
+certainly exists in a much greater degree in your own case. I, of
+course, know nothing of your past life; I wish to know nothing of it,
+except so far as you yourself would tell me, should you ever choose to
+do so, but this much I do know, and have known from the first, that
+you are vastly superior to your surroundings here. You claim,--and you
+are correct,--that I have had the advantages of excellent birth and
+breeding, of culture and wealth, but you are not one whit behind me in
+any of these things. Added to all this is the experience which you
+have accumulated in these late years, in this particular branch of
+work; surely it was not strange that I felt your acquaintance would be
+invaluable, could I but secure your friendship sufficiently for you to
+be interested in my plans."
+
+The moon had risen, flooding the little room with a soft, pale light,
+but Jack was sitting in the shadow, and Houston could not see the
+effect produced by his words. He wondered a little that Jack made no
+response, and, after waiting in silence for a moment or two,
+continued:
+
+"There is one other consideration which you have not mentioned, and
+which must not be omitted, and that is compensation."
+
+A sudden movement on Jack's part caused Houston to pause for an
+instant, but nothing was said, and he proceeded:
+
+"I could not think of asking you to share the difficulties and dangers
+of this work without abundant compensation. Mr. Cameron, my uncle, who
+is interested--"
+
+"Stop!" said Jack, putting up one hand as if to ward off a blow; his
+voice was hoarse, almost stern, and vibrated with some strange, deep
+emotion; "If you ever speak to me again of compensation, I will
+utterly refuse to help you in any way."
+
+"I beg your pardon," said Houston, in a low, gentle tone, "I intended
+no offense, and I shall certainly respect your wishes."
+
+"There was no offense," replied Jack, more calmly, "but you spoke a
+few moments since of friendship; that word, to a man living the life I
+have lived, means volumes; whatever I do, let it be done for
+friendship's sake."
+
+"So let it be!" responded Houston solemnly, strangely moved by Jack's
+manner.
+
+For a long time they talked of the work before them, and Houston spoke
+of the expected arrival of Van Dorn within the next day or two, who
+was to remain until the end.
+
+"The end is not far distant," said Jack, "for after his coming I can
+give you nearly all the additional proof needed," and he then
+proceeded to give information concerning matters of which Houston had
+not, as yet, obtained even a clue. An arrangement was made whereby
+Houston and Van Dorn, after the arrival of the latter, were to meet
+Jack at the cabin, and perfect their plans for the brief campaign
+before them.
+
+At last, as Houston rose to take his leave, he said: "I hope you will
+pardon the remark, but while I have not the least doubt of your
+friendship toward me in this, I cannot overcome the impression that
+you also have some personal interest in this matter."
+
+"Possibly," replied Jack, gravely, still standing in the shadow as
+Houston stepped forth into the moonlight, "but not in the way in which
+you think."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+
+The camping party had returned to Silver City, and the old house among
+the mountains slowly subsided into its former quiet. Lyle's time had
+been so occupied by the numerous demands made upon her by the
+departing guests, that Houston had found no opportunity for speaking
+with her, as he had planned the previous evening.
+
+When the day's work was completed, he, with Miss Gladden and Lyle, sat
+in the little porch, watching a brief but furious mountain storm,
+which had suddenly sprung up, preventing them from taking their
+customary evening stroll.
+
+To the ordinary beauty of the scene around them was added the grandeur
+of the tempest, forming a spectacle not easily forgotten. Around the
+summits of the lofty peaks the fierce lightnings were playing,
+sometimes darting back and forth like the swords of mighty giants,
+flashing in mortal combat; sometimes descending swiftly in fiery
+chains, then seeming to wrap the whole universe in sheets of flame;
+while the crash and roll of the thunder echoed and re-echoed from peak
+to peak, the lingering reverberations still muttering and rumbling in
+the distance, as the fierce cannonading was again renewed. The wind
+rushed, roaring and shrieking, down the canyon, while the rain fell in
+gusty, fitful torrents.
+
+At the end of half an hour, only a few stray drops were falling, the
+sun suddenly burst forth in a flood of golden light, and against the
+dark background of the storm-cloud, a rainbow spanned the eastern
+horizon, its glorious tints seeming almost to rival the gorgeous
+colors of the western sky.
+
+Soon after the storm had passed, Haight was seen approaching the
+house. As he came up, he handed a telegraphic dispatch to Houston,
+saying:
+
+"Just got a wire from the boss for you and Morgan; did you know
+anything about this kind of an arrangement?"
+
+Houston opened the telegram, and read:
+
+  "Van Dorn up to-morrow to set up machinery on trial; may not be
+  able to come myself for a day or two. Have Morgan and Houston give
+  him all help they can spare, but not to interfere with work.
+
+                                                         Blaisdell."
+
+Houston read the message carefully, then said to Haight, who stood
+awaiting his reply:
+
+"I knew nothing of their having made any definite arrangement. I
+remember hearing Van Dorn say something to Mr. Blaisdell, just before
+they all went away, about bringing one of his machines out here, but
+Blaisdell didn't seem to give him any encouragement at that time."
+
+"He evidently has roped the old man in on it, at last," said Haight,
+seating himself.
+
+"It looks like it," Houston answered indifferently.
+
+"What is the machine anyway?" Haight inquired. "Is it any good?"
+
+"I cannot tell you," replied Houston, "because I know absolutely
+nothing about it, except that it is for the reduction of ores. I heard
+Van Dorn allude to it two or three times while he was here, and he
+seemed quite enthusiastic about it, which I thought was, of course,
+perfectly natural. Where is Morgan?" Houston continued, "have you told
+him?"
+
+Haight shook his head; "Morgan is at the Y, I suppose, as usual, and
+nobody will see him before sometime to-morrow. Have you noticed that
+fellow lately, Mr. Houston? Half the time he don't seem to know what
+he's about."
+
+"I have noticed that he scarcely appears like himself, of late,"
+Houston replied; "he seems to have some serious trouble."
+
+"He's been losing pretty heavy lately, I guess, that's what's the
+matter; he's awful reckless in his gambling, it's neck or nothing,
+with him. I tell you," Haight continued, watching Houston sharply,
+"Morgan would get the G.B. pretty sudden if the boss got onto the way
+he's carrying sail."
+
+"Possibly," said Houston, quietly, "but he will not know of it from
+me."
+
+"No?" said Haight, with a curious, rising reflection.
+
+"No, indeed," responded Houston, with some warmth, "when a man is in
+trouble, it is no time to give him a push downward; besides, I would
+not do or say anything to injure Morgan, anyway."
+
+Haight looked up curiously, and even the faces of the ladies expressed
+a slight surprise.
+
+"I didn't know you and Morgan were such good friends," Haight remarked
+wonderingly.
+
+"I do not know," said Houston, "that either he or I consider that we
+are particular friends, though we are friendly enough, but I have
+learned this about Morgan; that whatever his principles, or his manner
+of life may be, he is far less to be blamed than people would
+ordinarily suppose."
+
+"Well," said Haight, rising, "Morgan and I have been together, off and
+on, for the last three years, but I don't know anything about him
+except just what I have seen for myself, what anybody can see; of
+course his way isn't my way, but then, we don't any of us think alike,
+and I've never had any fault to find with him, and we've got along
+together first rate. I suppose," he continued, "you will give
+directions in the morning for that fellow and his machines, for it
+isn't likely that Morgan will be around much before ten o'clock."
+
+"Very well," said Houston, "I will be up early and will see that one
+of the six-horse teams is at the Y to meet him, and I can get through
+at the mines in season to be at the office by the time he will reach
+there; he probably will not get up before noon, with all that load."
+
+Happening to glance toward Lyle, as Haight withdrew, Houston read
+in her eyes, in their look of eager expectancy, and the firm
+determination expressed in her face, that she fully understood the
+meaning of what had passed.
+
+It was equally evident that Miss Gladden had received no hint of the
+situation, for at almost the same instant she inquired:
+
+"Is Mr. Van Dorn going to erect one of his reducing machines here?"
+
+Houston answered in the affirmative.
+
+"He will be likely to remain here some time, then, will he not?"
+
+"In all probability," Houston replied, "it must take considerable time
+to get one of those machines in perfect running order."
+
+"Then of course he will be here when Mr. Rutherford returns, with his
+brother; they were all such intimate friends, it will be pleasant for
+them to meet here. But I am surprised," she added, "that he is
+bringing one of his machines such a distance as this."
+
+"Why so?" inquired Houston.
+
+"Because, Mr. Winters told me that although the amalgamator was
+undoubtedly a valuable invention, and would prove a great success in a
+mining country, Van Dorn was too indolent to even try to introduce it
+among mining men, as it would require too much exertion on his part."
+
+Houston smiled at this accurate description of his class mate.
+
+Miss Gladden continued: "Mr. Winters said that Van Dorn was a fine
+fellow, but that he was never so happy as when engaged in some little
+scheme, apparently doing one thing, and in reality, doing something
+else, as when he was acting as mining expert for Mr. Winters."
+
+"Well," said Houston, laughing, "if that is the characteristic of Mr.
+Van Dorn, it will not be best to mention it here, as the officers of
+the company are very suspicious anyway, and very guarded as to who is
+permitted to have access to the mines and mills, and we might
+unconsciously make it rather unpleasant for him."
+
+The next morning, Houston went very early to the stables to order a
+team and three or four men to the Y to meet Van Dorn. Having given all
+necessary instructions, he returned to the house, but it was still
+early, and there was no one but Lyle in the breakfast room.
+
+At a signal from Houston, she approached the door-way, where he
+remained standing, as from that position he could easily watch both
+the porch and the interior of the room, to assure himself that they
+were safe from listeners.
+
+"I have just discovered recently," he began in a low tone, "that I am
+indebted to you for securing valuable assistance for me in my work
+here."
+
+"Why?" she asked quickly, in surprise, "did Jack tell you that it was
+I who asked him to help you?"
+
+"Certainly," replied Houston, "I naturally wished to know where he
+obtained his information, and he told me of your interview with him,
+and your persistent efforts in my behalf. I want to thank you, for I
+appreciate your conduct under such circumstances; you acted wisely and
+nobly, and did the very best thing that could have been done."
+
+"I am glad that I have your approval," she replied, "my overhearing
+what I did was unintentional and unavoidable, but having learned your
+plans, and that you needed help, I sought it from the only one
+competent to give it, and at the same time perfectly true and worthy
+of your confidence."
+
+"You certainly made a noble use of the knowledge you had obtained;
+there are very few, Lyle, who could have been trusted with such a
+secret, and who would have proven so trustworthy."
+
+"If you will pardon me for saying it, Mr. Houston, there is one other,
+whom you could, and, in my opinion, should trust with this."
+
+Houston looked at her inquiringly.
+
+"I mean Miss Gladden," was her response.
+
+"I see you have given her no hint," he said, smiling.
+
+"Not a word," Lyle answered, "it was not my place to do so; you know
+best what you wish her to know, and when, but I think you ought to
+confide in her fully, for she is a noble woman; you could trust her,
+and she would help you."
+
+"I realize that," Houston replied, "but I did not wish her to be
+worried by this; there will probably be more or less danger before it
+is all over, and I thought she would be happier not to know."
+
+Lyle lifted her beautiful head proudly, with a gesture so full of
+grace, Houston could not but observe it.
+
+"If I were in her place," she said, slowly and firmly, and with
+peculiar emphasis, "and my lover were in any danger, I would far
+rather know it, and give him my help, if possible, my prayers and
+sympathy at any rate, than to remain in ignorance, and perhaps
+unconsciously hinder him."
+
+Houston looked at Lyle in astonishment; was this clear-headed woman
+the untutored, untrained child of the mountains whom he had always
+regarded with a tender, chivalric regard, almost akin to pity?
+
+Lyle continued; "Do not think that even if you refrain from telling
+her this secret, she will not know that it exists; she will be quick
+to see indications of a secret understanding between yourself and
+others,--between yourself and myself, even,--in which she has no
+share. Will that seem to her like confidence, or even justice, on your
+part. It will be better for her, for you and for me that you tell her
+your plans fully, for you will find her strong and true and brave,
+whatever the end shall prove."
+
+"My dear Lyle," said Houston, slowly, "I believe you are right, and I
+will never consider you a child again; but I cannot understand how
+you, with your youth and inexperience, can think and act so wisely and
+well."
+
+"We none of us know what we can do or be," she answered gravely, "till
+an emergency arises, and we are suddenly shown what is required of
+us."
+
+"I will follow your suggestion at the first opportunity," Houston
+said, after a pause, "I shall tell Miss Gladden all that you know
+regarding my plans and my work, with but one reservation; for the
+present, I do not wish her to know that Mr. Cameron is related to
+me."
+
+Lyle looked slightly surprised, "Very well," she answered, in a tone
+of assent, adding, "You are his nephew, are you not?"
+
+"His nephew and his adopted son," Houston replied, with a peculiar
+smile.
+
+"Ah!" she replied quietly, "I understand; Miss Gladden is to know
+nothing at present of your wealth."
+
+"I have won her love with love, not with gold," he said proudly, "but
+she will find, by and by, that the latter is not lacking."
+
+A remark of Miss Gladden's, which she had made in confidence, soon
+after her engagement to Houston, was suddenly recalled to Lyle's mind;
+"Whether he has money or not, I do not know or care, for I have enough
+for both of us."
+
+A curious smile flitted over her face for a moment, but she only said,
+"You must be very wealthy!"
+
+"I have enough," Houston responded, "to give to Miss Gladden the home
+of which she is worthy, but which she has never known; and," he added,
+"there is one thing, my dear Lyle, upon which we are both agreed;
+that our home, wherever it shall be, shall be your home also, as our
+sister."
+
+For a moment, Lyle's lips quivered, and she was unable to speak. At
+that instant, Haight entered the breakfast room, darting at them a
+look of curiosity and suspicion, as they stood together in the
+door-way. Houston was pleased to see Lyle's perfect self-control.
+Without stirring in the least from her place by his side, she asked,
+in the most matter-of-fact tone, whether Mr. Van Dorn would be likely
+to arrive from the Y in season for dinner, and what room it would be
+best to prepare for him.
+
+"You had better let him share my room, in case he has no objections,"
+Houston answered indifferently, "for you like to keep your rooms in
+readiness for guests as much as possible, and Rutherford, when he
+returns, will probably room with his brother."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+
+As Houston was hurrying up from the mines at about eleven o'clock, on
+his way to the office, he met Morgan, just started on his rounds, and
+was shocked at the change which a few hours had made in his
+appearance. His heavy gait, his pale, haggard face and bloodshot eyes,
+told, not only of late hours and terrible dissipation, but of some
+severe mental strain, also. Morgan half smiled, as he saw Houston's
+look of pained surprise.
+
+"Yes," he said, "I know I look pretty hard this morning, but I was up
+late; I guess I'll be all right in a day or two. What's this Haight's
+been telling me about one of those fellows coming out here with some
+mining machinery? Which one is it, that English dude?"
+
+"No," answered Houston, "Van Dorn, the one with glasses, he was the
+inventor, you remember."
+
+"Well, if he's invented anything that will make old Rivers hand out
+any cash, he'd better get a patent on it, that's all I've got to say.
+How in thunder the old man ever gave his consent to his coming out
+here, monkey-fooling around with his machines, is more'n I can make
+out; but if the company want him up here, I'm sure I don't care a
+damn. The boss himself isn't coming up, is he?"
+
+"Not for a day or two," replied Houston.
+
+"Well," said Morgan, with one of his characteristic shrugs, "I guess
+I'll have to spruce up a bit, before he comes."
+
+"That is so, Morgan," said Houston, kindly, "I wouldn't want Mr.
+Blaisdell to see you as you look this morning; I'm too much a friend
+of yours myself for that."
+
+"Oh well, I'll be all right before he gets here. Who's going down to
+meet that fellow and his contraptions?"
+
+"I sent Hayes down with two or three men, and a six-horse team, early
+this morning."
+
+"Good for you!" laughed Morgan, starting on his way, "You'd make a
+first-rate boss 'round here; guess I'll have to give you a raise."
+
+Houston walked slowly down the road after Morgan left him, having
+apparently forgotten his haste. The story which Morgan had told him a
+few nights before, of his own life, had awakened his pity for the man
+as nothing else could have done. He felt that Morgan was in serious
+trouble, and in danger of losing his position, and that he was already
+where it would take very little to drive him to complete ruin. He
+resolved to seize the first opportunity that presented itself, to try
+to ascertain the cause of his trouble, and to assist him in any way
+that he possibly could.
+
+On reaching the office, he found considerable work awaiting him, and
+for a while, all other thoughts were banished from his mind. About
+noon, a heavy rumbling and rattling attracted his attention, and,
+going to the door, he saw the slowly approaching team, winding from
+side to side of the steep, canyon road, the powerful horses straining
+and panting under the heavy load. Perched on the top of the load,
+under a wide-spread umbrella, and fanning himself with his straw hat,
+was Van Dorn, his face irradiated by a broad smile as he caught sight
+of Houston. Two of the men walked beside the team, blocking the
+wheels with rocks, as the horses were occasionally stopped to rest. As
+they came within speaking distance, Van Dorn sang out merrily:
+
+"I say, Houston, this is what I call up-hill work; it has been a
+pretty hard pull all the way."
+
+"Yes," said Houston, "particularly hard on you, judging by appearances."
+
+Van Dorn laughed, and proceeded to close his umbrella, while an
+expansive grin broke over the face of one of the workmen, trudging
+along the hot, dusty road. At the brow of the hill, the team again
+stopped to rest, and Van Dorn descended from his lofty position,
+Houston meanwhile giving instructions to the driver:
+
+"Drive over to the stables, Hayes, and take the horses off and let
+them rest; after dinner, put on another set of horses, and drive to
+the mills; we will be there to see to the unloading."
+
+"Well, Everard, old boy, how are you?" exclaimed Van Dorn, as they
+started for the office; "I started within five hours after I received
+your telegram, and here I am, at your service."
+
+"When did you reach Silver City? yesterday?" inquired Houston.
+
+"Yesterday!" exclaimed Van Dorn, "my dear boy, do you think the world
+was made in one day? No, sir; I got in the day before, and spent the
+remainder of that day, and all of yesterday in cultivating the good
+graces of your company. I went straight for their offices, and it took
+all the arguments and persuasion I could muster, with some treating,
+and a good deal of judicious flattery thrown in, before I could get
+the old fellows to consent to my giving the machine a trial. I got
+around Blaisdell pretty easy after I had flattered him a little, but
+that Rivers is a beast! Said he didn't see why I was so anxious to
+have them test the machine, and all that! I explained, of course, that
+this was the first I had ever brought it out into the west, and they
+were so well known that if I could only get their endorsement, and so
+on and so forth. Oh, I want to tell you all about it later, and if you
+don't acknowledge that I'm a born diplomat, I'll give up; but at
+present, my first business must be to allay these pangs of hunger,
+they are becoming unendurable."
+
+"Certainly, we will go to the house at once," said Houston, preparing
+to close the office.
+
+"Wait a minute!" said Van Dorn, diving furiously into his pockets; "I
+attended to that little business that you wrote me about, just
+according to directions, and I want you to see if it is perfectly
+satisfactory before we go any further, and then I'll have it off my
+mind; why, confound it! where is that thing anyway?" he exclaimed,
+turning a half dozen pockets inside out, and emptying a heterogeneous
+collection upon the desk before him. "Oh, here it is! I knew I had it
+safe somewhere; there now, Everard, I took as much pains as if it had
+been for myself, it was one of the finest stones I could find; I think
+it is a beauty, and I hope you will like it."
+
+He handed a small case to Houston, partially open, from whose depths
+of white velvet a superb diamond ring flashed forth its wondrous rays,
+seeming almost to brighten the dingy little room in which they were
+standing.
+
+"It is indeed a beauty," said Houston, "perfect! I could not have made
+a better selection myself. I knew I could trust to your good judgment,
+Arthur, and I am exceedingly obliged; I'll do as much for you when you
+are ready for a ring of this kind."
+
+"All right, I'm glad if you like it. I believe I sent my congratulations
+by letter, but I'll renew them now. I only hope the lady herself will
+be pleased with the selection."
+
+On their way to the house, Van Dorn said: "Ned Rutherford has gone to
+the coast to meet his brother, I suppose."
+
+"Yes; you probably know he and Morton are intending to stop here on
+their return?"
+
+"Yes; Mort, as soon as he found you were here, and especially after I
+gave him an inkling of what was going on, said he should certainly
+stop as he came back. You ought to have seen him though, when I told
+him you were out here! Good gracious! he was simply thunderstruck! He
+said Ned had been writing all along about a Houston, from Chicago,
+that he had met on the train, and that he was a fine fellow, and all
+that; but of course he never dreamed it was you."
+
+The remainder of the day passed very swiftly, for there was much to be
+done. After dinner, Houston and Van Dorn went down to the mills and
+superintended the unloading and unpacking of the machinery; then, as
+it was too late in the day to begin preparations for its erection,
+Houston visited the mines, Van Dorn accompanying him only a little way
+into the main shaft. As they came out together, half an hour later,
+and started for the office, Van Dorn drew a small piece of ore from
+his pocket, saying:
+
+"I've discovered now where that fine ore on the dump of the famous
+Sunrise lode came from."
+
+"Yes," said Houston, "and you will make other discoveries, shortly."
+
+At the office there was much to be said on both sides; Van Dorn giving
+his friend messages and directions from Mr. Cameron, and giving also
+the particulars of his interview with the company, and how he had
+finally obtained their consent for the erection of the machinery at
+their mills.
+
+Houston, on his part, related what he had been doing in the few weeks
+intervening since Van Dorn's former visit, and explained his new
+position as assistant superintendent of the group of mines in which
+they were most interested.
+
+Van Dorn whistled; "That's good!" he exclaimed, "I wondered how it was
+that you were going in and out among the mines in that way, I thought
+that was something new. Have you found any one whom we can trust to
+help us?"
+
+In reply, Houston told his friend of Jack, of his experience and skill
+as a miner, and of his offer to help them.
+
+Van Dorn was greatly interested, and before they were aware, the
+afternoon had passed, and it was time to close the office and return
+to the house.
+
+At the supper table that evening, the diamond ring appeared, flashing
+on the white, shapely hand of Leslie Gladden, and she herself looked
+radiantly beautiful.
+
+After the meal was over, Morgan, who was still pale and haggard, and
+had been very silent at the table, pulled his hat down over his eyes,
+and started down the road.
+
+"Morgan," called Houston, "where are you going?"
+
+"I dun'no," he answered moodily, "down to the Y, I guess, by and by."
+
+"Well, hold on a minute, I will walk down with you a ways; I want to
+see you."
+
+"All right," responded Morgan, walking on very slowly.
+
+Houston hastily excused himself to Miss Gladden and Van Dorn, and
+hurrying after Morgan, soon overtook him. For some time, Houston
+talked with him regarding the work for the next day, and the men who
+could best be detailed to help Van Dorn. They had reached the same
+spot where they had stopped to talk a few nights before, and, as then,
+were seated on the rocks. At last, the business arrangements were all
+completed, and Morgan made a move as if to start, and then Houston's
+real errand in overtaking him became apparent.
+
+"Morgan, you are not fit to be out to-night, you must have rest, you
+will break down living this way."
+
+"Yes," said Morgan, raising his hollow, heavy eyes to Houston's face,
+"I'm about done up, that's a fact."
+
+"I wouldn't go to the Y to-night, if I were you; come back to the
+house and get a good night's rest, it will make a different man of
+you."
+
+Morgan looked undecided for a moment; "'Twouldn't be no use going up
+there now," he answered gloomily, "I couldn't rest if I tried. I
+haven't slept scarcely any for three nights; but I ain't going to stay
+out late to-night as I've been doing; I shan't play after midnight.
+I'm going to have two or three games just to see what luck I'll have,
+and if I don't have luck, why, that ends it, I ain't going to play all
+night."
+
+"Morgan," said Houston earnestly, "you spoke the other night about
+money; now, as I told you then, if you need any money, I'm your
+friend, and I'll gladly accommodate you with whatever you need."
+
+For the first time in all their acquaintance, Morgan's careless,
+indifferent manner changed, and for a few moments he seemed touched.
+
+"Yes, I believe you," he said, after a pause, "I believe you're more
+of a friend to me than anybody else. Blaisdell would kick me out
+quicker'n it takes to say so, if he knew just how I stand to-night.
+Even Haight's got the big-head and puts on his airs since he's seen
+I'm down; you're the only one that's showed me any kindness."
+
+"Now, Morgan, just say what money you need, and you shall have it; I
+want to help you out of this," said Houston.
+
+"No," said Morgan, decidedly, "if I am a gambler, and all that, I
+ain't going to take the wages from a fellow that works for less than I
+do, to help me out of trouble. The Lord knows you've earnt your money,
+for you've worked faithful."
+
+"Never mind about that, Morgan," said Houston, hastily, "I'm not
+wholly dependent on my salary; I had a good little sum of money laid
+by before I came out here; there is plenty, I will not miss it, and
+you are welcome to it."
+
+"Much obliged to you, Houston, but I can't take it,--not now, at any
+rate,--maybe I'll call on you for it to-morrow, if I don't have luck
+to-night."
+
+"You are welcome to it whenever you want it," said Houston cordially,
+his hand on Morgan's shoulder; "I only wish you were not going to the
+Y to-night."
+
+"Well," said Morgan, as he rose slowly, "don't think I don't
+appreciate your kindness, for I do. You've heard me say that I didn't
+believe in honor in anybody; I guess I'll have to take that back, for
+if there is such a thing as honor, you've got it. I don't know how it
+is," he said, with a heavy sigh, then added slowly, "I guess you've
+been raised different somehow, from most of us out here. The Lord
+knows how I was raised."
+
+He started a few steps down the road, hesitated, and came back.
+
+"Houston, there's one thing I want to say to you, for you've been good
+to me, that's this; look out for Haight; he's no friend of yours, and
+I guess you're sharp enough to know it, but maybe you don't know what
+a sneaking, cowardly cur he is; look out for him!"
+
+"Thank you, Morgan, I will."
+
+"He ain't like me," he continued, "if I don't like anybody I let 'em
+know it, and fight 'em fair and square; you can tell that by the way I
+bucked up against you, when you first came here," and he smiled at the
+recollection, the first time he had smiled in the whole conversation.
+
+"Morgan," said Houston, "I've been sorry for that a good many times
+since; if I had known about you then what you have since told me, I
+never would have been so severe in my judgment of you."
+
+"Oh, that was all right," he answered, "it did me good; I didn't like
+you very well at first, but I've always had a liking for you ever
+since. Well, so long!" and with a faint smile, Morgan went on his
+way.
+
+Houston stood watching him for a few moments, then turned back in the
+direction of the house, little thinking how, or where, they would meet
+again.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+
+The next morning dawned fair and cloudless, giving promise of one of
+those royal days, so frequent in the almost perfect climate of the
+higher altitudes.
+
+Long before noon the heat would be intense, but in the early morning
+there was wafted down from the mountain side, where the pines were
+nodding and whispering so mysteriously, a cool, exhilarating breeze,
+which kissed the surface of the azure lake, sleeping so peacefully,
+and, awakening immediately into smiles, it lay rippling and dimpling
+with laughter in the sunlight.
+
+The vines, transplanted by Miss Gladden and Lyle, under their
+fostering care, had transformed the little porch into a bower of
+beauty. Here stood Van Dorn, his fair, almost feminine face flushed
+with pleasure, and his blue eyes sparkling, as the light breeze played
+with the auburn curls clustering about his forehead, and he looked
+forth on the beauty of the scene.
+
+"Ah--h!" he exclaimed, drawing a long breath, "isn't this refreshing
+after the stifling heat and dust of the journey out here? Isn't it
+glorious?"
+
+"It is," responded Houston, "this is one of the mornings when it is a
+joy just simply to live and breathe."
+
+Houston was fired with new ambition that morning; he would no longer
+have to work alone, keeping his anxieties and doubts, his plans and
+discoveries alike to himself; from henceforth he would have
+companionship, counsel and assistance, and he felt a new interest and
+enthusiasm.
+
+Immediately after breakfast, the two set forth upon their first day's
+work. Going first to the mills, Houston secured the services of two or
+three men who could be spared from the ordinary work, to assist Van
+Dorn in making preparations for the erection of the machinery; then he
+left for his early visit to the mines.
+
+It was nearly ten o'clock when, having finished his round of duties at
+the mines, and coming up to the surface from the cool, underground
+workings, he found the heat almost unendurable, and strolled over to
+the mills, to see how Van Dorn was progressing. The latter did not
+seem averse to stopping for a few moments, and for a while, the two
+chatted and laughed with the old, careless abandon of their college
+days, without a thought of the more serious side of life, until,
+something being needed for the work, which Houston thought was in the
+tool-house, they proceeded together to look for it.
+
+Houston was still searching for the needed implements, when Van Dorn,
+who was near the door, called out:
+
+"I say, Everard, here's a small specimen of humanity who seems to be
+looking for you in a desperate hurry," and an instant later, he heard
+a familiar voice say:
+
+"Is the boss in there, mister? Le'me in quick, I wan'ter see 'im!"
+
+Turning quickly, he saw Bull-dog, breathless, pale and quivering with
+excitement.
+
+"Say, boss," he gasped, before Houston could speak, "they want
+yer--down ter the Y,--Morgan has shot hisself!"
+
+"What is that, boy?" exclaimed Houston hoarsely, clearing the space
+between them at a bound.
+
+"Morgan's shot hisself, 'n they sent us fer yer,--me'n Hank,--he's out
+there," with a backward jerk of his thumb over his shoulder toward the
+open door.
+
+Houston sprang to the door; another boy was talking excitedly with Van
+Dorn, while his horse stood, panting heavily and covered with dust and
+foam.
+
+"Here's the man you want," said Van Dorn, turning a white face toward
+Houston, "Great God, Everard!" he exclaimed, "Morgan has killed
+himself!"
+
+"He is not dead!" exclaimed Houston, turning towards the boy.
+
+The latter nodded; "They found 'im shot through the head, 'n this was
+in his hand, 'n the cops won't let nobody in till you come," and he
+handed Houston a bit of paper.
+
+It was a scrap of newspaper, crumpled and spattered with blood, and,
+as Houston smoothed it out, he read on the margin, in characters
+wavering and almost illegible, written with a trembling hand, but
+still Morgan's writing, "Send to the camp for Houston, he's the only
+friend I've got."
+
+For an instant, it seemed to Houston as though the glorious sunlight
+had suddenly turned to blackness, a blackness in which the scrap of
+paper gleamed white before him, its red spots glowing like spots of
+flame. He seemed again to see Morgan as he looked when parting from
+him the previous evening; the haggard face, with its hollow eyes and
+faint, pathetic smile, and as he recalled his words in reply to his
+own repeated offers of money, there seemed a new meaning in them;
+"Maybe I'll call on you for it to-morrow if I don't have luck
+to-night."
+
+But Houston realized there was no time to waste, and in a few moments
+he was mounted on a powerful gray horse, on his way to the Y,
+notwithstanding Van Dorn's protests on account of the intense heat,
+having requested the latter to explain his absence at the house. Just
+as he was about to start, Bull-dog begged to be allowed to ride with
+him, to which Houston consented, and lifting the little fellow up,
+seated him in front of himself. Very little was said, for the horse
+seemed to understand what was expected of him, and sped like the wind
+down the narrow canyon road, but Houston's hand rested kindly on
+Bull-dog's shoulder, steadying the slender frame, and, at the same
+time, warming the heart of the forlorn little waif, to whom even the
+touch of kindness was something exceedingly rare.
+
+Houston's mind was occupied with thoughts of the terrible scene he was
+rapidly approaching, as well as with memories of his last interview
+with Morgan on the preceding night. At last, having crossed a ravine,
+the horse slackened his pace, as he climbed the steep ascent on the
+other side, and Houston, almost unconsciously, spoke his thoughts
+aloud.
+
+"Poor Morgan!" he said, with a heavy sigh, "poor fellow! If I could
+only have saved him from this! God knows I would have given him any
+amount of money to have prevented this."
+
+"'Twouldn't ha' been no use, sir," Bull-dog broke in quickly, eager to
+console Houston, "'twouldn't ha' been no use to have give 'im money,
+'cause, ye see, them fellers that he played with would ha' got it
+all."
+
+"Who were they?" inquired Houston.
+
+"Oh, there was Faro Dick and Slicky Sam, and a lot of 'em; Morgan
+wasn't no match for fellers like them, they was all too swift fer
+him."
+
+"How do you know?"
+
+"Oh, I seen 'em playin' lots o' times, and they're all reg'lar
+sharpers, 'n Morgan, he'd got reckless, 'n he didn't stan' no show
+against 'em."
+
+Houston looked down wonderingly and pityingly upon the little fellow,
+young in years, but who knew so much of the dark side of life, but
+nothing more was said, as, having reached the top of the hill, the
+station was close at hand.
+
+Having left his horse in charge of one of the company's men, Houston,
+accompanied by Bull-dog as guide, proceeded across the street, to the
+group of dirty, disreputable-looking buildings containing the saloons,
+gambling houses and dance halls. He had little need of a guide, for,
+before the shabbiest and most disreputable of the entire lot, was
+gathered a motley crowd, gazing with awestruck curiosity at the
+building in which had been enacted the tragedy of the night before. It
+was a saloon with gambling rooms in the rear. Here Morgan had played
+his last game,--just to see what luck he would have,--as he had said
+to Houston, and from which he had come forth ruined, despairing,
+desperate.
+
+Passing through the crowd of jabbering Chinamen and "dagoes," of
+miners off shift, drawn hither by curiosity, and of gamblers of all
+grades from the professional expert to the "tin-horn," Houston found
+his way around the corner of the building, down into an alley, dark,
+dismal and reeking with filth. Here were groups of slatternly, unkempt
+women, some of whom stared at him with brazen faces, while others
+slunk away, not quite lost to shame.
+
+At last they came to a rickety stair-way, and as they neared the top,
+Bull-dog whispered:
+
+"There's some of 'em now; that tall feller is Faro Dick, he deals down
+stairs, and the little, black feller is Slicky, and that short, fat
+one, that's Brocky Joe."
+
+The group gathered about the door-way at the head of the stairs eyed
+Houston curiously as he approached. He gave them only a quick, keen
+glance, but in that glance he had detected the trio named by Bull-dog,
+and they cowered visibly beneath the scorn and contempt which flashed
+from his eye, while the entire group of loungers made way, impelled
+partly by an unconscious respect for the broad, powerful shoulders,
+and splendid, athletic frame.
+
+Down a dark, narrow hall, Bull-dog led the way to a door guarded by
+two men, who touched their caps respectfully to Houston. They were two
+of the mining company's watchmen, who were kept at the station to
+guard their property, and to preserve order generally, and hence were
+designated by the gamins of the place as police and "cops."
+
+Silently they unlocked and opened the door for Houston, and one of
+them entered with him. It was a small room, evidently a woman's, and
+its general squalor and dilapidation were made more apparent by
+tawdry, shabby bits of finery strewn here and there. Curtains of red
+damask, faded and ragged, hung at the window, excluding the daylight,
+and on a small table a kerosene lamp had burned itself out. But
+Houston took little notice of the room; as his eyes became accustomed
+to the dim light, he saw but one object.
+
+Across the bed in one corner of the room, lay Morgan, his left arm
+thrown out across the pillows, the other dropped at his side, and a
+revolver clenched in his right hand. His head was turned slightly to
+one side, exposing the ghastly wound near the temple, his face was
+blackened and mutilated, but still bore traces of the terrible strain
+of those last few hours of life.
+
+Houston stepped back, even his firm nerves quivering, and his heart
+throbbing with a great sorrow for the life so suddenly quenched in the
+darkness of despair.
+
+On a chair were Morgan's hat and coat, where he had thrown them, and
+as Houston turned toward the little table, he saw there a newspaper
+from which a scrap had been torn. Taking the bit of paper, containing
+Morgan's last message, from his pocket, he compared them; it fitted
+exactly, and beside the paper lay a bit of pencil with which those
+last words had been written, and to Houston, with his keen perception
+and vivid imagination, the whole scene of the previous night with its
+minute and pathetic details, seemed passing before his vision. He
+turned to the watchman:
+
+"Open the window," he said, and his voice sounded strange even to
+himself, "draw back those curtains, this place is stifling."
+
+Upon inquiry, Houston found the watchman could give him very little
+information. In passing down the alley at about eight o'clock that
+morning, his attention had been arrested by screams issuing from the
+building. On rushing up-stairs, he saw a crowd gathering about the
+door of this room, and, on entering, was shocked at the sight
+revealed. Mollie, the girl who usually occupied the room, was
+screaming hysterically, but when able to talk explained that she had
+been out all night and had but just returned. Morgan was in the habit
+of coming to the room, and had a key, but he had not been there of
+late, having gambled every night till daylight.
+
+Her screams had attracted nearly the whole neighborhood, some of whom
+corroborated her statements, and one or two testified to having heard
+a shot sometime about midnight, but nothing had been thought of it, as
+it was supposed to be some row in the gambling rooms below. The
+watchman had ordered the crowd out of the room, and sent the messenger
+for Houston, and also a telegram to Silver City for the coroner, who
+was expected on the noon train.
+
+As it was nearly noon, Houston decided to step over to the depot,
+leaving the room in charge of the watchman. On his way, he heard
+various comments from groups gathered here and there. Passing a
+half-dozen miners, he heard one of them say:
+
+"If he'd 'a been a union man, we'd 'a taken care of 'im, but he worked
+for the bosses, and helped 'em to make big money, and now, let the
+bosses take care of 'im and bury 'im."
+
+A bitter smile crossed Houston's face, and stepping into the little
+telegraph office, he sent a message, first, in his own name, to one of
+the undertaking firms of Silver City, for everything that was needed
+to be sent up by the special freight that afternoon; and then a brief
+dispatch to Mr. Blaisdell, stating what had occurred, but that the
+affairs of the company were all right, and there was no necessity for
+his coming to the camp immediately.
+
+A few moments later, the train arrived, bringing the coroner, and as
+quickly as possible the inquest was held. Very few facts were
+developed beyond those already learned by Houston, excepting the
+extent of Morgan's losses. These included not only everything which he
+had possessed, even to his watch and a few pieces of jewelry, but in
+addition, a large sum of money advanced him by Brocky Joe. Those with
+whom he was playing testified that he had quit shortly before
+midnight, and left the hall rather hastily. At the time, they thought
+he had gone to borrow more money, and perhaps try his luck at some
+other place, but nothing more was seen of him, and they soon forgot
+the occurrence.
+
+When all was over and the crowd was slowly dispersing, Houston saw
+several members of the gambling fraternity approaching him, headed by
+the two designated by Bull-dog as Slicky Sam and Brocky Joe. The
+latter, a stout, red-faced individual, with flaming necktie and
+blazing diamonds, was evidently speaker for the entire party.
+
+"We would like," he began, in a high-pitched, falsetto voice, "to
+express our regrets for what has occurred, and I wish to state on
+behalf of my associates here, and also personally, that there was no
+ill feeling toward your friend, and I am perfectly willing to overlook
+the small amount of indebtedness; and if there is anything we can do,
+in the way of sharing the burial expenses, or anything of the kind, we
+shall be glad to do so."
+
+"Your assistance is not needed," replied Houston, in a cold, cutting
+tone, "you have already done your work; you and your ilk have brought
+him where he is, and that is enough," and he turned abruptly from
+them.
+
+As he re-entered the room, he met Mollie, who cast an appealing glance
+at him. She could not have been over twenty years of age, but she
+looked worn and haggard. Her hair was disheveled, large, dark rings
+encircled her heavy, lusterless eyes, now swollen with weeping, and
+there was a look of helpless and hopeless despair in her glance that
+aroused Houston's pity. It was a new experience for him to be brought
+into contact with these wrecked and ruined lives, and sorrow for the
+one life which had gone out so suddenly and needlessly, made him
+pitiful toward all.
+
+A look of pity, a word of pure, disinterested kindness, was something
+new in the life of the poor creature before him, and she began sobbing
+afresh:
+
+"He's gone," she moaned, "and I don't want to live no longer."
+
+"Did you care so much for him?" asked Houston, wonderingly.
+
+"Yes," she sobbed, "I never cared for nobody but him. I thought once
+he cared for me, but after a while I found he didn't, and then I went
+to the bad as fast as I could, but still I cared for him. I never was
+very good, for I never had no chance to be, but I'd 'a been different
+from what I am, if he'd only 'a cared for me."
+
+Houston went back into the wretched room, and looked long and sadly at
+the one who, in his last moments of despair, had called him his
+friend. He recalled the story told him that night among the rocks; he
+thought of the life ruined by a mother's neglect and sin, and now of
+another life shut out in hopeless misery because of his indifference
+and neglect, and Houston realized at that moment, as never before, the
+influences, for good or for evil, extending from one human life to
+another, spreading onward and onward,
+
+                 "As wave follows wave across the sea,"
+
+till the widening circles at last touch the shores of eternity.
+
+An hour or two later, when Houston stepped over to the depot to meet
+the incoming special freight, he was somewhat surprised to see Mr.
+Blaisdell step from the train, and in his white face, his firmly set
+mouth with its hard lines, and his pale blue eyes, it could readily be
+seen that he knew nothing of pity or mercy for the man who had served
+him so faithfully.
+
+"I did not expect you so early, Mr. Blaisdell," said Houston, as they
+exchanged greetings, "I thought after receiving my dispatch you would
+feel no anxiety, and would probably not come out till the evening
+train."
+
+"Your telegram was a great relief," Mr. Blaisdell answered in an
+excited tone, "but I was all ready to come, as, from the tenor of
+Haight's message this morning, I feared the worst. You are sure the
+affairs of the company are all right?"
+
+"Perfectly sure," replied Houston, calmly, "so far as money is
+concerned, poor Morgan has wronged no one but himself."
+
+"Well," said Mr. Blaisdell, with a sigh of relief, "I am glad to hear
+that, but this is an outrageous affair,--simply outrageous,--a man in
+his responsible position, trusted as he has been, coming to such an
+end as this, under such circumstances and amid such surroundings! It
+is a disgrace to himself, and to those associated with him in
+business,--to the entire company!"
+
+The thought flashed through Houston's mind that a deeper disgrace than
+this awaited the company, but he only replied:
+
+"I had not looked at it in that light, Mr. Blaisdell; I, as one of his
+associates, certainly feel no disgrace attached to myself. I had
+thought only of the terrible pity for a life so needlessly ruined and
+lost."
+
+"Pity!" said Mr. Blaisdell, contemptuously, "If a man willfully
+degrades himself and disgraces his friends, I have no pity for him, he
+deserves none for such dishonorable, dishonest conduct."
+
+"His dishonesty, as you term it, must have been of rather an unusual
+type," said Houston, "since I offered him money only last night, and
+he refused to take it."
+
+"So you knew of his habits and offered him money? It was your duty to
+have reported him to me."
+
+"I do not need you, Mr. Blaisdell, or any one else, to tell me what my
+duty is here," replied Houston, with dignity, "I did not know until
+recently to what extent Morgan was gambling, and when a man is in
+trouble, I will never give him a push downward."
+
+One of the workmen just then came to Houston for instructions
+regarding the shipment which he had ordered from Silver City, thus
+attracting Mr. Blaisdell's attention in that direction.
+
+"What is this, Houston?" he exclaimed angrily, "what does this mean?
+You certainly had no right, no authority to order these things; the
+company will not pay one cent toward the burial of a man who has
+proven himself so unworthy of the confidence reposed in him."
+
+"Mr. Blaisdell," said Houston, calmly, but in a tone his employer had
+never heard before, "there is not the least necessity for the company
+to pay one cent, or for you to feel any concern in this matter. I have
+ordered these things myself, personally, upon my own responsibility."
+
+For the first time Mr. Blaisdell had found an employe who evidently
+did not stand in fear of him, and surprise held him silent for a
+moment.
+
+"Very well," he answered, in an altered tone, "but I must say I can
+see no reason for such a quixotic proceeding on your part; I never
+supposed you and Morgan were particular friends."
+
+"Here is my reason," Houston replied, handing him the bit of paper
+bearing Morgan's last words; "When a despairing man, in his last
+moments, appeals to me as his friend, and his only friend, even though
+that man were my worst enemy, I would feel in duty bound to do for him
+everything that a friend could do."
+
+Mr. Blaisdell returned the slip, and there was a new respect indicated
+in tone and manner, as he replied:
+
+"I don't know but you are right, do as you think best. I am going up
+to the camp, you can come whenever you are ready."
+
+"I shall be there in a few hours," said Houston, and they separated.
+
+A little later, everything that he could do had been done, and as
+Houston looked for the last time upon the pale face, where the angel
+of death was already smoothing out the lines traced by the last few
+days of suffering, and softening the features into a look of
+contentment and peace, he was glad that in the last moments of that
+life, there had come faith, even in one human being.
+
+Early the next morning, a little group was gathered in a beautiful,
+secluded spot, on the mountain side, overlooking the station. Houston
+and Van Dorn were there, and a clergyman from a little parish in a
+small town a few miles distant, to whom the sad story had been told,
+read the simple but impressive words of the burial service and offered
+a brief prayer. And, as the weary body was lowered to its final
+resting place, at the foot of the murmuring pines, there came to the
+minds of Houston and Van Dorn the memory of the burial of a class-mate
+in the old college days, and simultaneously their voices rose on the
+clear, morning air, blending in the words chanted on that former
+occasion:----
+
+             "Rest, brother, rest in thy last, long sleep."
+
+Slowly the little company dispersed, each going his own way. Upon
+Houston's mind the events of those last twenty-four hours had left an
+impression never to be effaced, but to most in that community one
+human life, more or less, was of slight significance. To them, life
+was but one great game, in which fortune, reputation, character,
+everything which they possessed, whether much or little, was staked on
+the high card. No wonder that little thought was given to the losers,
+dropping out, one by one!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII.
+
+
+The following days were crowded with work for Houston. A bookkeeper
+was immediately sent over from Silver City to do the office work, but,
+excepting Houston, the company had no man, both competent and who
+could be trusted, to fill Morgan's position. It was therefore arranged
+that for the next few weeks, until they could ascertain the address of
+a former superintendent, who had recently returned east, and
+communicate with him, Houston was to superintend the working of all
+the mines.
+
+This involved much additional work and responsibility, but Houston
+filled the position so satisfactorily and showed such business tact
+and executive ability, that Mr. Blaisdell, on his return to Silver
+City, had fully determined to retain him permanently as superintendent
+at the mines, and, if possible, secure Barden, their former man, as an
+assistant.
+
+"I tell you, Rivers, that Houston is a capable man, wonderfully
+capable," he said, having related to the remaining officers of the
+company Houston's success in filling Morgan's position.
+
+"It seems to me, Blaisdell," said Mr. Brunnell, the benevolent looking
+old gentleman whom Houston had seen on his first visit to the offices,
+and one of the board of directors, "it seems to me you had better look
+out for him yourself; that young man is rising so fast, he's likely to
+oust you yet."
+
+"Well, no, I guess not," replied Mr. Blaisdell confidently, with his
+complacent smile, "I don't think you fellows could get along without
+me, just yet. I don't know what we would do with him, though, in case
+of any disagreement, he's as independent as though he were a
+millionaire instead of a salaried clerk; he would never care a rap for
+anything we might say, he would take his own way every time," and Mr.
+Blaisdell gave an account of his interview with Houston at the Y.
+
+"Humph!" sniffed Mr. Rivers contemptuously, "You'd better let me
+manage that fellow, Blaisdell, he'll run away with you."
+
+"He'll run away with those mines up there, Blaisdell," chuckled Mr.
+Brunnell, peering over his glasses at the general manager, who was
+strutting pompously about the office.
+
+"Well, you fellows may joke as much as you please," said Mr.
+Blaisdell, a little testily, "I tell you the man is smart."
+
+"Confound it! I know he's smart; I tell you he's too damned smart for
+you!" responded Mr. Rivers, who had very little respect for Mr.
+Blaisdell's business ability, but found him a very convenient
+cat's-paw.
+
+As early as possible after the completion of the new arrangements at
+the mines, Houston and Van Dorn, in accordance with a previous
+engagement, visited Jack at his cabin. The hour was late, and as they
+entered the room already familiar to Houston, a lamp was burning
+brightly, but a heavy screen hung over it, concentrating the light
+upon the table beneath, on which lay various drawings and tracings,
+and allowing only a dim light to pervade the room.
+
+Houston introduced Van Dorn, whom Jack greeted with characteristic
+courtesy, though with something of his old reserve, and having seated
+his guests, he at once proceeded to the discussion of the business
+which had brought them together.
+
+In reply to an inquiry of his regarding the present situation of
+affairs, Houston informed him of the arrangement just completed by
+which he was to have entire charge of the work at the mines for the
+next few weeks, until the coming of Mr. Barden.
+
+"Your present position is much more favorable for your work," replied
+Jack, "it is exceedingly doubtful whether the company will have any
+use for the services of Mr. Barden."
+
+Houston then stated briefly what had been done since Van Dorn's
+arrival, adding in conclusion, "Of course, we would have accomplished
+more within this time, had it not been for the confusion and changes
+resulting from Morgan's sudden death."
+
+"Yes," said Jack, "that has hindered you temporarily, but it will
+result to your advantage. All that I regretted was that an examination
+which I hoped you and Mr. Van Dorn might be able to make last week,
+immediately upon his arrival, will now have to be postponed until next
+week, but even that is better as it is."
+
+"How is that?" inquired Houston, with much interest, "to what do you
+refer?"
+
+"I refer to the Lucky Chance mine; are you familiar with that
+property?"
+
+"Not especially," said Houston, "I have paid no attention to it, as it
+was not one in which our company was interested, nor one of which I
+was in charge. Since the recent change, I have visited the mine once
+with Mr. Blaisdell, but we only went in a short distance, and he
+informed me there was but little work done there, and but few men
+employed."
+
+"Yes," replied Jack, with peculiar emphasis, "but that 'little work'
+as he terms it yields the company a larger percentage than any other
+single mine which they own."
+
+Houston's face expressed considerable astonishment. "You surprise me,"
+he exclaimed, "because I thought I knew their best paying properties,
+and I never would have supposed that was one of them, either from my
+own observation, or from anything I have heard of it."
+
+"It would not be for the interests of the company to have much said
+regarding the mine, or to have the workings investigated very closely.
+You are probably aware that the claim adjoins the Yankee Boy?"
+
+"Certainly," answered Houston, "I am aware of that fact."
+
+"Very well," replied Jack, rising and going to the table. "I have
+prepared some diagrams here which I would like you and Mr. Van Dorn to
+examine. Here you will see," he continued, as they drew their chairs
+near the table," the boundaries and underground workings of the Lucky
+Chance mine, with their approximate measurements. Please look them
+over and see if you detect any irregularities."
+
+Both Houston and Van Dorn studied the diagram carefully for a moment,
+when the latter exclaimed:
+
+"Why, the main tunnel extends more than a hundred feet beyond the
+boundary line."
+
+"Now allow me to substitute this diagram," said Jack, spreading a
+larger tracing before them. "This is the same as the other with the
+addition of a portion of the boundary lines and underground workings
+of the adjoining claim, the Yankee Boy."
+
+"Ah, I see," said Houston, "the tunnel from the Lucky Chance has been
+carried beyond the boundary line in such a direction as to strike the
+vein of the adjoining claim."
+
+"That is it exactly," said Van Dorn, "no wonder the mine pays well!"
+
+"As I stated before," continued Jack, "these measurements, and, to a
+certain extent, the course of the tunnel, are given approximately, as
+I had no means of ascertaining the exact data, but I know they are
+essentially correct. It only remains for you, gentlemen, to verify
+this, by making an examination of the tunnel and taking the courses
+and measurements exactly, and also by comparing the ore now taken out
+with that originally found in the mine, and with the ore of the Yankee
+Boy, and you will then have evidence of the greatest fraud which has
+been perpetrated upon the rightful owners of the Yankee Boy, and which
+has been carried on for the last four or five years."
+
+"But how did you discover this?" asked Houston.
+
+"I first came here," replied Jack, "shortly after the sale of the
+Yankee Boy group of properties had been consummated. Within a few
+months afterward, the company located the Lucky Chance mine;
+development work was carried forward as rapidly as possible, quite a
+number of men being employed, of which I was one. It was evident that
+in locating this mine, the company hoped they had struck an extension
+of the vein of the Yankee Boy lode; it proved of an entirely different
+character, however, yielding rather a low-grade ore. The claim was
+surveyed and patented as soon as the necessary amount of improvements,
+required by law, had been placed upon it. After obtaining patent, the
+company then extended the tunnel in an entirely different direction,
+and, as you will find upon investigation, beyond the boundary line,
+until it intersected a portion of the Yankee Boy vein. Here a body of
+very rich ore was struck, and the mine has been a paying property ever
+since. For this last work very few men were retained, and but few have
+been employed there since, those few being men whom the company
+thought could be trusted, or upon whom they had some hold by which
+they could compel them to silence. I was employed there until very
+recently, and from the first had a thorough understanding of the
+course and extent of the different workings, and consequently am
+perfectly familiar with them."
+
+"Everard," said Van Dorn, for whom work of this kind possessed a
+special attraction, "I think this is just about the kind of an
+expedition we will like."
+
+"I think so myself," Houston replied, "but at the same time, it is the
+most risky piece of work we have yet undertaken, and we will have to
+depend upon our friend here for suggestions and advice. You will of
+course accompany us?" he added, turning to Jack, who had withdrawn
+from the table and was sitting in the dim light.
+
+"Certainly," responded Jack, "it would be a very dangerous undertaking
+for two strangers to go through that part of the mine without a guide
+at any time, especially at night, and it will be at best, a hazardous
+piece of work."
+
+"How many are employed there? and what class of men are they?"
+inquired Houston.
+
+"About a dozen on the night shift," Jack replied, "mostly Cornishmen,
+but whatever their nationality, it is usually the most treacherous
+and brutal men that we have that are employed by the company in that
+mine. Maverick used to work there until he was transferred above
+ground. It will not be necessary for us to come in contact with
+very many of them, however, as they are so widely scattered through
+the mine, and on the night shift next week, there will be four
+men,--a father and three sons,--who will do just about whatever I
+say, especially if a little money is given them. Mr. Houston's new
+position as superintendent, will aid us very materially. A visit from
+him, with me as guide, will not excite suspicion, but Mr. Van Dorn
+will be suspected in a moment, and we must disguise him."
+
+Van Dorn whistled softly.
+
+"Could you assume the Irish dialect, on an occasion like this, Mr. Van
+Dorn?" Jack inquired.
+
+"An' shure," exclaimed Van Dorn, with the broadest accent imaginable,
+"an' will yez be afther tellin' me, be-dad! why I should not shpake me
+own mither tongue?"
+
+Both Houston and Jack laughed at Van Dorn's ready answer.
+
+"You will do," Jack said quietly, but in a tone so rich and musical as
+to chain the attention of his guests while he proceeded to plan the
+details of their visit to the mine.
+
+In an hour or two, the modus operandi had been fully decided upon, and
+nothing remained but to fix the night for their expedition, and this
+it was thought best to leave to be determined by circumstances the
+following week. The instruments needed for taking measurements were to
+be taken down beforehand by Houston, and concealed in a safe place
+near the mine, and on the night of the examination, he was to go from
+the house directly to the mine, where he would be joined by Jack and
+Van Dorn, the latter dressed in a suit of Mike's mining clothes, and
+personating him as closely as possible.
+
+All arrangements being now as nearly complete as possible, Houston and
+Van Dorn bade their host a cordial good night, and walked cheerfully
+homeward, in the cool, night air, under the star-lit sky, all
+unconscious of a pair of eyes, which from behind a large rock, had
+eagerly watched for their appearance, and followed their every
+movement.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII.
+
+
+As Houston and Van Dorn disappeared around a turn in the road, the
+figure of Haight emerged into the starlight from behind a large rock
+where he had been concealed most of the time during their stay at the
+cabin. Incidently he had seen them on their way to visit Jack, and the
+lateness of the hour combined with the direction in which they were
+going, aroused his curiosity to such a degree that he followed them at
+a distance, and having seen them enter the cabin, his suspicious
+nature was at once on the alert.
+
+"I guess I'll find out what in the devil this means," he said to
+himself, as he paused behind a rock at a little distance, determined
+to ascertain what he could regarding their movements.
+
+It was a long and wearisome watch; once or twice he ventured near the
+cabin, to see whether by closer observation he could obtain any clue
+to what might be going on within, but the closely shaded window gave
+no sign, and beyond an occasional low murmuring of voices, nothing
+disturbed the silence, except once a low, ominous growl from Rex, as
+he caught sight of Haight's skulking figure from his station just
+outside the door.
+
+When at last the door opened, and Houston and Van Dorn stepped forth
+into the calm night, the lynx-eyed watcher failed to detect anything
+beyond a friendly leave-taking, after which the two walked homeward,
+chatting in the most commonplace manner imaginable.
+
+"By George!" he soliloquized, as he followed at a safe distance, "I
+wonder if I haven't had my labor for my pains! But that did look
+mighty queer anyhow, their going 'round to see the old chap, and I'll
+wager there's something in it, too. I shouldn't wonder if that Van
+Dorn is out here in the interest of that old party who was looking at
+mines a while ago, and with Houston's help is going to get a few
+pointers. Jack knows pretty well what is going on around here, and
+may be a little money would make him talk. I'm going to keep watch of
+some of these smart people, and I know of one or two that will help me
+about it. If I can get hold of anything, I'll report it to Rivers;
+Houston has pulled the wool over Blaisdell's eyes, but Rivers won't
+have anybody monkeying round these mines, and if I can once put him on
+the track, there'll be a few less of these swells about, and it will
+be money in my pocket."
+
+Late as it was when Houston and Van Dorn returned to the house, Miss
+Gladden and Lyle had not retired. Houston had told Miss Gladden the
+secret of his business there in the mining camp, and, true to Lyle's
+prediction, he had found her, while quick to realize the dangers of
+his position, yet able to assist him by her readiness to enter into
+his feelings, her interest in his plans and her timely suggestions.
+Once she had met Jack since learning Houston's secret, and in a few,
+well-chosen words, had conveyed to him her knowledge of the fact that
+he was giving her lover aid and protection in his work, and her
+gratitude therefor.
+
+She and Lyle were aware of the import of the visit to the cabin that
+night, and they sat in the dusky shadows, looking out into the night,
+alternately talking in low tones, and listening for the return of
+Houston and his friend.
+
+Miss Gladden was the first to catch the sound of her lover's voice, as
+he and Van Dorn approached the house, and a moment later, they heard
+the ringing laugh of the latter.
+
+"They are evidently in good spirits," remarked Lyle, "their visit must
+have been a satisfactory one."
+
+"Mr. Van Dorn seems so jubilant they must have made some new
+discoveries," said Miss Gladden, "he never seems so happy as when he
+is ferreting out some fraud, or unearthing some dishonest scheme."
+
+"There is material enough here to make his happiness complete for some
+time," said Lyle rather bitterly, "I only wish every one of the guilty
+parties could be brought to justice, but I doubt whether they ever
+will be."
+
+"Why?" exclaimed Miss Gladden in surprise, "do you think Mr. Houston
+will fail after all?"
+
+"No, not that necessarily," Lyle answered, "but even if he succeeds in
+getting his evidence together, and his friends come out from the east,
+I do not believe they will ever succeed in securing the ones who are
+most guilty, who have planned and plotted the whole thing. Over and
+over again, people whom they have wronged and defrauded have brought
+suit against them, but to no purpose; they are continually involved in
+litigation, but they always manage to evade the law in one way or
+another, I do not claim to understand how."
+
+"I would not think they could escape with all the evidence accumulating
+against them now," said Miss Gladden thoughtfully.
+
+"You wouldn't think so," replied Lyle, "but you don't know them. Who
+is that?" she asked suddenly, catching sight in the dim light of a
+figure approaching the house.
+
+"It looks like Haight," said Miss Gladden, "but why is he creeping
+along so cautiously?"
+
+"I believe he has been following Mr. Houston," said Lyle, quickly,
+"wait a minute, keep perfectly quiet, so he will think every one is
+asleep up stairs," and in an instant, she was going swiftly and
+noiselessly down the stairs. The door at the foot of the stairs was
+partially open, and Lyle could hear Haight, as, after opening the
+outside door very carefully, he stepped lightly toward the room
+occupied by Houston and Van Dorn; here he paused and listened, but
+evidently hearing nothing, he cautiously made his way across to the
+room of Mr. and Mrs. Maverick, the door of which was ajar.
+
+"Jim!" he whispered, "Jim, wake up!"
+
+"Who's that? What d'ye want?" came the response in a surly tone.
+
+"Sh! don't make any noise," he whispered, "it's Haight; get up and
+come out on the porch, but be quiet about it; I want to have a talk
+with you."
+
+A muttered assent was given, and Haight tip-toed softly out to the
+porch, and sat down.
+
+Lyle crept up-stairs again to Miss Gladden.
+
+"Don't be frightened," she said, "but I believe Haight must have seen
+or heard something;" and she hastily told what she had overheard.
+
+"Now," said she in conclusion, "the window on the porch is open, and
+as soon as they are both outside, I will go there and listen. Even if
+I cannot hear all that is said I will probably catch enough to learn
+what is going on. You wait for me and keep perfectly quiet."
+
+A few moments later, Maverick shuffled out on the porch and sat down
+beside Haight with a growl.
+
+"Damned pretty time, I sh'd think, to talk! What in hell do you
+want?"
+
+"Well, you were long enough getting out here," said Haight, in his
+smoothest tones, all unaware of a figure that had glided to the open
+window behind him, and now knelt within six feet of him. "Now quit
+your growling, for you and I are good friends, Jim, and I want your
+advice. Jim," he continued in a lower tone, "what would you think two
+fellows like Houston and Van Dorn would want with that old chap,
+Jack?"
+
+"Huh?" said Maverick, rather stupidly, "what are ye drivin' at?"
+
+"Wake up! you're half asleep, Jim! Your two dandy boarders here only
+just came home about twenty minutes ago; they've been for the last
+three or four hours down there in Jack's cabin, with the windows all
+shut tight and curtains down, and still as death. What do you suppose
+that means?"
+
+"Damned if I know," was the laconic response.
+
+"Now, Jim, don't be so uncommunicative; there may be something in this
+for you and me if we just put our heads together, 'two heads are
+better than one,' you know, so set your thinking machine to work and
+grind out some ideas."
+
+"Well," said Maverick, slowly, "I dun'no what that Houston, damn him,
+would be runnin' 'round after Jack for, unless he wanted to get some
+p'inters on the mines some way."
+
+"That's it, go ahead!" said Haight.
+
+"Houston," continued Maverick, with an oath and applying a vile
+epithet, "is too all-fired smart to notice anybody, and Jack's
+another, so they'd be likely to hitch."
+
+"That's right," said Haight, "now what object would he be likely to
+have in getting information from Jack?"
+
+"I dun'no," said the other, "unless mebbe he's paid by somebody on the
+outside."
+
+"Well," said Haight, "I guess we've got about the same idea of it;
+it's my opinion he is paid by somebody, and that somebody is Van Dorn,
+or whoever's backing him. I don't put much stock in this machinery
+business of his; he don't act like a fellow that needs to go peddling
+machines about the country, and I notice he don't seem in any great
+rush about putting it up, now he's got here; he ain't one of the kind
+that has to rustle for a living, like you and me. I think he's just
+out here getting pointers on the mines for that old fellow that was
+here a while ago, and he's probably paying Houston a good, round sum
+for helping him along, and now they've got Jack roped in on the
+deal."
+
+"Well," said Maverick savagely, "if that's their game, I guess 'twill
+be dead easy stoppin' it any time we're a mind to; these 'ere mines is
+awfully unsafe places for a tenderfoot to be prowlin' 'round in," and
+he laughed a cruel laugh, very familiar to the listener at the
+window.
+
+"That's so," assented Haight, "I think we'd better keep close watch of
+these fellows, and if they get too fresh, just have 'em laid out with
+a sandbag or two."
+
+"Better'n that," said Maverick, "to take 'em some time in the mines;
+folks like them are likely to get dizzy and fall some times, or get in
+the way of the ore buckets and be knocked silly."
+
+"Well, I'll tell you what I want you to do; I'll keep watch, and if I
+know of their going down to the cabin again, I want you to put some
+men on to watch out for them; we'll investigate and find out what is
+going on. Put on what men you please, and have them report to me, and
+we'll find out what this means, and make our plans accordingly."
+
+"That there's a damned ticklish place to get any of the men to go late
+at night," said Maverick reflectively.
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"That place is harnted, ye know, by the man on the spotted horse."
+
+"Oh, nonsense!" ejaculated Haight.
+
+"It's a fact though; he rides up and down there once in a while, and I
+wouldn't want ter see him myself."
+
+"Oh, hang your ghost!" said Haight, impatiently, "tell your men if
+they see it to shoot it."
+
+"That wouldn't do no good," responded Maverick doggedly, "It's the
+sight of it brings bad luck, and sometimes death. There was a fellow
+here two years ago, he seen it one night, and the next day he was
+killed in the mines; they said the ghost had called him."
+
+"Well," said Haight, rising, "It would be well if your ghost would
+only call Houston and Van Dorn some night; but I want you to do as I
+say, anyway."
+
+Lyle, who had caught nearly every word of this conversation, now rose
+quickly and retreated to the kitchen, knowing she would there be safe
+from detection, and could also judge of their movements. Nothing
+further was said, however; Haight went stealthily up-stairs to his
+room, and Maverick, after cursing to himself a few moments, was soon
+snoring profoundly, and Lyle then returned to Miss Gladden's room. She
+felt a sickening sensation as she repeated the conversation to her
+friend, and realized all that it meant. Miss Gladden was inexpressibly
+shocked:
+
+"Lyle, my dear child, is it possible that they would go to such
+extreme limits as that. I had thought that he would be in danger of
+some assault in the dark, or something of that kind, but to trap him
+in the mines! I never dreamed of anything so cowardly, so dastardly!
+He will be in constant danger in the performance of his daily round of
+duties."
+
+"Dear Leslie," said Lyle,--for thus Miss Gladden had of late requested
+her to address her,--"I have told you, you did not realize what a
+place this is, and the worst of all is, that it is my father who is
+planning this, after all the kindness which you and Mr. Houston have
+shown me! What must you think of us?"
+
+"Of you, my dear child? I love you and trust you the same as ever,"
+exclaimed Miss Gladden impulsively, "he is no father of yours!"
+
+Lyle, in her grief, did not notice the import of Miss Gladden's words,
+but she exclaimed passionately:
+
+"I will never call that man father again as long as I live, and if it
+ever comes to that, I will shoot him, rather than let him injure Mr.
+Houston." Then, a moment later, she added more calmly:
+
+"I must not allow myself to become excited, I must think and plan. Do
+you know, I was so glad that they have not, as yet, found the real
+clue to what is going on, and do not even suspect the truth, and they
+must not be allowed even to surmise it; as long as they do not, Mr.
+Houston is comparatively safe, and they must not be allowed to watch
+him, or get any clue to his movements."
+
+"But how can you prevent it, dear? You know the country and the people
+so much better than I, that you can plan and direct far better than I
+can; you command, dear Lyle, and you will find me ready to obey,
+afraid of nothing, not death itself, if I can only help him and save
+him from his enemies."
+
+"You had better write a note to him to-night, to give him quietly in
+the morning, as you may not have an opportunity for a long talk with
+him so early, and tell him what I have told you. Then he can probably
+make arrangements with Jack by writing, so that he will not need to go
+to the cabin again at present; or, if necessary, I can go for him."
+
+"But what will they do about their intended examination of the mines?
+They will surely be watched then."
+
+"All they can do is to make their plans as quietly and secretly as
+possible, and then go prepared for the worst, but I think I can help
+them there; I have a scheme of my own, something that occurred to me
+while listening to their conversation, which I will tell you later."
+
+The note was written, and it was nearly daylight, when the two at last
+retired, to rest possibly, but not to sleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV.
+
+
+For the next ensuing days there were no more visits to the cabin.
+According to Lyle's suggestion, a few notes were quietly exchanged
+between Houston and Jack; thus their plans were maturing, while there
+was nothing which outsiders could detect.
+
+Meanwhile, Haight had bestowed considerable attention upon Miss
+Araminta Bixby, to the unspeakable delight of that individual, and had
+so ingratiated himself into her favor that she only too gladly
+consented to play the part of spy on the movements of Houston and Van
+Dorn. The two Maverick boys had also agreed to report to him whatever
+they were able to learn concerning these two.
+
+Houston and Van Dorn, however, did not seem quite so intimate of late.
+They were apparently as good friends as ever, but were not so
+frequently seen together. Nearly every evening, Van Dorn started out
+for a stroll, sometimes with Lyle, sometimes alone, often sauntering
+in the direction of the cabin, but never seen to enter; while Houston,
+after spending an hour or two with Miss Gladden, would walk down to
+the mines, and entering the various tunnels, or descending the shafts
+of one mine and another, would watch the night shift at their work, or
+inspect the workings, occasionally taking measurements here and there.
+On one of these trips Jack accompanied him, and on their return, they
+completed the arrangements for the visit to the Lucky Chance mine, the
+following night.
+
+On the afternoon of the next day, Houston returned to the house a
+little earlier than usual, having finished his work for the day at the
+mines and mills, and as he with Miss Gladden and Lyle, sat in the
+little porch, they were joined a few moments later by Van Dorn. In low
+tones the plans for the evening were discussed.
+
+"Of course," said Houston, "we shall go prepared for trouble, but I
+do not anticipate that we shall meet with any. Even if we are watched,
+our course of procedure will differ so slightly from what we have
+followed for a week past, I think it will not excite suspicion."
+
+"They have watched me so many evenings to no purpose, they may be off
+guard to-night," said Van Dorn.
+
+"Don't flatter yourself that you will escape 'Minty's' espionage for a
+single night," replied Lyle, "she would remain out all night watching
+you to gain a smile from Haight in the morning."
+
+Van Dorn laughed. "So it is the charming Miss Bixby whose watchful eye
+is upon me!" he exclaimed, "I think I will have to enter the lists as
+Haight's rival, and see if I cannot win such faithful devotion upon
+the right side."
+
+"After you are gone," said Lyle, "I will soon be able to tell whether
+there will be men sent out to watch you to-night; and I shall act
+accordingly," she added, with a smile at Miss Gladden.
+
+"Why, Miss Maverick, what will you do?" inquired Van Dorn, "you must
+not expose yourself in any way."
+
+"I will be in no danger," she answered smiling.
+
+"I have no idea what Lyle intends to do," said Houston, "but I have
+great confidence in her plans, for she knows this class of people
+better than we, and I have found her judgment to be relied upon, on
+every occasion so far."
+
+Lyle's beautiful eyes spoke her thanks for his words of appreciation,
+as she asked:
+
+"At what hour will you have completed the examination, and be ready to
+leave the mine?"
+
+"Probably very near twelve o'clock," Houston replied, "we cannot
+accomplish our work much before that time, and I do not wish to be out
+much later."
+
+"Well," said Lyle, merrily, but with a slightly mysterious air, "if
+you are out at that hour, you may see the phantom horse and his
+rider."
+
+"Why, how is that?" inquired Van Dorn wonderingly, while Houston
+remarked:
+
+"If we see nothing more than phantoms, we shall be very happily
+disappointed."
+
+"All right," she responded, "if the ghost walks to-night, don't be
+surprised," and hearing some one enter the dining room to make
+preparations for the evening meal, she left them, and the subject of
+conversation changed immediately.
+
+A few hours later, Houston started as usual for the mines. There was
+nothing out of the ordinary course of affairs in this, except that the
+leave-taking between him and Leslie was unusually tender, but of this
+no one knew but themselves. A little earlier, Van Dorn had left for
+his customary stroll, giving Lyle an invitation to accompany him,
+which she declined on the plea of being very busy. She immediately
+withdrew to the kitchen, and smiled to herself presently, as she saw
+Minty, with an air of great importance, starting out in the same
+direction. She had been gone about half an hour, when Lyle, who was
+again seated in the porch, caught sight of her moon-shaped face
+peering around the corner of the house in frantic endeavors to attract
+Haight's attention. As he was facing in almost an opposite direction,
+her efforts were unavailing, and Lyle, who could with difficulty
+restrain a smile, added to her embarrassment by inquiring in the
+blandest tones:
+
+"What is it, Araminta? do you wish to see me?"
+
+At the mention of her name, Haight turned suddenly, just as the
+blushing Miss Bixby was stammering out his name, and catching his eye,
+she began nodding vigorously, to signify the importance of her
+errand.
+
+For once, Haight's punctilious suavity upon which he prided himself,
+deserted him, and exclaiming, partly in anger, and partly as a blind,
+"Confound it! what does the fool want of me?" he disappeared around
+the house, while Lyle exchanged glances with Miss Gladden, and the
+inoffensive young bookkeeper, recently imported from Silver City,
+looked on in mute astonishment.
+
+At the kitchen door, Haight found his agent and spy, her face shining
+with delight that she at last had some news to impart.
+
+"He's went in there to-night, Mr. Haight," she cried breathlessly, "I
+seen him; I've watched him every night, but he's never went in till
+to-night."
+
+"You fool!" exclaimed Haight, angrily, "why couldn't you come around
+and give me the tip on the quiet, instead of standing there grimacing
+like an idiot, making a fool of yourself and me, too? Where are the
+boys?"
+
+Such a greeting was too much for Minty, after her faithfulness; her
+anger was too great even for words, she was speechless and without
+deigning even a look at Haight, she went into the house, and rushing
+to her room, burst into a storm of tears, vowing then and there,
+between her sobs, that she would tell Mr. Van Dorn every word that
+Haight had said about him.
+
+Meanwhile, Lyle, from her post of observation in the kitchen, saw
+Haight call Jim Maverick out from among a group of miners who had
+congregated for an evening's visit, and after a few words, Maverick
+signaled to one of the miners, who, with his two companions, came over
+and joined them. A few moments later the three started down the road,
+and Lyle heard Haight's final instructions to them:
+
+"Get onto what those fellows are about, if you have to stay till
+morning, and if you want any help, send Jake back."
+
+She knew the men; they were cruel and treacherous, and she was
+confident that they were well armed, but they were at the same time,
+cowards, and returning to Miss Gladden, she whispered:
+
+"I shall try my little experiment to-night, and I do not believe there
+will be any trouble."
+
+It was quite dark when the men who had been sent to watch for Van Dorn
+reached the little cabin. A lamp was burning within, as could be told
+by the lines of light around the edge of the dark shade at the window,
+but beyond this, there was neither sign nor sound. Having assured
+themselves that there was no way by which they could ascertain what
+was going on within, the men sat down behind a little clump of
+evergreens, and filling their pipes, prepared to await developments.
+Scarcely had they done so, however, when the light suddenly went out.
+
+"What the divil do they think they're givin' us?" said one of the men,
+with an oath.
+
+"They seen us mos' likely, and they're tryin' to fool us that there's
+nobody there."
+
+"They can't play no such trick on us as that, damn 'em," said the
+first speaker, but at that instant the cabin door opened, and two
+figures came out. The men sprang quickly to their feet, making no
+sound, and listening intently. They heard the lock click in the door,
+and Jack's voice bidding Rex take care of the house, to which he
+barked in reply; and then came Mike's broad voice:
+
+"The saints presarve us! but the baste knows more than mony a mon, I'm
+afther thinkin'."
+
+"That he does," replied Jack, "and he is far more faithful."
+
+The men, astonished, slunk back into the brush, their keen eyes
+watching every movement of the two as they passed; there was no
+mistaking those figures, or the rough clothes which they wore; it was
+Jack and Mike, and their powerful muscle was too well known throughout
+the camp, for any man, even the most brutal, to have the slightest
+wish to tackle either of them.
+
+As Jack and his companion passed out of hearing, the men dropped to
+the ground, and for a moment the air resounded with their profanity,
+while they held a brief consultation.
+
+"They've tricked us, and that feller's hidin' 'round here," said the
+leader, "or else he went on ahead to the mines; he hadn't no time to
+go back to the house, for we'd 'a met 'im. There's somethin' in the
+wind to-night," he added with an oath, "and I'm goin' to find out what
+'tis. You fellers git after them two and keep 'em in sight; the boss
+is down there, and mebbe the other feller, too; if ye see 'im, send
+Jake to me, and I'll come 'round there and we'll lay for 'em. If he
+ain't there, he's here, hidin' somewhere, and I'll watch and settle
+his hash for 'im all right when he does show up."
+
+"We'd better git some more of the boys," said Jake, "if we're goin' to
+tackle them fellers with Jack and Mike along; that ain't no kind of a
+job I'm hankerin' after."
+
+"You damned fool!" said the first speaker, "who's said anything 'bout
+Jack and Mike? They'll come back the way they've went, and them others
+will start up the canyon for the house, and if we three can't hold
+'em up, my name ain't Pete Brody; now git!"
+
+Jack and his partner had met Houston in the Yankee Boy mine. As they
+emerged from the shaft a little later, the piercing eyes of Jack and
+Houston caught a glimpse of two figures skulking among the rocks at a
+distance. Van Dorn was at a slight disadvantage, being somewhat
+near-sighted, and having been obliged to take off his glasses when
+donning Mike's costume.
+
+"I know them," said Jack, "they are two of the three that were outside
+the cabin, and one of them is about the biggest coward that breathes;
+we could dispose of a regiment of such men, but I prefer to get along
+without trouble if we can."
+
+They started for the other mine, Houston taking the lead and Van Dorn
+following, while Jack brought up the rear.
+
+"They are following us," said Jack, after two or three quick glances
+behind him, "but at a distance; we will probably have a nearer view of
+them later, when we leave the mine."
+
+As they proceeded through the tunnel of the Lucky Chance mine, they
+met very few of the miners; they touched their caps to Houston with a
+sort of sullen civility, and greeted his companions with rough jests,
+which Jack received with his usual taciturn manner, but to which Van
+Dorn, from underneath his disguise, responded with bits of Irish
+blarney and wit, which greatly amused his associates.
+
+Meanwhile, Pete Brody, as he kept his solitary watch before the cabin,
+was surprised by the sudden return of Jake.
+
+"Have ye found 'im?" he inquired eagerly, "Is he down there with the
+boss?"
+
+"No, he's not there."
+
+"Then, what in hell are you back here for?"
+
+"Bud sent me," answered Jake; "he said to tell ye they've gone into
+the Lucky Chance, and what do ye be thinkin' o' that?"
+
+"The Lucky Chance!" exclaimed Pete, "then there's some diviltry a
+goin' sure, for the old man, he don't let nobody into that mine
+'thout he's along; and if that Van-what's-his-name ain't down there
+he's right here, that's all, and here I stays."
+
+"And me and Bud, we're to watch out for the boss?"
+
+"Yes, lay for 'im and overhaul 'im, and find out what the divil is
+goin' on."
+
+"I guess he's a pretty tough feller to handle, from all I've heerd,"
+remarked Jake reflectively.
+
+Pete responded with an oath. "Knock 'im silly, he'll be easy 'nough
+handlin' then."
+
+"Ye don't mean for to do 'im up, do ye Pete?"
+
+"Well, I guess nobody'd feel very bad if ye did."
+
+Jake went down the road, and Pete was alone once more. After waiting a
+while, he determined to ascertain, if possible, whether there was any
+one within the cabin. As he approached the door, there was a low
+savage growl from the faithful watcher within. Very stealthily he
+tried to open the door, but it was locked, and in response there was
+such a furious onset upon the other side, accompanied by such fierce
+growls, that he started back involuntarily.
+
+It was nearly twelve o'clock, and Pete was growing desperate, and
+anxious to put an end to his long watch. He retreated to the road, and
+stood looking at the cabin, trying to decide whether he should break
+in the window and shoot the dog, and run the risk of being shot in
+return by whoever might be concealed within, when his attention was
+suddenly arrested by a strange sound, as of heavily muffled footsteps
+close behind him. He turned quickly, and in the starlight beheld a
+sight that seemed to chill the blood in his veins. Not more than fifty
+feet distant, and slowly approaching him, were the spotted horse and
+his ghostly rider.
+
+Every detail was perfect, like the description he had often heard
+given by others who had seen the frightful apparition: the man dressed
+in his miner's clothes, carrying the empty bag from which the gold had
+been stolen; his face ghastly white, and the blood streaming from his
+breast, while horse and rider were partially shrouded by a white
+covering which floated from behind them.
+
+Nearer and nearer came those strange footsteps, closer and closer the
+fearful sight, and still Pete stood, as if turned to stone, his eyes
+starting from their sockets, his hair rising, but unable to move or
+speak.
+
+Suddenly a long, low groan issuing from the ghastly lips seemed to
+break the spell, and with one terrible shriek, Pete gave two or three
+bounds out of the road, and ran for his life, jumping and leaping over
+the rocks and through the brush, like a wild man.
+
+The ghost gave a low, rippling laugh of satisfaction, and turning the
+horse, rode rapidly back in the direction from which it had come,
+until striking the road from the house to the mines, where the horse
+trotted briskly for some distance, but on nearing the mines, once more
+resumed his funereal pace.
+
+The two men concealed in the brush along the road had no warning of
+the approaching phantom, until they caught the sound of the strange
+footsteps, and peered cautiously out, only to see the fearful sight
+that Pete beheld shortly before.
+
+"Holy Moses!" exclaimed Jake, with a yell, "it's the ghost!" The men
+jumped simultaneously into the road, and started for the miners'
+quarters, screaming like maniacs. The ghost followed in swift pursuit
+until they were some distance past the mines; the men then being
+safely disposed of with no danger of their return, it turned slowly in
+the direction of the Lucky Chance mine.
+
+Houston and his friends, having accomplished their task, stepped forth
+from the tunnel into the starlight, looking carefully and searchingly
+in every direction.
+
+"There is no one to be seen at present," said Houston in low tones,
+"they may be concealed about here, or we may meet them on the road to
+the house."
+
+"Very probably," Jack replied, "we must now proceed with the utmost
+caution. Mr. Van Dorn and I will accompany you to the house, and he
+had better then go with me to the cabin, in case there should be spies
+watching for our return, and it will be safer for him to remain there
+until nearly daylight, as none of the men will be out at that time,
+and he can return to the house unobserved."
+
+They had gone but a short distance, however, when, passing around a
+curve in the road, they beheld a sight that filled them with
+astonishment.
+
+"Shades of the departed!" exclaimed Houston, "what kind of an
+apparition is this?"
+
+Jack studied the approaching figures for an instant, a smile of
+amusement lighting up his usually stern features, while Van Dorn
+hastily slipped on his glasses for a better view.
+
+"That," said Jack, "is evidently the famous phantom of Spotted Horse
+gulch, but who has originated the idea?"
+
+"It must be Lyle," said Houston, "she said the ghost would walk
+to-night."
+
+"Well, by George!" exclaimed Van Dorn, "that is pretty good anyway."
+
+Slowly the ghost approached, giving the interested observers an
+opportunity to note the details of the make-up; the ghastly face, the
+heavy beard of dark colored wool, the narrow strips of red flannel
+streaming from breast and side, and even the heavy woolen socks upon
+the horse's feet, muffling the sound of his steps. Suddenly the slouch
+hat was raised, and the shining eyes of Lyle looked out from the
+strange disguise, as she announced in triumphant tones:
+
+"The road is clear, and you are safe!"
+
+"Lyle," said Houston, "how did you ever think of this? Did you devise
+this masquerade?"
+
+"The idea was mine," she answered, "it occurred to me the other night
+while listening to their talk, but Miss Gladden helped me to carry it
+out."
+
+"And was it a success?" asked Van Dorn wonderingly, having more
+practical knowledge of mines than of miners, "Were the men frightened?"
+
+"You would have thought so, could you have seen Pete Brody," Lyle
+replied, with a low laugh, "I believe he is running yet, and I
+wouldn't be surprised if Jake has lost what few wits he ever
+possessed."
+
+"It was one of the best schemes that could have been devised," said
+Jack, gravely, adding, "We probably owe you more than we know."
+
+Quietly and safely the little party proceeded up the winding road, and
+having reached their several destinations, all were soon at rest. Even
+the spotted horse, securely stabled in his accustomed place, gravely
+munched his wisp of hay without a thought of the ghostly escapade in
+which he had borne so prominent a part.
+
+But in the miners' quarters consternation reigned, as Pete and Bud
+related their experiences, Jake being utterly incapacitated for
+speech. Even to Jack and Van Dorn, Mike had a fearful tale to tell of
+the sight he had witnessed, while alone with Rex in the cabin, and it
+was some time before his perturbed Irish fancies could be soothed; and
+"the night that the ghost walked," was one long remembered and
+frequently recalled by many of the denizens of the little mining
+camp.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV.
+
+
+After the events leading up to the examination of the Lucky Chance
+mine, it was considered best for a while to pursue very nearly the
+same line of conduct that had been followed for the last ten days,
+carefully avoiding any abrupt change which might attract attention.
+All necessary data had now been secured, and Houston felt that he
+could better afford to remain quiet for a brief time and reconnoiter
+the situation, than by any hasty move to excite further suspicion at
+the present time.
+
+At the breakfast table the next morning, however, the thoughts of all
+present were partially diverted into different channels, by the
+arrival of a telegram for Houston which proved to be a message from
+Ned Rutherford, to the effect that he and his brother were on their
+way to Silver City, and would be at the mining camp within the next
+twenty-four or thirty-six hours.
+
+Haight had been exceedingly angry on learning from Maverick, early in
+the morning, of the failure of the men to report anything definite
+concerning the movements of those whom they had been sent out to
+watch. He had accomplished nothing, and was uncertain what course next
+to pursue, and he too, decided to remain quiet for the present. He
+continued to watch Houston and Van Dorn, his ugly suspicions only half
+concealed by the smiling exterior which he tried to assume. He had
+hastened to make peace with Minty, as he feared the results which
+might follow should his plottings become known to Houston, not
+dreaming that the latter had woven such a web around, not the mining
+company alone, but including also its principal employes, that in
+remaining where he was, a fate far worse than his fears awaited him.
+
+During the day, Miss Gladden and Lyle busied themselves with
+preparations for the expected guests. A room on the ground floor,
+adjoining and connecting with the one occupied by Houston and Van
+Dorn, and with a view of the lake and cascades, was put in readiness;
+and books, sketches and bric-a-brac contributed by Houston and Miss
+Gladden, and tastefully arranged by Lyle, relieved the blank walls and
+plain furniture, and made the place look quite attractive.
+
+Houston was jubilant over the information acquired by their expedition
+of the previous night; nothing out of the usual course occurred that
+day, and returning earlier from his customary visit to the mines than
+he had done of late, the remainder of the evening was devoted to music
+and song.
+
+After Miss Gladden and Lyle had gone up-stairs, they sat for some time
+talking over the events of the last few days, and anticipating the
+coming of Rutherford and his brother on the morrow. Many were Miss
+Gladden's surmises regarding the stranger, and Lyle then learned for
+the first time that he was an intimate friend of Houston's.
+
+"Everard tells me that though Ned is a pleasant fellow and good
+hearted, yet he is not in the least like his brother. He says Morton,
+as he always calls him, is a most perfect gentleman in every sense of
+the word, and a scholar of rare intellectual attainments, fond of
+scientific research, and a brilliant writer."
+
+"I judged from his picture that the two brothers were very unlike,"
+said Lyle, "and from your description he will be in many respects a
+new specimen to come under my limited observation; I will have to make
+a study of him, and see if he is at all like my idea of a literary
+person. I would not suppose, though, there would be much to interest
+him here; the only rarities he will find are possibly new phases of
+ignorance and coarseness and crime."
+
+Miss Gladden thought, as she looked at Lyle, that if the new-comer did
+not find rare beauty of mind and soul, as well as of form and face, in
+that secluded region, he certainly must be very unappreciative; but
+she only said:
+
+"You seem to have forgotten what Ned said of his brother, that his
+love of the beautiful was so intense, he doubted whether he would ever
+want to leave the scenery and surroundings here."
+
+"That was simply one of Mr. Rutherford's extravagant expressions,"
+Lyle replied, "the natural surroundings here are certainly beautiful,
+but their beauty only makes the conditions mentally and morally the
+more painfully conspicuous, and if I can see the contrast so plainly,
+who have always lived here and known no other life, how must it look
+to one such as he!"
+
+"Why do you always insist upon it so strongly that you have never
+known any other life than this?" inquired Miss Gladden.
+
+"Why?" asked Lyle, in surprise, "I suppose simply because it is a
+fact, the one hateful truth that I despise, and so I say it over and
+over to myself, to check these foolish dream-fancies of mine, that
+seem as if I had known something better sometime."
+
+Lyle spoke with more bitterness than Miss Gladden had ever heard
+before, and the latter answered gently:
+
+"If I were in your place, Lyle dear, I would not try to check these
+fancies; I would encourage them."
+
+Lyle gazed at her friend in astonishment. "Encourage them!" she
+repeated, "I don't understand your meaning, why would you advise
+that?"
+
+"To see to what they would lead, my dear." Then, as Lyle looked
+bewildered, she continued:
+
+"Did it never occur to you, Lyle, that these fancies, as you call
+them, might possibly be an effort on the part of memory to recall
+something, long ago forgotten?"
+
+"I never thought of such a possibility," she replied, slowly.
+
+Miss Gladden threw one arm about her caressingly.
+
+"If these were mere fancies why should they occur so persistently, and
+why should there be this sense of familiarity, of which you have
+spoken, with other and far different associations than these, unless
+there is some distinct image hidden away in the recesses of your
+brain, which your mind is trying to recall?"
+
+Lyle had grown very pale; she had caught the idea which Miss Gladden
+was trying to convey, and her form trembled, while her lips and
+delicate nostrils quivered with suppressed agitation.
+
+"Leslie," she cried, "do you mean that you think it possible there is
+any reality in it,--that I have ever known a different life from
+this,--a life anything like that which seems to come back to me?"
+
+"I think it not only possible, but probable," said her friend, drawing
+the trembling girl closer to herself, "and that is why I want you to
+encourage these impressions, and see if you will not, after a time, be
+able to recall the past more definitely."
+
+"But why do you believe this?" questioned Lyle, "How did you ever
+think of it?"
+
+"When you first told me of your fancies, as you called them, and of
+your dreams, constantly recurring since your earliest childhood, I
+felt that they must be produced by something that had really occurred,
+some time in the past, but perhaps so long ago that only the faintest
+impression was left upon your mind; but however faint, to me it seemed
+proof that the reality had existed. The more I have questioned you,
+the more I have become convinced of this, and I find I am not alone in
+my opinion."
+
+"Have you talked with Jack, and does he think as you do?" Lyle
+questioned. Miss Gladden answered in the affirmative.
+
+"Is that the reason he has asked me so often regarding my early
+life?"
+
+"Yes, he has questioned you, hoping you might be able to recall
+something of those years which you say seem to you only a blank. We
+can only surmise regarding your early life, but if you could recall
+some slight incident, or some individual, it might prove whether our
+surmises were correct." Then, as Lyle remained silent, Miss Gladden
+continued:
+
+"That face which you always see in your dreams, must be the face of
+some one you have really seen and known."
+
+"Yes," Lyle answered dreamily, "I have often thought of that, and have
+tried to remember when, or where, it could have been."
+
+For a few moments, both were silent; Lyle, in her abstraction,
+loosened her hair, and it fell around her like a veil of fine-spun
+gold. An idea suddenly occurred to Miss Gladden, and rising from her
+chair, she gathered up the golden mass, and began to rearrange and
+fasten it, Lyle scarcely heeding her action, so absorbed was she in
+thought.
+
+When she had completed her work, she looked critically at Lyle for a
+moment, and seeming satisfied with the result, asked her to look in
+the glass. Half mechanically, Lyle did as requested, but at the first
+glance at the face reflected there, she uttered a low cry, and stood
+as if transfixed. Miss Gladden had arranged her hair in a style worn
+nearly twenty years before, and in imitation of the photograph which
+Jack had shown her. The effect was magical, as it showed Lyle's face
+to be an exact counterpart of the beautiful pictured face.
+
+To Lyle it revealed much more, for to her astonished gaze there was
+brought back, with life-like distinctness and realism, the face of her
+dreams; the one which she had seen bending tenderly over her since her
+earliest recollection, and which had seemed so often to comfort her in
+the days of her childish griefs when she had sobbed herself to sleep.
+
+Suddenly, Miss Gladden saw the face in the glass grow deathly white,
+and Lyle, quickly turning toward her friend, exclaimed:
+
+"I see it now! That is my mother's face that I have seen in my dreams!
+And I have seen it living some time, somewhere, but not here. These
+people are not my parents; I am no child of theirs. Oh, Leslie, tell
+me, is this true?"
+
+Very gently Miss Gladden soothed the excited girl, telling her that
+while her friends knew nothing as yet, for a certainty, regarding her
+parentage, they felt that she, in her early life, had had a home and
+surroundings far different from those she knew here, and that they
+hoped ere long, with her help, to arrive at the whole truth.
+
+"But how did I ever come to live here with these people?" inquired
+Lyle, a new fear dawning in her eyes, "do you suppose they were hired
+to take me?"
+
+"No, never," said Miss Gladden, "as nearly as we can judge, you must
+have been stolen."
+
+"And do you think my own parents are now living?" she asked.
+
+So far as she was able to do so, Miss Gladden explained the situation,
+as Jack had told it to her, making no reference, however, to what he
+had said regarding the possibility of Lyle's friends coming to the
+mountains, where they would be likely to recognize her. Of this, Miss
+Gladden herself understood so little, she thought best not to allude
+to it now.
+
+"But why has Jack never told me of this, and of my mother? He must
+have known her," said Lyle.
+
+"You must remember, dear, that he had no proof that any such relation
+really existed; as I understood him, he with others, supposed that
+this child was not living, but he was struck with the resemblance
+between you and the mother of this child, and the relationship
+occurred to him at first as the merest possibility, but grew almost to
+a certainty, as the resemblance between you increased; and yet, you
+can see that under the circumstances, while you were under the control
+and in the power of these people, it would not be best to say anything
+until he had some proof as to your identity."
+
+"I see," Lyle answered, thoughtfully, "but now that I remember her as
+my mother, do you suppose that he would talk with me about her, or
+help me to find my true relatives?"
+
+"I hardly know how to answer you," said Miss Gladden slowly, "there is
+some mystery about it all, dear, that I do not understand; he might
+perhaps talk more freely with you, but with me he appeared willing to
+say very little regarding your mother, or your friends. Still, he gave
+me a hint, so vague and shadowy I scarcely understood it, but to the
+effect that he thought there might, before long, be an opportunity
+for a meeting between you and those whom he believed to be your
+friends."
+
+"Well," said Lyle, after a pause, "Jack is a true friend to me, he
+knows what is best, and I can afford to wait with even such a
+possibility to look forward to. I will not wait in idleness either, I
+shall try to find some clue, some evidence as to who I really am, and
+something tells me I will succeed." Then she added tenderly, "Do you
+know, I believe, whoever my mother may have been, Jack must have loved
+her."
+
+"She certainly was very dear to him," replied Miss Gladden.
+
+They talked till far into the morning hours, and as they finally
+separated for the night, Lyle approached her friend, and throwing her
+arms about her neck, she exclaimed, almost in tears:
+
+"Oh, Leslie, you can never know how glad I am that you have shown me
+this, and shown it to me to-night! I have felt so disgraced, so
+degraded by the life here, it seemed as if I were a part of it all, a
+part of my own hateful surroundings but now, I know I am not; now,"
+she continued, lifting her head proudly and raising her arms slowly
+with a beautiful gesture, "they can fetter me no longer! The chains
+that have held me so long and so cruelly are already bursting; even
+now, I can rise above them; soon, I shall be free!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI.
+
+
+Do coming events cast their shadows before? Did the silently-waving
+pinions of the angel who "troubled the waters" give any hint of his
+beneficent approach? However that may be, certain it is that on the
+morning of the day in which the hitherto untroubled depths of Lyle's
+womanly nature were to be stirred by the mightiest of influences,
+there came to her a prescience, thrilling and vibrating through her
+whole being, that this day was to be the crisis, the turning point of
+her life. On that day, she was to meet one whose influence upon her
+own life she felt would be far greater than that of any human being
+she could recall.
+
+Lyle was not in love. As yet, she knew nothing of what love might be,
+but she possessed rare depth of feeling. In her lonely, secluded life,
+she had known few emotions, but those few were deep and lasting; and
+when, a few months before, she had incidentally seen the photograph of
+Morton Rutherford,--only one among many, all unknown to her,--it had
+left an impression upon her heart and brain, never to be effaced.
+
+His was no ordinary face; it would attract the most casual observer,
+and to one gifted with Lyle's wonderful insight and perception, and
+possessing her fine susceptibilities, there would be revealed such
+rare strength and beauty of mind and character combined, that, once
+seen, it might not be easily forgotten.
+
+To Lyle, in her isolation, it seemed a glimpse of a kindred soul, and
+she had often wondered what the living face itself might be, and what
+acquaintance and friendship with such a soul might mean. She had
+looked forward to his coming to the camp with mingled pleasure and
+dread. She thoroughly understood the position which she held in the
+estimation of the younger Mr. Rutherford; would his brother regard her
+with the same half pitying, half patronizing admiration? Would her
+narrow, restricted life seem so small and poor to him, with his
+superior attainments, that he would altogether ignore her? Or would he
+be able, like Mr. Houston and Miss Gladden, to overlook her hateful
+and hated environment, and help her rise above it?
+
+These were the questions which for the past few weeks had perplexed
+and troubled her; but the revelation which had come to her on the
+previous night had changed the whole current of her thought. What
+matter now, how mean or debasing her surroundings, since no taint
+from them could attach itself to her? What matter if her life had
+been cramped and restricted, since she was soon to rise above it
+into the life for which she had been created? Perhaps her natural
+sphere was not, after all, so unlike that in which her friends
+moved, to which even he was accustomed, the stranger, whose coming
+she now anticipated with a strange, unaccountable thrill of
+expectation. Would he, with that wonderful power which she felt he
+possessed, to elevate or to crush the souls with whom he came in
+contact, would he recognize her true sphere, as her other friends
+had done, or would he be blinded by her surroundings?
+
+She could not rest; she rose and looked forth upon the glorious dawn
+of the new day, and was impressed as never before, with the beauty of
+the vision which met her eyes. To her, it seemed like the dawning of a
+new epoch in her life; nay, more than that, like the dawning of a new
+life itself.
+
+Impatient of restraint, she left the house, and went out into the
+morning fresh from the hand of the Creator, as yet undefiled by
+contact with human life. Hastily climbing a series of rocky ledges,
+she reached a broad plateau, and looked about her. The life which she
+had so hated and despised seemed suddenly to have dropped forever out
+of sight, and she was conscious only of a new beauty, a new glory
+surrounding her.
+
+The mountains, blushing in the first rosy light, lifted their
+gleaming, glory-crowned spires heavenward; the cascades chanted
+in thunderous, yet rhythmic tones, their unceasing anthem of
+praise, their snow-white spray ascending skyward, like clouds of
+incense, while the little flowers, clinging to rock and ledge and
+mountain-side, turned their sweet faces upward in silent adoration.
+The place seemed pervaded by a spirit of universal adoration and
+praise, and instinctively, Lyle bowed her head in silent worship;
+and as she did so, there came to her, as though revealed by the
+lightning's flash, the vision of her mother kneeling beside her, in
+those dim days so long ago, clasping her tiny hands within her own,
+and teaching her baby lips to lisp the words of prayer.
+
+For a long time she knelt in that temple made without hands, till
+mountain and valley were bathed in glorious sunlight; and when at
+last, she descended the rocky footpath, she felt, as she looked forth
+upon the new life opening before her, no fear, no shrinking, but
+strong to go forward and meet her destiny, whatever it might be.
+
+All were impressed that morning by Lyle's manner, the added dignity
+of bearing, the new expression that looked forth from her soulful
+eyes, though none but Miss Gladden understood the cause.
+
+At the breakfast table, the final plans were made for the reception of
+the guests to arrive that day. Word had been received that they were
+already in Silver City, and would come out on the noon train. Houston
+had telegraphed to the Y for the best team there to be in readiness to
+bring them up to the camp, and an hour or so before noon, he and Van
+Dorn were to take two horses and ride to the Y to meet them, and
+accompany them on their ride up the canyon. A late dinner was to be
+served upon their arrival, when the two ladies would be present, as
+Lyle no longer acted in the capacity of waiter, Miss Gladden having
+some time before insisted that she should preside at the table, and
+the blushing Miss Bixby, after much painstaking effort, having been
+finally educated up to the point of performing that ceremony very
+creditably.
+
+"Everard," said Miss Gladden after breakfast, as Houston stopped for
+his customary chat with her before starting out on his daily routine,
+"did you observe Lyle this morning? I never saw her look so lovely;"
+adding playfully, "I wonder you did not fall in love with her, she is
+far more beautiful than I."
+
+"Allow me to be judge," he replied, "though I will admit that I think
+she grows more beautiful every day. But as to falling in love with
+her, I doubt if I would have done that even had I not met you. From
+the first she has seemed to me unaccountably like a sister; I cannot
+explain why, unless it was because of that child-like, almost
+appealing manner she had at that time. She has none of it now,
+however, she is developing very rapidly into a noble womanhood, and
+yet I still have the same feeling toward her, and I think she regards
+me as a brother."
+
+"That is true," said Miss Gladden, "she cares for you more than for
+any of the others, but only, as you say, as a brother. Her heart does
+not seem to be very susceptible."
+
+"She may be none the less susceptible," Houston replied, "but she
+realizes her position here, and she is far too proud spirited to carry
+her heart upon her sleeve."
+
+Miss Gladden then related to Houston the events oi the preceding
+night, and Lyle's sudden recollection of her own mother. He was much
+interested.
+
+"I am more than glad," he replied, "doubtless the memory of her early
+childhood will gradually come back to her, and we may be able to
+ascertain her true parentage. I hope so, at least, for I believe
+Maverick to be an out and out scoundrel, capable of any villainy, and
+I would like to see him brought to justice."
+
+The room set apart for the expected guests, as well as the dining-room,
+was decorated with wild flowers and trailing vines, and in this
+pleasant employment, and the preparation of a few dainty dishes for
+the table, the forenoon passed swiftly.
+
+The noon train had scarcely come to a stop at the little station at
+the Y, when Ned Rutherford was seen rushing impetuously from the car,
+his camera case as usual in one hand, at sight of which the two young
+men waiting on the platform burst into a hearty laugh.
+
+"There he is," said Houston, "the same old Ned!"
+
+"The very same old boy!" added Van Dorn, as they hastened to meet
+him.
+
+"Hullo, Everard!" cried Ned, jumping upon the platform, "I say, but it
+seems mighty good to see you again! How are you, Van Dorn?"
+
+"How are you, Ned?" said Van Dorn, extending his hand, "we wouldn't
+have known you if it hadn't been for that camera box of yours!"
+
+"That so?" answered Ned, good-naturedly, "well, I always considered it
+indispensable, but I didn't suppose my identity would be lost without
+it."
+
+Meanwhile, Houston had hastened to meet the elder brother, and it
+could readily be seen that they were more than ordinary friends.
+
+"Everard, old fellow!" he exclaimed, in response to Houston's
+greeting, "this is the greatest pleasure I've had in many a day. I
+never dreamed that the Houston of whom Ned wrote such glowing accounts
+was my old friend."
+
+"I used to think sometimes," said Houston, "when Ned was writing you,
+that I would like to send you some reminder of old times, a college
+password or signal that you would understand; but at that time, I
+didn't know Ned very well, and of course I was anxious to conceal my
+identity here."
+
+"That was right," said the elder Rutherford, with a comical glance at
+his brother, "Ned is rather injudicious, he belongs to that
+unfortunate class of people, with the best of intentions, who usually
+succeed in doing as much mischief as others with the worst."
+
+"Right you are there," said Ned, "I'm always putting my foot in it one
+way or another; I wouldn't advise anybody to make a confidant of me,
+I'd give them away sure. I say, Everard," he continued, while his
+brother and Van Dorn exchanged cordial greetings, "how are you getting
+on, and how is the Buncombe-Boomerang combination?"
+
+"We have been very successful so far, everything is nearly in
+readiness, and the combination as you call it, cannot exist much
+longer; we will give you full particulars later."
+
+"And how are the ladies?" Ned inquired further.
+
+"They are well, and waiting to give you and your brother a royal
+welcome."
+
+"Thank you," Morton Rutherford replied, "I am quite anxious to meet
+them, Ned, of course, can speak for himself."
+
+"That he can, and generally does when the right time comes," responded
+that individual, "you will find I am a universal favorite here, in the
+camp of the Philistines."
+
+In a little while they were on their way to camp, Houston and Morton
+Rutherford occupying the back seat of the light, canopy-top wagon,
+while Van Dorn and Ned took the forward seat with the driver, the
+horses and baggage following with one of the mining teams.
+
+Morton Rutherford gave his friend a glowing account of his journey
+through the west, dwelling at considerable length on his enjoyment of
+the scenic routes. As they wound upward through the canyon, he grew
+ecstatic over the wild beauty and rugged grandeur extending in every
+direction, and when they finally drew rein before the long, low
+boarding house, nestling at the foot of the mountain, with its rustic,
+vine-covered porch, and surrounded on all sides by the wild scenery of
+that region, his admiration knew no bounds.
+
+"What a delightful retreat!" he exclaimed, "what a study for an
+artist!"
+
+Within the porch, among the vines, the ladies awaited their coming,
+and Lyle, looking forth from her shady retreat, saw the face whose
+image had been imprinted on heart and brain, and at a glance she read
+all she had expected to find, and more. There were the fine features,
+expressing such depth and power, and yet such delicacy of thought and
+feeling, the intellectual brow, the dark, expressive eyes, all as she
+had seen them in the picture; but what picture could convey the living
+beauty of the whole? It was the face of one whom women would worship,
+and men would follow even to death.
+
+The gentlemen approached the house, Houston and his friend leading the
+way. Miss Gladden advanced to meet them, and as Houston introduced Mr.
+Rutherford, she extended to him a most gracious and graceful welcome,
+and also to Ned. Her gown was white, of soft, clinging material,
+trimmed with quantities of rich, rare lace, and brightened here and
+there with touches of crimson and gold. She wore a few costly jewels,
+and the diamond hilt of a tiny dagger glistened and scintillated in
+her auburn-tinted hair. She looked very beautiful, and as Mr.
+Rutherford paused to respond to her welcome with a few courteous
+words, he thought his friend was surely to be congratulated on the
+prize he had won.
+
+Meanwhile, Ned had discovered Lyle, as she stood partially hidden
+among the vines, awaiting her turn, and hastened to greet her in his
+impetuous fashion.
+
+"How do you do, Miss Maverick? I'm awfully glad to see you. I want you
+to know my brother," and his cheerful voice sounded on his brother's
+ear, as he replied to some remark of Miss Gladden's.
+
+"Morton, I want to introduce you to our nightingale; Miss Maverick,
+allow me to make you acquainted with my brother."
+
+With a rare smile lighting up his face, Morton Rutherford turned
+toward the speaker, and as he did so, saw a vision of the most royal
+young womanhood his eyes had ever beheld. She, too, was dressed in
+white, but it was a filmy, cloud-like mass, with trimmings of ethereal
+blue. She wore no jewels, but a crown of golden hair gleamed like a
+coronet above her head, and her delicately molded face had a
+spirituelle beauty and radiance unlike any living face he had ever
+seen, and which he could only compare to the exquisite Madonna faces,
+painted by artists of the old world, and of the olden time.
+
+And Lyle, coming forward with unconscious, queenly grace, looked for
+an instant into that face whose subtle power she already felt, her
+wondrous, starry eyes, luminous with a new, strange light, meeting his
+with their depth of meaning, their powerful magnetism, and from that
+brief instant, life for each was changed, wholly and completely;
+whether for good or ill, for weal or woe, neither as yet could say.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII.
+
+
+It was a very congenial little company that somewhat later gathered
+about the dinner table. There were no outsiders present on this
+occasion to check their conversation, and the room resounded with
+merry laughter as the young men related various reminiscences of their
+college days, or as Lyle gave her eastern friends some amusing
+glimpses of western life.
+
+Morton Rutherford added his share to the general enjoyment, as he gave
+in an inimitable manner which fascinated his listeners, sketches of
+places and people he had met in his western journey; but a close
+observer would have noticed that his dark eyes often wandered to the
+face of the fair hostess, presiding at the table with such dignity,
+and his thoughts much of the time were far removed from the subject of
+conversation.
+
+Of the strange, wild tumult in Lyle's breast there was no token, save
+in her heightened color, and the added brilliancy of her eyes.
+
+The plain, but wholesome mountain fare disappeared rapidly before the
+appetites sharpened by the bracing air of that altitude, and still the
+little company lingered at the table, loath to tear themselves away.
+
+Plans were made for a few days and evenings of genuine enjoyment,
+before proceeding any further with the business in which all were so
+deeply interested. Houston and Van Dorn would of course be more or
+less confined by their work, and it was voted that, during the day,
+Mr. Rutherford should be entertained by the ladies, or, as the hunting
+and fishing season had now opened, he and Ned would be able to find
+considerable sport in the surrounding country. But the evenings were
+to be spent by the entire party in visits to the different points of
+interest and beauty already familiar to some of their number.
+
+"And one of the first places to visit," said Ned Rutherford, at this
+point in the conversation, "will be the cascades; we will go out there
+in boats, you know, with the guitar and violin, and have music just as
+we did the first time we ever went out. Great Scott! but I never will
+forget that night as long as I live!"
+
+"With the ladies' approval, that will be one of our first trips," said
+Houston.
+
+"You play and sing, do you not, Mr. Rutherford?" Miss Gladden
+inquired, addressing the elder brother.
+
+"Yes, occasionally," he answered, with a peculiar smile.
+
+"What instrument do you use?"
+
+"I can accompany myself on several different instruments," he replied,
+"but the violin is my favorite; it is capable of more expression than
+most others."
+
+At last the little party adjourned to the porch, and Lyle, under the
+pretext of some household duties, excused herself, and escaped to her
+own little room. Here her forced composure gave way, and her highly
+wrought feelings found relief in a passionate burst of tears, though
+why she wept, she could not have told.
+
+Unconsciously to herself, perhaps, Morton Rutherford had of late
+become the hero of her thoughts, partially on account of her high
+estimate of him, and also because of the sympathy which she felt would
+exist between them in taste and thought and feeling. She had dreamed
+of a friendship with him, perhaps more perfect and helpful than any
+she had yet known; but they had met, and in that one glance had been
+revealed to her a natural affinity deeper than any of which she had
+ever dreamed, and the impossibility of a calm, Platonic friendship
+between kindred spirits such as theirs.
+
+Unconsciously to herself, Lyle had that day crossed the great divide,
+and womanhood, with its dower of love and joy, of pain and suffering,
+was henceforth hers. The mightiest element in her nature, which had
+lain dormant all these years, its power unsuspected even by herself,
+was now aroused, and even while she felt the throbbing of its new
+life, as yet, she knew not its name. She was young, her observation
+and her experience had been limited, and there had been no one to
+prepare her for the certain awakening of this mighty power, before
+whose conquering sway all else must yield.
+
+She grew more calm, and as she reviewed the few friendships she had
+known,--the helpful kindness and tenderness of Jack in whom she had
+confided her childish griefs, the chivalry of Everard Houston, who
+from the first had constituted himself her champion and protector, and
+even the pleasant kindliness of Ned Rutherford, whom she scarcely
+deemed more than an acquaintance,--there was suddenly revealed to her
+quickened perception the distinction between friendship and love, and
+instantly she recognized the stranger who had taken possession of her
+heart: Love had come. Love was to be henceforth king, and she stood
+trembling and abashed in the presence of the new sovereign. Her tears
+flowed silently, but she was far from unhappy; love, even unknown and
+unreciprocated, brings its own sweet reward.
+
+Whether her love would ever be returned by the one whose glance had
+awakened it in its might, she dared not even think. She knew not, as
+yet, in what light he would regard her. Notwithstanding the friendship
+and esteem manifested by the younger brother, she fully understood the
+insurmountable barrier which his pride had placed between himself and
+her. Would it exist in the mind of the elder brother also? Or would
+his keener insight, his superior perception discern her true
+position? Time alone would tell.
+
+A little later, calm and queenly as ever, Lyle rejoined the little
+group, who had strolled out a short distance from the house, and were
+seated beside the lake, in the cooling shadow of a large rock.
+
+She could not help observing the smile of pleasure with which Mr.
+Rutherford welcomed her approach, but she would not yet trust herself
+to hold any protracted conversation with him, and giving him only a
+bright little smile of recognition, she seated herself beside Ned, and
+began a playful badinage, as they had been accustomed to banter each
+other on his former visit. Morton Rutherford watched them curiously,
+listening to the war of words with a half smile, and evidently
+absorbed in his own thoughts, as, for a while, Miss Gladden and Mr.
+Van Dorn had the conversation to themselves, Houston having gone to
+the mines.
+
+As the shadows began to lengthen, and the sun seemed hovering over a
+snow-crowned peak that stood out boldly against the western horizon,
+Houston was seen approaching the house, and at a little distance,
+Maverick and his two sons. Lyle, who was then standing on the outer
+edge of the group, talking with Miss Gladden, was quick to observe a
+sudden movement on Ned's part, as, turning toward his brother, he made
+some brief remark in low tones, regarding the approaching trio. She
+well knew the tenor of his remark, and watched closely to see its
+effect.
+
+She saw Morton Rutherford glance in the direction indicated by a
+slight motion of Ned's head, and then, though he betrayed no surprise
+by word or movement, an expression of astonishment crossed his face,
+but only for an instant. His features grew white and stern, and he
+watched every movement of the three figures, as, with stealthy,
+slouching gait and suspicious looks, they stole around the corner of
+the house, and the expression of his eye seemed to Lyle like that of a
+judge passing sentence on a condemned criminal.
+
+He did not look at Lyle immediately, perhaps he was conscious of the
+eyes watching him so narrowly from under the heavily drooping lids,
+fringed with long, golden lashes, but when he did look toward her,
+there was a depth of meaning in those dark eyes which she could not
+fathom.
+
+Twenty-four hours before, Lyle standing there, under those circumstances,
+would have been crushed with humiliation, but in the light of the
+revelation of the night before, she met his glance with an expression
+which to him seemed utterly inscrutable. There was neither shame nor
+apology written on her face, as with a calm, bright smile, and the same
+self-possessed manner, she turned and passed into the house.
+
+Upon entering the dining-room, Lyle heard angry words in the kitchen,
+and paused to listen. The voice was Maverick's.
+
+"Who in hell is that new feller you've got up here?"
+
+"That's the brother of the young feller that was here a spell ago,"
+answered the voice of Minty, who was just emerging from the pantry.
+
+"Damn you! who asked you to say anything? Git out of here," he roared,
+and Minty made a hasty retreat into the cellar.
+
+"Who's that new feller out there?" he again demanded of his wife.
+
+"His name is Rutherford, and he's a brother of the young man that come
+out here with Mr. Houston," was her reply.
+
+"What's his business here?"
+
+"I guess he hain't got none, he seems to be out here for pleasure like
+his brother."
+
+"Pleasure!" growled Maverick, with an oath, "there's too many of 'em,
+damn 'em, out here for pleasure; I'd give some of 'em some pleasure
+that they ain't a lookin' for, if I had a chance."
+
+His wife made no response.
+
+"What's that girl Lyle tricked out in such finery for?" he next
+asked.
+
+"They're clothes that Miss Gladden give her," Mrs. Maverick replied,
+"and it saves us jest so much, so you needn't growl; besides she looks
+nice."
+
+"Looks nice!" said Maverick, contemptuously, "you're always bound to
+stick up for her! Look here, old woman," he added, in a lower tone,
+but which Lyle could hear, "have you been tellin' that girl anything?
+She don't own me for her daddy lately, I notice; now, if you've been
+puttin' her or anybody else onto anything of the kind, I can tell you
+you'll be damned sorry for it before you git through with me."
+
+"I hain't said a word, it's jest a notion she's took, I dun'no why. I
+hain't said nothin' nor I ain't a goin' to, as long as you behave
+yourself, Jim Maverick, but the proofs is all ready in case you don't
+treat me and her jest as you'd orter."
+
+A terrible oath burst from Maverick's lips, but the entrance of the
+two boys and Minty, prevented any further conversation on this
+subject; and Lyle, seated in the little porch whither she had
+retreated from the dining-room, reflected on what she had just heard,
+its meaning seeming very clear to her in the light of what Miss
+Gladden had told her the night before.
+
+There were proofs then in existence, probably in that very house, as
+to her identity. Her friends were correct in their surmises: she had
+been stolen, and the villain who had committed the deed, even now
+trembled with apprehension lest his villainy should become known.
+Those proofs she must have, and it would be worse than useless to
+demand them of either Maverick or his wife. She must search for them.
+This she resolved to do, day by day, as opportunity afforded, until
+there should be no nook or corner which she had not thoroughly
+explored.
+
+As Lyle recalled all that occurred within the past twenty-four hours,
+the most eventful period within her recollection thus far, she felt
+that she had virtually broken with the old life and all its
+associations, and that she stood upon the threshold of a new life,
+higher, nobler,--perhaps sweeter,--than any of which she had ever
+dreamed.
+
+The return of the little company of friends to the house interrupted
+her thoughts, but not before she had decided fully as to her future
+course.
+
+After supper, it was decided to spend that first evening on the summit
+of one of the nearest mountains, to watch the glories of the sunset,
+and to give Morton Rutherford a bird's-eye view of the beautiful
+scenery, before introducing him to its details.
+
+But on the second evening, the entire party set forth for the trip to
+the cascades, for which Ned was so especially desirous.
+
+Mr. Houston and Miss Gladden led the little procession, Houston
+carrying her guitar. Ned had constituted himself Lyle's escort by
+taking the violin, and they came next, while Morton Rutherford and
+Arthur Van Dorn brought up the rear.
+
+Their two boats were already awaiting them, and Ned, having assisted
+Lyle to a seat, turned to Van Dorn.
+
+"Mr. Van Dorn," he said in his blandest tones, "may we have the
+pleasure of your company in our boat?"
+
+As Van Dorn laughingly accepted the invitation, Morton Rutherford
+turned toward his brother, saying:
+
+"Are you not going to extend an invitation to me, also?"
+
+"Unfortunately," said Ned, with as much dignity as he could assume,
+"this boat will seat but three people."
+
+"Is that so!" replied his brother, with a curious downward inflection,
+"unfortunately, then, for Mr. Houston and Miss Gladden, you will have
+to take the other boat, as I am going in this one myself," and
+stepping lightly into the boat, he pulled it quickly out into the
+water, leaving Ned in a state of bewilderment, alone on shore, as Mr.
+Houston and Miss Gladden were already seated in their boat, and
+watching this little by-play.
+
+There was a general laugh at Ned's expense, as he clambered into the
+other boat, exclaiming good-naturedly:
+
+"Well, Mort, that's an awfully shabby trick, but then, it's all I can
+expect of you, anyhow."
+
+"It's all you deserve, after such attempted selfishness on your part,"
+replied his brother.
+
+They rowed across the lake in the soft light, the glory of the setting
+sun still reflected from the surrounding peaks, the music of their
+boat songs accompanied by the dip and plash of the oars.
+
+At last they reached the cascades, and rounding a little promontory,
+the glory of that wondrous scene suddenly burst upon them. For a
+moment Mr. Rutherford sat speechless, and Lyle, facing him, silently
+enjoyed his surprise and his ecstasy as keenly as he enjoyed the
+wonderful beauty about him. In his face, she read the same capacity
+for joy or for suffering which Nature had bestowed upon herself, and
+when his eyes suddenly met hers again, he saw the tears glistening in
+their shining depths, and with quick, intuitive sympathy, readily
+understood the cause.
+
+For a while they rowed back and forth in almost silent admiration;
+then the boats were brought side by side at the foot of the cascades,
+and the air resounded with song; sometimes their voices all blending
+together in exquisite harmony, then in twos and threes, while
+occasionally, some beautiful old song would be given as a solo.
+
+It had been an evening of rare enjoyment for each one, and they were
+just about to turn their boats homeward, when Ned Rutherford
+exclaimed:
+
+"I say, don't let us leave this spot until Miss Maverick sings that
+song she gave us the first time we came out here, the first we ever
+heard her sing. I never can forget that song, and it is always
+associated with this place."
+
+The others joined in the request. Lyle hesitated. Could she trust
+herself to sing that song to-night? It was easy to sing when love had
+come to another's heart, but could she sing it now that he had come to
+her own?
+
+She consented, and the oars rested once more. With her eyes fixed on
+the distant mountains, Lyle began her song:
+
+                "Love is come with a song and a smile."
+
+At the first words, Morton Rutherford started, and as he fixed his
+eyes on the beautiful singer, her fair form and shining hair outlined
+against the silvery cascades, it seemed to him the loveliest sight of
+his whole life.
+
+Her voice, exquisitely sweet as she began, gained in expression and
+power, until she sang as she had never sung before; and as the last
+notes died away, Houston, bending his head low, whispered to Miss
+Gladden:
+
+"Leslie, my dear, do you think now that Lyle's heart is not
+susceptible? She never could sing that song in that way if she knew
+nothing of love."
+
+And Miss Gladden made no reply, for her own heart was too full for
+words.
+
+The song was ended, and Lyle's eyes suddenly met the dark ones fixed
+upon her face, and though no words were spoken, she read in their
+depths that hers was not the only heart to which love had come.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVIII.
+
+
+That night the diminutive lamp that did duty in the room assigned to
+the two brothers burned till long past the hour of midnight. By its
+dim light, Ned Rutherford indited a letter to his fiancee, while his
+brother quietly paced back and forth, the entire length of the small
+apartment, his hands clasped behind him and his head thrown back,--his
+usual attitude when in deep thought.
+
+"Getting up another article on the application of electric force?"
+inquired Ned, as he paused to watch his brother.
+
+"No," was the reply, "I am thinking at present of a force far more
+subtle and more powerful than that of electricity."
+
+"Why, how's that?" asked Ned in surprise, "I thought electricity was
+one of your pet hobbies."
+
+"Never mind about my pet hobbies," said his brother, with a smile,
+"just continue your writing for the present."
+
+Half an hour later, as Ned folded and sealed the voluminous letter,
+and placed upon it the long, foreign address, his brother, watching
+him with a curious half smile, said:
+
+"I shall have to give you credit for a great deal of constancy, Ned,
+more than I really supposed you possessed."
+
+"How's that?" asked Ned, with a slight blush, "to what do you refer."
+
+"To your fidelity to your affianced," Morton replied, "under the rather
+adverse circumstances that attend your suit, and notwithstanding
+the unusual attractions by which you have been surrounded here."
+
+"Well, as to that," said Ned, slowly, "I don't know as I deserve so
+very much credit. Houston appropriated Miss Gladden to himself pretty
+soon after we came here, and besides, she isn't exactly my style,
+after all; she would suit Houston a great deal better than me."
+
+"Ah," said his brother, quietly, "and what of the younger lady?
+Perhaps she is not your style, either?"
+
+"Well, no, I should say not," Ned replied, with the least perceptible
+scorn in his tone, "not but what she is a lovely girl, and I respect
+her, and feel sorry for her, but I should think one glimpse of her
+family would decide that question, once for all."
+
+"Ned," said Morton Rutherford, pausing in his walk, directly in front
+of his brother, "is it possible that you are so blind as not to see
+that Miss Maverick, as you call her,--I prefer to call her Lyle,--has
+no connection whatever with the family in which she lives?"
+
+"Do you think so?" Ned inquired, with surprise, "I remember Houston
+and Miss Gladden expressed the same opinion when I was here before,
+but I don't think they had any proof that such was the case, and even
+if it were so, I don't see how it helps the matter much, for nobody
+knows to what sort of a family she really does belong."
+
+"Ned," said his brother, indignantly, "I know nothing of the opinion
+of Houston or Miss Gladden upon this subject, but where are your own
+eyes, and where is your reason? If you discovered one of the rarest
+and most beautiful flowers known to exist in the plant world, in a
+heap of tailings out here among these mines, would you immediately
+conclude that, because you had found it there, it must be indigenous
+to the spot? Look at that girl, and tell me if there is one trace in
+feature, in form, in manner, or in speech, of plebeian blood, and then
+will you tell me that she is in any way connected with people such as
+these? They are not merely plebeian, they are low, debased, criminal.
+They are criminals of the deepest dye, not only capable of any
+villainy, but already guilty, and to such a degree that their guilt
+has made them shrinking, skulking cowards."
+
+"But, Mort, if you are correct, and I don't say that you are not, how
+does she come to be in such a place as this, with no memory of
+anything different?"
+
+"Through the villainy of that man whom you pointed out to me as her
+father; through his villainy, and in no other way."
+
+"You think she was stolen?"
+
+"I do; I can see in his face that he has committed some terrible
+crime,--perhaps many of them,--and he is afraid to look a stranger in
+the eye; and a glance at that beautiful girl is enough to fasten upon
+him one of his crimes. She is from a family whose blood is as pure
+from any taint, physical, mental, or moral, as is your own, and unless
+I am greatly mistaken, she is not wholly unconscious of this
+herself."
+
+"Great Heavens!" exclaimed the younger brother, "I never dreamed of
+all this! If it is really as you think, I only wish we could find her
+true home, and have her restored to it, and make that scoundrel suffer
+for his crime."
+
+"If it is among the possibilities, it shall be done," said Morton
+Rutherford, quietly, but in a tone which startled Ned with its volume
+of meaning. The latter looked up in quick surprise, a question on his
+lips, but he knew his brother's face too well; the question was not
+asked, and he only said:
+
+"Good for you, Mort, and here's my hand; I'm with you on this,
+whatever you do."
+
+For the next few days, nothing of any special import occurred at the
+camp. Houston, soon after the arrival of Morton and Ned Rutherford,
+had written to his uncle that preparations were now about completed,
+and everything was so nearly in readiness that he and his party had
+better come out immediately to one of the western cities, from which
+they could be summoned by telegraph on short notice. Accordingly, Mr.
+Cameron had already left New York, and in company with his attorney
+and the English expert, was now on his way west, Mrs. Cameron also
+accompanying him as far west as Chicago, where she was to stop with
+friends while he went on to the mines, as she had insisted that she
+would feel much happier to be nearer her husband and Everard, so that
+she could more easily reach them in the event of any trouble at the
+mines.
+
+Van Dorn was progressing well with his work, and the machine would
+soon be ready for its trial test, though he said he would in all
+probability first have to go to Silver City, in order to have replaced
+one or two small but important parts which had been broken in the
+long, westward journey.
+
+Lyle, in the midst of the strange happiness which had lately come to
+her heart, had not forgotten her resolve to search for the proofs, of
+such importance to her. On the contrary, she had now a new and
+powerful incentive which gave additional zest to her efforts,
+although, thus far, they had proved unsuccessful.
+
+One afternoon, after having made a particularly thorough but fruitless
+search, she stole quietly out of the house, and following the little
+path along the shore of the lake, soon found herself in her favorite
+retreat among the rocks, a secluded place from which there was no sign
+of human habitation; only the mountains in their vast solitudes were
+visible, their silent grandeur more eloquent than words. It was a spot
+that she had loved even in her childhood, and which had, in later
+years, been her resort for study and reflection.
+
+In a brief interview with Jack, at the cabin, the previous evening,
+she had told him of her increasingly distinct recollections of her
+mother, of the angry words between Maverick and his wife which she had
+overheard, and of her search which she felt would yet result in her
+obtaining possession of the necessary proofs of her identity.
+
+To her surprise, Jack, while commending the course which she was
+taking, yet seemed strangely averse to talking much with her upon the
+subject. At last, as she was leaving the cabin, he had taken her hands
+in his, saying, in a strangely tender tone:
+
+"My dear Lyle, because I say little, you must not think I take no
+interest in this affair which concerns you so closely. I am deeply
+interested, more deeply than you will probably ever know, but it is
+for many reasons a painful subject to me, one full of bitter memories;
+but I have one favor to ask of you, my dear child, which I know you
+will grant for the sake of the memory of the happy hours we have spent
+together,--it is this; that whatever proof you may succeed in finding,
+you will first bring to me."
+
+"Certainly I will, dear Jack," Lyle had replied, wondering at his
+manner, "in whom should I confide if not in you, who have been my
+first and best friend."
+
+And he, his dark, piercing eyes looking into the depths of her own,
+their gaze softened by tender affection, had replied:
+
+"Yes, your friend always, Lyle, remember that; none truer or more
+devoted to you or your welfare; but before long, my dear, your heart
+will learn, if it has not learned already, the difference between
+friendship and love."
+
+With burning cheeks and tearful eyes Lyle recalled his words, and
+pondered deeply on the strange bond that seemed, in some way, to exist
+between his life and hers, but the longer she tried to solve the
+problem, the deeper and more obscure it seemed.
+
+In the midst of her reflections, she heard a light step upon the rocky
+footpath, and looking up, saw Morton Rutherford approaching. So
+absorbed was he in the study of the masses of rock about him, on which
+had been traced by the finger of the centuries, in wonderful
+hieroglyphics, the early history of the earth, that for a time he was
+unconscious of her presence there. When he saw her he raised his hat
+and came quickly forward.
+
+"I beg your pardon," he said, in deep, musical tones, "I supposed
+myself alone with my own thoughts; am I intruding? if so, send me away
+at once."
+
+"No, stay, if you please," said Lyle.
+
+"Thank you," he answered, seating himself on the rocks at a little
+distance, "you appeared so lost in thought I feared my coming might
+annoy you."
+
+"No," she replied, "my thoughts were too perplexing, I was growing
+weary of them."
+
+Mr. Rutherford glanced at the surrounding mountains; "Were you, too,
+trying to fathom the mystery of the eternal hills?" he asked.
+
+"No," was her reply, "I have never attempted anything so far beyond me
+as that; I have found more mysteries in every-day, human life than I
+could solve."
+
+Morton Rutherford was silent for a few moments, then he said in low
+tones:
+
+"I hope you will pardon me when I say, that to me, your own life here,
+under the existing circumstances and conditions, is a mystery, one
+which seems capable of but one solution."
+
+"And what would be your solution?" she asked quickly.
+
+He saw that she understood his meaning, and was watching him intently,
+eagerly, and he said:
+
+"Permit me to reply to your question by asking one in return. Do you
+not believe that your life had a beginning elsewhere than here, and
+under far different conditions?"
+
+"It is more than a belief with me, it is a certainty, and yet, strange
+as it may appear to you, this knowledge has come to me but recently,
+and even now, I know nothing of what those conditions may have been,
+except that they were totally unlike these that exist here."
+
+"You interest me very much are you willing to tell me how you arrived
+at this knowledge of which you speak?"
+
+Very briefly, and without going into details, Lyle, in response to the
+magnetic sympathy of those dark eyes, gave a vivid outline of her
+life, and of the vague impressions which of late were becoming
+distinct recollections, and of her hope of soon finding tangible
+evidence regarding the life which was daily growing more and more of a
+reality.
+
+Mr. Rutherford listened with intense interest to the strange story,
+and when she had finished, he said slowly, as he took a short turn up
+and down the rocky path:
+
+"Believe me, I have not listened to this through mere, idle curiosity;
+much as your story has interested me, it has not surprised me, for I
+read the truth almost from our first meeting."
+
+Lyle gave him a smile of rare sweetness and deep significance; "I am
+glad to know that," she said simply.
+
+"Why so?" he asked, pausing and seating himself beside her; "Did you
+think I could fail to recognize the soul that looked out to welcome me
+when I first came, no matter amid what surroundings I found it?" Then,
+as she remained silent, he continued, his tones thrilling her heart as
+no human voice had ever done before:
+
+"Since the hour that I first met you, Lyle, life has changed for
+me,--I think perhaps it will never be quite the same again for either
+of us. I know that I love you with a love that, whether reciprocated
+or not, can never die; that henceforth, you will be,--you must be,--a
+part of my very life. Let me care for you and help you; let me help
+you in your search for the home for which you were created, and of
+which you are worthy; but, Lyle, before you search any farther for
+that home, will you not consent to become the queen of my home, as you
+are already the queen of my heart?"
+
+Lyle lifted her head proudly, though the tears glistened on the long,
+golden lashes; "Do you ask me that, here and now, knowing nothing as
+yet, of what the future may reveal?"
+
+"I do; I have no fear for the future if I but have your love. Do you
+think that, perhaps, in the days to come, amid other and different
+surroundings, you might find some one whose love your heart would
+choose in preference to mine?"
+
+"Never!" cried Lyle, impulsively, turning with outstretched arms to
+him, "You are the only one I have ever loved,--the only one I could
+ever love!"
+
+"Then that is enough for me," he replied, drawing her closely to his
+breast; "you have come forth from the years of the wretched past, with
+a soul star-white and shining, and I have no fears for the future."
+
+When the little group of friends assembled that evening, it was not
+long before some one discovered that a small diamond ring, of
+exquisite, antique design, which Morton Rutherford had worn, had, in
+some manner, become transferred to Lyle's hand. "Wear this, for the
+present," he had said, in taking it from his own hand, "until I can
+obtain a costlier one for you," but Lyle had insisted that once placed
+upon her hand, there it must remain, as she would prize it far above
+any other which money could buy; and such had been the final
+decision.
+
+When this significant fact had been discovered by one of the little
+company, the intelligence was speedily telegraphed to the rest, and
+Morton and Lyle soon found themselves the recipients of hearty and
+affectionate congratulations from the others.
+
+The astonishment depicted on Ned's face, when he comprehended the turn
+affairs had taken, was beyond description, but in the little
+excitement which prevailed for a few moments, it passed unnoticed, so
+that he had sufficiently recovered himself to join very gracefully in
+the general congratulations when his turn came.
+
+A few hours later, however, as he went out for a stroll with Van Dorn,
+while his brother and Houston started out in the direction of Jack's
+cabin, his astonishment found expression.
+
+"Great Scott! but I never was so dumfounded in my life! I tell you
+what, Van, I believe people lose their wits when they are in love!"
+
+"On whose experience do you base your highly original remark, your
+brother's or your own?"
+
+"Well, both, and lots of others besides. I never yet saw a person who
+was in love that didn't act just the reverse of what you would expect,
+or of what they would under ordinary circumstances. Now, look at us
+two, for instance. Look at me! Everybody calls me rash and impetuous,
+and Mort is always lecturing me for it, and it's always my way to rush
+head-first into anything that comes along, and here I've been making
+love, in the regular, orthodox fashion, to a girl I've known ever
+since I wore knickerbockers, and playing propriety and all that to my
+prospective father-in-law; and now see Mort! the most precise,
+deliberate fellow you ever saw, never says or does anything that isn't
+exactly suited to the occasion, you know; and here he goes and tumbles
+head over heels in love with a pretty girl the first time he sees her,
+and when he doesn't know a blessed thing about her, and, by George!
+engages himself to her before he's known her a week! If that isn't a
+case of clear-gone lunacy, then I never saw one."
+
+Van Dorn laughed; "Well, of the two, I should prefer your brother's
+form of lunacy to yours; if I ever was to be in love, I should want
+the misery over as quickly as possible."
+
+As Houston and his friend, having made a brief call at the cabin, rose
+to take their leave, the former observed Jack watching Rutherford's
+face with a degree of interest unusual for him to manifest in a
+stranger.
+
+"I want you and my friend, Rutherford, to know each other the little
+time he will be here," he said, addressing Jack, "for though I have
+never known what it was to have a brother in reality, he seems to me
+to more nearly fill that position than any one I have known, and I
+have told him of your kindness and assistance, and the strange bond
+that has seemed to unite us from the first, though we met as
+strangers, so he naturally wishes to meet you."
+
+There was a peculiar quiver of the lips under the heavy, black beard,
+as Jack replied, in deep, full tones, "Mr. Rutherford's face carries
+with it its own recommendation, and the fact that he is as a brother
+to yourself will insure him a double welcome here as often as he
+pleases to come during his stay."
+
+Houston passed onward into the outer room, pausing to chat with Mike,
+while Morton Rutherford lingered, and extending his hand to Jack, said
+in low tones:
+
+"I have another reason for wishing to meet you. From what Lyle has
+told me, I know you to have been, until very recently, her only
+friend, and to you, as to her friend, and perhaps, in one sense, her
+guardian, I wish to state that I love her, and have been so fortunate
+as to win her love in return; and that I hope before very long, my
+home will be hers."
+
+"Yes, I know," Jack responded, briefly.
+
+"What! has she already told you?" Rutherford asked in surprise.
+
+"Only unconsciously; but I read soon after your coming, that her heart
+was no longer her own."
+
+Then grasping Rutherford's hand warmly, he added, in tones vibrating
+with some deep emotion.
+
+"You have chosen better than you know. I believe I can trust her and
+her happiness in your hands. God bless you both! and may He bless you
+in proportion to your love and fidelity toward her!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIX.
+
+
+The following day, Mr. Blaisdell suddenly made his appearance at the
+camp, accompanied by Mr. Rivers and a mining expert who had come out
+in the interests of a Chicago firm, looking for good paying
+investments. Houston had received no word of their coming, and the
+first intimation which he had of their arrival was the sight of the
+three gentlemen, as he approached the house at dinner time.
+
+"How are you, Houston?" said Mr. Blaisdell, pausing in his walk up and
+down before the house, and extending his hand, "How's the work
+progressing?"
+
+"Finely," replied Houston, "the output is steadily increasing, week by
+week."
+
+"Keeps you pretty busy, I suppose? Well, I hope we can give you a
+little help before long; we've located Barden at last, and he starts
+for the west next week. Let me introduce you to Mr. Parsons, a mining
+expert from Chicago; Mr. Parsons, this is Mr. Houston, our general
+superintendent."
+
+Houston exchanged greetings with the stranger, and with Mr. Rivers,
+the latter watching him closely, though saying very little.
+
+Dinner was served as quickly as possible, as Mr. Parsons was limited
+for time, and was to return to Silver City on the evening train. Most
+of the conversation at the table was on mines and mining, Mr.
+Blaisdell trying to impress each one present, Mr. Parsons in
+particular, with his extensive knowledge, both theoretical and
+practical, on all that pertained to the subject, as well as with a
+sense of the immense value of the properties owned by the company.
+
+"Mr. W. E. Cameron, of New York, owns some very valuable mines out
+here, I understand," said Mr. Parsons casually, his innocent remark
+producing rather a startling effect upon the minds of his listeners,
+though they, one and all, succeeded in preserving a calm exterior.
+
+"He has an interest in some very fine properties," replied Mr.
+Blaisdell blandly, though with a visible contracting of the muscles
+about the mouth, "you are acquainted with Mr. Cameron, I presume?"
+
+"Oh, no, on the contrary, I never even met the gentleman, but he is
+extensively known among the leading business houses of Chicago, and he
+was pointed out to me, the day I came away, as the owner of some of
+the finest mines in this locality," Mr. Parsons explained, thereby
+carrying consternation to the heart of every one present.
+
+"Did I understand you to say that Mr. Cameron was in Chicago?"
+inquired Mr. Blaisdell, while Mr. Rivers' restless eyes were at once
+on the alert.
+
+"Certainly, he was there the day I left; at least, a gentleman with
+whom I happened to be talking about western investments, pointed him
+out to me, and cited him as the owner of western properties."
+
+"Ah, yes, did you hear anything said as to whether he was coming this
+way?"
+
+"Nothing, nothing whatever, except what I have stated."
+
+"It's all right," said Mr. Rivers, speaking for the first time, and in
+his quick, incisive way; he feared Mr. Blaisdell had betrayed his
+anxiety; "all right, only we would like to know his whereabouts, as it
+will be necessary to wire him in a day or two, regarding some ore
+shipments. Can you give us the hotel where he was stopping?"
+
+"I am very sorry that I cannot oblige you, but I have not the least
+idea where he was located; I simply saw him passing on the street."
+
+"It is of no consequence," replied Mr. Blaisdell, with assumed
+indifference, "we can of course ascertain his present address from the
+New York house; it will take a little more time, that is all. We had
+better proceed to the mines at once, if Mr. Parsons is ready."
+
+When they had left and Haight was on his way to the mills, the four
+young men held a few moments' consultation outside the house.
+
+"By Jingo!" exclaimed Ned Rutherford, "it looks as though old Buncombe
+was going to get on to our surprise party that we're planning for him!
+What are you fellows going to do about it?"
+
+"Well," said Van Dorn. "I'm not sure whether this is going to
+interfere with our arrangements or not; what do you think, Everard?
+will the company 'smell a rat' anywhere?"
+
+"They are evidently alarmed at the possibility of Mr. Cameron's coming
+out here, but there is nothing yet to arouse their suspicions against
+us, so I do not think it will interfere materially with our plans at
+present. They will be able to learn nothing of my uncle's movements
+from the New York house, as he will have forestalled them there. He
+had but just reached Chicago when this Parsons left, and as he and Mr.
+Whitney wished, if possible, to remain there a few days, to consult
+with a legal firm who are personal friends of theirs, I think it best,
+in case this company remains quiet, to take no action yet for two or
+three days; but if the officers of the company begin to appear
+suspicious, or as if they were trying to cover their tracks, the
+sooner we telegraph for our party, the better; get them here as
+quickly as possible."
+
+"Yes, that will be best," said Morton Rutherford, "if their suspicions
+are aroused, we cannot be too expeditious, for they will be desperate
+when they find themselves cornered."
+
+"We must hold ourselves in readiness to act promptly," Houston added,
+"probably within twenty-four hours we will be able to decide which
+course to pursue."
+
+Houston went to his work determined to keep a close watch on the
+movements of Blaisdell and Rivers. A couple of hours later, however,
+the three men entered the mill where he was engaged superintending the
+weighing of some ore; Mr. Rivers went at once to Haight's little
+private office, while Blaisdell approached him with the expert.
+
+"Mr. Houston," he said, "just take Mr. Parsons through the mills and
+entertain him for the next half hour. Mr. Rivers and myself will be
+engaged about that length of time."
+
+Houston complied with the request, and in a very short time discovered
+that Mr. Parsons' knowledge of metallurgy and mineralogy was
+exceedingly limited, but that in exact proportion to his own
+ignorance, he had been profoundly impressed by the knowledge which Mr.
+Blaisdell had aired for his especial benefit, and the parrot-like way
+in which he repeated some of the expressions which Mr. Blaisdell kept
+as his "stock in trade," was very amusing.
+
+Meanwhile Houston was deeply interested in the private meeting held in
+Haight's little dingy room, as he felt certain that some issues were
+being discussed and decisions reached that would, in their results, be
+of the greatest importance to him, and he awaited the reappearance of
+the general manager and secretary with considerable expectancy.
+
+He was not disappointed; a glance at their faces revealed that the
+subjects under discussion had not been pleasant. Mr. Blaisdell's face
+was white, and set in hard, determined lines, while that of his
+companion was flushed with anger, and his cunning, crafty eyes were
+full of suspicion, as they glanced repeatedly in Houston's direction.
+
+"Mr. Parsons," said Mr. Blaisdell, "we will have to ask you to excuse
+Mr. Houston, as we have a little business with him, and if you will
+step over there in the office and sit down, we will have completed our
+business in half or three-quarters of an hour; by that time the team
+will be here, in readiness to take us to the train."
+
+After a few moments of desultory conversation about the work which
+Houston knew to be only preliminary, during which Mr. Rivers moved
+about in a nervous, restless manner, Mr. Blaisdell said:
+
+"Mr. Houston, we hear some rather strange reports concerning your
+conduct lately; your actions have certainly been highly censurable,
+and the least that can be said is that you have exceeded your
+authority here in a very marked degree."
+
+"In what respect have I exceeded my authority?" demanded Houston,
+folding his arms, with an expression on his face that made the
+general manager regret that he had begun the encounter; but it was too
+late to retreat, besides, Rivers was watching him!
+
+"In your manner of discharging the duties assigned to you; you have
+taken advantage of your position in the most reprehensible and
+unworthy way, and have overstepped the bounds when you had no right
+whatever to do so."
+
+"I shall have to ask you to be a little more explicit, Mr. Blaisdell,"
+Houston replied.
+
+"Why don't you come to the point, Blaisdell?" said Rivers impatiently.
+"What's the use of beating about the bush? The long and the short of
+it is just this," he added, turning to Houston, "you have been taking
+upon yourself what did not concern you, prying around, late at night,
+in mines with which you had nothing whatever to do, in company with
+miners who had no more business there than you had."
+
+"To what mine do you refer?" asked Houston, with exasperating
+persistency.
+
+"I mean the Lucky Chance, and you know it," retorted Rivers angrily.
+
+"Mr. Rivers," said Houston, in a tone that Blaisdell had heard on a
+former occasion, and with a steel-like glitter in his eyes that was
+anything but attractive to either of the gentlemen present; "Mr.
+Blaisdell knows, if you do not, that since my first coming here,
+whatever kind of work has been assigned to me, I have thoroughly
+familiarized myself with it. When I was given charge of these mines I
+had reason to suppose that each and every mine owned by the company
+was included under my supervision, and if there were any which the
+officers of the company, for reasons of their own, wished excluded
+from such supervision, it was their business so to inform me. I have
+not been so informed. Mr. Blaisdell himself took me into that mine,
+and nothing was said to lead me to suppose that that mine was any
+exception to those placed in my charge, and your informant, if he
+chose so to do, could tell you that I have inspected in like manner
+each and every mine under my supervision, taking with me one or both
+of the same men, when the mine happened to be one with which I was not
+familiar."
+
+"His intentions were all right," interposed Mr. Blaisdell, "he was
+over-zealous, that was all."
+
+"Intentions be damned!" said Mr. Rivers, angrily, "he was altogether
+too officious, and I won't have it; people in my employ have to know
+their place and keep it."
+
+"That is all very well," said Houston, in cutting tones, "but I will
+not ask you, Mr. Rivers, or any one connected with this company, to
+tell me my place."
+
+"What!" exclaimed Rivers in a rage, "let me tell you, young man, it is
+to your interest to be a little careful."
+
+"Is it?" answered Houston scornfully; "Mr. Rivers," he added,
+advancing toward that gentleman, "why don't you discharge me? Wouldn't
+that be to your interest?"
+
+Mr. Rivers saw he had gone too far; "No," he answered quickly, though
+sullenly, "we have said nothing about discharging you; you are too
+efficient a man for us to lose."
+
+"No, Houston," added Mr. Blaisdell, "we wouldn't think of discharging
+you, you're too good a man."
+
+"No, I'm not too good a man," replied Houston, facing them both with
+a look which they understood; "you don't discharge me simply
+because,--you don't dare to!" and he emphasized the last words with a
+heavy blow upon a rude desk standing near.
+
+Blaisdell and Rivers exchanged glances, and for a moment were
+speechless. The former was the first to recover himself.
+
+"Come, Houston," he said, in a conciliatory tone, "we won't have any
+more words; we all understand one another pretty well, and there'll
+be no more complaints or trouble. You go on pretty much as you have
+done, and it will be all right. It's time we were getting back now,
+but I'll be out here next week with Barden, and we'll fix things
+up satisfactory all 'round."
+
+"When will he get here?" asked Houston.
+
+"The latter part of next week."
+
+Houston thought an instant, his party would be there the first or
+middle of the week.
+
+"Very well," he replied, "I tender my resignation now, to take effect
+when he comes."
+
+"Oh, no, Houston, no indeed, why, we couldn't think of such a thing,"
+said Blaisdell, really alarmed, while Rivers maintained a sullen
+silence.
+
+"I am not particularly anxious to hold this position, I can assure
+you; there is very little in it but hard work."
+
+"Oh, well, well, you stay by us a while longer, and we'll take you
+into the company yet."
+
+"No," said Houston, "it would be no use taking me into the company, I
+wouldn't know my place, or keep it," and with that parting shot, he
+turned and left them.
+
+"Blaisdell," said Rivers, his face relaxing for a moment into a grim
+smile, "it's just as I told you, your smart young man is too smart for
+you. It's my opinion we've caught a tartar;--we're afraid to keep him,
+and we don't dare let him go."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XL.
+
+
+As Houston, on the following morning, in the execution of his daily
+round of duties, happened to be passing the Yankee Boy mine, his
+attention was arrested by a quantity of powder deposited near the
+mouth of the shaft, which the workmen were preparing to take below.
+
+"What is the meaning of this?" he inquired sternly. "Who has given any
+orders for this powder to be brought here?"
+
+"Them was the boss's orders, sir," replied one of the men, respectfully.
+
+"The boss? whom do you mean?"
+
+"Begging your pardon, sir, I meant the boss as was up here yisterday;
+Mr. Haight, he told me this morning as these was the orders he give
+him."
+
+"Haight," said Houston, as, a few moments later, he entered the office
+of that individual, "did Mr. Blaisdell leave orders yesterday for
+powder to be taken over to the Yankee Boy mines?"
+
+"Yes," replied Haight, with his usual smile, "and I intended to have
+spoken to you about it this morning, but I forgot it."
+
+"What is his object? any blasting to be done?"
+
+"Yes, we had quite a long consultation together yesterday, he and
+Rivers and I, and we decided that it would pay to do some extensive
+drifting in those mines, and a good deal of that rock will have to be
+blasted."
+
+"How soon is this blasting to begin?"
+
+"Well, I can't say exactly, just how soon, probably within the next
+seven or eight days."
+
+"In what direction is the drifting to extend?"
+
+Haight looked slightly surprised but replied: "We're a little
+undecided about that, just what course to take; Rivers was for one
+thing, and Blaisdell and I for another. After they have blasted a
+ways, we can tell something from the character of the rock in what
+direction it will be best to run the drift."
+
+After a few more questions, some of which Haight did not answer so
+readily as might have been expected, Houston left him. He did not
+proceed at once to the building where Van Dorn was at work, but first
+returned to the mines, where he discovered that the powder was not
+only being stored in the Yankee Boy group, but also in the Lucky
+Chance, and one or two others of the surrounding mines. A little later
+he made an errand to that part of the mills where Van Dorn was to be
+found, and quietly calling him to one side, related to him what he had
+discovered, and his talk with Haight.
+
+Van Dorn was more familiar with mines, their methods of operation, and
+the rules governing their underground workings, than Houston, and he
+immediately exclaimed:
+
+"By George! that fellow is a fool, Everard, or else he was simply
+'stuffing' you; to drift in the direction he mentioned would be a
+useless expenditure of time and money, there would be nothing in it,
+it is utterly absurd!"
+
+"I mistrusted as much," said Houston, "and I have my own opinion as to
+the meaning of all this, but I wished to get your idea of the matter.
+What do you think of it?"
+
+"It looks to me," said Van Dorn slowly, "as though they were making
+preparations to blow up these mines, at a moment's warning."
+
+"That," said Houston, "was just the conviction that forced itself upon
+my mind when I saw that powder, though I will admit I had never once
+thought of their resorting to such measures as that."
+
+"It's about the only thing left for them to do, by George! after the
+shape in which they have got things; their idea probably would be, in
+the event of Mr. Cameron's coming, to destroy in this way all the
+evidence, as they think, existing against them. It shows pretty
+conclusively that they have no suspicions of us, for if they knew the
+evidence in our possession they would blow us up rather than the
+mines. You will telegraph at once for Mr. Cameron, will you not?"
+
+"At once; we must get him here as quickly and as quietly as we can;
+before they put their plans into action, if possible."
+
+"That is the thing to do; they probably will take no action unless
+they hear of his coming. We ought to get a dispatch off before
+night."
+
+"We will," Houston replied, with quiet decision.
+
+"How will you manage it? It will look rather suspicious for you or me
+to leave our work and go down to the Y with a message."
+
+"Give Morton our dispatch and cipher book, and he will attend to it
+better than you or I, for he is an expert operator."
+
+"By George! that's so, I had forgotten it; he learned telegraphy there
+at college just to amuse himself, and had a battery in his room; well,
+that's fortunate, he will be just the one for us."
+
+"It is nearly noon," said Houston, consulting his watch, "we will see
+Morton at the house, and arrange the message between us, and he will
+send it immediately."
+
+After dinner, there was a brief consultation in Houston's room with
+the result that the following dispatch was formulated, written in
+cipher, and addressed to Mr. Whitney, at Chicago, the attorney from
+New York, accompanying Mr. Cameron:
+
+  "Come at once, no delay; go to Arlington Hotel, Silver City; keep
+  dark, do not register. Van Dorn will meet you at hotel."
+
+Houston realized that they were now rapidly approaching the final
+denouement,--the closing act of the drama which might yet prove a
+tragedy,--and as he placed the folded slip of paper in Morton
+Rutherford's hand, he said with a sigh:
+
+"This is the beginning of the end."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLI.
+
+
+As Morton Rutherford's fingers touched the key of the little
+instrument that was to send forth that fateful message, it was the
+unconscious touching of a secret spring which was to set in motion a
+succession of events of which he little dreamed.
+
+He remained at the station until the answer came back over the wires:
+
+  "Leave Chicago to-night; will follow instructions to the letter."
+
+This was on Saturday. On Tuesday the expected party would reach Silver
+City, where they were to be met by Van Dorn, who would furnish them
+all details and accompany them on the evening train to the Y, from
+which point Houston and Morton Rutherford would convey them by team to
+the mining camp.
+
+From Saturday until Tuesday only! but those intervening days were full
+of a strange excitement for the little group of friends who were in
+the secret, and there was that constant sense of expectancy, combined
+with an alert watchfulness, which kept the nerves tense and rigid, and
+rendered the mind unusually clear and active.
+
+On Monday, Van Dorn left for Silver City, his errand ostensibly being
+to replace the broken portions of the machinery, now nearly finished,
+which were necessary for its completion.
+
+All felt that the climax to which they had looked forward was now very
+near, and Lyle, who perhaps realized the situation the most keenly of
+any, was restless and excited, something very unusual for her.
+
+Her search, thus far unsuccessful, had not been abandoned, and as she
+sat in the little porch on that particular afternoon, idle because she
+could not fix her attention upon book or work, it seemed as if the
+years of her early life among the mountains stood out with more than
+usual distinctness. Among other trifling objects, there was suddenly
+recalled to her memory a box which used always to stand in Mrs.
+Maverick's little bed-room, and which had looked wonderfully
+attractive to her childish eyes on account of a flowered red and green
+paper with which it was covered. Once, overcome with infantile
+curiosity, she had tried to open it, and had received a severe
+whipping therefor. She could remember it very distinctly now, a box
+about eighteen inches square, with no fastening, but always securely
+tied with a stout cord. Late years it had been removed to the little
+attic and she had forgotten it. Where was it now? She had not seen it
+for months, or was it years? What could it have contained?
+
+Miss Gladden was occupied with a new magazine. Morton and Ned
+Rutherford had gone out for a stroll among the rocks. Quietly Lyle
+slipped up-stairs, and going to the dark, dusty attic, began searching
+for the object so suddenly recalled to mind.
+
+She could find no trace of it, however, and had about concluded that
+it must have been destroyed, when her attention was arrested by a pile
+of old clothing and rubbish on the floor in a particularly dark
+corner, behind some large boxes. A slight examination revealed that
+there was some solid substance underneath. Hastily overturning the
+rubbish, her eyes descried in the dim light the identical red and
+green papered box familiar to her childhood.
+
+With an exclamation of joy she dragged it forth from its hiding place,
+and going over to the one tiny window, covered with dust and cobwebs,
+she sat down with the newly found treasure, first arranging a pile of
+old bedding as a screen between herself and the door, to preclude all
+possibility of her whereabouts being discovered.
+
+With fingers trembling with excitement, she undid the fastenings of
+the heavy cord and slowly lifted the cover, not knowing exactly what
+she expected or hoped to find, but certain that the key for which she
+had searched was close at hand.
+
+Within the box lay a large parcel wrapped in a newspaper, worn and
+yellow with age, and pinned to the parcel was a letter, addressed in a
+cramped, almost illegible hand:
+
+                               "To Lyle,
+                      to be read after my death."
+
+Lyle recognized the writing,--it was Mrs. Maverick's, whose
+educational advantages, though exceedingly limited, were yet superior
+to those of her husband, in that she could read and write, though she
+had little idea of the rules of grammar or orthography.
+
+Lyle unpinned the letter and turned it over curiously in her hands for
+a moment; then she laid it aside, saying to herself:
+
+"I will first see what this package contains, and will probably open
+that later."
+
+She lifted the parcel and began removing the paper wrappings, which
+burst like tissue and dropped in pieces, leaving a mass of fine
+cambric and dainty laces and embroideries, from which was exhaled a
+perfume, faint and subtle, and yet which recalled to Lyle so vividly
+the memories of that long-ago forgotten time, that she seemed like one
+awakening from a long oblivion to the scenes of a once familiar life.
+For a moment, she grew faint and dizzy, and, closing her eyes, leaned
+against the wall for support, while she tried to grasp the vision that
+seemed just ready to open up before her. But it passed, and with a
+sigh she opened her eyes, her gaze falling on the contents of the
+package which had fallen open.
+
+She saw the dress of a little child,--apparently about two years of
+age,--a marvelous creation of the finest of white linen and the
+daintiest of embroideries; lying within it was a broad sash of blue
+silk, neatly folded together, a pair of tiny, blue silk stockings,
+and little kid shoes of the same delicate shade; but the shoes and
+sash, as well as the dress, were soiled and blackened as if they had
+come in contact with charred wood.
+
+The dress and the little undergarments each and all bore the initials
+"M. L. W.," and Lyle pondered over them with wondering eyes, while
+handling with reverent touch these relics of her childhood,--a
+childhood which she could not recall.
+
+As she unrolled the blue sash, there dropped from within its folds a
+small, pasteboard box, which she hastily opened, exposing to view a
+tiny gold locket and chain of rare workmanship and exquisite design.
+Upon touching a little spring, it opened, and Lyle gave a low cry of
+delight, for there was revealed the same beautiful face which she had
+seen in Jack's cabin,--the face of her mother. For some time she gazed
+at it through fast-gathering tears, then happening to note the
+engraving on the inside of the case, opposite to the picture, she held
+it closer to the light, to discern the delicate characters of the
+inscription, and read:
+
+                     "To Marjorie Lyle Washburn,
+                     Upon her second birthday."
+
+Lyle Maverick no longer, but Marjorie Lyle Washburn! She repeated the
+name over and over to herself,--the magic talisman by which she was to
+find the home and friends she sought!
+
+Kissing the locket reverently, she replaced it in the box, and folding
+together the little garments, she again took up the letter. She
+studied it for a moment, then resolutely breaking the seal, began to
+read its contents. It was slow work, for the writing in many places
+was so poor as to be nearly illegible, but, with burning cheeks and
+eyes flashing with indignation at what it revealed, she read it to the
+end.
+
+In uncouth phrases and illiterate language, and yet with a certain
+pathos, Mrs. Maverick told the story of the death, years before, while
+their home was east, in Ohio, of her own little girl between two and
+three years of age, and her inconsolable sorrow. A few months
+afterward, Jim had suddenly returned from a neighboring town where he
+was working, bringing with him a beautiful little girl of the same age
+as her own, but unusually advanced for her years, whose father and
+mother he claimed had been killed in a railroad accident, and of whose
+friends nothing could be learned. His wife had accepted his story in
+good faith, and welcomed the motherless little one to her own lonely
+heart. Unknown to Jim, who had charged her to burn them, she had also
+preserved the garments worn by the little stranger on that day.
+
+But the little one did not take kindly to her new surroundings but
+cried piteously for her mother, night and day, even refusing food of
+all kinds, until she was suddenly taken with a strange illness which
+lasted for many weeks. When she finally recovered, all memory of her
+former life seemed to have been completely blotted out of her mind,
+and she no longer called for her mother, except occasionally in her
+sleep. Very soon after they had come out to the mines, and nothing of
+any importance occurred until Lyle was about seven years old.
+
+At that time, Jim had suddenly made his appearance at the house one
+day, appearing both angry and frightened, and had ordered his wife to
+keep Lyle locked up, on pretext of punishing her, until he gave
+permission for her release. He would give no explanation, and by his
+curses and threats compelled her to obey.
+
+That day, a fine-looking, elderly gentleman, who had just arrived from
+the east to purchase some mining property, came to the house for
+dinner, and took his meals there for the two days following, during
+which time, Lyle was not allowed her liberty. Not until nearly a year
+later did Mrs. Maverick learn that the eastern stranger, whose coming
+had so terrified Maverick, was Lyle's grandfather. Jim then confessed
+that he had taken the child from the wreck where its mother had lost
+her life, and brought her west with him, knowing whose child she was,
+and keeping her out of revenge for some wrong which he claimed this
+man had done him years before.
+
+In vain his wife urged to have the child returned to her rightful
+home; he threatened her life if she ever breathed the secret to any
+living soul. A sense of guilt made her unhappy for a time, but as
+years passed she grew more indifferent to it, and as she saw, more and
+more, how utterly unlike any of her own family Lyle was growing, she
+no longer cared for her as she had done, though she tried to treat her
+kindly. Jim's hatred of Lyle seemed to increase with every year, until
+his wife sometimes feared that he would resort to personal violence.
+
+As she found her own health and strength failing she began to reflect
+upon the terrible position in which Lyle would find herself in case of
+her own death, left alone with Maverick and his two sons, and to save
+her from such a fate, she had resolved to write this letter,
+acquainting Lyle with her own history so far as she was able to give
+it.
+
+At the close she begged Lyle not to think too harshly of her or
+consider that she was altogether to blame in this matter, and
+expressed the wish that she might some day find her own friends from
+whom she had been taken.
+
+It would be impossible to describe Lyle's emotions as she finished the
+perusal of this strange letter; joy that she had finally found the
+evidence she sought, and an intense longing to see those from whom she
+had been so cruelly separated all these years, mingled with a fearful
+apprehension lest this knowledge might have come too late, when those
+whose affection she would claim, might have already passed beyond the
+limits of finite, human love, into the love infinite and eternal. And
+deep in her heart burned indignation, fierce and strong, against the
+one who had wrought all this wretchedness,--carrying additional sorrow
+to a home already bereaved, robbing her of the love that was
+rightfully hers and of the dower of a happy childhood which could
+never be restored,--all to gratify his cowardly revenge!
+
+In the midst of these reflections, Lyle suddenly recalled the promise
+she had given Jack that he should be the first to learn of her
+success. It was now time for him to be at the cabin and she would have
+an opportunity to see him before the return of the others to the
+house. Accordingly, she restored the empty box to its hiding place,
+and having concealed the most of its contents in her own room,
+started forth on her joyful errand, taking with her the tiny locket
+and the letter.
+
+As she approached the cabin she saw Jack sitting with Rex in the
+door-way and knew that he was alone. Jack, to whom her face was an
+open book, read the tidings which she had brought before they had
+exchanged a word. He rose to meet her, and looking into her radiant
+face, he said in gentle tones and with a grave smile:
+
+"You have good news! Have you found what you hoped to find?"
+
+"I have," she replied, "and you who have shared all my troubles must
+be the first sharer of my joy."
+
+Together they entered the cabin, and seated in the little, familiar
+room, Lyle told the story of her discovery, and opening the locket,
+placed it in Jack's hands.
+
+For a moment he gazed silently at the little trinket, then he said in
+low tones, as if half to himself, "It is she, and you are her child,
+as I have always believed," then added, "I rejoice with you, Lyle, I
+am glad for your sake."
+
+But even as he spoke, Lyle, notwithstanding the exuberance of her own
+joy, could not fail to observe in his face indications of poignant
+pain, as he looked at the lovely pictured face, and as she repeated
+the name inscribed opposite.
+
+"Jack!" she suddenly exclaimed, "have I made you suffer by my
+thoughtlessness? Forgive me!"
+
+"No, my dear," he answered tenderly, "you have caused me no pain; if I
+suffer, it is on account of bitter memories of which you as yet know
+nothing, and I pray you may never know. What letter have you there?"
+
+Lyle read the letter, Jack silently pacing up and down the room,
+listening, with a look of intense indignation deepening on his face,
+until she had finished.
+
+"It is as I have suspected all these years," he said, "the dastardly
+villain! the scoundrel! Thank God, it is not yet too late, there are
+those who can and will right the wrong, so far as it is possible to
+right it."
+
+At Lyle's request, they compared the picture with the photograph in
+Jack's possession; they were one and the same, except that the latter
+had been taken a few years earlier.
+
+"Jack," said Lyle earnestly, "can you tell me anything about my
+relatives? Are my grandparents living? and had my parents brothers or
+sisters?"
+
+"I have learned quite recently that your grandparents are still
+living," Jack answered slowly, after a pause, "as to the others I
+cannot say; even of your own mother I can trust myself to say but very
+little, it is too painful!"
+
+"What would you advise me to do now?" Lyle asked wistfully, but with
+slight hesitation. "What would be the best course for me to take?"
+
+With an expression unlike anything she had ever seen on his face, and
+a depth of pathos in his voice she had never heard, he replied very
+tenderly:
+
+"I can no longer advise you, my dear Lyle; take these proofs which you
+have found to Everard Houston; he can advise you now far better than
+I; show them to him, my dear, and you will have no further need of
+counsel or help from me, much as I wish it were in my power to give
+both."
+
+"To Mr. Houston?" Lyle had risen in her surprise, and stood regarding
+Jack with tearful, perplexed astonishment; there was a hidden
+significance in his words which as yet she could not fathom. "I do not
+understand you, Jack; why do you speak as though you could no more be
+to me the friend and counselor that you have been?"
+
+He smiled one of his rare, sweet smiles. "Do as I have suggested,
+dear,--then you will understand; and I shall want to see you for a few
+moments again to-night, after you have seen him."
+
+Somewhat reassured by his smile, and yet perplexed by his manner, Lyle
+left the cabin and slowly returned to the house, everything about her
+seeming unreal, as though she were walking in a dream.
+
+Miss Gladden was chatting with Morton and Ned Rutherford, and in reply
+to Lyle's question whether Mr. Houston had returned, stated that he
+was in his room, having just come up from the mines.
+
+"Thank you, I will see him just a moment," Lyle responded, passing
+into the house.
+
+"You have not heard any bad news, have you?" asked Miss Gladden
+apprehensively, noting the peculiar expression on Lyle's face.
+
+"No," the latter answered with a smile, "it is about nothing regarding
+himself that I wish to see him, only something concerning myself."
+
+The door stood open into Houston's room, and Lyle could see him
+standing by the table, arranging some papers which he proceeded to
+sort and tie up in separate parcels.
+
+In response to her light knock he glanced quickly around, and
+observing her unusual expression, advanced to meet her, thinking, as
+did Miss Gladden, that possibly she had heard something appertaining
+to the present situation of affairs at the camp.
+
+"Good evening, Lyle, come in; you look as though you were the bearer
+of important news of some kind."
+
+"I have news," she replied, "though of importance only to myself; I
+need a little counsel, and was told to come to you."
+
+"You know, Lyle, I will only be too glad to give you any advice, or
+render any assistance within my power."
+
+"Thank you," she answered, at the same time producing the little box
+and the letter. "Leslie has probably told you of the manner in which I
+learned that the proofs as to my true parentage and my own identity
+existed within this house, and of my search for them since that
+time."
+
+Houston bowed in assent.
+
+"To-day," she continued, "my search proved successful, in so far as
+that I have discovered my own name, and also the proofs that I was
+stolen by that villain, Maverick, in a spirit of retaliation and
+revenge; but I have as yet no knowledge as to who or where my friends
+may be. Naturally, I took these proofs to Jack, and asked his advice
+as to the best course to pursue, and he has sent me to you."
+
+"I am more than glad to hear this, my dear Lyle," responded Houston
+cordially; "I have always felt a great interest in you, and it will
+give me much pleasure if I can assist you in finding your friends, and
+I shall appreciate it highly if Jack has intrusted me with this
+responsibility."
+
+Taking the locket from the box, Lyle handed it, unopen, to Houston,
+saying as she did so, "This is the only clue I have by which to
+find my friends; it contains my mother's picture, and my own
+name,--Marjorie Lyle Washburn."
+
+"Washburn!" exclaimed Houston in surprise, pausing as he was about to
+open the locket. "Washburn! Marjorie Washburn! That sounds familiar,
+both those names occur in my uncle's family, his wife and his
+daughter,--ah, I recall it now, that was the name of my cousin's
+little daughter. Strange!--what! what is this?" He had opened the
+locket and was gazing in astonishment at the beautiful face.
+"This,--this is her picture, the picture of my cousin, Edna Cameron
+Washburn! What is the meaning of this?" And, unable to say anything
+further, he looked to Lyle for an explanation.
+
+She, too, was nearly speechless with astonishment. "What did you say
+was her name?" she stammered.
+
+Houston repeated the name, while a strange light began to dawn in his
+face.
+
+"She was my mother," Lyle said simply. She could say nothing more, the
+walls of the little room seemed to be whirling rapidly about her, and
+she could see nothing distinctly.
+
+Faintly, as though sounding far in the distance, she heard Houston's
+voice as he exclaimed:
+
+"Can it be possible? and yet, you resemble her! Why have I never
+thought of it before? She had a little daughter Marjorie, whom we
+always supposed was killed in the wreck in which her own life was
+lost."
+
+"And this," said Lyle, holding out the letter, but speaking with great
+effort, for the room was growing very dark, and a strange numbness
+seemed stealing over heart and brain, "this tells that I was stolen
+from the side of my dead mother who was killed in a wreck--" She could
+get no farther, and she knew nothing of his reply. A thick darkness
+seemed to envelop her, fast shutting out all sense even of life
+itself. There was a sound for an instant like the deafening roar of
+waters surging about her, and then she seemed sinking down, down into
+infinite depths, until she lost all consciousness. For the first time
+in her life she had fainted.
+
+Houston caught her as she was falling, and a moment later the little
+group outside were startled by his sudden appearance.
+
+"Leslie," he said, in quick, low tones, "you and Morton come to my
+room. Lyle has fainted."
+
+"What is the trouble, Everard?" asked Ned, springing to his feet.
+"Anything serious?"
+
+"I think not," was Houston's reply. "Her fainting was the result of
+over-excitement. Come into my room, Ned, when she has revived, I think
+I have made a discovery in which we will all be interested."
+
+When he returned Lyle was beginning to revive, though unable to speak,
+and leaving her in the care of Leslie and Morton for a few moments,
+Houston hastily scanned the letter which Lyle had given him, soon
+reading enough of its contents here and there to get a correct idea of
+the whole.
+
+Both Miss Gladden and Morton Rutherford realized that something had
+transpired out of the usual order of events. Each believed it
+connected with some discovery relating to Lyle's early history, but of
+what nature the discovery might be they had no clue.
+
+As soon as she was able to speak Houston was at her side, and she read
+in his face the confirmation of the truth which had dawned upon her
+mind as he had repeated her mother's name, but which had seemed to her
+past belief.
+
+"It is really true, and I have not been dreaming?" she asked.
+
+"It is most certainly true, my dear Lyle," Houston replied, "and I am
+very glad to find that you, who have seemed to me like a sister from
+our first acquaintance, will soon be my sister in reality."
+
+Stooping, he kissed her on the forehead, and then in reply to the
+glances of astonishment on the part of the others, he said:
+
+"Leslie, I will have to prepare you for a double surprise, and since
+we four are now members of one family, I can speak here without
+reserve. When I first won your love, my dear, it was as the salaried
+clerk of a disreputable mining company. I was old-fashioned enough to
+wish to win your love with love, to feel assured that you cared for me
+for my own sake. Lately, you have known that I was the representative
+of Mr. Cameron, of New York, but you did not know that I was Mr.
+Cameron's nephew and adopted son,--his son in all respects, excepting
+that I have not taken his name." He paused a moment, and laid his hand
+affectionately on Lyle's shoulder. "I now have a pleasant surprise for
+you both. I wish to introduce you to Marjorie Lyle Washburn, my cousin
+and my adopted sister."
+
+With a burst of tears, Miss Gladden knelt beside Lyle, throwing her
+arms about her neck, while Lyle whispered:
+
+"Dear Leslie, you have been like a sister to me in my poverty and
+loneliness. I am glad we will not be separated in the life of love and
+happiness that awaits me. We will be sisters still, more closely
+united than ever."
+
+Turning to Morton Rutherford, whose emotion seemed nearly as deep as
+Miss Gladden's, Houston said:
+
+"Morton, you remember hearing of my beautiful cousin Edna, and of the
+sad death of herself and her little daughter, as we always supposed.
+This is her daughter, and I know that when my uncle and aunt meet her,
+they will adopt her as their own daughter in her mother's place."
+
+It would be impossible to depict the scene that followed, the surprise
+and delight of Miss Gladden, or the deep joy of Morton Rutherford, but
+by and by, when they had become more calm, a knock was heard. Houston
+opened the door, and Ned Rutherford, looking in, was entirely unable
+to comprehend the scene. Houston held in his hand a small gold locket
+and a photograph which he seemed to be comparing with each other. Lyle
+looked very pale, but radiantly happy. Morton was standing near,
+while Miss Gladden still knelt at her side, her eyes overflowing with
+tears of joy.
+
+"Come in, Ned," said Houston cordially. "We want you here to complete
+the family group."
+
+Ned looked rather bewildered, as he replied: "I just wanted to inquire
+for Miss Maverick, to know if she was better."
+
+"She is much better," said Houston with a smile, but before he could
+say anything further, Morton turned toward his brother, saying in
+gentle, quiet tones, but with a look in his eye which spoke volumes to
+Ned's inner consciousness:
+
+"Ned, this is Miss Maverick no longer, but Miss Washburn, the
+grand-daughter of the Mr. Cameron whom we expect here to-morrow."
+
+Poor Ned Rutherford! If he had ever laid any claim to dignity and
+self-possession, they both deserted him now. Utterly bereft of speech,
+he stood for a moment as if petrified. Then approaching Lyle, he
+stammered:
+
+"I beg your pardon, Miss,--Miss Washburn, but that is always Mort's
+way, to spring anything on me in such a fashion as to knock me out
+completely. I beg your pardon for appearing so stupid, and I
+congratulate you on the good news, and extend you my best wishes,
+Miss----"
+
+"Oh, call me Lyle," she interrupted, with a rippling laugh. "I have a
+right to that name yet."
+
+"Is that so?" said Ned, with the air of a drowning man clutching at a
+straw. "Thank you; I'm glad that's left for a sort of land mark, you
+know. I'll call you 'Lyle' then, 'till I can get accustomed to the new
+name," and he sank in a heap in the nearest chair.
+
+The letter was read, and bitter were the denunciations against
+Maverick.
+
+"The scoundrel! He ought to be lynched this very night," said Ned.
+"That's the way they do those things out here."
+
+"Not late years, Ned," corrected his brother, "and even if they did,
+that would not be best."
+
+"It is a question with me," said Houston, "situated just as we are at
+present, and with Mr. Cameron expected in a few hours, whether it
+would be wise to do anything about this until after his arrival."
+
+"I think not," said Morton, "under the circumstances, you do not want
+to arouse the antipathy of any of the miners before Mr. Cameron's
+coming, and as Maverick knows nothing of this discovery, he will of
+course remain here, and Mr. Cameron can advise in this matter as he
+thinks best."
+
+And this was the final decision.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLII.
+
+
+A few hours later Lyle stood in the gloaming, taking leave of Jack, in
+the quaint, cozy room in the cabin, little dreaming that they stood
+there together for the last time.
+
+They had talked long and earnestly of the new life opening up before
+her, and her tears flowed fast as she recalled the happy hours they
+had spent together, or as she anticipated the days to come. Her tears
+were not the only ones, but the friendly twilight, rapidly deepening,
+concealed the others.
+
+"And to think that you have known so much of this all the time, and
+did not tell me!" she exclaimed.
+
+"It was best, my little one, best for each of us. I was constantly
+planning how I might bring this about when the right time came. That
+time has come, and as my little girl, whom I have loved as deeply as
+any one in the future can ever love her, and whom I have cherished and
+helped to the extent of my limited power, goes forth into this new
+life, I can and will rejoice in the joy, the love and the happiness
+that will be hers. And I know that amid new scenes, new friends and
+new loves, she will never quite forget the old friend and the old
+love."
+
+"Never, Jack; I could never forget you, and Everard and Morton will
+never forget you. They are coming to see you to-night. Dear Jack, why
+could you not give up this lonely life, and go with us to the east?
+We would all love you and make you one of us, and our home would be
+yours."
+
+"My dear child," he replied with a slight shudder, "you know not what
+you ask. I know the love that prompted it, but never ask it again."
+
+"Very well," said Lyle, with a sorrowful submission, "but I know what
+I can do." And she put her arms about his neck. "I will come out to
+the mountains and visit you here."
+
+Then, as he remained silent, she queried:
+
+"You would be here, wouldn't you, Jack, where I could find you?"
+
+Oh, the agony which his strong, loving heart endured! How could he
+tell her that even then he never expected to look upon her face again!
+He could not. He only said:
+
+"I cannot tell, dear, my life is an erratic and wandering one. No one,
+not even I, can say where I may be."
+
+"But you have not lived a wandering life lately; you have lived here
+for many years."
+
+"Because the lodestone, the magnet of my heart was here," he answered
+half-playfully, half-tenderly. "When that is gone, I shall be likely
+to fly off in a tangent again."
+
+"Oh, Jack, you must not talk so. I want to see you in the years to
+come. I must and I will. I feel it," she added brightly.
+
+For answer, Jack, for the first time, placed his arms about her, and
+for a moment folded her closely to his breast. Then, bending his head,
+he kissed her reverently, first on the forehead, then on the lips,
+saying, "God bless you always, my dear child!"
+
+She returned the kiss, and as he released her, she whispered:
+
+"Good-night, dear Jack!"
+
+"Good-night, my dear," he answered, adding under his breath, "and
+good-bye!"
+
+After she had gone, he sat in the gathering darkness alone, lost in
+thought. The collie, returning from attending Lyle on her homeward
+walk, divined, with keen, unerring instinct, the sorrow in his
+master's heart, and coming close, laid his head upon his knee, in
+mute sympathy and affection. His master stroked the noble head, but
+his thoughts were far away, and he was only aroused at length by the
+sound of voices, as Everard Houston and Morton Rutherford entered the
+cabin. The moon had now risen, and the little room in which he sat was
+filled with a soft, silver radiance.
+
+Jack rose to meet his guests, and his quick ear detected the vibration
+of a new emotion in Houston's voice, and as they exchanged greetings,
+there was something in the clasp of their hands that night that
+thrilled the heart of each one as never before.
+
+At heart, Jack was glad of the presence of Morton Rutherford. He
+feared that alone with Houston, after the events of that day, and in
+the light of the anticipated events of the morrow, his own emotions
+might prove too strong, weakening the perfect self-control which he
+felt he must now exercise. The presence of Rutherford acted as a
+tonic, and restored the desired equilibrium.
+
+"Mr. Houston already knows my aversion to a lamp, and if you do not
+object, Mr. Rutherford, we will sit for a while in the moonlight."
+
+"By all means," said Rutherford. "I myself dislike the glare of a
+bright light for genuine, friendly intercourse. A soft, subdued light
+is much more conducive to mutual confidence and interchange of thought
+and feeling."
+
+"Jack, my dear friend," said Houston, after a few moments of general
+conversation upon indifferent subjects, an effort on Jack's part to
+ward off the inevitable which he felt was surely coming, "You have
+added very materially to our happiness to-day, in that you have helped
+us to a happy solution of some of the mysteries that have perplexed
+us, and in doing this, have brought us all into much closer relations
+with one another."
+
+"You refer, of course, to Lyle," Jack replied, "but while I am very
+glad to have contributed to your happiness, I really deserve no credit
+therefor. I have suspected the relationship for some time, and was
+only waiting for the necessary proofs, which I felt would be found in
+good time."
+
+"But that is not the only mystery you have solved for us, or for me,"
+said Houston. "I think we now have a reason for the interest you have
+manifested in Lyle, and the kindness you have shown her; and, speaking
+for myself, I believe I have found a clue to the strange bond of
+mutual sympathy which has united us almost from our first meeting,
+even before we had exchanged one word; notwithstanding the coldness
+and reserve of your manner, I felt that back of it all you were my
+friend, and so it has proved. There has sprung up between us an
+affection which I believe to be mutual, and of a depth and power
+remarkable for such a brief acquaintance. But to-night there seems, to
+my mind, to be a reason for this, which I have been so blind as never
+to suspect."
+
+"And what may that reason be?" inquired Jack, calmly.
+
+"You will understand of course, my dear friend, as I have often said
+to you, I have no wish to question you regarding your life in the
+past, or to lead you to make any statements regarding yourself which
+you would not make freely and voluntarily; but to me it is evident
+that, although we met as strangers, you must sometime have been at
+least a trusted friend of the members of my uncle's family, if not
+more intimately connected with them."
+
+After a pause Jack replied, slowly:
+
+"As you are aware, I once knew Lyle's mother, and her memory is still
+unspeakably dear to me. I also knew the other members of Mr. Cameron's
+family, but that was all long ago in that past which is gone beyond
+recall, and to which any reference only brings the most bitter pain.
+When I learned your name and your true business here, I knew, of
+course, to what family you belonged, and I may have felt some degree
+of interest in you on that account, but the deep affection between us,
+which is, as you say, mutual, is, on my part, wholly for your own
+sake, because I knew you worthy of it. Regarding Lyle, I observed the
+wonderful resemblance between her and her mother, and it has been to
+me a source both of joy and of pain, especially of late, since it has
+grown so marked, and I have sometimes wondered that you did not
+observe it for yourself."
+
+"Now that I can see the resemblance so plainly, it seems strange that
+I did not think of it before," Houston replied. "She has always
+reminded me vaguely of some one, I could not recall whom. I can only
+account for it from the fact that I really saw my cousin Edna but
+seldom after I went to my uncle's home, as she was married very soon,
+and then we saw her only occasionally until her death, which occurred
+when I was only about twelve years of age. Consequently, my
+recollection of her was not particularly distinct. I am anticipating
+the meeting between her and my uncle and aunt,--they will recognize
+her immediately, and I am confident they will adopt her as their own
+daughter, in her mother's place."
+
+Jack started almost imperceptibly. "You do not expect Mrs. Cameron
+here with her husband?"
+
+"She will not come out with him, but she insisted on coming as far as
+Chicago, so that she would be able to reach us more readily in case of
+trouble, and I have thought to-day, since this recent discovery, that
+if the case against the company seems likely to take some time, I
+might go on to Chicago and bring her out to meet Lyle, and I would, of
+course, like her to meet Leslie, also."
+
+Jack remained silent, and withdrew a little farther into the shadow.
+It was Morton Rutherford who spoke now.
+
+"Did you not once tell me, Everard, in the old college days, that Mr.
+Cameron had lost a son also?"
+
+"Yes," said Houston, with a sigh. "That was a far heavier blow for
+them than the death of their daughter. He was their joy and pride,
+their hearts were bound up in him."
+
+"Ah," said Jack, in a voice almost cold in its even calmness. "I
+remember that Miss Cameron,--as I knew her,--had a brother. Is he also
+dead?"
+
+"We are compelled to believe that he must be dead," Houston answered,
+after a pause, in a tone of deep sadness. "He left home soon after his
+sister's death, and we have never heard from him since, though his
+parents searched for him, not in this country alone, but in others as
+well."
+
+"I beg your pardon for having alluded to it, Everard," said
+Rutherford, "you never told me the particulars, and I did not realize
+they were so painful."
+
+"No apologies are necessary among us three friends," Houston replied.
+"Guy's parents and I are the only living human beings who know, or
+ever will know, the reason for his leaving as he did. My uncle spent
+vast sums of money and employed detectives all over the world in his
+efforts to find him, and to let him know that the old home was open to
+him, and would always be just what it had been in the past. But it was
+of no avail, we could not even get any tidings of him, and uncle, long
+ago, gave him up for dead, though Aunt Marjorie believes that he is
+still living, and that he will yet return."
+
+"The faith of a good woman is sometimes simply sublime," replied
+Rutherford, "and a mother's love is something wonderful. To me it
+seems the nearest divine of anything we meet on earth."
+
+There was no response from the figure sitting motionless in the
+shadow. At that moment it required all the force of his tremendous
+will power to stem the current of almost uncontrollable emotion,
+surging across his soul.
+
+But the moments passed, other topics were introduced and discussed,
+and Jack joined in the conversation as calmly as the others.
+
+"I suppose," he remarked, as, a little later, he accompanied his
+guests to the door, "I suppose that before this time to-morrow, Mr.
+Cameron will have already arrived at the camp?"
+
+"Yes," Houston replied, "we expect him over on the evening train, with
+Van Dorn."
+
+As Houston and Rutherford took leave of Jack, there was something in
+his manner, something in the long, lingering hand-clasp which seemed
+more like a farewell than like a simple good-night, at which they
+silently wondered.
+
+Could they have looked in upon him an hour later, they would have
+understood the cause. Silently he moved about the room, gathering
+together the few little keepsakes among his possessions which he most
+prized. These he placed in a small gripsack which he carefully locked,
+saying to himself, as he looked around the room with a sigh, "Mike can
+have the rest."
+
+Then going to the window, he stood looking out upon the calm, moonlit
+scene, which for many years had been the only home he had known.
+
+"This is my last night here," he soliloquized, "my work here is done.
+After to-morrow, Everard Houston will need me no longer, everything in
+which I can render him assistance is now done, and his friends will
+afford him all needed protection. Lyle has found her own, her future
+is provided for. The wrongs which I have witnessed for years in
+silence, will be righted without any assistance of mine. There is
+nothing more for me to do, and to-morrow I will start forth on the
+old, wandering life again."
+
+His head dropped lower; he was thinking deeply.
+
+"He said the old home was open, and would always be what it had been
+in the past. Home! What would that not mean now, after all these
+years! But that was long ago. I am dead to them now,--dead and
+forgotten. They will be happy with their new-found daughter, and
+Everard will be to them as a son, their happiness will be complete,
+and I will not mar it by any reminders of the wretched past."
+
+He glanced upward at the surrounding peaks.
+
+"To-morrow I go forth again into the mountains,--those towers of
+refuge and strength,--and in their soothing solitudes I shall once
+more find peace!"
+
+Then he retired. But to Jack, resting for the last time in his cabin
+home, to those then peacefully sleeping in the little mining camp, or
+to the others speeding westward through the night, on the wings of
+steam, there came no vision, no thought of what the morrow was, in
+reality, to bring.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIII.
+
+
+Tuesday morning dawned,--a day never to be forgotten in the history of
+the little mining camp, or in the lives of many outsiders as well.
+
+A strange thrill of subdued excitement ran through the little group,
+assembled before breakfast in the porch, as they realized that the day
+to which they had looked forward with varying anticipations had at
+last arrived; and there was, unconsciously, a look of watchful
+expectancy on every face.
+
+Even Nature herself seemed in sympathy with them. For a few days the
+heat had been intense, devouring with its scorching breath every
+vestige of verdure on the mountain sides and foothills, and leaving
+them dull and dun. On this particular morning the heat seemed more
+terrible than ever, and there was not a breath of air stirring to cool
+the oppressive atmosphere. The earth and sky were suffused with a
+bright, red light, which gradually died away into a dim, purplish
+haze, through which the sun ascended like a ball of fire; while every
+blade and leaf hung motionless, as if awaiting breathlessly the coming
+of some great catastrophe.
+
+"This portends a storm," said Houston, as he watched the strange
+phenomena.
+
+"Yes," added Morton Rutherford, "an electric storm, and, if I am not
+mistaken, a very severe one."
+
+"How strange!" exclaimed Leslie, in a low tone, to Lyle, "everything
+is so hushed and still; it seems as if the elements, like ourselves,
+were just waiting."
+
+"I don't like it," Lyle answered, "it seems ominous," and she
+shuddered visibly.
+
+There was little breakfast eaten that morning, and the group of
+friends adjourned to the porch on the pretext of watching the weather,
+thereby attracting the attention of Haight, who still remained at the
+table.
+
+"What's in the wind now, I wonder," he soliloquized.
+
+"There was some kind of excitement here last evening, and everybody
+seems on the qui vive this morning. I guess I'd better look into
+this," and calling Minty to him, he gave her a quarter, with his most
+insinuating smile, saying in low tones:
+
+"You find out to-day, if you can, whether there's anything unusual
+going on among those folks out there, and let me know."
+
+She pocketed the money with her customary giggle, as she responded,
+nodding her head emphatically, "You jest betcher life I will."
+
+Haight then departed for the mills, and Houston soon after left for
+the mines, while an hour or two later Morton Rutherford, taking one of
+the horses, rode leisurely in the direction of the Y, where he was to
+await a telegram from Van Dorn, immediately upon the arrival of the
+Eastern train at Silver City.
+
+In due time the message came, in cipher:
+
+  "Party arrived all right; over on evening train."
+
+To which Rutherford replied as follows:
+
+  "All quiet here. Will wire later if anything occurs."
+
+Then starting on his return up the canyon, he urged his horse forward
+with all possible speed, conscious that the most critical time was now
+approaching, and fully decided regarding his course of action on
+reaching the camp.
+
+At the mines, Houston found everything progressing as usual, the work
+going forward in the same unending, monotonous routine.
+
+At the Silver City office of the mining company, however, the greatest
+excitement was prevailing. Having been utterly unable to obtain any
+clue as to the whereabouts or the intentions of Mr. Cameron, the
+mining company, to guard against being taken wholly by surprise, had
+devised a new scheme. Every morning had found Mr. Wilson seated on the
+early train which left Silver City for the East at five A. M., and
+which was sidetracked at a small station about ninety miles distant,
+to give the right of way to the regular, West-bound Pacific Express.
+Here both trains stopped for about fifteen minutes, affording Mr.
+Wilson ample opportunity to pass through the West-bound train, and
+satisfy himself whether or not there were any old acquaintances
+aboard. Failing to find the party for whom he was seeking, he himself
+returned to Silver City on the same train.
+
+On this particular morning, however, upon cautiously entering one of
+the sleepers, he had seen, seated in one section, apparently in close
+consultation, three gentlemen, one of whom he immediately recognized
+as Mr. Cameron. Opposite and facing him, was an elderly man whose face
+Mr. Wilson was unable to see, but the back of whose head presented a
+severely judicial appearance, while at Mr. Cameron's right was seated
+the English expert who had come out early in the season with Mr.
+Winters' party. Evidently, Mr, Cameron was en route for the mines.
+
+Mr. Wilson had hastily retreated, and, stopping at the little station
+only just long enough to send a wire to the company, had returned to
+the east-bound train, to continue his journey indefinitely, which had
+not been a part of the programme prepared by the officers of the said
+company in common with their various other plans. But Mr. Wilson had
+suddenly come to the conclusion that there were other localities
+better suited to his health just at that particular time than the
+great and glorious North West which had so long been his favorite
+theme, and whose praises he had so persistently sung.
+
+It was about ten o'clock when Mr. Wilson's telegram, announcing his
+discovery, reached the Silver City office, creating general
+consternation. After a hurried consultation, numerous papers and
+documents were hastily stored in a private vault belonging to the
+officers of the company, a dispatch was sent out over their private
+wire to Haight, informing him of the situation and giving certain
+instructions; after which Mr. Blaisdell and a confidential clerk
+betook themselves to the depot to await the arrival of the Pacific
+Express. Concealing themselves among the crowd, they watched Mr.
+Cameron and his associates as they left the train, and having waited
+till they were safely ensconced within a carriage, ready to start for
+their hotel, Mr. Blaisdell then ordered his clerk to take another
+carriage and follow them, remaining at the hotel long enough to
+ascertain all he possibly could concerning their movements, after
+which he was to report at the office.
+
+Turning once more toward the crowd, Mr. Blaisdell expected to meet Mr.
+Wilson, but to his astonishment and perplexity, he was nowhere to be
+seen. From the conductor, however, who had thought Mr. Wilson's
+conduct rather peculiar, he learned the facts in the case.
+
+"Yes, sir," said that individual in conclusion, swinging himself on to
+the departing train, "if that's the man you're looking for, he's
+vamoosed sure, and judging by the way he got aboard that train, he'll
+be traveling for some time to come."
+
+Great was the indignation of the remaining officers of the company on
+learning of the sudden departure of their worthy president, and it was
+not lessened when, upon investigation at the office, it was discovered
+that Mr. Wilson had not only relieved the company of his presence, but
+of all the available funds in their private vault as well, which, at
+that time, happened to be considerable; nevertheless, for obvious
+reasons, it was decided best to say nothing about it for a few days.
+
+The clerk, on his return from the hotel, stated that none of Mr.
+Cameron's party had registered, but had gone immediately to their
+rooms, where they had ordered a private lunch served. He had seen
+nothing more of them, but had seen Van Dorn there, however, and upon
+inquiry had learned that he had been there since the preceding day,
+apparently waiting for some one, evidently this party, as, immediately
+upon their arrival, he had sent a cipher dispatch to some one at the
+Y; and one of the party had been heard to inquire quite particularly
+at what time the evening train would leave Silver City for Cokeville,
+a small station near the Y.
+
+It was evident that Van Dorn was in league with Mr. Cameron's party,
+and that they intended going out to the camp that evening; prompt
+action was necessary. A message was sent to Haight, and after his
+reply, it was decided that desperate measures were also necessary.
+
+While Morton Rutherford was leisurely riding toward the Y, Haight,
+sitting at his desk in his dingy, stifling office, suddenly heard his
+name clicked by the little telegraphic instrument near him. Having
+given the usual signal in return, the following message came over the
+wire with peremptory haste:
+
+  "Get everything in readiness at once; Cameron coming on eastern
+  train with mining expert and attorney. Get everything ready for
+  the final touch and await further instructions in about two
+  hours."
+
+Haight sprang to his feet, and calling one of the men, ordered, "Send
+Maverick to me as quickly as you can."
+
+In a few moments the slouching figure of Maverick stood in the
+door-way.
+
+"Come in, Jim, and shut that door," said Haight, in a quick, decisive
+tone that Maverick knew meant business.
+
+"Jim, in what shape is the powder in those mines? How long would it
+take to get everything ready for action?"
+
+Maverick's eyes gleamed; here evidently was to be a piece of work such
+as he enjoyed!
+
+"The powder's all there," he replied, "all there, jest in the right
+places, an' all there is ter do is ter lay the trains 'round there an'
+fix a few fuses; 'twouldn't take more'n half an hour, or sech a
+matter."
+
+"Think you could get it all done at noon, while the men are away?"
+
+"Yes, easy."
+
+"Very well, now listen; you are to get everything ready so that it
+will be nothing but 'a touch and a go,' as soon as I say the word,
+understand? Get everything ready this noon, give the men warning that
+there's going to be some blasting, and then, as quick as you've had
+your dinner, you be around here prompt, and stay within sight of this
+room till I send you word to quit. You know the rest, what directions
+Blaisdell left the last time he was here; you know what you're to wait
+for, and if you get a signal from me, you know what you're to do."
+
+"You bet I do, and I'll do a damned good job, too," Maverick replied,
+with a grin; "but what's the signal, boss?"
+
+"Let me see, I want something you'll recognize without any trouble,
+and that nobody else would notice, or think meant anything. Where will
+you be?"
+
+"Out there, behind them rocks; I can see your winders plain from
+there."
+
+"Yes, but if I made you any signal there, or put anything in the
+window, others would see it as well as yourself."
+
+"I'll tell you what, boss," said Maverick, glancing at the window on
+the right of Haight's desk, where hung an old, dilapidated shade,
+which had been lowered its full length in an effort to keep out the
+intolerable heat, "you let that there shade hang jest as it is till
+you want me, and when I see that yanked up, I'll know what it means,
+and you'll hear from me in jest about ten minits at the latest. But
+say, boss, what's all this racket about, anyhow? Some o' them eastern
+chaps comin' out here?"
+
+"That's none of your business, Jim," said Haight in a joking way, "you
+attend to what you've been told, and don't meddle with what don't
+concern you."
+
+"Is old Cameron comin' out here?" persisted Maverick, with an
+expression of fear and hatred combined, visible in his countenance.
+
+"Cameron!" exclaimed Haight, with a slight start, and wondering at
+Maverick's appearance, "What do you know about him?"
+
+"I know he owns these 'ere mines, damn him!" answered Maverick
+doggedly.
+
+"Do you! Well, that's enough, go along, you're not interested in
+Cameron."
+
+"Ain't I though!" said Maverick with a snarl and an oath, the hatred
+and wrath increasing in his face; "Me'n him has got an old score to
+settle yet. I only wisht he was a goin' ter be in them mines this
+afternoon. When's he comin'?"
+
+"I don't know," answered Haight shortly, "probably before very long
+though."
+
+"When you git word he's comin' I wan'ter know it, that's all," growled
+Maverick.
+
+"Well," said Haight, beginning to lose his temper, "when you see that
+curtain raised, you may know he's coming, and pretty damned quick too;
+now get out of the way, and attend to your business. Remember I've
+told you to give the men warning."
+
+"Yes," said Maverick, with a leer, "'specially the new superintendent,
+you'd like me ter give 'im an extra warnin' I s'pose."
+
+There was a corresponding leer on Haight's face, as he replied with a
+peculiar grimace,
+
+"You've had your orders; if you are particularly anxious to give
+anybody an extra warning, go ahead!"
+
+With a low, cruel laugh, Maverick withdrew, and a few moments later
+was shuffling along in the direction of the mines intent upon the work
+of destruction assigned to him, his face distorted with mingled fear
+and rage, his usually dull eyes gleaming with the fires of revenge.
+
+Haight hastened to the house to take a hurried dinner, and having
+learned from Minty that Morton Rutherford had gone to the Y, he again
+charged her to immediately report to him whatever she might learn, and
+returned to the office to await further instructions from the
+company.
+
+To Houston, constantly on the alert for danger signals, Haight's
+hurried and excited manner was the first indication of approaching
+trouble. It was evident that the company had received some inkling of
+impending danger, but of the extent of their information, or the
+nature of their communications with Haight, he had no means of
+ascertaining. Stating that he wished to see Morton Rutherford
+immediately upon his return, and that he would be at the Yankee Boy,
+near the entrance to the incline shaft, he hastened back to the mines
+at an earlier hour than usual.
+
+Finding Jack and Mike who had already returned, he told them of his
+surmises, and arranged a set of signals,--a certain number of blows on
+the rocks above them,--whereby he would give them warning if he found
+indications of immediate danger, upon which they were to make their
+escape in an opposite direction, by means of a tunnel, designated as
+tunnel No. 3, where he would speedily join them.
+
+On returning to the shaft, he found the majority of the men returning
+to their work as usual, Maverick having given them no warning, partly
+through his own cowardice, and partly through a determination that
+Houston should have no hint of what was to follow.
+
+Meanwhile, the long threatened storm was rapidly approaching with
+signs of unusual severity. Heavy clouds had obscured the sun and were,
+moment by moment, growing denser and blacker, while the heat was, if
+possible, more intense than before. There was that ominous calm that
+presages the coming of the tempest, while the air grew oppressive
+almost to suffocation. In the distant canyons, far up among the
+mountains, could be heard the muffled roaring of the wind, while the
+branches began to sway occasionally under the first hot breath of the
+approaching hurricane, which seemed like a blast from a furnace.
+
+On through the fast-gathering storm rode Morton Rutherford, urging
+forward his foam-covered horse, feeling by a certain, unerring
+intuition, that that ride through the winding canyon was a race
+between life and death. Having reached the camp, and left his
+dripping, panting horse at the stables, he walked rapidly on to the
+house, arriving shortly after Houston had left, and just in time to
+meet Maverick, hurrying to the house for a bit of food, his work of
+preparation having taken longer than he anticipated.
+
+One look at his malignant, demon-like face convinced Rutherford that
+he had arrived none too early, and that his own plans must be put in
+execution very soon.
+
+Pausing only long enough to exchange a few words with his brother and
+the ladies, in reply to their eager questions, he hurried on to the
+mines, he and they all unaware of a figure skulking behind him, in the
+fast-deepening gloom, in the direction of the mills. From an open
+window, aided by the peculiar condition of the atmosphere in those
+altitudes before a storm, which transmits the slightest sound with
+wonderful distinctness, Minty had overheard most of the conversation,
+and was hastening to fulfill her contract with Haight.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIV.
+
+
+Morton Rutherford was not the only one who had observed the
+expression on Maverick's face. To Lyle it seemed she had never seen
+such venomous malignity as was in the look which he gave her.
+Stepping into the dining room a few moments after Morton had left, she
+heard imprecations and curses mingled with her own name and that of
+Mr. Cameron, and realized at once that their secret was known; then,
+as he hastily left the house, she heard a few words of bitter hatred
+which would have no special meaning to his wife, but which Lyle,
+knowing what Houston and his friends had been anticipating for the
+last few days, readily understood.
+
+The wind was now raging down the canyon with terrific force, but Lyle
+had but one thought, to warn those whom she loved and save them from
+danger. Catching up a light wrap which she threw about her shoulders,
+she rushed out of the house, passing Miss Gladden and Ned, who were in
+the porch watching the storm, and who tried to detain her.
+
+"Lyle, what is the matter? Where are you going?" they cried.
+
+"To the mines!" Lyle answered, raising her voice above the roar of the
+storm; "They are going to fire the mines, and they are all there,
+Morton and Everard and Jack. I must warn them if I can!"
+
+"Lyle, come back!" shouted Ned, "let me go!"
+
+She shook her head; "I must go, I know the mines," she cried, and
+turning ran down the road, battling with the terrific wind, and was
+out of sight, almost before they realized what had happened.
+
+Meanwhile, Morton Rutherford had found Houston without difficulty.
+"They are coming, Everard," he announced, in a low tone, "they will
+be here to-night. What are the indications here?"
+
+"I judge from Haight's manner, that word of some kind has been
+received from headquarters, but just what is to be done, or whether
+there is any immediate danger, I cannot yet tell."
+
+"I am going over to Haight's office for a few moments," said
+Rutherford, "I may catch some message from the company that will show
+us the situation."
+
+"Just what I was intending to suggest," said Houston.
+
+"You will remain here until I come back?"
+
+"Yes, unless I should detect some certain signs of danger; in that
+case I shall warn the men, and shall start for tunnel No. 3, that part
+of the mine will be safe for a while, in any event."
+
+"Very well, you will probably hear from me within twenty or thirty
+minutes," and Rutherford started for the mills.
+
+Haight, on returning to the office from dinner, waited some little
+time for the expected dispatch. At last it came:
+
+  "Cameron just arrived with Englishman, Lindlay, and attorney;
+  going out to the mines on evening train. Are at Arlington Hotel,
+  Van Dorn at same hotel and in telegraphic communication with some
+  one at the Y. There is a conspiracy somewhere; what do you know?
+  Answer at once; is everything ready?"
+
+He was still studying the contents of the telegram, wondering just
+what the conspiracy might mean, when Minty slyly entered, and by means
+of the information she had secured, furnished him the needed key to
+the situation. In a few moments the following answer was returned:
+
+  "The truth is out; have just discovered Houston is Cameron's
+  nephew, out here in his interests; Van Dorn et al. working with
+  him. Cameron coming out to-night for the grand coup. Everything is
+  ready awaiting your orders."
+
+Just as the message was sent, Maverick passed on his way to his post,
+and seeing him, Haight stepped to the door and called him:
+
+"I say, Jim, I've learned the truth at last about that superintendent
+of ours, damn him! You seemed so interested in old Cameron this
+morning, I thought you'd like to know that it has turned out that this
+Houston is his nephew."
+
+"Houston, old man Cameron's nephew!" gasped Maverick, with a terrible
+oath, and growing fairly livid, "How'd ye get onto that?"
+
+"No matter how, Jim, but it seems he's been out here all summer
+getting onto some of our little business ways and reporting to the old
+man, and now he's got the old fellow out here to see the fun. Never
+mind, Jim, I guess the fun will be on the other side after all. I'll
+attend to my business and you'll attend to yours, but I thought you'd
+go at it with a better relish after this little piece of news."
+
+Maverick passed on his way, regardless of the storm, incapable of
+coherent speech, muttering oaths and curses intermingled with the
+vilest epithets, Haight watching him with a grim smile for a few
+moments. Then going back to his office, he had but just reseated
+himself at his desk, when Morton Rutherford entered the outer room.
+"Damn him! what is he sneaking around here for?" Haight soliloquized,
+at the same time hastily transferring a revolver from his desk to his
+pocket, "I'll spoil that mug of his if he attempts any funny business
+here."
+
+This movement was seen by Rutherford, who was watching him closely,
+but he appeared to take no notice of it and entered the office as
+usual, with a civil greeting to Haight. The latter sprang to his feet,
+taking his position close by the shaded window, his right hand
+grasping the revolver in his pocket.
+
+Rutherford's lips curled with scorn and contempt as he looked at
+Haight; he saw there could be no semblance of civility between them,
+it was to be open war.
+
+"You are a coward!" he said.
+
+"And you are a sneak," Haight hissed in reply, "prying around here
+when you had better be minding your own business."
+
+"Let me tell you that I am attending to my own business, and you will
+find before you are much older, that I have more right here than
+you."
+
+For a moment Haight hesitated, astonished by Rutherford's words and
+manner, then was about to make some reply, when the click of the
+instrument attracted his attention. Keeping his eye on Rutherford, he
+gave the answering signal with his left hand, then listened intently
+for the message. It came, containing the final orders and the farewell
+words of the Silver City office:
+
+  "Send the mines to hell, and Houston and his crowd with them. Look
+  out for yourself. Good-bye."
+
+In his interest in the message, Haight seemed, for an instant, to have
+partially forgotten Rutherford's presence, his eyes dropped toward the
+instrument, and in that instant, Rutherford cleared the space between
+them at a bound, gripping Haight firmly with one hand, while with the
+other he knocked the revolver which Haight had hastily drawn, half way
+across the room. With a single blow he knocked Haight to the floor,
+partially stunning him, but as he regained his senses, he rolled over
+towards the window, and with a strength born of desperation, struggled
+to his knees, and before Rutherford realized what he was trying to do,
+the shade flew upward to the top of the window. Even then, Rutherford
+would have thought little of it, had not Haight betrayed himself by a
+leer of fiendish triumph. In an instant Rutherford understood that it
+had been some pre-arranged signal.
+
+"You cowardly villain!" he exclaimed, and pausing only long enough to
+give him a blow which left him unconscious on the floor, he rushed
+forth into the darkness and fury of the storm, in the direction of the
+mines.
+
+As he did so, he stumbled against a small boy, running even more
+swiftly in the same direction.
+
+"Mister, Mister Houston! is that you?" rang out Bull-dog's voice,
+above the storm.
+
+"No, my boy, I am going to find Mr. Houston, to save him if I can."
+
+"Oh, sir, let me go! I know about it, they're goin' to fire the mines,
+I heerd Jake say so, and I was a goin' to find Mister Houston myself;
+I'll get there quicker, 'n I know the mine better 'n you."
+
+"But, my boy, you risk your own life," said Rutherford.
+
+"Never mind that, sir; Mister Houston, he's been my friend, 'n his
+life's worth more'n mine anyhow; I'll risk it," and he was already
+rushing on ahead, shouting back to Rutherford, "You go to the tunnels,
+sir, you can help him there."
+
+"Tell him the signal has been given!" called Rutherford, and Bull-dog,
+swinging his ragged hat in reply, sped swiftly on through the raging
+wind.
+
+Rutherford paused for a moment, then started in the direction of the
+tunnels. At that instant, Lyle, still struggling against the fury of
+the wind, had just reached the ground surrounding the mines; in a few
+seconds more she would have been within the fatal boundary line, but
+Bull-dog's voice, as he rushed past, warned her back.
+
+"Go back, go back, Miss Lyle! they've given the signal to fire the
+mines, I'm goin' to warn 'em; don't be afraid, I'll save 'em, Mister
+Houston and Jack," and with these words, he rushed on, disappearing
+through the incline shaft.
+
+Lyle retreated a few steps, and then paused, looking wildly about her,
+dreading, expecting, she scarcely knew what.
+
+Suddenly the darkness seemed divided by a blinding flash, which spread
+into a sheet of flame, enveloping her within its lurid folds, while
+peal after peal of deafening thunder crashed and roared about her, and
+the lightning flashed and gleamed till it seemed as if earth and sky
+were commingled in one mass of flaming combat.
+
+Scarcely had the blinding flashes died in darkness, and the
+reverberations of the thunder still echoed and re-echoed among the
+surrounding mountains, when the earth began to rock and vibrate
+beneath her feet; there was the sound of a terrific explosion, she
+felt for an instant a strange sensation as if floating through the
+air,--then she knew nothing more; she had been thrown to the ground,
+unconscious, by the shock.
+
+Meanwhile, down the rough, narrow road, leading to the mines, Leslie
+Gladden and Ned Rutherford were making their way, having started
+immediately after Lyle, but unaccustomed to the furious mountain
+storms and unfamiliar with the road, they made slow progress in the
+darkness and tempest.
+
+"Miss Gladden, this is too hard for you," said Ned, as they paused
+once, gasping for breath, "I don't believe it is safe either, you
+ought never to have come."
+
+"What do I care for difficulty or danger?" she replied, "Think of Lyle
+going through this storm alone; I only pray she may not have been too
+late!"
+
+Scarcely had she finished speaking, when, without an instant's
+warning, the timber through which they were passing suddenly seemed
+one mass of blinding flame, while almost simultaneously came the
+deafening crash of the thunder.
+
+"Great Heavens! that must have struck awfully near us!" exclaimed Ned,
+but no cry escaped from Leslie's lips, as, shuddering, she clasped his
+arm more closely and struggled bravely on.
+
+It was not until a few seconds later, when there came the sound of the
+terrible explosion, followed by the bursting and crashing of the
+rocks, while the ground quivered and trembled as though shaken by an
+earthquake, that, for an instant, her courage failed, and with a low
+cry, she sank to the ground, shivering with horror. But only for an
+instant, and then she rose to her feet, dizzy and trembling from the
+shock, but brave and determined as ever.
+
+"Come," she said hoarsely, "we must hasten; perhaps we can help them
+in some way, even if we are too late to save them."
+
+Speechless from a horrible, sickening realization of all which that
+terrible shock might mean to those whom they were striving to save,
+Ned silently helped her forward. They had gone but a few steps, when
+there suddenly burst upon the dark and stormy heavens a dull, red
+glare, which grew brighter moment by moment, and on emerging from the
+timber into the open ground, a frightful scene met their gaze.
+
+Dense clouds of smoke were pouring from the shafts of the nearest
+mine, while, at a little distance, could be seen the mills, their
+whole interior already ablaze with light. In that end of the buildings
+containing the sorting rooms and Haight's office, the fire was raging,
+having come in contact with quantities of chemicals which had
+increased its fury.
+
+"Great Cæsar!" ejaculated Ned, "the mills were struck, and are on
+fire."
+
+But Leslie uttered a sharp cry, and ran swiftly down the path to where
+Lyle lay unconscious, followed quickly by Ned.
+
+"Poor child, poor child!" she moaned, "oh, merciful heaven, she came
+too late, and they are all lost!"
+
+Then, as she knelt beside the unconscious form, there came another
+terrific explosion, which seemed to jar even the rocks about them to
+their very foundations, while from the already smoking shafts, the
+flames now issued, towering higher and higher, and adding new terror
+to the scene.
+
+Men were seen running from all directions, from the distant groups of
+mines, rushing to the burning mills, where the little fire corps
+belonging to the camp, were already engaged in a futile battle with
+the flames; but around the Yankee Boy mine there was no sign of life.
+
+The rain now began to descend in torrents, and the first dash of the
+storm seemed to revive Lyle, whom Leslie and Ned had raised to a
+sitting posture in their efforts to restore her to consciousness.
+Slowly she opened her eyes with a bewildered look, then springing to
+her feet, still weak and trembling, but resolute and determined, she
+gazed about her at the flaming shafts and burning mills, and suddenly
+cried,
+
+"Oh, I can remember now! I remember it all, it has come back to
+me,--the terrible wreck, the burning cars all around us, and my mother
+crushed in the wreck; then the people carried us out and they put me
+down beside her, lying so white and still, and then,--then that
+villain came and took me away,--I can see it all," and she
+shuddered.
+
+Then looking at Leslie and Ned, who were watching her with startled
+faces, she seemed trying to recall the present situation. Before
+either of them could speak, however, there came the report of another
+explosion, more distant and deeper underground than any that had yet
+occurred, and the sound seemed to bring back to Lyle the memory of her
+last moments of consciousness before the first terrible shock, while
+the faces of her companions were blanched with terror.
+
+"I know now," she exclaimed quickly, "I was too late, but Bull-dog
+warned them, and they are probably safe; we must go to the tunnels,
+they will make their escape there, and we may help them."
+
+She ran swiftly down the path leading the way, while they followed
+only too gladly, their hearts filled with new hope.
+
+The men, finding it impossible to check the flames at the mills, were
+flocking in the direction of the Yankee group of mines. Fearing,
+however, to approach very near the scene of danger, they gathered in
+groups here and there, while a company of wretched women, the wives
+and daughters of the few married men who worked in the fated mines,
+ran hither and thither, sobbing and wringing their hands in their
+agony of fear and suspense for their own loved ones. Seeing Lyle
+leading the way to the tunnels, they all, men and women, followed in
+the same direction.
+
+The fury of the storm had passed; a heavy rain was still falling, but
+the wind had subsided, and the clouds had lifted and were already
+breaking away.
+
+Arriving at the tunnels, they found a crowd of men, among them a
+number who had made their escape from the mines. The hearts of Ned
+Rutherford and Lyle throbbed with joy as they descried Morton standing
+among the crowd, but Lyle's heart sank again with sickening dread as
+she saw no signs of Everard Houston or of Jack, while Leslie Gladden
+moaned in despair. Morton Rutherford was unhurt, except for a few
+bruises from flying rocks, and he was pleading with some of the men,
+and offering large sums of money to any one or two who would go with
+him into the tunnel in search of Houston and some of the missing men.
+
+"Mr. Houston told me that this part of the mine would be safe for some
+time," he shouted, "and I will pay a thousand dollars to any one who
+will go with me as guide."
+
+For a moment no one responded, then one of the men who had escaped,
+spoke,
+
+"No sir, I wouldn't go back in that there mine for five thousand
+dollars, I'm out, an' I stays out," while another added, "'Twouldn't
+be of no use, sir; mos' likely he was catched in some o' them
+cave-ins; he stopped to give us all warnin' an' he was about the last
+one to start."
+
+"Cowards!" exclaimed Lyle, stepping forth among them with blazing
+eyes, "he risked his life to save yours, and you will not even try to
+save him. Morton," she added, turning toward her lover, "I know every
+step of the tunnels, and I will go with you."
+
+The men slunk back like whipped curs, but made no response. The miners
+employed by the company throughout this group of mines were of the
+lowest class, and they were none too friendly to Houston, while the
+better class of men employed in the other mines were not familiar with
+these workings.
+
+Morton Rutherford advanced to meet Lyle; "My darling," he said, in low
+tones, "I cannot allow you to subject yourself to danger."
+
+"I would rather share the danger with you," she replied proudly,
+"besides we must save them."
+
+"I will go, too," said Ned eagerly, "I surely can help."
+
+Lyle was about to suggest that he remain with Miss Gladden, but Leslie
+herself interposed.
+
+"No, no, I do not need him," she said earnestly, "I would suffer no
+more waiting alone, and he may do much good."
+
+At that instant, two young men from another group of mines stepped
+forward; "If you please, sir," said one of them, "we don't want no
+money, and we can't act as guides, not being acquainted with the lay
+of things around here, but we'd like to help you, for we like Mr.
+Houston, and we're his friends."
+
+Their offer was gladly accepted, and preparations were hastily and
+silently made by the little party. Wet cloths and sponges were
+fastened across the lower portion of their faces, to prevent their
+inhaling the smoke and gases, while ropes were securely tied about
+their waists, the ends of which were to be held by persons on the
+outside. A frequent jerking of the rope would assure those outside
+that all was right in the tunnel, but a suspension of the jerking
+would indicate that that person had been overcome by the gases, and he
+would be immediately drawn out to the fresh air, by those at the outer
+end of the line.
+
+Pausing only for a bright smile of encouragement to Leslie, Lyle led
+the way into the tunnel, followed by Morton and Ned, the two miners
+bringing up the rear, and all disappeared in the subterranean
+darkness.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLV.
+
+
+When Bull-dog's voice rang out above the storm, with its warning to
+Lyle, Houston, standing near the entrance of the shaft, alert,
+watchful for the first indication of danger, heard the words
+distinctly and acted instantly.
+
+Having given the usual danger signal, he shouted, "To the tunnels,
+boys, for your lives! The mine has been fired, go to the tunnels!"
+
+On returning from giving the agreed signal to Jack and Mike, he heard
+Bull-dog's voice above him in the shaft, calling his name and shouting
+the warning.
+
+"Come, my boy," shouted Houston in return, "we'll start for the
+tunnels."
+
+"Yes sir, I'm a comin', I know the way, but don't you wait fer me
+'cause you may git catched."
+
+"I shall not leave you, Bull-dog, we'll go together," Houston
+answered, waiting for the little figure gliding swiftly toward him in
+the darkness.
+
+Suddenly the rocks by which they were surrounded began to quiver and
+vibrate; there was a deafening roar followed by a terrific crash, and
+an instant later, a mass of loosened rock was tearing its way through
+the shaft.
+
+"Cling to the wall, Bull-dog," shouted Houston, at the same time
+seizing a projecting ledge with a vise-like grip, and swinging himself
+upward, where he hung by his hands and wrists. It was a horrible
+position, but his powerful, athletic muscles bore the strain until the
+grinding, tearing mass had passed, and he dropped, scratched and
+bruised, but otherwise unhurt, to the ground.
+
+As he did so, he heard a faint moan, and hastening in the direction
+from whence it came, found Bull-dog, who, unable to spring high enough
+to escape the passing rocks, had been swept along and partially buried
+under the debris that followed.
+
+"My boy, are you hurt?" asked Houston, bending over him in the
+darkness, and removing as fast as possible the mass of crushed and
+broken rock under which he lay.
+
+"Not much, I guess," replied the little, familiar voice, in tones that
+tried to be brave and cheery, but which quivered with pain, "I tried
+to hold on, Mister Houston, but that big rock was a little too much
+fer me."
+
+As Houston at last freed him, the little fellow tried to rise, but
+sank quickly back, with an involuntary cry:
+
+"I guess I'm done fer--Mister Houston," he gasped faintly, "but I
+don't care--if you only--get out safe."
+
+The smoke and gases were now pouring down the shaft, and Houston
+realized that there was no time to be lost. Very tenderly he lifted
+the little form in his arms, and began, as rapidly as possible, the
+descent of the shaft, groping his way amid the rocks, toward the cut
+leading to the tunnels, through which he hoped to escape.
+
+The motion roused Bull-dog who had fainted. "Mister Houston," he
+cried, "don't mind me--I wanted to save you, and I guess you can make
+it yet, if you hurry and don't bother with me; I won't mind bein' left
+here, 'cause I'll know then that you're safe."
+
+"Don't you worry, my boy," replied Houston, and his own voice
+trembled, "we'll reach daylight all right, but we'll reach it
+together; I'll never leave you."
+
+There was no reply except a contented, confiding nestling of the
+little head against Houston's shoulder; then, as a second explosion
+thundered above them, jarring the foundations of the rocks once more,
+he murmured drowsily, "There she goes again," and sank into
+unconsciousness.
+
+The smoke was now so stifling that Houston was obliged to go upon his
+hands and knees, carrying Bull-dog in one arm; his progress was
+necessarily slow, but to his great joy he succeeded in finding the cut
+leading to tunnel No. 3; then, to his horror, he discovered that the
+entrance was blocked by a mass of earth and loose rock which had caved
+in.
+
+Laying Bull-dog carefully down, he examined the obstruction, and
+found there was a small opening at the top, and that the mass was of
+such a character that it could easily be removed with pick and
+shovel, but he had nothing. With desperate energy, he began
+tearing away the earth and rocks with his hands, then to his intense
+relief, after a few moments' work, he heard voices on the other
+side. Houston listened; it was Jack and Mike, who, having waited for
+him in the tunnel, expecting him to join them immediately, had
+become alarmed at his non-appearance, and were returning with
+their picks and shovels, which they had taken out with them, calling
+him and searching for him.
+
+Houston shouted, and they hastened to the rescue, and the entrance was
+very quickly cleared sufficiently for Houston to crawl through. Before
+passing through, himself, however, he lifted Bull-dog, and carefully
+handed the unconscious form to Jack.
+
+"Who is this?" the latter asked in surprise.
+
+"Bull-dog, the little hero who has saved our lives by sacrificing his
+own," Houston replied.
+
+"Is he still living?"
+
+"Yes, but unconscious."
+
+Silently and tenderly Jack handed the little fellow to the tender-hearted
+Mike, who at once started toward the tunnel with his burden, while
+Jack turned to assist Houston.
+
+At that instant, there came the third explosion, which was farther
+underground than either of those preceding. It was but a short
+distance from them, and an immense scale of overhanging rock quivered
+for an instant, then fell, throwing its fragments in every direction.
+Mike, at the distance which he had already gained, escaped unhurt.
+Jack and Houston sprang in opposite directions, but the pieces of
+flying rock overtook them, though they escaped being buried beneath
+the mass as it fell. They were both thrown to the ground; Houston
+staggered to his feet, badly bruised and cut and his left arm broken,
+but Jack remained motionless.
+
+Hearing Houston's call, Mike quickly returned, and he and Houston
+found that Jack was still alive, though badly injured about the head.
+The full extent of his injuries they realized they would be unable to
+ascertain until they could reach the surface. Together they consulted
+as to the best course to pursue. Mike wished to go back and get help
+immediately, but Houston insisted that they must first remove Jack and
+little Bull-dog as speedily as possible, as there was danger of other
+explosions following now in rapid succession, and also danger from the
+smoke and gases of the gradually approaching flames, which were
+consuming the timbering of the various shafts, and would at length
+communicate with the tunnels also.
+
+Instructing Mike to lay Jack's head across his shoulder, Houston then
+clasped his right arm closely about Jack's neck and shoulders. Mike,
+carrying Bull-dog on one arm, with the other was to lift Jack
+underneath the knees; and in this way they started for the tunnel.
+
+Houston suffered excruciating pain from the arm hanging helpless
+at his side, but he traveled forward without a murmur, scarcely
+conscious of his own suffering in his anxiety for Jack. The cut was
+comparatively short, but their progress was slow.
+
+Nearly overcome by the suffocating gases and the smoke, and faint from
+pain and loss of blood, Houston had just staggered into the tunnel,
+when he heard the welcome sound of the voices of Lyle and of Morton
+Rutherford, and knew that they were saved.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVI.
+
+
+Meanwhile, the work of destruction went swiftly forward, explosions
+following in quick succession and with terrific force, throughout the
+Yankee group of mines, and the adjoining claims; while the flames from
+the burning shafts were rivaled by those which spread from the mills
+to the shops, storehouses and stables, and finally, to the miners'
+quarters, till all were speedily reduced to ashes.
+
+Around the entrance to tunnel No. 3, a large crowd had gathered, not
+only from the various mines, but also from neighboring mining camps,
+all anxiously awaiting the return of the rescue party.
+
+At last they appeared. The first to emerge into daylight, was Ned
+Rutherford, bearing in his arms the crushed and mutilated form of
+little Bull-dog. Behind him came Houston, partially supported by one
+of the young miners and by Lyle, his left arm hanging at his side, his
+face deathly white beneath the blood and grime, but firm and dauntless
+as ever. As he stepped forth into the light, a wild cheer rose on the
+air, but Houston, raising his right hand with a deprecatory motion,
+silently pointed backward toward the tunnel, where, slowly emerging
+into view of the crowd, were Morton Rutherford and Mike, carrying,
+with the assistance of the other miner, the bleeding and unconscious
+form of Jack.
+
+The cheers were hushed, and the crowd silently surged about Houston
+and the two motionless, unconscious forms laid side by side upon the
+ground, their heads pillowed upon the rough jackets of the men, folded
+and tenderly placed beneath them by the hands of Lyle and Leslie, the
+latter half fainting with excitement.
+
+The men crowding about Houston congratulated him with a hearty
+hand-clasp, unaccompanied by words, except for an occasional inquiry
+as to his own condition.
+
+"I am all right," he said in reply to the latter, "my arm is nothing,
+the merest trifle; my only thought is for the two lives which I fear
+have been sacrificed for mine."
+
+Anxiously he bent above the prostrate forms. Jack's head was
+frightfully gashed, and his heavy, labored breathing indicated that
+his brain was already affected. Houston spoke a word to Morton
+Rutherford, who quickly withdrew, and taking the swiftest horse in
+camp, was soon speeding down the road to the Y, in a second race
+against death.
+
+Houston next knelt beside Bull-dog; a faint fluttering about the heart
+was the only sign of life. The little waif was well known among the
+mining camps of that vicinity, and there were few dry eyes in the
+crowd as Houston told the story of his heroism.
+
+Houston saw the end was very near, and gently slipped his right arm
+under Bull-dog's head. Slowly the little fellow opened his eyes,
+looking, with a happy smile, into the face bending so tenderly over
+him. At that instant, the sun, bursting through the clouds, threw a
+ray of golden light in shining benediction across the little white
+face. His eyes brightened still more; "We're safe!" he whispered
+joyously. There was a slight quiver, and the little form was still.
+
+The sun, shining as brightly and serenely as though storms were
+unknown, looked down into that beautiful canyon upon a strange scene
+of ruin, desolation and death. Amid the wreck and debris of the
+explosions, lay the little hero who had saved so many lives that day,
+upon his face a child-like smile which it had never worn in life;
+while farther on down the canyon, beside the smoking embers of the
+milling plant, lay the one whose signal had wrought all this
+destruction. The men, rushing into the burning mills, had found the
+electrical apparatus in ruins, as though torn to pieces by giant
+hands, and beside it upon the floor lay Haight, a ghastly sight, his
+face blackened and distorted, his right arm and side seared and
+shriveled, by the mighty servant who had suddenly burst its fetters.
+
+Slowly and tenderly Jack was borne to the house, and laid in the room
+which had been Houston's, which Lyle had made ready for him with
+loving care, her tears falling fast as she recalled his farewell of
+the preceding night. To the house came also his two faithful friends,
+Mike and Rex, for the little cabin was no more, Jack had indeed spent
+his last night beneath its roof, though the succeeding night, to which
+he had looked forward, was far different from his anticipations.
+
+Days afterward, his gripsack, packed with such care on that last night
+in the cabin, was found by Houston concealed among the rocks, where
+Jack had hidden it on the morning of that eventful day, intending,
+when his work was done, to set forth upon his wandering life once
+more.
+
+Morton Rutherford, on arriving at the Y, had sent the following cipher
+dispatch to Van Dorn:
+
+  "Come out on special at once. The mines have been fired by
+  telegraphic orders from Silver City office. Everard badly cut and
+  arm broken, but not seriously injured. Jack but just alive. Bring
+  surgeons and nurse as quickly as possible."
+
+Having sent this message, and finding there was a very good physician
+at the Y, he sent him at once to the camp, to remain there until the
+surgeons should arrive, doing meantime all in his power to relieve the
+sufferers. Then giving orders for one of the company's men to take his
+horse, and replace it with a fresh one, Morton returned to the station
+to await Van Dorn's reply.
+
+At the house, Jack was being cared for by Mike and one of the older
+miners, who had had considerable experience in nursing, Houston doing
+everything which his crippled condition and the intense pain he was
+suffering, would permit.
+
+On the arrival of the physician from the Y, he first visited Jack, and
+leaving directions to be carried out for his temporary relief, next
+attended to the setting of Houston's arm and the dressing of his
+wounds. The operation required some time, but at last it was
+completed, and Houston returned to Jack's room.
+
+The room had been darkened, and in accordance with the physician's
+directions, Jack's beard had been shaven and his hair closely cut, to
+relieve his head as much as possible. His breathing was more natural,
+but he lay quiet and motionless as before.
+
+As Houston approached the bed in the dim light, he scarcely recognized
+his friend, so great was the change in his appearance, but as he drew
+nearer, he started visibly. Something in the smooth face and closely
+clipped head seemed wonderfully familiar, and carried him back to the
+days when he had first entered his uncle's home. Bending over him for
+an instant, he scanned the features more closely. It was enough! The
+face with its patrician features carved in such perfect beauty, though
+lined by sorrow, was the face of his cousin,--his boyish hero and
+ideal.
+
+With a quick, dry sob, Houston turned from the bedside, more deeply
+moved than any of his associates had ever seen him.
+
+"Great God!" he exclaimed, in low tones, "it is Guy Cameron! my cousin
+Guy!" and bending over the unconscious form once more, while the great
+tears coursed slowly down his face, he murmured:
+
+"Guy, dear old fellow, and you have known me all this time! God grant
+this has not come too late!"
+
+With a low cry, Lyle had sprung to Houston's side, while Leslie and
+Ned Rutherford followed, and the others looked on in mute wonder and
+astonishment. Her quick ear had caught the name.
+
+"What name did you say?" she cried eagerly, "Did you say Guy Cameron?
+Is Jack--my Jack--is he my mother's brother?"
+
+Houston bowed in assent, he could not speak.
+
+"Oh," moaned Lyle, "no wonder that he loved us so! and we have not
+loved him half enough!" and dropping on her knees beside the bed,
+sobbing bitterly, she seized the hand, nearly as white as the sheet
+upon which it lay, and covered it with passionate kisses.
+
+A few moments later, Morton Rutherford entered the room; Lyle was
+still kneeling by the bedside; beside her was Leslie, quietly weeping.
+Ned's eyes were suspiciously red, while in one corner, honest-hearted
+Mike was vainly trying to check his fast-flowing tears upon the
+sleeves of his blouse. Morton looked quickly toward the strangely
+altered face upon the pillows, and was struck by its wondrous beauty.
+
+Glancing inquiringly at Houston, as he advanced to meet him, he asked
+anxiously:
+
+"Is he worse?"
+
+"No, there is no change yet, one way or another," Houston replied in
+low tones, and continued, "Morton, we were speaking last night, at the
+cabin, of my uncle's son,--my cousin, Guy Cameron."
+
+"Yes, I remember."
+
+"He is found," Houston's voice trembled, and he could say no more, but
+Morton understood. He gazed with new and tearful interest upon the
+beautiful face in its death-like calm; then beckoning to Houston, he
+said, as they passed from the room:
+
+"Ah, you have at last found the key to the wondrous bond between you,
+and to his self-sacrificing love toward you and yours."
+
+For a few moments they recalled certain incidents in their acquaintance
+with the silent, yet gentle and courteous occupant of the little
+cabin, and much that had seemed mysterious was now clear and plain in
+the light of this recent revelation.
+
+At last Morton said; "I must hasten back to the Y," at the same time
+handing his friend the telegram received from Van Dorn:
+
+  "Leave in half an hour on special, with surgeons and nurse.
+  Whitney and Lindlay remain here to attend to business. Warrants
+  for arrests have been issued."
+
+"That is good," said Houston, with a sigh of relief, "They are already
+on their way. And now, my dear Morton, I have one other commission for
+you, if you are willing to perform it."
+
+"You know I am at your service," Morton replied.
+
+"My aunt, whose faith and love have watched and waited for her son's
+return during all these years, must be brought here as quickly as
+possible. I am not in very good condition for travel, and do not feel
+that I can leave Guy. I know I can trust her in your care, you will be
+to her as a son, and such she will regard you when she knows all, and
+I commission you in my name to meet her and bring her out here."
+
+"That I will very gladly do, my dear Everard, and at once; there must
+be no delay. By going out this evening, I will be able to take the
+early train east from Silver City: the special arrives at 6:10, the
+six o'clock train being held at the Y, until after its arrival. I will
+return to the Y, meet Mr. Cameron and have a word with him, and go
+directly on to Silver City on the regular train."
+
+Thirty minutes later, having hastily packed a small grip, and taken a
+tender farewell of Lyle, who knew his errand, and with tearful eyes
+bade him "God-speed," Morton Rutherford left the house, accompanied by
+Ned, who was to return with Mr. Cameron and Van Dorn.
+
+The sun was slowly sinking behind the crests of the mountains,
+flooding the surrounding peaks with glory, when a wagon drawn by four
+panting, foaming horses, drew up before the house.
+
+From the front seat beside the driver, Ned Rutherford and Van
+Dorn sprang hastily to the ground, turning quickly to assist a
+fine-looking, elderly gentleman, with iron-gray hair and beard,
+whose dark, piercing eyes bore a strong resemblance to those of
+both Houston and Jack. He needed little assistance, however, and
+having alighted, turned with firm step and erect bearing, but
+with an expression of deep anxiety, toward the house, followed by
+the two young men, and by three strangers.
+
+At that instant Houston appeared within the little porch, his left arm
+in a sling, his face pale and haggard, though with a grave smile of
+affectionate welcome.
+
+Even in that brief instant, Mr. Cameron could not but observe the
+change which those few short months had wrought in the face of Everard
+Houston, the high-born son of wealth and culture, the pet of society;
+it had matured wonderfully; alert and keen, yet grave and thoughtful,
+he looked as though he had found a deeper and broader meaning to life
+than he had ever dreamed of in his luxurious eastern home.
+
+"My boy!" exclaimed Mr. Cameron, hastening toward him, "are you sure
+you have escaped without serious injury?"
+
+"Quite sure," Houston replied, limping slightly, as he advanced to
+meet his uncle, "my arm was hurt, and I am somewhat scratched and
+bruised and a little weak, but otherwise, sound as ever."
+
+"Thank God for that! I don't mind the loss of the property if you are
+safe; all the way out here, my boy, I have been reproaching myself for
+ever allowing you to come out to this country."
+
+"My dear uncle," Houston replied, with peculiar emphasis, "I think you
+will soon find you have reason to be very glad and grateful that I
+came."
+
+Mr. Cameron introduced the two surgeons and the nurse; "I feared," he
+said, "from your sending for these gentlemen that you might be hurt
+far more seriously than I knew."
+
+"No," said Houston, "but the one who has nearly sacrificed his own
+life in helping to save mine, needs their best skill, and I sent for
+them on his account."
+
+"That was right," replied Mr. Cameron, "all that money can do shall be
+done for him," while one of the surgeons said, "We will see our
+patient at once, Mr. Houston, if you please."
+
+"You will see him very soon," Houston replied with grave courtesy,
+"but there are reasons why my uncle must first see him, and alone."
+
+Mr. Cameron looked surprised, but silently followed Houston into the
+room which had been occupied by the two brothers, but which was now
+prepared for him. Then observing something peculiar in Houston's
+manner as he closed the door, he asked:
+
+"What is it, my boy?"
+
+"Pardon me, if I seem abrupt, uncle," Houston answered, "but every
+moment is precious in saving a life unspeakably dear to each of us."
+
+Mr. Cameron looked startled; Houston continued:
+
+"You have been like a father to me all these years, and I have felt
+toward you as a son, but to-day I have the joy of bringing you to the
+one, who holds in your heart, and always will hold, precedence even
+over myself."
+
+"Everard, my boy!" exclaimed Mr. Cameron, in tones vibrating with
+suppressed emotion, "what is it? Speak quickly, do not keep me in
+suspense,"
+
+"My dear uncle," said Houston very tenderly, "the lost is found."
+
+Mr. Cameron sank, nearly overcome, into the nearest chair, while his
+face grew deathly white.
+
+"Guy?" he gasped, looking upward at Houston.
+
+"Yes," said the latter brokenly.
+
+The strong man covered his face with his hands, while his powerful
+frame shook with emotion.
+
+Houston, when he was able to speak, told him, very briefly, of his
+meeting with Jack, of their association, and the strange bond of
+sympathy and affection between them, of Jack's devotion, and how at
+last, he had been enabled to recognize him.
+
+Controlling himself with a mighty effort, Mr. Cameron rose, saying:
+
+"Take me to him."
+
+Opening the door connecting the two rooms, Houston signaled to those
+within to leave the room, then led the father into the presence of the
+son whom he had so long mourned as dead.
+
+Mr. Cameron walked to the bedside, and looked long and earnestly upon
+the white face, drawn with pain, but still beautiful, and bearing to a
+great extent, the imprint of his own features; then as he tenderly
+clasped the hand lying upon the sheet, he murmured brokenly, between
+great, tearless sobs:
+
+"It is he, my boy, my son! Thank God, it is not too late!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVII.
+
+
+There was a long consultation between the physicians and surgeons
+following a careful and thorough examination of their patient, before
+the rendering of their decision.
+
+He had received various injuries of a serious character, but the
+injury to the head was far the most dangerous of all. There was a
+possibility that with the most careful nursing and the most skillful
+medical aid, he might live, but his recovery was exceedingly
+doubtful,--one chance out of a hundred.
+
+"Do your best," was Mr. Cameron's reply to this decision, "do your
+best, regardless of cost; if you wish counsel, have it; send out
+another nurse, the best you can secure, to relieve this one, and I
+wish one or the other of you gentlemen to remain here constantly, we
+must not be left without a physician. I may as well inform you now,"
+Mr. Cameron added, with great dignity, in conclusion, "that your
+patient is my son."
+
+Astonishment was depicted upon the faces of the physicians, but Mr.
+Cameron continued:
+
+"For some months my nephew has been out here incognito, engaged in
+unearthing the dishonest schemes and plots of the mining company who
+constituted our western agents, and I have just discovered that he was
+aided in this work by my son, who, unknown to me, was out here in
+disguise, working with the same end in view. You will, of course,
+understand, gentlemen, that money is no object; do everything within
+your power, and you shall be abundantly compensated."
+
+Thus it was arranged that one or two physicians were constantly at the
+house, and when these returned to Silver City for a few hours, others
+took their places.
+
+A competent cook and housekeeper were also sent out from Silver City,
+as the excitement resulting from the terrible events of that day,
+together with her husband's connection therewith, which had in some
+way become generally known, proved too much for the feeble strength of
+Mrs. Maverick, and she was prostrated by the shock.
+
+Minty, terror-stricken by the results which she believed had followed
+her report to Haight, and by his fearful fate, in a fit of hysteria,
+confessed the share she had taken in the plot, and was summarily
+dismissed.
+
+After the coming of Mr. Cameron with the surgeons and nurse, Lyle and
+Leslie had withdrawn from the sick-room, and busied themselves in
+caring for Mrs. Maverick, and in superintendence of the necessary
+work; Van Dorn, whose astonishment at the revelations of the last two
+days was beyond expression, keeping them informed of the condition of
+the sufferer. Lyle was pale with excitement, but calmly and bravely
+took her place as head of the strangely assorted household, her heart
+throbbing wildly as she anticipated the meeting with Mr. Cameron.
+
+Within the sick-room the soft, gray twilight had deepened into
+darkness. At one side of the bed sat the nurse, his fingers upon the
+pulse of the patient, while he listened attentively to his breathing,
+now becoming irregular, and broken by low moans and occasional
+mutterings. On the other side sat Mr. Cameron, his head bowed upon his
+hands, his mind going back to the years of Guy's childhood and youth.
+How vividly he recalled many little incidents, seemingly trivial when
+they occurred, but carefully treasured among the most precious
+memories in the long, sad years that followed! With the memory of his
+son, his heart's pride and joy, came also that of the beautiful
+daughter, with her golden hair and starry eyes, the light of their
+home in those happy days.
+
+Mr. Cameron seemed lost in thought, but in reality, while thus
+reviewing the past, his mind was keenly conscious of the present. In
+one corner sat the faithful Mike, while at his feet lay the equally
+faithful Rex, who could be neither coaxed nor driven from the room,
+but remained quietly watching his master's face, an almost human love
+and sorrow looking out of his eyes, as he answered the occasional
+moans with a low, piteous whine.
+
+In another corner Everard talked in low tones with the two physicians
+who were to remain that night, Mr. Cameron taking cognizance, in the
+midst of his own sorrowful thoughts, of every word.
+
+At length some one called for a light, and a moment later, Mr. Cameron
+was conscious of a light step crossing the room, and of a lamp being
+placed on the table near the physicians, though none of its rays fell
+in the direction of the sufferer. Lifting his head, he saw the lamp
+with a screen so attached as to throw a shade over almost the entire
+room, leaving only a small portion lighted; but within that brightly
+illumined portion he had a glimpse, for an instant, of a face, which
+with its radiant eyes and its shining aureole of golden hair, was so
+nearly a counterpart of the one but just recalled so vividly to his
+mind, that it seemed a living reproduction of the same. Only a
+glimpse, for as he started, wondering if it could be a figment of his
+own imagination, the face suddenly vanished into the shadow, and the
+figure glided from the room. Still it haunted him; could there have
+been a real resemblance? or was it only a hallucination of his own?
+
+About an hour later, Houston, who had observed his uncle's involuntary
+start of surprise on seeing Lyle, and who was anxious that he should
+learn the truth as early as possible, slipping his arm within that of
+his uncle's, led him out upon the porch, where they lighted their
+cigars, smoking for a few moments in silence, then talking together in
+low tones of the one so dear to each of them, while Houston related
+the details of his first meeting and early acquaintance with the
+miner, Jack.
+
+"Even if Guy cannot recover," said Mr. Cameron, in tremulous tones,
+when Houston had finished, "Yet if he lives long enough to see and
+recognize his mother and myself, and realize our feeling for him--even
+then, I shall be more than repaid for your coming out here,--though
+all else were lost."
+
+"Indeed you would," responded Houston, "but I cannot help feeling that
+Guy's life will be spared, that he will live to bless your future
+years. But my dear uncle," he continued, very slowly, "although you
+are yet unaware of it, you have nearly as much, if not an equal cause
+for joy in another direction."
+
+"I do not understand you, Everard; you surely do not allude to the
+property?"
+
+"No, very far from that; did you notice the young girl who came into
+Guy's room to-night?"
+
+"To bring the light?"
+
+"The same."
+
+"Yes, and I intended to inquire of you concerning her. Her face
+impressed me strangely; I cannot tell whether it was a fact or my own
+imagination, but I had been thinking of the children,--Guy and his
+sister,--as they were years ago, and it seemed to me that her face, as
+I saw it for an instant, was almost an exact counterpart of my own
+Edna's, as she used to look, even to the hair and eyes which were very
+peculiar."
+
+"It was no imagination on your part, the resemblance is very marked,
+not only in face, but in voice and manner as well."
+
+"How do you account for it?" asked Mr. Cameron quickly, "Who is she?"
+
+"She is the one who, of all the world, would have the best right to
+resemble your daughter," replied Houston; then, in answer to Mr.
+Cameron's look of perplexed inquiry, he continued:
+
+"Pardon me, uncle, for any painful allusion, but at the time of my
+cousin's death, I believe you had no direct proof as to the fate of
+her child?"
+
+"No absolute proof, of course," replied Mr. Cameron, "only the
+testimony of those who identified the mother, that there was no child
+with her, and no child among any of those saved answering to the
+description given, from which we naturally supposed the little one to
+have been killed outright. Why, Everard," he exclaimed, as a new
+thought occurred to him, "you certainly do not think this Edna's
+child, do you?"
+
+"Why might it not be possible?" inquired Houston, wishing to lead his
+uncle gradually up to the truth.
+
+"Is this her home?" asked Mr. Cameron in turn.
+
+"Yes," said Houston, "this has been her home, I believe, for the last
+ten years."
+
+"If the supposition mentioned a moment ago were correct, how would she
+be here, amid such surroundings?"
+
+"Do you know the man who runs this house?" Houston asked.
+
+"A man by the name of Maverick had charge of it when I was out here
+years ago; I do not know whether he is still here."
+
+"He is; do you know him? Did you ever have any business with him
+personally?"
+
+"Yes, I had him in my employ years ago, in the east, and was obliged
+to discharge him for dishonesty."
+
+"Thereby incurring his life-long hatred and enmity, so that years
+afterward, he sought to wreak his revenge upon you by stealing from
+the wrecked train, where your daughter lost her life, the little
+child who would otherwise have been your solace in that time of
+bereavement."
+
+"Everard!" exclaimed Mr. Cameron, "are you sure you are correct? What
+proof have you of this?"
+
+"The proofs were not discovered until recently," Houston replied,
+"although we knew that they existed, but now this girl has found a
+letter from Maverick's wife confessing the whole crime, and stating
+that it was committed through a spirit of revenge; and she also has in
+her possession the articles of clothing she wore at the time she was
+stolen, together with a locket containing her mother's picture and her
+own name,--Marjorie Lyle Washburn."
+
+"That is enough," said Mr. Cameron briefly, "let me see her,
+Everard."
+
+Houston stepped within the house, reappearing a few moments later,
+with Lyle. Very beautiful she looked as she came forward in the soft
+radiance of the moonlight, a child-like confidence shining in the
+lovely eyes.
+
+Mr. Cameron rose to meet her, and taking both her hands within his
+own, he stood for an instant, gazing into the beautiful face.
+
+"My dear child, my own Edna!" he said in broken tones, folding her
+closely within his arms, "Thank God for another child restored to us
+from the dead!"
+
+Houston returned to the sick-room, leaving Mr. Cameron and Lyle in
+their new-found joy. Lyle told him briefly the story of her life, his
+eyes growing stern with indignation as he listened to the wrongs she
+had endured, then luminous with tenderness, as she told of Jack's
+affectionate care for her.
+
+"Call me 'papa' my child, as you used to in the days of your
+babyhood," he said, kissing her, as they rose to return to Guy's room,
+"you never even then, would call Mrs. Cameron or myself anything but
+'mamma' and 'papa,' and now you shall be as our own child!"
+
+Together they watched beside the sick-bed until the morning sun
+touched the mountain peaks with glory, but there came no relief to the
+sufferer, now moaning and tossing in delirium.
+
+Eastward, across the mountain ranges, Morton Rutherford was speeding
+swiftly, scarcely heeding in his sorrow and anxiety, the grandeur and
+beauty through which he was passing; while from Chicago, the
+sweet-faced mother was hastening westward, all unconscious that she
+was being swiftly and surely borne to the answer of her prayers,--that
+in that distant western country to which she was journeying, her son
+lay calling her in his fever and delirium.
+
+She had started in response to a dispatch from Morton Rutherford, at
+Silver City:
+
+  "Mr. Cameron and Everard Houston safe and well, but wish you to
+  come out immediately. Wire where I will meet you in St. Paul. Will
+  explain when I see you.
+
+                                                "Morton Rutherford."
+
+The mining camp that morning, presented a strange scene of idleness
+and desolation. Many of the mines were in ruins, while the remainder
+were shut down.
+
+They would remain shut down for an indefinite period, Houston told the
+men who had gathered about the house for information. The officers of
+the company, he further stated, had been arrested and their property
+would soon be seized, hence it would be impossible to state when the
+mines would be reopened. It was probable that with the next spring, an
+entirely new corporation would be organized, and the mining and
+milling plant rebuilt, and operated on a much more extensive scale
+than before; and should this be the case, he would then and there
+vouch that those of his men who had proven themselves trustworthy and
+honorable, would be certain of work, should they desire it, in the
+newly opened mines.
+
+The men knew of Jack's condition, and while not a sound was made that
+would disturb the sufferer, the better class swung their hats high in
+the air, in token of applause, and then walked silently away.
+
+It was found in the succeeding days that several miners had lost their
+lives in the explosions of the Yankee Boy mine; a few were so far
+underground that their doom was inevitable, while others, whom Houston
+had warned, instead of following his instructions, had endeavored to
+escape through the shafts, and had discovered too late that they had
+only rushed on to certain death.
+
+Maverick, the tool by which all this destruction had been wrought,
+after his deadly work was done, overcome by his wretched cowardice,
+remained concealed until a late hour; then creeping from his hiding
+place to gloat over the havoc and ruin he had wrought, he suddenly found
+his triumph was short. Under the shelter of a few boards, temporarily
+erected, he found the ghastly remains of his companion and director in
+crime. Shivering and trembling with fear, he crept up the road till
+within sight of the house, arriving just in time to see Houston,--whom
+he supposed crushed and buried within the mine,--presenting Lyle to Mr.
+Cameron. He lingered long enough to see her clasped in his arms, then
+skulked back into the shadow, retreating down the road, gnashing his
+teeth with rage and disappointment. The following day search was made
+for him, under instructions from Mr. Cameron and Houston, who
+offered a large reward for him, living or dead. His body was found in
+an old, abandoned shaft on the mountain side, riddled with bullets.
+The vengeance of the miners, desperate from the loss of homes and
+employment, had overtaken him first. He was buried hastily and with
+little ceremony, his two sons having already taken themselves to parts
+unknown, fearful lest the penalty of their father's crimes might be
+inflicted upon them, and his fate become theirs also. A day or two
+later, Mrs. Maverick, who had been prostrated by the shock of the
+explosions and the succeeding events, died from a sudden paralysis,
+her feeble mind having first been cheered and soothed by the
+assurance from Mr. Cameron of his forgiveness for the small share
+which she had taken in the withholding Lyle from her true friends and
+home. She was given a decent burial in the miners' little cemetery
+at the Y, and the house which for so many years had been called by
+their name, knew the Mavericks no more.
+
+Kind hands laid little Bull-dog under the murmuring pines on the
+mountain side, near Morgan's last resting place, but in the hearts, of
+Houston and his friends, his memory could never grow dim.
+
+The small community of miners suddenly vanished, the deserted
+quarters, with their blackened ruins, seeming little like the busy
+camp of but a few days before, resounding with their songs and jests.
+
+Only in the house nestling at the foot of the mountain there were no
+signs of desertion. It was crowded to overflowing, and within its
+walls, during those next succeeding days, what combats were waged,
+between hope and fear, joy and despair, life and death!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVIII.
+
+
+Five days had passed, days of raging fever and delirium so violent
+that already the powerful frame seemed nearly exhausted; the sufferer
+calling almost incessantly for the loved ones of his old home, but
+oftenest for his mother. Some faint glimmer of recognition must
+occasionally have reached those darkened chambers of the brain, since
+when attended by Mr. Cameron, Houston or Lyle, he rested more quietly,
+though never calling Lyle by her own name, but always by that of his
+sister, Edna.
+
+The fever had subsided, and he was now rapidly passing into a
+death-like stupor, hovering between life and death, unconscious of
+skilled physicians and trained nurses that came and went, unconscious
+of loving friends bending above him, their prayers and efforts
+combined with the skill of the former, in the terrible combat against
+the mighty foe.
+
+The physicians watching by the bedside, shook their heads, as they
+felt the pulse, fluttering more and more faintly.
+
+"He is sinking, failing rapidly," they said, "to-night will be the
+crisis, the turning point; unless there is a change then for the
+better, he will never see the dawning of another day."
+
+To Mrs. Cameron, journeying westward with Morton Rutherford, the
+moments had seemed like hours, the hours like days, since learning for
+whose sake had come the summons to that distant country. Only the
+speed of the lightning could have satisfied the heart of the mother
+hastening to her long-lost son.
+
+They had been kept informed along the route of Guy's condition, and
+now, upon their arrival at Silver City, on the noon train, they found
+a special car awaiting them, to convey them at once to the Y, which
+had been ordered by telegraphic dispatch from Mr. Cameron.
+
+The watchers by the bedside heard the sound of swiftly approaching
+wheels; Mr. Cameron and Houston stepped quickly out to greet the
+sweet-faced woman hastening toward the house on the arm of Morton
+Rutherford.
+
+"Am I in time? Is our boy still living?" were her first words, as her
+husband met her with outstretched arms, his face working with deep
+emotion.
+
+"Just in time, thank God!" was the broken reply.
+
+"Oh, Walter, is there no hope?" she queried, understanding his words
+only too well.
+
+"I must not deceive you, Marjorie, there is the barest possibility
+that he may live, no more."
+
+"He must live, and he will," replied the mother, in tones that
+reminded both Houston and Morton Rutherford wonderfully of Lyle.
+
+Turning toward Houston, Mrs. Cameron greeted him affectionately, and
+gently touching the wounded arm, exclaimed:
+
+"My poor, dear boy, what a terrible risk you have run!"
+
+To which he replied, "I would go through it all again, Aunt Marjorie,
+for the joy I believe it will bring you and yours."
+
+A few moments later, Mr. Cameron led his wife into the sick-room. Lyle
+had already left the room, and there remained only Leslie Gladden,
+sitting quietly near the foot of the bed, and the nurse, who
+respectfully withdrew from his place beside the patient, as Mrs.
+Cameron approached.
+
+Calmly, though through fast-falling tears, the mother gazed for a
+moment upon her son; then dropping upon her knees beside the bed, she
+slipped one arm underneath the pillows, and gently drew the wounded
+head upon her own breast, tenderly kissing the brow and cheeks; then
+taking his hand within her own, she stroked and caressed it,
+meanwhile crooning over him in low, murmuring tones, as though he had
+been an infant.
+
+There were no dry eyes in that little room, not excepting even the
+nurse, while from the door-way of the adjoining room, Morton
+Rutherford, Lyle and Everard Houston watched the scene with hearts too
+full for utterance. Something in that gentle touch must have carried
+the troubled mind of the sufferer back to the days of his childhood;
+gradually the faint moaning ceased, the drawn, tense features relaxed,
+and a sweet, child-like smile stole over his face now assuming a
+death-like pallor.
+
+For hours the mother knelt there, her husband by her side, Everard and
+Leslie standing near, while in the background, in the dim light, was
+Lyle with Morton Rutherford.
+
+At last, Mr. Cameron, bending over his wife, entreated her to take a
+few moments' rest and a little food. She hesitated, but Everard
+spoke:
+
+"You must take some refreshment, Aunt Marjorie, you have had no food
+for hours; Leslie and I will watch here, and if there should be the
+slightest change, I will call you."
+
+At the name of Leslie, Mrs. Cameron looked up, with a sweet, motherly
+smile, into the beautiful but tear-stained face beside her, and gently
+withdrawing from the bedside, she turned and clasped Miss Gladden in
+her arms, saying:
+
+"My dear Leslie, I did not think we would meet for the first time
+under such circumstances as these, but I am more than glad to find you
+here. Everard has always been, and still is as our own son, and I
+welcome you, my dear, as a daughter."
+
+On entering the dining-room, Mr. and Mrs. Cameron found a most
+tempting luncheon prepared for them, but no one in the room, Lyle
+having judged they would prefer to be by themselves for awhile.
+
+As Mrs. Cameron, having partaken of some slight refreshment, was
+preparing to return to the sick-room, her husband said:
+
+"Wait a moment, my dear; there is another joy in store for you,
+Marjorie, in that, through Everard's coming out into this country, we
+have received back from the dead, as it were, not only our son, but
+also a daughter. I want you to meet her now, my dear, so prepare
+yourself for a great surprise, and perhaps, something of a shock."
+
+"I do not understand you, dear," replied Mrs. Cameron, looking
+bewildered, "you certainly do not refer to Leslie, I have met her."
+
+"No, my love, Leslie is a beautiful girl, and will be to us a lovely
+daughter, but I refer to a daughter of our own flesh and blood."
+
+Stepping to an adjoining room, Mr. Cameron called in a low tone,
+"Lyle, my dear," returning immediately to his wife's side to support
+her in case the shock should prove too much in her present agitated
+condition.
+
+Lyle glided into the room, slowly approaching Mrs. Cameron, who sat
+speechless, pale as death, but controlling herself by a visible
+effort.
+
+"Edna, my child! my own Edna!" she cried, rising with outstretched
+arms, and clasping Lyle to her breast; then turning toward her
+husband, she asked:
+
+"What does this mean, Walter? Can this be Edna's child?"
+
+"Yes, my love," he replied, "this is the little Marjorie we have
+mourned as dead for so many years."
+
+For a while they sat clasped in each other's arms, their tears
+commingling, while Mr. Cameron briefly explained to his wife the main
+facts in Lyle's strange history.
+
+"She shall be our own daughter, shall she not, Walter? She shall be to
+us just what Edna was?"
+
+"Certainly," was the response, "she is our own daughter, Marjorie Lyle
+Cameron."
+
+They returned to Guy's room, Mrs. Cameron resuming her old place, with
+Guy's head upon her breast, his hand in hers, only that now Lyle knelt
+beside her. At their side, and very near his son, was Mr. Cameron,
+while just back of them were Everard, Leslie and Morton Rutherford.
+Ned Rutherford and Van Dorn lingered in the door-way watching, while
+at the foot of the bed stood Mike, the tears coursing down his rugged
+face. On the other side of the bed stood the physicians and nurse,
+their keen eyes watching the subtle changes passing over the face, now
+white as marble, and almost as motionless.
+
+Fainter and shorter grew the gasping breaths, more and more feeble the
+pulse, until at last it was evident to every one within that little
+room, that life had very nearly ebbed away.
+
+But there was one who did not, for one instant, lose faith or hope.
+The sublime faith which had upheld her through all those years of a
+sorrow greater than death, did not desert her now. Lyle seemed to
+share her faith, and they alone remained calm and tearless, the
+saint-like face of the mother shining with love and trust.
+
+Suddenly, upon that death-like stillness, her voice rang out, with
+startling clearness:
+
+"Guy! oh, Guy, my darling!"
+
+And to that soul, slipping through the fast-darkening shadows, almost
+within the grasp of the great enemy, there seemed to have come some
+echo of those tones, with their piercing sweetness, recalling him to
+life; for, with a long, quivering breath, Guy slowly opened his eyes,
+gazing, for an instant, with a dreamy smile, upon the faces
+surrounding him. His eyes closed with a gentle sigh, but while those
+about him anxiously awaited the next breath, they again opened, full
+of the light of recognition, while a rapturous smile grew and deepened
+upon his face, irradiating his features with joy, his lips moving in a
+whisper so faint that only the mother's ear could catch the words:
+
+"I thought--it was--all--a dream,--but--it--is true," then, exhausted,
+he sank into a deep sleep like a child's, his breathing growing more
+and more regular and natural, moment by moment.
+
+The physicians withdrew from the bedside, their vigil was over; "He
+will live," they said briefly, while in response, there rose from all
+parts of the room, deep sobs of joy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIX.
+
+
+For the first week or two, Guy Cameron's recovery was slow, but at the
+expiration of that time his vigorous constitution reasserted itself,
+and he gained rapidly.
+
+Meanwhile, at Silver City, affairs were progressing under the
+efficient management of Mr. Whitney, the clear-headed attorney from
+New York.
+
+When orders for arrest were first issued, it was soon discovered that
+the office of the North Western Mining, Land & Investment Company was
+practically deserted. None of their books or papers were to be found,
+their clerks had been dismissed, and no trace existed of the officers
+of the company. No information regarding their whereabouts could be
+obtained from any of the officers of the several high-titled companies
+occupying the same room, as they were supremely and serenely
+unconscious that anything out of the usual order had occurred, and
+full of regrets that they were unable to furnish the desired
+information.
+
+Blaisdell was discovered the following day, in company with his eldest
+son, in an old abandoned mine about two miles from town, which he
+claimed they were working, his limited means not allowing him to
+wander far from the scene of his crimes. He was brought back to town
+and held pending the discovery of Wilson and Rivers, for whom
+detectives were searching in every direction. The former was never
+found, but at the end of about two weeks, the latter was run to earth
+in an eastern city, where he was masquerading in snow-white wig and
+beard and colored eye-glasses, as a retired and invalid clergyman,
+living in great seclusion.
+
+Blaisdell and Rivers were tried on the charge of murder, the most
+important witnesses for the prosecution being Everard Houston and
+Morton Rutherford; the latter testifying as to the nature of the final
+and fatal dispatch sent on that eventful day, in which he was
+corroborated by the telegraph operator of the Silver City office, who
+had been found and secured as a witness, and who verified Rutherford's
+statements regarding the message, but at the same time cleared Mr.
+Blaisdell from all connection therewith; the message having been sent
+by Rivers in Blaisdell's absence, whether with his knowledge and
+consent, they were unable to ascertain. The charge against Blaisdell
+was therefore dismissed through lack of evidence, while in Rivers'
+case, a verdict was returned for manslaughter, and he was given the
+extreme limit of the law, imprisonment for ten years.
+
+Blaisdell was then speedily arraigned for a new trial on the charge of
+embezzlement, the date on which his case was set for hearing being the
+same as that upon which his partner in crime was to be transferred to
+the state penitentiary.
+
+On that morning, however, the guard on going to the cell occupied by
+Rivers, found him just expiring, having succeeded in smuggling into
+his cell a quantity of morphine, how or when, no one could ascertain.
+He left a letter in which he stated that no state penitentiary had
+ever held him, or ever would, but that "as the game was up" he would
+give them a few particulars regarding his past life. He gave his true
+name, the name of a man who, twenty-five years before, had been wanted
+in the state of New York for a heavy bank robbery and murder. For
+years, under an alias, he had belonged to a gang of counterfeiters in
+Missouri, but upon the discovery and arrest of the leaders of the
+band, he had assumed his present alias and had come west.
+
+As Blaisdell took his place that morning in the prisoner's box, he was
+a pitiable object. Haunted almost to madness by the awful fate of his
+associate, confronted by an overwhelming array of evidence, furnished
+by Houston, Van Dorn and Lindlay, including also a deposition of Guy
+Cameron's, taken in his sick-room, his own abject and hopeless
+appearance bore the most damaging testimony against him. His case was
+quickly decided, his sentence being for seven years.
+
+After the trial, Morton Rutherford and Van Dorn returned at once to
+the camp, and a day or two later, when business affairs had at last
+been satisfactorily adjusted, Mr. Cameron and Houston returned,
+bringing with them Mr. Whitney and Lindlay, for a visit of a week
+among the mountains, before the entire party should return east.
+
+It was now early in the fall. Already the nights were frosty, but the
+days were royal as only early autumnal days among the mountains can
+be. Every breath was exhilarating, each inhalation seeming laden with
+some subtle elixir of life.
+
+Guy Cameron was now convalescent, able to sit with his friends in the
+low, rustic porch, or even to join them in short strolls among the
+rocks by the lake.
+
+One afternoon they all sat in and about the porch, in the soft, hazy
+sunlight, the vines and shrubbery about them brilliant in their
+autumnal tints of crimson and orange and gold. The group was complete,
+with the exception of Mr. Cameron and Mr. Whitney, who still lingered
+within doors, engaged in drawing up some papers of which no one seemed
+to understand the import, excepting Houston, who had just left the
+gentlemen to join the group outside.
+
+It was a strikingly beautiful picture; Mrs. Cameron seated in
+the center, with her sweet face and snow-white hair, and on either
+side a lovely daughter. Near Lyle were seated Guy Cameron and
+Morton Rutherford,--between whom there already existed a deep
+affinity,---with their faces of remarkable strength and beauty.
+On the grass, just outside the porch, in various easy attitudes,
+were Ned Rutherford, Van Dorn and Lindlay, and it was noticeable
+that under the influence of late events, even Ned's boyish face
+was gradually assuming a far more mature and thoughtful expression.
+
+As Houston seated himself beside Leslie, both she and Lyle observed
+that his face was lighted with a smile of deep satisfaction, but he
+remained silent, and the conversation continued as before, the members
+of the little group engaged in anticipations of their return to their
+respective homes, and in comments upon this particular portion of the
+west with which they had become familiar.
+
+"Which will you love best, Jack, my dear," Lyle asked of Guy in low
+tones, using the old form of address still very dear to her, "the
+eastern home, or the mountains?"
+
+"My old home was never so dear to me as now," he replied, "but I am
+deeply attached to the mountains; for years they were my only friends,
+and I shall wish to look upon them occasionally in the future."
+
+"Well," Ned Rutherford was saying, "I wouldn't have thought it, but
+I've got so attached to this place out here, I'd like an excuse of
+some sort,--some kind of business, you know,--that would bring me here
+part of the time; what do you think, Mort?"
+
+"I think our associations here have had a great deal to do with the
+attractions of the place, but as a quiet retreat in which to spend a
+few weeks of each summer, I can not imagine a more delightful place."
+
+"Everard, of what are you thinking so deeply?" demanded Lyle, watching
+his thoughtful face, "you have not spoken a word since you came out."
+
+"I am thinking of the evening when first we had Mr. Lindlay and Mr.
+Van Dorn as guests in this house; thinking of the contrast between
+then and now; that was ushering in the close of the old regime, and
+this is the eve of the new."
+
+"When will the mines be reopened?" inquired Van Dorn.
+
+"Just as soon as possible after the rebuilding of the plant, next
+spring."
+
+"All these mines will be owned and controlled by the New York company,
+will they not?"
+
+"Yes, and they will probably purchase other good properties."
+
+"'Pon my soul, but that will make a fine plant, out 'ere!" exclaimed
+Lindlay.
+
+"I should say so," responded Van Dorn.
+
+Just at that instant, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Whitney appeared, the latter
+carrying a large roll of legal cap, covered with his well-known
+hieroglyphics.
+
+"My dear," said Mr. Cameron, seating himself beside his wife and a
+little in the rear of the remainder of the group, "Mr. Whitney and
+myself have been engaged in drawing up the articles of incorporation
+of the new mining company to be organized out here very shortly, and
+I thought perhaps you and the young people would be interested in
+them. I want to say that they are drawn up subject to the approval of
+all parties interested, and after you have heard them read, we want
+you to express your opinions, jointly and severally. Mr. Whitney, as I
+believe you are the only one who would be able to read those
+cabalistic signs, we will now listen to you."
+
+Amid a general laugh at Mr. Whitney's expense, he began the reading of
+the articles of incorporation. The first article, setting forth the
+object of the corporation, was read, and by the time Mr. Whitney had
+reached the second, the members of the party were all attention.
+
+"Article II. This corporation shall be known as The Rocky Mountain
+Mining Company."
+
+A murmur of approval ran through the little group, and the sonorous
+tones continued:
+
+"Article III. The officers of the company hereby incorporated shall be
+as follows: Walter E. Cameron, president; Walter E. Houston,
+vice-president; Guy M. Cameron, treasurer and general manager; Edward
+B. Rutherford, Jr., secretary."
+
+Mr. Cameron, from his post of observation, watching to see the effect
+produced by the reading of this document, did not have to wait long.
+The faces of the ladies expressed their delight, while Ned Rutherford
+was speechless with astonishment; but it was the figure half reclining
+in the invalid chair that he watched most closely; it was his son's
+approval that he most desired.
+
+At the mention of his name, Guy Cameron had given a slight start, but
+he now lay with closed eyes, the only sign of emotion visible being
+that his pale face had grown still paler. Only the preceding day, Guy
+and his parents had held their first and only conversation together
+regarding the time so long past, Mr. and Mrs. Cameron intending it to
+be the first and last allusion which should be made to that sad time.
+Guy well knew that all was forgiven; he knew that the unhappy secret
+had been guarded with such loving care that his reputation was
+untarnished, there was nothing to be recalled against him on his
+return; yet he would consent only to a brief visit to the old home; he
+would not yet return permanently.
+
+"Let me first go into business somewhere, and retrieve myself in my
+own eyes at least," he had said, "not be taken back as a prodigal."
+
+Mr. Cameron had conferred with Houston, and both hoped that a
+responsible position in the newly organized company, amid the old
+familiar scenes and work, and associated with those to whom he had
+become personally attached, would more than meet his wishes. Mr.
+Cameron had wished to make him general manager on account of his
+familiarity with the business, while Houston wished him to hold the
+office of treasurer, as token of their perfect trust; hence the two
+were combined.
+
+After all the articles of incorporation had been read in full, the
+little group broke up, and crowded around the newly-chosen young
+officers with many congratulations.
+
+"Great Scott!" ejaculated Ned, "I never was so thunder struck in my
+life! Accept it? well, I should say so, Mr. Cameron, and with many
+thanks; you couldn't have picked out anything that would suit me
+better. I guess," he added in a confidential aside to Houston, "I
+guess that will fix the old fellow down there in Boston all right."
+
+Guy grasped his father's hand and Houston's in a manner that removed
+every anxiety from their minds.
+
+"It is more than satisfactory," he said, "more than I could wish."
+
+The following day, Mr. Whitney, Lindlay and Van Dorn returned east,
+leaving the "family party" as they laughingly styled themselves, to
+follow later.
+
+Among the pleasant surprises of those last few days of their stay, it
+was discovered that Leslie Gladden, whom Mrs. Cameron and Lyle had
+urged to make her home with them upon their return, was the owner of a
+palatial residence not many blocks from their own city home, besides
+having a snug little fortune in bonds and stocks.
+
+Houston's surprise was unbounded, but remembering how he had won
+Leslie's love, there was little he could say.
+
+"I thought you once said you never had a home of your own," he
+remarked in considerable perplexity.
+
+"Well," she replied archly, "a residence is not necessarily a home; it
+has never been a home to me since my earliest recollection, but it
+will be one soon, in the truest sense of the word."
+
+One morning a few days later, they awoke to find the mountains about
+them white with snow, and a light snowfall in the canyon; and though
+the latter vanished presently under the balmy breath of a "chinook,"
+it had given them warning that the winter king was approaching, and
+would soon seize the scepter from autumn's hand, to begin his long
+reign among the mountains.
+
+That day, the old house which had witnessed such varied scenes within
+the past few months, was closed, and a very joyous party started for
+Silver City, the initial point of the long eastward journey, their
+hearts throbbing with delight that they were homeward bound.
+
+In the first carriage rode Mr. and Mrs. Cameron and their newly-found
+son and daughter, while following so closely that their merry jokes
+and song and laughter were intermingled, were Everard Houston, Leslie
+Gladden and the two brothers; and as they passed down the winding
+canyon road, casting loving, farewell glances at the friendly peaks,
+clad that day in dazzling brightness, and recalled their first coming
+to the heart of the Rockies, they were, one and all, agreed that the
+end was better than the beginning.
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+According to Houston's prediction, the mines were reopened the
+following year, and operated on a far more extensive scale. On the
+site of the old mills, an immense building was erected, thoroughly
+equipped with the latest improvements in mining machinery and
+electrical and mechanical appliances. The old mines were repaired and
+extended and new properties were purchased, giving employment to
+hundreds of men. Early in the second year, a railroad was constructed
+by the company, extending up the canyon from the Y, to the camp, for
+the transportation of ore, mining supplies, freight and passengers.
+
+As the mines were enlarged and new properties developed, quite a
+community sprang up in that vicinity, which, after the construction of
+the railroad, speedily developed into a typical mining town; and now,
+after a lapse of three years, few would recognize the old camp.
+
+Half way up the steep grade from the Y, is the smelting plant of the
+company, while at the terminus of the road, are the long, stone
+storehouses, at one end of which is the general office and a pleasant
+reception room. Next comes the great milling and reduction plant,
+while just beyond are the offices of the company, a fine, three-story
+brick building. From this building can be seen, in one direction the
+extensive mining works, with their labyrinth of shafts and tunnels,
+diggings and dumps; while in another direction are stretched the homes
+of the miners, the boarding houses, and, at a little distance, the
+post-office, hotel, stores and shops of the little town, as well as a
+tasteful church and school house. As one gazes upon the peaceful
+picture of the mountain town, there is nothing to recall the frightful
+scene of destruction and ruin of only three years past.
+
+There is little to remind one of former times, until, having followed
+the broad, winding road for some distance, one suddenly comes upon a
+familiar sight. Nestling at the foot of the pine-covered mountain, on
+the site of the old boarding house, is a beautiful, wide-spreading
+stone cottage, so built that its numerous bow-windows take in a view
+of the azure lake and shining cascades, as well as of the surrounding
+peaks and the sunset sky; and on the broad, vine-covered veranda, is a
+well-known group, who come from their distant, city homes, to spend a
+few weeks of each summer amid the grandeur and beauty of the
+mountains, to listen to the whispering of the pines and the music of
+the cascades.
+
+Morton Rutherford and his bride are here; Lyle, physically and
+mentally developed into royal, radiant womanhood, more beautiful than
+ever, but to whom there comes occasionally an irresistible longing to
+revisit her old mountain home, for the years of happiness and love
+have obliterated all bitter memories of the loveless, joyless
+childhood, and only the remembrance of its beauty remains.
+
+By her side, is Guy Cameron, his proud, erect bearing showing the
+change which these few years have wrought in his life; lonely and
+solitary no longer, for near him is a queenly woman, who, knowing the
+sad secret of his past, will share and brighten his future.
+
+Everard Houston and his lovely wife need no introduction, but, beside
+them is a little stranger, possessing Leslie's wondrous dark eyes, but
+Houston's features,--another little Marjorie,--while beside the wee
+maiden is a small chevalier, only two months her senior, rejoicing in
+the name of Morton Rutherford. In the dignified, business-like face of
+the proud father, it is difficult to recognize the former Ned
+Rutherford, but while possessing still the same light-hearted nature,
+yet the responsibilities intrusted to him, and the years of constant
+association with a man like Everard Houston, have developed a business
+ability surprising even to himself. As secretary of the Rocky Mountain
+Mining Company, he has proved to be the right man in the right place,
+thereby reflecting much credit upon Houston's insight and good
+judgment in selecting him for the position. By his side is a fair
+woman, the "Grace" of whom he used to dream when first he visited the
+mountains.
+
+Strolling up and down the graveled walks, in consultation regarding
+the mines, are two figures, one of whom is easily recognized as Arthur
+Van Dorn, mining expert for the company, and superintendent of the
+milling and reduction plant. The energetic, business man by his side
+is M. T. Donovan, superintendent of the entire mining plant, but a
+second glance is necessary to recognize in him, Mike, the old-time
+miner, and the faithful friend of Guy Cameron in his years of
+loneliness. Donovan and Van Dorn present a striking contrast, but they
+are good friends, and the latter's personation of the former, on a
+certain occasion, is a standing joke between them.
+
+There is one more familiar figure, not to be omitted, and that is Rex,
+stretched on the soft grass in an attitude of perfect content, his
+nose resting on his paws, his eyes fixed on his master's face with the
+old-time devotion.
+
+Beautiful as this picture may be, it is not quite complete without a
+glimpse of a far-away, eastern home, where, in the gloaming, beside an
+open grate, sit a couple with peaceful faces, crowned with snow-white
+hair. They have passed the grand summit of middle age, with its broad
+horizons, where hope and ambition are at their zenith, and together
+are journeying down the long, gentle declivity; but the clouds of loss
+and bereavement and pain that gathered about their path in the years
+gone by, have passed, and the valley before them is flooded with
+golden light. Their home circle, once broken, is now nearly complete;
+the once vacant places by the fireside are again filled, and the old
+home, silent for so many years, again resounds with song and laughter,
+and echoes once more to the music of childish voices and the patter of
+little feet.
+
+For hours, they sit talking together of the joys which the late years
+have brought them; until the moonlight steals in through the open
+windows, reverently touching their heads with a silvery radiance, at
+the same time looking down in silent, shining benediction upon the
+peaceful scene in the heart of the Rockies.
+
+FINIS
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Award of Justice, by A. Maynard Barbour
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE AWARD OF JUSTICE ***
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+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Award of Justice, by A. Maynard Barbour
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Award of Justice
+       Told in the Rockies
+
+Author: A. Maynard Barbour
+
+Release Date: September 19, 2009 [EBook #30028]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE AWARD OF JUSTICE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<p class='tp' style='font-size:2.4em;margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:30px;'>THE AWARD OF JUSTICE</p>
+<p class='tp' style='margin-bottom:15px;'>OR</p>
+<p class='tp' style='margin-bottom:40px;font-size:1.4em;'>TOLD IN THE ROCKIES.</p>
+<p class='tp' style='font-size:larger;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:40px;'>A Pen Picture of the West.</p>
+<p class='tp' style='margin-bottom:5px;'>BY</p>
+<p class='tp' style='font-size:1.4em;margin-bottom:5px;'>A. MAYNARD BARBOUR,</p>
+<p class='tp' style='margin-bottom:5px;'>AUTHOR OF</p>
+<p class='tp' style='font-size:1.2em;margin-bottom:40px;'>&ldquo;<span class='smcap'>That Mainwaring Affair.</span>&rdquo;</p>
+<p class='tp'>&ldquo;Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof.&rdquo;&ndash;&ndash;Ecc. vii, 8.</p>
+<div style='margin:50px auto; text-align:center;'>
+<img alt='emblem' src='images/illus-emb.png' />
+</div>
+<p class='tp' style='font-size:larger;margin-bottom:5px;'>CHICAGO AND NEW YORK:</p>
+<p class='tp' style='font-size:larger;margin-bottom:5px;'>RAND, McNALLY &amp; COMPANY,</p>
+<p class='tp' style='margin-bottom:20px;'>PUBLISHERS.</p>
+<hr class='pb' />
+<p class='tp' style='font-size:smaller;'>Copyright, 1897, by Rand, McNally &amp; Co.<br />Copyright, 1901, by Rand, McNally &amp; Co.</p>
+<hr class='pb' />
+<div style='margin:20px auto; width:280px;'>
+<p class='tp' style='font-size:1.6em;margin-bottom:10px;'>DEDICATION.</p>
+<p class='tp' style='font-size:1.4em;margin-bottom:10px;'><i>To W. James Barbour,</i></p>
+<p class='tp' style='margin-bottom:10px;'>My co-worker in this pleasant task,<br />
+at whose suggestion it was undertaken,<br />
+and by whose inspiration it has been guided,<br />
+from inception to completion,<br />
+this book is affectionately dedicated<br />
+by the author,</p>
+<p class='tp' style='text-align:right;font-size:1.2em;'>A. MAYNARD BARBOUR.</p>
+</div>
+<hr class='pb' />
+<h1>THE AWARD OF JUSTICE</h1>
+<p class='tp' style='font-size:1.2em;'><i>By A. Maynard Barbour</i>.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp' style='padding-top:0'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_I' id='CHAPTER_I'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>The Pacific Express was due at Valley City at 1:45 p.m.
+Within ten minutes of that time, a spring-board
+wagon, containing two young men and drawn by a pair
+of bronchos, suddenly appeared around one end of the
+dingy little depot. One of the men, dressed in a tweed
+traveling suit, jumped hastily from the wagon, while the
+other, who looked like a prosperous young ranchman,
+seemed to have all he could attend to in holding the restive
+little ponies, who were rearing and kicking in their
+impatience at being compelled to stand.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m afraid, Ned,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;that you&rsquo;ll have to look
+out for your traps yourself; these little rats haven&rsquo;t been
+driven for four days, and they&rsquo;re feeling pretty frisky.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;All right, Tom,&rdquo; responded the other, diving under
+the seat of the spring-board and bringing out the said
+&ldquo;traps,&rdquo; which consisted of two grips, a rifle case, a set of
+fishing rods, and, last but not least, a large, square case
+which he handled with great care, and now held up to
+his companion saying,</p>
+<p>&ldquo;See that, Tom? that&rsquo;s my set of cameras; they&rsquo;re
+fine too, I tell you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But why do you bother to take them around with you
+all the time, like that?&rdquo; inquired his friend.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; replied Ned, &ldquo;I do that so as to be ready to catch
+any choice scenes I come across; I&rsquo;m making a collection
+of views, you know, and I expect to get a good many on
+this trip. By the way, I got some stunning views over
+there at your place this morning, just before breakfast.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The dickens, you did!&rdquo; exclaimed Tom, suddenly remembering
+a ludicrous predicament in which his guest
+had caught him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, yes,&rdquo; said Ned, &ldquo;and when I get away at a safe
+distance I&rsquo;m going to develop them and send them to
+you. I&rsquo;ve got an awfully fine&ndash;&ndash;well, by Jove, if that isn&rsquo;t
+just my luck!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Ned had just deposited his belongings on the depot
+platform and in doing so, noticed a piece of blackboard
+propped up against the wall, on which were chalked these
+words, &ldquo;Train 3 ours late.&rdquo; His eyes seemed riveted to
+the spot.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s the matter now?&rdquo; asked Tom, who took in the
+situation at a glance.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Matter! Why, that blasted train is three hours behind
+time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Too bad!&rdquo; said Tom, with a grin; &ldquo;if I&rsquo;d only known
+that I needn&rsquo;t have driven my horses so hard.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, confound those little beasts of yours;&rdquo; exclaimed
+Ned, &ldquo;a little exercise won&rsquo;t hurt them, but to think of
+three hours in a place like this! and say, don&rsquo;t you know
+how to spell out here?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Tom, coolly, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t hold myself personally
+responsible for the wording of that blackboard,
+but I suppose that&rsquo;s the phonetic spelling they used to talk
+about when I lived east; you see we&rsquo;ve adopted it out
+here, for we westerners have to rustle lively, and don&rsquo;t
+have time for old-fashioned ways.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I see,&rdquo; said Ned, rather sarcastically; &ldquo;perhaps you
+can tell me why they don&rsquo;t &lsquo;rustle&rsquo; that train along on
+time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I suppose,&rdquo; replied Tom, &ldquo;it&rsquo;s on account of that
+wreck two days ago; you know your train was ten hours
+late yesterday.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; assented Ned, gazing about him with an expression
+of intense disgust; &ldquo;I got here after dark; that&rsquo;s
+how it comes about that I never realized until the present
+moment what a paradise this place is. Valley City!
+I can&rsquo;t see more than a dozen buildings here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s probably because you&rsquo;re so near-sighted, my
+dear boy,&rdquo; replied Tom; and Ned, who was very sensitive
+on the subject of his near-sightedness, colored, and readjusted
+his eye-glasses, while he asked in a tone of despair:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, what am I to do in this beastly place, anyhow?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You might take a stroll about the city,&rdquo; suggested
+Tom, &ldquo;if you get lost you&rsquo;ll have to inquire your way of
+some of the police. I would be delighted to stay and
+keep you company, but work on the ranch is rushing and
+I must hurry back; so I&rsquo;ll wish you good luck and good-bye.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;All right, old fellow,&rdquo; said Ned, shaking hands in a
+slightly patronizing way, &ldquo;if you ever get out of this
+country, and find yourself within the limits of civilization
+again, just take a run down to the &lsquo;Hub&rsquo; and see me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Much obliged,&rdquo; said Tom, turning around for a parting
+shot; &ldquo;I say, Ned, while you&rsquo;re waiting for the train,
+you&rsquo;d better get out your cameras; you might catch some
+more &lsquo;stunning views&rsquo; you know,&rdquo; and lightly snapping
+his whip, he started off, the bronchos standing on their
+forefeet with their heels in the air.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good-bye, Tom,&rdquo; Ned called, after the rapidly retreating
+spring-board, &ldquo;if you ever had any brains to lose I&rsquo;d
+be anxious about you, but I guess you&rsquo;re safe enough.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Tom&rsquo;s only reply was a crack of the whip, and he and
+the ponies soon disappeared in a cloud of dust, leaving
+Ned to survey his surroundings at his leisure.</p>
+<p>In the foreground was the low, dingy depot, and on the
+platform, leaning against the building as though their
+spinal columns were unable to support them, were two
+specimens of the genus homo, which were entirely new
+to the young Bostonian. He gazed at them with undisguised
+interest, being unable to determine whether they
+were cow-boys or miners, these being the two classes into
+which, as he imagined, the western population was about
+evenly divided. That they immediately classified him, in
+their western vernacular, as a &ldquo;tenderfoot,&rdquo; and a remarkably
+verdant specimen at that, was not owing to their
+superior penetration, as it was a self-evident fact.</p>
+<p>Mr. Edward B. Rutherford, Jr., prided himself upon being
+a resident of Boston, a son of one of her best families,
+and a graduate of Harvard, and it is scarcely to be wondered
+at if he felt himself slightly superior to ordinary
+mortals who had not been blessed with these advantages.
+Nevertheless, the fact remained that Mr. Rutherford&rsquo;s personal
+appearance could not be considered especially prepossessing,
+even when moving in his own sphere where
+he felt himself, as he would have expressed it, &ldquo;en rapport&rdquo;
+with his surroundings; under other circumstances,
+as at the present time, it very nearly approached the
+ludicrous. He was small in stature, but his bump of self-esteem
+was developed in an inverse ratio to his size. He
+seemed to be making a constant effort to maintain his
+dignity at the proper level, in which direction he was
+greatly assisted by a pair of eye-glasses, perched on a
+very large and decidedly Roman nose. It had been
+claimed by his college chums that the eye-glasses were
+worn for this especial purpose; be that as it may, without
+their assistance, his task would certainly have been a
+difficult one, as his eyes, which were very full and round,
+and surmounted by a pair of extremely high-arched eyebrows,
+gave him always an expression of exaggerated
+surprise and bewilderment, which, when intensified as
+on the present occasion, rendered his appearance very far
+from the otium cum dignitate to which he aspired. But
+upon very few is the &ldquo;giftie&rdquo; bestowed, &ldquo;to see oursel&rsquo;s
+as ithers see us,&rdquo; and to many besides the junior Mr.
+Rutherford, such a vision would be anything but satisfactory.</p>
+<p>At the present time, however, Rutherford&rsquo;s only troubles
+were his immediate surroundings, and the problem
+of how to pass the next three hours. The loungers, who
+by this time had changed to a sitting posture, and who
+were staring at him with an unwinking fixedness which
+made him rather nervous, did not seem very congenial
+companions. The town consisted of merely a few, straggling,
+unpainted buildings, while in every direction extended
+the apparently interminable stretches of undulating
+prairie, partially covered with sage brush and wild
+cactus. Though early in the season, the heat was intense,
+and the glare of the sunlight reflected from the patches
+of white, chalk-like sand, was so blinding as to seem unendurable.</p>
+<p>The interior of the depot was even more cheerless than
+the exterior. A rusty stove, minus one leg, two or three
+battered benches, a flaming circus poster, and an announcement
+of the preceding year&rsquo;s county fair constituted
+the entire furnishing and decoration. No signs
+of life were visible, the window into the ticket office being
+closed, while from somewhere within the little inclosure,
+a telegraphic instrument clicked with a cheerful
+pertinacity that to Rutherford seemed simply exasperating.</p>
+<p>In the course of half an hour, however, the monotony
+was relieved by the appearance of half a dozen soldiers,
+who strolled over from a neighboring fort, about two
+miles distant. Rutherford had soon introduced himself
+to them, with a formality which they considered highly
+amusing, and they entertained him with tales of various
+thrilling adventures and hair breadth escapes, nearly all
+invented for the occasion, to which he listened with an
+open-mouthed astonishment that elicited many winks
+and grins from the blue-coats. Finally, two of them
+escorted him to a small Indian camp, about a mile distant,
+which was hidden from view by a sandy knoll,
+where, in some cottonwood brush, beside a small creek,
+they found half a dozen tepees, around which were
+squatted twenty or thirty disreputable-looking Indians,
+their ponies tethered in the brush near by. The bucks
+were sullen and uncommunicative, maintaining a solemn
+silence broken only by an occasional grunt. Their
+dress was a combination of Indian costume and articles
+purchased from the white people, the latter being put
+on to suit the individual taste of the wearer, without
+the least regard to the use for which it was originally
+intended. One, who seemed a leader in the camp, in
+addition to his native toggery of feathers, beads and
+brass rings, wore trousers of striped bed-ticking, two
+or three pairs of gayly colored suspenders knotted together
+for a belt and sash, and a flaming red necktie
+braided in his hair. The squaws in their blankets were
+quite socially inclined, and the wig-wams at a little distance
+looked very romantic to the young easterner, but
+the odors wafted from them were sufficient for him, and
+he declined to penetrate any further into the mysteries
+of an Indian camp; and after taking one or two views
+of the Indians and their tepees, he returned to the
+depot.</p>
+<p>It was now nearly train time, and the number of
+loungers and loafers had increased amazingly, considering
+the size of the town. There were thirty or forty of
+them, all more or less resembling the first specimens,
+and Rutherford wondered where they stowed themselves
+away, not realizing that many came in from little shacks
+scattered over the prairies; for to them, the coming of
+the train from the east was the one great event of the
+day.</p>
+<p>Among them Rutherford noticed a man, who, though
+clad as roughly as the others, yet had an individuality
+so distinct from them as to be noticeable even to a stranger.
+He wore an old soft hat and rough blouse, his
+trousers being tucked into a pair of heavy, hobnailed
+boots that reached to his knees. He was tall and stooped
+slightly, but there was none of the slouching figure and
+gait that characterized those around him. His movements
+were quick, and, when standing motionless, there
+was something in his very pose that conveyed an impression
+of alertness and of latent strength. His back
+was turned toward Rutherford, who was watching him
+under a sort of subtle fascination, when suddenly he
+wheeled, facing him. His eyes were keen and piercing,
+and as he looked for an instant at Rutherford with an
+expression of suspicion and distrust, and then seemed
+to survey his diminutive figure with a quick glance of
+contempt, that young man felt a sudden and violent
+terror in his inmost soul, which was not lessened when
+his eyes fell upon a sheath knife and huge revolver in
+the stranger&rsquo;s belt. Involuntarily Rutherford&rsquo;s hand
+went to his hip pocket, where reposed a dainty, pearl-handled
+Smith and Wesson, 38-calibre, but he immediately
+regretted the movement, for the blue-black eyes
+watching him scintillated for a moment with a cold, steel-like
+glitter, and the lips under the heavy, black beard
+curled with a smile of fine scorn, that made our young
+hero exceedingly uncomfortable.</p>
+<p>The whistle of the approaching train afforded him
+unspeakable relief, and at the first opportunity he put
+himself and his belongings aboard with a celerity very
+remarkable in one of his usual dignity.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_II' id='CHAPTER_II'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>As the Pacific Express was speeding westward across
+the prairies, a young man, half reclining among the
+cushions of the smoking car, was enjoying a choice
+Havana. He took no note of external objects as they
+flashed with almost lightning rapidity past the car windows,
+and he seemed equally unconscious of the presence
+of his fellow passengers. His dress and manner, as well
+as his nonchalant, graceful attitude, and even the delicate
+poise of his cigar, were all indicative of wealth and
+refinement, and of a courtesy innate, not acquired. His
+head was slightly thrown back, and with half-closed,
+dreamy eyes, he watched the coils of blue smoke wreathing
+and curling above his head, but his mind was actively
+engaged in planning the details of the new life opening
+up before him in the west. Walter Everard Houston,
+of New York, the possessor of a million in his own
+name, and prospective heir to many millions more, was
+en route for a small mining camp, far west, in the heart
+of the Rockies, where he was to fill the position of bookkeeper
+and corresponding secretary in the office of a
+mining company, at a salary of one hundred dollars per
+month.</p>
+<p>Mr. Houston&rsquo;s parents had died when he was very
+young, and he had been tenderly reared in the home of
+his uncle, his mother&rsquo;s brother, Walter Everard Cameron.
+Even now, as he watched the blue coils above his
+head, his memory was going back to the time
+when he had entered that beautiful home. He recalled
+the different members of that lovely family, as they then
+appeared to him; the dark, patrician face of his aunt,
+with its wondrous beauty, which, in the following years
+had been so softened and deepened by sorrow that now
+it was almost saint-like in the calm look of peace and
+love which it wore, with the soft, snow-white hair surrounding
+it like a halo of glory. Then his beautiful
+cousin Edna, with her sunny hair and starry eyes, and
+her wonderful voice filling the home with music. She
+had married soon after he entered the family, and went
+with her husband to a distant, western city, often returning
+to visit the old home. How well he remembered the
+last visit! Her baby was then nearly two years old; he
+could not now recall her name, but she was a little, golden-haired
+toddler, with her mother&rsquo;s eyes and voice. His
+cousin was suddenly called home by a telegram that her
+husband was ill; then, in a day or two, came the news
+of a frightful railroad accident, a collision and a fire
+which quickly consumed the wreck. Edna was rescued
+from the flames, unconscious and dying, but no trace
+could be found of the little one. Then followed word of
+the death of Edna&rsquo;s husband; he had died a few hours
+later than the accident occurred, ignorant of the terrible
+fate of his wife and child.</p>
+<p>Next came the memory of his cousin, Guy Cameron,
+but a few years older than himself; dark and beautiful
+like his mother, proud spirited and headstrong, the pride
+of his parents, but through him came their most bitter
+sorrow. Through fast living and gambling he became
+deeply involved, and forged his father&rsquo;s name to several
+checks, amounting to nearly a hundred thousand; then,
+overcome by shame and remorse, he had fled in the
+night, no one knew whither. His father payed the full
+amount of the debt, without even betraying his son&rsquo;s
+guilt, and then for years employed the most skillful detectives,
+trying to bring back the wanderer to the love
+and forgiveness which awaited him; but in vain, no
+trace of him existed. The father had long ago given up
+all hope of ever seeing his boy again, and doubted whether
+he were living. Only the sweet-faced mother, strong
+in her mother-love and in her faith in God, believed that
+he would yet return, and was content to watch and wait.</p>
+<p>Meantime, Everard Houston had become like a son
+to Mr. and Mrs. Cameron. After leaving college, he had
+been taken by his uncle as a partner into his enormous
+banking house, and intrusted more or less with the
+charge of various departments of business with which he
+was connected, and he had proven himself worthy of the
+trust reposed in him.</p>
+<p>For a number of years, Mr. Cameron had been president
+of a large investment company, which, among other
+properties, owned a number of mines in the west which
+had been represented to be very valuable, and which, at
+the time of purchase, possessed every indication of being
+heavy producers of very rich ore. Lately, these mines
+had not been yielding the profit which it was reasonable
+to expect from them, and there were indications of bad
+management, if not of dishonesty, at the western end of
+the line. One or two so-called experts had been sent
+out to investigate, but they had after all so little knowledge
+of practical mining, that they were unable to produce
+any tangible evidence against the company who
+constituted their western agents, although their reports
+had only tended to strengthen Mr. Cameron&rsquo;s belief
+that there was underhanded and dishonest dealing somewhere,
+which could only be detected by a person on the
+ground whom the western company would not suspect
+of being personally interested. Happening to learn,
+through a Chicago firm who were friends of Mr. Cameron&rsquo;s,
+that the western company were desirous of getting
+a bookkeeper and confidential clerk, it was decided,
+after consultation, to send out Everard Houston to take
+this position. Accordingly, he had gone to Chicago,
+and the firm there had written a letter to the mining
+company, recommending him as a young man of their
+acquaintance, of exceptional ability, reliable, and thoroughly
+to be trusted in all confidential matters. The
+company had responded favorably, offering the position
+to Mr. Houston for one month on trial, at one hundred
+dollars, his traveling expenses to be paid by them. If he
+proved satisfactory, they would retain him as long as
+would be mutually agreeable, and if his services proved
+as valuable as expected, would increase his salary. Mr.
+Houston was, therefore, on his way to the mines to accept
+this position, together with the munificent salary,
+and hoped to prove so satisfactory as to soon be admitted
+to the &ldquo;confidential&rdquo; clerkship, in which event he
+anticipated being able to accomplish a nice little piece
+of detective work.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_III' id='CHAPTER_III'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Mr. Houston was aroused from his pleasant revery by
+the rather noisy entrance of a young man, who, with
+flushed face, and manner more indicative of self-assertion
+than self-possession, passed down the car and took a seat
+facing himself. This was none other than our friend,
+Rutherford, who, having secured his berth in the sleeper,
+and arranged his belongings to his entire satisfaction,
+immediately repaired to the smoking car to soothe his
+perturbed and agitated spirits by a cigar.</p>
+<p>From under his heavily drooping eyelids, Houston regarded
+his vis-a-vis with concealed amusement, for he
+was an apt student of human nature, and possessed an
+unusual degree of insight into the characteristics of those
+with whom he was thrown in contact.</p>
+<p>Rutherford, on his part, was watching Houston with
+his usual degree of interest and curiosity. Each was
+measuring the other from his own standpoint: Houston&rsquo;s
+prompt decision was,&ndash;&ndash;&ldquo;A good-hearted fellow, but
+something of a cad;&rdquo; while Rutherford&rsquo;s vague surmises,
+summed up verbally, would have been,&ndash;&ndash;&ldquo;Nice
+looking sort of fellow, a gentleman; guess he&rsquo;s got the
+stuff, too; &rsquo;twon&rsquo;t do any harm to make his acquaintance.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>An opportunity for this soon presented itself, for as
+the conductor passed leisurely through the car, examining
+tickets, Rutherford discovered that their destinations
+were the same, and hastily drawing his card case
+from his pocket, said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;As we seem likely to be fellow travelers for a while,
+I should be pleased to make your acquaintance; allow
+me,&rdquo; at the same time offering his card.</p>
+<p>Houston took the card, greeting him courteously, and
+giving his own in exchange. He half smiled as he
+looked at the diminutive slip of cardboard with its Boston
+address made unnecessarily prominent, while Rutherford,
+after scanning the card he held, bearing simply
+the name of W. E. Houston, remarked with a decidedly
+upward inflection,</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You are from&ndash;&ndash;?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;From Chicago,&rdquo; Houston replied promptly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah,&rdquo; Rutherford responded, &ldquo;then I suppose you are
+quite familiar with this part of the country.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, not exactly,&rdquo; replied Houston, smiling, &ldquo;Chicago,
+I&rsquo;ll admit, seems inclined to embrace a small part
+of the state of Illinois within her city limits, but I never
+heard of her attempting to claim the prairies of the Missouri
+valley among her suburbs.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, no,&rdquo; said Rutherford, laughing, &ldquo;not quite so
+bad as that, I guess, but perhaps I didn&rsquo;t convey my
+meaning very clearly; my idea was, that living in one
+of the western cities, you know, perhaps you were out
+this way often.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;On the contrary, this is my first trip out here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Indeed! A pleasure trip, I presume?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, I am out on business,&rdquo; replied Houston, not caring
+to state very definitely just then the nature of his
+business.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Rutherford, settling himself into an attitude
+more comfortable than graceful, &ldquo;I came out on
+a pleasure trip, but I must say that so far, the pleasure
+has been rather an uncertain quantity; for the last forty-eight
+hours, I haven&rsquo;t seen much besides dust, Indians
+and desperadoes.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Forty-eight hours!&rdquo; exclaimed his companion, &ldquo;you
+surely have not been on this train that length of time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not on this train; I stopped off last night to see an
+old friend of mine that has a ranch out here,&rdquo; and forthwith,
+Rutherford launched into a recital of his experiences
+of the last few hours, not omitting a description
+of the man whose appearance had struck such terror to
+his heart and expedited his departure from Valley City.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I tell you, he was a man I wouldn&rsquo;t like to meet in
+the dark; he was armed to the teeth, and there was a
+look in his eye that was awfully unpleasant.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Houston judged from his companion&rsquo;s manner
+that he had not been particularly pleased at meeting this
+alleged desperado in broad daylight, but he courteously
+refrained from any such insinuation, and as supper was
+just then announced, the young men adjourned to the
+dining car, and the experiences of Mr. Rutherford were,
+for the time, forgotten.</p>
+<p>Nothing special occurred that evening, except that
+the monotony of the journey was slightly relieved by the
+train entering upon the Bad Lands. For some time,
+Houston and Rutherford stood upon the rear platform,
+enjoying their cigars, and watching the strange phenomena
+of that weird region; on all sides, vast tracts of
+ashen gray or black, as if burnt to a crisp, with no sign
+of life, animal or vegetable, the lurid lights flashing and
+playing in the distance, until it seemed as though they
+might be gliding through the borderland of Dante&rsquo;s Inferno.</p>
+<p>Their cigars finished, they separated for the night, to
+be agreeably surprised by the delightful change that met
+their eyes the following morning. Houston was already
+at the breakfast table enjoying the scenery, when Rutherford
+sauntered into the dining car. They exchanged
+greetings, and the latter dropped into a seat facing his
+companion, exclaiming as he did so,</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, say now, this looks a little more like civilization,
+doesn&rsquo;t it?&rdquo; and having ordered his breakfast and helped
+himself to fruit, he proceeded to watch the beautiful
+panorama flashing past in the sunlight.</p>
+<p>They were passing through one of the most fertile
+valleys of the northwest. Away to the south, a beautiful
+river glistened like a broad ribbon of silver, and leading
+from it was a gleaming net-work of irrigating canals and
+ditches, carrying the life-giving waters over thousands
+of broad acres; some already green with grass and alfalfa,
+while others were dotted with scores of men and
+horses opening the brown earth in long, straight lines
+of furrows, or scattering broadcast the golden grain.</p>
+<p>Far in the distance, faintly outlined against the blue
+sky, was a fleecy, cloud-like mass, grayish blue at the
+base, with points here and there of dazzling whiteness,
+which Houston had known at once as the first glimpse
+of the Rocky Mountains, but which Rutherford failed
+to notice.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said the latter, withdrawing his head from the
+window, and preparing to attack his breakfast, &ldquo;it seems
+to me, after nearly forty hours of nothing but prairies,
+it&rsquo;s about time to see some mountains.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They&rsquo;re in sight now,&rdquo; responded Houston quietly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What!&rdquo; exclaimed his companion, dropping his knife
+and fork in haste.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You can see them now; I&rsquo;ve been waiting for you
+to recognize them,&rdquo; said Houston, smiling; &ldquo;look off
+there to the southwest,&rdquo; he added, as Rutherford was readjusting
+his eye-glasses, preparatory to a careful survey
+of the horizon.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, I&rsquo;ll be blessed!&rdquo; ejaculated the latter, &ldquo;I supposed
+those were clouds. My! but they must be mighty
+far away, twenty-five miles, I expect, at the least.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Sixty miles, at least,&rdquo; said Houston, glancing at them,
+&ldquo;perhaps more.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Pardon me, gentlemen,&rdquo; said a bland voice across the
+aisle, and the young men, turning, saw a much-bejewelled
+individual, with a florid, but very smiling face; &ldquo;I
+see you have not yet become accustomed to the vast distances
+of this great country of ours in the northwest.
+Those mountains which you are discussing are about
+ninety miles distant.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Rutherford&rsquo;s eyes expressed an immense amount of
+incredulity, while Houston simply bowed silently. The
+man continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The wonderful rarity of our atmosphere in these altitudes
+is something that has to be experienced in order
+to be thoroughly understood and appreciated, or even
+believed. You tell an eastern man of the great distances
+here at which you can see and hear, clearly and readily;
+he will immediately doubt your veracity, simply because
+it is without the line of his experience. Now I myself,
+personally, with my own, unaided vision, have been able
+to count the mules in a pack-train sixty-three miles distant,
+and have repeatedly held conversations at a distance
+of fifteen miles.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Guess the conversation was pretty much all on one
+side, wasn&rsquo;t it?&rdquo; asked Rutherford, adding sotto voce to
+Houston, &ldquo;as on the present occasion.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah, no, indeed not,&rdquo; the man replied; &ldquo;I see, my
+young friend, that you are inclined, like all strangers, to
+be a little incredulous and skeptical, but if you remain
+in this country of ours any length of time, that will soon
+pass away, very soon.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think I care to remain here very long then,
+if it will have any such effect on my brain as that,&rdquo; said
+Rutherford.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You are inclined to be facetious, my friend; that is
+all right, I appreciate a little witticism myself occasionally.
+By the way,&rdquo; he continued, evidently determined to
+get into conversation with Houston, &ldquo;I suppose you
+young gentlemen are out here on business, looking for
+valuable investments in this wonderful country.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At the word &ldquo;Business&rdquo; Mr. Rutherford instantly assumed
+his dignity, dropping into the slightly drawling
+tone he always used on such occasions, and which he
+intended as an extinguisher on any person whom he
+deemed too familiar.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, no,&rdquo; he replied, twirling an incipient mustache,
+&ldquo;at least, not so far as I am concerned; I am just out on
+a sort of an extended pleasure trip, you know.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah, your friend is a business man, I judge; perhaps,&rdquo;
+turning to Houston, &ldquo;we can interest you in some of our
+rare bargains in the line of real estate, improved or unimproved,
+city or country; or possibly in our mines,
+gold or silver properties, quartz or placer, we have them
+all.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You seem to have a &lsquo;corner&rsquo; on this part of the northwest?&rdquo;
+remarked Rutherford, rather sarcastically.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Indeed, young man, we have a good many &lsquo;corners,&rsquo;
+pretty valuable ones, too,&rdquo; the man replied imperturbably,
+still watching Houston, who replied in a courteous
+but indifferent tone:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am out here on business, but am not in a position
+to make any investments at present, nor do I expect to
+be for some time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah, your business?&rdquo; asked his interlocutor.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am an accountant,&rdquo; he replied quietly.</p>
+<p>The man seemed satisfied. &ldquo;Well, gentlemen,&rdquo; he said,
+rising from the table, &ldquo;I am glad to have met you, and
+hope to have the pleasure of seeing you later in our city.
+Allow me to present my card, and if there is anything we
+can ever do for you in our line, please give us a call,&rdquo;
+and smilingly handing each a card, he bowed himself out
+of the car.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, by Jove!&rdquo; exclaimed Rutherford, his grammar
+getting a little mixed, &ldquo;either that man&rsquo;s a fool, or he
+thought we were; I don&rsquo;t know which.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Probably the latter,&rdquo; said Houston, smiling; then
+glancing at the card beside his plate, he read, &ldquo;J. D. Wilson,
+President of the Northwestern Mining, Land and
+Investment Company, Silver City;&rdquo; and he was the prospective
+clerk of The Northwestern Mining, Land and
+Investment Company!</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_IV' id='CHAPTER_IV'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>An hour or two later, the Pacific Express was slowly
+winding up the long mountain grade, the engine puffing
+and wheezing in apoplectic fashion, and occasionally
+emitting short shrieks of protest. The mountains, which
+had gradually been assuming shape and color, were now
+looming up in grand proportions, their rugged outlines
+clearly defined against the sky. Already the mountain
+breezes, fragrant with the breath of tamarack, spruce
+and pine, stole in on adventurous wings through the car
+windows; lifted locks, both golden and silvered, from
+heated brows, kissed a fretful infant into peaceful slumber,
+turned the pages of novels and flapped newspapers
+so persistently that their readers were compelled to abandon
+them, and brought new energy and inspiration to
+the languid, listless passengers, so that they began to
+evince symptoms of interest in their surroundings.</p>
+<p>In his favorite lounging attitude, Houston sat, his eyes
+fixed on the mountains, moment by moment growing
+more distinct in their rugged grandeur, a half-smile of
+amusement playing over his face, as he recalled the interview
+with the president of The Northwestern Mining,
+Land and Investment Company. Upon inquiry, he had
+learned that Mr. Wilson had boarded the train at a little
+way station, before daylight that morning, and the
+zeal displayed by that gentleman in thus seeking to ascertain
+something regarding the characteristics of his
+future clerk, by anticipating his arrival in this manner
+seemed to Houston decidedly amusing, and at the same
+time furnished him a clue concerning the character of
+one of the men with whom he was to be associated.</p>
+<p>He was aroused by the entrance of Rutherford, who,
+having learned that the train would make stops among
+the canyons they were approaching, was getting his
+kodak and plates in readiness, preparatory to taking impressions
+of some of the finest views.</p>
+<p>After a few moments, the conversation drifted to the
+subject of their destination, which they would reach in
+three or four hours.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I suppose,&rdquo; said Rutherford, addressing his companion
+rather hesitatingly, &ldquo;I suppose you will remain
+in Silver City for some time?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am not quite certain,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;my impression
+is, however, that I shall not be detained there more than
+a day or two.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Indeed! then are you going on farther west?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, I expect to go out among the mines for a while.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Among the mines! Now I should think that would
+be fine; you&rsquo;ll have a chance to see western life in earnest.
+So you are interested in mines! Well, I thought
+something of the kind when you said you were out on
+business. No wonder you were so cool with old Boomerang
+this morning, and didn&rsquo;t care for any of his wonderful
+investments.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston was silent for a moment, a curious smile playing
+over his fine features; then watching Rutherford
+keenly through half-closed eyes, he said,</p>
+<p>&ldquo;On the contrary, instead of being a mine owner, as
+you surmise, I am the employe of a mining company,
+and &lsquo;old Boomerang,&rsquo; as you call him, is the president
+of that company.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Rutherford sat for an instant as if petrified; then managed
+to gasp, &ldquo;Great Heavens! are you associated in
+business with that man?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Houston, looking almost as if he enjoyed
+the situation, &ldquo;associated as employer and employe. I
+am going out to fill the position of accountant for the
+same company of which he is president.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, I see; you are just going to take the position.
+Did you know all the time who he was?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I had no more idea than you until I saw his card;
+but I think he knew me, was looking around, in fact, to
+see what his new clerk was like.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The old beast!&rdquo; exclaimed Rutherford. His face was
+a study, it represented so many conflicting emotions;
+several times he seemed about to speak, then remained
+silent, looking more and more perplexed. He was sorely
+puzzled; Houston was the embodiment of courtesy
+and refinement, his every word and gesture revealed a
+man of wealth, education and culture,&ndash;&ndash;and yet, a clerk,
+and for such a man! and strangest of all, he seemed to
+feel no chagrin in speaking of his position.</p>
+<p>Houston&rsquo;s voice broke in pleasantly upon his cogitations:
+&ldquo;I saw it would never do for you to travel about
+here under such erroneous impressions; imagining you
+were associating with a heavy capitalist, or a mining
+broker, when&ndash;&ndash;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, hang it all!&rdquo; interrupted Rutherford, brusquely,
+&ldquo;What difference does it make? You&rsquo;re a gentleman,
+anybody can see that. I&rsquo;ll own up that it did knock me
+out at first to find you were connected in any way with
+that old chap; but I know you&rsquo;re all right, and I had
+no business questioning around as I did about your
+affairs; I beg your pardon, and I&rsquo;ll explain now why I
+did it. I&rsquo;m a stranger out here, and I&rsquo;ve taken an awful
+liking to you, and when we get to Silver City, if you
+don&rsquo;t mind, I&rsquo;d like to keep in with you until I get a little
+accustomed to the ways out here; that is, if you&rsquo;ve
+no objections.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all right,&rdquo; responded Houston cordially, &ldquo;stay
+with me as long as you like; and now, let&rsquo;s go out and
+take a look at the mountains,&rdquo; and the two young men
+shook hands, each feeling a sort of presentiment that the
+friendship begun under these peculiar circumstances
+was one for life, and such it proved.</p>
+<p>On reaching the rear platform they discovered that
+the train was following the course of a river winding
+through a rocky gorge that grew narrower, moment by
+moment. The walls grew higher and steeper at every
+turn, while towering above and beyond were the mountain
+peaks. They stood clinging to the railings, and
+watching the rapidly changing scene, as the train
+swerved and swept from one direction to another, following
+the winding of the river.</p>
+<p>Suddenly the walls shot upward almost perpendicularly
+for hundreds of feet, shutting out the sunlight, leaving
+nothing visible but a narrow strip of sky; and still
+the great rocks came closer and closer, until little more
+than the width of the car was left, and it seemed that in
+a moment that must be crushed. The ponderous wheels
+were slowly revolving over a trestle bridge of steel,
+mortised into the rocks, while the deafening echoes reverberated
+between the narrowing walls, and rippled the
+surface of the river flowing deep and black below. Then
+suddenly another swift, sharp turn, and they were out
+in the dazzling sunshine, amidst a scene of untold beauty
+and grandeur.</p>
+<p>Here, at the entrance of the canyon, the train stopped,
+giving the passengers an opportunity to alight and enjoy
+the scenery. On all sides rose masses of rock, some
+fashioned in wondrous beauty, others in forms weird
+and fantastic; some gray and rugged, some tinted with
+intermingling shades of color, and others sparkling in
+the sunlight as though studded with gems innumerable.
+Here and there were piles of rock, crimson and green
+and golden, resembling the moss-grown, ivy-covered
+castles of the olden time. Farther on were mountains
+covered with heavy forests of pine, through which the
+winds sighed and whispered mysteriously, while at their
+feet the little streams lingered lovingly long enough to
+catch the whispered secrets, and bear them away, laughing
+and singing, on their journey toward the great sea.</p>
+<p>The train moved slowly on to another canyon, more
+grand in its awful solitude than the first, surrounded on
+all sides by walls nearly a thousand feet in height. At
+one side, a broad sheet of water, shimmering in the sunlight,
+fell, like a bridal veil, down the precipitous rock,
+with a deafening roar disappearing into unseen depths
+below, while at the base of the canyon lay a lake of sapphire,
+in whose calm, untroubled depths, rocks and
+cascade and sky were mirrored in perfect beauty.</p>
+<p>Slowly the train wound its way upward, until it paused
+again near the summit of the range, on the &ldquo;divide,&rdquo; the
+boundary line between the east and the west. There
+were the serried ranks of the mountains, vast, solemn,
+grand; and in that awful solitude, under the spell of that
+eternal silence, a sense of the infinite hushed every
+tongue, and each one stood with bated breath, as if on
+holy ground. On every side the billowy ranges surged,
+like the gigantic waves of a storm-tossed ocean suddenly
+congealed to stone, while here and there, towered
+mighty peaks, like huge sentinels, their brows seamed
+with furrows plowed by the hand of the centuries, their
+heads white with the snows of countless ages.</p>
+<p>Here two tiny streams flowed side by side, then separated;
+the one to start on its long journey toward the
+old Atlantic, the other toward the Golden Gate, to mingle
+its waters with those of the sunset sea.</p>
+<p>Slowly the passengers returned to the train, stopping
+on their way to gather the little wild flowers growing
+between the loosened rocks,&ndash;&ndash;frail mountain children of
+the sun and wind,&ndash;&ndash;to be preserved as souvenirs of the
+&ldquo;divide.&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_V' id='CHAPTER_V'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Rutherford had so diligently improved the opportunities
+afforded by the stopping of the train, in securing
+views of some of the finest scenes, that when the divide
+was reached, he had only two plates left. These he
+quickly used, and then gave himself up to silent contemplation
+and enjoyment of the beauty around him.
+Very slowly and regretfully he and Houston followed
+the example of the others, and turned toward the waiting
+train, like them, picking the delicate wild flowers
+and pressing them in their note books.</p>
+<p>It was during the first of these stops, at the entrance to
+the canyons, that Rutherford, hastily glancing up from
+his work, saw, standing among the passengers, a little
+in the background, the man whom he had last seen at
+the Valley City depot. He was standing in the same
+alert, watchful attitude, but the soft hat was drawn downward
+over his face concealing his eyes, and the knife and
+revolver were hidden by a rough jacket. He was not
+then looking toward Rutherford, but was facing in another
+direction, where Houston was strolling among the
+rocks, and when, a few moments later, Houston sauntered
+over to observe his work, Rutherford called his attention
+to the man, but he was nearly hidden behind a
+group of men, only a little of his figure being visible.
+Later, when they were again seated in the car, descending
+the western grade, Rutherford asked his companion
+whether he had succeeded in getting a glimpse of the
+man.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;a glimpse and no more; once
+or twice I was near him, but his face was turned the other
+way. I passed him in taking the train, but I had only a
+hurried glimpse of his face; it seemed to me that it was
+a face of unusual intelligence for a man of that class, as
+I should judge him to be a miner, but I did not think he
+looked particularly dangerous.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Wait till you see his eyes,&rdquo; said Rutherford, then inquired,
+&ldquo;By the way, did you see the old mining chap
+anywhere?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, yes,&rdquo; said Houston, laughing, &ldquo;twice; once with
+a townsite map spread out before him, talking real estate
+to a couple of men, and again in the smoking car where
+he was playing poker.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t see him out looking at the mountains.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, probably they have no interest for him, except
+just so far as they contain gold mines.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>They talked of the mountains, and Rutherford suddenly
+exclaimed, &ldquo;I wish I could find some way of getting
+out and camping right among the mountains themselves.
+I don&rsquo;t care to stop in any little half-civilized western
+town for any length of time, but if I could just go right
+out into the heart of the mountains somewhere, and stay
+for a few weeks, that would be an experience worth having.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston smiled; &ldquo;How would you like a trip out into
+the part of the country where I am going? As near as I
+can make out, it is twenty-five miles from the nearest
+town, just a rough mining camp, with very few people
+aside from the miners.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why,&rdquo; replied Rutherford, &ldquo;I think that would be
+fine; anyhow, I&rsquo;ll try it if you have no objections; it
+will be a change anyway.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>And so it was decided that Rutherford should extend
+his pleasure trip into the mining camp, and Houston
+was pleased with the arrangement, for, notwithstanding
+the work which he had planned, he expected to find
+many lonely hours and monotonous days, little dreaming
+of the interests that awaited him, or that he was entering
+upon the most eventful portion of his life.</p>
+<p>At about one o&rsquo;clock the train arrived at Silver City,
+a town of about fifteen thousand inhabitants. The young
+men, as they left the train, caught a glimpse of the indefatigable
+Mr. Wilson as he was boarding a street car
+in company with two intended victims which he had already
+secured. They took a carriage, and as they were
+whirled rapidly through the steep, narrow streets on
+their way to the hotel, the little city seemed to them like
+a thoroughly typical, western, mining town. The town
+was surrounded by mountains, and prospect holes and
+abandoned placer diggings could be seen in every direction,
+while interspersed among the business blocks of
+brick and stone, were tiny cabins, built of logs,&ndash;&ndash;all
+relics of the earlier days when Silver City was but a
+large mining camp.</p>
+<p>After lunch, Houston started forth in search of the
+city office of The Northwestern Mining, Land and Investment
+Company, which he found without difficulty.
+He was surprised to discover that business there was
+conducted on something of a co-operative plan, as the
+one large room in which he found himself constituted
+the offices of some half-dozen mining and real estate
+companies, and was occupied at the time by eight or
+ten different men, each seated at his own desk, and separated
+from his neighbors by a little wooden railing. A
+broad aisle extended through the center of the room,
+and at the farther end were two or three accountants&rsquo;
+desks, two large safes and two typewriters.</p>
+<p>The whole arrangement seemed to Houston extremely
+crowded and confusing, but he afterward learned that
+it had its advantages; as certain deeds, contracts and
+leases could be so easily mislaid and lost; then too, it
+had an effect upon the minds of some of their patrons
+that was particularly desirable, as they usually left the
+office in a state of such bewilderment, that they were
+unable to tell with any degree of certainty, just which
+one of the many high-sounding companies it was, with
+which they had entered into agreement, and as the eight
+or ten men were each connected in some way with all
+of the companies, they all came in for a share of the
+profits, no matter who was the victim.</p>
+<p>Houston having inquired of a white-haired, benevolent-looking
+individual at his right, for Mr. Wilson, was
+politely directed to the third desk on the left-hand side.
+Here he found Mr. Wilson, who greeted him effusively,
+and introduced him to Mr. Blaisdell, the general manager
+of the company. The secretary of the company
+was, at that moment, doing duty in another part of the
+room, as president of The North American Townsite &amp;
+Irrigation Company, consequently Houston did not
+meet him until later.</p>
+<p>As Messrs. Wilson and Blaisdell were just then engaged
+with a customer, they begged Mr. Houston to excuse
+them for a few moments, which he did very willingly,
+and thus was afforded an opportunity to observe
+the two men closely. Mr. Blaisdell had rather a long
+and narrow face, and what is called a &ldquo;sandy&rdquo; complexion;
+his hair, face and small goatee (he wore no mustache)
+were all of the same, light, indefinite color; his
+eyes were small and pale blue, while his lips were thin
+and tightly compressed. His face, when at rest, had a
+sanctimonious expression which was sadly at variance
+with the avaricious, grasping look which it instantly assumed
+when animated. He said little, but Houston soon
+discovered that he was in reality the head man of the
+company, while Mr. Wilson was but the mouthpiece.</p>
+<p>In the twenty or thirty minutes which elapsed before
+these gentlemen could give Mr. Houston their undivided
+attention, he obtained sufficient insight into their characters,
+and enough of an inkling of their business methods,
+to make him more determined than ever to unearth
+their schemes, and doubly anxious to succeed in the role
+which he had assumed.</p>
+<p>As soon as they were at liberty, Mr. Wilson and the
+general manager turned very smilingly toward their new
+clerk, and after some questions regarding his business
+qualifications and experience, all of which he answered
+in a manner very satisfactory, they proceeded to give
+him detailed instructions relating to his future duties in
+the branch office, at the mining camp.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Of course,&rdquo; remarked Mr. Wilson, &ldquo;you understand
+that as you become accustomed to the business, greater
+responsibility will devolve upon you; for the present,
+you are to have charge of the books and our correspondence
+from that point; and when you have sufficiently
+familiarized yourself with the details of the business, we
+shall expect you, in Mr. Blaisdell&rsquo;s absence, to take
+charge of the office, to receive the reports of the different
+superintendents and foremen of the mines, and if
+necessary, to inspect the work at the mines yourself, occasionally,
+in order to see that our instructions are being
+carried out.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston thought that this included quite a range of
+work for an accountant, but as he was only too glad of
+the opportunities which would thus be afforded him for
+his own investigations, he raised no objections.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I suppose, Mr. Houston,&rdquo; added Mr. Blaisdell, very
+deliberately, &ldquo;it is unnecessary to say that in a position
+of this kind, we require the utmost secrecy on your part
+regarding the affairs of the company. In giving you
+this very responsible position, we repose great confidence
+in you, and we expect you to prove yourself
+worthy of it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh well,&rdquo; chuckled Mr. Wilson, &ldquo;I should say, judging
+by Mr. Houston&rsquo;s appearance on the train this morning,
+he understands the art of preserving a golden silence
+as well as any one I ever saw. It was all I could
+do to get a dozen words out of him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Blaisdell smiled in a way that Houston understood
+he had received a full account of the meeting on
+the train. There being little more to be said, Houston
+inquired regarding accommodations at the camp, stating
+that a young acquaintance of his wished to remain
+in the mountains for a week or two.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is he interested in mines?&rdquo; inquired Mr. Blaisdell.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, no,&rdquo; replied Houston, &ldquo;he is the young man who
+informed Mr. Wilson he was out on an extended pleasure
+trip, and he imagines it would be great sport to be
+out in a genuine mining camp for a while, as far from
+civilization as possible.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all right,&rdquo; responded Mr. Blaisdell, &ldquo;I was
+only going to state that we allow no visitors through
+the mines except those who are personally interested,
+or who have intentions of becoming purchasers, but if
+your friend merely wants to stop among the mountains
+for the fun of the thing, why, he&rsquo;s welcome to stay all
+summer for aught I care. As to accommodations, I
+think we can fix you both very comfortably. There are
+two boarding houses near the mines, for the miners, of
+course you would not go there; but old Jim Maverick
+and his wife run a boarding house about a quarter of a
+mile from there that is very good, and is a sort of stopping
+place for any tourists that find their way out there.
+I stop there myself, and I know Maverick and his wife
+are glad of all the boarders they can get. I believe they
+already had a lady when I was there last week, a school
+teacher or something of that sort, who had just come,
+and I think you will find it very comfortable there.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Having learned that they would have to start for the
+camp at eight o&rsquo;clock the next morning, Houston took
+his leave, promising to be in readiness at that time. He
+next visited a number of assay offices, where he learned
+a good many valuable points regarding the different
+classes of ore in that vicinity; then having purchased
+two or three works on practical mining and mineralogy,
+which he thought might be of assistance to him, he returned
+to the hotel, where he entertained Rutherford until
+dinner with an account of their trip to be taken on the
+morrow and the accommodations that awaited them,
+with the added attraction of the society of a solitary
+school teacher, whom their imaginations already depicted
+as of uncertain age, with short hair and spectacles.
+Many were Rutherford&rsquo;s speculations concerning
+this individual.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve had the pleasure of the acquaintance of two specimens
+of that class,&rdquo; said he, &ldquo;one was in the Catskill
+Mountains; she had a geological fad, and went out every
+morning with a little hammer, to hammer among the
+rocks all day; the other was a botanist, and returned
+every evening about covered with plants which she had
+pulled up, root and branch; I wonder which of them
+this one will resemble.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We shall soon see,&rdquo; said Houston.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_VI' id='CHAPTER_VI'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Nearly twenty-five miles from the nearest town, and
+not a human being visible from the point of observation
+occupied by Miss Gladden, as she slowly swung backward
+and forward in her hammock under the pines, half
+way up the mountain side; and the only sign of human
+life was a faint, blue smoke curling upward among the
+evergreens on one side, at the base of the mountain.</p>
+<p>Directly at the foot of the mountain lay a small lake of
+azure blue, at one end of which was a narrow bridge
+crossing the stream which formed the outlet to the lake,
+and from which a footpath wound in the direction of the
+solitary house from which the smoke ascended. At the
+other extremity of the lake, where the gulch narrowed
+into a deep ravine, walled with irregular masses of gray
+rock, a mountain stream came dashing down over the
+ledges, forming a series of cascades, and with a final
+leap plunged into the azure waters. It was a wild, solitary
+place, and had there been another human being visible,
+he doubtless would have been much astonished at the
+sight of a young lady, dressed in the height of fashion,
+lazily swinging to and fro, half way up the pine covered
+mountain.</p>
+<p>But for Miss Gladden the charm of the situation lay in
+its solitude; she was tired of society, and, glad to free
+herself for a while at least from its conventionalities, was
+congratulating herself upon her good fortune in finding
+this retreat, all unconscious that others were already
+entering into her little world, soon to enter into her
+heart and life.</p>
+<p>As she swung dreamily under the pines she was
+aroused by a clear, musical voice calling her name, and
+turning, saw the lithe, slender form of Lyle Maverick,
+the daughter of her host, rapidly approaching. Although
+Miss Gladden had been but a few days among
+the mountains, there already existed between her and
+Lyle Maverick a mutual admiration, though each was,
+as yet, unconscious of the admiration of the other.</p>
+<p>Lyle secretly worshipped Miss Gladden as the most
+beautiful being she had ever seen, nor was it strange, for
+Leslie Gladden had all her life received the homage always
+yielded to beauty, and from hearts far less susceptible
+than that of this untutored child of the mountains;
+but Lyle, notwithstanding her surroundings and her disadvantages,
+was proud spirited, and did not proclaim her
+admiration for the beautiful stranger. Miss Gladden,
+on her part, admired the imperious mountain maid, as
+the loveliest specimen of uncultured, untrained girlhood,
+just blossoming into womanhood, that she had ever met.
+She wondered how she came to be so unlike her surroundings,
+and what would be the result if this wild
+mountain flower could be transplanted to some more
+favorable spot, there to receive the care and nurture bestowed
+on so many far less beautiful. She had within
+the last few days, led by a desire to know the proud,
+shy girl, made a companion of her; this was a new experience
+for Lyle, and was fast deepening her admiration
+for Miss Gladden into confidence and regard.</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden watched Lyle now, as she came up the
+mountain path, as fleet of foot and graceful in every motion
+as a deer, her head thrown proudly back, her wavy
+hair rippling over her shoulders to her waist, and shining
+in the sunlight like fine spun gold.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, Miss Gladden,&rdquo; she exclaimed, as, having
+reached the group of pines, she threw herself carelessly
+at the foot of one of them, &ldquo;the solitude and isolation
+which you have prized so highly are to be invaded by
+two new boarders of masculine gender.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A slight frown gathered on Miss Gladden&rsquo;s face, at the
+prospect of intruders thus encroaching upon the mountain
+retreat which she was beginning to regard as hers
+exclusively. Lyle, watching her, saw the frown, and
+continued, her eyes dancing with mischief:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They are city gentlemen, too, from the east; from
+Chicago and from Boston, only think of the honor conferred
+upon us! They have come from the land of
+civilization and culture to the wild west, to see how we
+barbarians live; at least that is the object of one of them
+who is out on a pleasure trip, for that is usually the
+meaning of western pleasure trips.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lyle, are you not rather severe? They come for the
+sake of the scenery, or as I have, for rest.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;A few for rest perhaps, but scenery? nonsense! Look
+at the majority of your &lsquo;western stories,&rsquo; as they are
+called; how much is there in them of scenery? A few
+lines here and there, but pages devoted to descriptions
+of western life with its ignorance and uncouthness.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But stories of western life usually contain a great
+deal of originality and piquancy; that is why they are
+popular.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Possibly,&rdquo; said Lyle dryly, &ldquo;but I have seen very little
+originality in the life I have led here. It may seem
+original to outsiders; it is monotonous enough to those
+who live it, year after year. The scenery of the west is
+grand, I love it, and if I could see it with such eyes as
+yours, eyes accustomed to beauty in all its infinite kinds
+and degrees, and with a mind cultivated, fed on the
+choicest thought than can be culled not only from our
+own country and in our own tongue, but from other
+countries and in other tongues as well, I would appreciate
+the beauty about me more keenly than I can now;
+but I despise this life in which I have been reared, a life
+of ignorance, coarseness, brutality and deceit. Here I
+have lived for the past ten years, here I am likely to live
+for ten, twenty years to come.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Both were silent for a few moments, while Miss Gladden
+watched the beautiful face, in this instance an index
+of an equally beautiful soul, and she marveled more than
+ever. At last she said gently:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lyle, dear, pardon me for asking such a question, but
+you are an anomaly; how is it, living all these years as
+you have, in these surroundings, that you have so good
+an education? You have evidently read considerable,
+and you converse well; you cannot be called ignorant.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; the girl replied sadly, &ldquo;I am not quite so ignorant
+as a stranger would think to see me, but I have
+learned just enough to make me realize how little I do
+know, and that little I have acquired by stealth. I could
+read a very little when we came here from some small
+town, somewhere in the east, I have forgotten where,
+and I wanted to learn, but father forbade it; he said he
+wouldn&rsquo;t have any of his children putting on airs, that
+what was good enough for him would have to do for
+them. He has always been severe with me, I suppose
+he didn&rsquo;t want any girls, that&rsquo;s what mother says.
+Mother was always as kind to me as she dared to be, but
+she was afraid to help me to learn anything, and she
+couldn&rsquo;t have taught me much anyway. I studied every
+little bit of print I could come across, if it were nothing
+more than a scrap of newspaper, I was so anxious to be
+able to read. Then, when I was about twelve years old,
+a little girl who stayed here one summer with her governess,
+left some of her old, worn-out school books and
+writing books. I hid them in my room as carefully as if
+they had been diamonds, and pored over them every
+chance I could get for the next year. About that time,
+I got acquainted with one of the miners who had been
+here a long time, a strange, silent man, who was very
+different from the others, and who kept by himself. He
+seemed to take a great liking to me, and I consider him
+to-day the best friend that I have in the world. He
+found out how I was studying and trying to learn, and
+he helped me, for he had had a fine education. He
+bought books for me, not only school books, but choice
+books to read, stories, poems and plays, and he has
+talked with me a great deal, and told me about places
+and people and authors, and so has saved me from being
+a total ignoramus.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How kind!&rdquo; exclaimed Miss Gladden, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t wonder
+that you consider him your friend. Is he here now?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; replied Lyle, &ldquo;he has been away for a few
+days, but he came back last night, and I went down to
+his cabin to see him. He brought me some beautiful
+books, but I keep them at his cabin most of the time,
+so no one at the house will get hold of them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Does he live alone?&rdquo; asked Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, an Irishman, who has a pretty good education,
+lives with him most of the time; he is quite a musician
+and is teaching me to play the violin. &lsquo;Mike&rsquo; they call
+the Irishman, and my friend is &lsquo;Jack&rsquo;; the other miners
+nicknamed him &lsquo;Lone Jack,&rsquo; but nobody, I suppose,
+knows what their real names are.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why, how interesting!&rdquo; exclaimed Miss Gladden.
+&ldquo;Why haven&rsquo;t you ever told me before? It sounds like
+a story with a deep-laid plot, and a typical villain lurking
+somewhere.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There are plots enough, and villains enough, but
+Jack is not one of them,&rdquo; quietly replied the girl, with a
+curious expression.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Would he let me come and see him?&rdquo; inquired Miss
+Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He might, if I asked him, but you would find him
+very uncommunicative. He does not care for strangers.
+He was telling me last night about a comical, dudish
+looking fellow whom he saw on the train, and who got
+off at Silver City, and he said he was coming up here
+into the mountains in company with another young gentleman;
+he thought I would be likely to see them, and I
+think they are the new boarders.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why, have you seen them?&rdquo; asked Miss Gladden, in
+surprise.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; laughed Lyle, &ldquo;one of them, from my post of
+observation behind the kitchen door, and he did appear
+so ridiculous with his gold eye-glasses, looking as solemn
+as an owl, and glancing around with that expression
+of supercilious curiosity, as though he expected to
+find us all wild Indians, or something of the sort.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah, that accounts for the little tirade against western
+pleasure tourists I heard when you first came up. Evidently
+the eye-glasses did not produce a very favorable
+impression on you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; retorted Lyle, &ldquo;see him yourself, and see what
+impressions you will receive.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, my dear,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;as it is nearly
+dinner time, I would suggest that we adjourn to the
+house, alleviate these pangs of hunger, take an observation
+of the gold eye-glasses and report our impressions
+later.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Agreed,&rdquo; said Lyle merrily, and the two began to
+descend the mountain.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_VII' id='CHAPTER_VII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Houston and Rutherford were promptly at the depot,
+as agreed, to take the early morning train to the mines.</p>
+<p>Mr. Blaisdell met them with a great show of cordiality,
+his thin lips contracted into a smile which was doubtless
+intended to be very agreeable, but which produced a
+sensation exactly the reverse.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; Rutherford began, with his peculiar drawl,
+when he and Houston were seated together in the car,
+with Mr. Blaisdell safely engaged in conversation at a
+little distance, &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t say that I&rsquo;m any more favorably
+impressed with Mr. Buncombe, or whatever his name
+is, than I was with old Boomerang yesterday. That fellow
+looked like a silly, pompous, old fool, and this one
+like a sly, old villain. I wish he&rsquo;d stop that confounded,
+wolfish grin of his, it makes me feel uncomfortable, he
+looks as if he knew he had his prey just dead easy, and
+his chops were watering in anticipation. I say, old fellow,
+I don&rsquo;t think much of this Buncombe-Boomerang
+combination of yours, and I guess it&rsquo;s a good thing I&rsquo;m
+along with you till we find out what sort of a trap we&rsquo;re
+getting into.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston smiled; Rutherford had expressed his own
+opinion a great deal nearer than he cared to admit. He
+had seen enough of the men with whom he was to be
+associated to convince him that they were villains, cowardly
+villains too, the very sort of men that would be
+most desperate and dangerous when cornered; but he
+was fast laying his plans, and now the only drawback
+seemed that he would have no assistant, and he felt the
+time would come when he would need one, and some
+one familiar with mining. An expert from the east
+would not do, he would be suspected; and a detective
+would not possess the necessary information regarding
+mining in general, and these mines in particular. At
+times, a vague idea of taking Rutherford into his confidence
+came into his mind, but he was not ready to do
+this yet, if at all.</p>
+<p>All this flashed through Houston&rsquo;s mind as Rutherford
+made the above remark, and he answered:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t apprehend any particular danger at present,
+but I am glad you are with me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The question with me is,&rdquo; continued Rutherford,
+&ldquo;how I&rsquo;ll amuse myself during your office hours in such
+a region as this; I don&rsquo;t imagine I&rsquo;ll find a great many
+congenial companions.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You seem to have forgotten the school teacher,&rdquo;
+Houston remarked, with a quiet smile.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, bother the school ma&rsquo;am! I had forgotten her.
+I suppose she&rsquo;ll be as graceful as a scalene triangle, and
+about as entertaining as a mummy. They&rsquo;re mostly that
+kind, or else the gushing, adoring sort, that can&rsquo;t talk
+of anything but Browning, or Emerson, or theosophy,
+or something of that kind; and the most conceited lot
+of creatures that ever lived.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, the train wound in and out among the
+mountains, stopping for a few moments at a small town
+where huge smelters were pouring forth their clouds of
+dense smoke, darkening the air until it seemed more
+like night than day; then on a few miles farther, to the
+little station known as the &ldquo;Y,&rdquo; so-called on account of
+the form of the spur tracks owned by the mining company,
+by which the ore was brought down from the
+mines above.</p>
+<p>At the station was a store containing general mining
+supplies, with the post-office in one front window, a
+boarding and lodging house, and three or four saloons
+and gambling houses, these last designed to catch the
+wages of the miners from the surrounding camps.</p>
+<p>Mr. Blaisdell having found one of the superintendents
+who had come down with a team for supplies, they were
+soon on their way up the gulch, and in the course of
+an hour were left at the office buildings, while the team
+went on to the mines.</p>
+<p>Here Rutherford waited in the outer room of the little
+unpainted, frame building, while Mr. Blaisdell took
+Houston into the further room, and introduced him to
+Morgan, the general superintendent, and to his work,
+at the same time. Then, having seen Houston duly installed
+at his post of duty, perched on a wabbly stool,
+before a rickety, ink-bespattered desk, beside a window
+gray with the dust and smoke of ages, through which a
+few straggling sunbeams fell, Mr. Blaisdell sailed complacently
+forth to escort Rutherford to Jim Maverick&rsquo;s
+boarding house, whither the baggage had already been
+taken by the team; then, all necessary arrangements for
+rooms and board having been completed, he went out
+to the mines, leaving Rutherford alone in the camp of
+the Philistines. He found no one, however, more formidable
+than Mrs. Maverick, an old woman bent nearly
+double, with white hair and hollow, deep-sunken eyes,
+so faded it was impossible to tell what their original
+color might have been, and the &ldquo;help,&rdquo; a stout, red-cheeked,
+coarse-featured girl of fifteen, whom Mrs. Maverick
+called &ldquo;Minty,&rdquo; but who rejoiced in the euphonious
+name of Araminta Bixby, and who ogled and grinned at
+Rutherford until he found the task of preserving his dignity
+more difficult than ever.</p>
+<p>In the course of an hour he sauntered down to the
+office to meet Houston, and a little later the two sat in
+the porch of the low, wide-spreading house, partly frame
+and partly of logs, the roof of the porch supported by
+the trunks of slender trees, unhewn, from which even
+the bark had not been removed.</p>
+<p>From the porch there was a view of the lake, and in
+the distance the gleaming cascades, while just opposite,
+the gulch road followed its winding course and disappeared
+among the mountains.</p>
+<p>Presently there came up the winding road three men,
+apparently father and sons,&ndash;&ndash;low-browed, heavy-eyed,
+brutal looking creatures,&ndash;&ndash;who followed the foot path
+up toward the house, and glaring sullenly at the young
+men, shuffled around to the back door.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Evidently mine host and his sons,&rdquo; remarked Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; replied Rutherford, &ldquo;I think if I see a few
+more such specimens as those, I&rsquo;ll take the first train
+out. Say though, I haven&rsquo;t seen a sign of that school
+teacher, I begin to think she is a myth.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Sh!&rdquo; said Houston quickly, under his breath, &ldquo;see
+what you think of this!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Rutherford turned in the direction Houston was facing,
+and had two beings just then descended from the
+mythical regions, he could not have been more astonished
+than at sight of the pair approaching from the
+lake. The first was a young girl, apparently about sixteen,
+but tall and well developed, the scant garments
+that she wore revealing the beautifully rounded outlines
+of her form, her carriage free and every movement full
+of grace. Her face was exquisitely beautiful, the features
+refined and perfect as though chiseled in marble;
+her eyes shone with a star-like brilliancy, and her hair
+fell about her shoulders like a mass of burnished gold.</p>
+<p>Beside her was a woman several years her senior,
+equally beautiful, but an altogether different type of
+beauty; more mature, more perfect and more rare. Tall
+and splendidly developed, she moved with a queenly
+grace. Her face was classical in its contours, the profile
+resembling that of some of the old Grecians, while its
+beauty was so refined, so subtile, it could not be easily
+described. Perhaps the eyes were its chief attraction;
+large and dark, and of Madonna-like depth and tenderness;
+soulful eyes that reflected every emotion of the
+pure, womanly nature, as the calm lake mirrors the sunlit
+sky or the lowering storm-cloud, the silvery moon
+or the lightning&rsquo;s flash. The wavy, auburn hair, tinged
+in the sunlight with red gold, was gathered into a knot
+near the top of a shapely, well-poised head, while stray
+curls clustered rebelliously about the broad, fair brow,
+forming a shining aureole.</p>
+<p>Like a vision, the pair passed silently into the house,
+leaving Rutherford, for once in his life, speechless, and
+Houston watching him, apparently enjoying the situation.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s the matter, my boy?&rdquo; he asked, in a low,
+laughing tone, &ldquo;Are you spell-bound?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Spell-bound? well, slightly!&rdquo; responded Rutherford.
+&ldquo;Great Heavens, Houston! do they have such women
+as those out here?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Evidently they have some fine samples of the genuine
+article, but I am not prepared to state how large a
+stock they carry. I&rsquo;m positive of one thing though, that
+within the last three minutes you have changed your
+mind about taking the next train out. Not all the desperadoes
+and villains you&rsquo;ve met from Valley City out,
+could drive you away from the mountains now.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;re right, they couldn&rsquo;t,&rdquo; said Rutherford, with
+a broad grin, &ldquo;not if I know myself; no, sir, when I&rsquo;m in
+the line of duty nothing can scare me out of it worth a
+cent, and just now I feel it to be my duty to solve
+some of the mysteries thickening around me, among
+them, that of the mountain nymphs.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Altogether too substantial for mountain nymphs, my
+boy,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;and you will please remember,
+while pursuing your line of duty, that I have vouched
+for your good behavior here, and am in a measure responsible
+for you, and I don&rsquo;t want to get into any
+trouble on your account.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Rutherford cleared his throat, and rising slowly with
+all the dignity he could muster, looked gravely over his
+glasses at Houston in exact imitation of Mr. Blaisdell,
+and in an oracular tone remarked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And you will please remember, my young friend, that
+I am out here as your duly constituted guardian, and as
+such, it is my duty to form the acquaintance of these&ndash;&ndash;ahem!&ndash;&ndash;these
+fair daughters of Eve, and judge for myself
+whether or not they will be suitable companions for
+an unsophisticated youth, like yourself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good!&rdquo; said Houston, and after a few more jokes,
+dinner being announced by the moon-faced Minty, they
+went in to partake of their first meal in what Rutherford
+styled the &ldquo;Hotel de Maverick.&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_VIII' id='CHAPTER_VIII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>A few moments later, Houston and his friend had been
+duly presented by Mrs. Maverick, to Miss Gladden
+and to &ldquo;our daughter, Lyle,&rdquo; the former in a gown of
+soft, clinging material, of a delicate, golden tint, combined
+with a reddish brown velvet, which suited her
+style of beauty to perfection; and Lyle, in dainty white
+apron, her beautiful hair loosely plaited in an enormous
+braid, prepared to act in the capacity of waiter.</p>
+<p>Never were guests served so deftly, or with such grace
+and dignity; she seemed absolutely free from all coquettish
+airs, and although the glances of the two gentlemen
+were about evenly divided between the beauty at
+their side and the fair waitress, Lyle carried herself with
+an equanimity that was remarkable. Not until the arrival,
+later, of the other boarders, Morgan, the general
+superintendent, and Haight, the mining expert,&ndash;&ndash;so-called,
+though his expertness embraced much beside
+mining,&ndash;&ndash;was there any change in her demeanor; then
+her eyes flashed, her lips curled, and a look of superb
+scorn passed over her face, an expression that reminded
+Rutherford unaccountably of the face he had seen at
+Valley City.</p>
+<p>Old Jim Maverick and his sons were not present, having
+taken their meal hastily in the kitchen. Beside her
+husband and sons, poor, old Mrs. Maverick was positively
+refined. She was a kind-hearted, motherly
+woman, and looked as though, in her younger days, she
+might have been very pretty, but poverty, hard work and
+abuse had very nearly obliterated all traces of youthful
+bloom, and her face had a hopeless, appealing look
+which was pathetic.</p>
+<p>A little later, Mr. Blaisdell arrived, rubbing his hands
+and smiling in his usual complacent manner, and he entertained
+the guests for some time with anecdotes of
+western life, some of them very well told, but in most
+of which it was noticeable that he bore a very prominent
+part.</p>
+<p>After dinner, Houston returned to the office in company
+with Morgan and the expert, two new characters
+which he was studying attentively. The former was a
+tall, raw-boned individual, with a genial, good-natured
+manner, but a weak face; one who would willingly be
+a tool for any villain, but an unreliable tool. He would
+betray his best friend, and knowing nothing of honor
+himself, he did not believe in its existence, among men
+or women. To him, all men were rogues, all business
+simply gambling on a large scale, and his only care was
+to be on the winning side.</p>
+<p>Haight was a small, dark man, with soft, insinuating
+manner, and, in accordance with his pet theory that
+every person, high or low, rich or poor, might sometime
+be useful to him in the furtherance of his own objects,
+he treated every one with punctilious politeness. To
+some his manner might have been pleasing, but to one
+with any degree of penetration, the crafty, scheming nature
+under the thin veneer was very apparent.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, Rutherford had rather reluctantly accepted
+an invitation from Mr. Blaisdell to go through
+the mills and visit one or two of the less important
+mines. The young easterner was soon much interested,
+as, after having explored one of the smaller mines, the
+Peep o&rsquo;Day,&ndash;&ndash;which he thought very appropriately
+named as he glanced upward from a depth of a few hundred
+feet,&ndash;&ndash;he was taken to the mills, and there saw the
+various stages through which the ores pass in the process
+of reduction. He almost forgot his dislike of Mr.
+Blaisdell as he listened to his explanation of the different
+classes of ore, and the various kinds of treatment which
+they required, and met some of his old college acquaintances,&ndash;&ndash;the
+sulphates, nitrates, carbonates, and other
+members of that numerous family,&ndash;&ndash;in new and startling
+array; for Mr. Blaisdell was thoroughly at home in
+chemistry and mineralogy, and enjoyed nothing so
+much as airing the knowledge he possessed in that one
+direction. Of other branches of science, and even on
+subjects of general information, he was profoundly ignorant,
+although blissfully unconscious of the fact.</p>
+<p>Rutherford was next shown the method by which the
+ore ready for shipment was conveyed down the mountain
+to the cars on the spur tracks, hundreds of feet below,
+by means of a rail tramway on trestle work, some
+three thousand feet in length, having a grade of nine
+feet per each hundred feet, over which cars of ore were
+passing, operated by gravity, the weight and velocity of
+the descending, loaded car, carrying the empty car upward.
+He thoroughly enjoyed these novel scenes, and
+congratulated himself upon the many picturesque mining
+views which he would add to his collection.</p>
+<p>As they were passing through one of the sorting
+rooms, they came upon Mr. Haight seated before a large
+table covered with specimens of ore, which he was examining
+with a powerful microscope, while beside him
+were various chemical and mechanical appliances for
+testing the different ores. Rutherford was enthusiastic
+in his admiration of the specimens, particularly those
+from the copper mines, with their beautiful coloring,&ndash;&ndash;the
+blending tints of green and purple and blue,&ndash;&ndash;and he
+created considerable amusement by his ecstasies over a
+large sample of iron pyrites, which he had mistaken for a
+splendid specimen of gold ore. Altogether it was a
+novel and pleasant experience for him, and when he
+joined Houston later, he felt himself considerably wiser
+in western lore.</p>
+<p>After supper, Mr. Blaisdell and Haight returned to the
+office for a private conference regarding some new ores
+which the latter had been testing. Morgan strolled
+down the gulch in the direction of the Y, drawn by the
+attractions of the gambling house and dance hall, leaving
+the two strangers to seek their own amusement, or
+to be entertained by Miss Gladden; they chose the latter,
+and, since among the mountains as on the ocean,
+friendships are quickly formed, the three were soon chatting
+as pleasantly, out in the low, rustic porch, as though
+their acquaintance dated back a number of days, instead
+of only a few hours. At the kitchen door, old Jim
+Maverick and his sons, with a dozen or so miners,
+lounged about, smoking their pipes, and enlivened by
+the blushing, giggling Miss Bixby.</p>
+<p>With the latter crowd Lyle would never mingle, much
+to the indignation of Maverick himself, and the chagrin
+of two or three would-be admirers, and not feeling at
+liberty to join, unasked, the group in the porch, she
+withdrew to her little room up-stairs, and taking from its
+hiding place one of the new books her friend had
+brought her, she was for a while unconscious of everything
+else. Then, as the twilight deepened, she closed
+the book, and having again concealed it, sat watching
+the stars just beginning to appear, one by one, and musing,
+as she often did, on her own life. Why had she not,
+with her passionate love of the beautiful and her thirst
+for knowledge, been given the birth and training, the
+social advantages of any one of that little group below?
+Or, if the fates had decreed that she must be born in
+such ignorance and degradation, and spend her life in
+such surroundings, why had they not given her a nature
+corresponding to her environment, as indifferent and
+unaspiring as that of the phlegmatic Miss Bixby? Why
+must she always feel as if she had been born to a better
+life than this, when in all probability, it must always go
+on in the same old routine which she hated and despised?
+She wondered what Jack meant by the questions
+he had asked her so often lately, as to where they
+had lived before coming to the mountains, and regarding
+her earliest recollections. Well, what were her earliest
+recollections? Something so shadowy she could not
+determine whether it were remembrance or imagination;
+but it was a vague idea of light and music and beauty;
+and why was it that when she heard or read of that
+bright life, so foreign to her, of which she had never had
+one glimpse, that it all seemed somehow half familiar?
+She did not believe she would be very awkward or out
+of place, if she could step for the first time into some
+of those bright scenes as she imagined them; why did it
+all seem so home-like to her?</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, the little group below were discussing the
+same problem that Lyle herself was trying to solve.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I cannot understand,&rdquo; Rutherford was saying, &ldquo;how
+such a style of beauty, so delicate and refined you know,
+could ever exist in such surroundings.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She is a mystery,&rdquo; added Houston, &ldquo;and unless I am
+greatly mistaken, she has a nature as sensitive and refined
+as her face.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You are right, Mr. Houston,&rdquo; replied Miss Gladden,
+&ldquo;she possesses a refinement of nature that is wonderful;
+and not only that, she has a brilliant intellect if she could
+only have advantages, and notwithstanding all the difficulties
+and obstacles with which she has had to contend,
+she has already acquired a fair education, is remarkably
+well informed and a good conversationalist.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A few moments later, Lyle was aroused from her
+revery by a familiar voice calling her, and coming down
+stairs, found Miss Gladden awaiting her.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You runaway!&rdquo; she exclaimed, &ldquo;why have you been
+hiding when you should have been helping me entertain
+the new guests?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t think you needed any help,&rdquo; replied Lyle,
+brightly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You never made a worse mistake in your life,&rdquo; said
+Miss Gladden, leading the way out on the porch. &ldquo;I
+have been trying to tell these gentlemen something
+about this country around here, and I have only succeeded
+in betraying my own ignorance.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Both gentlemen greeted Lyle pleasantly, and Houston
+rose and gave her his chair with a grave, gentle
+courtesy which was new to her, and which she was
+quick to observe and appreciate. For some time they
+chatted of the surrounding country, Lyle telling them
+where the finest scenery, the best hunting and fishing
+and the pleasantest picnic grounds were to be found.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;About a quarter of a mile from here,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;in
+Strawberry gulch is a small canyon that has been fitted
+up for tourists and excursionists, and every summer
+numerous camping parties come out from Silver City
+for a few days or weeks. There is a fine lake at the
+head of the canyon, a boat house, and a good supply of
+boats, tents, and almost everything needed for camp
+life.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Have there been any camping parties yet?&rdquo; asked
+Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not yet,&rdquo; replied Lyle. &ldquo;It is too early; they usually
+begin coming in July; we are likely to have snow-storms
+out here in the mountains yet.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Snow-storms!&rdquo; they all exclaimed; &ldquo;What!&rdquo; said
+Miss Gladden, &ldquo;after such warm weather as this?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, yes,&rdquo; said Lyle, &ldquo;this is only the early warm
+weather we always have in May, but it will be much
+colder again before summer really begins in earnest;
+though the weather is never so severe here as in the
+gulches farther up the mountains.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It seems to me,&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve heard of the
+greatest number of &lsquo;gulches&rsquo; out here, and some of them
+have the most remarkable names; very original, certainly.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Their names are mostly indicative of their early history,&rdquo;
+Lyle answered; &ldquo;there are a number of them in
+this vicinity,&ndash;&ndash;Last Chance gulch, Poor Man&rsquo;s gulch,
+Lucky gulch, Bloody gulch, and so on.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Has this gulch where we are, any such euphonious
+title?&rdquo; inquired Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This one has two names, equally euphonious and
+equally historical; it is now called Spotted Horse gulch,
+but years since it was known as Dead Man&rsquo;s gulch.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That sounds cheerful!&rdquo; commented Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is there a ghost story connected with the gulch, Miss
+Maverick?&rdquo; inquired Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Lyle, &ldquo;several of them, for the miners are
+mostly very superstitious. Years ago, when there were
+no well developed mines here, only a few prospects, a
+man who had just sold one of the properties, was murdered
+for his money, about half way between here and
+the mines, where the road is so narrow and passes under
+the overhanging rocks. He rode a spotted horse, and
+from the indications when he was found a few days after,
+he must have made a desperate fight, for both he and
+the horse were shot several times. Ever since, it has
+been said that the spotted horse goes up and down the
+gulch at night, sometimes alone, and sometimes with
+his rider, and so the gulch received its name.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is that story still believed here?&rdquo; asked Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;More or less,&rdquo; replied Lyle. &ldquo;There is just enough
+faith in it, that, excepting Jack,&rdquo; and she nodded slightly
+to Miss Gladden, &ldquo;there is not a miner in camp who
+could be hired to pass through that part of the gulch at
+midnight, for fear of seeing the phantom horse and his
+rider.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Possibly,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;it would be well for
+us to adjourn for the night, or we may have a glimpse of
+the phantoms; it must be after ten o&rsquo;clock.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;After ten, impossible!&rdquo; exclaimed Rutherford,
+springing to his feet; &ldquo;I beg your pardon, ladies, for
+having detained you so long; I never dreamed it was
+so late.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The long twilight here deceives one, I have hardly
+become accustomed to it myself,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The ladies will surely pardon us,&rdquo; said Houston,
+&ldquo;since it is through their making the time pass so pleasantly
+that we have trespassed.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>They separated for the night, and a little later, Mr.
+Blaisdell and Haight came up from the office, but Morgan
+did not return until daylight was beginning to tinge
+the eastern sky.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_IX' id='CHAPTER_IX'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>A number of days passed uneventfully. Houston was
+occupied in getting familiarized with the work at the
+office, having first created an epoch in the history of
+that institution by having the windows thoroughly
+cleaned.</p>
+<p>One of the noted characters of the mining camp was
+a small boy who, when he could scarcely walk, had, on
+account of his fearless spirit and indomitable pluck, been
+dubbed with the name of &ldquo;Bull-dog.&rdquo; The name was
+so appropriate, and the little fellow himself so proud
+of it, that as he grew older it was forgotten if he ever
+had any other; if he had, no one knew what it was. He
+was now nearly twelve years of age, as small as
+most boys of eight or nine, but he possessed the same
+spirit as of old. Bull-dog was the oldest of five children;
+his parents lived at the Y, a worthless, disreputable
+pair; he spent very little time under the parental
+roof, and filial respect was entirely left out of his composition,
+and no wonder! He was a favorite among the
+miners, spending much of his time in the camp, and the
+shrewd little fellow was very observant of what went on
+around him, and very keen and worldly-wise in his judgment
+of human nature as he found it.</p>
+<p>He speedily made the acquaintance of Houston, and
+when the latter came down to the office on his second
+morning, he found the boy awaiting him, and an idea
+occurred to him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Say, Bull-dog, can you wash windows?&rdquo; he asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Bet yer life,&rdquo; was the laconic reply, accompanied by
+a grin.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What will you charge me for washing these four?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The small individual surveyed the windows critically,
+then answered:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Six bits.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Go ahead,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;let&rsquo;s see how good a job
+you can do.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Two hours afterward the windows were shining, and
+Houston paid the little fellow an equally shining dollar,
+instead of the six bits, thus making of Bull-dog a friend
+for life, and one whose friendship afterward proved of
+great value.</p>
+<p>Nearly every afternoon found Lyle at Jack&rsquo;s cabin, diligently
+reading or studying, guarded by Rex, the faithful
+collie, who would let no one but Lyle enter the cabin
+while Jack and Mike were at their work. Two or three
+evenings of each week she spent there, reviewing her lessons
+with Jack, or listening, either to the stories which
+he and Mike told of other countries, or to the music of
+Mike&rsquo;s violin, fierce and wild, or sweet and pathetic, according
+to the mood of the musician. The cabin, built
+of logs and plaster, and consisting of two rooms and a
+small attic, resembled miners&rsquo; cabins in general, with the
+exception of the second and inner room. Here, the
+floor was nearly covered with skins of animals, while on
+the walls were shelves and brackets, hand-carved in delicate
+designs, and filled with books and choice pictures,
+beautiful etchings and photographs of various works of
+art. A few larger pictures hung on the walls, framed in
+some of the same skillfully carved work. The pine table,
+covered with a brightly colored spread, was strewn
+with finely bound volumes, and scattered about the room
+were several comfortable folding chairs, which Jack
+had bought in some of his trips to Silver City. A rude
+fireplace had been built in one side of the room, over
+which were arranged artistically two or three rifles, and
+the heads and horns of various animals, while on the
+mantel was a fine collection of ores. Altogether, it was
+a pleasant room, and gave more evidence of good taste,
+education and refinement than could have been found
+for more than a score of miles in that region. This was
+Jack&rsquo;s sanctum, and none but his two friends, Lyle and
+Mike, were ever allowed within it.</p>
+<p>In this room, a few evenings after the arrival of the
+two strangers, Lyle was sitting with her friends. The
+weather was already much cooler, and a bright fire was
+burning, before which Rex was comfortably stretched,
+while he watched the faces of his two friends, Jack and
+Lyle, who, having finished their usual reading, were
+silent for a few moments, looking into the fire and listening
+to Mike as he sat in his corner, his eyes closed, his
+head bent lovingly over his violin, while he evoked some
+of the wild, plaintive airs of his native country.</p>
+<p>Jack was the first to speak, as he asked in a low tone,
+&ldquo;You have met the young men I spoke of the other evening?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; replied Lyle, still gazing into the fire, &ldquo;they
+are stopping at the house.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How long will they remain?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The younger one, the one you particularly admired, is
+to stop for a few weeks only; the other will probably remain
+permanently, as he is bookkeeper for the mining
+company.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack gave an almost imperceptible start, but slight as
+it was, Lyle noticed it, and turning quickly, saw a peculiar
+expression of mingled surprise, perplexity and annoyance
+on his usually immobile face.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Bookkeeper for the mining company!&rdquo; he exclaimed,
+&ldquo;are you sure you are correct?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I can only quote for my authority the Honorable J.
+O. Blaisdell,&rdquo; she replied archly, &ldquo;you surely wouldn&rsquo;t
+doubt his word under any circumstances, would you?
+You look surprised; did you consider Mr. Houston one
+of the &lsquo;lilies&rsquo;?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack looked at her inquiringly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;One of the &lsquo;lilies&rsquo; like Mr. Rutherford,&rdquo; she explained,
+&ldquo;who &lsquo;toil not neither do they spin,&rsquo; I supposed
+him one at first, but I think differently now; I believe
+he would always be a worker of some kind, whether it
+were necessary or not; at the same time I don&rsquo;t believe
+it is exactly necessary for him to be a bookkeeper.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You seem to have made a study of him,&rdquo; remarked
+Jack, quietly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Of course,&rdquo; answered Lyle, &ldquo;what else are my eyes
+and my small stock of brains for, but to study everybody
+and everything that comes in my way? Besides, it&rsquo;s
+rather interesting to find a person of some depth, after
+such shallow people as Mr. Blaisdell and Haight, and
+that class.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Sometimes, Lyle,&rdquo; said Jack, slowly, &ldquo;these deep people
+make a dangerous study; they are likely to become
+too interesting.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Never you fear for me, Jack,&rdquo; said the girl, with considerable
+spirit, but kindly, &ldquo;I know too well how the
+world would look upon old Jim Maverick&rsquo;s daughter,
+to carry my heart on my sleeve.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Both were silent for a moment, Jack watching her
+face intently. Mike had left the room. Lyle continued,
+in a gentler tone,</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Houston is a perfect gentleman; he would make
+a safe study for me, even if I didn&rsquo;t realize my position.
+He reminds me of you, Jack, in some ways.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Of me!&rdquo; said Jack sarcastically, &ldquo;your Mr. Houston
+would doubtless feel nattered at being compared to
+a weather-beaten miner.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You were not always a miner,&rdquo; retorted Lyle quickly,
+&ldquo;and you are a gentleman, and always will be.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;In your opinion, child,&rdquo; said Jack pleasantly; then
+turning the subject, he asked, &ldquo;What do you think of
+the &lsquo;lily&rsquo; as you styled him, Mr. Rutherford, I think you
+called his name?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, he is a gentlemanly fellow, not so ridiculous as
+he looks; good-hearted, but not deep like the other,&ndash;&ndash;not
+half so interesting to study.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; replied Jack, &ldquo;go on with your &lsquo;study,&rsquo;
+but I wish you would make a little more of a study of
+yourself and of your own life,&rdquo; and as he spoke, he carelessly
+took up a magazine and began turning the pages.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know why,&rdquo; answered Lyle slowly, at the
+same time going over to the table where she had caught
+sight of a photograph which had evidently been concealed
+by the magazine, &ldquo;my life before you became my
+friend and teacher would not make an interesting study
+for any one.&ndash;&ndash;Oh, Jack, whose picture is this? and when
+did you get it?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That?&rdquo; said Jack, answering indifferently, but watching
+her face keenly, &ldquo;Oh, that is a picture I&rsquo;ve had a
+great while.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But, Jack, I never saw it, did I?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, Lyle, I haven&rsquo;t seen it myself for years, until to-night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not for years? how strange!&rdquo; said Lyle in a low tone;
+then looking wistfully at the picture, she said, half to
+herself, &ldquo;She must have been some one you loved some
+time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She was very dear to me,&rdquo; he replied, so quietly that
+Lyle said nothing, but remained looking long and earnestly
+at the photograph. It was the picture of a young
+girl, a few years older than herself, but much more matured,
+and wondrously beautiful. The features were almost
+perfect, and the eyes, even there, seemed so radiant
+and tender. There seemed a wealth of love and sympathy
+in those eyes that touched Lyle&rsquo;s lonely heart, and
+her own eyes filled with tears, while she gazed as if under
+a spell; then she asked in a sort of bewildered tone:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Jack, I never saw her, did I?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly not while you have been here,&rdquo; he replied,
+&ldquo;I cannot say whom you may have seen before that.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Before I came here,&rdquo; repeated Lyle dreamily, laying
+down the picture and preparing to go, &ldquo;that is a sort of
+blank for the most part. It seems as though this hateful
+life had obliterated everything before it; the early
+years of my life seem buried out of sight.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Try to resurrect them,&rdquo; said Jack, adding, &ldquo;Keep
+your eyes and ears open, and let me know results. Had
+I not better go home with you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, no, thank you,&rdquo; said Lyle, smiling brightly, &ldquo;it
+isn&rsquo;t late.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then Rex must go,&rdquo; and Rex who was only waiting
+for the word bounded to the door to signify his readiness.</p>
+<p>After Lyle had gone, Jack took the picture, and after
+looking at it sadly for a moment, replaced it in the little
+case in his trunk where it had lain so long, and then sat
+down by the fire, muttering, &ldquo;Strange she did not see
+the resemblance! I hoped she would; there could not
+be two faces more alike.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>All the way home, Lyle was thinking of the beautiful
+face, wondering where she had seen it, that it should
+seem so familiar, and after dismissing Rex with a caress,
+she sat for some time in the low porch, trying to solve
+the mystery.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is no use,&rdquo; she said to herself at length, &ldquo;it is no
+face I have ever seen, unless in some of those strange
+dreams I used to have.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Going into the house, she found her parents had retired.
+Rutherford sat in his room reading, waiting for
+Houston, who was working late that night, Mr. Blaisdell
+having gone back to the city for a day or two. Miss
+Gladden was writing in her room, but Lyle would not
+disturb her, and going quietly to her own little room,
+she was soon sleeping peacefully, and the beautiful face
+was for a time forgotten.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_X' id='CHAPTER_X'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>The next morning was several degrees colder, and
+there were indications of a snow-storm. Within doors,
+the atmosphere betokened a coming storm, as old Jim
+Maverick was several degrees more quarrelsome and
+ugly-tempered than usual. He glared sullenly at Lyle,
+as she stepped quietly about the kitchen, preparing the
+early breakfast that he and the boys took before starting
+for their work.</p>
+<p>Finally he growled, &ldquo;What was you doin&rsquo; out so late
+last night? Pretty time &rsquo;twas when you come in,
+where&rsquo;d you been?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle seemed to take no notice of his questions for a
+moment, then replied, without a glance at him:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I was not out late; I went out for a walk early in
+the evening, and came back early, but I staid out on the
+porch.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; he replied with a sneer, &ldquo;so you was settin&rsquo; out
+there waitin&rsquo; for the new clerk to come home, wasn&rsquo;t
+you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t even know he was out of the house,&rdquo; said
+Lyle, indifferent to his sneers, so long as he did not mistrust
+where she had really spent the evening.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, no, of course not! I understand you pretty well,
+and don&rsquo;t you forgit it, always puttin&rsquo; on your damned
+airs round here, too nice for any of your own folks; I&rsquo;d
+like to see you made a fool of by some of the dudes
+you&rsquo;re so stuck on.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You never will have that pleasure,&rdquo; replied Lyle,
+coolly, &ldquo;I know too well the opinion that people have of
+you and your family, to ever be in any danger of being
+made a fool of.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Old Jim&rsquo;s face grew livid with rage, and he clenched
+his hand with an oath, but hearing some of the boarders
+coming in to breakfast in the next room, he only
+hissed, with a terrible leer:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Never mind, even if you are my child, with that doll-face
+o&rsquo; yourn, you might rope in that rich young feller
+for a few thousands.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle staggered under the insult as if she had received
+a blow, and pale and trembling, went into the next room
+to wait on the guests. She was relieved to see that Rutherford
+was not there; she felt she could not have faced
+him while those words of her father&rsquo;s were ringing in
+her ears. There was only Mr. Houston, who greeted her
+with his usual gentle courtesy, and Morgan, whom she
+despised.</p>
+<p>Out in the kitchen, however, her cause was being
+championed by Mrs. Maverick, the fire flashing from her
+faded eyes, as she talked in a manner very unusual for
+her.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You may abuse me as much as you like, Jim Maverick,&rdquo;
+she was saying, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve had nothing but abuse from
+you for the past twenty years, and I don&rsquo;t never expect
+nothing else, but if you ever lay a hand on that girl, or
+speak to her like that again, you&rsquo;ll be sorry for it. I can
+make you smart for it, and you know it, and I&rsquo;ll do it
+too.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The boys, Joe and Jim, aged respectively twenty and
+eighteen, stared at their mother in astonishment, but
+their father, several shades paler, ordered them from the
+house; then advancing toward his wife, shaking his fist
+and cursing her, he exclaimed:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You damned old fool! do you think you can try to
+scare me? you&rsquo;ll find &rsquo;tain&rsquo;t very healthy business for
+you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Kill me, if you want to,&rdquo; she replied doggedly, &ldquo;but
+you&rsquo;ll find it won&rsquo;t make you any better off; I&rsquo;ve fixed
+you for that.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What do you mean?&rdquo; he asked, now thoroughly
+frightened.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mean!&rdquo; said his wife, as she saw that she at last had
+the brute in her power, &ldquo;it means that you&rsquo;ve got to let
+that girl alone, and behave yourself to me, or you&rsquo;ll
+wish you had, that&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Just then, Minty entered on the scene, her round eyes
+wide open with astonishment, and Lyle entering an instant
+later from the breakfast room, Maverick slunk
+away to his work.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, the other boarders were gathering in the
+breakfast room, Miss Gladden and Rutherford being the
+last to enter.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Whew!&rdquo; exclaimed the latter, rubbing his hands,
+&ldquo;this seems a little wintry, doesn&rsquo;t it? Looks like a storm,
+too!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Morgan, glancing up, &ldquo;we&rsquo;ll probably have
+a snow-storm before noon.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How do you pleasure seekers intend to spend the
+day?&rdquo; inquired Houston, addressing Miss Gladden and
+Rutherford.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think I shall spend it beside the fire,&rdquo; replied Miss
+Gladden, shivering slightly, and sitting down for a moment
+beside the little box stove, where a wood fire was
+crackling and spluttering; &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t quite decided what
+to do, because I didn&rsquo;t come out here prepared for snow-storms.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I believe,&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll take a day off and
+develop some of the pictures I&rsquo;ve taken lately, and sort
+over my collection of views.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That will be delightful,&rdquo; exclaimed Miss Gladden,
+smiling brightly at Lyle who had entered the room in
+time to hear Rutherford&rsquo;s remark, &ldquo;We will make Mr.
+Rutherford entertain us with his collection, won&rsquo;t we
+Lyle?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle smiled in assent, but Miss Gladden very quickly
+detected traces of trouble in her face, and determined,
+if possible, to gain her confidence, and find the cause.
+Rutherford also noticed the change in her appearance,
+and remarked, after she had again left the room:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Miss Maverick doesn&rsquo;t look like herself this morning,
+I wonder what is the matter.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think there has been a storm of some kind in the
+kitchen,&rdquo; Houston replied, &ldquo;I heard pretty loud talk
+when I first came in.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Morgan, joining in the conversation, &ldquo;she
+and the old man have some high old times, once in a
+while; and one thing is curious, the girl never seems
+afraid of him, and that&rsquo;s more than can be said of many
+of the men around here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why,&rdquo; asked Houston, &ldquo;is he considered dangerous?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He is a pretty tough customer,&rdquo; said Morgan, &ldquo;I
+guess there&rsquo;s no job too dirty for him to do, if he&rsquo;s only
+paid for it;&rdquo; and then added carelessly, &ldquo;that&rsquo;s the kind
+of a man Blaisdell likes to have &rsquo;round once in a while.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What does he do?&rdquo; asked Houston, &ldquo;does he work
+in the mines?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He used to,&rdquo; replied Morgan, &ldquo;but he don&rsquo;t do any
+more underground work, he&ndash;&ndash;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Doesn&rsquo;t he?&rdquo; interrupted Haight, with a peculiar emphasis.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, yes, in some ways, plenty of it,&rdquo; laughed Morgan,
+&ldquo;but I was speaking of the mines; he&rsquo;s a sort of
+foreman now in one of &rsquo;em, and tends to the sorting of
+the ore occasionally; helps Haight out sometimes, when
+he has a particularly delicate job on hand,&rdquo; and Morgan
+winked across the table at the expert, who smiled knowingly
+in return.</p>
+<p>Lyle coming into the room again, the talk regarding
+Maverick ceased, but when she had left, Morgan continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She&rsquo;s a queer girl; she gives it to the old man sometimes,
+up and down; the boys don&rsquo;t dare give him any
+lip, but she&rsquo;s no more afraid of him, than&ndash;&ndash;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Than she is of you,&rdquo; again interrupted Haight, with
+a smile that seemed to discompose Morgan considerably,
+for he colored and bit his lip.</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden looked annoyed, as did Houston, and
+Rutherford, feeling something was amiss, unintentionally
+said about the worst thing he could just at that moment.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think Miss Maverick is an awfully nice girl.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We all think so,&rdquo; said Haight, in his blandest manner,
+&ldquo;Mr. Morgan especially.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; said Morgan, angrily, but trying to speak indifferently,
+&ldquo;she&rsquo;s nice enough, as nice as girls of her
+class generally are.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>With a look of scorn and contempt that neither Haight
+nor Morgan soon forgot, Miss Gladden rose from the
+table and left the room, while Rutherford exclaimed indignantly:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Whatever &lsquo;her class&rsquo; is, she is deucedly your superior,
+you contemptible puppy!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle just then entering, there was an ominous silence
+for an instant; then Houston, rising from the table, remarked
+in a cool, even tone:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There has been enough said for the present, but&rdquo;
+turning toward Morgan and Haight, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve something
+to say to you two, a little later.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Morgan put on his hat and started sullenly for the office,
+but Haight, assuming his most ingratiating smile,
+stepped up to Houston, and, in a low tone, began to
+apologize. Houston interrupted him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There is no need of any words here,&rdquo; he said coldly,
+&ldquo;I shall call on you at the sorting rooms this morning,
+and shall then have something to say to you, but I wish
+no words from you, at all,&rdquo; and retiring to his room, he
+left Haight in a state of considerable trepidation. He
+hurried after Morgan, and soon overtook him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I say,&rdquo; he began, &ldquo;we&rsquo;ve got that new fellow stirred
+up, and I wish we hadn&rsquo;t; I don&rsquo;t want any trouble.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hang you, you little, sneaking coward!&rdquo; answered
+Morgan, &ldquo;if you didn&rsquo;t want trouble, why didn&rsquo;t you hold
+your tongue? Whatever fuss there is you&rsquo;ve kicked up
+yourself, with your own smartness, so what are you whining
+about?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, well, you know my principles, Morgan; I never
+want quarrels with anybody; you know the old saying,
+&lsquo;the good will of a dog is better than&ndash;&ndash;&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, shut up!&rdquo; said Morgan, &ldquo;you make me tired!
+You&rsquo;re a damned coward, and that&rsquo;s all there is about it.
+It&rsquo;s my opinion, though, in the case of this dog, that his
+bark is a good deal worse than his bite.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, Houston was preparing to go to the office.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Say, old boy,&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;hadn&rsquo;t I better go
+down with you? You may have some trouble, you know,
+and I shouldn&rsquo;t wonder if they would be two pretty nasty
+fellows to meddle with.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Much obliged, Ned,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;but I can take
+care of those two fellows, and twenty more just like them.
+Haight is an out and out coward, he wouldn&rsquo;t fight any
+more than he would cut his own throat. Morgan would
+show fight, perhaps, but I&rsquo;d finish him up before he even
+knew where he was.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I guess I put my foot in it, saying what I did,&rdquo; said
+Rutherford, staring through his eye-glasses in a meditative
+manner, &ldquo;but it did make me hot, their insinuating
+things in that way about such a nice little girl as Lyle,
+and before Miss Gladden, too.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There will be no more of it, that is certain,&rdquo; replied
+Houston decidedly, and he was gone.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XI' id='CHAPTER_XI'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>A few moments later, Houston stepped briskly into
+the office. Morgan sat at his desk, sorting some mining
+reports, and looked up with a sullen, defiant glance, but
+Houston ignored him, and going to his own desk, began
+making preparations for his day&rsquo;s work.</p>
+<p>Bull-dog, who, since washing the windows, had constituted
+himself office boy, had built the fire and was now
+sweeping. Houston greeted him pleasantly, but his keen
+eyes at once detected trouble between Houston and Morgan,
+and he was immediately on the alert.</p>
+<p>After the little fellow had finished his work, and Houston
+supposed he had gone, he walked with a firm, decided
+step, over to where Morgan stood lounging and
+looking out of the window. Morgan turned, and angry
+as he was, he could not help a feeling of admiration for
+the splendid, athletic form standing, firm as a rock, before
+him. Houston&rsquo;s keen, dark eyes looked straight
+into his own, and for a moment, not a muscle of his face
+moved, the finely cut features might have been chiseled
+in stone; then he spoke, in even, measured tones, cold
+and cutting as steel itself:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Morgan, I have this much to say to you, and it
+will be well for you to remember it; that if I ever hear
+another insinuation against that young lady of whom
+you were speaking this morning, or an improper word
+of any kind in the presence of either of those ladies at
+the house, I will put you in such shape, that you will not
+be able to come to the office for a week; and more than
+that, there will be no office work here for you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What do you mean by that last threat?&rdquo; asked Morgan
+defiantly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I mean just this; that I know enough about you,
+that if I should repeat what I know to Mr. Blaisdell, you
+would not remain in this office one day longer.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Morgan grew pale. &ldquo;You seem to know a great deal
+for a man that&rsquo;s been here no longer than you have. I
+suppose Lyle Maverick has been filling you up with stuff
+about me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She has never mentioned your name to me, and you
+will do well not to bring her name into this conversation.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Seems to me you&rsquo;re wonderfully particular about old
+Jim Maverick&rsquo;s girl,&rdquo; Morgan sneered, &ldquo;I suppose you
+want her for yourself, though I should think the other
+one&ndash;&ndash;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Morgan never finished his sentence; a blow that he
+afterwards said was &ldquo;worse than the kick of a mule,&rdquo; had
+closed one eye.</p>
+<p>With an oath, he made a terrible lunge toward Houston,
+but he knew nothing more until about fifteen minutes
+later, when he found himself lying on the floor, under
+the long desk, on the opposite side of the room, while
+Houston stood a few feet away, watching him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You dirty contemptible cur!&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;do you
+think because you have no sense of honor, because you
+are so vile you can have no idea of what purity means,
+that every one is like yourself? You deserve to be
+kicked like a dog; come out from there and fight, why
+don&rsquo;t you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t believe I&rsquo;m very anxious to, if you&rsquo;d just as
+soon excuse me,&rdquo; said Morgan, who had gradually assumed
+a sitting posture, and was passing his hand over
+his eye and jaw. Then, looking up with as much of a
+grin as he could muster, with his rapidly swelling face,
+he said, &ldquo;Give it up, Houston; you&rsquo;re a better man than
+I am; I&rsquo;ll let you boss this ranch.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Do you mean,&rdquo; asked Houston sternly, &ldquo;that from
+this time there will be no more insinuations against
+ladies, and no innuendoes in their presence?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, I agree,&rdquo; said Morgan, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll never say anything
+myself, and I&rsquo;ll smash any other fellow that does; I
+think,&rdquo; he added, reflectively, &ldquo;that you&rsquo;ve showed me
+how pretty well, though I&rsquo;d a little rather you&rsquo;d practiced
+on some other fellow, Haight, for instance.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll attend to Haight,&rdquo; said Houston, helping Morgan
+to his feet, and smiling grimly at the figure he made.</p>
+<p>An hour later, Houston presented himself at the sorting
+rooms, where Haight met him with many smiles,
+offering to show him through the rooms.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Another time will do, Mr. Haight,&rdquo; said Houston
+coldly, &ldquo;I have business with yourself this morning.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, yes,&rdquo; said Haight, as if the thought had just occurred
+to him, &ldquo;that unfortunate business at the table
+this morning; Mr. Houston, I am more than sorry for
+what happened, and assure you, that, so far as I am concerned,
+it shall never occur again.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It will be much better for your interests that it should
+not,&rdquo; replied Houston; &ldquo;I have not been in the habit of
+hearing such insinuations against ladies, or such language
+in their presence; and there is something more
+I have to say to you,&rdquo; he continued, as he saw Haight
+was trying to speak; &ldquo;you were bookkeeper for the company,
+for a while, were you not?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; replied Haight in a tone of surprise, &ldquo;I
+kept the books for a few months last year.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;So I have been informed since coming here, and I
+wish to state that the other day I had occasion to refer
+to some of the old books kept by you, and I very soon
+found evidences of a few shady transactions on your
+part that I think you would not care to have come to the
+knowledge of the company.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You must be mistaken, Mr. Houston,&rdquo; said Haight,
+trying to preserve a calm exterior, but paling visibly;
+&ldquo;it must have been some of Mr. Johnson&rsquo;s work you
+found.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, Mr. Haight,&rdquo; said Houston firmly, &ldquo;it was your
+own work, in your own writing, and very bunglingly
+done at that; a man would not need to be an expert accountant,&ndash;&ndash;and
+that is what I am,&ndash;&ndash;to detect the fraud.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Houston,&rdquo; interrupted Haight, in trembling
+tones, &ldquo;everything here shall be as you wish, and I will
+help you too,&ndash;&ndash;I can be of use to you,&ndash;&ndash;if you will just
+say nothing. There were certain circumstances that I
+cannot now explain, that justified the transactions you
+allude to; and as I have told you, I regret what occurred
+this morning, and it shall not be repeated. But really,
+Mr. Houston,&rdquo; he continued, &ldquo;I had no idea that my
+teasing Morgan this morning would have such an effect;
+you see, what I was joking about was really to Miss Maverick&rsquo;s
+credit; it seems that a few weeks ago, he was
+rather smitten with her and attempted to be what she
+thought was a little too familiar, and she gave him a
+black eye, and&ndash;&ndash;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He has another one now,&rdquo; said Houston, rising abruptly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Indeed!&rdquo; exclaimed Haight.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, and there will be more black eyes if there are
+any more insinuations of that character,&rdquo; and Houston
+returned to the office, leaving behind him a bitter enemy,
+but one whose enmity would be concealed by a cloak of
+friendship.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, while Houston was pursuing his chivalric
+course, Miss Gladden, sitting by the fire in the deserted
+breakfast room, was planning in what way and by what
+means she could best help her young friend in whom she
+felt such an interest. The scene at the table had given
+her a new insight into Lyle&rsquo;s surroundings; the rudeness
+and insult to which the beautiful girl was likely to be subjected
+in such a home, the possible dangers to which she
+might also be exposed, and she was more than ever determined
+to win the confidence of the reserved, proud-spirited
+girl.</p>
+<p>In the midst of her reflections, Lyle entered the room,
+and Miss Gladden saw there were still traces of trouble
+in her face. Unconscious of the friends who were beginning
+to care for her welfare, Lyle had felt that morning
+as though she could endure her life there no longer.
+She had felt by a sort of instinct that she was in some
+way connected with the talk at the table, and she knew
+that both Morgan and Haight would not hesitate to injure
+her by their insinuations, in retaliation for the manner
+in which she had met their advances. Thirsting for
+human sympathy, her heart quickly responded to Miss
+Gladden&rsquo;s words, as she told Lyle of her interest in her,
+her sympathy for her, and her desire to help her, and in
+reply to one or two questions, she spoke freely of the
+trials she had suffered, inevitably connected with a life
+such as hers, and touched by the kindness of her new-found
+friend, Lyle continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The insults and insinuations of those men, and others
+like them, are bad enough, but I expect nothing else from
+such as they, but when one receives insult from the
+source where one would expect protection,&ndash;&ndash;that is hardest
+of all,&rdquo; and with flushed cheeks and quivering lips,
+Lyle related the scene with her father, and his words to
+her, while Miss Gladden looked inexpressibly shocked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I was almost desperate this morning,&rdquo; she said in
+conclusion, &ldquo;I felt as though I could not live such a life
+any longer; I must go somewhere, anywhere, to get
+away from it. Mother says that nothing of that kind shall
+ever happen again, that father is in her power in some
+way, and she will not let him abuse me; but it is this
+whole wretched life that I despise, if I could only be
+freed from that!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I hope, dear, your life will not always be like this,&rdquo;
+said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;it shall not be if it is in my power to
+prevent it; perhaps I may be able to brighten it in some
+way.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You have already,&rdquo; said Lyle gratefully, &ldquo;I shall be
+happy now, as long as you are here; after you are gone
+away,&ndash;&ndash;&rdquo; she shuddered slightly, then added, &ldquo;who
+knows what may happen before that time?&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XII' id='CHAPTER_XII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>A few hours later, a wild, mountain storm was raging
+outside, the wind roaring down the canyon from the icy
+fields above, driving the fast falling snow in every direction,
+with blinding fury.</p>
+<p>Within doors, however, a happy group were seated
+around the fire, oblivious of the storm outside, or with
+just enough consciousness of its fury to add to the enjoyment
+of the warmth and comfort inside.</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden was, as usual, becomingly gowned in
+a house dress of rich, warm color, while she had persuaded
+Lyle to put on a dark blue dress of her own,
+which, with a very little change, fitted as though originally
+intended for her, and also to dress her beautiful, golden
+hair high on her head, thus producing a change in
+her appearance which astonished even Miss Gladden herself.</p>
+<p>The perfectly fitting gown revealed the outlines of her
+well developed and finely proportioned form; its color
+seemed to enhance the delicacy of her face and the brilliancy
+of her eyes, while the graceful coiffure showed to
+good advantage the beautifully shaped head, and added
+to her dignity. She seemed suddenly to have been transformed
+from shy, reserved girlhood, to graceful, royal
+womanhood.</p>
+<p>As she, with Miss Gladden, entered the room where
+Rutherford awaited them, that young gentleman started
+suddenly, and turning, gazed at the regal little beauty,
+with her golden coronet, in undisguised admiration,
+much to the amusement of both ladies.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Great C&aelig;sar!&rdquo; he exclaimed, &ldquo;what metamorphosis
+is this? Excuse me, Miss Maverick, I really couldn&rsquo;t
+help it; I thought you were a sort of little girl, you know,
+and you are,&ndash;&ndash;begging your pardon,&ndash;&ndash;a very beautiful
+young lady.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Both ladies laughed merrily, and Miss Gladden secretly
+resolved that Lyle, in the future, should always be
+dressed becomingly, if her influence could accomplish
+anything in that direction.</p>
+<p>The afternoon passed very pleasantly in looking over
+the beautiful views which Rutherford had collected since
+he left his distant, eastern home. The pictures taken
+among the mountains had developed finely, and they all
+grew enthusiastic over them. Then there were pictures
+of his friends, in groups and singly, and in laughable
+combinations and positions; among them, some which
+Rutherford had taken of his friend, Tom Durston, and
+his family, at the ranch where he had stopped over night
+on his way out. There was one of Tom himself, in a futile
+attempt to milk a refractory cow, where he lay sprawling
+ingloriously upon the ground, the milk bucket pouring
+its foaming contents over him, the excited cow performing
+a war dance, while two others, more peaceably
+inclined, looked on in mild-eyed astonishment: chickens
+were flying in every direction, with outstretched necks
+and wings, while in the background, a company of geese
+were hissing their disapproval of the scene.</p>
+<p>The girls laughed until the tears were in their eyes.
+&ldquo;How did you ever get such a picture? and so perfect!&rdquo;
+they asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, I just happened to,&rdquo; he answered, &ldquo;I was out that
+morning, with my kodak all ready, looking for a subject,
+and I saw Tom milking, and thought it would be fun to
+take a picture of him to send back to the class-boys, you
+know; I held the kodak up and was just ready&ndash;&ndash;when
+that old cow sent him flying quicker than lightning, and
+I caught the picture all right. I&rsquo;m going to mail him
+one copy.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There was a picture of Tom&rsquo;s baby, taking his bath,
+his mouth wide open and his eyes shut, crying lustily for
+his mother, who had deserted him to run to Tom&rsquo;s assistance.
+Then there were pictures of Rutherford&rsquo;s home
+and friends, among them, that of a brother, older than
+himself, which particularly attracted Lyle&rsquo;s attention;
+she looked at it long and earnestly. He was sitting in
+an easy attitude, smoking a cigar, and looking at the
+face of a beautiful, dark-eyed girl, of about her own age,
+which appeared above him, encircled by the light clouds
+of smoke,&ndash;&ndash;just the face and no more. Rutherford
+stated that it was his brother and their only sister, and
+explained the process by which it was taken, but the
+picture remained in Lyle&rsquo;s memory for many a day.</p>
+<p>After a while, Houston, returning a little early on account
+of the storm, joined them, and the four friends
+spent the most enjoyable evening which they had yet
+known together, notwithstanding the storm.</p>
+<p>It had been an eventful day. To Lyle, and one or two
+of the others, it was the beginning of a new life, though
+they did not then realize it; the first, faint flush that heralds
+the coming of the sun to brighten the new day, but
+which is so subtle and silent, that few are aware of its
+presence.</p>
+<p>Houston, on his return to the house at noon, had
+given, in answer to Rutherford&rsquo;s eager inquiries, an account
+of the &ldquo;skirmish&rdquo; as he called it. Rutherford was
+so proud of his friend, and of the victory he had won,
+that at the first opportunity, he told the story to Miss
+Gladden, before Houston had even returned to the office.
+Miss Gladden was enthusiastic in her admiration
+of the course he had taken, so different from many of the
+young men she had known in wealthy, aristocratic circles,
+in thus defending a poor, friendless girl, subject to
+insult because she had the misfortune, under such circumstances,
+to be beautiful; and obeying the impulses
+of her noble-hearted, high-spirited nature, she went to
+Houston, as she saw him standing alone a few minutes
+after dinner, and extending her hand, with a bright
+smile, said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Sir Knight, I want to thank you, in Lyle&rsquo;s name and
+my own, for the chivalric course you have taken this
+morning.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>She could get no further; Houston, still holding her
+hand, interrupted her.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Do not thank me, Miss Gladden; I have only done
+what it is the duty of every true man to do.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, interrupting him in turn,
+&ldquo;true men must be exceedingly rare. I know very few,
+Mr. Houston, who would champion the cause of a girl
+in Lyle&rsquo;s circumstances, in the manner you have done,&rdquo;
+and then, with much feeling, she spoke of some of Lyle&rsquo;s
+trials, and of her own determination to help her.</p>
+<p>A beautiful woman is never so lovely as when defending
+the cause of some sister less fortunate than herself,
+and Houston thought he had never seen Miss Gladden
+so beautiful as at that moment, and the thought must in
+some way have conveyed itself to his eyes, for there was
+something in his glance that brought a bright color to
+Miss Gladden&rsquo;s cheek, and an added tenderness to her
+soulful eyes; something that remained with her all that
+day, and somehow made life, even in the heart of the
+mountains, shut out from the rest of the world, look more
+inviting, more alluring than it had ever done before.</p>
+<p>With Houston, also, the memory of those eyes with
+their depths of tenderness, and the hand whose touch
+had thrilled him with its magnetism, lingered, and brightened
+all that stormy afternoon.</p>
+<p>To Lyle, this day seemed the beginning of a new
+epoch in her solitary, isolated life. For the first time, she
+had found genial companionship, human sympathy and
+love, and chivalrous protection; for Miss Gladden had
+hastened to tell her of the part Mr. Houston had taken
+in her defense; and as the slowly maturing bud suddenly
+unfolds in the morning sunlight, so in the new light
+and warmth which she had found that day, her nature
+had suddenly expanded into mature, conscious womanhood.</p>
+<p>That evening, as the little group of friends were separating
+for the night, Miss Gladden having already gone
+up-stairs, Lyle, with a new dignity and grace, walked
+over to where Houston stood by the fire, with dreamy,
+thoughtful eyes.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Houston,&rdquo; said she, in low, sweet tones, &ldquo;Miss
+Gladden has told me of your kindness toward me to-day,
+and though she has thanked you for us both, yet I
+wish to thank you personally.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Miss Maverick,&rdquo; he replied in his grave, gentle manner,
+&ldquo;you are more than welcome to any kindness I can
+do for you, but do not thank me for what I did to-day;
+that was nothing, I would have been a beast not to have
+done that little.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If you could know,&rdquo; she said, earnestly, &ldquo;how rare
+such kindness and protection have been in my past life,
+you would realize that it does not seem like &lsquo;nothing&rsquo; to
+me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>To Houston, Lyle seemed much less mature than Miss
+Gladden, and though he had been quick to observe the
+added charm in her manner that evening, still she seemed
+to him little more than a child. Her words, and something
+in the expression of those star-like eyes, touched
+him deeply, and taking her hands in his, he answered
+tenderly:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My dear child, I am very sorry for the loneliness of
+your past life, and I want you, from this time, to regard
+me as a brother, and if there should be any way in which
+I could protect you, or help you, do not hesitate to tell
+me freely.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For the first time in all those weary years within her
+recollection, Lyle went to her rest that night with a
+heart satisfied; for as yet, only the surface of her affections
+had been stirred, and the hidden depths below were
+still unfathomed, awaiting the influence of some mightier
+power.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XIII' id='CHAPTER_XIII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>The snow-storm detained Mr. Blaisdell in the city
+rather longer than he intended, and Houston had improved
+the time in going over all the old books and office
+records which were available.</p>
+<p>The books of the company he could examine at his
+leisure, on some pretext or other, in Morgan&rsquo;s presence,
+but his extra work, which had occupied his evenings,
+consisted in going over the old letter files, mining reports
+and assay statements, making copies of whatever
+he found that would be of value to him later. He had
+found evidence of fraudulent transactions in the books
+of the company, and of these he had made careful memoranda,
+but so far, the greatest amount of evidence which
+he had secured, had been discovered in the old letters
+written by Mr. Blaisdell to other members of the company
+at Silver City, and received by him in return. These
+were copied exactly into a set of small books which he
+had brought for that purpose, and he had also made
+tracings and blue print copies of plats and maps of the
+most important mines, and of the plans of their underground
+workings.</p>
+<p>What he now particularly desired was some turn of
+affairs that would necessitate his visiting the mines, and
+give him an opportunity to become familiar with their
+workings, and that, in some way, he could gain access
+to the books and papers of the main office at Silver City,
+as he would there find records of the business transacted
+directly with the company in New York. He had
+taken the precaution to bring with him copies of letters
+on file in the New York offices, but he now felt that
+much of the most important evidence was contained in
+the office at Silver City, and was the missing link which
+he would need before going much farther, and as he sat
+at his desk one bright morning, a few days after the
+storm, mentally reviewing the whole situation, he was
+planning how he could best secure this also.</p>
+<p>Morgan, still carrying a few scars, sat with his legs
+crossed on top of his table, reading a newspaper, when
+the door opened, and Mr. Blaisdell entered.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, boys, good-morning,&rdquo; was his greeting, as he
+glanced quickly around the office, and Morgan&rsquo;s feet
+suddenly descended to the floor. &ldquo;What&rsquo;s the matter
+with your eye, Morgan?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, nothing, been sparring a little, that&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Been down to the mines this morning?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, sir, not yet; I thought maybe you&rsquo;d be up and
+want to give some directions before I went down.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very considerate!&rdquo; remarked Mr. Blaisdell sarcastically,
+&ldquo;you know I would come to the mines myself,
+anyway, and could give directions there just as well as
+here. Get ready to go down there with me, I&rsquo;m going
+in a few minutes.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Going over to Houston&rsquo;s desk, he glanced hastily over
+the books, gave some instructions, and saying that he
+wished to see him later, went out to join Morgan.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Morgan, how did you get that eye?&rdquo; he asked again.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, Houston and I had a little set-to the other day,
+and he hit me pretty hard, that&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What was it about?&rdquo; demanded Mr. Blaisdell.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Nothing much,&rdquo; answered Morgan, carelessly, &ldquo;we
+had some words about that girl of Maverick&rsquo;s; I guess
+he&rsquo;s a little stuck on her himself, and was afraid I&rsquo;d be
+in his way, or something of the kind; I got mad and hit
+him, or tried to, and he gave me a knock-out.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I was going to say that he doesn&rsquo;t look as though you
+had hit him very hard,&rdquo; remarked Mr. Blaisdell dryly,
+and then continued, &ldquo;Well, I don&rsquo;t see the use of coming
+to blows over Maverick&rsquo;s girl, or any other for that
+matter, they&rsquo;re not so scarce as all that. Jim&rsquo;s girl has
+got a pretty face, but she isn&rsquo;t worth fighting about, that
+I can see.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There were reasons for Mr. Blaisdell&rsquo;s superior indifference
+to Lyle&rsquo;s attractions, as she had been compelled
+more than once, in a most emphatic manner, to
+check attempts at undue familiarity on his part, notwithstanding
+the fact that he was a much-married man,
+living with his third wife, his table surrounded with
+&ldquo;olive plants&rdquo;&ndash;&ndash;fifteen in number&ndash;&ndash;of all sizes and descriptions,
+and regarded in the bosom of his family as a
+model husband and father.</p>
+<p>Late in the afternoon, Mr. Blaisdell returned to the
+office, looking very weary and somewhat worried. Morgan
+remained at the mines the rest of the day. Mr.
+Blaisdell went over the books with Houston, and after
+expressing considerable satisfaction at the work which
+he had accomplished, he sat down by himself, and
+seemed lost in thought for some time. At last he said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Houston, I&rsquo;ve been thinking for some time that
+we need a little extra help in the office at Silver City, and
+yet not enough that it has seemed advisable to employ
+another bookkeeper. Our books there are getting behind,
+and a little mixed, too, I&rsquo;m afraid. Mr. Lewis, our
+bookkeeper, is quite an old man, and he has charge of two
+or three sets of books for the different companies, and
+it is not to be wondered at if he occasionally gets a little
+confused; and it occurred to me while sitting here,
+that perhaps you might be willing to come down, for a
+day or two, and straighten out the books for us.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston seemed for a moment to be weighing the
+matter very deliberately.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Of course I could do it,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;but it would involve
+considerable extra time and expense for me, and
+I would want extra compensation.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, of course,&rdquo; responded Mr. Blaisdell, readily, &ldquo;I
+understand that; indeed, I was going to remark that
+you have already accomplished so much work, and your
+methods seem to be so exact and, at the same time, expeditious,
+that we will consider your term of probation
+here at an end; we agreed to raise your salary at the
+end of the month, if your services were satisfactory;
+they are eminently so, and I will take the responsibility
+of paying you one hundred and twenty-five dollars for
+this first month also. As to your fare back and forth
+between here and Silver City, of course we will pay
+that.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then,&rdquo; said Houston, smiling and inwardly congratulating
+himself, &ldquo;I do not see but that it is settled that
+I go to Silver City whenever you are ready.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell, &ldquo;you will not need
+to go down there for ten days or so, as the time will make
+no appreciable difference in the state of affairs there,
+and I shall need you here during that time, as some
+parties are coming out from the east to look at some
+mining properties, and both Morgan and myself will
+probably have to spend most of our time at the mines.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>That evening, at the boarding house, Houston sat apparently
+interested in a game of chess between Miss
+Gladden and Rutherford, but in reality, paying close attention
+to a conversation carried on in low tones between
+Mr. Blaisdell and Morgan. Only an occasional sentence
+was audible, but he could gather enough to satisfy himself
+regarding the nature of their plans.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Clean the rubbish out of the shaft, and set a couple
+of men to work there for a day or two,&rdquo; Mr. Blaisdell
+was saying; a few words were lost, and then he said,
+&ldquo;Whenever I hear what day they are coming up, we&rsquo;ll
+put on a good force.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They&rsquo;ll have their own expert with them, I suppose?&rdquo;
+asked Morgan.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; answered Mr. Blaisdell, &ldquo;but if he&rsquo;s like the
+most of those eastern experts, Haight and I can fix him
+very easily.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A little later the conversation ended, Mr. Blaisdell saying,
+as he rose to go to his room:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is a confoundedly poor property, but I think a few
+tons of ore from the Yankee Boy will sell it all right.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>This remark gave Houston considerable food for reflection,
+as the Yankee Boy was one of the richest properties
+owned by the New York company. He had that
+day received his first letter from his uncle, in New York,
+sent under cover of an envelope from the Chicago firm,
+and written in reply to a letter from himself mailed immediately
+upon his arrival at the mines; and Mr. Blaisdell
+and Morgan having left, Houston retired to his room
+to make his first report of the information he had secured
+and seemed likely to secure, concerning the ways and
+means of the western mining company; leaving the
+chess players deep in their game, and Lyle watching
+them.</p>
+<p>Lyle, though keeping up her studies afternoons, had
+not been down to Jack&rsquo;s cabin since the evening he had
+shown her the picture, partly on account of the storm,
+and partly because she feared her father might be watching
+her.</p>
+<p>Jack had wondered at her absence, thinking perhaps
+her new friends had something to do with it; but on this
+night, Jack had other company, as Bull-dog had ensconced
+himself in Mike&rsquo;s chair beside the stove, and
+having also appropriated Mike&rsquo;s briar pipe,&ndash;&ndash;its owner
+being absent,&ndash;&ndash;was smoking with all the gravity and
+self-possession of an old-timer, and entertaining Jack
+with his quaint talk.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Say,&rdquo; he said at last, clasping his hands about his
+knee, and holding the pipe between his teeth, &ldquo;have ye
+seen that new feller up at the orfice. Mister Houston,
+they call him?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack replied, very indifferently, that he had seen him
+once or twice.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, now, he&rsquo;s a Joe-dandy, a regular cracker-jack;
+an&rsquo; he&rsquo;s goin&rsquo; ter be boss of that whole shootin&rsquo; match,
+Morgan an&rsquo; that little, black, snaky feller, an&rsquo; old Blaisdell,
+too, if he don&rsquo;t look out fer hisself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What makes you think so?&rdquo; asked Jack, much
+amused.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think so, I know it. He&rsquo;s got more sand than
+all the rest of &rsquo;em put together, an&rsquo; he ain&rsquo;t afraid of nobody.
+&rsquo;D ye hear &rsquo;bout that fight that him &rsquo;n Morgan
+had?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, did they fight?&rdquo; inquired Jack, much surprised.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Did they fight!&rdquo; exclaimed the little Arab, removing
+the pipe from his mouth, and shaking his head with evident
+satisfaction at the remembrance of the scene, &ldquo;well,
+I should smile! Morgan, he tried hard enough ter fight,
+but the other feller did him up in &rsquo;bout the sixteenth part
+of a second!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Were you there?&rdquo; asked Jack, laughing.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I was peekin&rsquo; through a crack in the door; they
+s&rsquo;posed I&rsquo;d gone, but I see somethin&rsquo; was up when Mister
+Houston first come in, an&rsquo; I just makes up my mind
+I&rsquo;ll see the fun through, an&rsquo; when I goes out, I bangs the
+door hard, and then opens it agin, careful like, and peeks
+in; an&rsquo; Mister Houston, he had walked over ter where
+Morgan was, an&rsquo; had lit into him &rsquo;bout somethin&rsquo; or
+ruther he&rsquo;d ben sayin&rsquo;, an&rsquo; if he didn&rsquo;t lay down the
+law ter him, I&rsquo;ll eat my hat. An&rsquo; then Morgan he sets
+out to give him some of his lip, and by Jiminy! &rsquo;fore he
+could spit the words out, biff! comes a stunner right in
+his face, and shut one eye. My, wasn&rsquo;t he mad though!
+Then he goes ter give the other feller a punch in the
+head, an&rsquo; Houston, he ducked the purtiest ye ever see,
+and let out a blow at Morgan&rsquo;s jaw, an&rsquo; gee-whizz!
+Morgan goes a flying across the room, and lan&rsquo;s under
+the big desk, and he never come to fer &rsquo;bout twenty minits.
+My, but &rsquo;twas the slickest knock-out ye ever see,
+Corbett couldn&rsquo;t a done it slicker hisself! an&rsquo; I rolled
+down them steps a laughin&rsquo; so I &rsquo;most died. I went
+back after he&rsquo;d come to, an&rsquo; Mister Houston was a tellin&rsquo;
+him ter come out an&rsquo; fight, but he didn&rsquo;t seem ter
+wan&rsquo;ter very bad, an&rsquo; I see the fun was over, so I come
+away.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack had laughed heartily over Bull-dog&rsquo;s description
+of the scene; now he asked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What was the fight about?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Bull-dog, gravely replacing his pipe in
+his mouth, &ldquo;&rsquo;s near &rsquo;s I could make out, &rsquo;twas &rsquo;bout
+some girl.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What girl?&rdquo; inquired Jack, rather quickly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, the new feller, he didn&rsquo;t call no names, but I
+heerd Morgan say somethin&rsquo; &rsquo;bout Lyle Maverick, an&rsquo;
+so I guess &rsquo;twas her, but I knew you was always kinder
+sweet on her yourself, an&rsquo; so I wasn&rsquo;t goin&rsquo; ter say nothin&rsquo;,
+&rsquo;cause, &rsquo;nless you&rsquo;re a scrapper, you won&rsquo;t stand no
+sort of a chance with that feller.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;All right, Bull-dog,&rdquo; said Jack, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m something of a
+&lsquo;scrapper&rsquo; myself, but I don&rsquo;t expect to get into any
+trouble;&rdquo; the tone was kind, and he spoke with a half
+smile, but the keenly observant eyes of the boy detected
+a shade on Jack&rsquo;s face. However, all conversation was
+suddenly checked by the entrance of Mike, who, in a
+manner more forcible than ceremonious, dispossessed
+Bull-dog of his chair and pipe. The little waif soon took
+his departure, but it was some time before the cloud on
+Jack&rsquo;s brow was dispelled.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XIV' id='CHAPTER_XIV'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>For the next day or two, Houston saw very little of
+either Mr. Blaisdell or Morgan, as they spent most of
+their time at the mines, but his own work was greatly
+increased, as copies of mining reports regarding the
+Sunrise mine, and duplicate sets of statements of the
+assay values of samples of ore taken from its various
+shafts, were to be made out with the greatest care.
+There were tracings and blue prints to be made from the
+original plats, by which it was to be shown that the vein
+of the Sunrise mine was but an extension of that of the
+Morning Star, one of the famous North Star group of
+mines; and there were also very important and strictly
+confidential letters to be written, under Mr. Blaisdell&rsquo;s
+directions, to the Silver City office, more particularly to
+Mr. Rivers, the secretary of the company, whom Houston
+had not yet seen.</p>
+<p>The Sunrise mine which was suddenly looming up
+into such prominence, was one of which Houston had
+never heard, but judging from the rich samples of ore
+produced, and the testimony of experts and assayers, it
+seemed to be one of the most valuable properties in that
+locality; but to Houston, situated as he was, behind the
+scenes, it only afforded an additional glimpse of the
+business methods of the company.</p>
+<p>As he still sat at his desk, having just completed his
+day&rsquo;s work, Morgan came in and threw himself down
+heavily into a chair, taking his favorite attitude, with his
+feet crossed on the table, and his hands clasped behind
+his head.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You look tired, Morgan,&rdquo; commented Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am tired,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;too tired to breathe if I
+wasn&rsquo;t obliged to; this has been a hard day&rsquo;s work, and
+if old Blaisdell sells that mine, as he expects to, he&rsquo;ll
+have to divy up pretty liberally.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston turned around facing Morgan, with a peculiar
+smile.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The Sunrise mine seems to have developed wonderfully
+within the past few days,&rdquo; he remarked quietly.</p>
+<p>Morgan laughed; &ldquo;You&rsquo;d think so,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;if
+you could have seen it four days ago. There hasn&rsquo;t been
+a day&rsquo;s work done on it for over a year; some of it had
+caved in, and even the main shaft was pretty well filled
+up with rubbish. Now that&rsquo;s all cleaned out, and the
+few places where there is any quantity of ore in sight
+show up to good advantage, and we&rsquo;ve hauled eight
+or ten tons of ore from the Yankee Boy down onto the
+dump, so it makes a pretty respectable showing. Oh,
+the boss is a cuckoo for any job of that kind.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Does the mining company own the Yankee Boy?&rdquo;
+asked Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; answered Morgan, &ldquo;that whole group of mines
+is owned by a set of New Yorkers; this company out
+here is their agent, that&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And New Yorkers are not supposed to know all the
+ins and outs of their western agent&rsquo;s mining deals,&rdquo;
+commented Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, I should say not! There&rsquo;s a good many things
+going on that they are not supposed to know about,
+and that they wouldn&rsquo;t be very likely to get onto, either,
+some of &rsquo;em, even if they were right on the ground.
+Some of those ducks are pretty green, and fellows like
+Blaisdell or Rivers can make them believe most anything.
+If Blaisdell was half as smart as he makes some
+of those eastern fellows think he is, he would have been
+a rich man before this.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why,&rdquo; said Houston, in surprise, &ldquo;Blaisdell is quite
+well off, isn&rsquo;t he?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Morgan&rsquo;s only answer was a significant shake of the
+head.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What!&rdquo; exclaimed Houston in astonishment.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Really, he is not worth a dollar,&rdquo; answered Morgan,
+&ldquo;every nickle&rsquo;s worth of property that he ever had, that
+he hasn&rsquo;t lost outright, has been put into the hands of his
+wife, or his sons, or somebody or other, heaven knows
+who, I don&rsquo;t, nor nobody else.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, I am surprised,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;he seems
+shrewd and sharp in business matters, and I supposed
+he was a rich man. He must have made considerable
+money, what has become of it?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Morgan shrugged his shoulders; &ldquo;Have you seen old
+Rivers yet?&rdquo; he inquired.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The secretary? No, I&rsquo;ve never met him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; continued Morgan, &ldquo;you probably will, in a
+day or two, he&rsquo;ll be likely to come up with the eastern
+party; and when you&rsquo;ve seen him, you&rsquo;ve seen the biggest
+rascal, and at the same time the slickest duck there
+is on this side of the divide, and I doubt if there&rsquo;s any on
+the other side can beat him. Old Blaisdell&rsquo;s pretty
+smooth, but he ain&rsquo;t a circumstance to Rivers. Rivers
+will rob you of your last dollar, and make you think he&rsquo;s
+your best friend all the time. Oh, he&rsquo;s a lulu, and no
+mistake!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Further conversation was prevented by the entrance
+of Mr. Blaisdell, with a fine lot of ore samples with their
+assay values attached, which he arranged on his desk,
+his thin lips drawn back meanwhile in his accustomed
+self-satisfied smile. When this was done, he turned to
+the young men.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; he began, with a low chuckle of delight, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve
+got word my party is coming all right. Haight just got
+a telegram from Rivers, that Winters had wired him that
+he and his son and the expert would be in Silver City,
+on to-morrow&rsquo;s train, so I will have to go back to the
+city to-night, to be in readiness to meet them. Let me
+see, this is Wednesday, they arrive Thursday; Morgan,
+set the men to work on that mine Friday morning; we
+will be up here in the course of the forenoon, you see
+that everything is in first-class order. Houston, are
+those statements and tracings all ready?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They are,&rdquo; replied Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well, put them up as quick as you can, I&rsquo;ll take
+them to the city with me, and the team will be here in
+half a minute; I want to catch that six o&rsquo;clock train. I
+didn&rsquo;t expect to have to go to-night, but that telegram
+has hurried up matters. Morgan, you keep everything
+straight to-morrow, and be ready for us Friday morning.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Shall I send a team down?&rdquo; asked Morgan.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, no matter about that, I&rsquo;ll take Joe Hunt&rsquo;s team
+there at the Y, it will be a rather more stylish turnout
+than one of the mining teams. Everything is here O.K.
+I suppose,&rdquo; as Houston handed him the papers he had
+requested, &ldquo;all right, there&rsquo;s my team; well, so long,
+boys, don&rsquo;t get into any more fights while I&rsquo;m gone,&rdquo;
+and he was soon rattling down the canyon toward the
+Y, while Houston and Morgan began to make preparations
+for closing the office.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Morgan, as he stood looking out of the
+window, and waiting for Houston to put away his books
+and papers for the night, &ldquo;I can just imagine the little
+scene that will be enacted down there at the main office
+to-morrow, it would be as good as a play just to watch
+it. There will be old Wilson, with his diamonds and
+palaver, expatiating on the country and the mines; and
+Blaisdell, with that dignified way of his, talking of nitrates
+and sulphides, and so many milligrams equaling
+so many grains troy, and so many gramestons in so
+many pounds avoirdupois, and all that razzle-dazzle, and
+Rivers, not saying much of anything, but smiling, and
+calculating how many thousands he is going to put in
+his own pockets.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston laughed, and was about to reply, when Rutherford
+came in, as he often walked down to meet Houston
+and accompany him to the house.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Come in, Ned,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;you should have
+been here a minute ago; Morgan has been giving some
+verbal portraits of the mining company. Your descriptive
+powers are excellent, Morgan, and you seem to
+know these men pretty well.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Know them,&rdquo; said Morgan, swinging himself astride
+a chair and folding his arms upon the back, while Rutherford
+perched upon a large writing table, and Houston
+leaned against his long desk, with his arms folded,
+&ldquo;Know them, I should think I ought to. I worked in
+the Silver City office as bookkeeper for a year before
+coming out here, and six months of that time I boarded
+in Blaisdell&rsquo;s family; and as his wife hates Rivers&rsquo; wife,
+and couldn&rsquo;t say enough about her, I knew about as
+much of one family as the other before I came away.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Does Mr. Blaisdell try to impress his better half with
+a sense of his intellectual superiority, as he does the
+rest of his fellow mortals?&rdquo; asked Rutherford.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If he ever did,&rdquo; answered Morgan, &ldquo;he must have
+got bravely over it some time ago; she treats him with
+a contempt that would have cured him of that habit.
+I&rsquo;ve sometimes thought that the reason he swells so
+much out among people is because he&rsquo;s so unmercifully
+snubbed at home.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I see,&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;just a natural effort to keep
+his self-respect in equilibrium.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Has he many children?&rdquo; inquired Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, no,&rdquo; said Morgan, &ldquo;not many, only fifteen.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Only fifteen!&rdquo; said Houston, in astonishment, while
+Rutherford exclaimed, &ldquo;Oh, come off now, you&rsquo;re joking!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No joking about it,&rdquo; said Morgan seriously, &ldquo;I took
+the old man&rsquo;s word for it. I tried several times to count
+&rsquo;em, but had to give it up, it seemed that every day I saw
+a new one. Some of &rsquo;em are as old as I; you see this is
+his third wife, and some of the children are older than
+she.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think,&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;I&rsquo;d like a wife younger
+than my children.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He seems to,&rdquo; replied Morgan, &ldquo;they&rsquo;re as spooney
+as can be, when they&rsquo;re not quarreling.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, deliver me!&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to
+hear any more about them. How about that other man,
+Rivers? He hasn&rsquo;t such a surplus of children and wives,
+has he?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Morgan slowly, &ldquo;I guess if his children
+could all be got together, there&rsquo;d be more of &rsquo;em than
+of Blaisdell&rsquo;s, and he has full as many wives, only, in
+his case, they are all living.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Great Scott!&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;is he a Mormon?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Morgan shook his head, and Houston said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Morgan, I think in your efforts to be entertaining,
+you are drawing slightly on your imagination, thinking
+that we are fresh enough to believe anything you choose
+to tell us.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, it&rsquo;s all true, whether you believe it or not. That
+man left a wife and family of children somewhere in New
+York State, more than ten years ago, and ran away with
+another woman; they have five or six children, and
+here, about three years ago, since I came here, he got his
+divorce from the first woman, and married this one.
+Then he spent last winter in San Francisco, and it seems
+now, that he circulated around there under another
+name,&ndash;&ndash;and his name is no more Rivers, than mine is
+Jenks,&ndash;&ndash;and passed himself off for an unmarried man,
+and now there&rsquo;s a woman there has entered suit against
+him, for breach of promise.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Rutherford, descending from his elevated
+position, &ldquo;I move that we adjourn to the boarding house
+at once; if I hear any more such stuff, I&rsquo;ll lose my appetite.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The mystery to me is,&rdquo; said Houston, when they
+were started on their way to the house, &ldquo;how such a
+man is allowed to live and do business in a respectable
+community.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; said Morgan carelessly, &ldquo;he isn&rsquo;t any worse
+than the rest of &rsquo;em, only he&rsquo;s a little more out and out
+with it; and the rest of &rsquo;em know it, and as long as they
+all live in glass houses, they don&rsquo;t any of &rsquo;em want to
+throw any stones.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It cannot be quite as bad as that,&rdquo; said Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, I&rsquo;ve found &rsquo;em all about alike, men and women
+too, for that matter, though I believe you shut me off
+from expressing my views about women.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But you certainly would not include all women in
+such an assertion?&rdquo; said Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know why not, as far as my experience goes,
+they&rsquo;re all off the same piece.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why, man,&rdquo; said Houston indignantly, &ldquo;what are
+you talking about? You had a mother once, you do not
+mean to traduce her memory?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For a moment, Morgan was silent, then he replied in
+a tone that sounded very unlike his usual voice:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, I had a mother once, and that is what has made
+me what I am; sometime I will tell you about her.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>And nothing more was said until they reached the
+house.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XV' id='CHAPTER_XV'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Friday morning, word was received from Mr. Blaisdell,
+over the private wire connecting the office at Silver
+City with the mines, that he and Mr. Rivers would
+be up on the first train with a party of four, and to have
+everything in readiness for them; also to make arrangements
+for their accommodation at the boarding house.
+Morgan had already placed a small force of men at work
+on the mine, and after carrying out Mr. Blaisdell&rsquo;s instructions,
+remained himself at the mine, superintending
+the work.</p>
+<p>It was one of those perfect days, so frequent among
+the mountains; a cloudless sky, and the air so clear
+that one could see the most distant mountain peaks with
+wonderful distinctness. The weather was again warm,
+yet the air was cool and invigorating, and aromatic with
+the breath of the evergreen forests clothing the sides
+of the mountains and foot hills, while everywhere, the
+spring flowers were adding their color and beauty to the
+scene, their fragrance rising continuously, like an invisible
+cloud of incense, on every hand.</p>
+<p>At about eleven o&rsquo;clock, Houston heard the noise of
+the approaching team, and stepping to the window, saw
+a three-seated, open wagon, drawn by a pair of powerful
+horses. On the back seat, with Mr. Blaisdell, was an old
+gentleman, evidently Mr. Winters, and on the second
+seat, facing them, were two whom Houston judged to
+be Mr. Rivers and the junior Mr. Winters; but he took
+little notice of them, for his attention was arrested by
+one of the two young men sitting on the front seat, with
+the driver. The figure looked wonderfully familiar, but
+the face was almost wholly concealed by a broad-brimmed,
+soft hat. The team stopped, and at once the
+passengers prepared to alight; the hat was suddenly
+pushed back, revealing to the astonished Houston, the
+shining spectacles and laughing face of Arthur Van
+Dorn, his college class mate and chum.</p>
+<p>The men were alighting, and it was evident that Mr.
+Blaisdell was in a most genial frame of mind, he fairly
+beamed on every one; but Houston, not waiting to meet
+him, made a hasty retreat into the back room, to decide
+quickly upon his course of action. Nearly a thousand
+plans occurred to him, but none seemed feasible. If
+Mr. Blaisdell were the only member of the firm present,
+he felt he would have little difficulty, but the presence
+of Mr. Rivers made it considerably harder for him.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, in the front room, Mr. Blaisdell was receiving
+his guests in the most effusive manner, reminding
+Houston, even in his dilemma, of a gushing school
+girl.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Winters, let me assist you, you must be exceedingly
+weary; here, take this chair, you will find it a little
+more comfortable; sorry not to have more luxurious
+quarters in which to receive you, but this is the wild
+west, you know. Mr. Rivers, won&rsquo;t you see that Mr.
+Winters is comfortable, while I wait on his son. Mr.
+Lindlay, let me show you these specimens of ore, I think
+you will appreciate them as few can.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>In the midst of all this effusion, Mr. Rivers suddenly
+appeared in the back room. He was a small man, quite
+bald, with small, twinkling, peering eyes, and a quick
+motion of his head from one side to the other that reminded
+Houston of a ferret. Seeing Houston, his eyes
+twinkled until they nearly closed, he smiled, and extending
+his hand, said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah, the new clerk, Mr. Houston, I suppose; very
+glad to meet you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At that moment Mr. Blaisdell entered; &ldquo;Well, Mr.
+Rivers, you have found Mr. Houston, I see; Mr. Houston,
+this is Mr. Rivers, the secretary of the company. I
+was just looking for you, Houston, I want you to come
+in and meet the people in the other room.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;In a moment, Mr. Blaisdell,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;but
+first, will you and Mr. Rivers just look over something
+I have found here. This looks to me as though a serious
+error had been made in this report regarding the Sunrise
+mine, and as you will probably need it to-day, had it
+better not be corrected?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Error in the report of the Sunrise!&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell,
+adjusting his spectacles, &ldquo;let me see; why yes, that
+is an error, and a bad one, too, I am glad you called our
+attention to it; look here, Rivers,&rdquo; and the two men
+were deeply engrossed in a study of the papers before
+them.</p>
+<p>Houston improved the opportunity to reconnoiter the
+situation in the front room. Mr. Winters and his son
+were in a close consultation. The third man was busily
+engaged in looking at some ores, his back towards the
+door, while beside him stood Van Dorn, indifferently
+watching him. Houston gave a slight cough that attracted
+Van Dorn&rsquo;s attention; he turned, and seeing
+Houston, his face brightened, and he was about to
+spring forward to greet him, when the latter, with a
+quick motion of his hand, gave him the signal of their
+old college days, its equivalent in the western vernacular
+being, &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t give me away,&rdquo; at the same time putting
+his finger on his lips. A look of intense surprise flashed
+across Van Dorn&rsquo;s face, but he grasped the situation at
+once, and silently giving the return signal, he turned
+and walked in the opposite direction with the most nonchalant
+manner imaginable, and Houston knew that his
+secret was safe. A few moments afterward, &ldquo;Mr. Houston,
+our private secretary,&rdquo; was introduced to the entire
+party, and a hearty grip from Van Dorn&rsquo;s hand, which
+Houston returned with interest, was the only sign of
+mutual recognition.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well friends,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell, blandly, having
+looked at his watch, &ldquo;it is now so near noon, that when
+we have allowed Mr. Winters ample time for rest, we
+had better proceed to the house and have our dinner,
+before going to the mines.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If you dine at noon,&rdquo; replied Mr. Winters, in a very
+genial, yet dignified manner, &ldquo;there is scarcely time for
+a very extended exploration, but don&rsquo;t discommode
+yourselves in the least, gentlemen, on account of my age
+and feebleness. I have always enjoyed perfect health,
+and notwithstanding my gray hairs, I don&rsquo;t believe I
+am much older than my friend, here, Mr. Blaisdell.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not older than I am, sir!&rdquo; exclaimed Mr. Blaisdell,
+who prided himself upon his youthful appearance, &ldquo;why,
+how old do you take me to be?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Much older than you look,&rdquo; replied Mr. Winters, &ldquo;I
+am sixty-five, and you are at least sixty, although you
+look ten years younger than that.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You have certainly proven yourself a Yankee by
+your guessing,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell, slightly disconcerted,
+while the others joined in a general laugh at his expense,
+&ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t have thought you would have made
+so good a guess as that, neither did I think you were so
+near my own age.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You have the advantage of me now,&rdquo; returned Mr.
+Winters, pleasantly, &ldquo;but if we live twenty years, as I
+expect to, I&rsquo;ll then look younger than you, for I have
+the better health of the two.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Have you ever visited the west before, Mr. Winters?&rdquo;
+inquired Mr. Rivers.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, a few times,&rdquo; replied the old gentleman, while
+the mining expert, an Englishman, with large blue eyes,
+full face and blond mustache, smiled quietly at Van
+Dorn and Houston, who were seated near each other;
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been west once or twice a year for the last ten
+years.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Indeed!&rdquo; said Mr. Rivers, with considerable surprise,
+while the younger Mr. Winters said with a laugh, &ldquo;Oh,
+you couldn&rsquo;t keep father at home in New York, any
+more than you could one of these Indians out here; he&rsquo;s
+got to be roaming around all over the country continually.
+If he didn&rsquo;t drag me about with him everywhere,
+I wouldn&rsquo;t object.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You have been out in this country often, I suppose,&rdquo;
+said Mr. Blaisdell, addressing the expert, who replied
+coolly, with a very slight accent:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, sir; I simply come out &rsquo;ere once in a w&rsquo;ile, you
+know, just as an accommodation to Mr. Winters.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You live in New York, I suppose?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, sir; my &rsquo;ome is in London,&rdquo; he replied, with an
+air that seemed to indicate he did not care for any further
+conversation.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Blaisdell,&rdquo; said Mr. Rivers, &ldquo;I thought you said
+something some time ago, about dinner; if the ride in
+the mountain air has given the rest of these gentlemen
+such an appetite as it has me, we would like to see that
+dinner materialize before very long.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>On the way to the boarding house, Van Dorn managed
+to walk with Houston, and exclaimed in a low
+tone:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good heavens, Everard, what does this mean? What
+are you masquerading around in this style for?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t ask me to explain now, there are too many
+around; after dinner we will go down by ourselves, and
+I&rsquo;ll tell you the whole story. I may want a little advice
+from you, as you&rsquo;re a mining expert yourself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t let any of these people out here know that,&rdquo;
+Van Dorn answered quickly; &ldquo;Mr. Winters has introduced
+me as an inventor of some mining machinery that
+they use, just out here looking around for the pleasure
+of it; you know I did invent an amalgamator that is
+being used to some extent; but I&rsquo;m not supposed to
+know anything about practical mining.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston laughed; &ldquo;How about the Englishman?&rdquo; he
+asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s no fool,&rdquo; said Van Dorn quickly, &ldquo;though he is
+playing verdant; only comes out here to accommodate
+Mr. Winters, and so forth; that&rsquo;s all right, but he accommodates
+Mr. Winters pretty often. He&rsquo;s a fine expert
+and understands his business thoroughly, only I
+happen to be a little more familiar with the ores in this
+locality, as I spent a good many months out here in the
+mountains two years ago, experting mines; not in this
+camp of course, but only a few miles from here. Mr.
+Winters himself is sharp, and with Lindlay and myself
+out here, he&rsquo;s not going to be very badly taken in.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good!&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;and now there is one thing
+more before we get to the house. You remember Morton
+Rutherford?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mort Rutherford, of old college days? well, I should
+say so; what about him?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;His brother is stopping here, you will see him at dinner.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What!&rdquo; interrupted Van Dorn, &ldquo;little Ned? What
+under heaven is he doing out here? Are you two fellows
+out here incognito making love to rustic maidens?
+or what are you doing?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, Ned is out here in his own name, you won&rsquo;t need
+be under any restrictions with him, but what I want to
+say is this: Don&rsquo;t let him know who I am, or that you
+used to know me, or that I know his brother.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Anything else I&rsquo;m not to let him know?&rdquo; queried
+Van Dorn, taking out a small note book.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, put up your book, or Mr. Blaisdell will think I
+am giving you pointers on the mine. But this is how it
+is; Rutherford met me on the train coming out here, introduced
+himself to me, took a fancy to the mountains,
+and decided to stay a few weeks. He thinks I am&ndash;&ndash;what
+you found me&ndash;&ndash;the clerk for this company, and my
+home in Chicago. I am not ready to explain matters to
+him yet, so just simply appear as if you had never met
+me or heard of me till to-day.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But how is it Ned didn&rsquo;t know you? Didn&rsquo;t you ever
+see him when you visited Mort?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, I was there only once, and he was away at school
+at the time, and then he never went to Yale, you know,
+he is a Harvard graduate.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, I see; all right, I&rsquo;ll be mum.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A sharp turn in the road brought the house into view,
+with Rutherford seated on the porch, reading a magazine.</p>
+<p>He glanced up with his usual assumption of dignity,
+as the party approached, but catching sight of Van
+Dorn, at the rear of the little procession, his magazine
+and his dignity were suddenly flung to the winds, and he
+bounded down from the porch like a school-boy.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;By Jove! Hello there, Van Dorn, how do you do?
+Great Scott! how did you ever come out here? I&rsquo;m
+awfully glad to see you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very glad to see you, my dear boy,&rdquo; said Van Dorn,
+heartily, &ldquo;but the mystery to me is, how do you happen
+to be here?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Blaisdell looked on greatly astonished and
+amused by Rutherford&rsquo;s impetuous greeting.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, Mr. Rutherford,&rdquo; he remarked, &ldquo;you seem to
+have met an old friend; ah, yes, I see, you are from Boston,
+and so is Mr. Van Dorn.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Introductions followed, and the party sat down to
+dinner. Houston, seated between Van Dorn and Rutherford,
+did not lack for entertainment, but he had been
+at the table but a few seconds when he became aware
+that Miss Gladden was not there. He waited till the
+meal was nearly over, and then quietly inquired of Lyle
+whether Miss Gladden were ill.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh no,&rdquo; Lyle answered, in a low tone, &ldquo;Miss Gladden
+thought best, as so many gentlemen were to be
+here, and on business, to let them have the table to themselves.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>After dinner, Houston started a little early for the
+office, and Van Dorn took his hat, saying:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If you&rsquo;ll excuse me, gentlemen, I&rsquo;ll walk down with
+Mr. Houston. You know I&rsquo;m not so crazy on mining as
+you are, and I&rsquo;d like to see somebody for a change, that
+can talk on some other subject.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Go ahead,&rdquo; said Mr. Winters, &ldquo;I suppose you&rsquo;ll want
+to go through the mines in our company, though, by
+and by.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I probably will have to go in your company, if I go
+at all,&rdquo; Van Dorn replied carelessly, &ldquo;my choice is rather
+limited.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;ll be here this evening, won&rsquo;t you Van?&rdquo; said
+Rutherford, who was then engaged in a sort of one-sided
+conversation with the Englishman.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I suppose so,&rdquo; Van Dorn answered.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;All right, I&rsquo;ll see you later,&rdquo; Rutherford responded.</p>
+<p>The confidential clerk and the young inventor strolled
+down the road together, and the officers of the mining
+company never dreamed of the results.</p>
+<p>Half an hour later, Mr. Blaisdell and Mr. Rivers rose
+to return to the office, and the others followed their example,
+with the exception of Mr. Winters, who said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If you boys are in a hurry to start, all right, go
+ahead; I&rsquo;m going to take my after-dinner smoke out
+here on the porch,&rdquo; at the same time producing a fine
+meerschaum.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Now, father, don&rsquo;t you get left behind,&rdquo; said his son
+jokingly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Get left, you young rattle-brains! I&rsquo;ll have my
+smoke out and be down there at the office, before you
+are ready to start; your old father generally &lsquo;gets there&rsquo;
+in as good time as you can make.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll tell you what we will do, Mr. Winters,&rdquo; said Mr.
+Blaisdell, &ldquo;the road to the mine branches off just below
+here, and we can just as well drive around here and call
+for you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;All right, Mr. Blaisdell, that will be perfectly satisfactory,
+whatever suits you young fellows, suits me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well, then, Mr. Winters,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell,
+&ldquo;we &lsquo;young fellows&rsquo; will be along in the course of half
+an hour,&rdquo; and they went down the canyon, leaving the
+old gentleman in the low porch, deep in the enjoyment of
+his pipe.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XVI' id='CHAPTER_XVI'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>As the quondam class-mates disappeared together
+down the winding road, Houston gave his friend, as
+succinctly as possible, an explanation of his presence
+there in the capacity of clerk, briefly outlining his plans,
+and stating what he had been able so far to accomplish.</p>
+<p>Van Dorn was intensely interested, and through his
+own practical knowledge and experience, was able to
+give Houston some valuable information, and to make
+some important suggestions.</p>
+<p>Houston was quick to see that here was just the help
+he would need a little later; he also knew that opportunities
+for seeing his friend would be limited, he must
+act promptly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Arthur,&rdquo; he asked rather abruptly, &ldquo;how soon do you
+go east?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;In about two weeks.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Any special engagements for this summer?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Nothing particularly important at present.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You remember my uncle, don&rsquo;t you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I remember Mr. Cameron perfectly, though I have
+not seen him for a number of years.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I suppose, for a sufficient consideration, you would
+come out here on business for us, at any time?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Like Lindlay, &lsquo;just to accommodate,&rsquo; I suppose,&rdquo;
+laughed Van Dorn, and continued, &ldquo;Everard, old boy,
+I am at the service of yourself and your uncle, and we&rsquo;ll
+say nothing about &lsquo;considerations&rsquo; until afterward; then
+arrange it between yourselves.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We will not require your time and services without
+ample compensation,&rdquo; returned Houston, &ldquo;but you will
+be just the man I will need later; an expert, familiar
+with this locality, in whom my uncle will repose perfect
+confidence, and whom the company here will not suspect.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But Mr. Cameron may not place much confidence in
+the harum-scarum sophomore that visited his home a
+few years since, if he remembers him at all,&rdquo; said Van
+Dorn, with a little laugh.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My word will be enough for that,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;I
+will write a letter this afternoon for you to take to him.
+There are the gentlemen now, coming down the road;
+I will see you again this evening, and probably to-morrow.
+I wonder what has become of Mr. Winters?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Probably he is taking his afternoon smoke,&rdquo; said
+Van Dorn. &ldquo;I think the old gentleman would throw
+up the whole mining deal rather than sacrifice that. After
+what you&rsquo;ve told me of this mining concern out here,
+I&rsquo;ve considerable curiosity to see this famous mine
+they&rsquo;ve been writing about. I&rsquo;ve got an idea just about
+how it will pan out, but I&rsquo;ll say nothing till I&rsquo;ve seen it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Let me know your impressions, later,&rdquo; said Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Agreed,&rdquo; answered Van Dorn, and the party outside
+having nearly reached the door, the subject was
+dropped.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, Mr. Winters, seated in the rustic porch,
+his attention divided between the picturesque scenery
+surrounding him, and the spirals of blue smoke which
+he loved to watch, was in no hurry to exchange his present
+enjoyment for subterranean explorations; the rest
+and solitude seemed doubly welcome after the last few
+weeks of travel.</p>
+<p>Rutherford, who lingered a few moments after the
+others had gone, did not find him very socially inclined,
+and picking up his magazine from the floor, where it had
+reposed since Van Dorn&rsquo;s appearance, he started up the
+canyon for a stroll among the rocks by the lake.</p>
+<p>It is to be feared that Mr. Winters, under the combined
+influence of his pipe and the warm sunshine, was
+very nearly asleep. It is certain that he never heard the
+sound of soft, trailing garments beside him, nor did he
+appear to be in full possession of all his faculties, until
+two arms rested lightly on his shoulders, and a pair of
+small, white hands were clasped across his eyes.</p>
+<p>Such a proceeding, under such circumstances, naturally
+had the effect of very quickly restoring his faculties
+to their normal condition, but on trying to turn his head,
+he found it held as firmly as in a vise, by the hands which
+had been quickly removed from his eyes, while a mischievous
+voice announced imperiously:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Guess who it is, and you are free!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Guess!&rdquo; exclaimed the old gentleman in some perplexity,
+&ldquo;why, if I were at home, I would know this was
+one of my little girl&rsquo;s tricks, but I cannot imagine who it
+is here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There was a musical, rippling laugh, as the hands were
+withdrawn, and Mr. Winters, turning quickly, came near
+losing his pipe in astonishment.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Bless my soul, Leslie! what does this mean? Well,
+well! so it was my little girl after all, up to her old
+tricks; but, child, how came you out here, in such a
+place as this?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At that moment, Houston or Rutherford would
+scarcely have recognized Miss Gladden, could they have
+seen her seated beside Mr. Winters with all the careless
+abandon of a child, laughing merrily in answer to his
+numerous questions, while he playfully pinched her
+cheek, or pulled her ear. To Mr. Winters, however, she
+seemed like one of his own children, for Leslie Gladden
+was an orphan, and Mr. and Mrs. Winters, having been
+deeply attached to her parents, and having no daughter
+of their own, had always regarded her as a daughter,
+and much of her life had been passed in their home.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, puss,&rdquo; said Mr. Winters, having answered her
+inquiries regarding his family, &ldquo;seems to me it&rsquo;s about
+time you gave an account of yourself; what are you
+doing here? and what have you been doing since last
+Easter? and where are Helen and her husband?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;One question at a time, if you please, sir,&rdquo; said Miss
+Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s right, giving the old man orders, as usual;
+we always spoiled you, Leslie. Well, in the first place,
+what possessed you to leave us in the way you did? We
+understood you had gone to spend Easter with Helen;
+and the next we heard, Helen wrote her sister that they
+were going to spend the summer traveling in the west,
+and that you were to accompany them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I will explain that a little later; what is the next in
+order?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is Helen here with you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, sir, she and George are in Denver.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And who is stopping here with you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No one; do you think I need a guardian, or a chaperon?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The old man&rsquo;s eyes twinkled; &ldquo;You always were an
+independent sort of a girl, and pretty level-headed, too,
+I must admit; but, my dear child, is it safe for you to be
+out here alone among the miners, and this rough class
+of people?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden laughed; &ldquo;Did you see any very rough
+people to-day at dinner?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why no, to be sure, I did not, but then, there must
+be many of them out here in this neighborhood.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I never see them,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;I associate
+only with the people you met to-day; no one here knows
+that I have wealth; so really, I am safer here than at
+home, where I am known.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But there is no society here,&rdquo; protested the old gentleman.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I came here to get away from society; there is plenty
+of refined and pleasant companionship, and if I have
+friends here, I know they are sincere friends, not money
+worshipers, or fortune hunters.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, I see,&rdquo; said Mr. Winters, &ldquo;the princess is out
+here in disguise, seeking some knight who will love her
+for herself alone, and not for her fortune.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden gravely, &ldquo;I have not come
+out here seeking for any knight, but to escape from a
+base, dishonorable and cowardly knave.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Has your cousin Humphrey been annoying you
+again?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, he and his mother made life a burden to me, that
+was my reason for leaving home as I did. Humphrey
+has sunk nearly every dollar of their property by his
+profligacy, and now, he and his mother are determined
+to have my fortune. Aunt exhausted all her stock of
+melodramatic and sentimental language and her tears
+in trying to get me to fulfill what she called my father&rsquo;s
+&lsquo;dying wish,&rsquo; by marrying that debauchee and libertine;
+then she tried threats, and finally became so wild with
+rage, that she reminded me of the will, and told me I
+should never marry any one else; that Humphrey
+should have the property, as my father intended, sooner
+or later, if not with me, then without me. I knew Helen
+intended to come west, and I went to her and asked to
+let me travel with them. Now, you know my reason for
+leaving so suddenly, and for not writing. We have all
+enjoyed our trip very much; you know George came
+out on business, and when he was occupied, of course
+it was pleasanter for Helen that I was with her. While
+we were at St. Paul, George met some mining men, and
+he immediately began to have symptoms of mining
+fever, and hearing of the mines out here, he brought us
+out, among the mountains and miners. We came out
+when the weather was warm and delightful, and Helen
+and I roamed over the mountains while George explored
+the mines. Then he decided to go to Denver, and I
+would probably have accompanied them, though I had
+become attached to this place, but just then I heard that
+my cousin had traced me to St. Paul, and was in pursuit,
+to renew his attentions to me, so I decided to remain
+here where he will be less likely to find me. Helen and
+her husband are in Denver, sworn to secrecy regarding
+my whereabouts.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, well!&rdquo; exclaimed the old gentleman, meditatively,
+&ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t have thought your aunt would so far
+have forgotten herself. It was unfortunate that your
+father made such a will, leaving everything to Humphrey
+in case of your dying unmarried, but that was
+when you were both children, and he was very fond of
+the little fellow. Leslie, my dear, I wish you were married.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But I am not, and perhaps never likely to be,&rdquo; Miss
+Gladden answered merrily.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, and you might have been married twenty times
+over,&rdquo; said Mr. Winters, shaking his head, &ldquo;and my own
+boy, Harry, among the lot.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Once is enough for me, papa dear,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden
+lightly, yet in a more tender tone, &ldquo;when the right
+one comes; but it could never have been Harry, any
+more than his brother, Richard; you and mamma were
+like parents to me, and the boys both seem like brothers.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Have you found the right one, yet?&rdquo; asked the old
+gentleman, watching her keenly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;As I told you, I am not looking for a knight,&rdquo; she
+answered brightly, but the color deepened on her cheek,
+&ldquo;if he ever comes, he must find me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Winters noted the telltale flush, and slowly shaking
+his head, remarked, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know, Leslie, about the
+advisability of leaving you here; you were always inclined
+to be very philanthropic, and it would be like you
+to adopt some young man out here, thinking you had
+money enough for yourself and him, too; that clerk
+down at the office, for instance, or this kid that was
+prancing around in eye-glasses.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The &lsquo;kid&rsquo; as you call him,&rdquo; Miss Gladden answered
+demurely, &ldquo;has plenty of money of his own, and Mr.
+Houston seems abundantly able to take care of himself;
+if I adopt any one, it will be that beautiful girl who
+waited on you at dinner.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is that, my dear?&rdquo; said the old gentleman,
+brightening, &ldquo;I noticed that girl at the table to-day; she
+is remarkably fine looking, and seemed to conduct herself
+like a perfect lady; who is she?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden, in her enthusiastic manner, began telling
+him of Lyle, and of the interest she had taken in her,
+but before she had proceeded very far, the team appeared
+at the junction of the roads, the men calling Mr.
+Winters.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Bless my stars, if there isn&rsquo;t the team!&rdquo; he exclaimed,
+&ldquo;well my little girl, good-bye for the present, you will
+see us both this evening,&rdquo; and having given Miss Gladden
+a promise that neither he nor his son would betray
+her secret, he hastened down the road to the waiting
+team.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, boys,&rdquo; he said, stopping to carefully empty the
+ashes from his pipe on a projecting ledge of rock, &ldquo;I will
+have to give you credit for being on hand very promptly;
+that was about the shortest half hour that I can remember.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A loud, ringing laugh greeted this remark, which
+caused Mr. Winters, who was replacing his pipe in its
+case, to look up in mild wonder.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s one on you, father,&rdquo; called his son, while Mr.
+Blaisdell remarked, &ldquo;The time evidently has passed very
+pleasantly.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is the origin of all this mirth?&rdquo; demanded Mr.
+Winters, as he seated himself with considerable dignity.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It seems,&rdquo; said Mr. Rivers, in explanation, &ldquo;to be because
+you were so unconscious of the lapse of time; we
+were delayed in getting together our papers, and it is
+over an hour since we left the house.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I looked for you at every turn of the road,&rdquo; said his
+son.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t,&rdquo; said Van Dorn, &ldquo;I thought he had fallen
+asleep over his pipe; I never dreamed he was disgracing
+the whole crowd of us by such open flirtation as that,&ndash;&ndash;I
+wish we had brought along a chaperon.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, gentlemen,&rdquo; said Mr. Winters very deliberately,
+&ldquo;all I have to say is, that had you been in my
+place, the time would have seemed equally short to you,
+and I don&rsquo;t think there&rsquo;s one of you but would have been
+mighty glad to have been in my place.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Winters,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell, &ldquo;I begin to think
+you&rsquo;re the youngest man of our party.&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XVII' id='CHAPTER_XVII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>With many jokes and much hilarity, the mining party
+proceeded on their way. Arriving at the mines, they
+found Morgan and Haight awaiting them, who were
+duly introduced to the party, the English expert looking
+at Haight with much the same expression with which a
+mastiff might regard a rat terrier.</p>
+<p>Everything being in readiness, they began the descent
+of the long incline shaft, Mr. Blaisdell and Haight leading
+the way with Mr. Lindlay, while Mr. Rivers followed
+with Mr. Winters and his son and Van Dorn,
+Morgan bringing up the rear.</p>
+<p>It was nearly three hours before they reappeared at
+the surface, and to a physiognomist, their faces, as they
+emerged from the mouth of the shaft, would have furnished
+an amusing study.</p>
+<p>Mr. Blaisdell looked irritated and annoyed, but jubilant.
+He had been thoroughly disgusted by the conduct
+of the English expert. Instead of taking Mr. Blaisdell&rsquo;s
+word regarding the mine, corroborated as it was
+by undisputable evidence in the shape of mining reports,
+surveyor&rsquo;s notes, and maps, he had insisted on
+ascertaining for himself the important data, the width,
+dip and course of the vein, and the measurement of
+various angles and distances, with a persistency and accuracy
+that was simply exasperating. He also picked up
+samples of ore in the most unexpected places which he
+examined with the closest scrutiny. But having taken
+his measurements and made his examinations, the results
+were immediately jotted down in his note book,
+and the samples dropped in his pockets, without a word,
+which convinced Mr. Blaisdell that the expert knew
+very little of his business, and was probably either doing
+this to keep up appearances, or to gain a little information
+for his own benefit. Not a word had been said contradicting
+the statements he had made, not a question
+raised implying any doubt of their correctness;&ndash;&ndash;evidently
+they were just the kind of purchasers he wanted,
+and his firmly set jaws and tightly compressed lips expressed
+his satisfaction.</p>
+<p>Mr. Rivers scanned the company keenly with his ferret-like
+glances; such unexpected acquiescence on their
+part made him slightly suspicious and very watchful.
+The thought uppermost in his mind was, &ldquo;Either these
+people know absolutely nothing about mining, or they
+know too much for our good.&rdquo; He had intended going
+back to the city that evening, but he now decided to remain
+over.</p>
+<p>Mr. Winters, senior, reappeared, wearing the same expression
+of benevolence and dignity with which he had
+entered the mine. He seemed serenely unconscious of
+the existence of deceit or fraud in business transactions
+generally, and in mining negotiations in particular.
+Only those well acquainted with him could detect from
+the exaggerated twinkle of his eyes, that something had
+more than ordinarily amused him.</p>
+<p>Van Dorn and Lindlay had agreed before hand that
+they would keep entirely separate, and each pursue his
+own course of investigation independently of the other,&ndash;&ndash;Van
+Dorn of course not being able to take any measurements,
+as he was not supposed to be an expert,&ndash;&ndash;and
+compare notes later. As the two emerged into daylight
+and their eyes met, Van Dorn&rsquo;s laughing, blushing
+face would have betrayed him, had any one known his
+real business there, but a young inventor, exploring
+mines just for the fun of the thing, is supposed to find
+plenty of amusement. Under the big, blond mustache
+of the Englishman, a pair of lips curled scornfully, and
+his eyes rolled wildly for a moment, but that was all.</p>
+<p>As the gentlemen gathered around the dump, the last
+vestige of Mr. Blaisdell&rsquo;s irritation seemed to have disappeared,
+as he blandly expatiated upon the quantity and
+quality of the ore.</p>
+<p>Van Dorn&rsquo;s eyes sparkled as he saw the shining lumps
+from the Yankee Boy, and he and Lindlay exchanged
+quick glances.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Look at that,&rdquo; said the latter, quickly extracting
+from his pocket a sample of the Sunrise ore and placing
+it beside a piece taken at random from the dump; &ldquo;does
+any one pretend to tell me that those are from the same
+vein?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is a different class of ore altogether,&rdquo; replied Van
+Dorn, &ldquo;such ore as that never would be found under the
+conditions existing in that mine, but I&rsquo;ll be blest if I
+wouldn&rsquo;t like to see the mine it did come from.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Rivers had observed this little side conversation
+and Van Dorn&rsquo;s close scrutiny of the samples, and was
+at his side in a moment, inquiring in his smoothest tones:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What do you think of that ore, Mr. Van Dorn?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very fine ore, so far as I can judge,&rdquo; said Van Dorn
+carelessly, &ldquo;I would like to see it run through that concentrator
+and amalgamator of mine; if these men ever
+get through talking about mines, Mr. Rivers, I must
+get you and Mr. Blaisdell interested in my machinery.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At the suggestion of Mr. Lindlay, the party next paid
+a visit to the Morning Star mine, that being the one
+which Mr. Blaisdell had declared was on the same lead
+as the Sunrise. This they found to be a valuable mine,
+but there was not the slightest indication of the vein being
+identical with that of the Sunrise, its strike carrying
+it in a totally different direction, and its characteristics
+being wholly dissimilar.</p>
+<p>As it was too late for any further mining explorations,
+the team was ordered, and preparations made for a return
+to the house.</p>
+<p>Lindlay and Van Dorn, by mutual agreement, started
+up the canyon road together, in advance of the others.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Boys, where are you going?&rdquo; called Mr. Winters.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Going to walk on ahead,&rdquo; answered Van Dorn.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Just as cheap to ride,&rdquo; said Mr. Winters.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Plenty of room,&rdquo; added Mr. Blaisdell.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We can&rsquo;t wait for you, you&rsquo;re too slow,&rdquo; laughed
+Van Dorn.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Give our places to those gentlemen,&rdquo; said Lindlay,
+indicating Haight and Morgan, and with rather a painful
+emphasis on the word &ldquo;gentlemen.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Egad!&rdquo; he exclaimed a few moments later, &ldquo;Van
+Dorn, what do you think of that for a mining proposition?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s pretty tough, in fact, about the toughest I ever
+saw,&rdquo; replied Van Dorn, &ldquo;but then, you remember we
+got a hint at Silver City that they were sharpers.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Sharpers!&rdquo; exclaimed Lindlay, &ldquo;but I don&rsquo;t call them
+sharpers; I can admire a good, genuine piece of keen
+rascality, don&rsquo;t you know, for I can play just as sharp
+a game myself as the best of them, but w&rsquo;en it comes
+to such downright, beastly work as this, so blundering
+and bungling you know, w&rsquo;y it looks too much as
+though they thought we were all born idiots, to be very
+complimentary.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll admit it looks that way,&rdquo; said Van Dorn, laughing,
+&ldquo;it doesn&rsquo;t look as though they had a very flattering
+opinion of our acquirements, or our natural penetration,
+if they suppose we can be gulled in this way.
+They are about the worst set of mining sharks I&rsquo;ve ever
+had the pleasure of meeting, and I shall tell Houston
+so.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;By the way, that Mr. &rsquo;Uston seems a very decent sort
+of a man,&rdquo; commented Lindlay.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s a fine fellow,&rdquo; responded Van Dorn warmly,
+&ldquo;you see I know him, he&rsquo;s a friend of mine, but don&rsquo;t
+say anything till we get out of here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;A friend of yours! and w&rsquo;at in the deuce is he doing
+out &rsquo;ere, among such a beastly lot?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He is out on a piece of detective work on his own account,&rdquo;
+and Van Dorn briefly gave Lindlay an outline
+of what Houston had told him. A prolonged &ldquo;Ah&ndash;&ndash;h&rdquo;
+from Lindlay was the only response.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I thought I&rsquo;d better tell you,&rdquo; said Van Dorn, &ldquo;for
+fear you would include him in the lot out here, and be
+down on him with the rest. He is a splendid fellow, and
+I want you to know him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That I will,&rdquo; responded the Englishman, &ldquo;&rsquo;ere, give
+&rsquo;im my card, and tell &rsquo;im I&rsquo;ll be very glad to &rsquo;elp &rsquo;im out
+a bit any time if he needs it later, you know; I would
+like to see &rsquo;im get the best of these fellows.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I will tell him,&rdquo; replied Van Dorn, &ldquo;he may give you
+a letter of introduction to his uncle. They are all fine
+people, and, as you say, I would like to see Houston
+get the best of these rascals; I believe he will, too,
+though he will have to lay low for a while yet, and there
+may be some pretty dangerous work for him before he
+gets through.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The pedestrians and the remainder of the party
+reached the house at nearly the same time, the latter
+having been slightly delayed in starting. Although a
+little late, Houston and Rutherford, with Miss Gladden
+and Lyle, were awaiting them in the porch. The rare
+beauty of the two ladies elicited expressions of admiration
+from both Lindlay and Van Dorn, the latter exclaiming:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They evidently have some fine specimens of ladies
+out here, and no mistake; there seems to be no fraud
+in that direction. No wonder the old gentleman was so
+indifferent as to whether we called for him or not!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden extended a welcome, both cordial and
+graceful, to Mr. Winters and his son, and also to Van
+Dorn, whom Rutherford introduced as an old friend.
+Other introductions followed, and the entire company
+entered the long, low dining room, whither Lyle had
+already preceded them to see that everything was in perfect
+readiness. Exclamations of surprise and pleasure
+were heard on all sides, as the table had been tastefully
+decorated by the skillful fingers of the ladies, with wild
+flowers, and their beauty and fragrance filled the room.
+A very social meal followed, interspersed with jokes and
+repartee, and pleasant reminiscences. Toward the close,
+Mr. Blaisdell entertained them with amusing sketches of
+western life, and soon was relating some of his first mining
+experiences, when he had just come from the east,
+a newly fledged mining expert.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I was asked, in company with another expert, a western
+man, much older than I, to examine some properties
+for some mining men. They were all experienced miners,
+old hands at the business, and they regarded me, a
+young graduate from an eastern mining school, with no
+practical knowledge that they knew of, as totally incompetent
+to advise them, and, I think, invited me more out
+of courtesy than anything else; perhaps also, out of
+benevolent intention to give me an opportunity to learn
+something about mines.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The evening previous to the day the examination
+was to be made, they met for a little conversation regarding
+the history of the mine, and to make plans for
+the following day. Of course, our talk was principally
+of mining in general. Well, didn&rsquo;t I play &lsquo;green&rsquo; that
+evening. You can bet your sweet life that I did!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Here Lindlay elbowed Houston, who in turn nudged
+Van Dorn. The last named gentleman telegraphed
+across to the younger Winters and Rutherford, and
+there seemed imminent danger of a general explosion;
+however, Mr. Blaisdell thought it was all in appreciation
+of his story, and blandly continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think when we broke up that night, the rest of
+them must have wondered among themselves why they
+had been such fools as to invite me. But I was only
+anxious for the time to come to go down into that mine.
+It was a property which the company had bought when
+it was nothing but a prospect, but which had then possessed
+every indication of being a wonderful producer
+of very rich ore, and it was supposed that with a little
+further development it would make a very fine property.
+The company had immediately proceeded to develop the
+mine, following the vein, as they supposed, for several
+hundred feet, but it did not amount to anything worth
+speaking of. Occasionally they would find croppings of
+very rich ore, but no true vein, and they had finally determined
+to call in one or two experts, and after an examination,
+decide whether it was worth the expenditure
+of any more money, or whether it had better be abandoned.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, aside from having received a fine education
+in this branch of science, I had worked a good deal in
+some of old Nature&rsquo;s laboratories, and was more familiar
+with these things than they thought. I knew, from
+their talk, that they were not following the course of the
+vein, though they thought they were, but of course, I
+said nothing of that kind; I was playing green.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The next day we went down into the mine, and I
+found just what I expected to find; that they were simply
+following a false lead, and in reality, going farther
+and farther from the vein every move they made. There
+was the original vein to start with, and they had struck
+a false lead close beside it, and were going down; digging
+down lower and lower, while the true vein was
+right over their heads, and those miners and that confounded
+expert that knew so much more than I did,
+didn&rsquo;t any of them know enough just to look up there
+and see it. Why, near the point where they had first
+started, I could see the ore shining in places over my
+head, and there were croppings of it all along.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, to make a long story short, I advised them to
+stick to the mine, and the expert advised them to abandon
+it. A little while afterward, I asked them what they
+would take for the mine; of course they thought that
+an additional proof of my greenness that I should talk
+of buying it, but I hung on, not appearing very anxious
+about it of course, for then they might suspect something.
+You won&rsquo;t believe me, but I bought that mine for five
+hundred dollars, cash, and they thought I was the biggest
+fool and tenderfoot that ever came out here. I
+tell you, I made sure of a good, clear title to that property,
+and then I went to work. I followed the old, original
+vein, and in less than six weeks I had gold just a
+pouring out of that mine. My! but didn&rsquo;t that company
+try to get back then! but I wouldn&rsquo;t have anything
+to do with them; I told them I was a greenhorn
+and a tenderfoot, and they had better let me alone.
+Well, sir, I worked that mine eighteen months, and
+cleared, over and above all expenses, one hundred and
+fifty thousand dollars, and then I sold it for half a million,
+and those other fellows have been kicking themselves
+ever since.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There was a hearty laugh at the termination of the
+story, and the company adjourned to the porch and the
+open space surrounding the house, for the evening.</p>
+<p>Taken all in all, there was in that little company sheltered
+under the old house that night, a strange combination
+of plots and counter plots, secrets and mysteries;
+and to Houston himself, as he sat a little apart from the
+others, watching the group with thoughtful eyes, it
+seemed a curious coincidence, that, on that evening, and
+at that place, there should be assembled so many of the
+principal actors in the drama which he knew must ere
+long be enacted, and he was unable to shake off a vague
+presentiment that this was the opening scene. Just what
+would that drama be, he wondered, would it be comedy
+or tragedy? never, with all his foresight, dreaming the
+depth of tragedy so soon to follow, or recognizing as
+such, some of the chief actors, even then passing within
+his ken.</p>
+<p>On one side of the low porch was seated Miss Gladden,
+entertaining Mr. Winters and his son, while behind her,
+Lyle was standing with unconscious grace, and a far-away,
+dreamy look in her eyes. Just across the entrance,
+on the other side, were Lindlay, Van Dorn and Rutherford,
+the last two engaged in animated conversation regarding
+old times, Lindlay occasionally joining with
+them, but most of the time watching Miss Gladden, with
+much admiration expressed in his usually critical face.
+Mr. Rivers sauntered back and forth before the house,
+smoking, while, at a little distance, Mr. Blaisdell, Haight
+and Morgan were talking together. Jim Maverick, coming
+from behind the house, touched his hat as a salute
+to Mr. Blaisdell, and after a quick glance of suspicious
+distrust at the elder Mr. Winters, shuffled off in the
+direction of the miners&rsquo; quarters. A little later, a man
+with powerful, athletic frame, who walked with quick,
+elastic step, and yet as though conscious of his power,
+passed the house, followed by a fine collie. His hat was
+drawn low over his eyes, partly concealing his face, but
+this did not prevent his watching the group on the porch
+with close, keen scrutiny. Houston and Rutherford
+started slightly, and exchanged glances, for they had
+recognized their fellow passenger from Valley City, and
+they would doubtless have made some comment, but
+that just then Miss Gladden spoke:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lyle, dear, I wonder who that can be; he is dressed
+like a miner, but his carriage and appearance is that of
+a gentleman.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That,&rdquo; answered Lyle, in a low tone, &ldquo;is Jack; he is
+a miner, and he is also a gentleman.&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XVIII' id='CHAPTER_XVIII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Several days had elapsed since the eastern party, accompanied
+by Mr. Blaisdell and Mr. Rivers, had returned
+to the city, and, as yet, nothing had been learned
+of their decision regarding the mine. The extra force
+of men on the Sunrise had returned to their regular
+shifts, and the work at the mining camp was going forward
+in the old routine, with the monotonous precision
+of clock-work.</p>
+<p>Houston was quietly pursuing his own way, conscious
+that the task before him involved difficulty and danger.
+He was aware that Haight, notwithstanding his obsequious
+politeness, was one of his worst enemies, and
+would injure him in every underhanded way within his
+power, as, beneath the smooth, smiling exterior, Houston
+could detect a deep, subtle malignity toward himself;
+and he rightly judged that Jim Maverick, the tool
+of the mining company, would be the instrument Haight
+would use when he was ready to work his revenge.</p>
+<p>Maverick, from the first, had hated Houston with that
+instinctive hatred which such vile natures, groveling in
+their own degradation, always feel toward those moving
+on a higher plane, in an atmosphere untainted by
+the putrescence which is their natural element. Maverick
+knew that, to a man like Houston, his own baseness
+and villainy were written in his face, and even in
+his slouching, cringing gait, as plainly as though branded
+in letters of fire, and this was sufficient to kindle his anger
+against him, and Haight, by his talk, added fuel to the
+slowly smoldering fire. At home, but more particularly
+among the miners, in the camp or at the Y, Maverick
+expressed his views regarding Houston in language
+abounding with profanity and obscenity, and many were
+the muttered threats of what he would do should the object
+of his hatred ever cross his path.</p>
+<p>Houston, meanwhile, was quick to discern the danger
+signals, and was laying his plans wisely and well. His
+own work in the office of the mining camp was nearly
+completed; there remained yet the information to be
+gathered from the Silver City office, to which he was now
+expecting to be called any day, and then the work of
+familiarizing himself with the mines. When this should
+be accomplished, the end, for which he was working and
+waiting, would be very near.</p>
+<p>As he sat in the office one afternoon, reviewing the
+past few weeks, he felt that he had succeeded thus far,
+even beyond his hopes. The coming of Van Dorn and
+the acquaintance formed with Lindlay would be of untold
+value to him in his work. A little later, Van Dorn
+would come to his assistance without arousing suspicion,
+not being known as a mining expert, and when the time
+came for the final denouement, Lindlay would accompany
+Mr. Cameron to the mines, as he was a skilled expert,
+and having already visited the mines, could furnish
+testimony as to the fraud practiced by the company.</p>
+<p>Thus far, everything had gone well, and the weeks of
+work in a secluded mining camp, to which he had looked
+forward with anything but pleasurable anticipations,
+had in reality proven,&ndash;&ndash;he was surprised to admit to himself,&ndash;&ndash;among
+the pleasantest of his life. He would really
+have many regrets on leaving the mountains to return
+to his old home, he had formed such pleasant associations;
+and then, he suddenly became conscious that,
+of his life among the mountains, there was little he would
+miss, excepting a pair of dark, soulful eyes, in whose
+depths he had failed to detect the least shadow of falseness
+or unworthiness; mirrors of a sweet, womanly
+nature, strong, pure and beautiful, which with a quick,
+ready sympathy entered into his feelings, and often
+seemed to fathom his unspoken thoughts, and clothe
+them with language of her own.</p>
+<p>Houston started in astonishment, and, locking the office,
+took a circuitous and little traveled road, determined
+to fully understand his own heart before he again looked
+into those eyes with their depths of sincerity and truth.</p>
+<p>For many years he had been the recipient of flattering
+attentions from fond papas and aspiring mammas.
+Invitations to club dinners, banquets and the most recherche
+lunches, on the one hand, were evenly balanced
+by cards to receptions, soirees and afternoon teas, on the
+other. Had he passed heart-whole through all these
+sieges, only to fall a victim, here and now?</p>
+<p>He had admired Miss Gladden from the first; then,
+in their mutual sympathy for Lyle, they had been drawn
+closer together, and since that time,&ndash;&ndash;yes, he could see
+it all now.</p>
+<p>Of Miss Gladden herself he knew very little, except
+that she was a true, noble woman; he needed no words to
+tell him that. Rutherford had learned from conversation
+with her, that she was an orphan, and had been
+traveling with friends because her home was made unpleasant
+by some of her relatives; and both had judged
+that she was probably, in a measure, dependent upon
+wealthy relatives.</p>
+<p>This much Houston did know, however, that he loved
+Leslie Gladden, that she was worthy of his love, and that
+life without her would not seem worth the living. He
+believed that she loved him, and his heart thrilled with
+the thought, that if so, it was for himself, not his wealth,
+that she cared. Before he reached the house, his mind
+was fully decided:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I love her for herself,&rdquo; he soliloquized, &ldquo;not caring
+whether she is rich or poor, and I believe she does, or
+will, love me in like manner. In any event, I must learn
+my fate before the arrival of my uncle.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>As Houston approached the house, Miss Gladden and
+Lyle were standing together in the porch. He greeted
+both ladies with even more than his usual courtesy, but
+as his eyes met those of Miss Gladden, there was that in
+his glance, which in itself, was a declaration of his love
+for her. Lyle, with her quick intuition, read the meaning,
+and with her natural sense of delicacy, as quickly
+withdrew, leaving them together. For an instant, Miss
+Gladden&rsquo;s eyes dropped before Houston&rsquo;s glance, while
+a lovely color suffused her cheek; then she raised her
+eyes, meeting his with an answering glance, and in that
+mutual recognition, though no word was spoken, they
+knew that they were lovers, and that was enough for the
+present.</p>
+<p>Of late, the four friends had spent much time together;
+sometimes climbing the mountains, to watch from their
+lofty summits the setting sun, slowly descending amid
+clouds of flame, whose glowing colors were reflected
+from the surrounding peaks in ever varying tints; the
+rose changing to amethyst and violet, and the violet
+deepening to purple; while far below, the canyon lay
+wrapped in soft, gray twilight. Or, sometimes, taking
+one or two boats from the little boat-house built for the
+accommodation of summer tourists, they rowed about
+the lake in the moonlight.</p>
+<p>On this particular night, Rutherford proposed a row,
+in one of the larger boats, the entire length of the lake,
+to the cascades, to which the rest readily acceded. The
+ladies soon appeared in light, fleecy wraps, Miss Gladden
+carrying a fine guitar, which called forth exclamations
+of pleasure from the gentlemen.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good!&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;that will be just the thing;
+now we will have some music.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Miss Gladden,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;why have we not
+been favored in this way earlier?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; she replied, archly, &ldquo;it has never been a necessity
+until to-night, but a long row in the moonlight would
+not be perfect without music.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>This was their first trip to the end of the lakes, and
+they found the scene beautiful beyond description. On
+one side an almost perpendicular wall of rock; in the
+opposite direction, the mountain ranges stretching far
+away in the distance, with snowy peaks gleaming here
+and there, like watch towers; while just before them,
+the shimmering cascades in the wondrous beauty of the
+moonlight, the deep, unceasing roar seeming to rise and
+fall with a rhythm of its own.</p>
+<p>For the first few moments, they sat in silent admiration
+of the beauty around them; then Miss Gladden
+touched the strings of the guitar, and began singing in
+a rich contralto, in which Houston joined with a fine
+baritone, while Rutherford added a clear, sweet tenor.
+Their voices blended perfectly, and accompanied by the
+sweet notes of the guitar, the music floated out over the
+lake, the lingering echoes dying away, in the distance.</p>
+<p>Lyle took no part in the song, but sat listening with
+parted lips and dreamy eyes. When the song was finished,
+she exclaimed:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, please do not stop, I love to listen to you; it reminds
+me of something I have heard long ago, I don&rsquo;t
+know when or where.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Do you never sing, Miss Maverick?&rdquo; asked Rutherford.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Only sometimes for myself,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;I know only
+two or three songs that I have heard others sing.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But you have a sweet voice,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;will
+you not sing for us?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If you will overlook any mistakes, I may,&rdquo; answered
+Lyle, &ldquo;for I probably do not sing correctly, as I know
+nothing of music.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly, Lyle, we would like to hear you,&rdquo; said Miss
+Gladden.</p>
+<p>As simply, and as free from self-consciousness as a
+child, Lyle began her song, her eyes fixed on the distant
+shining peaks, and her only accompaniment the music
+of the cascades.</p>
+<table summary=''><tr><td>
+<p class='cg'>&ldquo;Love is come with a song and a smile,<br />
+<span class='indent1'>&nbsp;</span>Welcome love with a smile and a song;<br />
+<span class='indent1'>&nbsp;</span>Love can stay but a little while:<br />
+<span class='indent4'>&nbsp;</span>Why can not he stay?<br />
+<span class='indent4'>&nbsp;</span>They call him away;<br />
+<span class='indent1'>&nbsp;</span>Ye do him wrong, ye do him wrong,<br />
+<span class='indent1'>&nbsp;</span>Love will stay for a whole life long.&rdquo;</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+<p>Whether Lyle sang correctly that night was never
+known; even the beautiful words of the old song that
+seemed so appropriate to the occasion, were forgotten
+before she had sung more than two or three lines, and
+her listeners sat entranced, spell-bound, by the voice of
+the singer; a voice of such exquisite sweetness and clearness,
+and yet possessing such power and depth of expression,
+that it thrilled the hearts of her listeners, seeming
+to lift them out of all consciousness of their surroundings,
+and to transport them to another world; a world</p>
+<table summary=''><tr><td>
+<p class='cg'>&ldquo;Where the singers, whose names are deathless,<br />
+One with another make music, unheard of men.&rdquo;</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+<p>As the last note died away, a long, deep sigh from
+Houston seemed to break the spell, and Miss Gladden
+looking up, her eyes shining with unshed tears, said, as
+she pressed Lyle&rsquo;s hand:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My dear, we have found our song-queen, our nightingale.
+We can all learn of you, and never equal you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston had been strangely moved, and as he spoke,
+there was a slight tremor in his voice.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have heard, in all my life, but one voice like that,
+and that was one who died when I was a child.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle looked surprised.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Has no one ever told you you could sing?&rdquo; asked
+Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I never sang for any one, excepting once, for Jack,&rdquo;
+answered Lyle.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What did he say of your voice?&rdquo; inquired Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He said, like Mr. Houston, that he had heard but one
+voice like mine, but that he did not like to hear me, so
+I have never sung since, excepting by myself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lyle,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden suddenly, &ldquo;how old is this
+man whom you call Jack?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Possibly forty, perhaps a little less,&rdquo; she answered indifferently.</p>
+<p>A new thought had flashed into Miss Gladden&rsquo;s mind.
+For some time she had doubted whether Lyle were really
+a child of Maverick and his wife, she was so utterly unlike
+them; could it be possible that Jack, whose life
+seemed so much a mystery, was the father of Lyle? Was
+that the reason for his interest in her? and had Lyle had
+some beautiful mother,&ndash;&ndash;unfortunate perhaps,&ndash;&ndash;whose
+life had suddenly gone out, as the little life had just begun,
+and whose memory was recalled too vividly by
+Lyle&rsquo;s song? Miss Gladden determined, if possible, to
+find a clue to this mystery.</p>
+<p>The boat was now on its homeward way, and a song
+with which all were familiar having been found, the four
+voices blended in exquisite harmony.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It seems to me there are some rare treats in store for
+us,&rdquo; was Rutherford&rsquo;s comment, as the friends separated
+for the night; then, a few moments later, when
+alone with Houston, he exclaimed:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;By Jove, Houston! but what a voice that girl has!
+I never heard anything like it in my life. I didn&rsquo;t say
+much before Miss Gladden, for fear she might think I
+didn&rsquo;t appreciate her singing, and I certainly did, for she
+sings magnificently.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You need have no fear of any sensitiveness on Miss
+Gladden&rsquo;s part,&rdquo; said Houston quickly, &ldquo;in the first place,
+their voices are altogether different, there is no comparison
+between them; and in addition, Miss Gladden&rsquo;s
+regard for Lyle is so disinterested and unselfish, there
+would be no room for any feeling of that kind. We must
+all acknowledge that Lyle certainly has a wonderful
+voice; as I said before, I have heard but one like it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Great Heavens!&rdquo; said Rutherford, with more feeling
+than Houston had ever seen him manifest, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sorry
+for that girl, Houston.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why?&rdquo; asked Houston quietly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why, only to think of her beauty and intellect, and
+such a voice as that, and then think of her parents, and
+the life to which she is tied down here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Granting the parents and present life,&rdquo; said Houston,
+&ldquo;is that any argument that she will always be &lsquo;tied down
+here&rsquo; as you say?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think it would always fetter her in a measure; it
+will leave its imprint upon her mind, or at least her memory,
+and although she is not in her proper sphere here,
+yet her life here, and all its associations, would be likely
+to make her feel out of place in a higher sphere,&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think not,&rdquo; said Houston, watching Rutherford
+closely, &ldquo;I think if she could be removed from here, and
+given a thorough education, there would remain no trace
+whatever of the early life.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But what about the question of heredity?&rdquo; asked
+Rutherford, &ldquo;there must be bad blood there, when and
+where would it make its appearance?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That would be a serious question,&rdquo; replied Houston,
+&ldquo;providing she is the child of these people; I have
+always had grave doubts of that, and Miss Gladden has
+often expressed the same.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;By Jove! I never thought of that! It seems likely
+enough, too. What do you think, that she was stolen?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Houston slowly, &ldquo;that does not seem so
+probable as that she may have been some child that they
+were hired to take.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;In that case,&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;I should think the
+uncertainty regarding her family and origin, would be
+almost as bad as the certainty in the other case.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It might seem so to some people,&rdquo; Houston replied,
+adding with a smile, &ldquo;especially to a Bostonian, who
+prided himself upon his &lsquo;blue blood&rsquo;.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; said Rutherford, coloring, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not pursuing
+this inquiry on my own account at all, I was only thinking
+of her prospects generally. I&rsquo;m not interested
+in that direction.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;In what direction are you interested, if I may ask?&rdquo;
+said Houston, experiencing, for the first time, a little
+twinge of jealousy.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;In the direction of the &lsquo;Hub,&rsquo; my dear boy,&rdquo; Rutherford
+replied, with another blush.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Spoken like a true Bostonian!&rdquo; said Houston approvingly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, sir,&rdquo; continued Rutherford, &ldquo;there&rsquo;s a little girl
+belongs back there in Boston, that&rsquo;s more to me than all
+the ladies you can produce in this part of the country,
+or any other, no matter how beautiful they may be; and
+she&rsquo;s not bad looking either. Her parents took her to
+Europe for a little trip this spring, and Boston seemed
+so lonesome, that was the reason I came west.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good for you, Ned, you have my best wishes,&rdquo; said
+Houston, shaking hands with his friend, &ldquo;but really, you
+and Lyle had seemed so fond of each other&rsquo;s society lately,
+that I thought perhaps it was to be your destiny to
+rescue her from her unhappy fate.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, as to each other&rsquo;s society,&rdquo; said Rutherford,
+very slowly, &ldquo;of late we have been restricted to that or
+none, for you and Miss Gladden have been growing so
+unconscious of us, that we&rsquo;ve had to console with each
+other; but then, I understood how &rsquo;twas, for I&rsquo;ve been
+there myself, you know, and I&rsquo;m ready to offer congratulations
+and all that sort of thing, whenever they are in
+order.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston appeared very unconscious of Rutherford&rsquo;s
+meaning, as he inquired, &ldquo;How does Lyle herself regard
+your attentions? There must be no trifling with her, I
+have too much regard for her myself, for that.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Miss Maverick is not a girl to be trifled with,&rdquo; replied
+Rutherford, &ldquo;I think a good deal of her, since I am
+better acquainted with her, and respect her and she
+knows it, but I think she realizes the sort of anomalous
+position that she occupies, and that is why I say I am
+sorry for her. She is far too brilliant for her surroundings,
+and yet not fitted for a much higher place.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not at present,&rdquo; replied Houston, &ldquo;but with her natural
+endowments and her innate delicacy and refinement,
+comparatively little training and culture would be necessary
+to fit her for almost any position in life.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I wonder what will be her fate.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Time will tell,&rdquo; replied Houston, who had his own
+plans.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XIX' id='CHAPTER_XIX'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Houston had been called away to the office at Silver
+City, a telegram coming one afternoon for him to come
+down by the next train. Rutherford was at that time
+expecting to leave in a few days, to continue his pleasure
+trip to the coast, having already prolonged his stay
+among the mountains far beyond his first intentions;
+but at Houston&rsquo;s request, he agreed to remain over until
+the latter&rsquo;s return, which he expected would be in
+about ten days.</p>
+<p>A few days after Houston&rsquo;s departure, Lyle started out
+one afternoon for the little cabin, at an hour a little later
+than she went to pursue her studies, or for reading. She
+knew that at this time, Jack usually came off his shift,
+as he and Mike were expert miners, and always completed
+their task some time in advance of the others.</p>
+<p>She had not seen Jack since the visit of the party from
+the east, although she was at the cabin but a few evenings
+preceding that event, and had explained her long
+absence. Now she had special reasons for wishing to
+meet him, and she hastened on, hoping to find him alone.
+When she reached the cabin, Jack had just come from
+the mine, and Mike, fortunately, had gone down to the
+Y for needed supplies, and would not return for some
+hours.</p>
+<p>After talking a little while, Lyle skillfully brought the
+conversation around to Mr. Houston, and stated that he
+was in Silver City.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is he doing there?&rdquo; asked Jack, in a tone of surprise,
+&ldquo;Is he going to remain there?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, he has gone over temporarily to assist the company
+in that office, as he said they needed extra help;
+he thought he would be back in about ten days.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He seems to make a very efficient clerk for the mining
+company,&rdquo; said Jack, with a peculiar emphasis which
+Lyle did not understand, but in which she detected a
+flavor of sarcasm.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He seems efficient in whatever he undertakes,&rdquo; she
+replied with a light laugh, &ldquo;clerking, fighting or love-making,
+he is successful in all.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How has he succeeded in love-making?&rdquo; asked Jack
+quickly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ask Miss Gladden,&rdquo; was Lyle&rsquo;s smiling rejoinder.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is he really in love with her, do you think?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Judging by indications, it is a case of genuine love
+on both sides, which, contrary to the old proverb, does
+run smoothly so far. I think they are engaged.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And you are left out in the cold?&rdquo; asked Jack kindly,
+but watching her keenly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You would not think so, if you could know how kind
+they are to me,&rdquo; Lyle answered, &ldquo;you and they are the
+only friends I have ever known.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How about Mr. Rutherford? Isn&rsquo;t he a friend of
+yours, too?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Rutherford is a gentleman,&rdquo; she replied slowly,
+&ldquo;he always treats me with respect, and we have very
+pleasant times together, but he never forgets that I belong
+to one station in life, and he to another. He
+is altogether unlike Mr. Houston and Miss Gladden; I
+wish you could know them, Jack, and that they could
+know you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They probably have no desire to form my acquaintance,
+and I have no need to form theirs. It is rather late
+in the day for me to make friends now.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But Jack,&rdquo; said Lyle, in almost a pleading tone, &ldquo;Miss
+Gladden wishes to meet you, and has repeatedly asked
+me to inquire if she might come and see you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is her motive for wishing to see me?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think because I have often spoken of you as my
+friend; then she said recently, that she would like, if
+possible, to take me east with her, and give me a musical
+education, and she would like to talk with you about
+it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Has she or Mr. Houston heard you sing?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What did they say of your voice?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Miss Gladden seems to think I have a wonderful
+voice, and Mr. Houston said he had heard but one like
+it in all his life.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack had risen, and was looking out of the window,
+his back toward Lyle; after a few moments he spoke, in
+an unusually gentle tone.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You can say to Miss Gladden, that if she wishes to see
+me regarding you, she is welcome to come. Though I
+seldom receive callers, and have no wish to meet strangers,
+I am willing to meet a true friend of yours.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then, under those conditions,&rdquo; said Lyle, with almost
+a tone of triumph in her voice, &ldquo;you would meet Mr.
+Houston.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why?&rdquo; asked Jack, quickly, turning toward her.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Because he is my friend.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack shook his head, and began pacing the room.
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; he said, as gently as ever, but very firmly, &ldquo;I
+would rather not meet him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle looked troubled. &ldquo;Jack,&rdquo; she said earnestly, &ldquo;you
+have always appeared rather peculiar regarding Mr.
+Houston; tell me candidly, are you his friend, or his
+enemy?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why!&rdquo; he exclaimed in surprise, stopping before her,
+and looking into her earnest face, with a smile, &ldquo;How
+should I be either? Am I not perfectly neutral? Are
+we not strangers?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle shook her head decidedly. &ldquo;I cannot say whether
+or not you are strangers, but you are not neutral toward
+him; I have seen all along that you have some strong
+feeling toward him, but whether of kindness or enmity,
+I cannot tell, but I must know.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why must you know?&rdquo; he asked, resuming his walk.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Perhaps I can tell you later,&rdquo; she replied, &ldquo;but, as
+you are my friend, I must know whether you are, or will
+be, his friend, or his enemy.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For some moments Jack was silent, and when he spoke
+his voice was full of some strong emotion:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My dear child, I have no reason for any enmity
+toward him, and if he is the true, honorable man that you
+think he is, God knows I would stand by him, even to
+death itself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then, if he was in difficulty or danger, and needed
+help, you would help him, would you not?&rdquo; asked Lyle
+eagerly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My child,&rdquo; he answered gravely, &ldquo;you must explain
+yourself; you certainly can trust me. I promise you
+this, I will not harm him or betray him, whatever may
+be the difficulty.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You are sure there is no one to hear us?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I will make sure,&rdquo; he answered briefly, and bidding
+the collie guard the outside door, he then closed the
+door between the two rooms, and sat down near Lyle.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You remember,&rdquo; she began, &ldquo;the evening you passed
+our house?&rdquo; He nodded. &ldquo;Well, among the strangers
+there that night, were an English expert, Mr. Lindlay,
+and a Mr. Van Dorn, who, they said, was an inventor of
+some mining machinery. A little while after you passed,
+I took a book and went out by the lake to read, sitting
+down behind a thick group of small evergreens. I read
+as long as I could see, and then sat for some time, thinking,
+and watching the reflection of the moon in the lake.
+Then the moon went behind that tall peak, you know,
+across the lake, and it was quite dark; but I remained
+there thinking so deeply that, although for a few minutes
+I heard low voices talking, I paid no attention to it, supposing
+it was simply some people going up the mountain,
+till suddenly I was aroused by Mr. Houston&rsquo;s voice,
+only a few feet from me, saying in a low tone, &lsquo;There
+may be considerable danger ahead of us, but you are
+just the one I need, and you will be well compensated,&rsquo;
+and Mr. Van Dorn answered, &lsquo;Hang compensation! if
+I can help you get the best of these rascals, I&rsquo;m going
+to do it, just for the gratification of the thing,&rsquo; and then
+I heard the Englishman, with his peculiar accent, saying
+something I couldn&rsquo;t quite catch, but it seemed to
+be to the effect that he would help Mr. Houston against
+what he called the &lsquo;domned scoundrels.&rsquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;At first, I wanted to leave, but I couldn&rsquo;t without
+their seeing me, and having to make explanations, and
+making it embarrassing all round; and then the thought
+flashed through my mind that Mr. Houston was a good
+friend of mine, and perhaps if I stayed, I might be able
+to help him if he should be in any danger later, as he
+spoke of, so I remained there.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t time to tell you all I heard, but this is what
+I learned: He is not a clerk at all, but is out here in the
+interest of some rich company in the east, with which an
+uncle of his is connected. This eastern company have
+for some time suspected crooked work on the part of
+the company here, and he has come out in the capacity
+of bookkeeper and clerk to get all the information he
+can against them. He has obtained all the proofs he can
+get in this office, and said he was going over in a few
+days to the main office at Silver City,&ndash;&ndash;and that is where
+he is now,&ndash;&ndash;to see what he can find against them there.
+When he returns he is going to examine the mines that
+this eastern company own, as fast as he can get opportunities,
+and it seems this Mr. Van Dorn is a mining expert
+himself, though no one out here knows it, and when
+Mr. Houston is ready, he is to come out here with some
+of his mining machinery that he is going to set up in the
+mills, to show the company his new method of reducing
+ores, but his real object in coming will be to help Mr.
+Houston carry on his investigations against the company.
+Then, when they have obtained all the information and
+proof they need, they will telegraph Mr. Houston&rsquo;s uncle,&ndash;&ndash;Mr.
+Cameron, I think was his name,&ndash;&ndash;and he and
+the English expert will come out together, unexpectedly
+to the company, and I think they said they would
+prosecute the officers of the company for fraud.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack&rsquo;s face was concealed with one hand, but Lyle
+could see that he had grown very pale, and beneath the
+heavy, black beard, his lips were moving under the influence
+of some deep emotion. She continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My reason for wishing to confide this to you was,
+that I heard Mr. Van Dorn ask Mr. Houston if there
+was any one among the miners whom he could trust to
+help them, as he said without the assistance of some one,
+familiar with the mines and their different workings, the
+undertaking would be much more difficult and dangerous;
+and I thought at once of you, Jack. You have
+often told me of the dishonesty and fraud practiced by
+the company, and said that you would like to see some
+of their schemes exposed, and I thought you would be
+just the one to help Mr. Houston, and no one would be
+likely to suspect you either.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>She paused a moment, then added, &ldquo;He has enemies
+working against him, and he ought to have some one to
+help him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Who are his enemies?&rdquo; asked Jack.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Haight, for one, and my father and all the men that
+he can influence; and you know, that if they once suspected
+what he is doing, they would not hesitate, for one
+moment, to kill him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They would not,&rdquo; said Jack, quietly but decidedly,
+&ldquo;and among the mines it is a very easy thing to put a
+man out of the way.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then you will look out for him, and help him, will
+you not?&rdquo; said Lyle, rising to go.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, child,&rdquo; he answered with unusual tenderness,
+&ldquo;you do not know what you are asking, but since hearing
+what you have told me, no harm shall come to your
+friend that I can prevent, no matter what it costs me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But Jack,&rdquo; said Lyle anxiously, going to him and
+laying her hands in his, &ldquo;this will not put you in danger,
+will it? My idea was that you could give him information,
+and no one would ever suspect you; but you have
+been too true a friend to me, for me to put you in any
+danger.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You need have no fear,&rdquo; he answered, &ldquo;I did not refer
+to any particular danger of that kind. I am only
+glad you have told me what you have. Had I learned
+it in any other way, I would have wished to help your
+friend. When he returns, say nothing to him of having
+asked me to help him; I will find him in my own way.&rdquo;
+ Lyle thanked Jack heartily, and as she looked up into
+his face, her beautiful eyes unusually bright, and her
+cheeks flushed with emotion, he seemed strangely
+touched, and bending over her, kissed her reverently on
+her forehead, for the first time in their acquaintance.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XX' id='CHAPTER_XX'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XX.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Nearly a week after the departure of Houston for Silver
+City, as Morgan was passing the sorting rooms one
+morning, on his way from the mines to the mills, he
+heard Haight calling him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hello, there, Morgan, the Sunrise deal is off.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Off? who says so? Got a wire from the boss?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, she just came, about fifteen minutes ago.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s the matter? did the old man say?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Nothing very definite; &lsquo;party writes property not satisfactory,&rsquo;
+that&rsquo;s all he says.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hang it! I should think it looked good enough for
+&rsquo;em. Well,&rdquo; he growled, &ldquo;there&rsquo;s so much hard work
+gone for nothing,&rdquo; and thrusting his hands deeper into
+his pockets in his disgust, Morgan started on his way,
+but Haight detained him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hold on a minute; say, Morgan, you don&rsquo;t suppose
+that they caught on to our deal, do you? or that anybody
+put &rsquo;em onto it?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Who was there to put &rsquo;em onto anything?&rdquo; asked
+Morgan.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, the confidential clerk, may be; he was on such
+good terms with Johnny Bull and the dude.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Morgan shook his head. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s too much of a sucker
+for the company, and knows too well which side his
+bread is buttered, for business of that kind.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know about that,&rdquo; said Haight, &ldquo;he&rsquo;s a dude
+and a tenderfoot himself, and likes to toady around with
+those eastern snobs; what else were they hob-nobbing
+with him for, if they didn&rsquo;t think they could get some information
+out of him? I&rsquo;ve got my own ideas on that
+subject and I&rsquo;m going to make some investigations, and
+if I find I&rsquo;m correct, he&rsquo;ll find pretty quick where he will
+be; I&rsquo;ve no use for him any way.&rdquo;
+&ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t any more use for him than you have,&rdquo; answered
+Morgan, &ldquo;but he ain&rsquo;t a very safe fellow to fool
+with now, I can tell you, and I don&rsquo;t think you want to
+run up against him yourself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know as I&rsquo;ve said anything about running
+up against anybody,&rdquo; said Haight, &ldquo;that isn&rsquo;t my style,
+but I&rsquo;ll run him out of this country in one way or another,
+see if I don&rsquo;t.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You think you&rsquo;re pretty smooth,&rdquo; Morgan called
+over his shoulder, as he started for the mills, &ldquo;and if you
+want to undertake the job, all right; for my part, I don&rsquo;t
+care to have much to do with him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Two or three evenings later, as Lyle sat in her favorite
+nook beside the lake, book in hand, watching for the
+return of Miss Gladden who had gone with Rutherford
+for a short row, she was much surprised to see Haight
+approaching, wearing his most ingratiating smile. For
+a day or two, he had, on several occasions, when unobserved
+by the others, treated her with a marked politeness
+intended to be very flattering, for the thought had
+occurred to him that possibly through her he might get
+some information regarding Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah,&rdquo; he said now, seating himself at a little distance
+from her, and with a glance at the book which she had
+closed and laid aside, &ldquo;I fear I have interrupted your
+reading.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I was not reading,&rdquo; she replied, &ldquo;I was merely glancing
+over a book of Miss Gladden&rsquo;s while awaiting her
+return.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For a few moments he talked in a light, frivolous manner,
+but Lyle, suspicious of some ulterior motive in his
+coming, did not respond very favorably to his efforts at
+conversation. At last he said, very pleasantly:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This is a favorite resort of yours, is it not, Miss Maverick?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, I come here frequently,&rdquo; she replied.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I judged so,&rdquo; he continued carelessly, &ldquo;I saw you
+out here the evening the eastern party was at the house,
+and I remember the English expert and his friend took
+a walk in this direction, with Mr. Houston. I suppose
+they were talking over the mine they had looked at, and
+took Mr. Houston along thinking he might be able to
+give them any additional information they needed. I
+wonder what they thought about that mine,&rdquo; he added,
+watching Lyle, &ldquo;I suppose you must have overheard
+some of their conversation.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle was not taken off guard, however, and answered
+indifferently, &ldquo;I heard voices, but I was so absorbed in
+thought I paid little attention to them; it was some time
+before I even recognized them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But you certainly must have overheard some of their
+conversation,&rdquo; said Haight, in his smoothest tones, &ldquo;can
+you not recall anything said about the mine?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There was nothing whatever said about the mine,&rdquo;
+she replied, &ldquo;and if there had been, I am not in the habit
+of listening to conversations and repeating them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Of course not, under ordinary circumstances,&rdquo;
+Haight rejoined, smiling, &ldquo;but you know &lsquo;all is fair in
+love and war&rsquo; and in mining deals, and as I am interested
+in behalf of the company, and we have, as yet, heard
+nothing from the party, you see I naturally had a little
+curiosity regarding their conversation that evening.
+You are sure they said nothing of the mine, or that Mr.
+Houston gave them no information?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle rose, her eyes flashing with scorn and indignation,
+as she replied, &ldquo;Why should Mr. Houston give
+them any information? As I have told you, there was
+nothing said about the mine; so far as I could judge,
+the gentlemen were talking of their own personal affairs;
+and it is false that you have received no word from
+the eastern party, for I heard you and Morgan talking
+at the table yesterday of the deal having fallen through,
+and you suspect Mr. Houston of dishonorable conduct
+only because you judge every one to be like yourself,&rdquo;
+and without giving him opportunity to reply, she turned
+and walked in the opposite direction toward the boat
+which she saw approaching in the distance.</p>
+<p>Haight walked away toward the house, conscious that
+his interview had been a failure, but more than ever determined
+to work his revenge upon Houston, and upon
+Lyle also, when the right time came.</p>
+<p>Lyle determined, for the present, to say nothing regarding
+the interview, and met her friends without any
+allusion to what had just occurred.</p>
+<p>After assisting Miss Gladden ashore, Rutherford returned
+to the boat, while Miss Gladden and Lyle started
+homeward. The former could detect in Lyle&rsquo;s manner
+signs of unusual excitement, but asked no questions, as
+she did not think it best to force her confidence.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lyle, when are you going to take me to call on your
+friend, Jack?&rdquo; she inquired.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Any time you wish,&rdquo; Lyle answered, &ldquo;I spoke to him
+the other day about your coming, and he said you would
+be most welcome.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then he graciously consented to receive me! Very
+well, suppose we go now, it is not late.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Arriving at the cabin, they found Jack and Mike sitting
+outside the door, watching the last fleeting colors of
+the gorgeous sunset. Miss Gladden was duly introduced,
+and invited within, and since the bashful Irishman could
+not be prevailed upon to enter the cabin, Jack entertained
+his guests alone.</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden, from Lyle&rsquo;s description of her friend,
+had expected to find in Jack a gentleman, but she was
+totally unprepared for the polished courtesy, the courtly
+ease and grace without a trace of self-consciousness or
+restraint, with which, though clad in rough, miner&rsquo;s
+clothes, he received her in the little cabin, and as she
+conversed with him, she found her respect for him increasing
+every moment.</p>
+<p>To Jack, isolated as he had been for years from refined,
+intellectual associations, it seemed like a glimpse into
+another, and not unfamiliar world, and the deference
+and respect expressed in Miss Gladden&rsquo;s manner were
+especially gratifying.</p>
+<p>Very easily Miss Gladden led the conversation, avoiding,
+with intuitive delicacy, all allusions to himself or
+his surroundings, till at last she said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have taken such an interest in my friend, Lyle, and
+she has so often spoken of your kindness to her, that I
+have wished to meet you, for I feel that in her welfare, we
+have a mutual interest.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack smiled gravely, as he replied, &ldquo;I have endeavored
+to help her as best I could under existing conditions,
+and notwithstanding the fact that the ways and means
+have been exceedingly restricted, she has proven herself
+an apt pupil, and has made good progress.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Indeed she has,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;and with her
+ability, it seems a pity that she should not have every
+possible advantage.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;To me,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;it seems a great pity that so
+much of her life has already been spent among such disadvantages,
+the greater part of the most valuable portion
+of her life wasted.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not entirely wasted,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;for what
+you have taught her will be of inestimable value to her
+always.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, indeed!&rdquo; exclaimed Lyle, &ldquo;what would my life
+have been without you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have laid the foundation so far as I was able,&rdquo; said
+Jack, smiling, &ldquo;but it was time, long ago, for the superstructure
+to be builded.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;One reason why I wish to see you,&rdquo; continued Miss
+Gladden, &ldquo;was to ask you what you would think of the
+feasibility of my taking Lyle east with me, when I return.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If you are willing to do that, Miss Gladden,&rdquo; said
+Jack, slowly, &ldquo;I can see nothing in the way of its practicability
+except to gain the consent of Mr. and Mrs.
+Maverick, and that might prove a formidable obstacle.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He does not call them her parents,&rdquo; thought Miss
+Gladden, &ldquo;does he know she is not their child?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack continued. &ldquo;If it had not been for that difficulty,
+I would gladly myself have furnished the means for
+a moderate education for Lyle, but I knew Maverick&rsquo;s
+decided objection to her possessing even the most rudimentary
+knowledge. I am of the opinion also, though I
+may be in error, that he would not allow her to leave
+home.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You are right, Jack,&rdquo; said Lyle, &ldquo;if I were to wait for
+his consent, I would never leave here, or have any advantages.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;May I inquire,&rdquo; said Jack, addressing Miss Gladden,
+&ldquo;at what time you expect to return east?&rdquo;
+A faint color tinged Miss Gladden&rsquo;s cheek, as she replied:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have not yet decided just when I will go east, but
+probably the latter part of the summer.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah, well,&rdquo; he answered, with a slight smile, &ldquo;I hope
+that between now and that time, some arrangement can
+be made to Lyle&rsquo;s advantage; but if I may make any
+suggestion, it would be this; that nothing be said at
+present regarding this subject to either Mr. or Mrs.
+Maverick, as it would only arouse their opposition, and
+perhaps lead to some unpleasant results.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>After a few moments&rsquo; further conversation, Miss Gladden
+thanked Jack for his kindness, and rose to go. At
+the door they found Mike, and while Lyle chatted merrily
+with the witty Irishman for a moment, Miss Gladden
+turned toward Jack, saying in a low tone:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I would like to have a talk with you regarding Lyle,
+some time when she is not present; may I come and see
+you by myself some day?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; he responded, &ldquo;I would be pleased to see
+you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For a moment, Miss Gladden stood in silent admiration,
+watching this man whose life seemed wrapped in so
+much mystery, while he replied to some laughing questions
+of Lyle&rsquo;s.</p>
+<p>He was, even now, a splendid specimen of manhood,
+although his shoulders were slightly stooped, and silver
+threads gleamed here and there in the black hair and
+beard, making him look older than his years. He had a
+face of remarkable beauty also,&ndash;&ndash;with fine, clear-cut
+features,&ndash;&ndash;though browned with exposure, and bearing
+the lines that only the fingers of sorrow can trace.
+His face did not resemble Houston&rsquo;s in the least, but
+something in his manner reminded Miss Gladden of her
+lover, and she watched him with a sort of fascination.</p>
+<p>As she and Lyle walked homeward together, the latter
+asked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What do you think now of my friend, Miss Gladden?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>And Miss Gladden replied thoughtfully, &ldquo;I think, my
+dear, that he is one of earth&rsquo;s heroes.&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXI' id='CHAPTER_XXI'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXI.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>The ten days which Houston was to spend at Silver
+City had expired, and his work there was completed. He
+had followed much the same plan as in the office at the
+camp, doing the work of the company by day, and
+pursuing his own investigations at night.</p>
+<p>Mr. Blaisdell had at first objected to his working evenings,
+telling him the company had no wish to make a
+slave of him, but upon Houston&rsquo;s representing that it
+was an absolute necessity in order to accomplish the
+needed work within a given time, he allowed him to
+have his own way. He had been able to get together
+much additional proof regarding the fraudulent transactions
+of the company, even ascertaining in what direction
+much of the revenue due the New York company
+had gone.</p>
+<p>He was present when the company received the brief
+but pointed letter from Mr. Winters, in which he stated
+that the property shown them had not been what they
+were looking for, and that they had found something
+more satisfactory in another direction.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, Blaisdell,&rdquo; said Mr. Rivers, in his quick, incisive
+way, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not in the least surprised.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not surprised!&rdquo; echoed Mr. Blaisdell, &ldquo;Why not? I
+confess I&rsquo;m surprised and disappointed.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s just what I expected,&rdquo; again chirped Mr. Rivers,
+&ldquo;just what I told you all along.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I knew you said you were rather suspicious just in
+the direction where I felt the surest of them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Just so,&rdquo; said Mr. Rivers, &ldquo;I said all along, &lsquo;those
+fish won&rsquo;t bite worth a nickel.&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell, with a heavy sigh, &ldquo;all we
+can do is to try again.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And next time, I&rsquo;d advise you to have a little more
+bait, or else don&rsquo;t tackle so big a fish.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>It was Houston&rsquo;s last evening in Silver City, and he
+sat in the hotel lobby reading letters which had just come
+from his uncle and Van Dorn, under cover from the
+Chicago firm, as usual.</p>
+<p>Mr. Cameron was delighted to have met Van Dorn
+and the Englishman, and had engaged both men to remain
+in New York, awaiting word from Houston, when
+he should be ready.</p>
+<p>The closing paragraph in Van Dorn&rsquo;s letter he read
+and re-read with a smile, it was so characteristic of his
+friend:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;I have had one of my machines carefully packed,
+and it now stands addressed, ready to accompany me to
+your mining camp on short notice, where I will show
+your people the latest method for the reduction of ores;
+and if the mining company itself is not pretty well reduced&rsquo;
+before we get through, my name is not that of</p>
+<p class='ralign'>Your friend,<span class='rindent8'>&nbsp;</span><br />
+ARTHUR VAN DORN.<span class='rindent2'>&nbsp;</span></p>
+<p class='lalign'>P. S. &lsquo;The mills of the gods grind slowly,<br />
+<span class='indent6'>&nbsp;</span>But they grind exceeding small.&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>As Houston folded his letters, his attention was attracted
+by loud talk among a group of men in another
+part of the lobby. Sauntering in that direction, he heard
+an excited voice exclaim:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I tell you, they&rsquo;re the biggest frauds on the face of
+the earth. If there&rsquo;s a dishonest scheme, or a sharp, underhanded
+little game that they&rsquo;re not onto, I&rsquo;d like to
+know what it is.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Which company do you mean?&rdquo; inquired another
+speaker.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I mean the mining company represented by Rivers
+and Blaisdell, with old Wilson as a figure-head. I can&rsquo;t
+remember all their long-winded names, but the whole
+combination is rotten, from beginning to end, nothing
+but a set of lying, scheming, thieving rascals.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s right,&rdquo; said an old gentleman who had not
+spoken before, &ldquo;they&rsquo;re a tough lot.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Tough!&rdquo; echoed the first speaker, &ldquo;I should say so!
+One of their little games is to take charge of mining
+claims for eastern parties. The parties send on money
+for development work, but do you suppose it is used in
+developing the mines? Not much! By and by, the first
+these parties know, they have forfeited their claims
+through lack of representation, but don&rsquo;t you think the
+company are not watching out, ready to jump the claim
+the very day the time expires. Sometimes they&rsquo;ll hire
+some poor Swede to locate the claim for them, and then
+assign it to them for a trifle. In that way, I&rsquo;ve heard of
+their getting possession of the same claim over and over
+again.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve heard pretty hard stories about Blaisdell,&rdquo; said
+another, &ldquo;but I guess he don&rsquo;t make much for himself,
+for as fast as he fleeces other people, Rivers fleeces him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There was considerable more talk in the same strain,
+but after the group had separated, Houston, who had
+learned the name of the principal speaker, approached
+him as he was standing alone, and said, in a low tone:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This is Mr. Hartwell, I believe; my name is Houston.
+Mr. Hartwell, I heard your remarks a little while
+ago concerning the North Western Mining Company
+and its officers. I am one of the clerks of that company,
+and I wish to know if you are prepared to substantiate
+the statements you have made here to-night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; the man exclaimed with an oath, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll substantiate
+every word I&rsquo;ve said here to-night, and I can get
+you a dozen more that will tell you more about that company
+than I can.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Never mind about the others, for the present,&rdquo; replied
+Houston coolly, &ldquo;what you have said to-night is likely
+to come to the ears of the company, and what I want
+to know is this; would you swear in court to what you
+have said here?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I tell you,&rdquo; said Mr. Hartwell, with another oath,
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll swear to it ten times over, and if I ever have a
+chance, I&rsquo;ll down you and your cursed company till you
+won&rsquo;t know that you ever existed,&rdquo; and then seeming
+to take Houston as the representative of the entire
+corporation, he poured upon him a torrent of vituperation
+and abuse which was very amusing to Houston,
+who was only thinking of securing a witness for the
+prosecution, by and by.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, Mr. Hartwell,&rdquo; he said at last, &ldquo;you seem so
+anxious to express your feelings, we may give you an
+opportunity later. For the present, I wish you good
+evening,&rdquo; and he walked smilingly away.</p>
+<p>Mr. Hartwell looked after him in amazement; &ldquo;By
+George!&rdquo; he soliloquized, &ldquo;but that fellow&rsquo;s a cool duck,
+anyhow! I couldn&rsquo;t faze him a particle.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The next morning, Houston, in company with Mr.
+Blaisdell, took the early train for the mines. He could
+not help contrasting this with his first trip over the same
+road. Then, he was a stranger, with his entire work before
+him, uncertain of success in his undertaking; now,
+his preparatory work was nearly done, and though the
+most difficult part of his task yet remained, he felt that
+success was sure. But the contrast which to him seemed,
+most striking, was in his own feelings, for though conscious
+of enemies and having no knowledge of the
+friends ready to assist him, he yet felt a certain pleasure
+in returning to the mines, as though returning home;
+and he realized as never before, that hidden away in the
+heart of the mountains was the source from which henceforth
+must flow all his earthly happiness.</p>
+<p>Arriving at the office, they found no one there, and
+Houston immediately began an attack upon the work
+accumulated during his absence, while Mr. Blaisdell proceeded
+to the mills and mines.</p>
+<p>On his way he met Haight, and the subject of the unsuccessful
+mining deal was at once taken up.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They simply wrote that the property was not what
+they wanted, and that they had found what they were
+looking for elsewhere,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell in explanation.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They seemed well enough satisfied when they were
+here,&rdquo; remarked Haight.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That was my impression,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell, &ldquo;but
+Rivers seems to think differently. He says he was suspicious
+of them all the time, because they said nothing
+one way or another, after seeing the property; but my
+impression was that they were very well pleased.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; answered Haight, who always made it
+a practice to have his opinions coincide with those expressed
+by the person with whom he happened to be
+talking, especially if it were for his interest to do so;
+&ldquo;everything seemed satisfactory as far as I could judge.
+It is my opinion, Mr. Blaisdell, and has been for some
+time, that something must have been said by some one
+to prejudice those people against the mine; that is the
+only way I could account for the deal falling through as
+it did.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But who was there to say anything prejudicial? We
+were all interested in selling the mine.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t care to call any names, Mr. Blaisdell, but I
+don&rsquo;t think it best to take people into our confidence till
+we are pretty sure of them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, you allude to Mr. Houston, but you are mistaken
+there; why, Haight, that fellow is working for our
+interests, and he has saved the company considerable
+money already in the way he has straightened the books
+and detected crooked work; he&rsquo;s going to be invaluable.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;ll work for our interests just as long as it is for
+his interest to do so, but I imagine anybody could buy
+him off pretty easy. He&rsquo;s one of your swells; see how
+he dresses and what hightoned notions he has for a man
+in his position, and then tell me he wouldn&rsquo;t take a little
+tip on the outside if he got a chance.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think you are mistaken,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell slowly,
+&ldquo;still, of course, there might be something in what you
+say; I&rsquo;ll think it over,&rdquo; and the subject was dropped for
+that day.</p>
+<p>Houston was very busy until nearly noon, but left the
+office a little earlier than usual, as he was anxious to
+meet Miss Gladden a few moments in advance of the
+others, if possible.</p>
+<p>She was outside the porch, training some vines which
+she and Lyle had transplanted from among the rocks by
+the lake. Her back was toward the road, but hearing
+Houston&rsquo;s step, as he approached the house, she quickly
+turned, and in the depths of her luminous eyes he read
+a welcome that made his return seem more than ever
+like a home-coming. Clasping warmly the shapely little
+hand extended to him in greeting, he drew it within
+his arm, and having led her to a comfortable seat within
+the porch, he drew his own chair close beside her, where
+he could watch the lovely face, so classic and perfect in
+its beauty, and clothed, when animated, with a subtle,
+spirituelle radiance.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You are very welcome,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, as he
+seated himself, &ldquo;we will all have to celebrate your return,
+for we have missed you very much. Have you been
+well?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; replied Houston, smiling, &ldquo;except for a
+touch of homesickness occasionally when I remembered
+our evenings among the mountains, or on the lake. It
+was fortunate that my evenings were so crowded with
+work, or the malady might have proved quite serious.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Our evenings have not been nearly so pleasant without
+you,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;we were all becoming
+frightfully dull and vapid, but I think we will now recover
+our spirits.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have learned one thing,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;that it is
+not any particular place or surroundings that constitutes
+home for us, so much as the presence of those who
+are dear to us. Imagine how it would have seemed to
+me, three months ago, to have called this place &lsquo;home,&rsquo;
+but it seems wonderfully home-like to me to-day.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;As to what constitutes a home, I am scarcely qualified
+to judge,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;for I hardly know
+what a home is; but my idea is, that any spot where my
+best loved ones were, would be home to me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And with such sentiments as those,&rdquo; Houston responded,
+&ldquo;you would make any spot on earth home to
+those whom you loved.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I should hope to,&rdquo; she replied, and added archly,
+&ldquo;and if they loved me, I think I would succeed.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I fear,&rdquo; said Houston, smiling, &ldquo;that we are very old
+fashioned and far behind the spirit of modern times,
+which considers love of small account in the elements
+that constitute a home.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I consider it an indispensable element, nevertheless,&rdquo;
+she replied, earnestly, &ldquo;for I have seen too much of so-called
+homes where it did not exist, and they were not
+even successful imitations of the genuine article; their
+hollowness and wretchedness were only too apparent.&rdquo;
+She paused a moment, then continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;To me, the home seems like one of the old-time temples;
+a place to be kept sacred to peace and purity and
+love; from which the sin and strife of the outside world
+should be faithfully excluded; whose inmates, on entering,
+should leave behind all traces of the evil and discord
+of the outer world, as the Oriental leaves his dust-laden
+sandals at the door of his sanctuary.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have never known any other than such a home
+as that,&rdquo; said Houston, slowly, &ldquo;and it is the only true
+home.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Pardon me,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;but are your
+parents living? I have often wondered.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;my parents died when I was a
+mere child, but the faint recollection of my early home,
+and the memory of my uncle&rsquo;s home, which has been
+mine also, correspond very closely with the picture you
+have just drawn.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then with you it is a reality,&rdquo; she answered, &ldquo;but
+with me, only an ideal.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Miss Gladden,&rdquo; said Houston very earnestly, but
+with great tenderness, &ldquo;will you not let me help you to
+make a reality of your ideal?&rdquo; Then, as she did not immediately
+reply, he continued, &ldquo;The love that we believe
+in as the foundation of a true home, is not lacking on
+my part. I love you, Leslie, so much that life with you
+anywhere would seem perfect and complete, while life
+without you, even in a palace, would not seem worth the
+living. Can you love me enough to share my life and
+home, whatever it may be, as my wife?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>He had taken her hand, and she did not withdraw it,
+but looking in his face, she asked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Would you make me your wife, knowing so little of
+me as you do?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think I know enough,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;I know that
+you are a pure, true-hearted woman; I know that
+whether you love me or not,&rdquo; her eyes dropped, &ldquo;there is
+no one you love better than me; and though I do not
+know it, I am almost sure that you do care for me in
+some degree, am I not right?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>She looked up into the face bending over her, and
+Houston read his answer in her eyes, and even had she
+tried to speak, he gave her no opportunity for doing so.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;To think of your conceit!&rdquo; exclaimed Miss Gladden,
+a few moments later, &ldquo;in having the assurance to say
+that I cared for no one more than you, whether I loved
+you or not; how did you ever come to make such an assertion?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Your eyes betrayed you,&rdquo; he answered, while she
+blushed, &ldquo;they often tell tales, but I have noticed they
+always tell the truth, and I knew they would never have
+told me some secrets that they have, if there was any one
+else you cared for.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The sound of approaching footsteps interrupted their
+conversation, and brought them back to the common,
+every-day affairs of life, and turning, they saw Rutherford
+coming up the path from the lake, where he had
+gone for a stroll.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hello, Houston!&rdquo; exclaimed the latter, catching a
+glimpse of his friend, &ldquo;when did you come? Well, I&rsquo;m
+awfully glad you&rsquo;ve got back, we&rsquo;ve missed you, old fellow,
+I can tell you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Welcome home!&rdquo; said a sweet voice, and Houston
+saw the starry eyes and golden crowned head of Lyle
+framed in the door-way, and hastened to greet her. She
+met him with a woman&rsquo;s grace, and with a child&rsquo;s affection
+looking frankly out of her lovely eyes. After
+his brief absence, Houston was impressed by her beauty
+as never before. &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know the child was so beautiful,&rdquo;
+he thought to himself, &ldquo;I believe she grows lovelier
+every day, and she reminds me strangely of some one I
+have seen long ago.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, by the way,&rdquo; said Rutherford, as the friends
+seated themselves around the dinner table, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve just received
+a letter from my brother, and he says he is coming
+out here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Your brother!&rdquo; exclaimed Miss Gladden and Houston,
+&ldquo;What! coming here among the mountains?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;he happened to be in New York
+when Van Dorn got back, and from his description of
+the place, and mine, he says he would like to see it. He
+is coming out to the coast by another route, and wants
+me to meet him in San Francisco, and then we will stop
+here on our return.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then you are coming back again,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden;
+&ldquo;that will be lovely, and we will be delighted to
+meet your brother with you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Indeed we will,&rdquo; added Houston cordially, &ldquo;what
+time do you expect to be here, Ned?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My brother wants to get here, he says, in about six
+or eight weeks, so it will probably be some time in August.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle had said nothing, but had listened to the conversation,
+a thoughtful, far-away look stealing into her
+eyes; and the rest of the boarders arriving just then,
+nothing more was said on the subject.</p>
+<p>Haight greeted Houston with his usual smiling politeness,
+but Morgan looked sullen, and Mr. Blaisdell was
+gloomy and taciturn. Haight&rsquo;s influence was working,
+and he could afford to smile. Lyle was quick to note
+the situation, and also to detect in Haight&rsquo;s face an expression
+of ill-concealed triumph, and as their eyes met,
+he read that in her face that boded no good to himself.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXII' id='CHAPTER_XXII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Mr. Blaisdell having returned to the city that same
+day, everything went forward in the same regular routine
+as prior to Houston&rsquo;s absence, and evening found
+the four friends seated on the summit of an immense
+rocky pile, watching the grand and rugged scenery surrounding
+them illumined by the glowing colors of the
+sunset sky. They had been talking of Rutherford&rsquo;s intended
+trip to the coast, when Miss Gladden said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Houston, how early can you join us to-morrow
+afternoon? We are going to have a little picnic party
+of four, in honor of your return, and also to give Mr.
+Rutherford pleasant memories of his last days among
+the mountains.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;now I understand; I&rsquo;ve wondered
+what you ladies were so mysterious about all day;
+you&rsquo;ve been holding secret sessions and making cabalistical
+signs to each other all the afternoon. Well, as this
+picnic is partly on my account, I&rsquo;m sure I feel flattered
+and shall be delighted to attend. Houston, old
+boy, when can we look for you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think, considering the importance of the occasion,
+I can be ready to join you at three o&rsquo;clock,&rdquo; replied
+Houston, while the ladies expressed their approval.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There seems to have been a great deal of mysterious
+consultation about this affair,&rdquo; remarked Rutherford,
+&ldquo;what is the program for to-morrow?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;for one thing, we must
+have plenty of music; have neither of you gentlemen
+any musical instruments with you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not I,&rdquo; replied Houston, while Rutherford answered,
+laughing, &ldquo;I have a banjo that I brought along to amuse
+myself with in case I got lonesome, but I&rsquo;ve had no use
+for it so far, I&rsquo;ve had such good company here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;A very graceful compliment, thank you,&rdquo; said Miss
+Gladden, smiling, &ldquo;but bring the banjo by all means, we
+will have use for it to-morrow, and I have just thought
+of something else for the occasion,&ndash;&ndash;but I&rsquo;m not going
+to divulge all my plans, we must keep something for a
+surprise, mustn&rsquo;t we, Lyle?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle laughed merrily; &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not going to tell a single
+plan of mine; you will all find when we reach the place,
+what a mountain picnic means.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But can we not even know where we are going?&rdquo;
+asked Rutherford, with a tragic air.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You would not know if I should tell you,&rdquo; responded
+Lyle, &ldquo;we are going to Sunset Park.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Sunset Park!&rdquo; they exclaimed, &ldquo;where is that?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is it in any way connected with the Sunrise mine of
+recent fame?&rdquo; inquired Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; replied Lyle, &ldquo;it is across the lake; you remember
+the landing I showed you among the rocks?
+You follow the broad trail leading up the mountains,
+and you will come to a beautiful plateau on the west side,
+as level as a floor,&ndash;&ndash;but I&rsquo;m not going to tell you about
+it, you must first see it for yourselves.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The next morning, immediately after breakfast, while
+Houston still stood talking with Miss Gladden and
+Rutherford, the graceful form of Lyle suddenly darted
+past them, her face nearly concealed by an enormous
+sunbonnet.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lyle, you gypsy, where are you going?&rdquo; called Miss
+Gladden.</p>
+<p>For answer, she turned and waved her hand with a
+merry laugh, then ran, fleet-footed as a deer, to the edge
+of the lake, and unfastening one of the little boats, was
+in it and rowing out upon the lake as dextrously as a
+professional oarsman, before those watching her could
+even guess her intentions.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Great C&aelig;sar! but that girl can row!&rdquo; exclaimed
+Rutherford, with all the enthusiastic admiration of a
+newly graduated collegian.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Where is the child going?&rdquo; asked Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Probably to the picnic ground,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden,
+&ldquo;but what for, I cannot imagine.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The sunbonnet was waved saucily in the air, and then
+instead of steering for the landing place as they expected,
+the boat suddenly disappeared around a corner of the
+rocks, in the opposite direction, while there came ringing
+out on the air, in mocking tones, the words of the
+old song:</p>
+<p class='center'>&ldquo;I saw the boat go &rsquo;round the bend.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>No one saw Lyle when she returned, a couple of hours
+later, and not even Miss Gladden knew that she was in
+the house until she made her appearance at the dinner
+table, with a very demure face, exceedingly pink fingers,
+and wearing an air of deep mystery that no amount
+of joking could diminish.</p>
+<p>After dinner, Lyle made two or three trips across the
+lake, carrying mysterious baskets and dishes. In one
+of these journeys she was intercepted by Miss Gladden,
+who was lying in wait for her, and who, tempted by the
+delightful aroma, lifted the cover of one of her dishes.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Strawberries!&rdquo; she exclaimed, &ldquo;and wild ones!
+Where did you get them, Lyle? They are the first I have
+seen out here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They are the first that have ripened,&rdquo; she replied, &ldquo;I
+went over to the gulch for them this morning, but don&rsquo;t
+say anything about them,&rdquo; she added, as she stepped
+into the boat with her treasures, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to cache
+them until they are needed.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Going to do what?&rdquo; said Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Going to &lsquo;cache&rsquo; them, hide them away among the
+rocks,&rdquo; she replied laughing, and, taking the oars, she
+was soon speeding across the lake.</p>
+<p>It was a merry party that started out two or three
+hours later. Houston carried the banjo, as Rutherford
+had his precious camera and a lot of plates, having declared
+his intention of immortalizing the occasion by
+taking a number of views for the benefit of their posterity.
+Miss Gladden had her guitar, and to the great astonishment
+of the gentlemen, Lyle appeared, carrying a fine
+old violin. It was Mike&rsquo;s, which she had borrowed for
+the occasion at the suggestion of Miss Gladden, and in
+reply to the expressions of wonder from the gentlemen,
+Miss Gladden said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This is the surprise I planned for you, but wait till
+you have heard her; I never heard her myself until a
+day or two ago.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>With song and laughter they crossed the lake, and
+having reached the landing place among the rocks and
+fastened their boats, proceeded up the mountain. Here
+they found a flight of natural stone steps, at the head
+of which a broad trail wound around the mountain, until,
+having passed a huge, shelving rock, they suddenly
+found themselves on a plateau, broad, grassy, and, as
+Lyle had said, &ldquo;as level as a floor.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Groups of large evergreens afforded a refreshing
+shade. Underneath the trees an immense, flat rock, covered
+with a snowy table-cloth and trimmed with vines
+and flowers, gave hint of some of the more substantial
+pleasures to be looked for later. At a distance gleamed
+the silvery cascades, their rainbow-tinted spray rising in
+a perpetual cloud of beauty. Far below could be seen
+the winding, canyon road, while above and beyond, on
+all sides, the mountains reared their glistening crests
+against the sky.</p>
+<p>For a time they gave themselves up to the enjoyment
+of the scene, till, at Miss Gladden&rsquo;s suggestion, the tuning
+of the various instruments began, interspersed with
+jokes and merry, rippling laughter. Amidst the general
+merriment, Houston, with an air of great gravity,
+produced from his pocket the different parts of a flute,
+which he proceeded to fit together, saying:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;When you were speaking last evening about the
+music for to-day I had entirely forgotten the existence
+of this flute, but after we went to our room, Ned persisted
+in practicing on that unmusical instrument of his,
+and in searching in my trunk for a weapon of self defense,
+I found this, and it answered my purpose so well
+then, I brought it with me to-day.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The music was a success, and it seemed as though the
+musicians would never grow weary, but when, at Miss
+Gladden&rsquo;s request, Lyle sang &ldquo;Kathleen Mavourneen,&rdquo;
+her sweet, rich tones blending with the wild, plaintive
+notes of the violin, her listeners again seemed entranced
+by the witchery of the music, as on the night when first
+they heard her sing, and were only aroused by the sound
+of hearty, prolonged cheering from the canyon below.</p>
+<p>Looking over the edge of the plateau, they discovered
+a party of about a dozen people, in a wagon drawn
+by six horses, who had stopped to listen to the music,
+and give their panting animals a chance to rest. Behind
+them was a line of three or four pack mules, laden with
+tents, cooking utensils and bedding.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;A camping party!&rdquo; exclaimed Lyle, &ldquo;the first of the
+season; they are on their way to Strawberry gulch.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>On catching sight of the group above on the plateau,
+the ladies below began waving their handkerchiefs, and
+the gentlemen were loud in their cheers and calls for
+more music.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Give them another song, Miss Maverick,&rdquo; said
+Rutherford, &ldquo;that is a decided encore.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Once more raising her violin, Lyle sang &ldquo;The Maid
+of Dundee,&rdquo; and never did song or singer meet with
+nobler applause, for the cheers from below in the canyon
+were joined with those from above on the plateau,
+and were echoed and re-echoed among the rocks, the
+last reverberations dying away and mingling with the
+roar of the distant cascades.</p>
+<p>As the camping party seemed in no haste to continue
+their journey, Miss Gladden with the gentlemen
+then came forward to the edge of the plateau, and all
+joined in singing a few familiar songs, some of them
+accompanied by the guitar and the violin, after which,
+the party in the canyon, with much waving of hats and
+handkerchiefs, and many cheers in token of their appreciation,
+passed on their way.</p>
+<p>After this little episode, a gypsy fire was kindled, and
+in a short time the rock table was spread with a dainty
+feast; chicken sandwiches, mountain trout, which Lyle
+had caught in the morning, delicately broiled, and the
+sweet, wild strawberries served in various ways, all
+equally tempting and delicious. After the feast, Houston
+proved himself an adept upon the violin, and he and
+Rutherford gave a number of college songs, and old
+plantation songs and dances, accompanied by the violin
+and banjo.</p>
+<p>At last, as the long, gray twilight was slowly deepening,
+and the stars silently marshaling their forces in the
+evening sky, the two boats drifted across the lake, only
+guided, not propelled, by the oars, and the air, for a
+while, was filled with song. As they slowly approached
+the shore, however, the singing gradually ceased. For a
+while Rutherford talked of the coming of his brother;
+then he and Lyle were silent, but from the other boat, at
+a little distance, came low, murmuring tones. They had
+just entered upon the first pages of that beautiful story,
+old as eternity itself, and as enduring; the only one of
+earth&rsquo;s stories upon whose closing page, as we gaze with
+eyes dim with the approaching shadows of death, we
+find no &ldquo;finis&rdquo; written, for it is to be continued in the
+shadowless life beyond.</p>
+<p>Rutherford was thinking of some one far away, under
+European skies, and wishing that she were present with
+him there, to make his happiness complete.</p>
+<p>And Lyle, with that face of wondrous beauty, yet
+calm and inscrutable as that of the sphinx, had any
+power as yet passed over the hidden depths of her
+woman&rsquo;s nature, and troubled the waters? Were those
+eyes, with their far-away look, gazing into the past with
+its strange darkness and mystery, or striving to pierce
+the dim, impenetrable veil of the future? No one could
+say; perhaps she herself was scarcely conscious, but as
+they landed, Miss Gladden noted the new expression
+dawning in her eyes, and as the friends and lovers separated
+for the night, each one avowing that day to have
+been one of the most delightful of their whole lives, she
+wound her arm about Lyle in sisterly fashion, and drew
+her into her own room. Lyle, as was her custom,
+dropped upon a low seat beside her friend, but was silent.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Are you looking backward or forward, to-night,
+Lyle?&rdquo; asked Miss Gladden, taking the lovely face in
+both her hands, and gazing into the beautiful eyes.</p>
+<p>Lyle&rsquo;s color deepened slightly, as she replied:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I hardly know; it seems sometimes as if I were looking
+into an altogether different life from this, a different
+world from that in which I have lived.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How so, my dear?&rdquo; inquired her friend.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I scarcely know how to describe it myself,&rdquo; she replied;
+then asked abruptly, &ldquo;Miss Gladden, do you believe
+we have ever had an existence prior to this? that
+we have lived on earth before, only amid different surroundings?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; answered Miss Gladden, &ldquo;I can see no reason
+for such a belief as that; but why do you ask?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Only because it seems sometimes as if that were
+the only way in which I could account for some of my
+strange impressions and feelings.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Tell me about them,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, interested.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They are so vague,&rdquo; Lyle replied, &ldquo;I hardly know
+how to describe them, but I have always felt them, more
+or less. When I read of life amid scenes of refinement
+and beauty, there is always an indefinable sense of familiarity
+about it all; and since you and Mr. Houston
+have been here, and I have lived such a different life,&ndash;&ndash;especially
+since we have sung together so much,&ndash;&ndash;the
+impression is much more vivid than before; even the
+music seems familiar, as if I had heard it all, or something
+like it, long ago, and yet it is utterly impossible,
+living the life I have. It must have been only in my
+dreams, those strange dreams I used to have so often,
+and which come to me even now.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And what are these dreams, dear? You have never
+before spoken to me of them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; Lyle answered, &ldquo;I have never spoken of them
+to any one; they have always been rather vague and indefinite,
+like the rest of my strange impressions and fancies;
+only they are all alike, it is almost precisely the
+same dream, no matter when it comes to me. There is
+only one feature that is very clear or distinct, and that
+is a beautiful face that is always bending over me, and
+always seems full of love and tenderness. Sometimes
+there are other faces in the background, but they are
+confused and indistinct,&ndash;&ndash;I can only recall this one that
+is so beautiful. Then there is always a general sense of
+light and beauty, and sometimes I seem to hear music;
+and then it is all suddenly succeeded by an indescribable
+terror, in which the face vanishes, and from which I
+awake trembling with fright.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And you say you have had this dream always?&rdquo;
+queried Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, ever since I could remember. I don&rsquo;t seem to
+be able to recall much about my early childhood, before
+I was five or six years old, but these dreams are among
+my earliest recollections, and I would sometimes awake
+crying with fright. After I met Jack, and he began
+teaching me, my mind was so taken up with study, that
+the dreams became less frequent, and for the last two or
+three years, I had almost forgotten them, till something
+seemed to recall them, and now it occurs often, especially
+after we have had an evening of song. I know I
+shall see that beautiful face to-night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But whose face is it, Lyle?&rdquo; questioned Miss Gladden;
+&ldquo;surely, it must resemble some one you have seen.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle shook her head; &ldquo;I have never seen any living
+person whom it resembled. That, together with all
+these strange impressions of which I have told you, is
+what seems so mysterious, and leads me to half believe
+I have lived another life, sometime, somewhere.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden sat silently caressing the golden head.
+Her suspicions that Lyle had had other parents than
+those whom she knew as such, were almost confirmed,
+but would it be best, with no tangible proof, to hint such
+a thought to Lyle herself? While she was thus musing,
+Lyle continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What seemed to me strangest of all, is, that though
+I cannot remember ever seeing a living face like the one
+in my dream, I have seen what I believe is a photograph
+of it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;When? and where?&rdquo; asked Miss Gladden quickly,
+hoping to find some key to the problem she was trying
+to solve.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;A few weeks after your coming, and at Jack&rsquo;s cabin,&rdquo;
+Lyle replied.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Did Jack show you the picture?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, I do not know that he intended me to see it, but
+it was lying on the table that evening; I took it up and
+looked at it, but he did not seem to want to talk about
+it. I have never seen it since, and he told me that until
+that evening, he had not seen it for a long time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And did you recognize it as the face of your
+dreams?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not then; it seemed familiar, but it was not until
+after I reached home that I remembered my dream, and
+from that time, the dream returned. I see the face often
+now, and it is just like the picture, only possibly a little
+older and sweeter.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And you have never spoken to Jack about the picture
+since?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, for I have not seen it, and he has never alluded
+to it. He admitted that evening it was the picture of
+some one he had loved dearly, and I have since thought
+perhaps he would rather I had not seen it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden was silent; her old theory regarding
+Jack&rsquo;s being the father of Lyle, seemed to her now more
+probable than ever. She believed the picture to be that
+of Lyle&rsquo;s own mother, who, it seemed evident, had lived
+long enough that her child remembered her in her
+dreams, though unable to recall her face at other times.</p>
+<p>Very tenderly she bade Lyle good-night, determined
+that her next call at the little cabin should be made as
+early as possible.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXIII' id='CHAPTER_XXIII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Houston and Rutherford, on retiring to their room,
+after the breaking up of the picnic party, donned their
+slippers and smoking jackets, and having lighted their
+cigars, and slipped into the easiest possible attitudes,
+prepared to devote the next few hours to a confidential
+tete-a-tete. The next day Rutherford would start on his
+journey to the coast, and naturally there were many topics
+of mutual interest to be discussed on this, their last
+night together for a number of weeks.</p>
+<p>Houston felt that the time had come for taking Rutherford
+into his confidence regarding his own work and
+plans, for it was evident that Van Dorn had posted his
+brother, and Rutherford would soon learn the truth from
+him, if in no other way. For a while Rutherford talked
+of his brother.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I knew he was intending to come west this summer,
+and I expected to meet him in some of the cities along
+the coast, but I supposed he would return by one of the
+southern routes. I&rsquo;m awfully glad he has decided to
+come back this way,&rdquo; he added, &ldquo;for I would enjoy it
+of course, to come around and see you again, and then,
+I&rsquo;d like to have you meet Mort. He and I are not a bit
+alike, but I think he&rsquo;s a splendid fellow, and I think you
+and he will like each other.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t a doubt of it, Ned,&rdquo; Houston replied, with
+an air of confidence rather surprising to his friend; &ldquo;in
+fact, I think I will be as glad to meet him as you yourself;&rdquo;
+then, as Rutherford&rsquo;s eyes expressed considerable
+wonder at such unexpected cordiality, he continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been thinking, for some time, Ned, that the
+friendship you have shown for the low-salaried clerk
+and bookkeeper whom you met on your way out here,
+deserves some degree of confidence in return, and this
+evening seems to be the best time for giving you a little
+explanation regarding the man whom you have called
+your friend for the last few weeks.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why, certainly, if you wish,&rdquo; Rutherford replied,
+with slight embarrassment, &ldquo;but then, it isn&rsquo;t at all necessary,
+you know; that is, unless it is your choice, for your
+salary or your position doesn&rsquo;t cut any figure with me.
+Whatever your circumstances may be, I know as well
+as I need to know that you are a gentleman; anybody
+can see that, and I have told my brother so.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am much obliged to you, Ned,&rdquo; Houston answered,
+with difficulty restraining a smile, &ldquo;but I am going to
+begin by saying that your brother knows me a great deal
+better than you do.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Rutherford&rsquo;s face expressed so much astonishment,
+that it resembled nothing so much as an exaggerated
+exclamation point. Houston continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have never in my life known what it was to have an
+own brother, but the one who for many years has held
+that place in my heart is Morton Rutherford, and I think
+he will tell you that of all his class mates, there was not
+one with whom he was upon more intimate, confidential
+terms, than Everard Houston, of New York.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Everard Houston! Great Scott!&rdquo; exclaimed Rutherford,
+springing to his feet, &ldquo;why I remember that
+name well; he was Mort&rsquo;s best friend. You don&rsquo;t mean
+to say you are the same? Why, I thought you said you
+were from Chicago!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I was from Chicago, when you met me,&rdquo; answered
+Houston, smiling, &ldquo;but I had come from New York less
+than ten days before.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, by Jove!&rdquo; said Rutherford, walking up and
+down the room, &ldquo;I am floored completely! If you had
+once said you were from New York, I might have suspected
+who you were, but Chicago! and then,&rdquo; here he
+stopped and gazed at his friend with a comical look of
+perplexity, &ldquo;why, Everard Houston was the nephew and
+adopted son of W. E. Cameron.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; assented Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well then, what in thunder,&ndash;&ndash;if I may ask the question,&ndash;&ndash;are
+you doing out here with this confounded Buncombe-Boomerang
+mining company?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That is just what I wished to tell you to-night,&rdquo;
+Houston replied, &ldquo;but we must talk low, for walls sometimes
+have ears,&rdquo; and placing a chair for his friend near
+his own, he proceeded to tell him of his object in coming
+out to the mining camp, of the work which he had accomplished,
+and of his plans for what yet remained to be
+done. Rutherford listened with much interest, deepening
+into admiration for his friend.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And now,&rdquo; said Houston, in conclusion, &ldquo;you will see
+why I could not very well reveal my identity to you
+when we first met. I knew you as soon as I saw your
+card, but I was a stranger in this part of the country,
+with a certain role to play, uncertain of success, and, not
+knowing what difficulties or obstacles I might meet,
+thought there would be less danger of unexpected complications,
+if you thought me just what I appeared to
+be.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You thought about right, too,&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;for
+I&rsquo;m awfully careless about anything of that kind, always
+putting my foot in it, you know; and I don&rsquo;t see how
+you ever could come out here, a perfect stranger, and
+carry everything along as smoothly as you have. Well,
+I remember I was awfully mixed there on the train,
+when you told me you had come out here to work for
+that company, for I thought all the time that if you were
+not a gentleman, then I never saw one; and it&rsquo;s lucky I
+did have sense enough to think of that, or I might have
+made a confounded chump of myself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You would have cut me, would you?&rdquo; asked Houston,
+laughing, &ldquo;I was looking out for that, and would
+have considered it a rich joke if you had.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Rather too rich, I should say,&rdquo; said Rutherford,
+coloring. &ldquo;Mort has always ridiculed me for that sort
+of thing, and told me I&rsquo;d make a precious fool of myself
+some day; I don&rsquo;t intend to be snobbish, though he says
+I am, but that&rsquo;s just my way somehow, unless I happen
+to like a person. Mort is different from me; he will get
+along with all sorts of people, you know, but I never
+could.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You are all right,&rdquo; answered Houston, &ldquo;you are a
+little conscious of your blue blood now and then, but as
+you grow older you will think less about that, and you
+have as good a heart as Morton, when a person is fortunate
+enough to find it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Say,&rdquo; said Rutherford, suddenly, &ldquo;if you and Mort
+were class mates, you must have known Van Dorn.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; said Houston, smilingly watching the
+blue coils of smoke from his cigar, &ldquo;and when I first saw
+him with the Winters party, I knew my little game was
+up, unless I got my work in very expeditiously,&rdquo; and
+he described the little pantomime which took place in
+the office shortly after Van Dorn&rsquo;s arrival, much to the
+amusement of Rutherford, who exclaimed:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Great Scott! but you fellows played that game well,
+no one ever would have dreamed that you had known
+each other.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston then told of the plan for Van Dorn&rsquo;s coming
+in a few weeks, and later, for the arrival of Mr. Cameron
+with Lindlay.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; Rutherford exclaimed, &ldquo;now I see why Mort
+is so anxious to get here at just about a certain time;
+he knows all about this, and wants to be in at the death
+himself; well, that suits me exactly. But say, old fellow,
+isn&rsquo;t this going to be a pretty nasty piece of business
+for you about that time?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It would be if any one should get hold of this before
+the right time comes, but I do not anticipate any trouble,
+because I intend to be so guarded that nothing regarding
+my work will be known or suspected until my uncle
+is here, and we have them securely trapped.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It will require a cool head and a level one to carry
+this thing through, and accomplish what you have undertaken,&rdquo;
+said Rutherford thoughtfully, as he took
+one or two turns up and down the room, &ldquo;and I guess
+you are the right one for the work. Van Dorn will be
+just the one to help you, too, he&rsquo;s pretty cool and quick-witted
+himself, but I should think you would both need a
+third party, somebody who has been on the ground for a
+long time and who understands all about the working
+of these things.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It would be of great assistance to us, and I intend to
+keep a look-out, and if it is possible to find such a person,
+and one whom we can trust at the same time, I shall
+secure him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, I&rsquo;m sure I wish you success, and I shall be
+anxious to hear from you while I&rsquo;m gone, and know
+how you are coming on.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>They smoked silently for a few moments, then Rutherford
+said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;By the way, Houston, how about the congratulations
+I told you some time ago I was ready to offer whenever
+the occasion required; are they in order now? or shall
+I reserve them until my return?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They are in order whenever you choose to offer
+them,&rdquo; Houston replied quietly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Indeed! well, I&rsquo;m glad to hear it, I thought it about
+time. I congratulate you most heartily, and tender you
+both my sincerest wishes for your happiness. I tell you
+what, old fellow, I think you&rsquo;ve found a splendid woman,
+and I think, too, that you are wonderfully suited to each
+other. Seems strange, doesn&rsquo;t it? to think of a pair like
+you two, finding each other in a place like this!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is rather unusual, I admit,&rdquo; said Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; added Rutherford, &ldquo;taking into consideration
+all the surroundings, and the why and wherefore of your
+coming here, I think it borders on the romantic.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A moment later he asked, &ldquo;Does Miss Gladden know
+what you are doing out here?&rdquo; Houston shook his
+head, in reply.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Doesn&rsquo;t she know who you really are?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not yet,&rdquo; Houston answered, &ldquo;no one out here
+knows any more about that than you did two hours
+ago.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Whew!&rdquo; said Rutherford, &ldquo;she will be slightly surprised
+when she finds that old Blaisdell&rsquo;s clerk and bookkeeper
+has a few cool millions of his own, won&rsquo;t she?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I hope she will not object to the millions,&rdquo; said
+Houston with a smile, &ldquo;but I have the satisfaction of
+knowing that they were not the chief attraction; she
+cares for me myself, and for my own sake, not for the
+sake of my wealth, and I am just old fashioned enough
+to consider that of first importance.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And when will she learn your secret? not until the
+closing scene of the last act?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I cannot tell just when,&rdquo; Houston answered, &ldquo;that
+will of course depend a great deal upon circumstances.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Rutherford then became confidential regarding his
+own hopes for the future, and gave Houston a description
+of his fiancee, and a brief history of their acquaintance
+and engagement.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Grace is all right,&rdquo; he said in conclusion, &ldquo;but her
+father is inclined to be a little old-fogyish, thinks we are
+too young for any definite engagement, and wants me to
+be permanently established in some business before we
+are married, and all that; when I can&rsquo;t see what in the
+deuce is the difference so long as I have plenty of stuff.
+So the upshot of it all was that he and his wife took
+Grace to Europe, and they&rsquo;re not coming back until the
+holidays, and if, by that time, we have neither of us
+changed our minds, and I am settled in business and all
+that sort of thing, we can be married. There&rsquo;s no danger
+of our changing our minds, so that&rsquo;s all right, but
+I declare I don&rsquo;t see the use of a fellow&rsquo;s tying himself
+down to some hum-drum business, when there&rsquo;s no need
+of it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It isn&rsquo;t a bad idea though to find some business for
+which you are adapted, and stick to it,&rdquo; was Houston&rsquo;s
+reply; &ldquo;that was the advice my uncle gave me when I
+returned from college, and he offered me the choice of
+going into business with himself, or selecting something
+else that I liked better.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Grace&rsquo;s father wants me to go in with him, but excuse
+me; if I went into business with any one, it would
+be somebody nearer my own age, where I&rsquo;d have about
+as much to say as the other fellow, not an old man, and
+my father-in-law, in the bargain.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You may find something you will like, within the
+next few months,&rdquo; said Houston, with a peculiar smile;
+&ldquo;By the way, Morton used to say he was going to stick
+to journalistic work; how is he succeeding?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Splendidly; you know he is one of the associate
+editors of the Dispatch, then he contributes regularly to
+several of the leading magazines, and lately he has some
+work of his own on hand besides, a work on some sort
+of scientific research: yes, he has succeeded well.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>So long did their conversation continue, that when
+they at last went to rest, it was nearly time for the surrounding
+peaks, standing like huge sentinels against
+the dark, eastern sky, to catch the first faint flush of the
+approaching day.</p>
+<p>They were a little late in making their appearance in
+the breakfast room. Miss Gladden and Lyle were awaiting
+them, but the others had gone. There was time for
+only a hasty breakfast before the team, going to the Y
+for supplies, which had been engaged to take Rutherford
+to the morning train, was at the door.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said the latter, having seen his baggage safely
+aboard, including the familiar square case containing his
+precious cameras, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve had a delightful time here, and
+I&rsquo;m awfully glad I&rsquo;m coming back again.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;So are we, Mr. Rutherford,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;and
+we will be very glad to welcome your brother also, and
+do all in our power to make his visit a pleasant one.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is doubtful whether he will ever want to leave
+here,&rdquo; Rutherford responded, &ldquo;for he appreciates anything
+of this kind even more than I do. He&rsquo;ll grow wild
+over these mountains. Well, Miss Maverick,&rdquo; he continued,
+shaking hands with Lyle, &ldquo;I thank you for all
+you&rsquo;ve done to make my visit so pleasant, and I&rsquo;m glad
+that we will only say good-bye for a little while.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am also,&rdquo; she replied, &ldquo;and I wish you a pleasant
+journey and a speedy return.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This is not &lsquo;good-bye,&rsquo; Mr. Rutherford,&rdquo; said Miss
+Gladden, extending her hand, &ldquo;it is only &lsquo;au revoir.&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That is right,&rdquo; he answered, then added in low tones,
+&ldquo;Miss Gladden, I have already congratulated Mr. Houston,
+and I hope you will accept my congratulations and
+best wishes also. I think almost as much of him as of
+my own brother, and I could not wish either of you
+any happier fortune than I believe you will find in each
+other.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>In a few moments Houston and Rutherford were riding
+rapidly down the canyon. At the office, where
+Houston had to prepare some orders for the driver, he
+and Rutherford took leave of each other.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Be good to yourself, old fellow,&rdquo; said Rutherford,
+&ldquo;and keep us posted just how you are coming on; and
+say,&rdquo; he added, lowering his voice, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll keep you posted
+of our whereabouts, and if anything should happen, and
+you need help, wire us and we&rsquo;ll be here by the next
+train; you can count on two brothers now, instead of
+one, you know.&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXIV' id='CHAPTER_XXIV'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>A day or two after the departure of Rutherford, Miss
+Gladden, having learned from Lyle at what hour Jack
+usually completed his day&rsquo;s work, set forth upon her
+visit to the cabin. She felt that her errand might prove
+embarrassing both to Jack and herself; she wished to
+obtain some clue regarding Lyle&rsquo;s parentage; at least,
+to learn what his suspicions, or possible knowledge
+might be concerning the matter, and taking into consideration
+the contingency that she might be his own
+child, whose existence he had kept secret for reasons of
+his own, it was a subject which would require very delicate
+handling.</p>
+<p>She found Jack at the cabin, and alone, and his courteous
+greeting, containing less formality and more cordiality
+and friendliness than on the former occasion,
+made her task seem far less difficult. He ushered her
+into the pleasant little sitting-room, and she noted even
+more particularly than on her former visit, the exquisite
+taste betrayed, not only in the furnishings of the room,
+but in their very arrangement.</p>
+<p>After chatting a few moments regarding the little circle
+of friends at the house, in whom he seemed to take
+more interest than she would have expected from a man
+of his secluded life, the conversation naturally turned to
+Lyle, and Miss Gladden said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have wished to see you regarding her because you
+seem to be the only one among those living here who
+appreciates her ability, or cares for her welfare; and you
+have known her and her surroundings so long, I believed
+you could give me some suggestions and advice
+regarding what is best to be done for her, even now,
+while she remains here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have taken a great interest in the child ever since I
+have known her,&rdquo; Jack replied, &ldquo;and I am only too glad
+that she has found another friend, and that friend a lady;
+and if I can assist, by suggestion or otherwise, I shall be
+most happy to do so.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I asked your opinion the other evening,&rdquo; continued
+Miss Gladden, &ldquo;as to taking her east with me, but there
+were other matters pertaining to her welfare, on which
+I wished your opinion and advice, but I could not so well
+speak of them before her, so I asked for this interview.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden hesitated a moment, almost hoping that
+Jack might make some remark which would give her a
+cue as to the best method for her to pursue in seeking
+the information she desired, but his attitude was that of
+respectful attention, and he was evidently waiting for
+her to proceed.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have felt attracted toward Lyle from the first,&rdquo; she
+began slowly, &ldquo;not alone by her wondrous beauty and
+grace of manner, but even more by her intelligence and
+intellectual ability, her natural refinement and delicacy,
+which, considering her surroundings, seemed to me simply
+inexplicable. From the very first, she has been to
+me a mystery, and as I become better acquainted with
+her, the mystery, instead of being lessened, is only deepened.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>She paused, but he offered no comment, only bowed
+gravely for her to continue.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I could not, and I cannot yet, understand how one
+like her could ever have been born, or could exist in
+such surroundings as hers; and the fact that she has
+existed here, her beautiful nature untainted, unsullied by
+the coarseness, the vulgarity and the immorality about
+her, to me seemed an indication that she was of an altogether
+different type, born in another and far higher
+sphere. I saw she was unhappy, and I determined to
+win her confidence, and in so doing, from a vague suspicion
+I have gradually arrived at a firm conviction that
+Lyle is not the child of those whom she calls her
+parents.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack manifested no surprise, neither was there anything
+in his manner to indicate that this was a subject
+upon which he had any knowledge. He simply asked
+very calmly,&ndash;&ndash;almost indifferently it seemed to Miss
+Gladden,&ndash;&ndash;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Have you discovered any direct evidence in support
+of this conviction that she is not their child?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No tangible evidence,&rdquo; replied Miss Gladden, &ldquo;nothing,
+of course, that could be called proof, but there are
+what I consider very strong indications.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Are the indications on Lyle&rsquo;s part, or on the part
+of Mr. and Mrs. Maverick?&rdquo; inquired Jack.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;On both sides,&rdquo; replied Miss Gladden, &ldquo;I have very
+little to say regarding Mrs. Maverick; she is a kind-hearted
+woman, and seems to treat Lyle with consideration
+and some degree of affection; there is very little of
+the latter, but perhaps it is all of which she is capable,
+for I should think life with that brute would quickly
+crush out all the affection, if not all the intelligence, in
+a woman&rsquo;s nature; but the neglect and ill treatment of
+Maverick himself towards Lyle surely indicate that she is
+no child of his.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Your remark regarding Mrs. Maverick might be
+still more applicable to him, that he is incapable of anything
+like affection or kindness.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Of course he is,&rdquo; replied Miss Gladden quickly, &ldquo;but
+I can not conceive of a man being quite so low as to be
+without even animal instincts; I cannot believe that a
+father would insult and degrade his own daughter as he
+has Lyle, and as he would continue to do, if he were not
+restrained through fear of his wife.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For the first time, Jack started. &ldquo;Fear of his wife,
+did you say, Miss Gladden? Pardon me, but I think
+that brute fears neither God, man nor devil, and how you
+can assert that he is in fear of his wife, whom he has always
+abused mercilessly, I cannot imagine.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is a fact, nevertheless; for one morning after he
+had been exceedingly abusive and insulting in his language
+toward Lyle, Mrs. Maverick told her that he was,
+in some way, in her power, and that it should never occur
+again; and it never has.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack rose, and began to pace the room.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Did you hear her say that, Miss Gladden?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, Lyle told me of it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Had Lyle any idea of what she meant by it?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She did not seem to have; nothing was ever said regarding
+that phase of the subject; she only seemed relieved
+that Mrs. Maverick promised to prevent a repetition
+of her father&rsquo;s abuse of her.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack seated himself. &ldquo;You spoke of some reasons on
+Lyle&rsquo;s part for your conclusions; what were they?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden then told him of Lyle&rsquo;s strange impressions
+and of her dream, but made no allusion to the photograph,
+wishing to reserve that until later.</p>
+<p>Jack looked thoughtful. &ldquo;I wonder that she has never
+spoken to me regarding this dream,&rdquo; he said at length.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She told me she had not had the dream so often since
+having been occupied with her studies and reading, probably
+that accounts for her not speaking of it; lately she
+says it has returned.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Both were silent for a while, then Miss Gladden asked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Do you not think these dreams and impressions are
+indications of an early life, far different from this?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I do,&rdquo; he replied gravely.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That was my opinion,&rdquo; then, determined to get some
+expression from him, she continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am so attached to her, so desirous, if possible, to
+rescue her from this wretched life, that I am anxious to
+get some clue as to her true parentage; that is why I
+have come to you, her friend. I thought possibly you
+might be able to aid me in getting some evidence, or
+some information regarding her early history.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden was watching Jack keenly, to note if her
+words produced any effect on that immobile face. She
+was not disappointed: he started, almost imperceptibly,
+and as he fixed his dark eyes upon her own, she noticed,
+as never before, how keen and piercing, and how eloquently
+beautiful they were. Miss Gladden&rsquo;s eyes did
+not drop before his searching gaze; she was determined
+that he should read only sincerity and candor in their
+depths, and make his answer accordingly. When he
+spoke, his voice was unlike its usual smooth, even tone;
+it was tender and deep, full of some strange emotion, and
+reminded her wonderfully of her lover.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Miss Gladden, may I ask,&ndash;&ndash;for I believe you will answer
+me truthfully and candidly,&ndash;&ndash;what ever led you to
+suppose that I could give you any information regarding
+Lyle&rsquo;s early history?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I will answer you candidly, as you wish,&rdquo; she replied;
+&ldquo;the thought first occurred to me of coming to you for
+advice regarding Lyle, simply because I regarded you
+as her best friend, in fact, until I came, her only friend.
+Then a remark accidently dropped by Lyle, as to what
+you had once said of her singing, that it reminded you
+of but one voice which you had heard, but that you did
+not like to hear her, led me to think that perhaps she was
+in some way connected with some one you had known,
+and that possibly that was the reason for the special interest
+you took in her welfare.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then there was something more, in connection with
+her dream,&rdquo; and she told him how Lyle had at last identified
+the pictured face which seemed so familiar to her,
+as the dream-face of her childhood, and how immediately
+after the dream had returned.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;After she told me this,&rdquo; continued Miss Gladden,
+&ldquo;you will see that I naturally concluded that the face was
+that of her mother; that her mother, her parents, and
+probably her early life were known to you; and I will
+frankly admit, that except that it seemed incredible that
+you would allow her to remain in these surroundings, if
+my hypothesis were correct, I would have believed that
+you were her father, and that grief from bereavement or
+separation, had caused you to choose this life for yourself
+and her.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack had again risen and was slowly pacing the room.
+Miss Gladden could read no sign of displeasure in his face,
+though she detected indications of some powerful emotion,
+and of acute suffering. He seemed battling with
+old-time memories, and when at last he seated himself
+and began speaking, there was a strange pathos vibrating
+through the forced calmness of his voice, and the
+piercing eyes, now looking so kindly into her own, had
+in their depths such hopeless sadness, that Miss Gladden&rsquo;s
+heart was stirred by a pity deeper than she had ever
+known, for she instinctively felt that she was in the presence
+of some great, despairing sorrow.</p>
+<p>With a smile of rare sweetness and beauty, he said:
+&ldquo;Your candor and frankness deserve confidence in return,
+and I will give it so far as it is within my power to do so,
+and yet I fear that you will be disappointed. Your surmises
+are incorrect in many respects, and yet contain a
+great deal of truth, and I will try, so far as possible, to
+be as frank with you as you have been with me. In the
+first place, I must say to you, that regarding Lyle&rsquo;s true
+parentage, whether or not she is the child of the Mavericks,
+I know, positively, nothing more than do you,
+yourself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>He smiled as he noted Miss Gladden&rsquo;s look of astonishment,
+and continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Like you, I have my suspicions that she is not their
+child, and have had them since first seeing her, years ago.
+As in your case, my suspicions long ago changed to conviction,
+and my convictions are probably even deeper
+than yours, for the reason, that in form, in feature, in
+voice and manner, in every expression and gesture,&rdquo; his
+voice trembled for an instant, but he controlled it, &ldquo;she
+is the exact counterpart of another; some one whom I
+knew in a life as remote, as far from this as it is possible
+to conceive. But I have no direct proof, not a shadow of
+tangible evidence with which I could confront Maverick
+and denounce him with having stolen the child, and,
+knowing him as I do, I know that for Lyle&rsquo;s sake, until
+I have some such proof, it were better to remain silent.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Pardon me for interrupting you,&rdquo; Miss Gladden exclaimed,
+&ldquo;but that is a contingency that never entered my
+mind, that Lyle had been stolen from her parents! That
+is far worse than anything I had dreamed of.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Nevertheless, if she is not their child, she was stolen,
+and just in proportion as the former is improbable, the
+latter is probable, almost certain. You will now see
+wherein your supposition that my interest in her was due
+to her connection in my mind with some one I had formerly
+known, was correct. I took a special interest in her
+for this reason; it was a pleasure to teach her, to note her
+mind expanding so rapidly, to watch her as she developed
+physically and mentally; every day growing more and
+more like the one I had known. I enjoyed tracing the
+resemblance day by day, though it often caused me almost
+as much pain as pleasure,&ndash;&ndash;but when I heard her
+sing, that was too much,&ndash;&ndash;it was more than I could
+bear,&ndash;&ndash;it was like compelling some lost soul in purgatory
+to listen to the songs of paradise.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There was a tremor in Jack&rsquo;s voice, and he paused,
+touched even more deeply by the sympathetic tears glistening
+in the beautiful eyes full of such tender pity, than by
+the bitter memories passing before his own mind.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What has perplexed me most,&rdquo; he continued, &ldquo;is the
+fact that Lyle has seemed unable to recall anything relating
+to her early childhood. I have tried in every way
+to arouse her memory, and that was my chief object in
+allowing her to see the photograph of which she told
+you; but, as she often says, the first few years of her life
+seem to be only blank. I cannot account for that.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Still,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;these dreams of hers show
+that there are memories there, and something may yet recall
+them to her mind.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That has been my hope,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;that is what I
+have been waiting for all these years, for her mind to recall
+some incident, or some individual, that would furnish
+the needed proof as to her parentage.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Do you think,&rdquo; asked Miss Gladden, after a pause,
+&ldquo;that it would be wise to give Lyle a hint of our suspicions?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have thought it might be well, if possible, to arouse
+her own suspicions by some process of reasoning on her
+part, not by any suggestions of ours.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;May I inquire whether those whom you consider her
+true parents are still living?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They both died many years ago.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then, if her identity could be proven beyond a doubt,
+would there be any one to give her such a home as she
+ought to have?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, there are those who would be only too glad to
+give her such a home as very few have the good fortune
+to possess.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And have they never made any inquiry for her?&rdquo; Miss
+Gladden asked in surprise.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They have no idea that she is living; her parents died
+under peculiar circumstances, and she was supposed to
+have died at the same time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then ought we not,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden thoughtfully,
+&ldquo;both for her sake and theirs, to let them know that she
+is living, and help them to find her?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Unless they could see her for themselves,&rdquo; he replied,
+&ldquo;they would probably be rather skeptical, and require
+very positive proof regarding her claims, they have believed
+her dead for so many years. But even though I
+may have known Lyle&rsquo;s mother, I am not in communication
+with her friends, and would not be the proper person
+to present her claims to them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For a few moments, Miss Gladden sat silently watching
+the play of the light and shade on the mountain side
+across the ravine, opposite the cabin, as the shadows cast
+by the light, floating clouds, followed each other in rapid
+succession.</p>
+<p>Jack seemed to be thinking deeply, and when he at
+last spoke, it was with great deliberation:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;For a long time, as I have become more and more
+convinced of Lyle&rsquo;s identity, I have been anxious to have
+her taken away from these surroundings, and placed in
+the home to which I believe she has a right; but without
+tangible evidence with which to establish her claims, and
+also to prove Maverick&rsquo;s guilt, I could think of no feasible
+plan, nothing that did not seem likely to result in failure,
+and leave Lyle possibly in a worse condition than at
+present. I will now say to you, Miss Gladden, in confidence,
+that I think before very long, the way will be
+opened for Lyle to find the home and friends that I consider
+are really hers. Through information given me in
+confidence, I have learned that some of those whom I believe
+to be most closely related to her and who would
+be most interested in her, did they know of her existence,
+will in all probability be out here on business this summer;
+if they do not recognize Lyle, I shall be greatly disappointed.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden&rsquo;s face expressed the delight she felt. &ldquo;Is
+it possible?&rdquo; she exclaimed, &ldquo;Why, I cannot conceive of
+anything lovelier! If she has been stolen all these years,
+and her people unconscious of her very existence, to have
+them appear on the scene, and recognize and claim her,
+will seem like a beautiful bit of fiction interwoven in our
+prosaic, every-day life, or like the closing scene in some
+drama, where the wrongs at last are all made right. To
+think what happiness it will bring to them, to her and to
+us!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack&rsquo;s face grew strangely serious. &ldquo;I shall be glad for
+her sake;&rdquo; he replied, then added: &ldquo;Sometimes, Miss
+Gladden, wrongs are righted only at a terrible cost, and
+what seems to you like the closing of a peaceful drama,
+may prove a tragedy to those who are concerned in it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Then, before she could reply, he said, in a different
+tone, as though to change the conversation:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It will not be best to mention what I have told you to
+any one; there is no knowing what course Maverick
+might pursue if he had a hint of it, for he is a desperate
+man; but if there is any way in which Lyle&rsquo;s mind could
+be carried back and made to recall something of her past
+life, I wish it might be done.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden had risen, preparatory to taking leave.
+Having given a searching glance around the room, she
+turned toward Jack, saying wistfully:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Am I asking too much? Could I see the photograph
+which you allowed Lyle to see?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For an instant Jack hesitated; then he replied, &ldquo;I am
+willing you should see it, but you must not expect me to
+say anything concerning that picture or myself. I have
+spoken to you in confidence regarding Lyle, but I can go
+no further.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I will not ask it,&rdquo; she replied.</p>
+<p>Without a word, he went to a small trunk, concealed by
+a fine bear-skin, and taking therefrom the picture, silently
+handed it to Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>She uttered a low cry of surprise, and then stood for
+some time intently studying the lovely face in every detail.
+When she returned the picture to Jack&rsquo;s hands, there were
+tears in her eyes, as she exclaimed, &ldquo;How beautiful! and
+how like Lyle!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I hoped she would see the resemblance,&rdquo; he replied.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It seems almost incredible that she did not,&rdquo; answered
+Miss Gladden, &ldquo;except for the fact that she has the least
+self-consciousness of any one I ever saw; it is doubtful
+if she would recognize her own picture.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For a long time Jack stood watching Miss Gladden, as,
+having thanked him for the interview, she walked slowly
+up the winding road. His eyes grew strangely wistful
+and tender, very unlike their ordinary expression, and a
+smile, sad but sweet, played about the usually stern lips.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He has chosen well,&rdquo; he murmured at length, &ldquo;they
+are well suited to each other; Heaven grant nothing may
+ever mar their happiness!&rdquo; and with a heavy sigh, he
+turned and entered the cabin.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXV' id='CHAPTER_XXV'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXV.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>As Miss Gladden slowly followed the winding canyon
+road on her return from the little cabin, the thoughts
+flashing through her mind very strongly resembled the
+lights and shadows which she had watched chasing each
+other across the mountain side. While she had gained
+very little direct information, Jack&rsquo;s theories had strengthened
+her own convictions, though placing the matter in a
+slightly different light. She had a very vivid imagination,
+and looked forward with anticipations of keenest pleasure
+to the coming of Lyle&rsquo;s friends,&ndash;&ndash;whoever they might
+be&ndash;&ndash;and their probable recognition of her; and yet she
+could not forget Jack&rsquo;s words regarding the terrible cost
+which might be involved, resulting in possible tragedy,
+and an indefinable dread seemed at times to overshadow
+all other thoughts, and perplex her. Not dreaming, however,
+that the words could refer to herself, or those in
+whom she was most deeply interested, she tried to banish
+this feeling by planning what course would be best to
+pursue regarding Lyle, and determined to confide the
+whole matter to Houston, and ask his advice. So absorbed
+was she in her own thoughts and plans, that not
+until she had nearly approached the house, did she observe
+the presence of strangers.</p>
+<p>A party of eight or ten ladies and gentlemen, including
+three or four tourists from the east, had come out from
+Silver City. They had come with wagons, bringing a
+large tent which was to be put up for those who could not
+be accommodated in the house. They proved to be very
+pleasant people, and during the ensuing ten days of their
+stay, Miss Gladden and Lyle seldom saw each other apart
+from their guests. There were numerous excursions to
+various points of interest, moonlight rides on the lake
+and impromptu dances.</p>
+<p>Houston at this time was more than usually occupied,
+as the day after the arrival of the camping party, Mr.
+Blaisdell unexpectedly appeared upon the scene. He arrived
+quite early in the morning, having been brought by
+special train from the Y. He found Houston alone in
+the office, and greeted him with a cordiality quite surprising
+to the latter, considering his taciturn, dissatisfied manner
+when at the mines a few days before. He seemed in
+no hurry to leave the office, but remained talking for
+some time concerning business affairs at Silver City.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I may want you to run over there, just for a day,
+while I&rsquo;m here,&rdquo; he said at length, &ldquo;for I expect to remain
+out here for about a week. By the way, Houston, I hear
+you pitched into old Hartwell one night, over there at
+the hotel, for some remarks he made about the company.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;how did you hear of that?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There was a friend of mine there, who overheard
+Hartwell&rsquo;s talk, and afterward saw you go up and speak
+to him. Having seen you in our office, he had a little
+curiosity as to what was going on. He said Hartwell
+cursed you up hill and down, but that you were so
+damned cool the old fellow couldn&rsquo;t rattle you. Hartwell
+told him afterward that you threatened to compel
+him to substantiate all he had said, and he was glad that
+the old fellow, for once, found somebody that wasn&rsquo;t
+afraid of him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, no,&rdquo; said Houston, quietly, &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t see any reason
+for being afraid.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell, &ldquo;I liked your spirit all right,
+but then, men like Hartwell are not worth paying any attention
+to. He is interested in another company, so of
+course he tries to run down ours, and he has a certain
+clique that he has persuaded to think just as he does. I
+never think it best to notice any of his remarks.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If he had simply made a few remarks,&rdquo; said Houston
+in reply, &ldquo;I would of course have let them remain unnoticed,
+but he had continued his harangue for nearly an
+hour before I spoke to him, so I thought it as well to have
+a word with him myself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, that was all right, perfectly right on your part,
+only I have adopted the policy of letting barking dogs
+alone.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>After a little further conversation, Mr. Blaisdell looked
+over the books, and finding everything in satisfactory
+shape, remarked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You seem to have familiarized yourself very thoroughly
+with the work so far as you have gone, and in a very
+short time. You will doubtless remember, Mr. Houston,
+that when we engaged you, you were told that we should
+probably need your services later at the mines, in assisting
+the general superintendent. Morgan&rsquo;s work is increasing
+lately, and I have been thinking that I would
+much prefer to have a trustworthy person like yourself,
+assist him, even if we have to employ another bookkeeper,
+than to put on an entirely new man at the mines. I am
+going out to the mines this afternoon, to see how Morgan
+is getting along, and I think that to-morrow we will
+close the office, and you had better go out with me, and
+I will show you the work that I wish you to have charge
+of there. It probably will not take all your time, you will
+still be in the office more or less, at least enough to superintend
+the work in case I bring out a new man. He will
+simply work under your direction and supervision, the
+responsibility will all devolve upon you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For the next day or two, Houston&rsquo;s time was spent at
+the mines, familiarizing himself with the underground
+workings, and becoming acquainted with the different
+classes and grades of ore, and the various methods of mining
+and reducing the same.</p>
+<p>This was just the opportunity for which Houston had
+been waiting, and he entered upon his new work with a
+zest and enthusiasm that delighted Mr. Blaisdell, and
+even won the esteem of Morgan. On the second day, to
+Houston&rsquo;s great joy, he was given charge, under Morgan,
+of what was known as the &ldquo;Yankee&rdquo; group of mines, containing
+the Yankee Boy, the Yankee Girl and the Puritan,
+the three most valuable mines in which the New
+York company was interested.</p>
+<p>In passing through one of these mines, Houston noticed
+two miners working together with wonderful precision
+and accuracy, and on looking at them closely, recognized
+in one of them, the man whom Rutherford had
+pointed out to him on the train from Valley City, and of
+whom he had heard Miss Gladden speak as Lyle&rsquo;s friend.
+The man seemed to pay little attention to his being there,
+and on coming out, Houston inquired of Mr. Blaisdell
+concerning him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I can tell you nothing about him,&rdquo; replied Mr. Blaisdell,
+&ldquo;except that he and his partner, the Irishman, are
+the two most expert miners we have. They live by themselves,
+and refuse to mingle with the other men, consequently
+they are not very popular among the miners, but
+of course that cuts no figure with us, so long as they are
+skilled workmen.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The next day, Houston went to Silver City, on business
+for Mr. Blaisdell, and while there, sent the following
+message over the wires, to Van Dorn:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Everything in readiness; bring machinery at once.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Upon his return to the mining camp to enter upon his
+new duties, Houston resolved to make a careful study of
+the men working under him, both foremen and miners,
+for the purpose of determining whether there were among
+them any whom he could trust sufficiently to seek from
+them whatever assistance might be necessary for himself
+and Van Dorn in their future work.</p>
+<p>Accordingly, for the first few days, he spent considerable
+time in the mines, apparently examining the workings,
+but in reality watching the men themselves. Among some
+of them he saw black looks and scowls, and heard muttered
+comments regarding himself: &ldquo;Git onto the dude!&rdquo;
+&ldquo;D&rsquo;ye see the tenderfoot?&rdquo; &ldquo;Thinks he&rsquo;s goin&rsquo; to boss
+us, does he? we&rsquo;ll show him a trick or two.&rdquo; These were
+mainly from Maverick&rsquo;s consorts, and men of their ilk,
+ignorant and brutal. Houston paid no attention to their
+remarks or frowns, but continued his rounds among them,
+conscious that he was master of the situation, meanwhile
+giving instructions to the foreman who accompanied him.
+As he passed and repassed Jack and Mike, working together
+with almost the automatic precision of machinery,
+he stopped to watch them, attracted partly by admiration
+for their work, and partly by a slight interest in the
+man who had been his fellow passenger, and concerning
+whom he had heard such various reports.</p>
+<p>During the slight pause in their work, the Irishman
+eyed him curiously, with indications of his native drollery
+and humor betraying themselves in his mirthful face; he
+seemed about to speak, but Jack, with set, stern features,
+was ready, and the work continued without a word. In
+that brief interim, however, Jack had fixed one of his
+keen, piercing glances upon Houston, which the latter returned
+with one equally searching, and though not a
+muscle relaxed in that immobile face, covered with dust
+and grime, yet a strange thrill of mutual sympathy quivered
+and vibrated through the soul of each man, and
+Houston knew that he had found a friend.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There is a man among a thousand,&rdquo; he thought as he
+walked away, &ldquo;a man of honor, in whom one could place
+unbounded confidence; no wonder Lyle has found him
+such a friend!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At the next pause in their work, Mike&rsquo;s feelings found
+expression:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Begorra! but the young mon is progressin&rsquo; foinely, to
+be put over the loikes of us, and bein&rsquo; as how most loikely
+he niver sit foot in a moine, till comin&rsquo; out into this counthry!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack&rsquo;s face had grown strangely set and white: &ldquo;We
+are to be his friends, remember that, Mike,&rdquo; he said, in
+a voice unnaturally stern.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Frinds!&rdquo; exclaimed the astonished Mike, &ldquo;Be-dad!
+and whin did I iver know ye to make frinds with ony of
+owld Blaisdell&rsquo;s men befoor?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Keep your eyes open and your mouth shut, Mike,&rdquo;
+was Jack&rsquo;s only reply as he again began work, and Mike
+had nothing to do but to follow his example.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXVI' id='CHAPTER_XXVI'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>In a short time Houston had become perfectly familiar
+with his new surroundings. He was thoroughly at home
+in the underground workings, readily finding his way in
+the labyrinth of shafts, tunnels and cross-cuts extending
+for miles in all directions, and connecting the various mining
+claims one with another.</p>
+<p>He knew the name and face of nearly every man employed
+in the various shifts, and by his keen perception
+and insight, was able to form a very correct estimate of
+their character and standing in that little community.
+Though no words had been exchanged between himself
+and Jack beyond those of the most commonplace greetings,
+yet his respect for the man, and confidence in him,
+increased with each day, and was plainly indicated by his
+manner toward him whenever they met.</p>
+<p>As he watched the men, in his frequent rounds through
+the mines, most of their faces were to him as an open
+book, on some of whose pages he read histories of misfortune
+and loss, or crime and shame in the past, and on
+others, of eager ambitions and bright hopes for the future.
+There were men with gray hair and bowed forms,
+whose dull eyes and listless step told of hopeless, irretrievable
+loss; men of intelligence and ability whose recklessness
+or whose despondency told of some living sorrow,
+worse than death; there were some whose stealthy,
+shrinking gait and watchful, suspicious glance bespoke
+some crime, unknown to their fellows, but which to
+themselves seemed ever present, suspended, like the
+sword of Damocles, above their heads.</p>
+<p>But even to Houston, Jack remained a mystery, and
+as he noted the powerful, athletic form, the profile of patrician
+beauty, perfect as though chiseled in marble, the
+hair and beard black and glossy as the raven&rsquo;s wing,
+though touched with silver here and there, he found himself
+unable to read the history of that life.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There is a man,&rdquo; he soliloquized, &ldquo;my equal, if not
+my superior, in birth, in education, in intellectual ability;
+how came he here? What has wrecked his life?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>But the dark, piercing eyes, turned on him for an instant,
+gave no answer to his query.</p>
+<p>As he and Morgan, their day&rsquo;s work completed, were
+returning to the house, Houston made some inquiries regarding
+the men, and from the information given by Morgan
+concerning some of them, found his own judgment
+of them correct.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And who is the man called &lsquo;Jack,&rsquo; who works with
+the Irishman?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Heaven knows, I don&rsquo;t, nor nobody else,&rdquo; replied
+Morgan; &ldquo;he came here about six or seven years ago,
+I guess, at least; he was here when I came, and was considered
+an expert then. He never would have anything
+to say to the other men, and always lived by himself till
+the Irishman came; he was another queer sort of duck
+and was a first-class miner, too, so him and Jack has
+worked together and lived together ever since, but Jack
+is boss.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Are they the only miners living by themselves?&rdquo;
+asked Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The only single men; there&rsquo;s six or seven of &rsquo;em that
+are married and have families, like Maverick; they have
+very good shacks, furnished by the company, but all the
+single men, excepting them two, live at the quarters. By
+the way, have you ever been down to the quarters?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; replied Houston, &ldquo;but I should like very well to
+visit them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;All right, we&rsquo;ll go to-night if you like; I go down
+there myself once in a while and listen to their stories;
+they&rsquo;ve most of &rsquo;em had some queer experiences, and
+they can spin as many yarns as a lot of sailors, any time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Later in the evening, Houston, having excused himself
+to the ladies in general, and Miss Gladden in particular,
+accompanied by Morgan, was on his way to the miners&rsquo;
+quarters. The latter were situated but a short distance
+from the office, on the road to the mines, and consisted
+of two boarding houses and four bunk houses.
+Farther down the road were the stables for the horses
+used in hauling supplies; also blacksmith and carpenter
+shops, and a storehouse.</p>
+<p>A rather novel scene presented itself to Houston as he
+approached. Scattered about on the ground, and loafing
+in the door-ways in all attitudes and positions, were over
+a hundred men, of various ages, classes and nationalities,
+but principally Cornishmen, or, in western vernacular,
+&ldquo;Cousin Jacks.&rdquo; Many of them were strangers to him,
+being employed in other mines than those with which he
+was familiar, but among them were many of his own men.
+From the door-way of one of the bunk houses came the
+strains of a violin, while in another, a concertina shrieked
+and groaned, and from all directions came the sound of
+ribald songs, coarse jests and boisterous laughter. Here
+and there were groups of men engaged in playing poker
+or seven-up, where little piles of silver and gold were
+rapidly changing hands, to the accompaniment of muttered
+oaths. At one side, Maverick and a few kindred
+spirits seemed trying to outrival one another in profanity
+and obscenity, while at some distance from them, was a
+large company of the better class of men, some lounging
+against trees and rocks, some sitting or lying at full length
+on the ground, but all listening with unmistakable
+interest, to a man, gray and grizzled, with a weather-beaten
+but kindly face, who evidently was entertaining
+the crowd with tales of his own early life.</p>
+<p>As Houston and Morgan approached, the speaker
+stopped; some of the men half rose from their recumbent
+positions out of respect for the &ldquo;new boss,&rdquo; and all eyed
+him rather curiously, though not unkindly. Houston
+recognized many of his own men among them, and
+greeted them with a pleasant &ldquo;Good evening, boys.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hullo, Billy,&rdquo; said Morgan, addressing the old miner,
+&ldquo;what do you know to-night?&rdquo; then noting that he was
+watching Houston with a half smile on his rugged face,
+he added, &ldquo;Thought I&rsquo;d bring the boss down to see you
+and the rest of the boys to-night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good evenin&rsquo; boss,&rdquo; responded the old fellow, while a
+merry smile twinkled in his eyes, &ldquo;I expect this is your
+first visit to a reg&rsquo;lar, genuwine minin&rsquo; camp?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My first, perhaps, but not my last,&rdquo; said Houston,
+with a winning smile.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s right,&rdquo; said the old man approvingly, as he proceeded
+to refill his pipe; &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been a watchin&rsquo; you, off
+and on, down there at the mines, bein&rsquo; as I&rsquo;d heerd you
+was a tenderfoot, and I must say you&rsquo;ve took a holt as if
+you was an old hand at the job.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, yes,&rdquo; Houston replied, &ldquo;with a little determination,
+a person can pick up anything of that kind easily.
+I think, with a little practice, I could make a pretty successful
+miner; it would require grit and stick-to-it-ativeness,
+that&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;Grit and stick-to-it-ativeness,&rsquo; that&rsquo;s good,&rdquo; said the
+old miner, highly pleased, &ldquo;well, you seem to have plenty
+of &rsquo;em both, and plenty of good muscle, too,&rdquo; with an admiring
+glance at Houston&rsquo;s fine, athletic form.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;See here, Billy,&rdquo; said Houston pleasantly, after chatting
+a few moments, &ldquo;when we came, it looked very much
+as though you were telling stories to the crowd here, and
+the boys all seemed very much interested; now we want
+you to go on with your story, we would enjoy it as much
+as the rest.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Let me see,&rdquo; said Billy, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t remember just where
+I was, but I guess I&rsquo;d finished as you come up.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Never mind, you can start another,&rdquo; said Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, Billy, give us another,&rdquo; chimed in the boys.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Go ahead, pardner,&rdquo; added Morgan, &ldquo;spin us a yarn,
+that&rsquo;s what we came for.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I was only tellin&rsquo; the boys about the old days when I
+came out to the mines, and for the first few years after,&rdquo;
+Billy began.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Those must have been interesting times,&rdquo; said Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Int&rsquo;restin&rsquo;? I should say so! You fellows don&rsquo;t know
+nothin&rsquo; about minin&rsquo; compared to them days; I tell you,
+things was lively then. I was there at Leadville when it
+was opened up, and you couldn&rsquo;t get anybody to look at
+you without payin&rsquo; &rsquo;em a good, round sum for it; couldn&rsquo;t
+get a place to roll yourself in your blanket and lie on the
+floor short of five or ten dollars; folks bought dry goods
+boxes and lived in &rsquo;em. Then I was down here when they
+opened up the Big Bonanza mine, in Diamond gulch, not
+far from Silver City. I tell you boys, them was high old
+times, everything was scarce and prices was high,&ndash;&ndash;flour
+was a hundred dollars a sack, and potatoes seventy-five
+dollars a bushel,&ndash;&ndash;but money was plenty,&ndash;&ndash;or gold dust,&ndash;&ndash;we
+didn&rsquo;t have no money, everything was paid for in
+gold dust. &rsquo;Twas pretty tough in them days, too, everybody
+went armed to the teeth, and guns and knives was
+used pretty free.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Was that in the days of the vigilantes?&rdquo; asked Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, they come along soon after, they had to. There
+was desperate characters here, but the vigilantes made
+short work of &rsquo;em, they didn&rsquo;t even give &rsquo;em time to say
+their prayers. I tell you, the gambling houses and the
+dance halls, and all them places was lively in them days.
+There wasn&rsquo;t many words over a game, if any quarrels
+come up, they was settled pretty quick with the revolver
+or bowie knife.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There must have been some high stakes played in
+those days,&rdquo; Houston remarked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;High? well, yes, rather; I&rsquo;ve seen men sit down to a
+game worth anywhere from fifty to two or three hundred
+thousand, and get up without a cent in the world.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The old man paused to relight his pipe, and having
+puffed reflectively for a few moments, settled himself with
+the air of a man who has a long story to tell, and the surrounding
+miners evidently so understood it, for they
+shifted their positions accordingly, and prepared to listen.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Speakin&rsquo; of gamblin&rsquo;,&rdquo; he began, &ldquo;puts me in mind of
+something that happened among the camps on the other
+side of the range, nigh onto fifteen years ago. A gang of
+us boys was in Dandy Jim&rsquo;s gambling hall one night.
+The place was crowded, I remember, and we was all tryin&rsquo;
+to make our fortunes on the high card. Some of us
+was dead broke, but them that hadn&rsquo;t the stuff borrowed
+from them that had, sure of better luck next time. They
+was all so deep in the game that none of &rsquo;em noticed a
+seedy-lookin&rsquo; chap who come in, kinder quiet like, and set
+down to the faro table and began to play. I guess I was
+the only one who noticed him, and at first, I couldn&rsquo;t
+make him out, but after a bit, I remembered him as &lsquo;Unlucky
+Pete.&rsquo; That man had a history. When I first saw
+him, some eight or ten years before that night, he had
+just come west with his wife, a pretty little woman, and
+had a good team of horses and a new wagon. He was
+a reg&rsquo;lar border character, and whenever a new country
+was opened up for settlement, him and his wife was the
+first on the ground, ready to make a run to secure a home.
+Pete was prosperous, till one night, in a quarrel over a
+game of cards, he killed his man, and from that time his
+luck changed. He secured one or two good claims, but
+lost title to them; he lost his horses, and as fast as he
+bought other horses, they died or was stolen, and everything
+went against him. He wandered from one country
+to another, but bad luck met him at every turn. The last
+I seen him was some two years before; then him and his
+wife and two or three babies was goin&rsquo; over the country
+in an old, broken-down wagon. The wheels was held together
+with wire and ropes, and the canvas top was in
+rags and tatters; the horses was the poorest, skinniest
+creatures you ever see, and him and his wife looked off
+the same piece.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, somehow or &rsquo;nuther, I knew him that night,
+though he looked harder than ever, and had an old
+slouched hat down over his face. He looked like a man
+that was pushed pretty close to the wall, and had got down
+to his last nickel. Well, he set down there to the table,
+and threw a silver dollar on the high card; then pulled
+that old hat down clean over his eyes, and never spoke,
+or looked one way or another. The high card won, and
+the dealer paid the bet, and pushed the money over to
+Pete, but he never stirred.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, that high card kep&rsquo; a winnin&rsquo; till there was a
+big pile of money there, but Pete, he never stirred, no
+more&rsquo;n a stone. The dealer, he got mad and begun to
+swear, but Pete didn&rsquo;t move.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;Somebody wake that fool up,&rsquo; says he, with an oath.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;A fellow sittin&rsquo; next to Pete shook him, and then tore
+off his hat. Well, boys, I&rsquo;ll never forget that sight, it
+makes me sort o&rsquo; shiver now, when I think of it; there set
+a dead man at the table before that pile of gold.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The dealer started to rake in that pile o&rsquo; money, but
+about a dozen revolvers was p&rsquo;inted at him, and he decided
+not to be in too big a hurry about it.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;What&rsquo;s the use anyway?&rsquo; says he, &lsquo;the man&rsquo;s dead and
+the money&rsquo;s no good for him, and besides, nobody knows
+who he is.&rsquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;I do,&rsquo; says I, jumpin&rsquo; up.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;&lsquo;And I,&rsquo; says another fellow, &lsquo;the man just come into
+camp a day or two ago, and his family&rsquo;s starvin&rsquo;.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, we bundled that money up pretty sudden, and
+a half a dozen of us started to find the folks; we found
+&rsquo;em, too, but the wife was dead, starved to death, and
+the children wouldn&rsquo;t have lasted much longer. The oldest,
+a girl about eight years old, told that they had nothin&rsquo;
+to eat for two days, and her father found the dollar,
+and started down to the store for food, but soon after he
+left the cabin, the mother died.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We buried Pete and his wife in one grave, and then
+with the pile of money we got good homes for the children,
+and some of it was to be used in givin&rsquo; &rsquo;em a good
+eddication, and the last I heerd, they was comin&rsquo; on well.
+But I&rsquo;ve never set down to a game sence, that I haven&rsquo;t
+thought of the night I played faro, with a dead man at
+the table.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At the conclusion of the old miner&rsquo;s story, a little suppressed
+thrill of excitement ran through his audience.
+Morgan, who had seemed restless and ill at ease, rose to
+go, and Houston, finding it much later than he supposed,
+after a few pleasant words with the boys, bade them good
+night, and hastened after Morgan, who was already sauntering
+up the road a little way in advance.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXVII' id='CHAPTER_XXVII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Morgan, as Houston overtook him, &ldquo;what
+do you think of a &lsquo;genuwine minin&rsquo; camp,&rsquo; as Billy calls
+it?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The quarters are much more extensive than I supposed,&rdquo;
+replied Houston, &ldquo;I never realized before that
+there were so many men employed here; some of them
+are good fellows, too, I enjoyed my visit to-night immensely.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I generally like to come down and listen to them once
+in a while,&rdquo; said Morgan, &ldquo;but somehow, I didn&rsquo;t care to
+stay there to-night, that story of Billy&rsquo;s made me feel sort
+of creepy; I&rsquo;m feeling a little off to-night, anyway.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That was a strange story the old fellow told, almost
+bordering on the improbable, it seemed to me, but I suppose
+there are a great many strange occurrences in a
+country like this.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, lots of things happen here, and folks think nothing
+of &rsquo;em, that would be considered improbable anywhere
+back east.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Are you from the east?&rdquo; inquired Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, part way,&rdquo; said Morgan, &ldquo;not from way back,
+though, I&rsquo;ve never been farther east than Ohio. I was
+born in Missouri, and raised in northern Iowa.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>He was silent for a moment, then continued: &ldquo;I believe
+I told you one day that sometime I&rsquo;d give you a bit
+of my life; I guess now&rsquo;s as good as any time, and when
+you&rsquo;ve heard it, maybe you won&rsquo;t wonder at some of my
+views.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;As I said, I was born in Missouri; when I was about
+three years old, my folks moved to Iowa. I can just remember
+my father being with us at that time, but I never
+saw him after I was three and a half or so, and when I
+got old enough to think about it and ask for him, mother
+told me he was dead, and I never knew anything different
+till years after. We were always moving, I remember,
+from one place to another, and though we never had
+any money saved up, yet we lived well and never wanted
+for anything. Mother used to have a good deal of company,
+and be away from home considerable, but she was
+always kind to me, and I was a soft, warm-hearted, little
+chap in those days, and I know I thought the world of
+her.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We lived together till I was about ten years old, and
+then times began to get pretty close; mother didn&rsquo;t have
+any money, and we had to pinch to get along, but she
+was always good to me.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Finally she decided to go to Denver; said she had
+heard of an opening there for her to run a boarding house
+and make money, but she didn&rsquo;t want to take me with her,
+and sent me to a brother of hers, living in Ohio. That
+was the end of all happiness for me. He was a man old
+enough to be my grandfather, for mother was the
+youngest of a large family. He and his wife lived by
+themselves, for they had no children, and a meaner,
+stingier old couple never lived. Mother wrote pretty
+often at first, and always sent money, but don&rsquo;t you think
+I ever got any of it. They never mentioned my mother
+to me, and they wouldn&rsquo;t let me speak of her.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, things went on from bad to worse, and finally,
+when I was fourteen, I run away. I stole rides on freight
+cars when I could, and when I couldn&rsquo;t do that, I
+tramped, till I got to St. Louis, and got a place there in
+a third-class hotel as bell boy. While I was there, I
+picked up a good many little accomplishments that have
+stuck to me ever since, gambling and swearing, and so
+on. I got to be pretty tough, I know, but in spite of it
+all, there was one good spot about me yet,&ndash;&ndash;I thought
+the world of my mother. I staid in St. Louis two years;
+in that time I had only heard from mother twice, but she
+sent me money both times, and wrote me kind letters,
+though she never said anything about my coming to see
+her.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>By this time, they had reached the main road, and as
+Morgan seated himself on a rock to finish his story,
+Houston followed his example.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I made up my mind I wanted to see her, so I took
+what little money I had saved up, about eighty dollars,
+and started for Denver. The last letter I had from mother,
+she said she was running a house on a certain street,
+and I supposed of course it was a boarding house. I won&rsquo;t
+tell you her real name; Morgan wasn&rsquo;t her name, nor
+mine neither, I took it afterwards, but I&rsquo;ll call her name
+Johnson. I got to Denver, and happened to meet an old
+acquaintance of mine named Tim, who took me to a fifth-class
+boarding and lodging house where he was staying.
+Tim had only been in Denver a few days, and knew very
+little of the city, but we found a crowd of old-timers at
+the house, and after a while I asked for Mrs. Johnson who
+kept a boarding house on such a street. The men all
+laughed and began to guy me; I got hot and was going
+to sail into them, but Tim persuaded me to go out with
+him, and we started in to paint the town.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, we&rsquo;d been out about two or three hours, when
+we came to a dancing hall, the toughest we&rsquo;d seen,&ndash;&ndash;a
+regular dive,&ndash;&ndash;and we went in, bound to have some fun.
+The place was full of tough-looking subs, and a lot of
+frouzy, dowdy girls, and what they lacked in good looks
+they made up in paint and brass,&ndash;&ndash;such brazen faces I
+never saw. Half way down the hall was a big, fat woman,
+with her hair blondined, who seemed to have charge of
+the place, and was giving orders to the man behind the
+bar. They had some loud talk, and something in her
+voice took my attention, and I looked at her; just then
+she turned &rsquo;round facing me, and great God! it was my
+mother! I knew her in spite of the blond hair and the
+paint, and she knew me. She gave one awful shriek, and
+then fell in a dead faint, and when she came to half an
+hour after, she went into hysterics, and screamed and
+raved and cried nearly all night.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I was so dazed, everything was going round and
+round, and I thought the world was coming to an end;
+and it would have been better for me if it had. The next
+day, she was able to see me, and I went to her room, and
+I guess I must have staid three or four hours. She told
+me then, that her husband was living, but that he quit her
+back in Iowa, and that he claimed I was not his child.
+She cried and begged me to stay with her, but I left her
+that day. That was fifteen years ago, and I have never
+seen her since. From that time, the last tie that bound
+me to even a belief in anything good was gone. I took
+a different name, and came up here in this part of the
+country. Once I found a girl I liked, but just as I began
+to think something of her, I found she was like all the
+rest of &rsquo;em. I&rsquo;ve no faith in man or woman, and don&rsquo;t
+believe there is any such thing as honor or virtue. If
+there are some people who seem virtuous and honorable,
+it is simply either because they have been so placed that
+there was no temptation to be anything else, or because
+they have succeeded in keeping up appearances a little
+better than other folks.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>As Morgan paused, Houston spoke very slowly and
+kindly:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Your experience has certainly been a sad one, Morgan,
+and I am truly sorry for you; sorry most of all that
+it has produced such an effect on you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Morgan, &ldquo;I guess it don&rsquo;t make much difference,
+one way or another, what we think or what we
+do.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Your mother&rsquo;s opinions and actions seem to have
+made considerable difference in your life,&rdquo; answered
+Houston, quietly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, by George! I should say so!&rdquo; replied Morgan,
+gloomily.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Perhaps your opinions and your conduct are wrecking
+some other life, in like manner. There is not one of us
+who does not exert a powerful influence on those about
+us, one way or the other, to build up and strengthen, or
+to wreck and destroy.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>As there was no reply, Houston said: &ldquo;I am very glad
+you have given me this sketch of your life, Morgan, I
+shall always feel differently toward you, remembering
+this.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Morgan, rising, &ldquo;I wanted you to know,
+and I thought this was as good a time as I would have.
+You will remember it, whatever happens,&rdquo; he added ambiguously,
+as he started slowly down the road, in an opposite
+direction from the house.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Which way are you going?&rdquo; asked Houston, also rising.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Down to the Y.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What! are you going that distance as late as this?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; replied Morgan, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t go all the way by the
+road; there&rsquo;s a cut across that makes it a good deal
+shorter, and I&rsquo;ll have plenty of time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>They both stood a few moments watching a tall, dark
+figure that had been pacing up and down the road all the
+time they had been talking, sometimes approaching quite
+near, then retreating out of sight. They both recognized
+it as Jack.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s a queer duck,&rdquo; muttered Morgan, &ldquo;wonder what
+he&rsquo;s doing, this is rather late for a constitutional;&rdquo; then
+added, &ldquo;I wish I had some of the money that chap&rsquo;s got.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why, has he money?&rdquo; inquired Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He must have,&rdquo; was the reply, &ldquo;he never spends anything,
+just hoards it up; he&rsquo;s got enough any way to help
+me out just now, if I could only have it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Are you in need of money?&rdquo; asked Houston, quickly,
+&ldquo;if so, I will gladly accommodate you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Much obliged,&rdquo; replied Morgan, starting down the
+road, &ldquo;but I can get along for the present. Luck has been
+against me a little lately, but I guess it will turn all right,&rdquo;
+adding, as he looked back over his shoulder, &ldquo;if it don&rsquo;t
+turn too late, like &lsquo;Unlucky Pete&rsquo;.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>As Houston walked rapidly up the canyon toward the
+house, he saw Jack again approaching, and glad of an
+opportunity to meet this man toward whom he felt such
+a powerful attraction, he slackened his pace as Jack came
+up, and greeting him cordially, stopped and entered into
+conversation with him. To his surprise, he found Jack&rsquo;s
+manner far less reserved than on the few occasions when
+they had met in the mine. He seemed as ready to stop
+as Houston himself, and though he spoke with a dignity
+of tone and manner utterly unlike an employe, the icy reserve
+was gone, and in its place, there was in his voice
+the genuine ring of friendliness.</p>
+<p>After a few moments of ordinary conversation, Jack
+remarked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You are not often out in this locality at this hour, and
+alone.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; Houston replied, &ldquo;but I have been visiting the
+miners in company with Morgan, and remained there
+later than I intended. Then a talk with Morgan out there
+among the rocks delayed me still longer.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Pardon me,&rdquo; said Jack, &ldquo;but I suppose you are aware
+that you have enemies here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Houston, slightly surprised, &ldquo;I am conscious
+of that fact.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And,&rdquo; continued Jack, lowering his tone, &ldquo;you are
+probably also aware that this enmity is likely to increase,
+so that unless you exercise great caution, your life will
+be in danger?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston was startled, not so much by the suggestion
+of personal danger, as by the thought that this man
+seemed to understand something of his position there.
+Was it possible his secret was known? It could not be,
+but if it were,&ndash;&ndash;his nerves quivered, not with fear for himself,
+but with apprehension lest his whole scheme should
+in some way prove a failure.</p>
+<p>These thoughts flashed through his mind with the
+speed of lightning, but Jack was quick to read them, and
+before Houston could make any reply, he continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I desire to have a private interview with you, as early
+as possible, and as we will wish to be perfectly secure
+from interruption, as well as from all danger of being
+overheard, I wish you would come to my cabin, there we
+can talk with perfect safety. And now, as a key to this
+contemplated interview, allow me to say that I fully
+understand your mission here; but have no fear, your
+secret is absolutely safe. My only reason for wishing to
+meet you is, that I desire to aid you if you will permit
+me. Will you fix an evening for this conference of ours?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; said Houston cordially, his momentary
+surprise giving way to the confidence which he had felt
+in this man, since first meeting him, face to face.</p>
+<p>An engagement was made for the near future, and with
+a cordial hand-clasp, the two men parted.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXVIII' id='CHAPTER_XXVIII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments
+in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which
+had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle
+suddenly left the group of players and joined him. Looking
+at him rather archly, she asked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Do you expect to remain out as late to-night as you
+did last night?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know just how late I may be detained,&rdquo; he
+answered, smiling, &ldquo;Why? are you keeping a watchful
+eye upon me?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; she replied, &ldquo;Mr. Rutherford used to call
+himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must
+make his place good;&rdquo; then she added more seriously,
+&ldquo;This is an altogether different country from what you
+have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant
+or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has
+enemies.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston was somewhat surprised by this second warning,
+but he answered lightly:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, I know I am in what Ned used to call &lsquo;the camp
+of the Philistines,&rsquo; but you do not think I have any dangerous
+enemies, do you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is only fear of detection that keeps some of them
+from being dangerous,&rdquo; said Lyle, who saw Miss Gladden
+approaching, &ldquo;don&rsquo;t give them any opportunities for
+working their spite in the dark.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden just then came up, and Lyle soon resumed
+her place among the players.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Going out again this evening, Mr. Houston?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, Miss Gladden,&rdquo; replied Houston with mock
+gravity.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Excuse me, Everard,&rdquo; she answered, blushing, &ldquo;but
+when so many strangers are about, I am obliged to be
+very circumspect, you know.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There are no strangers within hearing at present, Leslie,&rdquo;
+he replied, &ldquo;but isn&rsquo;t it nearly time for this crowd
+to take its departure?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, they expect to leave to-morrow.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Thank Heaven!&rdquo; exclaimed Houston devoutly.</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden laughed merrily.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; he continued rather savagely, &ldquo;I hope, after
+they are gone, we can enjoy our evenings again as we
+used to. For the last ten days, I have scarcely had an
+opportunity for a word with you, unless we deliberately
+gave the whole company the cold shoulder, which, of
+course, would not answer.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And so,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden laughing, &ldquo;you wreak
+your revenge upon poor me these last two evenings, by
+taking yourself away, where I cannot even have the satisfaction
+of seeing you, while I talk to somebody else.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston smiled; &ldquo;I am obliged to go out this evening,
+Leslie, I have an engagement to-night, with Jack, at his
+cabin.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;With Jack!&rdquo; exclaimed Miss Gladden, &ldquo;then you
+have made his acquaintance!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, I can scarcely say that, for I never exchanged a
+half dozen words with him before last evening. This interview
+to-night is wholly on business.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, who saw the players beckoning
+to her, &ldquo;I am glad you are going to meet him. I
+saw him the other day, and had a talk with him regarding
+Lyle, and I wanted to tell you about it, but have had no
+opportunity. I think you will find him one of the most
+perfect gentlemen you ever met,&rdquo; and with a little farewell
+wave of the hand, she left him to rejoin the players who
+were waiting for her.</p>
+<p>Half an hour later, Houston found himself in the inner
+room of the little cabin, alone with Jack, while at the outside
+door, Rex was stationed as guard.</p>
+<p>Already the twilight was beginning to gather in the
+little room, but even in its soft, shadowy light, Houston
+noted the evidences, existing on all sides, of a refined
+nature, a nature keenly appreciative of beauty in all its
+forms.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I hope,&rdquo; said Jack, seating himself near his guest,
+&ldquo;that you will excuse the gathering darkness; I thought
+it more prudent not to have a light, as it might attract attention,
+I am in the habit of sitting so much in the twilight,
+myself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;A light is not necessary,&rdquo; Houston replied, &ldquo;the twilight
+is very pleasant, and the moon will be up presently,
+and will afford us all the light we need.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There was a moment or two of silence, while Houston
+waited for his companion to broach the subject of the
+evening. He was anxious to ascertain how much regarding
+himself and his errand there in the camp, Jack really
+knew, and more particularly, to learn, if possible, how he
+had become possessed of his knowledge.</p>
+<p>Jack, on his part, was wondering whether, with their
+brief acquaintance, he could give Houston any assurance
+that the latter would consider sufficient to warrant taking
+himself into full confidence concerning his work and
+plans, so that he could render the assistance he desired.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You were doubtless somewhat surprised,&rdquo; he began
+very deliberately and slowly, &ldquo;by my request, last evening,
+for this interview.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; replied the other, &ldquo;I will admit that I was surprised,
+more especially by the reason which you gave
+for your request,&ndash;&ndash;that you understood my position here,
+and desired to help me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Did it never occur to you that, to a person with any
+degree of penetration, any ability at reading a man&rsquo;s character
+and habits of life, your position here, as clerk for a
+disreputable mining company, would, of itself, seem an
+anomaly, and be liable to excite the suspicion that you
+had some ulterior object in view?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think,&rdquo; said Houston, with a smile, &ldquo;you are supposing
+a person with keener perceptions than are possessed
+by many in this locality.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They nearly all possess them to a certain degree, in a
+latent, uncultivated form, perhaps, but still there. For
+example, what is the true secret of Maverick&rsquo;s hatred
+toward you, of Haight&rsquo;s enmity, except that they recognize
+by a sort of instinct that you belong to an altogether
+different sphere from that in which they move? They
+cannot reason it out perhaps, but they feel it;&ndash;&ndash;your language,
+your conduct, your manner, the very cut of your
+clothes, though but a plain business suit, proclaim to one
+who can read, and reason from these things correctly,
+and deduct their results therefrom, that you are a man
+of the highest culture and refinement, of high moral
+character, and of wealth. Consequently, the question
+arises, &lsquo;What are you doing here?&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Pardon me, I do not intend to be personal in my remarks,&rdquo;
+replied Houston, &ldquo;but in my opinion, only a
+person who has himself moved in the highest circles of
+life would be able to reason in this manner.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Possibly,&rdquo; said Jack, &ldquo;they would be better able to
+classify you, as it were, and assign you to your true position,
+but these others feel keenly that you are not of their
+world, but they are generally incapable of drawing any
+conclusions from their observations, as very few of them
+have the reasoning faculty, and hence, they would not be
+likely to question your object or motive in holding this
+position. My design, however, in thus calling your attention
+to these facts, is simply to show you that you need
+not be greatly surprised when I say that from your first
+coming here, I have felt that you were no ordinary employe;
+that you were merely holding this position temporarily,
+either in your own interests, or in the interests of
+some one else,&ndash;&ndash;but not in the interests of the mining
+company. Notwithstanding the fact that I live a very secluded
+life, I yet have means of ascertaining nearly all
+that is going on around me, and I will say to you truthfully,
+that I learned the secret of your mission here without
+even asking a question.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I can scarcely understand,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;how you
+came to be the recipient of this secret, since you do not
+mingle with others, and apparently take very little interest
+in their affairs.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Perhaps,&rdquo; said Jack, in low, musical tones, &ldquo;you
+would be able to understand the situation better, did you
+know that your secret was told me by a friend of yours,
+who believed that, through my very isolation and loneliness,
+I could the better assist you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;A friend of mine!&rdquo; exclaimed Houston, in surprise,
+&ldquo;Is it possible that my eastern friends are known to you,
+and that some one of them has written you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No one has written me, the story was told me by a
+friend of yours here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Instantly there flashed into Houston&rsquo;s mind the memory
+of Lyle&rsquo;s warning, and also of Miss Gladden&rsquo;s declaration
+that she had seen and talked with Jack, but how
+could his true position be known to either of them?</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have but two friends here, at present,&rdquo; was his reply,
+&ldquo;and they are women.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;True women are the truest friends,&rdquo; said Jack tersely.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But how can either of them know anything regarding
+my work here?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I will tell you,&rdquo; and very briefly Jack gave Houston
+an account of how his plans had first become known to
+Lyle, and of her subsequent interview with himself, begging
+his assistance in Houston&rsquo;s behalf.</p>
+<p>Houston was inexpressibly astonished and touched to
+find that the beautiful girl, whom he had considered
+friendless and helpless, and whom he had defended
+through a sense of chivalry, had, in return, served him
+so nobly and so opportunely. He resolved to see her and
+express to her his appreciation of what she had done, as
+early as possible.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think,&rdquo; said Jack, in conclusion, &ldquo;you will admit
+that by this means I have obtained a thorough understanding
+of what you wish to accomplish.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You understand it perfectly,&rdquo; Houston answered.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You will also admit that, after the years of experience
+that I have had in these particular mines, I must be
+thoroughly conversant with affairs in connection therewith,
+and could probably render you just the assistance
+you will need.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Most certainly you could,&rdquo; responded Houston quickly,
+&ldquo;I know of no one in the entire camp who could assist
+us so well as you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then,&rdquo; said Jack, &ldquo;the next and only consideration is,
+whether you have that degree of confidence in me, that
+you would feel warranted in trusting me implicitly,&ndash;&ndash;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Enough said,&rdquo; said Houston, interrupting him hastily
+but cordially, &ldquo;I have that confidence in you, that, even if
+you had not sought this interview, sooner or later, I
+would have come to you for assistance.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Indeed!&rdquo; exclaimed Jack, in surprise, &ldquo;may I ask
+why?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston hesitated a moment, and then replied:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I believe, though we have met so recently, we may
+speak together as friends, or as brothers; you spoke a
+while ago of the faculty of perception; please credit me
+with possessing it in some degree myself, and while I do
+not wish to be personal or intrusive in my remarks, I am
+sure you will allow me to say, that if there is any degree
+of incongruity between my appearance and the position
+I hold, it certainly exists in a much greater degree in your
+own case. I, of course, know nothing of your past life;
+I wish to know nothing of it, except so far as you yourself
+would tell me, should you ever choose to do so, but this
+much I do know, and have known from the first, that
+you are vastly superior to your surroundings here. You
+claim,&ndash;&ndash;and you are correct,&ndash;&ndash;that I have had the advantages
+of excellent birth and breeding, of culture and
+wealth, but you are not one whit behind me in any of
+these things. Added to all this is the experience which
+you have accumulated in these late years, in this particular
+branch of work; surely it was not strange that I felt
+your acquaintance would be invaluable, could I but secure
+your friendship sufficiently for you to be interested
+in my plans.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The moon had risen, flooding the little room with a
+soft, pale light, but Jack was sitting in the shadow, and
+Houston could not see the effect produced by his words.
+He wondered a little that Jack made no response, and,
+after waiting in silence for a moment or two, continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There is one other consideration which you have not
+mentioned, and which must not be omitted, and that is
+compensation.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A sudden movement on Jack&rsquo;s part caused Houston to
+pause for an instant, but nothing was said, and he proceeded:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I could not think of asking you to share the difficulties
+and dangers of this work without abundant compensation.
+Mr. Cameron, my uncle, who is interested&ndash;&ndash;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Stop!&rdquo; said Jack, putting up one hand as if to ward
+off a blow; his voice was hoarse, almost stern, and vibrated
+with some strange, deep emotion; &ldquo;If you ever
+speak to me again of compensation, I will utterly refuse
+to help you in any way.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I beg your pardon,&rdquo; said Houston, in a low, gentle
+tone, &ldquo;I intended no offense, and I shall certainly respect
+your wishes.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There was no offense,&rdquo; replied Jack, more calmly,
+&ldquo;but you spoke a few moments since of friendship; that
+word, to a man living the life I have lived, means volumes;
+whatever I do, let it be done for friendship&rsquo;s sake.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;So let it be!&rdquo; responded Houston solemnly, strangely
+moved by Jack&rsquo;s manner.</p>
+<p>For a long time they talked of the work before them,
+and Houston spoke of the expected arrival of Van Dorn
+within the next day or two, who was to remain until the
+end.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The end is not far distant,&rdquo; said Jack, &ldquo;for after his
+coming I can give you nearly all the additional proof
+needed,&rdquo; and he then proceeded to give information concerning
+matters of which Houston had not, as yet, obtained
+even a clue. An arrangement was made whereby
+Houston and Van Dorn, after the arrival of the latter,
+were to meet Jack at the cabin, and perfect their plans
+for the brief campaign before them.</p>
+<p>At last, as Houston rose to take his leave, he said: &ldquo;I
+hope you will pardon the remark, but while I have not the
+least doubt of your friendship toward me in this, I cannot
+overcome the impression that you also have some personal
+interest in this matter.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Possibly,&rdquo; replied Jack, gravely, still standing in the
+shadow as Houston stepped forth into the moonlight,
+&ldquo;but not in the way in which you think.&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXIX' id='CHAPTER_XXIX'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>The camping party had returned to Silver City, and the
+old house among the mountains slowly subsided into its
+former quiet. Lyle&rsquo;s time had been so occupied by the
+numerous demands made upon her by the departing
+guests, that Houston had found no opportunity for speaking
+with her, as he had planned the previous evening.</p>
+<p>When the day&rsquo;s work was completed, he, with Miss
+Gladden and Lyle, sat in the little porch, watching a brief
+but furious mountain storm, which had suddenly sprung
+up, preventing them from taking their customary evening
+stroll.</p>
+<p>To the ordinary beauty of the scene around them was
+added the grandeur of the tempest, forming a spectacle
+not easily forgotten. Around the summits of the lofty
+peaks the fierce lightnings were playing, sometimes darting
+back and forth like the swords of mighty giants, flashing
+in mortal combat; sometimes descending swiftly in
+fiery chains, then seeming to wrap the whole universe in
+sheets of flame; while the crash and roll of the thunder
+echoed and re-echoed from peak to peak, the lingering
+reverberations still muttering and rumbling in the distance,
+as the fierce cannonading was again renewed. The
+wind rushed, roaring and shrieking, down the canyon,
+while the rain fell in gusty, fitful torrents.</p>
+<p>At the end of half an hour, only a few stray drops were
+falling, the sun suddenly burst forth in a flood of golden
+light, and against the dark background of the storm-cloud,
+a rainbow spanned the eastern horizon, its glorious
+tints seeming almost to rival the gorgeous colors of the
+western sky.</p>
+<p>Soon after the storm had passed, Haight was seen approaching
+the house. As he came up, he handed a telegraphic
+dispatch to Houston, saying:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Just got a wire from the boss for you and Morgan;
+did you know anything about this kind of an arrangement?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston opened the telegram, and read:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;Van Dorn up to-morrow to set up machinery on trial;
+may not be able to come myself for a day or two. Have
+Morgan and Houston give him all help they can spare,
+but not to interfere with work.</p>
+<p class='ralign'>Blaisdell.&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>Houston read the message carefully, then said to
+Haight, who stood awaiting his reply:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I knew nothing of their having made any definite arrangement.
+I remember hearing Van Dorn say something
+to Mr. Blaisdell, just before they all went away,
+about bringing one of his machines out here, but Blaisdell
+didn&rsquo;t seem to give him any encouragement at that
+time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He evidently has roped the old man in on it, at last,&rdquo;
+said Haight, seating himself.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It looks like it,&rdquo; Houston answered indifferently.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is the machine anyway?&rdquo; Haight inquired. &ldquo;Is
+it any good?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I cannot tell you,&rdquo; replied Houston, &ldquo;because I know
+absolutely nothing about it, except that it is for the reduction
+of ores. I heard Van Dorn allude to it two or three
+times while he was here, and he seemed quite enthusiastic
+about it, which I thought was, of course, perfectly
+natural. Where is Morgan?&rdquo; Houston continued, &ldquo;have
+you told him?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Haight shook his head; &ldquo;Morgan is at the Y, I suppose,
+as usual, and nobody will see him before sometime
+to-morrow. Have you noticed that fellow lately, Mr.
+Houston? Half the time he don&rsquo;t seem to know what he&rsquo;s
+about.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have noticed that he scarcely appears like himself,
+of late,&rdquo; Houston replied; &ldquo;he seems to have some serious
+trouble.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s been losing pretty heavy lately, I guess, that&rsquo;s
+what&rsquo;s the matter; he&rsquo;s awful reckless in his gambling,
+it&rsquo;s neck or nothing, with him. I tell you,&rdquo; Haight continued,
+watching Houston sharply, &ldquo;Morgan would get the
+G.B. pretty sudden if the boss got onto the way he&rsquo;s carrying
+sail.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Possibly,&rdquo; said Houston, quietly, &ldquo;but he will not
+know of it from me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No?&rdquo; said Haight, with a curious, rising reflection.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, indeed,&rdquo; responded Houston, with some warmth,
+&ldquo;when a man is in trouble, it is no time to give him a push
+downward; besides, I would not do or say anything to
+injure Morgan, anyway.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Haight looked up curiously, and even the faces of the
+ladies expressed a slight surprise.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know you and Morgan were such good
+friends,&rdquo; Haight remarked wonderingly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I do not know,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;that either he or I
+consider that we are particular friends, though we are
+friendly enough, but I have learned this about Morgan;
+that whatever his principles, or his manner of life may
+be, he is far less to be blamed than people would ordinarily
+suppose.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Haight, rising, &ldquo;Morgan and I have been
+together, off and on, for the last three years, but I don&rsquo;t
+know anything about him except just what I have seen
+for myself, what anybody can see; of course his way isn&rsquo;t
+my way, but then, we don&rsquo;t any of us think alike, and
+I&rsquo;ve never had any fault to find with him, and we&rsquo;ve got
+along together first rate. I suppose,&rdquo; he continued, &ldquo;you
+will give directions in the morning for that fellow and his
+machines, for it isn&rsquo;t likely that Morgan will be around
+much before ten o&rsquo;clock.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;I will be up early and
+will see that one of the six-horse teams is at the Y to meet
+him, and I can get through at the mines in season to be
+at the office by the time he will reach there; he probably
+will not get up before noon, with all that load.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Happening to glance toward Lyle, as Haight withdrew,
+Houston read in her eyes, in their look of eager
+expectancy, and the firm determination expressed in her
+face, that she fully understood the meaning of what had
+passed.</p>
+<p>It was equally evident that Miss Gladden had received
+no hint of the situation, for at almost the same instant she
+inquired:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is Mr. Van Dorn going to erect one of his reducing
+machines here?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston answered in the affirmative.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He will be likely to remain here some time, then, will
+he not?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;In all probability,&rdquo; Houston replied, &ldquo;it must take
+considerable time to get one of those machines in perfect
+running order.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then of course he will be here when Mr. Rutherford
+returns, with his brother; they were all such intimate
+friends, it will be pleasant for them to meet here. But I
+am surprised,&rdquo; she added, &ldquo;that he is bringing one of
+his machines such a distance as this.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why so?&rdquo; inquired Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Because, Mr. Winters told me that although the
+amalgamator was undoubtedly a valuable invention, and
+would prove a great success in a mining country, Van
+Dorn was too indolent to even try to introduce it among
+mining men, as it would require too much exertion on
+his part.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston smiled at this accurate description of his class
+mate.</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden continued: &ldquo;Mr. Winters said that Van
+Dorn was a fine fellow, but that he was never so happy as
+when engaged in some little scheme, apparently doing
+one thing, and in reality, doing something else, as when
+he was acting as mining expert for Mr. Winters.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Houston, laughing, &ldquo;if that is the characteristic
+of Mr. Van Dorn, it will not be best to mention it
+here, as the officers of the company are very suspicious
+anyway, and very guarded as to who is permitted to have
+access to the mines and mills, and we might unconsciously
+make it rather unpleasant for him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The next morning, Houston went very early to the stables
+to order a team and three or four men to the Y to
+meet Van Dorn. Having given all necessary instructions,
+he returned to the house, but it was still early, and there
+was no one but Lyle in the breakfast room.</p>
+<p>At a signal from Houston, she approached the door-way,
+where he remained standing, as from that position
+he could easily watch both the porch and the interior of
+the room, to assure himself that they were safe from
+listeners.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have just discovered recently,&rdquo; he began in a low
+tone, &ldquo;that I am indebted to you for securing valuable assistance
+for me in my work here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why?&rdquo; she asked quickly, in surprise, &ldquo;did Jack tell
+you that it was I who asked him to help you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; replied Houston, &ldquo;I naturally wished to
+know where he obtained his information, and he told me
+of your interview with him, and your persistent efforts
+in my behalf. I want to thank you, for I appreciate your
+conduct under such circumstances; you acted wisely and
+nobly, and did the very best thing that could have been
+done.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am glad that I have your approval,&rdquo; she replied, &ldquo;my
+overhearing what I did was unintentional and unavoidable,
+but having learned your plans, and that you needed
+help, I sought it from the only one competent to give it,
+and at the same time perfectly true and worthy of your
+confidence.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You certainly made a noble use of the knowledge you
+had obtained; there are very few, Lyle, who could have
+been trusted with such a secret, and who would have
+proven so trustworthy.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If you will pardon me for saying it, Mr. Houston,
+there is one other, whom you could, and, in my opinion,
+should trust with this.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston looked at her inquiringly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I mean Miss Gladden,&rdquo; was her response.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I see you have given her no hint,&rdquo; he said, smiling.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not a word,&rdquo; Lyle answered, &ldquo;it was not my place to
+do so; you know best what you wish her to know, and
+when, but I think you ought to confide in her fully, for
+she is a noble woman; you could trust her, and she would
+help you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I realize that,&rdquo; Houston replied, &ldquo;but I did not wish
+her to be worried by this; there will probably be more or
+less danger before it is all over, and I thought she would
+be happier not to know.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle lifted her beautiful head proudly, with a gesture so
+full of grace, Houston could not but observe it.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If I were in her place,&rdquo; she said, slowly and firmly, and
+with peculiar emphasis, &ldquo;and my lover were in any danger,
+I would far rather know it, and give him my help,
+if possible, my prayers and sympathy at any rate, than to
+remain in ignorance, and perhaps unconsciously hinder
+him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston looked at Lyle in astonishment; was this
+clear-headed woman the untutored, untrained child of the
+mountains whom he had always regarded with a tender,
+chivalric regard, almost akin to pity?</p>
+<p>Lyle continued; &ldquo;Do not think that even if you refrain
+from telling her this secret, she will not know that it exists;
+she will be quick to see indications of a secret understanding
+between yourself and others,&ndash;&ndash;between yourself
+and myself, even,&ndash;&ndash;in which she has no share. Will
+that seem to her like confidence, or even justice, on your
+part. It will be better for her, for you and for me that
+you tell her your plans fully, for you will find her strong
+and true and brave, whatever the end shall prove.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My dear Lyle,&rdquo; said Houston, slowly, &ldquo;I believe you
+are right, and I will never consider you a child again; but
+I cannot understand how you, with your youth and inexperience,
+can think and act so wisely and well.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We none of us know what we can do or be,&rdquo; she
+answered gravely, &ldquo;till an emergency arises, and we are
+suddenly shown what is required of us.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I will follow your suggestion at the first opportunity,&rdquo;
+Houston said, after a pause, &ldquo;I shall tell Miss Gladden all
+that you know regarding my plans and my work, with
+but one reservation; for the present, I do not wish her to
+know that Mr. Cameron is related to me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle looked slightly surprised, &ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; she answered,
+in a tone of assent, adding, &ldquo;You are his nephew,
+are you not?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;His nephew and his adopted son,&rdquo; Houston replied,
+with a peculiar smile.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah!&rdquo; she replied quietly, &ldquo;I understand; Miss Gladden
+is to know nothing at present of your wealth.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have won her love with love, not with gold,&rdquo; he
+said proudly, &ldquo;but she will find, by and by, that the latter
+is not lacking.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A remark of Miss Gladden&rsquo;s, which she had made in
+confidence, soon after her engagement to Houston, was
+suddenly recalled to Lyle&rsquo;s mind; &ldquo;Whether he has
+money or not, I do not know or care, for I have enough
+for both of us.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A curious smile flitted over her face for a moment, but
+she only said, &ldquo;You must be very wealthy!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have enough,&rdquo; Houston responded, &ldquo;to give to Miss
+Gladden the home of which she is worthy, but which she
+has never known; and,&rdquo; he added, &ldquo;there is one thing,
+my dear Lyle, upon which we are both agreed; that our
+home, wherever it shall be, shall be your home also, as
+our sister.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For a moment, Lyle&rsquo;s lips quivered, and she was unable
+to speak. At that instant, Haight entered the breakfast
+room, darting at them a look of curiosity and suspicion,
+as they stood together in the door-way. Houston
+was pleased to see Lyle&rsquo;s perfect self-control. Without
+stirring in the least from her place by his side, she asked,
+in the most matter-of-fact tone, whether Mr. Van Dorn
+would be likely to arrive from the Y in season for dinner,
+and what room it would be best to prepare for him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You had better let him share my room, in case he has
+no objections,&rdquo; Houston answered indifferently, &ldquo;for
+you like to keep your rooms in readiness for guests as
+much as possible, and Rutherford, when he returns, will
+probably room with his brother.&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXX' id='CHAPTER_XXX'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXX.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>As Houston was hurrying up from the mines at about
+eleven o&rsquo;clock, on his way to the office, he met Morgan,
+just started on his rounds, and was shocked at the change
+which a few hours had made in his appearance. His
+heavy gait, his pale, haggard face and bloodshot eyes,
+told, not only of late hours and terrible dissipation, but of
+some severe mental strain, also. Morgan half smiled, as
+he saw Houston&rsquo;s look of pained surprise.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I know I look pretty hard this morning,
+but I was up late; I guess I&rsquo;ll be all right in a day or
+two. What&rsquo;s this Haight&rsquo;s been telling me about one
+of those fellows coming out here with some mining machinery?
+Which one is it, that English dude?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; answered Houston, &ldquo;Van Dorn, the one with
+glasses, he was the inventor, you remember.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, if he&rsquo;s invented anything that will make old
+Rivers hand out any cash, he&rsquo;d better get a patent on it,
+that&rsquo;s all I&rsquo;ve got to say. How in thunder the old man
+ever gave his consent to his coming out here, monkey-fooling
+around with his machines, is more&rsquo;n I can make
+out; but if the company want him up here, I&rsquo;m sure I
+don&rsquo;t care a damn. The boss himself isn&rsquo;t coming up, is
+he?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not for a day or two,&rdquo; replied Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Morgan, with one of his characteristic
+shrugs, &ldquo;I guess I&rsquo;ll have to spruce up a bit, before he
+comes.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That is so, Morgan,&rdquo; said Houston, kindly, &ldquo;I
+wouldn&rsquo;t want Mr. Blaisdell to see you as you look this
+morning; I&rsquo;m too much a friend of yours myself for
+that.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh well, I&rsquo;ll be all right before he gets here. Who&rsquo;s
+going down to meet that fellow and his contraptions?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I sent Hayes down with two or three men, and a six-horse
+team, early this morning.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good for you!&rdquo; laughed Morgan, starting on his way,
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;d make a first-rate boss &rsquo;round here; guess I&rsquo;ll
+have to give you a raise.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston walked slowly down the road after Morgan
+left him, having apparently forgotten his haste. The
+story which Morgan had told him a few nights before, of
+his own life, had awakened his pity for the man as nothing
+else could have done. He felt that Morgan was in
+serious trouble, and in danger of losing his position, and
+that he was already where it would take very little to drive
+him to complete ruin. He resolved to seize the first opportunity
+that presented itself, to try to ascertain the
+cause of his trouble, and to assist him in any way that he
+possibly could.</p>
+<p>On reaching the office, he found considerable work
+awaiting him, and for a while, all other thoughts were
+banished from his mind. About noon, a heavy rumbling
+and rattling attracted his attention, and, going to the
+door, he saw the slowly approaching team, winding from
+side to side of the steep, canyon road, the powerful horses
+straining and panting under the heavy load. Perched on
+the top of the load, under a wide-spread umbrella, and
+fanning himself with his straw hat, was Van Dorn, his
+face irradiated by a broad smile as he caught sight of
+Houston. Two of the men walked beside the team,
+blocking the wheels with rocks, as the horses were occasionally
+stopped to rest. As they came within speaking
+distance, Van Dorn sang out merrily:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I say, Houston, this is what I call up-hill work; it has
+been a pretty hard pull all the way.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;particularly hard on you, judging
+by appearances.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Van Dorn laughed, and proceeded to close his umbrella,
+while an expansive grin broke over the face of
+one of the workmen, trudging along the hot, dusty road.
+At the brow of the hill, the team again stopped to rest,
+and Van Dorn descended from his lofty position, Houston
+meanwhile giving instructions to the driver:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Drive over to the stables, Hayes, and take the horses
+off and let them rest; after dinner, put on another set of
+horses, and drive to the mills; we will be there to see to
+the unloading.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, Everard, old boy, how are you?&rdquo; exclaimed Van
+Dorn, as they started for the office; &ldquo;I started within five
+hours after I received your telegram, and here I am, at
+your service.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;When did you reach Silver City? yesterday?&rdquo; inquired
+Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yesterday!&rdquo; exclaimed Van Dorn, &ldquo;my dear boy, do
+you think the world was made in one day? No, sir; I
+got in the day before, and spent the remainder of that
+day, and all of yesterday in cultivating the good graces of
+your company. I went straight for their offices, and it
+took all the arguments and persuasion I could muster,
+with some treating, and a good deal of judicious flattery
+thrown in, before I could get the old fellows to consent
+to my giving the machine a trial. I got around Blaisdell
+pretty easy after I had flattered him a little, but that
+Rivers is a beast! Said he didn&rsquo;t see why I was so anxious
+to have them test the machine, and all that! I explained,
+of course, that this was the first I had ever
+brought it out into the west, and they were so well known
+that if I could only get their endorsement, and so on and
+so forth. Oh, I want to tell you all about it later, and if
+you don&rsquo;t acknowledge that I&rsquo;m a born diplomat, I&rsquo;ll give
+up; but at present, my first business must be to allay
+these pangs of hunger, they are becoming unendurable.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly, we will go to the house at once,&rdquo; said Houston,
+preparing to close the office.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Wait a minute!&rdquo; said Van Dorn, diving furiously into
+his pockets; &ldquo;I attended to that little business that you
+wrote me about, just according to directions, and I want
+you to see if it is perfectly satisfactory before we go any
+further, and then I&rsquo;ll have it off my mind; why, confound
+it! where is that thing anyway?&rdquo; he exclaimed, turning
+a half dozen pockets inside out, and emptying a heterogeneous
+collection upon the desk before him. &ldquo;Oh, here
+it is! I knew I had it safe somewhere; there now, Everard,
+I took as much pains as if it had been for myself, it
+was one of the finest stones I could find; I think it is a
+beauty, and I hope you will like it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>He handed a small case to Houston, partially open,
+from whose depths of white velvet a superb diamond ring
+flashed forth its wondrous rays, seeming almost to
+brighten the dingy little room in which they were standing.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is indeed a beauty,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;perfect! I
+could not have made a better selection myself. I knew I
+could trust to your good judgment, Arthur, and I am exceedingly
+obliged; I&rsquo;ll do as much for you when you
+are ready for a ring of this kind.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;All right, I&rsquo;m glad if you like it. I believe I sent my
+congratulations by letter, but I&rsquo;ll renew them now. I
+only hope the lady herself will be pleased with the selection.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>On their way to the house, Van Dorn said: &ldquo;Ned
+Rutherford has gone to the coast to meet his brother, I
+suppose.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes; you probably know he and Morton are intending
+to stop here on their return?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes; Mort, as soon as he found you were here, and
+especially after I gave him an inkling of what was going
+on, said he should certainly stop as he came back. You
+ought to have seen him though, when I told him you
+were out here! Good gracious! he was simply thunderstruck!
+He said Ned had been writing all along about
+a Houston, from Chicago, that he had met on the
+train, and that he was a fine fellow, and all that; but of
+course he never dreamed it was you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The remainder of the day passed very swiftly, for there
+was much to be done. After dinner, Houston and Van
+Dorn went down to the mills and superintended the unloading
+and unpacking of the machinery; then, as it was
+too late in the day to begin preparations for its erection,
+Houston visited the mines, Van Dorn accompanying him
+only a little way into the main shaft. As they came out
+together, half an hour later, and started for the office,
+Van Dorn drew a small piece of ore from his pocket, saying:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve discovered now where that fine ore on the dump
+of the famous Sunrise lode came from.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;and you will make other discoveries,
+shortly.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At the office there was much to be said on both sides;
+Van Dorn giving his friend messages and directions from
+Mr. Cameron, and giving also the particulars of his interview
+with the company, and how he had finally obtained
+their consent for the erection of the machinery at
+their mills.</p>
+<p>Houston, on his part, related what he had been doing
+in the few weeks intervening since Van Dorn&rsquo;s former
+visit, and explained his new position as assistant superintendent
+of the group of mines in which they were most
+interested.</p>
+<p>Van Dorn whistled; &ldquo;That&rsquo;s good!&rdquo; he exclaimed, &ldquo;I
+wondered how it was that you were going in and out
+among the mines in that way, I thought that was something
+new. Have you found any one whom we can trust
+to help us?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>In reply, Houston told his friend of Jack, of his experience
+and skill as a miner, and of his offer to help
+them.</p>
+<p>Van Dorn was greatly interested, and before they were
+aware, the afternoon had passed, and it was time to close
+the office and return to the house.</p>
+<p>At the supper table that evening, the diamond ring appeared,
+flashing on the white, shapely hand of Leslie
+Gladden, and she herself looked radiantly beautiful.</p>
+<p>After the meal was over, Morgan, who was still pale
+and haggard, and had been very silent at the table, pulled
+his hat down over his eyes, and started down the road.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Morgan,&rdquo; called Houston, &ldquo;where are you going?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I dun&rsquo;no,&rdquo; he answered moodily, &ldquo;down to the Y, I
+guess, by and by.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, hold on a minute, I will walk down with you a
+ways; I want to see you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;All right,&rdquo; responded Morgan, walking on very
+slowly.</p>
+<p>Houston hastily excused himself to Miss Gladden and
+Van Dorn, and hurrying after Morgan, soon overtook
+him. For some time, Houston talked with him regarding
+the work for the next day, and the men who could
+best be detailed to help Van Dorn. They had reached
+the same spot where they had stopped to talk a few nights
+before, and, as then, were seated on the rocks. At last,
+the business arrangements were all completed, and Morgan
+made a move as if to start, and then Houston&rsquo;s real
+errand in overtaking him became apparent.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Morgan, you are not fit to be out to-night, you must
+have rest, you will break down living this way.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Morgan, raising his hollow, heavy eyes to
+Houston&rsquo;s face, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m about done up, that&rsquo;s a fact.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t go to the Y to-night, if I were you; come
+back to the house and get a good night&rsquo;s rest, it will make
+a different man of you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Morgan looked undecided for a moment; &ldquo;&rsquo;Twouldn&rsquo;t
+be no use going up there now,&rdquo; he answered gloomily,
+&ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t rest if I tried. I haven&rsquo;t slept scarcely any
+for three nights; but I ain&rsquo;t going to stay out late to-night
+as I&rsquo;ve been doing; I shan&rsquo;t play after midnight.
+I&rsquo;m going to have two or three games just to see what
+luck I&rsquo;ll have, and if I don&rsquo;t have luck, why, that ends
+it, I ain&rsquo;t going to play all night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Morgan,&rdquo; said Houston earnestly, &ldquo;you spoke the
+other night about money; now, as I told you then, if
+you need any money, I&rsquo;m your friend, and I&rsquo;ll gladly accommodate
+you with whatever you need.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For the first time in all their acquaintance, Morgan&rsquo;s
+careless, indifferent manner changed, and for a few moments
+he seemed touched.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, I believe you,&rdquo; he said, after a pause, &ldquo;I believe
+you&rsquo;re more of a friend to me than anybody else. Blaisdell
+would kick me out quicker&rsquo;n it takes to say so, if he
+knew just how I stand to-night. Even Haight&rsquo;s got the
+big-head and puts on his airs since he&rsquo;s seen I&rsquo;m down;
+you&rsquo;re the only one that&rsquo;s showed me any kindness.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Now, Morgan, just say what money you need, and
+you shall have it; I want to help you out of this,&rdquo; said
+Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Morgan, decidedly, &ldquo;if I am a gambler, and
+all that, I ain&rsquo;t going to take the wages from a fellow that
+works for less than I do, to help me out of trouble. The
+Lord knows you&rsquo;ve earnt your money, for you&rsquo;ve worked
+faithful.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Never mind about that, Morgan,&rdquo; said Houston, hastily,
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not wholly dependent on my salary; I had a
+good little sum of money laid by before I came out here;
+there is plenty, I will not miss it, and you are welcome
+to it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Much obliged to you, Houston, but I can&rsquo;t take it,&ndash;&ndash;not
+now, at any rate,&ndash;&ndash;maybe I&rsquo;ll call on you for it to-morrow,
+if I don&rsquo;t have luck to-night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You are welcome to it whenever you want it,&rdquo; said
+Houston cordially, his hand on Morgan&rsquo;s shoulder; &ldquo;I
+only wish you were not going to the Y to-night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Morgan, as he rose slowly, &ldquo;don&rsquo;t think
+I don&rsquo;t appreciate your kindness, for I do. You&rsquo;ve heard
+me say that I didn&rsquo;t believe in honor in anybody; I guess
+I&rsquo;ll have to take that back, for if there is such a thing as
+honor, you&rsquo;ve got it. I don&rsquo;t know how it is,&rdquo; he said,
+with a heavy sigh, then added slowly, &ldquo;I guess you&rsquo;ve
+been raised different somehow, from most of us out here.
+The Lord knows how I was raised.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>He started a few steps down the road, hesitated, and
+came back.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Houston, there&rsquo;s one thing I want to say to you, for
+you&rsquo;ve been good to me, that&rsquo;s this; look out for Haight;
+he&rsquo;s no friend of yours, and I guess you&rsquo;re sharp enough
+to know it, but maybe you don&rsquo;t know what a sneaking,
+cowardly cur he is; look out for him!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Thank you, Morgan, I will.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He ain&rsquo;t like me,&rdquo; he continued, &ldquo;if I don&rsquo;t like anybody
+I let &rsquo;em know it, and fight &rsquo;em fair and square; you
+can tell that by the way I bucked up against you, when
+you first came here,&rdquo; and he smiled at the recollection,
+the first time he had smiled in the whole conversation.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Morgan,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been sorry for that a
+good many times since; if I had known about you then
+what you have since told me, I never would have been
+so severe in my judgment of you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, that was all right,&rdquo; he answered, &ldquo;it did me good;
+I didn&rsquo;t like you very well at first, but I&rsquo;ve always had a
+liking for you ever since. Well, so long!&rdquo; and with a
+faint smile, Morgan went on his way.</p>
+<p>Houston stood watching him for a few moments, then
+turned back in the direction of the house, little thinking
+how, or where, they would meet again.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXXI' id='CHAPTER_XXXI'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXI.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>The next morning dawned fair and cloudless, giving
+promise of one of those royal days, so frequent in the
+almost perfect climate of the higher altitudes.</p>
+<p>Long before noon the heat would be intense, but in
+the early morning there was wafted down from the mountain
+side, where the pines were nodding and whispering
+so mysteriously, a cool, exhilarating breeze, which kissed
+the surface of the azure lake, sleeping so peacefully, and,
+awakening immediately into smiles, it lay rippling and
+dimpling with laughter in the sunlight.</p>
+<p>The vines, transplanted by Miss Gladden and Lyle, under
+their fostering care, had transformed the little porch
+into a bower of beauty. Here stood Van Dorn, his fair,
+almost feminine face flushed with pleasure, and his blue
+eyes sparkling, as the light breeze played with the auburn
+curls clustering about his forehead, and he looked forth
+on the beauty of the scene.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah&ndash;&ndash;h!&rdquo; he exclaimed, drawing a long breath, &ldquo;isn&rsquo;t
+this refreshing after the stifling heat and dust of the journey
+out here? Isn&rsquo;t it glorious?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is,&rdquo; responded Houston, &ldquo;this is one of the mornings
+when it is a joy just simply to live and breathe.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston was fired with new ambition that morning;
+he would no longer have to work alone, keeping his anxieties
+and doubts, his plans and discoveries alike to himself;
+from henceforth he would have companionship,
+counsel and assistance, and he felt a new interest and enthusiasm.</p>
+<p>Immediately after breakfast, the two set forth upon
+their first day&rsquo;s work. Going first to the mills, Houston
+secured the services of two or three men who could be
+spared from the ordinary work, to assist Van Dorn in
+making preparations for the erection of the machinery;
+then he left for his early visit to the mines.</p>
+<p>It was nearly ten o&rsquo;clock when, having finished his
+round of duties at the mines, and coming up to the surface
+from the cool, underground workings, he found the
+heat almost unendurable, and strolled over to the mills,
+to see how Van Dorn was progressing. The latter did
+not seem averse to stopping for a few moments, and for
+a while, the two chatted and laughed with the old, careless
+abandon of their college days, without a thought of
+the more serious side of life, until, something being
+needed for the work, which Houston thought was in the
+tool-house, they proceeded together to look for it.</p>
+<p>Houston was still searching for the needed implements,
+when Van Dorn, who was near the door, called out:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I say, Everard, here&rsquo;s a small specimen of humanity
+who seems to be looking for you in a desperate hurry,&rdquo;
+and an instant later, he heard a familiar voice say:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is the boss in there, mister? Le&rsquo;me in quick, I wan&rsquo;ter
+see &rsquo;im!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Turning quickly, he saw Bull-dog, breathless, pale and
+quivering with excitement.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Say, boss,&rdquo; he gasped, before Houston could speak,
+&ldquo;they want yer&ndash;&ndash;down ter the Y,&ndash;&ndash;Morgan has shot hisself!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is that, boy?&rdquo; exclaimed Houston hoarsely,
+clearing the space between them at a bound.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Morgan&rsquo;s shot hisself, &rsquo;n they sent us fer yer,&ndash;&ndash;me&rsquo;n
+Hank,&ndash;&ndash;he&rsquo;s out there,&rdquo; with a backward jerk of his
+thumb over his shoulder toward the open door.</p>
+<p>Houston sprang to the door; another boy was talking
+excitedly with Van Dorn, while his horse stood, panting
+heavily and covered with dust and foam.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Here&rsquo;s the man you want,&rdquo; said Van Dorn, turning
+a white face toward Houston, &ldquo;Great God, Everard!&rdquo; he
+exclaimed, &ldquo;Morgan has killed himself!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He is not dead!&rdquo; exclaimed Houston, turning towards
+the boy.</p>
+<p>The latter nodded; &ldquo;They found &rsquo;im shot through the
+head, &rsquo;n this was in his hand, &rsquo;n the cops won&rsquo;t let nobody
+in till you come,&rdquo; and he handed Houston a bit of paper.</p>
+<p>It was a scrap of newspaper, crumpled and spattered
+with blood, and, as Houston smoothed it out, he read on
+the margin, in characters wavering and almost illegible,
+written with a trembling hand, but still Morgan&rsquo;s writing,
+&ldquo;Send to the camp for Houston, he&rsquo;s the only friend
+I&rsquo;ve got.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For an instant, it seemed to Houston as though the
+glorious sunlight had suddenly turned to blackness, a
+blackness in which the scrap of paper gleamed white before
+him, its red spots glowing like spots of flame. He
+seemed again to see Morgan as he looked when parting
+from him the previous evening; the haggard face, with
+its hollow eyes and faint, pathetic smile, and as he recalled
+his words in reply to his own repeated offers of money,
+there seemed a new meaning in them; &ldquo;Maybe I&rsquo;ll call on
+you for it to-morrow if I don&rsquo;t have luck to-night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>But Houston realized there was no time to waste, and
+in a few moments he was mounted on a powerful gray
+horse, on his way to the Y, notwithstanding Van Dorn&rsquo;s
+protests on account of the intense heat, having requested
+the latter to explain his absence at the house. Just as
+he was about to start, Bull-dog begged to be allowed to
+ride with him, to which Houston consented, and lifting
+the little fellow up, seated him in front of himself. Very
+little was said, for the horse seemed to understand what
+was expected of him, and sped like the wind down the
+narrow canyon road, but Houston&rsquo;s hand rested kindly
+on Bull-dog&rsquo;s shoulder, steadying the slender frame, and,
+at the same time, warming the heart of the forlorn little
+waif, to whom even the touch of kindness was something
+exceedingly rare.</p>
+<p>Houston&rsquo;s mind was occupied with thoughts of the
+terrible scene he was rapidly approaching, as well as with
+memories of his last interview with Morgan on the preceding
+night. At last, having crossed a ravine, the horse
+slackened his pace, as he climbed the steep ascent on the
+other side, and Houston, almost unconsciously, spoke his
+thoughts aloud.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Poor Morgan!&rdquo; he said, with a heavy sigh, &ldquo;poor
+fellow! If I could only have saved him from this! God
+knows I would have given him any amount of money to
+have prevented this.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;&rsquo;Twouldn&rsquo;t ha&rsquo; been no use, sir,&rdquo; Bull-dog broke in
+quickly, eager to console Houston, &ldquo;&rsquo;twouldn&rsquo;t ha&rsquo; been
+no use to have give &rsquo;im money, &rsquo;cause, ye see, them fellers
+that he played with would ha&rsquo; got it all.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Who were they?&rdquo; inquired Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, there was Faro Dick and Slicky Sam, and a lot
+of &rsquo;em; Morgan wasn&rsquo;t no match for fellers like them,
+they was all too swift fer him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How do you know?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, I seen &rsquo;em playin&rsquo; lots o&rsquo; times, and they&rsquo;re all
+reg&rsquo;lar sharpers, &rsquo;n Morgan, he&rsquo;d got reckless, &rsquo;n he didn&rsquo;t
+stan&rsquo; no show against &rsquo;em.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston looked down wonderingly and pityingly upon
+the little fellow, young in years, but who knew so much of
+the dark side of life, but nothing more was said, as, having
+reached the top of the hill, the station was close at
+hand.</p>
+<p>Having left his horse in charge of one of the company&rsquo;s
+men, Houston, accompanied by Bull-dog as guide, proceeded
+across the street, to the group of dirty, disreputable-looking
+buildings containing the saloons, gambling
+houses and dance halls. He had little need of a guide,
+for, before the shabbiest and most disreputable of the entire
+lot, was gathered a motley crowd, gazing with awestruck
+curiosity at the building in which had been enacted
+the tragedy of the night before. It was a saloon
+with gambling rooms in the rear. Here Morgan had
+played his last game,&ndash;&ndash;just to see what luck he would
+have,&ndash;&ndash;as he had said to Houston, and from which he had
+come forth ruined, despairing, desperate.</p>
+<p>Passing through the crowd of jabbering Chinamen and
+&ldquo;dagoes,&rdquo; of miners off shift, drawn hither by curiosity,
+and of gamblers of all grades from the professional expert
+to the &ldquo;tin-horn,&rdquo; Houston found his way around
+the corner of the building, down into an alley, dark, dismal
+and reeking with filth. Here were groups of slatternly,
+unkempt women, some of whom stared at him
+with brazen faces, while others slunk away, not quite lost
+to shame.</p>
+<p>At last they came to a rickety stair-way, and as they
+neared the top, Bull-dog whispered:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There&rsquo;s some of &rsquo;em now; that tall feller is Faro Dick,
+he deals down stairs, and the little, black feller is Slicky,
+and that short, fat one, that&rsquo;s Brocky Joe.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The group gathered about the door-way at the head of
+the stairs eyed Houston curiously as he approached. He
+gave them only a quick, keen glance, but in that glance
+he had detected the trio named by Bull-dog, and they
+cowered visibly beneath the scorn and contempt which
+flashed from his eye, while the entire group of loungers
+made way, impelled partly by an unconscious respect for
+the broad, powerful shoulders, and splendid, athletic
+frame.</p>
+<p>Down a dark, narrow hall, Bull-dog led the way to a
+door guarded by two men, who touched their caps respectfully
+to Houston. They were two of the mining
+company&rsquo;s watchmen, who were kept at the station to
+guard their property, and to preserve order generally,
+and hence were designated by the gamins of the place as
+police and &ldquo;cops.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Silently they unlocked and opened the door for Houston,
+and one of them entered with him. It was a small
+room, evidently a woman&rsquo;s, and its general squalor and
+dilapidation were made more apparent by tawdry, shabby
+bits of finery strewn here and there. Curtains of red
+damask, faded and ragged, hung at the window, excluding
+the daylight, and on a small table a kerosene lamp had
+burned itself out. But Houston took little notice of the
+room; as his eyes became accustomed to the dim light,
+he saw but one object.</p>
+<p>Across the bed in one corner of the room, lay Morgan,
+his left arm thrown out across the pillows, the other
+dropped at his side, and a revolver clenched in his right
+hand. His head was turned slightly to one side, exposing
+the ghastly wound near the temple, his face was blackened
+and mutilated, but still bore traces of the terrible strain
+of those last few hours of life.</p>
+<p>Houston stepped back, even his firm nerves quivering,
+and his heart throbbing with a great sorrow for the life
+so suddenly quenched in the darkness of despair.</p>
+<p>On a chair were Morgan&rsquo;s hat and coat, where he had
+thrown them, and as Houston turned toward the little
+table, he saw there a newspaper from which a scrap had
+been torn. Taking the bit of paper, containing Morgan&rsquo;s
+last message, from his pocket, he compared them; it
+fitted exactly, and beside the paper lay a bit of pencil with
+which those last words had been written, and to Houston,
+with his keen perception and vivid imagination, the whole
+scene of the previous night with its minute and pathetic
+details, seemed passing before his vision. He turned to
+the watchman:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Open the window,&rdquo; he said, and his voice sounded
+strange even to himself, &ldquo;draw back those curtains, this
+place is stifling.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Upon inquiry, Houston found the watchman could
+give him very little information. In passing down the
+alley at about eight o&rsquo;clock that morning, his attention
+had been arrested by screams issuing from the building.
+On rushing up-stairs, he saw a crowd gathering about the
+door of this room, and, on entering, was shocked at the
+sight revealed. Mollie, the girl who usually occupied the
+room, was screaming hysterically, but when able to talk
+explained that she had been out all night and had but just
+returned. Morgan was in the habit of coming to the
+room, and had a key, but he had not been there of late,
+having gambled every night till daylight.</p>
+<p>Her screams had attracted nearly the whole neighborhood,
+some of whom corroborated her statements, and
+one or two testified to having heard a shot sometime
+about midnight, but nothing had been thought of it, as
+it was supposed to be some row in the gambling rooms
+below. The watchman had ordered the crowd out of
+the room, and sent the messenger for Houston, and also
+a telegram to Silver City for the coroner, who was expected
+on the noon train.</p>
+<p>As it was nearly noon, Houston decided to step over to
+the depot, leaving the room in charge of the watchman.
+On his way, he heard various comments from groups
+gathered here and there. Passing a half-dozen miners,
+he heard one of them say:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If he&rsquo;d &rsquo;a been a union man, we&rsquo;d &rsquo;a taken care of &rsquo;im,
+but he worked for the bosses, and helped &rsquo;em to make big
+money, and now, let the bosses take care of &rsquo;im and bury
+&rsquo;im.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A bitter smile crossed Houston&rsquo;s face, and stepping
+into the little telegraph office, he sent a message, first, in
+his own name, to one of the undertaking firms of Silver
+City, for everything that was needed to be sent up by the
+special freight that afternoon; and then a brief dispatch
+to Mr. Blaisdell, stating what had occurred, but that the
+affairs of the company were all right, and there was no
+necessity for his coming to the camp immediately.</p>
+<p>A few moments later, the train arrived, bringing the
+coroner, and as quickly as possible the inquest was held.
+Very few facts were developed beyond those already
+learned by Houston, excepting the extent of Morgan&rsquo;s
+losses. These included not only everything which he had
+possessed, even to his watch and a few pieces of jewelry,
+but in addition, a large sum of money advanced him by
+Brocky Joe. Those with whom he was playing testified
+that he had quit shortly before midnight, and left the hall
+rather hastily. At the time, they thought he had gone
+to borrow more money, and perhaps try his luck at some
+other place, but nothing more was seen of him, and they
+soon forgot the occurrence.</p>
+<p>When all was over and the crowd was slowly dispersing,
+Houston saw several members of the gambling fraternity
+approaching him, headed by the two designated
+by Bull-dog as Slicky Sam and Brocky Joe. The latter,
+a stout, red-faced individual, with flaming necktie and
+blazing diamonds, was evidently speaker for the entire
+party.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We would like,&rdquo; he began, in a high-pitched, falsetto
+voice, &ldquo;to express our regrets for what has occurred, and
+I wish to state on behalf of my associates here, and also
+personally, that there was no ill feeling toward your
+friend, and I am perfectly willing to overlook the small
+amount of indebtedness; and if there is anything we can
+do, in the way of sharing the burial expenses, or anything
+of the kind, we shall be glad to do so.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Your assistance is not needed,&rdquo; replied Houston, in
+a cold, cutting tone, &ldquo;you have already done your work;
+you and your ilk have brought him where he is, and that
+is enough,&rdquo; and he turned abruptly from them.</p>
+<p>As he re-entered the room, he met Mollie, who cast an
+appealing glance at him. She could not have been over
+twenty years of age, but she looked worn and haggard.
+Her hair was disheveled, large, dark rings encircled her
+heavy, lusterless eyes, now swollen with weeping, and
+there was a look of helpless and hopeless despair in her
+glance that aroused Houston&rsquo;s pity. It was a new experience
+for him to be brought into contact with these
+wrecked and ruined lives, and sorrow for the one life
+which had gone out so suddenly and needlessly, made
+him pitiful toward all.</p>
+<p>A look of pity, a word of pure, disinterested kindness,
+was something new in the life of the poor creature before
+him, and she began sobbing afresh:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s gone,&rdquo; she moaned, &ldquo;and I don&rsquo;t want to live no
+longer.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Did you care so much for him?&rdquo; asked Houston, wonderingly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; she sobbed, &ldquo;I never cared for nobody but him.
+I thought once he cared for me, but after a while I found
+he didn&rsquo;t, and then I went to the bad as fast as I could,
+but still I cared for him. I never was very good, for I
+never had no chance to be, but I&rsquo;d &rsquo;a been different from
+what I am, if he&rsquo;d only &rsquo;a cared for me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston went back into the wretched room, and
+looked long and sadly at the one who, in his last moments
+of despair, had called him his friend. He recalled the
+story told him that night among the rocks; he thought
+of the life ruined by a mother&rsquo;s neglect and sin, and now
+of another life shut out in hopeless misery because of his
+indifference and neglect, and Houston realized at that
+moment, as never before, the influences, for good or for
+evil, extending from one human life to another, spreading
+onward and onward,</p>
+<p class='center'>&ldquo;As wave follows wave across the sea,&rdquo;</p>
+<p>till the widening circles at last touch the shores of eternity.</p>
+<p>An hour or two later, when Houston stepped over to
+the depot to meet the incoming special freight, he was
+somewhat surprised to see Mr. Blaisdell step from the
+train, and in his white face, his firmly set mouth with its
+hard lines, and his pale blue eyes, it could readily be seen
+that he knew nothing of pity or mercy for the man who
+had served him so faithfully.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I did not expect you so early, Mr. Blaisdell,&rdquo; said
+Houston, as they exchanged greetings, &ldquo;I thought after
+receiving my dispatch you would feel no anxiety, and
+would probably not come out till the evening train.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Your telegram was a great relief,&rdquo; Mr. Blaisdell answered
+in an excited tone, &ldquo;but I was all ready to come,
+as, from the tenor of Haight&rsquo;s message this morning, I
+feared the worst. You are sure the affairs of the company
+are all right?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Perfectly sure,&rdquo; replied Houston, calmly, &ldquo;so far as
+money is concerned, poor Morgan has wronged no one
+but himself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell, with a sigh of relief, &ldquo;I am
+glad to hear that, but this is an outrageous affair,&ndash;&ndash;simply
+outrageous,&ndash;&ndash;a man in his responsible position, trusted as
+he has been, coming to such an end as this, under such
+circumstances and amid such surroundings! It is a disgrace
+to himself, and to those associated with him in business,&ndash;&ndash;to
+the entire company!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The thought flashed through Houston&rsquo;s mind that a
+deeper disgrace than this awaited the company, but he
+only replied:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I had not looked at it in that light, Mr. Blaisdell; I, as
+one of his associates, certainly feel no disgrace attached
+to myself. I had thought only of the terrible pity for a
+life so needlessly ruined and lost.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Pity!&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell, contemptuously, &ldquo;If a man
+willfully degrades himself and disgraces his friends, I
+have no pity for him, he deserves none for such dishonorable,
+dishonest conduct.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;His dishonesty, as you term it, must have been of
+rather an unusual type,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;since I offered
+him money only last night, and he refused to take it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;So you knew of his habits and offered him money?
+It was your duty to have reported him to me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I do not need you, Mr. Blaisdell, or any one else, to
+tell me what my duty is here,&rdquo; replied Houston, with
+dignity, &ldquo;I did not know until recently to what extent
+Morgan was gambling, and when a man is in trouble, I
+will never give him a push downward.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>One of the workmen just then came to Houston for
+instructions regarding the shipment which he had ordered
+from Silver City, thus attracting Mr. Blaisdell&rsquo;s attention
+in that direction.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is this, Houston?&rdquo; he exclaimed angrily, &ldquo;what
+does this mean? You certainly had no right, no authority
+to order these things; the company will not pay one
+cent toward the burial of a man who has proven himself
+so unworthy of the confidence reposed in him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Blaisdell,&rdquo; said Houston, calmly, but in a tone
+his employer had never heard before, &ldquo;there is not the
+least necessity for the company to pay one cent, or for
+you to feel any concern in this matter. I have ordered
+these things myself, personally, upon my own responsibility.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For the first time Mr. Blaisdell had found an employe
+who evidently did not stand in fear of him, and surprise
+held him silent for a moment.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; he answered, in an altered tone, &ldquo;but I
+must say I can see no reason for such a quixotic proceeding
+on your part; I never supposed you and Morgan
+were particular friends.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Here is my reason,&rdquo; Houston replied, handing him
+the bit of paper bearing Morgan&rsquo;s last words; &ldquo;When a
+despairing man, in his last moments, appeals to me as his
+friend, and his only friend, even though that man were my
+worst enemy, I would feel in duty bound to do for him
+everything that a friend could do.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Blaisdell returned the slip, and there was a new respect
+indicated in tone and manner, as he replied:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know but you are right, do as you think best.
+I am going up to the camp, you can come whenever you
+are ready.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I shall be there in a few hours,&rdquo; said Houston, and
+they separated.</p>
+<p>A little later, everything that he could do had been
+done, and as Houston looked for the last time upon the
+pale face, where the angel of death was already smoothing
+out the lines traced by the last few days of suffering, and
+softening the features into a look of contentment and
+peace, he was glad that in the last moments of that life,
+there had come faith, even in one human being.</p>
+<p>Early the next morning, a little group was gathered in
+a beautiful, secluded spot, on the mountain side, overlooking
+the station. Houston and Van Dorn were there,
+and a clergyman from a little parish in a small town a few
+miles distant, to whom the sad story had been told, read
+the simple but impressive words of the burial service and
+offered a brief prayer. And, as the weary body was lowered
+to its final resting place, at the foot of the murmuring
+pines, there came to the minds of Houston and Van
+Dorn the memory of the burial of a class-mate in the old
+college days, and simultaneously their voices rose on the
+clear, morning air, blending in the words chanted on that
+former occasion:&ndash;&ndash;&ndash;</p>
+<p class='center'>&ldquo;Rest, brother, rest in thy last, long sleep.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Slowly the little company dispersed, each going his
+own way. Upon Houston&rsquo;s mind the events of those last
+twenty-four hours had left an impression never to be effaced,
+but to most in that community one human life,
+more or less, was of slight significance. To them, life
+was but one great game, in which fortune, reputation,
+character, everything which they possessed, whether
+much or little, was staked on the high card. No wonder
+that little thought was given to the losers, dropping out,
+one by one!</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXXII' id='CHAPTER_XXXII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>The following days were crowded with work for Houston.
+A bookkeeper was immediately sent over from Silver
+City to do the office work, but, excepting Houston,
+the company had no man, both competent and who could
+be trusted, to fill Morgan&rsquo;s position. It was therefore arranged
+that for the next few weeks, until they could ascertain
+the address of a former superintendent, who had
+recently returned east, and communicate with him, Houston
+was to superintend the working of all the mines.</p>
+<p>This involved much additional work and responsibility,
+but Houston filled the position so satisfactorily and
+showed such business tact and executive ability, that Mr.
+Blaisdell, on his return to Silver City, had fully determined
+to retain him permanently as superintendent at
+the mines, and, if possible, secure Barden, their former
+man, as an assistant.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I tell you, Rivers, that Houston is a capable man,
+wonderfully capable,&rdquo; he said, having related to the remaining
+officers of the company Houston&rsquo;s success in
+filling Morgan&rsquo;s position.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It seems to me, Blaisdell,&rdquo; said Mr. Brunnell, the
+benevolent looking old gentleman whom Houston had
+seen on his first visit to the offices, and one of the board of
+directors, &ldquo;it seems to me you had better look out for him
+yourself; that young man is rising so fast, he&rsquo;s likely to
+oust you yet.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, no, I guess not,&rdquo; replied Mr. Blaisdell confidently,
+with his complacent smile, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think you fellows
+could get along without me, just yet. I don&rsquo;t know what
+we would do with him, though, in case of any disagreement,
+he&rsquo;s as independent as though he were a millionaire
+instead of a salaried clerk; he would never care a rap
+for anything we might say, he would take his own way
+every time,&rdquo; and Mr. Blaisdell gave an account of his interview
+with Houston at the Y.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Humph!&rdquo; sniffed Mr. Rivers contemptuously, &ldquo;You&rsquo;d
+better let me manage that fellow, Blaisdell, he&rsquo;ll run away
+with you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;ll run away with those mines up there, Blaisdell,&rdquo;
+chuckled Mr. Brunnell, peering over his glasses at the
+general manager, who was strutting pompously about the
+office.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, you fellows may joke as much as you please,&rdquo;
+said Mr. Blaisdell, a little testily, &ldquo;I tell you the man is
+smart.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Confound it! I know he&rsquo;s smart; I tell you he&rsquo;s too
+damned smart for you!&rdquo; responded Mr. Rivers, who had
+very little respect for Mr. Blaisdell&rsquo;s business ability, but
+found him a very convenient cat&rsquo;s-paw.</p>
+<p>As early as possible after the completion of the new arrangements
+at the mines, Houston and Van Dorn, in accordance
+with a previous engagement, visited Jack at his
+cabin. The hour was late, and as they entered the room
+already familiar to Houston, a lamp was burning brightly,
+but a heavy screen hung over it, concentrating the light
+upon the table beneath, on which lay various drawings
+and tracings, and allowing only a dim light to pervade
+the room.</p>
+<p>Houston introduced Van Dorn, whom Jack greeted
+with characteristic courtesy, though with something of
+his old reserve, and having seated his guests, he at once
+proceeded to the discussion of the business which had
+brought them together.</p>
+<p>In reply to an inquiry of his regarding the present situation
+of affairs, Houston informed him of the arrangement
+just completed by which he was to have entire
+charge of the work at the mines for the next few weeks,
+until the coming of Mr. Barden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Your present position is much more favorable for your
+work,&rdquo; replied Jack, &ldquo;it is exceedingly doubtful whether
+the company will have any use for the services of Mr.
+Barden.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston then stated briefly what had been done since
+Van Dorn&rsquo;s arrival, adding in conclusion, &ldquo;Of course,
+we would have accomplished more within this time, had
+it not been for the confusion and changes resulting from
+Morgan&rsquo;s sudden death.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Jack, &ldquo;that has hindered you temporarily,
+but it will result to your advantage. All that I regretted
+was that an examination which I hoped you and Mr.
+Van Dorn might be able to make last week, immediately
+upon his arrival, will now have to be postponed until
+next week, but even that is better as it is.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How is that?&rdquo; inquired Houston, with much interest,
+&ldquo;to what do you refer?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I refer to the Lucky Chance mine; are you familiar
+with that property?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not especially,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;I have paid no attention
+to it, as it was not one in which our company was interested,
+nor one of which I was in charge. Since the
+recent change, I have visited the mine once with Mr.
+Blaisdell, but we only went in a short distance, and he
+informed me there was but little work done there, and
+but few men employed.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; replied Jack, with peculiar emphasis, &ldquo;but that
+&lsquo;little work&rsquo; as he terms it yields the company a larger percentage
+than any other single mine which they own.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston&rsquo;s face expressed considerable astonishment.
+&ldquo;You surprise me,&rdquo; he exclaimed, &ldquo;because I thought
+I knew their best paying properties, and I never would
+have supposed that was one of them, either from my own
+observation, or from anything I have heard of it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It would not be for the interests of the company to
+have much said regarding the mine, or to have the workings
+investigated very closely. You are probably aware
+that the claim adjoins the Yankee Boy?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; answered Houston, &ldquo;I am aware of that
+fact.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; replied Jack, rising and going to the
+table. &ldquo;I have prepared some diagrams here which I
+would like you and Mr. Van Dorn to examine. Here
+you will see,&rdquo; he continued, as they drew their chairs
+near the table,&ldquo; the boundaries and underground workings
+of the Lucky Chance mine, with their approximate
+measurements. Please look them over and see if you
+detect any irregularities.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Both Houston and Van Dorn studied the diagram carefully
+for a moment, when the latter exclaimed:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why, the main tunnel extends more than a hundred
+feet beyond the boundary line.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Now allow me to substitute this diagram,&rdquo; said Jack,
+spreading a larger tracing before them. &ldquo;This is the same
+as the other with the addition of a portion of the boundary
+lines and underground workings of the adjoining
+claim, the Yankee Boy.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah, I see,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;the tunnel from the Lucky
+Chance has been carried beyond the boundary line in
+such a direction as to strike the vein of the adjoining
+claim.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That is it exactly,&rdquo; said Van Dorn, &ldquo;no wonder the
+mine pays well!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;As I stated before,&rdquo; continued Jack, &ldquo;these measurements,
+and, to a certain extent, the course of the tunnel,
+are given approximately, as I had no means of ascertaining
+the exact data, but I know they are essentially correct.
+It only remains for you, gentlemen, to verify this,
+by making an examination of the tunnel and taking the
+courses and measurements exactly, and also by comparing
+the ore now taken out with that originally found in
+the mine, and with the ore of the Yankee Boy, and you
+will then have evidence of the greatest fraud which has
+been perpetrated upon the rightful owners of the Yankee
+Boy, and which has been carried on for the last four or
+five years.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But how did you discover this?&rdquo; asked Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I first came here,&rdquo; replied Jack, &ldquo;shortly after the
+sale of the Yankee Boy group of properties had been consummated.
+Within a few months afterward, the company
+located the Lucky Chance mine; development work
+was carried forward as rapidly as possible, quite a number
+of men being employed, of which I was one. It was evident
+that in locating this mine, the company hoped they
+had struck an extension of the vein of the Yankee Boy
+lode; it proved of an entirely different character, however,
+yielding rather a low-grade ore. The claim was surveyed
+and patented as soon as the necessary amount of improvements,
+required by law, had been placed upon it.
+After obtaining patent, the company then extended the
+tunnel in an entirely different direction, and, as you will
+find upon investigation, beyond the boundary line, until
+it intersected a portion of the Yankee Boy vein. Here
+a body of very rich ore was struck, and the mine has been
+a paying property ever since. For this last work very
+few men were retained, and but few have been employed
+there since, those few being men whom the company
+thought could be trusted, or upon whom they had some
+hold by which they could compel them to silence. I was
+employed there until very recently, and from the first
+had a thorough understanding of the course and extent
+of the different workings, and consequently am perfectly
+familiar with them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Everard,&rdquo; said Van Dorn, for whom work of this kind
+possessed a special attraction, &ldquo;I think this is just about
+the kind of an expedition we will like.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think so myself,&rdquo; Houston replied, &ldquo;but at the same
+time, it is the most risky piece of work we have yet undertaken,
+and we will have to depend upon our friend
+here for suggestions and advice. You will of course accompany
+us?&rdquo; he added, turning to Jack, who had withdrawn
+from the table and was sitting in the dim light.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; responded Jack, &ldquo;it would be a very dangerous
+undertaking for two strangers to go through that
+part of the mine without a guide at any time, especially
+at night, and it will be at best, a hazardous piece of work.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How many are employed there? and what class of
+men are they?&rdquo; inquired Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;About a dozen on the night shift,&rdquo; Jack replied,
+&ldquo;mostly Cornishmen, but whatever their nationality, it
+is usually the most treacherous and brutal men that we
+have that are employed by the company in that mine.
+Maverick used to work there until he was transferred
+above ground. It will not be necessary for us to come
+in contact with very many of them, however, as they are
+so widely scattered through the mine, and on the night
+shift next week, there will be four men,&ndash;&ndash;a father and
+three sons,&ndash;&ndash;who will do just about whatever I say, especially
+if a little money is given them. Mr. Houston&rsquo;s
+new position as superintendent, will aid us very materially.
+A visit from him, with me as guide, will not excite
+suspicion, but Mr. Van Dorn will be suspected in a moment,
+and we must disguise him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Van Dorn whistled softly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Could you assume the Irish dialect, on an occasion
+like this, Mr. Van Dorn?&rdquo; Jack inquired.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;An&rsquo; shure,&rdquo; exclaimed Van Dorn, with the broadest
+accent imaginable, &ldquo;an&rsquo; will yez be afther tellin&rsquo; me, be-dad!
+why I should not shpake me own mither tongue?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Both Houston and Jack laughed at Van Dorn&rsquo;s ready
+answer.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You will do,&rdquo; Jack said quietly, but in a tone so rich
+and musical as to chain the attention of his guests while
+he proceeded to plan the details of their visit to the mine.</p>
+<p>In an hour or two, the modus operandi had been fully
+decided upon, and nothing remained but to fix the night
+for their expedition, and this it was thought best to leave
+to be determined by circumstances the following week.
+The instruments needed for taking measurements were to
+be taken down beforehand by Houston, and concealed in
+a safe place near the mine, and on the night of the examination,
+he was to go from the house directly to the mine,
+where he would be joined by Jack and Van Dorn, the latter
+dressed in a suit of Mike&rsquo;s mining clothes, and personating
+him as closely as possible.</p>
+<p>All arrangements being now as nearly complete as possible,
+Houston and Van Dorn bade their host a cordial
+good night, and walked cheerfully homeward, in the cool,
+night air, under the star-lit sky, all unconscious of a pair
+of eyes, which from behind a large rock, had eagerly
+watched for their appearance, and followed their every
+movement.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXXIII' id='CHAPTER_XXXIII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>As Houston and Van Dorn disappeared around a turn
+in the road, the figure of Haight emerged into the starlight
+from behind a large rock where he had been concealed
+most of the time during their stay at the cabin. Incidently
+he had seen them on their way to visit Jack, and
+the lateness of the hour combined with the direction in
+which they were going, aroused his curiosity to such a
+degree that he followed them at a distance, and having
+seen them enter the cabin, his suspicious nature was at
+once on the alert.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I guess I&rsquo;ll find out what in the devil this means,&rdquo; he
+said to himself, as he paused behind a rock at a little distance,
+determined to ascertain what he could regarding
+their movements.</p>
+<p>It was a long and wearisome watch; once or twice he
+ventured near the cabin, to see whether by closer observation
+he could obtain any clue to what might be going
+on within, but the closely shaded window gave no sign,
+and beyond an occasional low murmuring of voices, nothing
+disturbed the silence, except once a low, ominous
+growl from Rex, as he caught sight of Haight&rsquo;s skulking
+figure from his station just outside the door.</p>
+<p>When at last the door opened, and Houston and Van
+Dorn stepped forth into the calm night, the lynx-eyed
+watcher failed to detect anything beyond a friendly leave-taking,
+after which the two walked homeward, chatting
+in the most commonplace manner imaginable.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;By George!&rdquo; he soliloquized, as he followed at a safe
+distance, &ldquo;I wonder if I haven&rsquo;t had my labor for my
+pains! But that did look mighty queer anyhow, their
+going &rsquo;round to see the old chap, and I&rsquo;ll wager there&rsquo;s
+something in it, too. I shouldn&rsquo;t wonder if that Van
+Dorn is out here in the interest of that old party who was
+looking at mines a while ago, and with Houston&rsquo;s help
+is going to get a few pointers. Jack knows pretty well
+what is going on around here, and may be a little money
+would make him talk. I&rsquo;m going to keep watch of some
+of these smart people, and I know of one or two that will
+help me about it. If I can get hold of anything, I&rsquo;ll report
+it to Rivers; Houston has pulled the wool over
+Blaisdell&rsquo;s eyes, but Rivers won&rsquo;t have anybody monkeying
+round these mines, and if I can once put him on the
+track, there&rsquo;ll be a few less of these swells about, and it
+will be money in my pocket.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Late as it was when Houston and Van Dorn returned
+to the house, Miss Gladden and Lyle had not retired.
+Houston had told Miss Gladden the secret of his business
+there in the mining camp, and, true to Lyle&rsquo;s prediction,
+he had found her, while quick to realize the dangers of his
+position, yet able to assist him by her readiness to enter
+into his feelings, her interest in his plans and her timely
+suggestions. Once she had met Jack since learning
+Houston&rsquo;s secret, and in a few, well-chosen words, had
+conveyed to him her knowledge of the fact that he was
+giving her lover aid and protection in his work, and her
+gratitude therefor.</p>
+<p>She and Lyle were aware of the import of the visit to
+the cabin that night, and they sat in the dusky shadows,
+looking out into the night, alternately talking in low
+tones, and listening for the return of Houston and his
+friend.</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden was the first to catch the sound of her
+lover&rsquo;s voice, as he and Van Dorn approached the house,
+and a moment later, they heard the ringing laugh of the
+latter.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They are evidently in good spirits,&rdquo; remarked Lyle,
+&ldquo;their visit must have been a satisfactory one.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Van Dorn seems so jubilant they must have made
+some new discoveries,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;he never
+seems so happy as when he is ferreting out some fraud,
+or unearthing some dishonest scheme.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There is material enough here to make his happiness
+complete for some time,&rdquo; said Lyle rather bitterly, &ldquo;I
+only wish every one of the guilty parties could be brought
+to justice, but I doubt whether they ever will be.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why?&rdquo; exclaimed Miss Gladden in surprise, &ldquo;do you
+think Mr. Houston will fail after all?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, not that necessarily,&rdquo; Lyle answered, &ldquo;but even
+if he succeeds in getting his evidence together, and his
+friends come out from the east, I do not believe they will
+ever succeed in securing the ones who are most guilty,
+who have planned and plotted the whole thing. Over
+and over again, people whom they have wronged and defrauded
+have brought suit against them, but to no purpose;
+they are continually involved in litigation, but they
+always manage to evade the law in one way or another,
+I do not claim to understand how.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I would not think they could escape with all the evidence
+accumulating against them now,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden
+thoughtfully.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You wouldn&rsquo;t think so,&rdquo; replied Lyle, &ldquo;but you don&rsquo;t
+know them. Who is that?&rdquo; she asked suddenly, catching
+sight in the dim light of a figure approaching the
+house.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It looks like Haight,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;but why
+is he creeping along so cautiously?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I believe he has been following Mr. Houston,&rdquo; said
+Lyle, quickly, &ldquo;wait a minute, keep perfectly quiet, so he
+will think every one is asleep up stairs,&rdquo; and in an instant,
+she was going swiftly and noiselessly down the stairs.
+The door at the foot of the stairs was partially open, and
+Lyle could hear Haight, as, after opening the outside
+door very carefully, he stepped lightly toward the room
+occupied by Houston and Van Dorn; here he paused and
+listened, but evidently hearing nothing, he cautiously
+made his way across to the room of Mr. and Mrs. Maverick,
+the door of which was ajar.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Jim!&rdquo; he whispered, &ldquo;Jim, wake up!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Who&rsquo;s that? What d&rsquo;ye want?&rdquo; came the response in
+a surly tone.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Sh! don&rsquo;t make any noise,&rdquo; he whispered, &ldquo;it&rsquo;s Haight;
+get up and come out on the porch, but be quiet about it;
+I want to have a talk with you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A muttered assent was given, and Haight tip-toed softly
+out to the porch, and sat down.</p>
+<p>Lyle crept up-stairs again to Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be frightened,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;but I believe Haight
+must have seen or heard something;&rdquo; and she hastily told
+what she had overheard.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Now,&rdquo; said she in conclusion, &ldquo;the window on the
+porch is open, and as soon as they are both outside, I will
+go there and listen. Even if I cannot hear all that is said
+I will probably catch enough to learn what is going on.
+You wait for me and keep perfectly quiet.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A few moments later, Maverick shuffled out on the
+porch and sat down beside Haight with a growl.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Damned pretty time, I sh&rsquo;d think, to talk! What in
+hell do you want?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, you were long enough getting out here,&rdquo; said
+Haight, in his smoothest tones, all unaware of a figure
+that had glided to the open window behind him, and now
+knelt within six feet of him. &ldquo;Now quit your growling,
+for you and I are good friends, Jim, and I want your advice.
+Jim,&rdquo; he continued in a lower tone, &ldquo;what would
+you think two fellows like Houston and Van Dorn would
+want with that old chap, Jack?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Huh?&rdquo; said Maverick, rather stupidly, &ldquo;what are ye
+drivin&rsquo; at?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Wake up! you&rsquo;re half asleep, Jim! Your two dandy
+boarders here only just came home about twenty minutes
+ago; they&rsquo;ve been for the last three or four hours
+down there in Jack&rsquo;s cabin, with the windows all shut
+tight and curtains down, and still as death. What do you
+suppose that means?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Damned if I know,&rdquo; was the laconic response.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Now, Jim, don&rsquo;t be so uncommunicative; there may
+be something in this for you and me if we just put our
+heads together, &lsquo;two heads are better than one,&rsquo; you know,
+so set your thinking machine to work and grind out some
+ideas.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Maverick, slowly, &ldquo;I dun&rsquo;no what that
+Houston, damn him, would be runnin&rsquo; &rsquo;round after Jack
+for, unless he wanted to get some p&rsquo;inters on the mines
+some way.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s it, go ahead!&rdquo; said Haight.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Houston,&rdquo; continued Maverick, with an oath and applying
+a vile epithet, &ldquo;is too all-fired smart to notice anybody,
+and Jack&rsquo;s another, so they&rsquo;d be likely to hitch.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s right,&rdquo; said Haight, &ldquo;now what object would
+he be likely to have in getting information from Jack?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I dun&rsquo;no,&rdquo; said the other, &ldquo;unless mebbe he&rsquo;s paid by
+somebody on the outside.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Haight, &ldquo;I guess we&rsquo;ve got about the same
+idea of it; it&rsquo;s my opinion he is paid by somebody, and
+that somebody is Van Dorn, or whoever&rsquo;s backing him.
+I don&rsquo;t put much stock in this machinery business of his;
+he don&rsquo;t act like a fellow that needs to go peddling machines
+about the country, and I notice he don&rsquo;t seem in
+any great rush about putting it up, now he&rsquo;s got here;
+he ain&rsquo;t one of the kind that has to rustle for a living, like
+you and me. I think he&rsquo;s just out here getting pointers
+on the mines for that old fellow that was here a while
+ago, and he&rsquo;s probably paying Houston a good, round
+sum for helping him along, and now they&rsquo;ve got Jack
+roped in on the deal.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Maverick savagely, &ldquo;if that&rsquo;s their game,
+I guess &rsquo;twill be dead easy stoppin&rsquo; it any time we&rsquo;re a
+mind to; these &rsquo;ere mines is awfully unsafe places for a
+tenderfoot to be prowlin&rsquo; &rsquo;round in,&rdquo; and he laughed a
+cruel laugh, very familiar to the listener at the window.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so,&rdquo; assented Haight, &ldquo;I think we&rsquo;d better keep
+close watch of these fellows, and if they get too fresh, just
+have &rsquo;em laid out with a sandbag or two.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Better&rsquo;n that,&rdquo; said Maverick, &ldquo;to take &rsquo;em some time
+in the mines; folks like them are likely to get dizzy and
+fall some times, or get in the way of the ore buckets and
+be knocked silly.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, I&rsquo;ll tell you what I want you to do; I&rsquo;ll keep
+watch, and if I know of their going down to the cabin
+again, I want you to put some men on to watch out for
+them; we&rsquo;ll investigate and find out what is going on.
+Put on what men you please, and have them report to
+me, and we&rsquo;ll find out what this means, and make our
+plans accordingly.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That there&rsquo;s a damned ticklish place to get any of the
+men to go late at night,&rdquo; said Maverick reflectively.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why so?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That place is harnted, ye know, by the man on the
+spotted horse.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, nonsense!&rdquo; ejaculated Haight.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a fact though; he rides up and down there once
+in a while, and I wouldn&rsquo;t want ter see him myself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, hang your ghost!&rdquo; said Haight, impatiently, &ldquo;tell
+your men if they see it to shoot it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That wouldn&rsquo;t do no good,&rdquo; responded Maverick
+doggedly, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the sight of it brings bad luck, and sometimes
+death. There was a fellow here two years ago, he
+seen it one night, and the next day he was killed in the
+mines; they said the ghost had called him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Haight, rising, &ldquo;It would be well if your
+ghost would only call Houston and Van Dorn some
+night; but I want you to do as I say, anyway.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle, who had caught nearly every word of this conversation,
+now rose quickly and retreated to the kitchen,
+knowing she would there be safe from detection, and
+could also judge of their movements. Nothing further
+was said, however; Haight went stealthily up-stairs to his
+room, and Maverick, after cursing to himself a few moments,
+was soon snoring profoundly, and Lyle then returned
+to Miss Gladden&rsquo;s room. She felt a sickening sensation
+as she repeated the conversation to her friend, and
+realized all that it meant. Miss Gladden was inexpressibly
+shocked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lyle, my dear child, is it possible that they would go
+to such extreme limits as that. I had thought that he
+would be in danger of some assault in the dark, or something
+of that kind, but to trap him in the mines! I never
+dreamed of anything so cowardly, so dastardly! He will
+be in constant danger in the performance of his daily
+round of duties.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Dear Leslie,&rdquo; said Lyle,&ndash;&ndash;for thus Miss Gladden had
+of late requested her to address her,&ndash;&ndash;&ldquo;I have told you,
+you did not realize what a place this is, and the worst of
+all is, that it is my father who is planning this, after all the
+kindness which you and Mr. Houston have shown me!
+What must you think of us?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Of you, my dear child? I love you and trust you the
+same as ever,&rdquo; exclaimed Miss Gladden impulsively, &ldquo;he
+is no father of yours!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle, in her grief, did not notice the import of Miss
+Gladden&rsquo;s words, but she exclaimed passionately:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I will never call that man father again as long as I
+live, and if it ever comes to that, I will shoot him, rather
+than let him injure Mr. Houston.&rdquo; Then, a moment later,
+she added more calmly:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I must not allow myself to become excited, I must
+think and plan. Do you know, I was so glad that they
+have not, as yet, found the real clue to what is going on,
+and do not even suspect the truth, and they must not be
+allowed even to surmise it; as long as they do not, Mr.
+Houston is comparatively safe, and they must not be allowed
+to watch him, or get any clue to his movements.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But how can you prevent it, dear? You know the
+country and the people so much better than I, that you
+can plan and direct far better than I can; you command,
+dear Lyle, and you will find me ready to obey, afraid of
+nothing, not death itself, if I can only help him and save
+him from his enemies.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You had better write a note to him to-night, to give
+him quietly in the morning, as you may not have an opportunity
+for a long talk with him so early, and tell him
+what I have told you. Then he can probably make arrangements
+with Jack by writing, so that he will not need
+to go to the cabin again at present; or, if necessary, I can
+go for him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But what will they do about their intended examination
+of the mines? They will surely be watched then.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;All they can do is to make their plans as quietly and
+secretly as possible, and then go prepared for the worst,
+but I think I can help them there; I have a scheme of
+my own, something that occurred to me while listening
+to their conversation, which I will tell you later.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The note was written, and it was nearly daylight, when
+the two at last retired, to rest possibly, but not to sleep.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXXIV' id='CHAPTER_XXXIV'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXIV.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>For the next ensuing days there were no more visits to
+the cabin. According to Lyle&rsquo;s suggestion, a few notes
+were quietly exchanged between Houston and Jack; thus
+their plans were maturing, while there was nothing which
+outsiders could detect.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, Haight had bestowed considerable attention
+upon Miss Araminta Bixby, to the unspeakable delight
+of that individual, and had so ingratiated himself
+into her favor that she only too gladly consented to play
+the part of spy on the movements of Houston and Van
+Dorn. The two Maverick boys had also agreed to report
+to him whatever they were able to learn concerning
+these two.</p>
+<p>Houston and Van Dorn, however, did not seem quite
+so intimate of late. They were apparently as good friends
+as ever, but were not so frequently seen together. Nearly
+every evening, Van Dorn started out for a stroll, sometimes
+with Lyle, sometimes alone, often sauntering in
+the direction of the cabin, but never seen to enter; while
+Houston, after spending an hour or two with Miss Gladden,
+would walk down to the mines, and entering the various
+tunnels, or descending the shafts of one mine and
+another, would watch the night shift at their work, or inspect
+the workings, occasionally taking measurements
+here and there. On one of these trips Jack accompanied
+him, and on their return, they completed the arrangements
+for the visit to the Lucky Chance mine, the following
+night.</p>
+<p>On the afternoon of the next day, Houston returned to
+the house a little earlier than usual, having finished his
+work for the day at the mines and mills, and as he with
+Miss Gladden and Lyle, sat in the little porch, they were
+joined a few moments later by Van Dorn. In low tones
+the plans for the evening were discussed.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Of course,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;we shall go prepared for
+trouble, but I do not anticipate that we shall meet with
+any. Even if we are watched, our course of procedure
+will differ so slightly from what we have followed for a
+week past, I think it will not excite suspicion.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They have watched me so many evenings to no purpose,
+they may be off guard to-night,&rdquo; said Van Dorn.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t flatter yourself that you will escape &lsquo;Minty&rsquo;s&rsquo;
+espionage for a single night,&rdquo; replied Lyle, &ldquo;she would remain
+out all night watching you to gain a smile from
+Haight in the morning.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Van Dorn laughed. &ldquo;So it is the charming Miss Bixby
+whose watchful eye is upon me!&rdquo; he exclaimed, &ldquo;I
+think I will have to enter the lists as Haight&rsquo;s rival, and
+see if I cannot win such faithful devotion upon the right
+side.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;After you are gone,&rdquo; said Lyle, &ldquo;I will soon be able to
+tell whether there will be men sent out to watch you to-night;
+and I shall act accordingly,&rdquo; she added, with a
+smile at Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why, Miss Maverick, what will you do?&rdquo; inquired
+Van Dorn, &ldquo;you must not expose yourself in any way.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I will be in no danger,&rdquo; she answered smiling.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have no idea what Lyle intends to do,&rdquo; said Houston,
+&ldquo;but I have great confidence in her plans, for she
+knows this class of people better than we, and I have
+found her judgment to be relied upon, on every occasion
+so far.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle&rsquo;s beautiful eyes spoke her thanks for his words of
+appreciation, as she asked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;At what hour will you have completed the examination,
+and be ready to leave the mine?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Probably very near twelve o&rsquo;clock,&rdquo; Houston replied,
+&ldquo;we cannot accomplish our work much before that time,
+and I do not wish to be out much later.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Lyle, merrily, but with a slightly mysterious
+air, &ldquo;if you are out at that hour, you may see the
+phantom horse and his rider.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why, how is that?&rdquo; inquired Van Dorn wonderingly,
+while Houston remarked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If we see nothing more than phantoms, we shall be
+very happily disappointed.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;All right,&rdquo; she responded, &ldquo;if the ghost walks to-night,
+don&rsquo;t be surprised,&rdquo; and hearing some one enter the dining
+room to make preparations for the evening meal, she
+left them, and the subject of conversation changed immediately.</p>
+<p>A few hours later, Houston started as usual for the
+mines. There was nothing out of the ordinary course of
+affairs in this, except that the leave-taking between him
+and Leslie was unusually tender, but of this no one knew
+but themselves. A little earlier, Van Dorn had left for
+his customary stroll, giving Lyle an invitation to accompany
+him, which she declined on the plea of being very
+busy. She immediately withdrew to the kitchen, and
+smiled to herself presently, as she saw Minty, with an air
+of great importance, starting out in the same direction.
+She had been gone about half an hour, when Lyle, who
+was again seated in the porch, caught sight of her moon-shaped
+face peering around the corner of the house in
+frantic endeavors to attract Haight&rsquo;s attention. As he
+was facing in almost an opposite direction, her efforts
+were unavailing, and Lyle, who could with difficulty restrain
+a smile, added to her embarrassment by inquiring
+in the blandest tones:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is it, Araminta? do you wish to see me?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At the mention of her name, Haight turned suddenly,
+just as the blushing Miss Bixby was stammering out his
+name, and catching his eye, she began nodding vigorously,
+to signify the importance of her errand.</p>
+<p>For once, Haight&rsquo;s punctilious suavity upon which he
+prided himself, deserted him, and exclaiming, partly in
+anger, and partly as a blind, &ldquo;Confound it! what does the
+fool want of me?&rdquo; he disappeared around the house, while
+Lyle exchanged glances with Miss Gladden, and the inoffensive
+young bookkeeper, recently imported from Silver
+City, looked on in mute astonishment.</p>
+<p>At the kitchen door, Haight found his agent and spy,
+her face shining with delight that she at last had some
+news to impart.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s went in there to-night, Mr. Haight,&rdquo; she cried
+breathlessly, &ldquo;I seen him; I&rsquo;ve watched him every night,
+but he&rsquo;s never went in till to-night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You fool!&rdquo; exclaimed Haight, angrily, &ldquo;why couldn&rsquo;t
+you come around and give me the tip on the quiet, instead
+of standing there grimacing like an idiot, making
+a fool of yourself and me, too? Where are the boys?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Such a greeting was too much for Minty, after her
+faithfulness; her anger was too great even for words, she
+was speechless and without deigning even a look at
+Haight, she went into the house, and rushing to her
+room, burst into a storm of tears, vowing then and there,
+between her sobs, that she would tell Mr. Van Dorn every
+word that Haight had said about him.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, Lyle, from her post of observation in the
+kitchen, saw Haight call Jim Maverick out from among
+a group of miners who had congregated for an evening&rsquo;s
+visit, and after a few words, Maverick signaled to one of
+the miners, who, with his two companions, came over
+and joined them. A few moments later the three started
+down the road, and Lyle heard Haight&rsquo;s final instructions
+to them:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Get onto what those fellows are about, if you have to
+stay till morning, and if you want any help, send Jake
+back.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>She knew the men; they were cruel and treacherous,
+and she was confident that they were well armed, but
+they were at the same time, cowards, and returning to
+Miss Gladden, she whispered:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I shall try my little experiment to-night, and I do not
+believe there will be any trouble.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>It was quite dark when the men who had been sent to
+watch for Van Dorn reached the little cabin. A lamp
+was burning within, as could be told by the lines of light
+around the edge of the dark shade at the window, but beyond
+this, there was neither sign nor sound. Having assured
+themselves that there was no way by which they
+could ascertain what was going on within, the men sat
+down behind a little clump of evergreens, and filling their
+pipes, prepared to await developments. Scarcely had they
+done so, however, when the light suddenly went out.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What the divil do they think they&rsquo;re givin&rsquo; us?&rdquo; said
+one of the men, with an oath.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They seen us mos&rsquo; likely, and they&rsquo;re tryin&rsquo; to fool us
+that there&rsquo;s nobody there.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They can&rsquo;t play no such trick on us as that, damn &rsquo;em,&rdquo;
+said the first speaker, but at that instant the cabin door
+opened, and two figures came out. The men sprang
+quickly to their feet, making no sound, and listening intently.
+They heard the lock click in the door, and Jack&rsquo;s
+voice bidding Rex take care of the house, to which he
+barked in reply; and then came Mike&rsquo;s broad voice:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The saints presarve us! but the baste knows more
+than mony a mon, I&rsquo;m afther thinkin&rsquo;.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That he does,&rdquo; replied Jack, &ldquo;and he is far more faithful.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The men, astonished, slunk back into the brush, their
+keen eyes watching every movement of the two as they
+passed; there was no mistaking those figures, or the
+rough clothes which they wore; it was Jack and Mike,
+and their powerful muscle was too well known throughout
+the camp, for any man, even the most brutal, to have
+the slightest wish to tackle either of them.</p>
+<p>As Jack and his companion passed out of hearing, the
+men dropped to the ground, and for a moment the air resounded
+with their profanity, while they held a brief consultation.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They&rsquo;ve tricked us, and that feller&rsquo;s hidin&rsquo; &rsquo;round
+here,&rdquo; said the leader, &ldquo;or else he went on ahead to the
+mines; he hadn&rsquo;t no time to go back to the house, for
+we&rsquo;d &rsquo;a met &rsquo;im. There&rsquo;s somethin&rsquo; in the wind to-night,&rdquo;
+he added with an oath, &ldquo;and I&rsquo;m goin&rsquo; to find out what
+&rsquo;tis. You fellers git after them two and keep &rsquo;em in sight;
+the boss is down there, and mebbe the other feller, too;
+if ye see &rsquo;im, send Jake to me, and I&rsquo;ll come &rsquo;round there
+and we&rsquo;ll lay for &rsquo;em. If he ain&rsquo;t there, he&rsquo;s here, hidin&rsquo;
+somewhere, and I&rsquo;ll watch and settle his hash for &rsquo;im all
+right when he does show up.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;d better git some more of the boys,&rdquo; said Jake,
+&ldquo;if we&rsquo;re goin&rsquo; to tackle them fellers with Jack and Mike
+along; that ain&rsquo;t no kind of a job I&rsquo;m hankerin&rsquo; after.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You damned fool!&rdquo; said the first speaker, &ldquo;who&rsquo;s
+said anything &rsquo;bout Jack and Mike? They&rsquo;ll come back
+the way they&rsquo;ve went, and them others will start up the
+canyon for the house, and if we three can&rsquo;t hold &rsquo;em up,
+my name ain&rsquo;t Pete Brody; now git!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack and his partner had met Houston in the Yankee
+Boy mine. As they emerged from the shaft a little later,
+the piercing eyes of Jack and Houston caught a glimpse
+of two figures skulking among the rocks at a distance.
+Van Dorn was at a slight disadvantage, being somewhat
+near-sighted, and having been obliged to take off his
+glasses when donning Mike&rsquo;s costume.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I know them,&rdquo; said Jack, &ldquo;they are two of the three
+that were outside the cabin, and one of them is about
+the biggest coward that breathes; we could dispose of a
+regiment of such men, but I prefer to get along without
+trouble if we can.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>They started for the other mine, Houston taking the
+lead and Van Dorn following, while Jack brought up the
+rear.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They are following us,&rdquo; said Jack, after two or three
+quick glances behind him, &ldquo;but at a distance; we will
+probably have a nearer view of them later, when we leave
+the mine.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>As they proceeded through the tunnel of the Lucky
+Chance mine, they met very few of the miners; they
+touched their caps to Houston with a sort of sullen civility,
+and greeted his companions with rough jests, which
+Jack received with his usual taciturn manner, but to
+which Van Dorn, from underneath his disguise, responded
+with bits of Irish blarney and wit, which greatly
+amused his associates.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, Pete Brody, as he kept his solitary watch
+before the cabin, was surprised by the sudden return of
+Jake.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Have ye found &rsquo;im?&rdquo; he inquired eagerly, &ldquo;Is he down
+there with the boss?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, he&rsquo;s not there.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then, what in hell are you back here for?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Bud sent me,&rdquo; answered Jake; &ldquo;he said to tell ye
+they&rsquo;ve gone into the Lucky Chance, and what do ye be
+thinkin&rsquo; o&rsquo; that?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The Lucky Chance!&rdquo; exclaimed Pete, &ldquo;then there&rsquo;s
+some diviltry a goin&rsquo; sure, for the old man, he don&rsquo;t let
+nobody into that mine &rsquo;thout he&rsquo;s along; and if that Van-what&rsquo;s-his-name
+ain&rsquo;t down there he&rsquo;s right here, that&rsquo;s
+all, and here I stays.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And me and Bud, we&rsquo;re to watch out for the boss?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, lay for &rsquo;im and overhaul &rsquo;im, and find out what
+the divil is goin&rsquo; on.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I guess he&rsquo;s a pretty tough feller to handle, from all
+I&rsquo;ve heerd,&rdquo; remarked Jake reflectively.</p>
+<p>Pete responded with an oath. &ldquo;Knock &rsquo;im silly, he&rsquo;ll
+be easy &rsquo;nough handlin&rsquo; then.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ye don&rsquo;t mean for to do &rsquo;im up, do ye Pete?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, I guess nobody&rsquo;d feel very bad if ye did.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jake went down the road, and Pete was alone once
+more. After waiting a while, he determined to ascertain,
+if possible, whether there was any one within the cabin.
+As he approached the door, there was a low savage growl
+from the faithful watcher within. Very stealthily he tried
+to open the door, but it was locked, and in response there
+was such a furious onset upon the other side, accompanied
+by such fierce growls, that he started back involuntarily.</p>
+<p>It was nearly twelve o&rsquo;clock, and Pete was growing
+desperate, and anxious to put an end to his long watch.
+He retreated to the road, and stood looking at the cabin,
+trying to decide whether he should break in the window
+and shoot the dog, and run the risk of being shot in return
+by whoever might be concealed within, when his
+attention was suddenly arrested by a strange sound, as
+of heavily muffled footsteps close behind him. He turned
+quickly, and in the starlight beheld a sight that seemed
+to chill the blood in his veins. Not more than fifty feet
+distant, and slowly approaching him, were the spotted
+horse and his ghostly rider.</p>
+<p>Every detail was perfect, like the description he had
+often heard given by others who had seen the frightful apparition:
+the man dressed in his miner&rsquo;s clothes, carrying
+the empty bag from which the gold had been stolen; his
+face ghastly white, and the blood streaming from his
+breast, while horse and rider were partially shrouded by
+a white covering which floated from behind them.</p>
+<p>Nearer and nearer came those strange footsteps, closer
+and closer the fearful sight, and still Pete stood, as if
+turned to stone, his eyes starting from their sockets, his
+hair rising, but unable to move or speak.</p>
+<p>Suddenly a long, low groan issuing from the ghastly
+lips seemed to break the spell, and with one terrible
+shriek, Pete gave two or three bounds out of the road,
+and ran for his life, jumping and leaping over the rocks
+and through the brush, like a wild man.</p>
+<p>The ghost gave a low, rippling laugh of satisfaction,
+and turning the horse, rode rapidly back in the direction
+from which it had come, until striking the road from the
+house to the mines, where the horse trotted briskly for
+some distance, but on nearing the mines, once more resumed
+his funereal pace.</p>
+<p>The two men concealed in the brush along the road
+had no warning of the approaching phantom, until they
+caught the sound of the strange footsteps, and peered
+cautiously out, only to see the fearful sight that Pete beheld
+shortly before.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Holy Moses!&rdquo; exclaimed Jake, with a yell, &ldquo;it&rsquo;s the
+ghost!&rdquo; The men jumped simultaneously into the road,
+and started for the miners&rsquo; quarters, screaming like maniacs.
+The ghost followed in swift pursuit until they were
+some distance past the mines; the men then being safely
+disposed of with no danger of their return, it turned slowly
+in the direction of the Lucky Chance mine.</p>
+<p>Houston and his friends, having accomplished their
+task, stepped forth from the tunnel into the starlight,
+looking carefully and searchingly in every direction.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There is no one to be seen at present,&rdquo; said Houston
+in low tones, &ldquo;they may be concealed about here, or we
+may meet them on the road to the house.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very probably,&rdquo; Jack replied, &ldquo;we must now proceed
+with the utmost caution. Mr. Van Dorn and I will accompany
+you to the house, and he had better then go with
+me to the cabin, in case there should be spies watching
+for our return, and it will be safer for him to remain there
+until nearly daylight, as none of the men will be out at
+that time, and he can return to the house unobserved.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>They had gone but a short distance, however, when,
+passing around a curve in the road, they beheld a sight
+that filled them with astonishment.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Shades of the departed!&rdquo; exclaimed Houston, &ldquo;what
+kind of an apparition is this?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack studied the approaching figures for an instant, a
+smile of amusement lighting up his usually stern features,
+while Van Dorn hastily slipped on his glasses for a better
+view.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That,&rdquo; said Jack, &ldquo;is evidently the famous phantom of
+Spotted Horse gulch, but who has originated the idea?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It must be Lyle,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;she said the ghost
+would walk to-night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, by George!&rdquo; exclaimed Van Dorn, &ldquo;that is pretty
+good anyway.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Slowly the ghost approached, giving the interested observers
+an opportunity to note the details of the make-up;
+the ghastly face, the heavy beard of dark colored wool,
+the narrow strips of red flannel streaming from breast
+and side, and even the heavy woolen socks upon the
+horse&rsquo;s feet, muffling the sound of his steps. Suddenly
+the slouch hat was raised, and the shining eyes of Lyle
+looked out from the strange disguise, as she announced
+in triumphant tones:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The road is clear, and you are safe!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lyle,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;how did you ever think of this?
+Did you devise this masquerade?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The idea was mine,&rdquo; she answered, &ldquo;it occurred to me
+the other night while listening to their talk, but Miss
+Gladden helped me to carry it out.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And was it a success?&rdquo; asked Van Dorn wonderingly,
+having more practical knowledge of mines than of
+miners, &ldquo;Were the men frightened?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You would have thought so, could you have seen Pete
+Brody,&rdquo; Lyle replied, with a low laugh, &ldquo;I believe he is
+running yet, and I wouldn&rsquo;t be surprised if Jake has lost
+what few wits he ever possessed.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It was one of the best schemes that could have been
+devised,&rdquo; said Jack, gravely, adding, &ldquo;We probably owe
+you more than we know.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Quietly and safely the little party proceeded up the
+winding road, and having reached their several destinations,
+all were soon at rest. Even the spotted horse, securely
+stabled in his accustomed place, gravely munched
+his wisp of hay without a thought of the ghostly escapade
+in which he had borne so prominent a part.</p>
+<p>But in the miners&rsquo; quarters consternation reigned, as
+Pete and Bud related their experiences, Jake being utterly
+incapacitated for speech. Even to Jack and Van
+Dorn, Mike had a fearful tale to tell of the sight he had
+witnessed, while alone with Rex in the cabin, and it was
+some time before his perturbed Irish fancies could be
+soothed; and &ldquo;the night that the ghost walked,&rdquo; was one
+long remembered and frequently recalled by many of the
+denizens of the little mining camp.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXXV' id='CHAPTER_XXXV'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXV.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>After the events leading up to the examination of the
+Lucky Chance mine, it was considered best for a while to
+pursue very nearly the same line of conduct that had
+been followed for the last ten days, carefully avoiding any
+abrupt change which might attract attention. All necessary
+data had now been secured, and Houston felt that he
+could better afford to remain quiet for a brief time and
+reconnoiter the situation, than by any hasty move to excite
+further suspicion at the present time.</p>
+<p>At the breakfast table the next morning, however, the
+thoughts of all present were partially diverted into different
+channels, by the arrival of a telegram for Houston
+which proved to be a message from Ned Rutherford, to
+the effect that he and his brother were on their way to
+Silver City, and would be at the mining camp within the
+next twenty-four or thirty-six hours.</p>
+<p>Haight had been exceedingly angry on learning from
+Maverick, early in the morning, of the failure of the men
+to report anything definite concerning the movements of
+those whom they had been sent out to watch. He had accomplished
+nothing, and was uncertain what course next
+to pursue, and he too, decided to remain quiet for the
+present. He continued to watch Houston and Van Dorn,
+his ugly suspicions only half concealed by the smiling exterior
+which he tried to assume. He had hastened to
+make peace with Minty, as he feared the results which
+might follow should his plottings become known to
+Houston, not dreaming that the latter had woven such
+a web around, not the mining company alone, but including
+also its principal employes, that in remaining
+where he was, a fate far worse than his fears awaited him.</p>
+<p>During the day, Miss Gladden and Lyle busied themselves
+with preparations for the expected guests. A room
+on the ground floor, adjoining and connecting with the
+one occupied by Houston and Van Dorn, and with a
+view of the lake and cascades, was put in readiness; and
+books, sketches and bric-a-brac contributed by Houston
+and Miss Gladden, and tastefully arranged by Lyle, relieved
+the blank walls and plain furniture, and made the
+place look quite attractive.</p>
+<p>Houston was jubilant over the information acquired
+by their expedition of the previous night; nothing out
+of the usual course occurred that day, and returning earlier
+from his customary visit to the mines than he had
+done of late, the remainder of the evening was devoted to
+music and song.</p>
+<p>After Miss Gladden and Lyle had gone up-stairs, they
+sat for some time talking over the events of the last few
+days, and anticipating the coming of Rutherford and his
+brother on the morrow. Many were Miss Gladden&rsquo;s surmises
+regarding the stranger, and Lyle then learned for
+the first time that he was an intimate friend of Houston&rsquo;s.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Everard tells me that though Ned is a pleasant fellow
+and good hearted, yet he is not in the least like his brother.
+He says Morton, as he always calls him, is a most
+perfect gentleman in every sense of the word, and a
+scholar of rare intellectual attainments, fond of scientific
+research, and a brilliant writer.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I judged from his picture that the two brothers were
+very unlike,&rdquo; said Lyle, &ldquo;and from your description he
+will be in many respects a new specimen to come under
+my limited observation; I will have to make a study of
+him, and see if he is at all like my idea of a literary person.
+I would not suppose, though, there would be much
+to interest him here; the only rarities he will find are possibly
+new phases of ignorance and coarseness and crime.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden thought, as she looked at Lyle, that if
+the new-comer did not find rare beauty of mind and soul,
+as well as of form and face, in that secluded region, he
+certainly must be very unappreciative; but she only said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You seem to have forgotten what Ned said of his
+brother, that his love of the beautiful was so intense, he
+doubted whether he would ever want to leave the scenery
+and surroundings here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That was simply one of Mr. Rutherford&rsquo;s extravagant
+expressions,&rdquo; Lyle replied, &ldquo;the natural surroundings
+here are certainly beautiful, but their beauty only makes
+the conditions mentally and morally the more painfully
+conspicuous, and if I can see the contrast so plainly, who
+have always lived here and known no other life, how must
+it look to one such as he!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why do you always insist upon it so strongly that
+you have never known any other life than this?&rdquo; inquired
+Miss Gladden.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why?&rdquo; asked Lyle, in surprise, &ldquo;I suppose simply because
+it is a fact, the one hateful truth that I despise, and
+so I say it over and over to myself, to check these foolish
+dream-fancies of mine, that seem as if I had known something
+better sometime.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle spoke with more bitterness than Miss Gladden
+had ever heard before, and the latter answered gently:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If I were in your place, Lyle dear, I would not try to
+check these fancies; I would encourage them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle gazed at her friend in astonishment. &ldquo;Encourage
+them!&rdquo; she repeated, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t understand your meaning,
+why would you advise that?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;To see to what they would lead, my dear.&rdquo; Then, as
+Lyle looked bewildered, she continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Did it never occur to you, Lyle, that these fancies,
+as you call them, might possibly be an effort on the part
+of memory to recall something, long ago forgotten?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I never thought of such a possibility,&rdquo; she replied,
+slowly.</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden threw one arm about her caressingly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If these were mere fancies why should they occur so
+persistently, and why should there be this sense of familiarity,
+of which you have spoken, with other and far different
+associations than these, unless there is some distinct
+image hidden away in the recesses of your brain,
+which your mind is trying to recall?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle had grown very pale; she had caught the idea
+which Miss Gladden was trying to convey, and her form
+trembled, while her lips and delicate nostrils quivered
+with suppressed agitation.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Leslie,&rdquo; she cried, &ldquo;do you mean that you think it
+possible there is any reality in it,&ndash;&ndash;that I have ever known
+a different life from this,&ndash;&ndash;a life anything like that which
+seems to come back to me?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think it not only possible, but probable,&rdquo; said her
+friend, drawing the trembling girl closer to herself, &ldquo;and
+that is why I want you to encourage these impressions,
+and see if you will not, after a time, be able to recall the
+past more definitely.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But why do you believe this?&rdquo; questioned Lyle, &ldquo;How
+did you ever think of it?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;When you first told me of your fancies, as you called
+them, and of your dreams, constantly recurring since
+your earliest childhood, I felt that they must be produced
+by something that had really occurred, some time
+in the past, but perhaps so long ago that only the faintest
+impression was left upon your mind; but however faint,
+to me it seemed proof that the reality had existed. The
+more I have questioned you, the more I have become
+convinced of this, and I find I am not alone in my opinion.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Have you talked with Jack, and does he think as you
+do?&rdquo; Lyle questioned. Miss Gladden answered in the
+affirmative.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is that the reason he has asked me so often regarding
+my early life?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, he has questioned you, hoping you might be
+able to recall something of those years which you say
+seem to you only a blank. We can only surmise regarding
+your early life, but if you could recall some
+slight incident, or some individual, it might prove whether
+our surmises were correct.&rdquo; Then, as Lyle remained
+silent, Miss Gladden continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That face which you always see in your dreams, must
+be the face of some one you have really seen and known.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; Lyle answered dreamily, &ldquo;I have often thought
+of that, and have tried to remember when, or where, it
+could have been.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For a few moments, both were silent; Lyle, in her abstraction,
+loosened her hair, and it fell around her like
+a veil of fine-spun gold. An idea suddenly occurred to
+Miss Gladden, and rising from her chair, she gathered
+up the golden mass, and began to rearrange and fasten
+it, Lyle scarcely heeding her action, so absorbed was she
+in thought.</p>
+<p>When she had completed her work, she looked critically
+at Lyle for a moment, and seeming satisfied with the
+result, asked her to look in the glass. Half mechanically,
+Lyle did as requested, but at the first glance at the face
+reflected there, she uttered a low cry, and stood as if
+transfixed. Miss Gladden had arranged her hair in a
+style worn nearly twenty years before, and in imitation
+of the photograph which Jack had shown her. The
+effect was magical, as it showed Lyle&rsquo;s face to be an
+exact counterpart of the beautiful pictured face.</p>
+<p>To Lyle it revealed much more, for to her astonished
+gaze there was brought back, with life-like distinctness
+and realism, the face of her dreams; the one which she
+had seen bending tenderly over her since her earliest
+recollection, and which had seemed so often to comfort
+her in the days of her childish griefs when she had sobbed
+herself to sleep.</p>
+<p>Suddenly, Miss Gladden saw the face in the glass grow
+deathly white, and Lyle, quickly turning toward her
+friend, exclaimed:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I see it now! That is my mother&rsquo;s face that I have
+seen in my dreams! And I have seen it living some time,
+somewhere, but not here. These people are not my parents;
+I am no child of theirs. Oh, Leslie, tell me, is
+this true?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Very gently Miss Gladden soothed the excited girl, telling
+her that while her friends knew nothing as yet, for a
+certainty, regarding her parentage, they felt that she, in
+her early life, had had a home and surroundings far different
+from those she knew here, and that they hoped ere
+long, with her help, to arrive at the whole truth.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But how did I ever come to live here with these people?&rdquo;
+inquired Lyle, a new fear dawning in her eyes, &ldquo;do
+you suppose they were hired to take me?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, never,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;as nearly as we can
+judge, you must have been stolen.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And do you think my own parents are now living?&rdquo;
+she asked.</p>
+<p>So far as she was able to do so, Miss Gladden explained
+the situation, as Jack had told it to her, making
+no reference, however, to what he had said regarding the
+possibility of Lyle&rsquo;s friends coming to the mountains,
+where they would be likely to recognize her. Of this,
+Miss Gladden herself understood so little, she thought
+best not to allude to it now.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But why has Jack never told me of this, and of my
+mother? He must have known her,&rdquo; said Lyle.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You must remember, dear, that he had no proof that
+any such relation really existed; as I understood him, he
+with others, supposed that this child was not living, but
+he was struck with the resemblance between you and the
+mother of this child, and the relationship occurred to him
+at first as the merest possibility, but grew almost to a
+certainty, as the resemblance between you increased; and
+yet, you can see that under the circumstances, while you
+were under the control and in the power of these people,
+it would not be best to say anything until he had some
+proof as to your identity.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I see,&rdquo; Lyle answered, thoughtfully, &ldquo;but now that I
+remember her as my mother, do you suppose that he
+would talk with me about her, or help me to find my true
+relatives?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I hardly know how to answer you,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden
+slowly, &ldquo;there is some mystery about it all, dear, that I do
+not understand; he might perhaps talk more freely with
+you, but with me he appeared willing to say very little
+regarding your mother, or your friends. Still, he gave
+me a hint, so vague and shadowy I scarcely understood
+it, but to the effect that he thought there might, before
+long, be an opportunity for a meeting between you and
+those whom he believed to be your friends.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Lyle, after a pause, &ldquo;Jack is a true friend
+to me, he knows what is best, and I can afford to wait with
+even such a possibility to look forward to. I will not
+wait in idleness either, I shall try to find some clue, some
+evidence as to who I really am, and something tells me I
+will succeed.&rdquo; Then she added tenderly, &ldquo;Do you know,
+I believe, whoever my mother may have been, Jack must
+have loved her.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She certainly was very dear to him,&rdquo; replied Miss
+Gladden.</p>
+<p>They talked till far into the morning hours, and as
+they finally separated for the night, Lyle approached her
+friend, and throwing her arms about her neck, she exclaimed,
+almost in tears:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, Leslie, you can never know how glad I am that
+you have shown me this, and shown it to me to-night! I
+have felt so disgraced, so degraded by the life here, it
+seemed as if I were a part of it all, a part of my own hateful
+surroundings but now, I know I am not; now,&rdquo; she
+continued, lifting her head proudly and raising her arms
+slowly with a beautiful gesture, &ldquo;they can fetter me no
+longer! The chains that have held me so long and so
+cruelly are already bursting; even now, I can rise above
+them; soon, I shall be free!&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXXVI' id='CHAPTER_XXXVI'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXVI.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Do coming events cast their shadows before? Did the
+silently-waving pinions of the angel who &ldquo;troubled the
+waters&rdquo; give any hint of his beneficent approach? However
+that may be, certain it is that on the morning of the
+day in which the hitherto untroubled depths of Lyle&rsquo;s
+womanly nature were to be stirred by the mightiest of influences,
+there came to her a prescience, thrilling and
+vibrating through her whole being, that this day was to
+be the crisis, the turning point of her life. On that day,
+she was to meet one whose influence upon her own life
+she felt would be far greater than that of any human being
+she could recall.</p>
+<p>Lyle was not in love. As yet, she knew nothing of
+what love might be, but she possessed rare depth of feeling.
+In her lonely, secluded life, she had known few
+emotions, but those few were deep and lasting; and when,
+a few months before, she had incidentally seen the photograph
+of Morton Rutherford,&ndash;&ndash;only one among many,
+all unknown to her,&ndash;&ndash;it had left an impression upon her
+heart and brain, never to be effaced.</p>
+<p>His was no ordinary face; it would attract the most
+casual observer, and to one gifted with Lyle&rsquo;s wonderful
+insight and perception, and possessing her fine susceptibilities,
+there would be revealed such rare strength and
+beauty of mind and character combined, that, once seen,
+it might not be easily forgotten.</p>
+<p>To Lyle, in her isolation, it seemed a glimpse of a
+kindred soul, and she had often wondered what the living
+face itself might be, and what acquaintance and friendship
+with such a soul might mean. She had looked forward
+to his coming to the camp with mingled pleasure
+and dread. She thoroughly understood the position
+which she held in the estimation of the younger Mr.
+Rutherford; would his brother regard her with the same
+half pitying, half patronizing admiration? Would her
+narrow, restricted life seem so small and poor to him, with
+his superior attainments, that he would altogether ignore
+her? Or would he be able, like Mr. Houston and Miss
+Gladden, to overlook her hateful and hated environment,
+and help her rise above it?</p>
+<p>These were the questions which for the past few weeks
+had perplexed and troubled her; but the revelation which
+had come to her on the previous night had changed the
+whole current of her thought. What matter now, how
+mean or debasing her surroundings, since no taint from
+them could attach itself to her? What matter if her life
+had been cramped and restricted, since she was soon to
+rise above it into the life for which she had been created?
+Perhaps her natural sphere was not, after all, so unlike
+that in which her friends moved, to which even he was
+accustomed, the stranger, whose coming she now anticipated
+with a strange, unaccountable thrill of expectation.
+Would he, with that wonderful power which she felt he
+possessed, to elevate or to crush the souls with whom he
+came in contact, would he recognize her true sphere, as
+her other friends had done, or would he be blinded by her
+surroundings?</p>
+<p>She could not rest; she rose and looked forth upon the
+glorious dawn of the new day, and was impressed as
+never before, with the beauty of the vision which met her
+eyes. To her, it seemed like the dawning of a new epoch
+in her life; nay, more than that, like the dawning of a
+new life itself.</p>
+<p>Impatient of restraint, she left the house, and went out
+into the morning fresh from the hand of the Creator,
+as yet undefiled by contact with human life. Hastily
+climbing a series of rocky ledges, she reached a broad
+plateau, and looked about her. The life which she had so
+hated and despised seemed suddenly to have dropped forever
+out of sight, and she was conscious only of a new
+beauty, a new glory surrounding her.</p>
+<p>The mountains, blushing in the first rosy light, lifted
+their gleaming, glory-crowned spires heavenward; the
+cascades chanted in thunderous, yet rhythmic tones, their
+unceasing anthem of praise, their snow-white spray ascending
+skyward, like clouds of incense, while the little
+flowers, clinging to rock and ledge and mountain-side,
+turned their sweet faces upward in silent adoration. The
+place seemed pervaded by a spirit of universal adoration
+and praise, and instinctively, Lyle bowed her head in
+silent worship; and as she did so, there came to her, as
+though revealed by the lightning&rsquo;s flash, the vision of her
+mother kneeling beside her, in those dim days so long
+ago, clasping her tiny hands within her own, and teaching
+her baby lips to lisp the words of prayer.</p>
+<p>For a long time she knelt in that temple made without
+hands, till mountain and valley were bathed in glorious
+sunlight; and when at last, she descended the rocky footpath,
+she felt, as she looked forth upon the new life opening
+before her, no fear, no shrinking, but strong to go
+forward and meet her destiny, whatever it might be.</p>
+<p>All were impressed that morning by Lyle&rsquo;s manner,
+the added dignity of bearing, the new expression that
+looked forth from her soulful eyes, though none but Miss
+Gladden understood the cause.</p>
+<p>At the breakfast table, the final plans were made for
+the reception of the guests to arrive that day. Word had
+been received that they were already in Silver City, and
+would come out on the noon train. Houston had telegraphed
+to the Y for the best team there to be in readiness
+to bring them up to the camp, and an hour or so before
+noon, he and Van Dorn were to take two horses and ride
+to the Y to meet them, and accompany them on their
+ride up the canyon. A late dinner was to be served upon
+their arrival, when the two ladies would be present, as
+Lyle no longer acted in the capacity of waiter, Miss Gladden
+having some time before insisted that she should preside
+at the table, and the blushing Miss Bixby, after much
+painstaking effort, having been finally educated up to
+the point of performing that ceremony very creditably.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Everard,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden after breakfast, as Houston
+stopped for his customary chat with her before starting
+out on his daily routine, &ldquo;did you observe Lyle this
+morning? I never saw her look so lovely;&rdquo; adding playfully,
+&ldquo;I wonder you did not fall in love with her, she is
+far more beautiful than I.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Allow me to be judge,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;though I will admit
+that I think she grows more beautiful every day.
+But as to falling in love with her, I doubt if I would have
+done that even had I not met you. From the first she
+has seemed to me unaccountably like a sister; I cannot
+explain why, unless it was because of that child-like, almost
+appealing manner she had at that time. She has
+none of it now, however, she is developing very rapidly
+into a noble womanhood, and yet I still have the same
+feeling toward her, and I think she regards me as a
+brother.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That is true,&rdquo; said Miss Gladden, &ldquo;she cares for you
+more than for any of the others, but only, as you say, as
+a brother. Her heart does not seem to be very susceptible.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She may be none the less susceptible,&rdquo; Houston replied,
+&ldquo;but she realizes her position here, and she is far
+too proud spirited to carry her heart upon her sleeve.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden then related to Houston the events oi
+the preceding night, and Lyle&rsquo;s sudden recollection of
+her own mother. He was much interested.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am more than glad,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;doubtless the
+memory of her early childhood will gradually come back
+to her, and we may be able to ascertain her true parentage.
+I hope so, at least, for I believe Maverick to be an out
+and out scoundrel, capable of any villainy, and I would
+like to see him brought to justice.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The room set apart for the expected guests, as well as
+the dining-room, was decorated with wild flowers and
+trailing vines, and in this pleasant employment, and the
+preparation of a few dainty dishes for the table, the forenoon
+passed swiftly.</p>
+<p>The noon train had scarcely come to a stop at the little
+station at the Y, when Ned Rutherford was seen rushing
+impetuously from the car, his camera case as usual in one
+hand, at sight of which the two young men waiting on the
+platform burst into a hearty laugh.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There he is,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;the same old Ned!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The very same old boy!&rdquo; added Van Dorn, as they
+hastened to meet him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Hullo, Everard!&rdquo; cried Ned, jumping upon the platform,
+&ldquo;I say, but it seems mighty good to see you again!
+How are you, Van Dorn?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How are you, Ned?&rdquo; said Van Dorn, extending his
+hand, &ldquo;we wouldn&rsquo;t have known you if it hadn&rsquo;t been for
+that camera box of yours!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That so?&rdquo; answered Ned, good-naturedly, &ldquo;well, I always
+considered it indispensable, but I didn&rsquo;t suppose my
+identity would be lost without it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, Houston had hastened to meet the elder
+brother, and it could readily be seen that they were more
+than ordinary friends.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Everard, old fellow!&rdquo; he exclaimed, in response to
+Houston&rsquo;s greeting, &ldquo;this is the greatest pleasure I&rsquo;ve had
+in many a day. I never dreamed that the Houston of
+whom Ned wrote such glowing accounts was my old
+friend.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I used to think sometimes,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;when
+Ned was writing you, that I would like to send you some
+reminder of old times, a college password or signal that
+you would understand; but at that time, I didn&rsquo;t know
+Ned very well, and of course I was anxious to conceal
+my identity here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That was right,&rdquo; said the elder Rutherford, with a
+comical glance at his brother, &ldquo;Ned is rather injudicious,
+he belongs to that unfortunate class of people, with the
+best of intentions, who usually succeed in doing as much
+mischief as others with the worst.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Right you are there,&rdquo; said Ned, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m always putting
+my foot in it one way or another; I wouldn&rsquo;t advise anybody
+to make a confidant of me, I&rsquo;d give them away sure.
+I say, Everard,&rdquo; he continued, while his brother and Van
+Dorn exchanged cordial greetings, &ldquo;how are you getting
+on, and how is the Buncombe-Boomerang combination?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We have been very successful so far, everything is
+nearly in readiness, and the combination as you call it,
+cannot exist much longer; we will give you full particulars
+later.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And how are the ladies?&rdquo; Ned inquired further.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They are well, and waiting to give you and your
+brother a royal welcome.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; Morton Rutherford replied, &ldquo;I am quite
+anxious to meet them, Ned, of course, can speak for himself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That he can, and generally does when the right time
+comes,&rdquo; responded that individual, &ldquo;you will find I am a
+universal favorite here, in the camp of the Philistines.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>In a little while they were on their way to camp, Houston
+and Morton Rutherford occupying the back seat
+of the light, canopy-top wagon, while Van Dorn and
+Ned took the forward seat with the driver, the horses and
+baggage following with one of the mining teams.</p>
+<p>Morton Rutherford gave his friend a glowing account
+of his journey through the west, dwelling at considerable
+length on his enjoyment of the scenic routes. As
+they wound upward through the canyon, he grew ecstatic
+over the wild beauty and rugged grandeur extending
+in every direction, and when they finally drew rein before
+the long, low boarding house, nestling at the foot of
+the mountain, with its rustic, vine-covered porch, and
+surrounded on all sides by the wild scenery of that region,
+his admiration knew no bounds.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What a delightful retreat!&rdquo; he exclaimed, &ldquo;what a
+study for an artist!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Within the porch, among the vines, the ladies awaited
+their coming, and Lyle, looking forth from her shady retreat,
+saw the face whose image had been imprinted on
+heart and brain, and at a glance she read all she had expected
+to find, and more. There were the fine features,
+expressing such depth and power, and yet such delicacy
+of thought and feeling, the intellectual brow, the dark,
+expressive eyes, all as she had seen them in the picture;
+but what picture could convey the living beauty of the
+whole? It was the face of one whom women would
+worship, and men would follow even to death.</p>
+<p>The gentlemen approached the house, Houston and
+his friend leading the way. Miss Gladden advanced to
+meet them, and as Houston introduced Mr. Rutherford,
+she extended to him a most gracious and graceful welcome,
+and also to Ned. Her gown was white, of soft,
+clinging material, trimmed with quantities of rich, rare
+lace, and brightened here and there with touches of
+crimson and gold. She wore a few costly jewels, and the
+diamond hilt of a tiny dagger glistened and scintillated
+in her auburn-tinted hair. She looked very beautiful,
+and as Mr. Rutherford paused to respond to her welcome
+with a few courteous words, he thought his friend
+was surely to be congratulated on the prize he had won.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, Ned had discovered Lyle, as she stood
+partially hidden among the vines, awaiting her turn, and
+hastened to greet her in his impetuous fashion.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How do you do, Miss Maverick? I&rsquo;m awfully glad
+to see you. I want you to know my brother,&rdquo; and his
+cheerful voice sounded on his brother&rsquo;s ear, as he replied
+to some remark of Miss Gladden&rsquo;s.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Morton, I want to introduce you to our nightingale;
+Miss Maverick, allow me to make you acquainted with
+my brother.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>With a rare smile lighting up his face, Morton Rutherford
+turned toward the speaker, and as he did so, saw a
+vision of the most royal young womanhood his eyes had
+ever beheld. She, too, was dressed in white, but it was
+a filmy, cloud-like mass, with trimmings of ethereal blue.
+She wore no jewels, but a crown of golden hair gleamed
+like a coronet above her head, and her delicately molded
+face had a spirituelle beauty and radiance unlike any
+living face he had ever seen, and which he could only
+compare to the exquisite Madonna faces, painted by
+artists of the old world, and of the olden time.</p>
+<p>And Lyle, coming forward with unconscious, queenly
+grace, looked for an instant into that face whose subtle
+power she already felt, her wondrous, starry eyes, luminous
+with a new, strange light, meeting his with their
+depth of meaning, their powerful magnetism, and from
+that brief instant, life for each was changed, wholly and
+completely; whether for good or ill, for weal or woe,
+neither as yet could say.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXXVII' id='CHAPTER_XXXVII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXVII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>It was a very congenial little company that somewhat
+later gathered about the dinner table. There were no
+outsiders present on this occasion to check their conversation,
+and the room resounded with merry laughter as
+the young men related various reminiscences of their
+college days, or as Lyle gave her eastern friends some
+amusing glimpses of western life.</p>
+<p>Morton Rutherford added his share to the general enjoyment,
+as he gave in an inimitable manner which fascinated
+his listeners, sketches of places and people he had
+met in his western journey; but a close observer would
+have noticed that his dark eyes often wandered to the
+face of the fair hostess, presiding at the table with such
+dignity, and his thoughts much of the time were far removed
+from the subject of conversation.</p>
+<p>Of the strange, wild tumult in Lyle&rsquo;s breast there was
+no token, save in her heightened color, and the added
+brilliancy of her eyes.</p>
+<p>The plain, but wholesome mountain fare disappeared
+rapidly before the appetites sharpened by the bracing air
+of that altitude, and still the little company lingered at
+the table, loath to tear themselves away.</p>
+<p>Plans were made for a few days and evenings of genuine
+enjoyment, before proceeding any further with the
+business in which all were so deeply interested. Houston
+and Van Dorn would of course be more or less confined
+by their work, and it was voted that, during the day, Mr.
+Rutherford should be entertained by the ladies, or, as
+the hunting and fishing season had now opened, he and
+Ned would be able to find considerable sport in the surrounding
+country. But the evenings were to be spent by
+the entire party in visits to the different points of interest
+and beauty already familiar to some of their number.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And one of the first places to visit,&rdquo; said Ned Rutherford,
+at this point in the conversation, &ldquo;will be the cascades;
+we will go out there in boats, you know, with the
+guitar and violin, and have music just as we did the first
+time we ever went out. Great Scott! but I never will
+forget that night as long as I live!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;With the ladies&rsquo; approval, that will be one of our first
+trips,&rdquo; said Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You play and sing, do you not, Mr. Rutherford?&rdquo;
+Miss Gladden inquired, addressing the elder brother.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, occasionally,&rdquo; he answered, with a peculiar smile.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What instrument do you use?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I can accompany myself on several different instruments,&rdquo;
+he replied, &ldquo;but the violin is my favorite; it is
+capable of more expression than most others.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At last the little party adjourned to the porch, and
+Lyle, under the pretext of some household duties, excused
+herself, and escaped to her own little room. Here
+her forced composure gave way, and her highly wrought
+feelings found relief in a passionate burst of tears, though
+why she wept, she could not have told.</p>
+<p>Unconsciously to herself, perhaps, Morton Rutherford
+had of late become the hero of her thoughts, partially
+on account of her high estimate of him, and also because
+of the sympathy which she felt would exist between
+them in taste and thought and feeling. She had dreamed
+of a friendship with him, perhaps more perfect and helpful
+than any she had yet known; but they had met, and
+in that one glance had been revealed to her a natural
+affinity deeper than any of which she had ever dreamed,
+and the impossibility of a calm, Platonic friendship between
+kindred spirits such as theirs.</p>
+<p>Unconsciously to herself, Lyle had that day crossed the
+great divide, and womanhood, with its dower of love and
+joy, of pain and suffering, was henceforth hers. The
+mightiest element in her nature, which had lain dormant
+all these years, its power unsuspected even by herself,
+was now aroused, and even while she felt the throbbing of
+its new life, as yet, she knew not its name. She was
+young, her observation and her experience had been limited,
+and there had been no one to prepare her for the
+certain awakening of this mighty power, before whose
+conquering sway all else must yield.</p>
+<p>She grew more calm, and as she reviewed the few
+friendships she had known,&ndash;&ndash;the helpful kindness and
+tenderness of Jack in whom she had confided her childish
+griefs, the chivalry of Everard Houston, who from the
+first had constituted himself her champion and protector,
+and even the pleasant kindliness of Ned Rutherford,
+whom she scarcely deemed more than an acquaintance,&ndash;&ndash;there
+was suddenly revealed to her quickened perception
+the distinction between friendship and love, and instantly
+she recognized the stranger who had taken possession of
+her heart: Love had come. Love was to be henceforth
+king, and she stood trembling and abashed in the presence
+of the new sovereign. Her tears flowed silently, but
+she was far from unhappy; love, even unknown and unreciprocated,
+brings its own sweet reward.</p>
+<p>Whether her love would ever be returned by the one
+whose glance had awakened it in its might, she dared not
+even think. She knew not, as yet, in what light he would
+regard her. Notwithstanding the friendship and esteem
+manifested by the younger brother, she fully understood
+the insurmountable barrier which his pride had placed
+between himself and her. Would it exist in the mind of
+the elder brother also? Or would his keener insight, his
+superior perception discern her true position? Time
+alone would tell.</p>
+<p>A little later, calm and queenly as ever, Lyle rejoined
+the little group, who had strolled out a short distance
+from the house, and were seated beside the lake, in the
+cooling shadow of a large rock.</p>
+<p>She could not help observing the smile of pleasure with
+which Mr. Rutherford welcomed her approach, but she
+would not yet trust herself to hold any protracted conversation
+with him, and giving him only a bright little smile
+of recognition, she seated herself beside Ned, and began
+a playful badinage, as they had been accustomed to banter
+each other on his former visit. Morton Rutherford
+watched them curiously, listening to the war of words
+with a half smile, and evidently absorbed in his own
+thoughts, as, for a while, Miss Gladden and Mr. Van
+Dorn had the conversation to themselves, Houston having
+gone to the mines.</p>
+<p>As the shadows began to lengthen, and the sun seemed
+hovering over a snow-crowned peak that stood out boldly
+against the western horizon, Houston was seen approaching
+the house, and at a little distance, Maverick and his
+two sons. Lyle, who was then standing on the outer
+edge of the group, talking with Miss Gladden, was quick
+to observe a sudden movement on Ned&rsquo;s part, as, turning
+toward his brother, he made some brief remark in
+low tones, regarding the approaching trio. She well
+knew the tenor of his remark, and watched closely to see
+its effect.</p>
+<p>She saw Morton Rutherford glance in the direction indicated
+by a slight motion of Ned&rsquo;s head, and then,
+though he betrayed no surprise by word or movement, an
+expression of astonishment crossed his face, but only for
+an instant. His features grew white and stern, and he
+watched every movement of the three figures, as, with
+stealthy, slouching gait and suspicious looks, they stole
+around the corner of the house, and the expression of
+his eye seemed to Lyle like that of a judge passing sentence
+on a condemned criminal.</p>
+<p>He did not look at Lyle immediately, perhaps he was
+conscious of the eyes watching him so narrowly from
+under the heavily drooping lids, fringed with long, golden
+lashes, but when he did look toward her, there was a
+depth of meaning in those dark eyes which she could not
+fathom.</p>
+<p>Twenty-four hours before, Lyle standing there, under
+those circumstances, would have been crushed with humiliation,
+but in the light of the revelation of the night
+before, she met his glance with an expression which to
+him seemed utterly inscrutable. There was neither
+shame nor apology written on her face, as with a calm,
+bright smile, and the same self-possessed manner, she
+turned and passed into the house.</p>
+<p>Upon entering the dining-room, Lyle heard angry
+words in the kitchen, and paused to listen. The voice
+was Maverick&rsquo;s.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Who in hell is that new feller you&rsquo;ve got up here?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s the brother of the young feller that was here
+a spell ago,&rdquo; answered the voice of Minty, who was just
+emerging from the pantry.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Damn you! who asked you to say anything? Git out
+of here,&rdquo; he roared, and Minty made a hasty retreat into
+the cellar.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Who&rsquo;s that new feller out there?&rdquo; he again demanded
+of his wife.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;His name is Rutherford, and he&rsquo;s a brother of the
+young man that come out here with Mr. Houston,&rdquo; was
+her reply.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s his business here?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I guess he hain&rsquo;t got none, he seems to be out here
+for pleasure like his brother.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Pleasure!&rdquo; growled Maverick, with an oath, &ldquo;there&rsquo;s
+too many of &rsquo;em, damn &rsquo;em, out here for pleasure; I&rsquo;d
+give some of &rsquo;em some pleasure that they ain&rsquo;t a lookin&rsquo;
+for, if I had a chance.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>His wife made no response.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s that girl Lyle tricked out in such finery for?&rdquo;
+he next asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They&rsquo;re clothes that Miss Gladden give her,&rdquo; Mrs.
+Maverick replied, &ldquo;and it saves us jest so much, so you
+needn&rsquo;t growl; besides she looks nice.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Looks nice!&rdquo; said Maverick, contemptuously, &ldquo;you&rsquo;re
+always bound to stick up for her! Look here, old woman,&rdquo;
+he added, in a lower tone, but which Lyle could hear,
+&ldquo;have you been tellin&rsquo; that girl anything? She don&rsquo;t
+own me for her daddy lately, I notice; now, if you&rsquo;ve
+been puttin&rsquo; her or anybody else onto anything of the
+kind, I can tell you you&rsquo;ll be damned sorry for it before
+you git through with me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I hain&rsquo;t said a word, it&rsquo;s jest a notion she&rsquo;s took, I
+dun&rsquo;no why. I hain&rsquo;t said nothin&rsquo; nor I ain&rsquo;t a goin&rsquo;
+to, as long as you behave yourself, Jim Maverick, but the
+proofs is all ready in case you don&rsquo;t treat me and her jest
+as you&rsquo;d orter.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A terrible oath burst from Maverick&rsquo;s lips, but the entrance
+of the two boys and Minty, prevented any further
+conversation on this subject; and Lyle, seated in the
+little porch whither she had retreated from the dining-room,
+reflected on what she had just heard, its meaning
+seeming very clear to her in the light of what Miss Gladden
+had told her the night before.</p>
+<p>There were proofs then in existence, probably in that
+very house, as to her identity. Her friends were correct
+in their surmises: she had been stolen, and the villain who
+had committed the deed, even now trembled with apprehension
+lest his villainy should become known. Those
+proofs she must have, and it would be worse than useless
+to demand them of either Maverick or his wife. She
+must search for them. This she resolved to do, day by
+day, as opportunity afforded, until there should be no
+nook or corner which she had not thoroughly explored.</p>
+<p>As Lyle recalled all that occurred within the past
+twenty-four hours, the most eventful period within her
+recollection thus far, she felt that she had virtually broken
+with the old life and all its associations, and that she
+stood upon the threshold of a new life, higher, nobler,&ndash;&ndash;perhaps
+sweeter,&ndash;&ndash;than any of which she had ever
+dreamed.</p>
+<p>The return of the little company of friends to the house
+interrupted her thoughts, but not before she had decided
+fully as to her future course.</p>
+<p>After supper, it was decided to spend that first evening
+on the summit of one of the nearest mountains, to watch
+the glories of the sunset, and to give Morton Rutherford
+a bird&rsquo;s-eye view of the beautiful scenery, before introducing
+him to its details.</p>
+<p>But on the second evening, the entire party set forth for
+the trip to the cascades, for which Ned was so especially
+desirous.</p>
+<p>Mr. Houston and Miss Gladden led the little procession,
+Houston carrying her guitar. Ned had constituted himself
+Lyle&rsquo;s escort by taking the violin, and they came
+next, while Morton Rutherford and Arthur Van Dorn
+brought up the rear.</p>
+<p>Their two boats were already awaiting them, and Ned,
+having assisted Lyle to a seat, turned to Van Dorn.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Van Dorn,&rdquo; he said in his blandest tones, &ldquo;may
+we have the pleasure of your company in our boat?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>As Van Dorn laughingly accepted the invitation, Morton
+Rutherford turned toward his brother, saying:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Are you not going to extend an invitation to me,
+also?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Unfortunately,&rdquo; said Ned, with as much dignity as he
+could assume, &ldquo;this boat will seat but three people.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is that so!&rdquo; replied his brother, with a curious downward
+inflection, &ldquo;unfortunately, then, for Mr. Houston
+and Miss Gladden, you will have to take the other boat,
+as I am going in this one myself,&rdquo; and stepping lightly
+into the boat, he pulled it quickly out into the water, leaving
+Ned in a state of bewilderment, alone on shore, as
+Mr. Houston and Miss Gladden were already seated in
+their boat, and watching this little by-play.</p>
+<p>There was a general laugh at Ned&rsquo;s expense, as he
+clambered into the other boat, exclaiming good-naturedly:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, Mort, that&rsquo;s an awfully shabby trick, but then,
+it&rsquo;s all I can expect of you, anyhow.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s all you deserve, after such attempted selfishness
+on your part,&rdquo; replied his brother.</p>
+<p>They rowed across the lake in the soft light, the glory
+of the setting sun still reflected from the surrounding
+peaks, the music of their boat songs accompanied by the
+dip and plash of the oars.</p>
+<p>At last they reached the cascades, and rounding a little
+promontory, the glory of that wondrous scene suddenly
+burst upon them. For a moment Mr. Rutherford sat
+speechless, and Lyle, facing him, silently enjoyed his
+surprise and his ecstasy as keenly as he enjoyed the wonderful
+beauty about him. In his face, she read the same
+capacity for joy or for suffering which Nature had bestowed
+upon herself, and when his eyes suddenly met hers
+again, he saw the tears glistening in their shining depths,
+and with quick, intuitive sympathy, readily understood the
+cause.</p>
+<p>For a while they rowed back and forth in almost silent
+admiration; then the boats were brought side by side at
+the foot of the cascades, and the air resounded with song;
+sometimes their voices all blending together in exquisite
+harmony, then in twos and threes, while occasionally,
+some beautiful old song would be given as a solo.</p>
+<p>It had been an evening of rare enjoyment for each one,
+and they were just about to turn their boats homeward,
+when Ned Rutherford exclaimed:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I say, don&rsquo;t let us leave this spot until Miss Maverick
+sings that song she gave us the first time we came out
+here, the first we ever heard her sing. I never can forget
+that song, and it is always associated with this place.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The others joined in the request. Lyle hesitated.
+Could she trust herself to sing that song to-night? It
+was easy to sing when love had come to another&rsquo;s heart,
+but could she sing it now that he had come to her own?</p>
+<p>She consented, and the oars rested once more. With
+her eyes fixed on the distant mountains, Lyle began her
+song:</p>
+<p class='center'>&ldquo;Love is come with a song and a smile.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At the first words, Morton Rutherford started, and as
+he fixed his eyes on the beautiful singer, her fair form and
+shining hair outlined against the silvery cascades, it
+seemed to him the loveliest sight of his whole life.</p>
+<p>Her voice, exquisitely sweet as she began, gained in
+expression and power, until she sang as she had never
+sung before; and as the last notes died away, Houston,
+bending his head low, whispered to Miss Gladden:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Leslie, my dear, do you think now that Lyle&rsquo;s heart
+is not susceptible? She never could sing that song in
+that way if she knew nothing of love.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>And Miss Gladden made no reply, for her own heart
+was too full for words.</p>
+<p>The song was ended, and Lyle&rsquo;s eyes suddenly met the
+dark ones fixed upon her face, and though no words were
+spoken, she read in their depths that hers was not the
+only heart to which love had come.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXXVIII' id='CHAPTER_XXXVIII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXVIII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>That night the diminutive lamp that did duty in the
+room assigned to the two brothers burned till long past
+the hour of midnight. By its dim light, Ned Rutherford indited
+a letter to his fiancee, while his brother quietly
+paced back and forth, the entire length of the small apartment,
+his hands clasped behind him and his head thrown
+back,&ndash;&ndash;his usual attitude when in deep thought.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Getting up another article on the application of electric
+force?&rdquo; inquired Ned, as he paused to watch his
+brother.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; was the reply, &ldquo;I am thinking at present of a
+force far more subtle and more powerful than that of
+electricity.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why, how&rsquo;s that?&rdquo; asked Ned in surprise, &ldquo;I thought
+electricity was one of your pet hobbies.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Never mind about my pet hobbies,&rdquo; said his brother,
+with a smile, &ldquo;just continue your writing for the present.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Half an hour later, as Ned folded and sealed the voluminous
+letter, and placed upon it the long, foreign address,
+his brother, watching him with a curious half smile,
+said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I shall have to give you credit for a great deal of constancy,
+Ned, more than I really supposed you possessed.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How&rsquo;s that?&rdquo; asked Ned, with a slight blush, &ldquo;to what
+do you refer.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;To your fidelity to your affianced,&rdquo; Morton replied,
+&ldquo;under the rather adverse circumstances that attend your
+suit, and notwithstanding the unusual attractions by
+which you have been surrounded here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, as to that,&rdquo; said Ned, slowly, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know as
+I deserve so very much credit. Houston appropriated
+Miss Gladden to himself pretty soon after we came here,
+and besides, she isn&rsquo;t exactly my style, after all; she
+would suit Houston a great deal better than me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah,&rdquo; said his brother, quietly, &ldquo;and what of the younger
+lady? Perhaps she is not your style, either?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, no, I should say not,&rdquo; Ned replied, with the least
+perceptible scorn in his tone, &ldquo;not but what she is a
+lovely girl, and I respect her, and feel sorry for her, but
+I should think one glimpse of her family would decide
+that question, once for all.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ned,&rdquo; said Morton Rutherford, pausing in his walk,
+directly in front of his brother, &ldquo;is it possible that you are
+so blind as not to see that Miss Maverick, as you call her,&ndash;&ndash;I
+prefer to call her Lyle,&ndash;&ndash;has no connection whatever
+with the family in which she lives?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Do you think so?&rdquo; Ned inquired, with surprise, &ldquo;I
+remember Houston and Miss Gladden expressed the
+same opinion when I was here before, but I don&rsquo;t think
+they had any proof that such was the case, and even if it
+were so, I don&rsquo;t see how it helps the matter much, for
+nobody knows to what sort of a family she really does
+belong.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ned,&rdquo; said his brother, indignantly, &ldquo;I know nothing
+of the opinion of Houston or Miss Gladden upon this subject,
+but where are your own eyes, and where is your reason?
+If you discovered one of the rarest and most beautiful
+flowers known to exist in the plant world, in a heap of
+tailings out here among these mines, would you immediately
+conclude that, because you had found it there, it
+must be indigenous to the spot? Look at that girl, and
+tell me if there is one trace in feature, in form, in manner,
+or in speech, of plebeian blood, and then will you
+tell me that she is in any way connected with people such
+as these? They are not merely plebeian, they are low, debased,
+criminal. They are criminals of the deepest dye,
+not only capable of any villainy, but already guilty, and
+to such a degree that their guilt has made them shrinking,
+skulking cowards.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But, Mort, if you are correct, and I don&rsquo;t say that you
+are not, how does she come to be in such a place as this,
+with no memory of anything different?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Through the villainy of that man whom you pointed
+out to me as her father; through his villainy, and in no
+other way.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You think she was stolen?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I do; I can see in his face that he has committed some
+terrible crime,&ndash;&ndash;perhaps many of them,&ndash;&ndash;and he is afraid
+to look a stranger in the eye; and a glance at that beautiful
+girl is enough to fasten upon him one of his crimes.
+She is from a family whose blood is as pure from any
+taint, physical, mental, or moral, as is your own, and unless
+I am greatly mistaken, she is not wholly unconscious
+of this herself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Great Heavens!&rdquo; exclaimed the younger brother, &ldquo;I
+never dreamed of all this! If it is really as you think, I
+only wish we could find her true home, and have her
+restored to it, and make that scoundrel suffer for his
+crime.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If it is among the possibilities, it shall be done,&rdquo; said
+Morton Rutherford, quietly, but in a tone which startled
+Ned with its volume of meaning. The latter looked up
+in quick surprise, a question on his lips, but he knew his
+brother&rsquo;s face too well; the question was not asked, and
+he only said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good for you, Mort, and here&rsquo;s my hand; I&rsquo;m with
+you on this, whatever you do.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For the next few days, nothing of any special import
+occurred at the camp. Houston, soon after the arrival
+of Morton and Ned Rutherford, had written to his uncle
+that preparations were now about completed, and everything
+was so nearly in readiness that he and his party had
+better come out immediately to one of the western cities,
+from which they could be summoned by telegraph on
+short notice. Accordingly, Mr. Cameron had already
+left New York, and in company with his attorney and the
+English expert, was now on his way west, Mrs. Cameron
+also accompanying him as far west as Chicago, where she
+was to stop with friends while he went on to the mines,
+as she had insisted that she would feel much happier to
+be nearer her husband and Everard, so that she could
+more easily reach them in the event of any trouble at the
+mines.</p>
+<p>Van Dorn was progressing well with his work, and the
+machine would soon be ready for its trial test, though he
+said he would in all probability first have to go to Silver
+City, in order to have replaced one or two small but important
+parts which had been broken in the long, westward
+journey.</p>
+<p>Lyle, in the midst of the strange happiness which had
+lately come to her heart, had not forgotten her resolve
+to search for the proofs, of such importance to her. On
+the contrary, she had now a new and powerful incentive
+which gave additional zest to her efforts, although, thus
+far, they had proved unsuccessful.</p>
+<p>One afternoon, after having made a particularly thorough
+but fruitless search, she stole quietly out of the
+house, and following the little path along the shore of the
+lake, soon found herself in her favorite retreat among
+the rocks, a secluded place from which there was no sign
+of human habitation; only the mountains in their vast
+solitudes were visible, their silent grandeur more eloquent
+than words. It was a spot that she had loved even
+in her childhood, and which had, in later years, been her
+resort for study and reflection.</p>
+<p>In a brief interview with Jack, at the cabin, the previous
+evening, she had told him of her increasingly distinct
+recollections of her mother, of the angry words between
+Maverick and his wife which she had overheard, and of
+her search which she felt would yet result in her obtaining
+possession of the necessary proofs of her identity.</p>
+<p>To her surprise, Jack, while commending the course
+which she was taking, yet seemed strangely averse to
+talking much with her upon the subject. At last, as she
+was leaving the cabin, he had taken her hands in his,
+saying, in a strangely tender tone:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My dear Lyle, because I say little, you must not
+think I take no interest in this affair which concerns you
+so closely. I am deeply interested, more deeply than you
+will probably ever know, but it is for many reasons a
+painful subject to me, one full of bitter memories; but I
+have one favor to ask of you, my dear child, which I
+know you will grant for the sake of the memory of the
+happy hours we have spent together,&ndash;&ndash;it is this; that
+whatever proof you may succeed in finding, you will first
+bring to me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly I will, dear Jack,&rdquo; Lyle had replied, wondering
+at his manner, &ldquo;in whom should I confide if not in
+you, who have been my first and best friend.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>And he, his dark, piercing eyes looking into the depths
+of her own, their gaze softened by tender affection, had
+replied:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, your friend always, Lyle, remember that; none
+truer or more devoted to you or your welfare; but before
+long, my dear, your heart will learn, if it has not
+learned already, the difference between friendship and
+love.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>With burning cheeks and tearful eyes Lyle recalled his
+words, and pondered deeply on the strange bond that
+seemed, in some way, to exist between his life and hers,
+but the longer she tried to solve the problem, the deeper
+and more obscure it seemed.</p>
+<p>In the midst of her reflections, she heard a light step
+upon the rocky footpath, and looking up, saw Morton
+Rutherford approaching. So absorbed was he in the
+study of the masses of rock about him, on which had been
+traced by the finger of the centuries, in wonderful hieroglyphics,
+the early history of the earth, that for a time he
+was unconscious of her presence there. When he saw
+her he raised his hat and came quickly forward.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I beg your pardon,&rdquo; he said, in deep, musical tones,
+&ldquo;I supposed myself alone with my own thoughts; am I
+intruding? if so, send me away at once.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, stay, if you please,&rdquo; said Lyle.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; he answered, seating himself on the
+rocks at a little distance, &ldquo;you appeared so lost in thought
+I feared my coming might annoy you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; she replied, &ldquo;my thoughts were too perplexing,
+I was growing weary of them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Rutherford glanced at the surrounding mountains;
+&ldquo;Were you, too, trying to fathom the mystery of the
+eternal hills?&rdquo; he asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; was her reply, &ldquo;I have never attempted anything
+so far beyond me as that; I have found more mysteries
+in every-day, human life than I could solve.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Morton Rutherford was silent for a few moments, then
+he said in low tones:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I hope you will pardon me when I say, that to me,
+your own life here, under the existing circumstances and
+conditions, is a mystery, one which seems capable of but
+one solution.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And what would be your solution?&rdquo; she asked quickly.</p>
+<p>He saw that she understood his meaning, and was
+watching him intently, eagerly, and he said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Permit me to reply to your question by asking one in
+return. Do you not believe that your life had a beginning
+elsewhere than here, and under far different conditions?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is more than a belief with me, it is a certainty, and
+yet, strange as it may appear to you, this knowledge has
+come to me but recently, and even now, I know nothing
+of what those conditions may have been, except that they
+were totally unlike these that exist here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You interest me very much are you willing to tell me
+how you arrived at this knowledge of which you speak?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Very briefly, and without going into details, Lyle, in
+response to the magnetic sympathy of those dark eyes,
+gave a vivid outline of her life, and of the vague impressions
+which of late were becoming distinct recollections,
+and of her hope of soon finding tangible evidence regarding
+the life which was daily growing more and more of a
+reality.</p>
+<p>Mr. Rutherford listened with intense interest to the
+strange story, and when she had finished, he said slowly,
+as he took a short turn up and down the rocky path:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Believe me, I have not listened to this through mere,
+idle curiosity; much as your story has interested me, it
+has not surprised me, for I read the truth almost from our
+first meeting.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle gave him a smile of rare sweetness and deep significance;
+&ldquo;I am glad to know that,&rdquo; she said simply.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why so?&rdquo; he asked, pausing and seating himself beside
+her; &ldquo;Did you think I could fail to recognize the
+soul that looked out to welcome me when I first came,
+no matter amid what surroundings I found it?&rdquo; Then, as
+she remained silent, he continued, his tones thrilling her
+heart as no human voice had ever done before:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Since the hour that I first met you, Lyle, life has
+changed for me,&ndash;&ndash;I think perhaps it will never be quite
+the same again for either of us. I know that I love you
+with a love that, whether reciprocated or not, can never
+die; that henceforth, you will be,&ndash;&ndash;you must be,&ndash;&ndash;a part
+of my very life. Let me care for you and help you; let
+me help you in your search for the home for which you
+were created, and of which you are worthy; but, Lyle,
+before you search any farther for that home, will you not
+consent to become the queen of my home, as you are already
+the queen of my heart?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle lifted her head proudly, though the tears glistened
+on the long, golden lashes; &ldquo;Do you ask me that, here
+and now, knowing nothing as yet, of what the future may
+reveal?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I do; I have no fear for the future if I but have your
+love. Do you think that, perhaps, in the days to come,
+amid other and different surroundings, you might find
+some one whose love your heart would choose in preference
+to mine?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Never!&rdquo; cried Lyle, impulsively, turning with outstretched
+arms to him, &ldquo;You are the only one I have
+ever loved,&ndash;&ndash;the only one I could ever love!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Then that is enough for me,&rdquo; he replied, drawing her
+closely to his breast; &ldquo;you have come forth from the
+years of the wretched past, with a soul star-white and
+shining, and I have no fears for the future.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>When the little group of friends assembled that evening,
+it was not long before some one discovered that a
+small diamond ring, of exquisite, antique design, which
+Morton Rutherford had worn, had, in some manner, become
+transferred to Lyle&rsquo;s hand. &ldquo;Wear this, for the
+present,&rdquo; he had said, in taking it from his own hand,
+&ldquo;until I can obtain a costlier one for you,&rdquo; but Lyle had
+insisted that once placed upon her hand, there it must remain,
+as she would prize it far above any other which
+money could buy; and such had been the final decision.</p>
+<p>When this significant fact had been discovered by one
+of the little company, the intelligence was speedily telegraphed
+to the rest, and Morton and Lyle soon found
+themselves the recipients of hearty and affectionate congratulations
+from the others.</p>
+<p>The astonishment depicted on Ned&rsquo;s face, when he
+comprehended the turn affairs had taken, was beyond
+description, but in the little excitement which prevailed
+for a few moments, it passed unnoticed, so that he had
+sufficiently recovered himself to join very gracefully in
+the general congratulations when his turn came.</p>
+<p>A few hours later, however, as he went out for a stroll
+with Van Dorn, while his brother and Houston started
+out in the direction of Jack&rsquo;s cabin, his astonishment
+found expression.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Great Scott! but I never was so dumfounded in my
+life! I tell you what, Van, I believe people lose their wits
+when they are in love!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;On whose experience do you base your highly original
+remark, your brother&rsquo;s or your own?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, both, and lots of others besides. I never yet
+saw a person who was in love that didn&rsquo;t act just the
+reverse of what you would expect, or of what they would
+under ordinary circumstances. Now, look at us two, for
+instance. Look at me! Everybody calls me rash and
+impetuous, and Mort is always lecturing me for it, and
+it&rsquo;s always my way to rush head-first into anything that
+comes along, and here I&rsquo;ve been making love, in the regular,
+orthodox fashion, to a girl I&rsquo;ve known ever since I
+wore knickerbockers, and playing propriety and all that
+to my prospective father-in-law; and now see Mort! the
+most precise, deliberate fellow you ever saw, never says or
+does anything that isn&rsquo;t exactly suited to the occasion,
+you know; and here he goes and tumbles head over heels
+in love with a pretty girl the first time he sees her, and
+when he doesn&rsquo;t know a blessed thing about her, and, by
+George! engages himself to her before he&rsquo;s known her a
+week! If that isn&rsquo;t a case of clear-gone lunacy, then I
+never saw one.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Van Dorn laughed; &ldquo;Well, of the two, I should prefer
+your brother&rsquo;s form of lunacy to yours; if I ever was to
+be in love, I should want the misery over as quickly as
+possible.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>As Houston and his friend, having made a brief call at
+the cabin, rose to take their leave, the former observed
+Jack watching Rutherford&rsquo;s face with a degree of interest
+unusual for him to manifest in a stranger.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I want you and my friend, Rutherford, to know each
+other the little time he will be here,&rdquo; he said, addressing
+Jack, &ldquo;for though I have never known what it was to have
+a brother in reality, he seems to me to more nearly fill that
+position than any one I have known, and I have told him
+of your kindness and assistance, and the strange bond
+that has seemed to unite us from the first, though we met
+as strangers, so he naturally wishes to meet you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There was a peculiar quiver of the lips under the heavy,
+black beard, as Jack replied, in deep, full tones, &ldquo;Mr.
+Rutherford&rsquo;s face carries with it its own recommendation,
+and the fact that he is as a brother to yourself will insure
+him a double welcome here as often as he pleases to come
+during his stay.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston passed onward into the outer room, pausing
+to chat with Mike, while Morton Rutherford lingered,
+and extending his hand to Jack, said in low tones:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have another reason for wishing to meet you. From
+what Lyle has told me, I know you to have been, until
+very recently, her only friend, and to you, as to her friend,
+and perhaps, in one sense, her guardian, I wish to state
+that I love her, and have been so fortunate as to win her
+love in return; and that I hope before very long, my
+home will be hers.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, I know,&rdquo; Jack responded, briefly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What! has she already told you?&rdquo; Rutherford asked
+in surprise.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Only unconsciously; but I read soon after your coming,
+that her heart was no longer her own.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Then grasping Rutherford&rsquo;s hand warmly, he added, in
+tones vibrating with some deep emotion.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You have chosen better than you know. I believe
+I can trust her and her happiness in your hands. God
+bless you both! and may He bless you in proportion to
+your love and fidelity toward her!&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XXXIX' id='CHAPTER_XXXIX'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXIX.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>The following day, Mr. Blaisdell suddenly made his appearance
+at the camp, accompanied by Mr. Rivers and a
+mining expert who had come out in the interests of a
+Chicago firm, looking for good paying investments.
+Houston had received no word of their coming, and the
+first intimation which he had of their arrival was the sight
+of the three gentlemen, as he approached the house at
+dinner time.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How are you, Houston?&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell, pausing
+in his walk up and down before the house, and extending
+his hand, &ldquo;How&rsquo;s the work progressing?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Finely,&rdquo; replied Houston, &ldquo;the output is steadily increasing,
+week by week.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Keeps you pretty busy, I suppose? Well, I hope we
+can give you a little help before long; we&rsquo;ve located Barden
+at last, and he starts for the west next week. Let
+me introduce you to Mr. Parsons, a mining expert from
+Chicago; Mr. Parsons, this is Mr. Houston, our general
+superintendent.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston exchanged greetings with the stranger, and
+with Mr. Rivers, the latter watching him closely, though
+saying very little.</p>
+<p>Dinner was served as quickly as possible, as Mr. Parsons
+was limited for time, and was to return to Silver City
+on the evening train. Most of the conversation at the
+table was on mines and mining, Mr. Blaisdell trying to
+impress each one present, Mr. Parsons in particular, with
+his extensive knowledge, both theoretical and practical,
+on all that pertained to the subject, as well as with a sense
+of the immense value of the properties owned by the
+company.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. W. E. Cameron, of New York, owns some very
+valuable mines out here, I understand,&rdquo; said Mr. Parsons
+casually, his innocent remark producing rather a startling
+effect upon the minds of his listeners, though they, one
+and all, succeeded in preserving a calm exterior.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He has an interest in some very fine properties,&rdquo; replied
+Mr. Blaisdell blandly, though with a visible contracting
+of the muscles about the mouth, &ldquo;you are acquainted
+with Mr. Cameron, I presume?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, no, on the contrary, I never even met the gentleman,
+but he is extensively known among the leading
+business houses of Chicago, and he was pointed out to
+me, the day I came away, as the owner of some of the
+finest mines in this locality,&rdquo; Mr. Parsons explained,
+thereby carrying consternation to the heart of every one
+present.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Did I understand you to say that Mr. Cameron was in
+Chicago?&rdquo; inquired Mr. Blaisdell, while Mr. Rivers&rsquo; restless
+eyes were at once on the alert.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly, he was there the day I left; at least, a
+gentleman with whom I happened to be talking about
+western investments, pointed him out to me, and cited
+him as the owner of western properties.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah, yes, did you hear anything said as to whether he
+was coming this way?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Nothing, nothing whatever, except what I have
+stated.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s all right,&rdquo; said Mr. Rivers, speaking for the first
+time, and in his quick, incisive way; he feared Mr. Blaisdell
+had betrayed his anxiety; &ldquo;all right, only we would
+like to know his whereabouts, as it will be necessary to
+wire him in a day or two, regarding some ore shipments.
+Can you give us the hotel where he was stopping?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am very sorry that I cannot oblige you, but I have
+not the least idea where he was located; I simply saw
+him passing on the street.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is of no consequence,&rdquo; replied Mr. Blaisdell, with
+assumed indifference, &ldquo;we can of course ascertain his
+present address from the New York house; it will take a
+little more time, that is all. We had better proceed to
+the mines at once, if Mr. Parsons is ready.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>When they had left and Haight was on his way to the
+mills, the four young men held a few moments&rsquo; consultation
+outside the house.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;By Jingo!&rdquo; exclaimed Ned Rutherford, &ldquo;it looks as
+though old Buncombe was going to get on to our surprise
+party that we&rsquo;re planning for him! What are you
+fellows going to do about it?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Van Dorn. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not sure whether this
+is going to interfere with our arrangements or not; what
+do you think, Everard? will the company &lsquo;smell a rat&rsquo;
+anywhere?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;They are evidently alarmed at the possibility of Mr.
+Cameron&rsquo;s coming out here, but there is nothing yet to
+arouse their suspicions against us, so I do not think it
+will interfere materially with our plans at present. They
+will be able to learn nothing of my uncle&rsquo;s movements
+from the New York house, as he will have forestalled
+them there. He had but just reached Chicago when this
+Parsons left, and as he and Mr. Whitney wished, if possible,
+to remain there a few days, to consult with a legal
+firm who are personal friends of theirs, I think it best, in
+case this company remains quiet, to take no action yet
+for two or three days; but if the officers of the company
+begin to appear suspicious, or as if they were trying to
+cover their tracks, the sooner we telegraph for our party,
+the better; get them here as quickly as possible.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, that will be best,&rdquo; said Morton Rutherford, &ldquo;if
+their suspicions are aroused, we cannot be too expeditious,
+for they will be desperate when they find themselves
+cornered.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We must hold ourselves in readiness to act promptly,&rdquo;
+Houston added, &ldquo;probably within twenty-four hours we
+will be able to decide which course to pursue.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston went to his work determined to keep a close
+watch on the movements of Blaisdell and Rivers. A
+couple of hours later, however, the three men entered the
+mill where he was engaged superintending the weighing
+of some ore; Mr. Rivers went at once to Haight&rsquo;s little
+private office, while Blaisdell approached him with the
+expert.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Houston,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;just take Mr. Parsons
+through the mills and entertain him for the next half
+hour. Mr. Rivers and myself will be engaged about that
+length of time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston complied with the request, and in a very short
+time discovered that Mr. Parsons&rsquo; knowledge of metallurgy
+and mineralogy was exceedingly limited, but that in
+exact proportion to his own ignorance, he had been profoundly
+impressed by the knowledge which Mr. Blaisdell
+had aired for his especial benefit, and the parrot-like way
+in which he repeated some of the expressions which Mr.
+Blaisdell kept as his &ldquo;stock in trade,&rdquo; was very amusing.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile Houston was deeply interested in the private
+meeting held in Haight&rsquo;s little dingy room, as he
+felt certain that some issues were being discussed and decisions
+reached that would, in their results, be of the
+greatest importance to him, and he awaited the reappearance
+of the general manager and secretary with considerable
+expectancy.</p>
+<p>He was not disappointed; a glance at their faces revealed
+that the subjects under discussion had not been
+pleasant. Mr. Blaisdell&rsquo;s face was white, and set in hard,
+determined lines, while that of his companion was flushed
+with anger, and his cunning, crafty eyes were full of suspicion,
+as they glanced repeatedly in Houston&rsquo;s direction.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Parsons,&rdquo; said Mr. Blaisdell, &ldquo;we will have to ask
+you to excuse Mr. Houston, as we have a little business
+with him, and if you will step over there in the office and
+sit down, we will have completed our business in half or
+three-quarters of an hour; by that time the team will be
+here, in readiness to take us to the train.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>After a few moments of desultory conversation about
+the work which Houston knew to be only preliminary,
+during which Mr. Rivers moved about in a nervous,
+restless manner, Mr. Blaisdell said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Houston, we hear some rather strange reports
+concerning your conduct lately; your actions have certainly
+been highly censurable, and the least that can be
+said is that you have exceeded your authority here in a
+very marked degree.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;In what respect have I exceeded my authority?&rdquo; demanded
+Houston, folding his arms, with an expression
+on his face that made the general manager regret that
+he had begun the encounter; but it was too late to retreat,
+besides, Rivers was watching him!</p>
+<p>&ldquo;In your manner of discharging the duties assigned to
+you; you have taken advantage of your position in the
+most reprehensible and unworthy way, and have overstepped
+the bounds when you had no right whatever to
+do so.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I shall have to ask you to be a little more explicit,
+Mr. Blaisdell,&rdquo; Houston replied.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why don&rsquo;t you come to the point, Blaisdell?&rdquo; said
+Rivers impatiently. &ldquo;What&rsquo;s the use of beating about
+the bush? The long and the short of it is just this,&rdquo; he
+added, turning to Houston, &ldquo;you have been taking upon
+yourself what did not concern you, prying around, late at
+night, in mines with which you had nothing whatever to
+do, in company with miners who had no more business
+there than you had.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;To what mine do you refer?&rdquo; asked Houston, with exasperating
+persistency.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I mean the Lucky Chance, and you know it,&rdquo; retorted
+Rivers angrily.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Rivers,&rdquo; said Houston, in a tone that Blaisdell
+had heard on a former occasion, and with a steel-like
+glitter in his eyes that was anything but attractive to
+either of the gentlemen present; &ldquo;Mr. Blaisdell knows, if
+you do not, that since my first coming here, whatever
+kind of work has been assigned to me, I have thoroughly
+familiarized myself with it. When I was given charge of
+these mines I had reason to suppose that each and every
+mine owned by the company was included under my supervision,
+and if there were any which the officers of the
+company, for reasons of their own, wished excluded from
+such supervision, it was their business so to inform me. I
+have not been so informed. Mr. Blaisdell himself took
+me into that mine, and nothing was said to lead me to
+suppose that that mine was any exception to those placed
+in my charge, and your informant, if he chose so to do,
+could tell you that I have inspected in like manner each
+and every mine under my supervision, taking with me
+one or both of the same men, when the mine happened
+to be one with which I was not familiar.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;His intentions were all right,&rdquo; interposed Mr. Blaisdell,
+&ldquo;he was over-zealous, that was all.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Intentions be damned!&rdquo; said Mr. Rivers, angrily, &ldquo;he
+was altogether too officious, and I won&rsquo;t have it; people
+in my employ have to know their place and keep it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That is all very well,&rdquo; said Houston, in cutting tones,
+&ldquo;but I will not ask you, Mr. Rivers, or any one connected
+with this company, to tell me my place.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What!&rdquo; exclaimed Rivers in a rage, &ldquo;let me tell you,
+young man, it is to your interest to be a little careful.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is it?&rdquo; answered Houston scornfully; &ldquo;Mr. Rivers,&rdquo;
+he added, advancing toward that gentleman, &ldquo;why don&rsquo;t
+you discharge me? Wouldn&rsquo;t that be to your interest?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Rivers saw he had gone too far; &ldquo;No,&rdquo; he answered
+quickly, though sullenly, &ldquo;we have said nothing
+about discharging you; you are too efficient a man for us
+to lose.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, Houston,&rdquo; added Mr. Blaisdell, &ldquo;we wouldn&rsquo;t
+think of discharging you, you&rsquo;re too good a man.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, I&rsquo;m not too good a man,&rdquo; replied Houston, facing
+them both with a look which they understood; &ldquo;you don&rsquo;t
+discharge me simply because,&ndash;&ndash;you don&rsquo;t dare to!&rdquo; and
+he emphasized the last words with a heavy blow upon a
+rude desk standing near.</p>
+<p>Blaisdell and Rivers exchanged glances, and for a moment
+were speechless. The former was the first to recover
+himself.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Come, Houston,&rdquo; he said, in a conciliatory tone, &ldquo;we
+won&rsquo;t have any more words; we all understand one another
+pretty well, and there&rsquo;ll be no more complaints or
+trouble. You go on pretty much as you have done, and
+it will be all right. It&rsquo;s time we were getting back now,
+but I&rsquo;ll be out here next week with Barden, and we&rsquo;ll fix
+things up satisfactory all &rsquo;round.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;When will he get here?&rdquo; asked Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The latter part of next week.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston thought an instant, his party would be there
+the first or middle of the week.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;I tender my resignation now,
+to take effect when he comes.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, no, Houston, no indeed, why, we couldn&rsquo;t think
+of such a thing,&rdquo; said Blaisdell, really alarmed, while Rivers
+maintained a sullen silence.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am not particularly anxious to hold this position, I
+can assure you; there is very little in it but hard work.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, well, well, you stay by us a while longer, and
+we&rsquo;ll take you into the company yet.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;it would be no use taking me
+into the company, I wouldn&rsquo;t know my place, or keep it,&rdquo;
+and with that parting shot, he turned and left them.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Blaisdell,&rdquo; said Rivers, his face relaxing for a moment
+into a grim smile, &ldquo;it&rsquo;s just as I told you, your smart
+young man is too smart for you. It&rsquo;s my opinion we&rsquo;ve
+caught a tartar;&ndash;&ndash;we&rsquo;re afraid to keep him, and we don&rsquo;t
+dare let him go.&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XL' id='CHAPTER_XL'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XL.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>As Houston, on the following morning, in the execution
+of his daily round of duties, happened to be passing
+the Yankee Boy mine, his attention was arrested by a
+quantity of powder deposited near the mouth of the shaft,
+which the workmen were preparing to take below.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is the meaning of this?&rdquo; he inquired sternly.
+&ldquo;Who has given any orders for this powder to be brought
+here?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Them was the boss&rsquo;s orders, sir,&rdquo; replied one of the
+men, respectfully.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The boss? whom do you mean?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Begging your pardon, sir, I meant the boss as was up
+here yisterday; Mr. Haight, he told me this morning as
+these was the orders he give him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Haight,&rdquo; said Houston, as, a few moments later, he
+entered the office of that individual, &ldquo;did Mr. Blaisdell
+leave orders yesterday for powder to be taken over to the
+Yankee Boy mines?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; replied Haight, with his usual smile, &ldquo;and I intended
+to have spoken to you about it this morning, but
+I forgot it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is his object? any blasting to be done?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, we had quite a long consultation together yesterday,
+he and Rivers and I, and we decided that it would
+pay to do some extensive drifting in those mines, and a
+good deal of that rock will have to be blasted.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How soon is this blasting to begin?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well, I can&rsquo;t say exactly, just how soon, probably
+within the next seven or eight days.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;In what direction is the drifting to extend?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Haight looked slightly surprised but replied: &ldquo;We&rsquo;re
+a little undecided about that, just what course to take;
+Rivers was for one thing, and Blaisdell and I for another.
+After they have blasted a ways, we can tell something
+from the character of the rock in what direction it will be
+best to run the drift.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>After a few more questions, some of which Haight did
+not answer so readily as might have been expected,
+Houston left him. He did not proceed at once to the
+building where Van Dorn was at work, but first returned
+to the mines, where he discovered that the powder was
+not only being stored in the Yankee Boy group, but also
+in the Lucky Chance, and one or two others of the surrounding
+mines. A little later he made an errand to that
+part of the mills where Van Dorn was to be found, and
+quietly calling him to one side, related to him what he
+had discovered, and his talk with Haight.</p>
+<p>Van Dorn was more familiar with mines, their methods
+of operation, and the rules governing their underground
+workings, than Houston, and he immediately exclaimed:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;By George! that fellow is a fool, Everard, or else he
+was simply &lsquo;stuffing&rsquo; you; to drift in the direction he mentioned
+would be a useless expenditure of time and money,
+there would be nothing in it, it is utterly absurd!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I mistrusted as much,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;and I have my
+own opinion as to the meaning of all this, but I wished
+to get your idea of the matter. What do you think of
+it?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It looks to me,&rdquo; said Van Dorn slowly, &ldquo;as though
+they were making preparations to blow up these mines,
+at a moment&rsquo;s warning.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;was just the conviction that
+forced itself upon my mind when I saw that powder,
+though I will admit I had never once thought of their resorting
+to such measures as that.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s about the only thing left for them to do, by
+George! after the shape in which they have got things;
+their idea probably would be, in the event of Mr. Cameron&rsquo;s
+coming, to destroy in this way all the evidence, as
+they think, existing against them. It shows pretty conclusively
+that they have no suspicions of us, for if they
+knew the evidence in our possession they would blow us
+up rather than the mines. You will telegraph at once for
+Mr. Cameron, will you not?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;At once; we must get him here as quickly and as
+quietly as we can; before they put their plans into action,
+if possible.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That is the thing to do; they probably will take no
+action unless they hear of his coming. We ought to get
+a dispatch off before night.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We will,&rdquo; Houston replied, with quiet decision.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How will you manage it? It will look rather suspicious
+for you or me to leave our work and go down to the
+Y with a message.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Give Morton our dispatch and cipher book, and he
+will attend to it better than you or I, for he is an expert
+operator.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;By George! that&rsquo;s so, I had forgotten it; he learned
+telegraphy there at college just to amuse himself, and had
+a battery in his room; well, that&rsquo;s fortunate, he will be
+just the one for us.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is nearly noon,&rdquo; said Houston, consulting his watch,
+&ldquo;we will see Morton at the house, and arrange the message
+between us, and he will send it immediately.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>After dinner, there was a brief consultation in Houston&rsquo;s
+room with the result that the following dispatch
+was formulated, written in cipher, and addressed to Mr.
+Whitney, at Chicago, the attorney from New York, accompanying
+Mr. Cameron:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;Come at once, no delay; go to Arlington Hotel, Silver
+City; keep dark, do not register. Van Dorn will meet you at
+hotel.&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>Houston realized that they were now rapidly approaching
+the final denouement,&ndash;&ndash;the closing act of the drama
+which might yet prove a tragedy,&ndash;&ndash;and as he placed the
+folded slip of paper in Morton Rutherford&rsquo;s hand, he
+said with a sigh:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This is the beginning of the end.&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XLI' id='CHAPTER_XLI'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XLI.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>As Morton Rutherford&rsquo;s fingers touched the key of the
+little instrument that was to send forth that fateful message,
+it was the unconscious touching of a secret spring
+which was to set in motion a succession of events of which
+he little dreamed.</p>
+<p>He remained at the station until the answer came back
+over the wires:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;Leave Chicago to-night; will follow instructions to the letter.&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>This was on Saturday. On Tuesday the expected party
+would reach Silver City, where they were to be met by
+Van Dorn, who would furnish them all details and accompany
+them on the evening train to the Y, from which
+point Houston and Morton Rutherford would convey
+them by team to the mining camp.</p>
+<p>From Saturday until Tuesday only! but those intervening
+days were full of a strange excitement for the little
+group of friends who were in the secret, and there was
+that constant sense of expectancy, combined with an
+alert watchfulness, which kept the nerves tense and rigid,
+and rendered the mind unusually clear and active.</p>
+<p>On Monday, Van Dorn left for Silver City, his errand
+ostensibly being to replace the broken portions of the machinery,
+now nearly finished, which were necessary for
+its completion.</p>
+<p>All felt that the climax to which they had looked forward
+was now very near, and Lyle, who perhaps realized
+the situation the most keenly of any, was restless and excited,
+something very unusual for her.</p>
+<p>Her search, thus far unsuccessful, had not been abandoned,
+and as she sat in the little porch on that particular
+afternoon, idle because she could not fix her attention
+upon book or work, it seemed as if the years of her early
+life among the mountains stood out with more than usual
+distinctness. Among other trifling objects, there was
+suddenly recalled to her memory a box which used always
+to stand in Mrs. Maverick&rsquo;s little bed-room, and
+which had looked wonderfully attractive to her childish
+eyes on account of a flowered red and green paper with
+which it was covered. Once, overcome with infantile
+curiosity, she had tried to open it, and had received a severe
+whipping therefor. She could remember it very distinctly
+now, a box about eighteen inches square, with no
+fastening, but always securely tied with a stout cord.
+Late years it had been removed to the little attic and she
+had forgotten it. Where was it now? She had not seen
+it for months, or was it years? What could it have contained?</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden was occupied with a new magazine.
+Morton and Ned Rutherford had gone out for a stroll
+among the rocks. Quietly Lyle slipped up-stairs, and going
+to the dark, dusty attic, began searching for the object
+so suddenly recalled to mind.</p>
+<p>She could find no trace of it, however, and had about
+concluded that it must have been destroyed, when her attention
+was arrested by a pile of old clothing and rubbish
+on the floor in a particularly dark corner, behind
+some large boxes. A slight examination revealed that
+there was some solid substance underneath. Hastily
+overturning the rubbish, her eyes descried in the dim
+light the identical red and green papered box familiar to
+her childhood.</p>
+<p>With an exclamation of joy she dragged it forth from
+its hiding place, and going over to the one tiny window,
+covered with dust and cobwebs, she sat down with the
+newly found treasure, first arranging a pile of old bedding
+as a screen between herself and the door, to preclude all
+possibility of her whereabouts being discovered.</p>
+<p>With fingers trembling with excitement, she undid the
+fastenings of the heavy cord and slowly lifted the cover,
+not knowing exactly what she expected or hoped to find,
+but certain that the key for which she had searched was
+close at hand.</p>
+<p>Within the box lay a large parcel wrapped in a newspaper,
+worn and yellow with age, and pinned to the parcel
+was a letter, addressed in a cramped, almost illegible
+hand:</p>
+<p class='center'>&ldquo;To Lyle,<br />
+to be read after my death.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle recognized the writing,&ndash;&ndash;it was Mrs. Maverick&rsquo;s,
+whose educational advantages, though exceedingly limited,
+were yet superior to those of her husband, in that
+she could read and write, though she had little idea of the
+rules of grammar or orthography.</p>
+<p>Lyle unpinned the letter and turned it over curiously
+in her hands for a moment; then she laid it aside, saying
+to herself:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I will first see what this package contains, and will
+probably open that later.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>She lifted the parcel and began removing the paper
+wrappings, which burst like tissue and dropped in pieces,
+leaving a mass of fine cambric and dainty laces and embroideries,
+from which was exhaled a perfume, faint and
+subtle, and yet which recalled to Lyle so vividly the memories
+of that long-ago forgotten time, that she seemed
+like one awakening from a long oblivion to the scenes of
+a once familiar life. For a moment, she grew faint and
+dizzy, and, closing her eyes, leaned against the wall for
+support, while she tried to grasp the vision that seemed
+just ready to open up before her. But it passed, and with
+a sigh she opened her eyes, her gaze falling on the contents
+of the package which had fallen open.</p>
+<p>She saw the dress of a little child,&ndash;&ndash;apparently about
+two years of age,&ndash;&ndash;a marvelous creation of the finest of
+white linen and the daintiest of embroideries; lying within
+it was a broad sash of blue silk, neatly folded together,
+a pair of tiny, blue silk stockings, and little kid shoes of
+the same delicate shade; but the shoes and sash, as well
+as the dress, were soiled and blackened as if they had
+come in contact with charred wood.</p>
+<p>The dress and the little undergarments each and all
+bore the initials &ldquo;M. L. W.,&rdquo; and Lyle pondered over
+them with wondering eyes, while handling with reverent
+touch these relics of her childhood,&ndash;&ndash;a childhood which
+she could not recall.</p>
+<p>As she unrolled the blue sash, there dropped from within
+its folds a small, pasteboard box, which she hastily
+opened, exposing to view a tiny gold locket and chain of
+rare workmanship and exquisite design. Upon touching
+a little spring, it opened, and Lyle gave a low cry of delight,
+for there was revealed the same beautiful face which
+she had seen in Jack&rsquo;s cabin,&ndash;&ndash;the face of her mother.
+For some time she gazed at it through fast-gathering
+tears, then happening to note the engraving on the inside
+of the case, opposite to the picture, she held it closer to
+the light, to discern the delicate characters of the inscription,
+and read:</p>
+<table summary=''><tr><td>
+<p class='cg'>&ldquo;To Marjorie Lyle Washburn,<br />
+Upon her second birthday.&rdquo;</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+<p>Lyle Maverick no longer, but Marjorie Lyle Washburn!
+She repeated the name over and over to herself,&ndash;&ndash;the
+magic talisman by which she was to find the home and
+friends she sought!</p>
+<p>Kissing the locket reverently, she replaced it in the
+box, and folding together the little garments, she again
+took up the letter. She studied it for a moment, then
+resolutely breaking the seal, began to read its contents.
+It was slow work, for the writing in many places was so
+poor as to be nearly illegible, but, with burning cheeks
+and eyes flashing with indignation at what it revealed,
+she read it to the end.</p>
+<p>In uncouth phrases and illiterate language, and yet
+with a certain pathos, Mrs. Maverick told the story of
+the death, years before, while their home was east, in
+Ohio, of her own little girl between two and three years
+of age, and her inconsolable sorrow. A few months afterward,
+Jim had suddenly returned from a neighboring
+town where he was working, bringing with him a beautiful
+little girl of the same age as her own, but unusually
+advanced for her years, whose father and mother he
+claimed had been killed in a railroad accident, and of
+whose friends nothing could be learned. His wife had
+accepted his story in good faith, and welcomed the motherless
+little one to her own lonely heart. Unknown to
+Jim, who had charged her to burn them, she had also
+preserved the garments worn by the little stranger on
+that day.</p>
+<p>But the little one did not take kindly to her new surroundings
+but cried piteously for her mother, night and
+day, even refusing food of all kinds, until she was suddenly
+taken with a strange illness which lasted for many
+weeks. When she finally recovered, all memory of her
+former life seemed to have been completely blotted out
+of her mind, and she no longer called for her mother, except
+occasionally in her sleep. Very soon after they had
+come out to the mines, and nothing of any importance
+occurred until Lyle was about seven years old.</p>
+<p>At that time, Jim had suddenly made his appearance at
+the house one day, appearing both angry and frightened,
+and had ordered his wife to keep Lyle locked up, on pretext
+of punishing her, until he gave permission for her
+release. He would give no explanation, and by his curses
+and threats compelled her to obey.</p>
+<p>That day, a fine-looking, elderly gentleman, who had
+just arrived from the east to purchase some mining property,
+came to the house for dinner, and took his meals
+there for the two days following, during which time, Lyle
+was not allowed her liberty. Not until nearly a year later
+did Mrs. Maverick learn that the eastern stranger, whose
+coming had so terrified Maverick, was Lyle&rsquo;s grandfather.
+Jim then confessed that he had taken the child from the
+wreck where its mother had lost her life, and brought her
+west with him, knowing whose child she was, and keeping
+her out of revenge for some wrong which he claimed
+this man had done him years before.</p>
+<p>In vain his wife urged to have the child returned to her
+rightful home; he threatened her life if she ever breathed
+the secret to any living soul. A sense of guilt made her
+unhappy for a time, but as years passed she grew more
+indifferent to it, and as she saw, more and more, how utterly
+unlike any of her own family Lyle was growing, she
+no longer cared for her as she had done, though she tried
+to treat her kindly. Jim&rsquo;s hatred of Lyle seemed to increase
+with every year, until his wife sometimes feared
+that he would resort to personal violence.</p>
+<p>As she found her own health and strength failing she
+began to reflect upon the terrible position in which Lyle
+would find herself in case of her own death, left alone with
+Maverick and his two sons, and to save her from such a
+fate, she had resolved to write this letter, acquainting Lyle
+with her own history so far as she was able to give it.</p>
+<p>At the close she begged Lyle not to think too harshly
+of her or consider that she was altogether to blame in
+this matter, and expressed the wish that she might some
+day find her own friends from whom she had been taken.</p>
+<p>It would be impossible to describe Lyle&rsquo;s emotions as
+she finished the perusal of this strange letter; joy that
+she had finally found the evidence she sought, and an intense
+longing to see those from whom she had been so
+cruelly separated all these years, mingled with a fearful
+apprehension lest this knowledge might have come too
+late, when those whose affection she would claim, might
+have already passed beyond the limits of finite, human
+love, into the love infinite and eternal. And deep in her
+heart burned indignation, fierce and strong, against the
+one who had wrought all this wretchedness,&ndash;&ndash;carrying
+additional sorrow to a home already bereaved, robbing
+her of the love that was rightfully hers and of the dower
+of a happy childhood which could never be restored,&ndash;&ndash;all
+to gratify his cowardly revenge!</p>
+<p>In the midst of these reflections, Lyle suddenly recalled
+the promise she had given Jack that he should be
+the first to learn of her success. It was now time for
+him to be at the cabin and she would have an opportunity
+to see him before the return of the others to the house.
+Accordingly, she restored the empty box to its hiding
+place, and having concealed the most of its contents in
+her own room, started forth on her joyful errand, taking
+with her the tiny locket and the letter.</p>
+<p>As she approached the cabin she saw Jack sitting with
+Rex in the door-way and knew that he was alone. Jack,
+to whom her face was an open book, read the tidings
+which she had brought before they had exchanged a
+word. He rose to meet her, and looking into her radiant
+face, he said in gentle tones and with a grave smile:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You have good news! Have you found what you
+hoped to find?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have,&rdquo; she replied, &ldquo;and you who have shared all
+my troubles must be the first sharer of my joy.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Together they entered the cabin, and seated in the
+little, familiar room, Lyle told the story of her discovery,
+and opening the locket, placed it in Jack&rsquo;s hands.</p>
+<p>For a moment he gazed silently at the little trinket,
+then he said in low tones, as if half to himself, &ldquo;It is she,
+and you are her child, as I have always believed,&rdquo; then
+added, &ldquo;I rejoice with you, Lyle, I am glad for your
+sake.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>But even as he spoke, Lyle, notwithstanding the exuberance
+of her own joy, could not fail to observe in his
+face indications of poignant pain, as he looked at the
+lovely pictured face, and as she repeated the name inscribed
+opposite.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Jack!&rdquo; she suddenly exclaimed, &ldquo;have I made you
+suffer by my thoughtlessness? Forgive me!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, my dear,&rdquo; he answered tenderly, &ldquo;you have caused
+me no pain; if I suffer, it is on account of bitter memories
+of which you as yet know nothing, and I pray you
+may never know. What letter have you there?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle read the letter, Jack silently pacing up and down
+the room, listening, with a look of intense indignation
+deepening on his face, until she had finished.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is as I have suspected all these years,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;the
+dastardly villain! the scoundrel! Thank God, it is not
+yet too late, there are those who can and will right the
+wrong, so far as it is possible to right it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At Lyle&rsquo;s request, they compared the picture with the
+photograph in Jack&rsquo;s possession; they were one and the
+same, except that the latter had been taken a few years
+earlier.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Jack,&rdquo; said Lyle earnestly, &ldquo;can you tell me anything
+about my relatives? Are my grandparents living? and had
+my parents brothers or sisters?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have learned quite recently that your grandparents
+are still living,&rdquo; Jack answered slowly, after a pause, &ldquo;as
+to the others I cannot say; even of your own mother I
+can trust myself to say but very little, it is too painful!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What would you advise me to do now?&rdquo; Lyle asked
+wistfully, but with slight hesitation. &ldquo;What would be the
+best course for me to take?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>With an expression unlike anything she had ever seen
+on his face, and a depth of pathos in his voice she had
+never heard, he replied very tenderly:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I can no longer advise you, my dear Lyle; take these
+proofs which you have found to Everard Houston; he
+can advise you now far better than I; show them to him,
+my dear, and you will have no further need of counsel
+or help from me, much as I wish it were in my power
+to give both.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;To Mr. Houston?&rdquo; Lyle had risen in her surprise,
+and stood regarding Jack with tearful, perplexed astonishment;
+there was a hidden significance in his words
+which as yet she could not fathom. &ldquo;I do not understand
+you, Jack; why do you speak as though you could no
+more be to me the friend and counselor that you have
+been?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>He smiled one of his rare, sweet smiles. &ldquo;Do as I have
+suggested, dear,&ndash;&ndash;then you will understand; and I shall
+want to see you for a few moments again to-night, after
+you have seen him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Somewhat reassured by his smile, and yet perplexed
+by his manner, Lyle left the cabin and slowly returned
+to the house, everything about her seeming unreal, as
+though she were walking in a dream.</p>
+<p>Miss Gladden was chatting with Morton and Ned
+Rutherford, and in reply to Lyle&rsquo;s question whether Mr.
+Houston had returned, stated that he was in his room,
+having just come up from the mines.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Thank you, I will see him just a moment,&rdquo; Lyle responded,
+passing into the house.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You have not heard any bad news, have you?&rdquo; asked
+Miss Gladden apprehensively, noting the peculiar expression
+on Lyle&rsquo;s face.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; the latter answered with a smile, &ldquo;it is about
+nothing regarding himself that I wish to see him, only
+something concerning myself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The door stood open into Houston&rsquo;s room, and Lyle
+could see him standing by the table, arranging some
+papers which he proceeded to sort and tie up in separate
+parcels.</p>
+<p>In response to her light knock he glanced quickly
+around, and observing her unusual expression, advanced
+to meet her, thinking, as did Miss Gladden, that possibly
+she had heard something appertaining to the present
+situation of affairs at the camp.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good evening, Lyle, come in; you look as though
+you were the bearer of important news of some kind.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I have news,&rdquo; she replied, &ldquo;though of importance
+only to myself; I need a little counsel, and was told to
+come to you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You know, Lyle, I will only be too glad to give you
+any advice, or render any assistance within my power.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; she answered, at the same time producing
+the little box and the letter. &ldquo;Leslie has probably
+told you of the manner in which I learned that the proofs
+as to my true parentage and my own identity existed
+within this house, and of my search for them since that
+time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston bowed in assent.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;To-day,&rdquo; she continued, &ldquo;my search proved successful,
+in so far as that I have discovered my own name,
+and also the proofs that I was stolen by that villain, Maverick,
+in a spirit of retaliation and revenge; but I have
+as yet no knowledge as to who or where my friends may
+be. Naturally, I took these proofs to Jack, and asked
+his advice as to the best course to pursue, and he has
+sent me to you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am more than glad to hear this, my dear Lyle,&rdquo; responded
+Houston cordially; &ldquo;I have always felt a great
+interest in you, and it will give me much pleasure if I
+can assist you in finding your friends, and I shall appreciate
+it highly if Jack has intrusted me with this responsibility.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Taking the locket from the box, Lyle handed it, unopen,
+to Houston, saying as she did so, &ldquo;This is the only
+clue I have by which to find my friends; it contains my
+mother&rsquo;s picture, and my own name,&ndash;&ndash;Marjorie Lyle
+Washburn.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Washburn!&rdquo; exclaimed Houston in surprise, pausing
+as he was about to open the locket. &ldquo;Washburn! Marjorie
+Washburn! That sounds familiar, both those names
+occur in my uncle&rsquo;s family, his wife and his daughter,&ndash;&ndash;ah,
+I recall it now, that was the name of my cousin&rsquo;s little
+daughter. Strange!&ndash;&ndash;what! what is this?&rdquo; He had
+opened the locket and was gazing in astonishment at
+the beautiful face. &ldquo;This,&ndash;&ndash;this is her picture, the picture
+of my cousin, Edna Cameron Washburn! What is
+the meaning of this?&rdquo; And, unable to say anything further,
+he looked to Lyle for an explanation.</p>
+<p>She, too, was nearly speechless with astonishment.
+&ldquo;What did you say was her name?&rdquo; she stammered.</p>
+<p>Houston repeated the name, while a strange light began
+to dawn in his face.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She was my mother,&rdquo; Lyle said simply. She could
+say nothing more, the walls of the little room seemed to
+be whirling rapidly about her, and she could see nothing
+distinctly.</p>
+<p>Faintly, as though sounding far in the distance, she
+heard Houston&rsquo;s voice as he exclaimed:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Can it be possible? and yet, you resemble her! Why
+have I never thought of it before? She had a little daughter
+Marjorie, whom we always supposed was killed in the
+wreck in which her own life was lost.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And this,&rdquo; said Lyle, holding out the letter, but
+speaking with great effort, for the room was growing
+very dark, and a strange numbness seemed stealing over
+heart and brain, &ldquo;this tells that I was stolen from the
+side of my dead mother who was killed in a wreck&ndash;&ndash;&rdquo;
+She could get no farther, and she knew nothing of his
+reply. A thick darkness seemed to envelop her, fast shutting
+out all sense even of life itself. There was a sound
+for an instant like the deafening roar of waters surging
+about her, and then she seemed sinking down, down
+into infinite depths, until she lost all consciousness. For
+the first time in her life she had fainted.</p>
+<p>Houston caught her as she was falling, and a moment
+later the little group outside were startled by his sudden
+appearance.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Leslie,&rdquo; he said, in quick, low tones, &ldquo;you and Morton
+come to my room. Lyle has fainted.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is the trouble, Everard?&rdquo; asked Ned, springing
+to his feet. &ldquo;Anything serious?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think not,&rdquo; was Houston&rsquo;s reply. &ldquo;Her fainting
+was the result of over-excitement. Come into my room,
+Ned, when she has revived, I think I have made a discovery
+in which we will all be interested.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>When he returned Lyle was beginning to revive,
+though unable to speak, and leaving her in the care of
+Leslie and Morton for a few moments, Houston hastily
+scanned the letter which Lyle had given him, soon reading
+enough of its contents here and there to get a correct
+idea of the whole.</p>
+<p>Both Miss Gladden and Morton Rutherford realized
+that something had transpired out of the usual order
+of events. Each believed it connected with some discovery
+relating to Lyle&rsquo;s early history, but of what
+nature the discovery might be they had no clue.</p>
+<p>As soon as she was able to speak Houston was at her
+side, and she read in his face the confirmation of the
+truth which had dawned upon her mind as he had repeated
+her mother&rsquo;s name, but which had seemed to her
+past belief.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is really true, and I have not been dreaming?&rdquo;
+she asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is most certainly true, my dear Lyle,&rdquo; Houston replied,
+&ldquo;and I am very glad to find that you, who have
+seemed to me like a sister from our first acquaintance,
+will soon be my sister in reality.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Stooping, he kissed her on the forehead, and then in
+reply to the glances of astonishment on the part of the
+others, he said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Leslie, I will have to prepare you for a double surprise,
+and since we four are now members of one family,
+I can speak here without reserve. When I first won
+your love, my dear, it was as the salaried clerk of a disreputable
+mining company. I was old-fashioned enough
+to wish to win your love with love, to feel assured that
+you cared for me for my own sake. Lately, you have
+known that I was the representative of Mr. Cameron,
+of New York, but you did not know that I was Mr.
+Cameron&rsquo;s nephew and adopted son,&ndash;&ndash;his son in all respects,
+excepting that I have not taken his name.&rdquo; He
+paused a moment, and laid his hand affectionately on
+Lyle&rsquo;s shoulder. &ldquo;I now have a pleasant surprise for
+you both. I wish to introduce you to Marjorie Lyle
+Washburn, my cousin and my adopted sister.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>With a burst of tears, Miss Gladden knelt beside Lyle,
+throwing her arms about her neck, while Lyle whispered:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Dear Leslie, you have been like a sister to me in
+my poverty and loneliness. I am glad we will not be
+separated in the life of love and happiness that awaits
+me. We will be sisters still, more closely united than
+ever.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Turning to Morton Rutherford, whose emotion seemed
+nearly as deep as Miss Gladden&rsquo;s, Houston said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Morton, you remember hearing of my beautiful
+cousin Edna, and of the sad death of herself and her little
+daughter, as we always supposed. This is her daughter,
+and I know that when my uncle and aunt meet her,
+they will adopt her as their own daughter in her mother&rsquo;s
+place.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>It would be impossible to depict the scene that followed,
+the surprise and delight of Miss Gladden, or the
+deep joy of Morton Rutherford, but by and by, when
+they had become more calm, a knock was heard. Houston
+opened the door, and Ned Rutherford, looking in,
+was entirely unable to comprehend the scene. Houston
+held in his hand a small gold locket and a photograph
+which he seemed to be comparing with each other. Lyle
+looked very pale, but radiantly happy. Morton was
+standing near, while Miss Gladden still knelt at her side,
+her eyes overflowing with tears of joy.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Come in, Ned,&rdquo; said Houston cordially. &ldquo;We want
+you here to complete the family group.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Ned looked rather bewildered, as he replied: &ldquo;I just
+wanted to inquire for Miss Maverick, to know if she was
+better.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She is much better,&rdquo; said Houston with a smile, but
+before he could say anything further, Morton turned toward
+his brother, saying in gentle, quiet tones, but with
+a look in his eye which spoke volumes to Ned&rsquo;s inner
+consciousness:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ned, this is Miss Maverick no longer, but Miss Washburn,
+the grand-daughter of the Mr. Cameron whom we
+expect here to-morrow.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Poor Ned Rutherford! If he had ever laid any claim
+to dignity and self-possession, they both deserted him
+now. Utterly bereft of speech, he stood for a moment
+as if petrified. Then approaching Lyle, he stammered:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I beg your pardon, Miss,&ndash;&ndash;Miss Washburn, but that
+is always Mort&rsquo;s way, to spring anything on me in such
+a fashion as to knock me out completely. I beg your
+pardon for appearing so stupid, and I congratulate you
+on the good news, and extend you my best wishes, Miss&ndash;&ndash;&ndash;&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, call me Lyle,&rdquo; she interrupted, with a rippling
+laugh. &ldquo;I have a right to that name yet.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is that so?&rdquo; said Ned, with the air of a drowning
+man clutching at a straw. &ldquo;Thank you; I&rsquo;m glad that&rsquo;s
+left for a sort of land mark, you know. I&rsquo;ll call you
+&lsquo;Lyle&rsquo; then, &rsquo;till I can get accustomed to the new name,&rdquo;
+and he sank in a heap in the nearest chair.</p>
+<p>The letter was read, and bitter were the denunciations
+against Maverick.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The scoundrel! He ought to be lynched this very
+night,&rdquo; said Ned. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s the way they do those things
+out here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not late years, Ned,&rdquo; corrected his brother, &ldquo;and even
+if they did, that would not be best.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is a question with me,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;situated
+just as we are at present, and with Mr. Cameron expected
+in a few hours, whether it would be wise to do anything
+about this until after his arrival.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think not,&rdquo; said Morton, &ldquo;under the circumstances,
+you do not want to arouse the antipathy of any of the
+miners before Mr. Cameron&rsquo;s coming, and as Maverick
+knows nothing of this discovery, he will of course remain
+here, and Mr. Cameron can advise in this matter as
+he thinks best.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>And this was the final decision.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XLII' id='CHAPTER_XLII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XLII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>A few hours later Lyle stood in the gloaming, taking
+leave of Jack, in the quaint, cozy room in the cabin, little
+dreaming that they stood there together for the last
+time.</p>
+<p>They had talked long and earnestly of the new life
+opening up before her, and her tears flowed fast as she
+recalled the happy hours they had spent together, or as
+she anticipated the days to come. Her tears were not
+the only ones, but the friendly twilight, rapidly deepening,
+concealed the others.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And to think that you have known so much of this
+all the time, and did not tell me!&rdquo; she exclaimed.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It was best, my little one, best for each of us. I was
+constantly planning how I might bring this about when
+the right time came. That time has come, and as my
+little girl, whom I have loved as deeply as any one in the
+future can ever love her, and whom I have cherished and
+helped to the extent of my limited power, goes forth into
+this new life, I can and will rejoice in the joy, the love
+and the happiness that will be hers. And I know that
+amid new scenes, new friends and new loves, she will
+never quite forget the old friend and the old love.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Never, Jack; I could never forget you, and Everard
+and Morton will never forget you. They are coming to
+see you to-night. Dear Jack, why could you not give
+up this lonely life, and go with us to the east? We
+would all love you and make you one of us, and our home
+would be yours.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My dear child,&rdquo; he replied with a slight shudder, &ldquo;you
+know not what you ask. I know the love that prompted
+it, but never ask it again.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; said Lyle, with a sorrowful submission,
+&ldquo;but I know what I can do.&rdquo; And she put her arms
+about his neck. &ldquo;I will come out to the mountains and
+visit you here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Then, as he remained silent, she queried:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You would be here, wouldn&rsquo;t you, Jack, where I
+could find you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Oh, the agony which his strong, loving heart endured!
+How could he tell her that even then he never expected
+to look upon her face again! He could not. He only
+said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I cannot tell, dear, my life is an erratic and wandering
+one. No one, not even I, can say where I may be.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But you have not lived a wandering life lately; you
+have lived here for many years.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Because the lodestone, the magnet of my heart was
+here,&rdquo; he answered half-playfully, half-tenderly. &ldquo;When
+that is gone, I shall be likely to fly off in a tangent
+again.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, Jack, you must not talk so. I want to see you
+in the years to come. I must and I will. I feel it,&rdquo; she
+added brightly.</p>
+<p>For answer, Jack, for the first time, placed his arms
+about her, and for a moment folded her closely to his
+breast. Then, bending his head, he kissed her reverently,
+first on the forehead, then on the lips, saying, &ldquo;God bless
+you always, my dear child!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>She returned the kiss, and as he released her, she whispered:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good-night, dear Jack!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Good-night, my dear,&rdquo; he answered, adding under
+his breath, &ldquo;and good-bye!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>After she had gone, he sat in the gathering darkness
+alone, lost in thought. The collie, returning from attending
+Lyle on her homeward walk, divined, with keen,
+unerring instinct, the sorrow in his master&rsquo;s heart, and
+coming close, laid his head upon his knee, in mute sympathy
+and affection. His master stroked the noble head,
+but his thoughts were far away, and he was only aroused
+at length by the sound of voices, as Everard Houston and
+Morton Rutherford entered the cabin. The moon had
+now risen, and the little room in which he sat was filled
+with a soft, silver radiance.</p>
+<p>Jack rose to meet his guests, and his quick ear detected
+the vibration of a new emotion in Houston&rsquo;s voice, and
+as they exchanged greetings, there was something in
+the clasp of their hands that night that thrilled the
+heart of each one as never before.</p>
+<p>At heart, Jack was glad of the presence of Morton
+Rutherford. He feared that alone with Houston, after
+the events of that day, and in the light of the anticipated
+events of the morrow, his own emotions might prove too
+strong, weakening the perfect self-control which he felt
+he must now exercise. The presence of Rutherford acted
+as a tonic, and restored the desired equilibrium.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Houston already knows my aversion to a lamp,
+and if you do not object, Mr. Rutherford, we will sit for
+a while in the moonlight.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;By all means,&rdquo; said Rutherford. &ldquo;I myself dislike
+the glare of a bright light for genuine, friendly intercourse.
+A soft, subdued light is much more conducive
+to mutual confidence and interchange of thought and
+feeling.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Jack, my dear friend,&rdquo; said Houston, after a few moments
+of general conversation upon indifferent subjects,
+an effort on Jack&rsquo;s part to ward off the inevitable which
+he felt was surely coming, &ldquo;You have added very materially
+to our happiness to-day, in that you have helped
+us to a happy solution of some of the mysteries that have
+perplexed us, and in doing this, have brought us all into
+much closer relations with one another.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You refer, of course, to Lyle,&rdquo; Jack replied, &ldquo;but while
+I am very glad to have contributed to your happiness, I
+really deserve no credit therefor. I have suspected the
+relationship for some time, and was only waiting for
+the necessary proofs, which I felt would be found in good
+time.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But that is not the only mystery you have solved for
+us, or for me,&rdquo; said Houston. &ldquo;I think we now have a
+reason for the interest you have manifested in Lyle, and
+the kindness you have shown her; and, speaking for
+myself, I believe I have found a clue to the strange bond
+of mutual sympathy which has united us almost from
+our first meeting, even before we had exchanged one
+word; notwithstanding the coldness and reserve of your
+manner, I felt that back of it all you were my friend, and
+so it has proved. There has sprung up between us an
+affection which I believe to be mutual, and of a depth
+and power remarkable for such a brief acquaintance.
+But to-night there seems, to my mind, to be a reason
+for this, which I have been so blind as never to suspect.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And what may that reason be?&rdquo; inquired Jack,
+calmly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You will understand of course, my dear friend, as I
+have often said to you, I have no wish to question you
+regarding your life in the past, or to lead you to make
+any statements regarding yourself which you would not
+make freely and voluntarily; but to me it is evident that,
+although we met as strangers, you must sometime have
+been at least a trusted friend of the members of my
+uncle&rsquo;s family, if not more intimately connected with
+them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>After a pause Jack replied, slowly:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;As you are aware, I once knew Lyle&rsquo;s mother, and
+her memory is still unspeakably dear to me. I also knew
+the other members of Mr. Cameron&rsquo;s family, but that
+was all long ago in that past which is gone beyond recall,
+and to which any reference only brings the most bitter
+pain. When I learned your name and your true business
+here, I knew, of course, to what family you belonged,
+and I may have felt some degree of interest in
+you on that account, but the deep affection between us,
+which is, as you say, mutual, is, on my part, wholly for
+your own sake, because I knew you worthy of it. Regarding
+Lyle, I observed the wonderful resemblance between
+her and her mother, and it has been to me a source
+both of joy and of pain, especially of late, since it has
+grown so marked, and I have sometimes wondered that
+you did not observe it for yourself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Now that I can see the resemblance so plainly, it
+seems strange that I did not think of it before,&rdquo; Houston
+replied. &ldquo;She has always reminded me vaguely of
+some one, I could not recall whom. I can only account
+for it from the fact that I really saw my cousin Edna but
+seldom after I went to my uncle&rsquo;s home, as she was married
+very soon, and then we saw her only occasionally
+until her death, which occurred when I was only about
+twelve years of age. Consequently, my recollection of
+her was not particularly distinct. I am anticipating the
+meeting between her and my uncle and aunt,&ndash;&ndash;they will
+recognize her immediately, and I am confident they will
+adopt her as their own daughter, in her mother&rsquo;s place.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack started almost imperceptibly. &ldquo;You do not expect
+Mrs. Cameron here with her husband?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She will not come out with him, but she insisted on
+coming as far as Chicago, so that she would be able to
+reach us more readily in case of trouble, and I have
+thought to-day, since this recent discovery, that if the
+case against the company seems likely to take some time,
+I might go on to Chicago and bring her out to meet
+Lyle, and I would, of course, like her to meet Leslie,
+also.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Jack remained silent, and withdrew a little farther into
+the shadow. It was Morton Rutherford who spoke now.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Did you not once tell me, Everard, in the old college
+days, that Mr. Cameron had lost a son also?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Houston, with a sigh. &ldquo;That was a far
+heavier blow for them than the death of their daughter.
+He was their joy and pride, their hearts were bound up
+in him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah,&rdquo; said Jack, in a voice almost cold in its even
+calmness. &ldquo;I remember that Miss Cameron,&ndash;&ndash;as I knew
+her,&ndash;&ndash;had a brother. Is he also dead?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;We are compelled to believe that he must be dead,&rdquo;
+Houston answered, after a pause, in a tone of deep sadness.
+&ldquo;He left home soon after his sister&rsquo;s death, and we
+have never heard from him since, though his parents
+searched for him, not in this country alone, but in others
+as well.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I beg your pardon for having alluded to it, Everard,&rdquo;
+said Rutherford, &ldquo;you never told me the particulars, and
+I did not realize they were so painful.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No apologies are necessary among us three friends,&rdquo;
+Houston replied. &ldquo;Guy&rsquo;s parents and I are the only living
+human beings who know, or ever will know, the reason
+for his leaving as he did. My uncle spent vast sums
+of money and employed detectives all over the world in
+his efforts to find him, and to let him know that the old
+home was open to him, and would always be just what
+it had been in the past. But it was of no avail, we could
+not even get any tidings of him, and uncle, long ago,
+gave him up for dead, though Aunt Marjorie believes that
+he is still living, and that he will yet return.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The faith of a good woman is sometimes simply sublime,&rdquo;
+replied Rutherford, &ldquo;and a mother&rsquo;s love is something
+wonderful. To me it seems the nearest divine of
+anything we meet on earth.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There was no response from the figure sitting motionless
+in the shadow. At that moment it required all the
+force of his tremendous will power to stem the current
+of almost uncontrollable emotion, surging across his soul.</p>
+<p>But the moments passed, other topics were introduced
+and discussed, and Jack joined in the conversation as
+calmly as the others.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I suppose,&rdquo; he remarked, as, a little later, he accompanied
+his guests to the door, &ldquo;I suppose that before
+this time to-morrow, Mr. Cameron will have already arrived
+at the camp?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; Houston replied, &ldquo;we expect him over on the
+evening train, with Van Dorn.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>As Houston and Rutherford took leave of Jack, there
+was something in his manner, something in the long,
+lingering hand-clasp which seemed more like a farewell
+than like a simple good-night, at which they silently
+wondered.</p>
+<p>Could they have looked in upon him an hour later,
+they would have understood the cause. Silently he
+moved about the room, gathering together the few little
+keepsakes among his possessions which he most prized.
+These he placed in a small gripsack which he carefully
+locked, saying to himself, as he looked around the room
+with a sigh, &ldquo;Mike can have the rest.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Then going to the window, he stood looking out upon
+the calm, moonlit scene, which for many years had been
+the only home he had known.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This is my last night here,&rdquo; he soliloquized, &ldquo;my work
+here is done. After to-morrow, Everard Houston will
+need me no longer, everything in which I can render him
+assistance is now done, and his friends will afford him all
+needed protection. Lyle has found her own, her future
+is provided for. The wrongs which I have witnessed for
+years in silence, will be righted without any assistance
+of mine. There is nothing more for me to do, and to-morrow
+I will start forth on the old, wandering life
+again.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>His head dropped lower; he was thinking deeply.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He said the old home was open, and would always
+be what it had been in the past. Home! What would
+that not mean now, after all these years! But that was
+long ago. I am dead to them now,&ndash;&ndash;dead and forgotten.
+They will be happy with their new-found daughter,
+and Everard will be to them as a son, their happiness will
+be complete, and I will not mar it by any reminders of
+the wretched past.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>He glanced upward at the surrounding peaks.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;To-morrow I go forth again into the mountains,&ndash;&ndash;those
+towers of refuge and strength,&ndash;&ndash;and in their soothing
+solitudes I shall once more find peace!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Then he retired. But to Jack, resting for the last time
+in his cabin home, to those then peacefully sleeping in
+the little mining camp, or to the others speeding westward
+through the night, on the wings of steam, there
+came no vision, no thought of what the morrow was, in
+reality, to bring.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XLIII' id='CHAPTER_XLIII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XLIII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Tuesday morning dawned,&ndash;&ndash;a day never to be forgotten
+in the history of the little mining camp, or in the lives
+of many outsiders as well.</p>
+<p>A strange thrill of subdued excitement ran through
+the little group, assembled before breakfast in the porch,
+as they realized that the day to which they had looked
+forward with varying anticipations had at last arrived;
+and there was, unconsciously, a look of watchful expectancy
+on every face.</p>
+<p>Even Nature herself seemed in sympathy with them.
+For a few days the heat had been intense, devouring
+with its scorching breath every vestige of verdure on the
+mountain sides and foothills, and leaving them dull and
+dun. On this particular morning the heat seemed more
+terrible than ever, and there was not a breath of air stirring
+to cool the oppressive atmosphere. The earth and
+sky were suffused with a bright, red light, which gradually
+died away into a dim, purplish haze, through which
+the sun ascended like a ball of fire; while every blade
+and leaf hung motionless, as if awaiting breathlessly the
+coming of some great catastrophe.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;This portends a storm,&rdquo; said Houston, as he watched
+the strange phenomena.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; added Morton Rutherford, &ldquo;an electric storm,
+and, if I am not mistaken, a very severe one.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How strange!&rdquo; exclaimed Leslie, in a low tone, to
+Lyle, &ldquo;everything is so hushed and still; it seems as if the
+elements, like ourselves, were just waiting.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t like it,&rdquo; Lyle answered, &ldquo;it seems ominous,&rdquo;
+and she shuddered visibly.</p>
+<p>There was little breakfast eaten that morning, and the
+group of friends adjourned to the porch on the pretext
+of watching the weather, thereby attracting the attention
+of Haight, who still remained at the table.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s in the wind now, I wonder,&rdquo; he soliloquized.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;There was some kind of excitement here last evening,
+and everybody seems on the qui vive this morning.
+I guess I&rsquo;d better look into this,&rdquo; and calling Minty to
+him, he gave her a quarter, with his most insinuating
+smile, saying in low tones:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You find out to-day, if you can, whether there&rsquo;s anything
+unusual going on among those folks out there,
+and let me know.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>She pocketed the money with her customary giggle,
+as she responded, nodding her head emphatically, &ldquo;You
+jest betcher life I will.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Haight then departed for the mills, and Houston soon
+after left for the mines, while an hour or two later Morton
+Rutherford, taking one of the horses, rode leisurely
+in the direction of the Y, where he was to await a telegram
+from Van Dorn, immediately upon the arrival of
+the Eastern train at Silver City.</p>
+<p>In due time the message came, in cipher:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;Party arrived all right; over on evening train.&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>To which Rutherford replied as follows:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;All quiet here. Will wire later if anything occurs.&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>Then starting on his return up the canyon, he urged
+his horse forward with all possible speed, conscious that
+the most critical time was now approaching, and fully
+decided regarding his course of action on reaching the
+camp.</p>
+<p>At the mines, Houston found everything progressing
+as usual, the work going forward in the same unending,
+monotonous routine.</p>
+<p>At the Silver City office of the mining company, however,
+the greatest excitement was prevailing. Having
+been utterly unable to obtain any clue as to the whereabouts
+or the intentions of Mr. Cameron, the mining
+company, to guard against being taken wholly by surprise,
+had devised a new scheme. Every morning had
+found Mr. Wilson seated on the early train which left
+Silver City for the East at five A. M., and which was sidetracked
+at a small station about ninety miles distant, to
+give the right of way to the regular, West-bound Pacific
+Express. Here both trains stopped for about fifteen
+minutes, affording Mr. Wilson ample opportunity to pass
+through the West-bound train, and satisfy himself whether
+or not there were any old acquaintances aboard. Failing
+to find the party for whom he was seeking, he himself
+returned to Silver City on the same train.</p>
+<p>On this particular morning, however, upon cautiously
+entering one of the sleepers, he had seen, seated in one
+section, apparently in close consultation, three gentlemen,
+one of whom he immediately recognized as Mr.
+Cameron. Opposite and facing him, was an elderly man
+whose face Mr. Wilson was unable to see, but the back
+of whose head presented a severely judicial appearance,
+while at Mr. Cameron&rsquo;s right was seated the English expert
+who had come out early in the season with Mr. Winters&rsquo;
+party. Evidently, Mr, Cameron was en route for
+the mines.</p>
+<p>Mr. Wilson had hastily retreated, and, stopping at the
+little station only just long enough to send a wire to the
+company, had returned to the east-bound train, to continue
+his journey indefinitely, which had not been a part
+of the programme prepared by the officers of the said
+company in common with their various other plans. But
+Mr. Wilson had suddenly come to the conclusion that
+there were other localities better suited to his health just
+at that particular time than the great and glorious North
+West which had so long been his favorite theme, and
+whose praises he had so persistently sung.</p>
+<p>It was about ten o&rsquo;clock when Mr. Wilson&rsquo;s telegram,
+announcing his discovery, reached the Silver City office,
+creating general consternation. After a hurried consultation,
+numerous papers and documents were hastily
+stored in a private vault belonging to the officers of the
+company, a dispatch was sent out over their private wire
+to Haight, informing him of the situation and giving certain
+instructions; after which Mr. Blaisdell and a confidential
+clerk betook themselves to the depot to await the
+arrival of the Pacific Express. Concealing themselves
+among the crowd, they watched Mr. Cameron and his associates
+as they left the train, and having waited till
+they were safely ensconced within a carriage, ready to
+start for their hotel, Mr. Blaisdell then ordered his clerk
+to take another carriage and follow them, remaining at
+the hotel long enough to ascertain all he possibly could
+concerning their movements, after which he was to report
+at the office.</p>
+<p>Turning once more toward the crowd, Mr. Blaisdell expected
+to meet Mr. Wilson, but to his astonishment and
+perplexity, he was nowhere to be seen. From the conductor,
+however, who had thought Mr. Wilson&rsquo;s conduct
+rather peculiar, he learned the facts in the case.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, sir,&rdquo; said that individual in conclusion, swinging
+himself on to the departing train, &ldquo;if that&rsquo;s the man you&rsquo;re
+looking for, he&rsquo;s vamoosed sure, and judging by the way
+he got aboard that train, he&rsquo;ll be traveling for some time
+to come.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Great was the indignation of the remaining officers of
+the company on learning of the sudden departure of
+their worthy president, and it was not lessened when, upon
+investigation at the office, it was discovered that Mr.
+Wilson had not only relieved the company of his presence,
+but of all the available funds in their private vault
+as well, which, at that time, happened to be considerable;
+nevertheless, for obvious reasons, it was decided best to
+say nothing about it for a few days.</p>
+<p>The clerk, on his return from the hotel, stated that none
+of Mr. Cameron&rsquo;s party had registered, but had gone immediately
+to their rooms, where they had ordered a private
+lunch served. He had seen nothing more of them,
+but had seen Van Dorn there, however, and upon inquiry
+had learned that he had been there since the preceding
+day, apparently waiting for some one, evidently this
+party, as, immediately upon their arrival, he had sent a
+cipher dispatch to some one at the Y; and one of the
+party had been heard to inquire quite particularly at what
+time the evening train would leave Silver City for Cokeville,
+a small station near the Y.</p>
+<p>It was evident that Van Dorn was in league with Mr.
+Cameron&rsquo;s party, and that they intended going out to the
+camp that evening; prompt action was necessary. A
+message was sent to Haight, and after his reply, it was
+decided that desperate measures were also necessary.</p>
+<p>While Morton Rutherford was leisurely riding toward
+the Y, Haight, sitting at his desk in his dingy, stifling office,
+suddenly heard his name clicked by the little telegraphic
+instrument near him. Having given the usual
+signal in return, the following message came over the
+wire with peremptory haste:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;Get everything in readiness at once; Cameron coming on
+eastern train with mining expert and attorney. Get everything
+ready for the final touch and await further instructions
+in about two hours.&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>Haight sprang to his feet, and calling one of the men,
+ordered, &ldquo;Send Maverick to me as quickly as you can.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>In a few moments the slouching figure of Maverick
+stood in the door-way.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Come in, Jim, and shut that door,&rdquo; said Haight, in a
+quick, decisive tone that Maverick knew meant business.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Jim, in what shape is the powder in those mines?
+How long would it take to get everything ready for
+action?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Maverick&rsquo;s eyes gleamed; here evidently was to be a
+piece of work such as he enjoyed!</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The powder&rsquo;s all there,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;all there, jest in
+the right places, an&rsquo; all there is ter do is ter lay the trains
+&rsquo;round there an&rsquo; fix a few fuses; &rsquo;twouldn&rsquo;t take more&rsquo;n
+half an hour, or sech a matter.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Think you could get it all done at noon, while the
+men are away?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, easy.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well, now listen; you are to get everything ready
+so that it will be nothing but &rsquo;a touch and a go,&rsquo; as soon as
+I say the word, understand? Get everything ready this
+noon, give the men warning that there&rsquo;s going to be some
+blasting, and then, as quick as you&rsquo;ve had your dinner,
+you be around here prompt, and stay within sight of this
+room till I send you word to quit. You know the rest,
+what directions Blaisdell left the last time he was here;
+you know what you&rsquo;re to wait for, and if you get a signal
+from me, you know what you&rsquo;re to do.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You bet I do, and I&rsquo;ll do a damned good job, too,&rdquo;
+Maverick replied, with a grin; &ldquo;but what&rsquo;s the signal,
+boss?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Let me see, I want something you&rsquo;ll recognize without
+any trouble, and that nobody else would notice, or
+think meant anything. Where will you be?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Out there, behind them rocks; I can see your winders
+plain from there.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, but if I made you any signal there, or put anything
+in the window, others would see it as well as yourself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll tell you what, boss,&rdquo; said Maverick, glancing at
+the window on the right of Haight&rsquo;s desk, where hung an
+old, dilapidated shade, which had been lowered its full
+length in an effort to keep out the intolerable heat, &ldquo;you
+let that there shade hang jest as it is till you want me, and
+when I see that yanked up, I&rsquo;ll know what it means, and
+you&rsquo;ll hear from me in jest about ten minits at the latest.
+But say, boss, what&rsquo;s all this racket about, anyhow? Some
+o&rsquo; them eastern chaps comin&rsquo; out here?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s none of your business, Jim,&rdquo; said Haight in a
+joking way, &ldquo;you attend to what you&rsquo;ve been told, and
+don&rsquo;t meddle with what don&rsquo;t concern you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is old Cameron comin&rsquo; out here?&rdquo; persisted Maverick,
+with an expression of fear and hatred combined, visible in
+his countenance.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Cameron!&rdquo; exclaimed Haight, with a slight start, and
+wondering at Maverick&rsquo;s appearance, &ldquo;What do you
+know about him?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I know he owns these &rsquo;ere mines, damn him!&rdquo; answered
+Maverick doggedly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Do you! Well, that&rsquo;s enough, go along, you&rsquo;re not
+interested in Cameron.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ain&rsquo;t I though!&rdquo; said Maverick with a snarl and an
+oath, the hatred and wrath increasing in his face; &ldquo;Me&rsquo;n
+him has got an old score to settle yet. I only wisht he
+was a goin&rsquo; ter be in them mines this afternoon. When&rsquo;s
+he comin&rsquo;?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; answered Haight shortly, &ldquo;probably
+before very long though.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;When you git word he&rsquo;s comin&rsquo; I wan&rsquo;ter know it,
+that&rsquo;s all,&rdquo; growled Maverick.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Haight, beginning to lose his temper,
+&ldquo;when you see that curtain raised, you may know he&rsquo;s
+coming, and pretty damned quick too; now get out of the
+way, and attend to your business. Remember I&rsquo;ve told
+you to give the men warning.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Maverick, with a leer, &ldquo;&rsquo;specially the new
+superintendent, you&rsquo;d like me ter give &rsquo;im an extra warnin&rsquo;
+I s&rsquo;pose.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There was a corresponding leer on Haight&rsquo;s face, as he
+replied with a peculiar grimace,</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;ve had your orders; if you are particularly anxious
+to give anybody an extra warning, go ahead!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>With a low, cruel laugh, Maverick withdrew, and a few
+moments later was shuffling along in the direction of the
+mines intent upon the work of destruction assigned to
+him, his face distorted with mingled fear and rage, his
+usually dull eyes gleaming with the fires of revenge.</p>
+<p>Haight hastened to the house to take a hurried dinner,
+and having learned from Minty that Morton Rutherford
+had gone to the Y, he again charged her to immediately
+report to him whatever she might learn, and returned
+to the office to await further instructions from the
+company.</p>
+<p>To Houston, constantly on the alert for danger signals,
+Haight&rsquo;s hurried and excited manner was the first indication
+of approaching trouble. It was evident that the company
+had received some inkling of impending danger, but
+of the extent of their information, or the nature of their
+communications with Haight, he had no means of ascertaining.
+Stating that he wished to see Morton Rutherford
+immediately upon his return, and that he would be
+at the Yankee Boy, near the entrance to the incline shaft,
+he hastened back to the mines at an earlier hour than
+usual.</p>
+<p>Finding Jack and Mike who had already returned, he
+told them of his surmises, and arranged a set of signals,&ndash;&ndash;a
+certain number of blows on the rocks above them,&ndash;&ndash;whereby
+he would give them warning if he found indications
+of immediate danger, upon which they were to make
+their escape in an opposite direction, by means of a tunnel,
+designated as tunnel No. 3, where he would speedily
+join them.</p>
+<p>On returning to the shaft, he found the majority of the
+men returning to their work as usual, Maverick having
+given them no warning, partly through his own cowardice,
+and partly through a determination that Houston
+should have no hint of what was to follow.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, the long threatened storm was rapidly approaching
+with signs of unusual severity. Heavy clouds
+had obscured the sun and were, moment by moment,
+growing denser and blacker, while the heat was, if possible,
+more intense than before. There was that ominous
+calm that presages the coming of the tempest, while the
+air grew oppressive almost to suffocation. In the distant
+canyons, far up among the mountains, could be heard the
+muffled roaring of the wind, while the branches began to
+sway occasionally under the first hot breath of the approaching
+hurricane, which seemed like a blast from a
+furnace.</p>
+<p>On through the fast-gathering storm rode Morton
+Rutherford, urging forward his foam-covered horse, feeling
+by a certain, unerring intuition, that that ride through
+the winding canyon was a race between life and death.
+Having reached the camp, and left his dripping, panting
+horse at the stables, he walked rapidly on to the house,
+arriving shortly after Houston had left, and just in time
+to meet Maverick, hurrying to the house for a bit of food,
+his work of preparation having taken longer than he anticipated.</p>
+<p>One look at his malignant, demon-like face convinced
+Rutherford that he had arrived none too early, and that
+his own plans must be put in execution very soon.</p>
+<p>Pausing only long enough to exchange a few words
+with his brother and the ladies, in reply to their eager
+questions, he hurried on to the mines, he and they all
+unaware of a figure skulking behind him, in the fast-deepening
+gloom, in the direction of the mills. From
+an open window, aided by the peculiar condition of the
+atmosphere in those altitudes before a storm, which transmits
+the slightest sound with wonderful distinctness,
+Minty had overheard most of the conversation, and was
+hastening to fulfill her contract with Haight.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XLIV' id='CHAPTER_XLIV'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XLIV.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Morton Rutherford was not the only one who had observed
+the expression on Maverick&rsquo;s face. To Lyle it
+seemed she had never seen such venomous malignity as
+was in the look which he gave her. Stepping into the
+dining room a few moments after Morton had left, she
+heard imprecations and curses mingled with her own
+name and that of Mr. Cameron, and realized at once that
+their secret was known; then, as he hastily left the house,
+she heard a few words of bitter hatred which would have
+no special meaning to his wife, but which Lyle, knowing
+what Houston and his friends had been anticipating for
+the last few days, readily understood.</p>
+<p>The wind was now raging down the canyon with terrific
+force, but Lyle had but one thought, to warn those
+whom she loved and save them from danger. Catching
+up a light wrap which she threw about her shoulders, she
+rushed out of the house, passing Miss Gladden and Ned,
+who were in the porch watching the storm, and who tried
+to detain her.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lyle, what is the matter? Where are you going?&rdquo;
+they cried.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;To the mines!&rdquo; Lyle answered, raising her voice above
+the roar of the storm; &ldquo;They are going to fire the mines,
+and they are all there, Morton and Everard and Jack. I
+must warn them if I can!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Lyle, come back!&rdquo; shouted Ned, &ldquo;let me go!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>She shook her head; &ldquo;I must go, I know the mines,&rdquo;
+she cried, and turning ran down the road, battling with
+the terrific wind, and was out of sight, almost before
+they realized what had happened.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, Morton Rutherford had found Houston
+without difficulty. &ldquo;They are coming, Everard,&rdquo; he
+announced, in a low tone, &ldquo;they will be here to-night.
+What are the indications here?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I judge from Haight&rsquo;s manner, that word of some
+kind has been received from headquarters, but just what
+is to be done, or whether there is any immediate danger,
+I cannot yet tell.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am going over to Haight&rsquo;s office for a few moments,&rdquo;
+said Rutherford, &ldquo;I may catch some message
+from the company that will show us the situation.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Just what I was intending to suggest,&rdquo; said Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You will remain here until I come back?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, unless I should detect some certain signs of danger;
+in that case I shall warn the men, and shall start for
+tunnel No. 3, that part of the mine will be safe for a
+while, in any event.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Very well, you will probably hear from me within
+twenty or thirty minutes,&rdquo; and Rutherford started for the
+mills.</p>
+<p>Haight, on returning to the office from dinner, waited
+some little time for the expected dispatch. At last it
+came:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;Cameron just arrived with Englishman, Lindlay, and attorney;
+going out to the mines on evening train. Are at
+Arlington Hotel, Van Dorn at same hotel and in telegraphic
+communication with some one at the Y. There is a conspiracy
+somewhere; what do you know? Answer at once; is everything
+ready?&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>He was still studying the contents of the telegram,
+wondering just what the conspiracy might mean, when
+Minty slyly entered, and by means of the information she
+had secured, furnished him the needed key to the situation.
+In a few moments the following answer was returned:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;The truth is out; have just discovered Houston is Cameron&rsquo;s
+nephew, out here in his interests; Van Dorn et al. working
+with him. Cameron coming out to-night for the grand coup.
+Everything is ready awaiting your orders.&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>Just as the message was sent, Maverick passed on his
+way to his post, and seeing him, Haight stepped to the
+door and called him:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I say, Jim, I&rsquo;ve learned the truth at last about that
+superintendent of ours, damn him! You seemed so interested
+in old Cameron this morning, I thought you&rsquo;d
+like to know that it has turned out that this Houston is
+his nephew.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Houston, old man Cameron&rsquo;s nephew!&rdquo; gasped Maverick,
+with a terrible oath, and growing fairly livid,
+&ldquo;How&rsquo;d ye get onto that?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No matter how, Jim, but it seems he&rsquo;s been out here all
+summer getting onto some of our little business ways
+and reporting to the old man, and now he&rsquo;s got the old
+fellow out here to see the fun. Never mind, Jim, I guess
+the fun will be on the other side after all. I&rsquo;ll attend to
+my business and you&rsquo;ll attend to yours, but I thought
+you&rsquo;d go at it with a better relish after this little piece of
+news.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Maverick passed on his way, regardless of the storm,
+incapable of coherent speech, muttering oaths and curses
+intermingled with the vilest epithets, Haight watching
+him with a grim smile for a few moments. Then going
+back to his office, he had but just reseated himself at his
+desk, when Morton Rutherford entered the outer room.
+&ldquo;Damn him! what is he sneaking around here for?&rdquo;
+Haight soliloquized, at the same time hastily transferring
+a revolver from his desk to his pocket, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll spoil that
+mug of his if he attempts any funny business here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>This movement was seen by Rutherford, who was
+watching him closely, but he appeared to take no notice
+of it and entered the office as usual, with a civil greeting
+to Haight. The latter sprang to his feet, taking his position
+close by the shaded window, his right hand grasping
+the revolver in his pocket.</p>
+<p>Rutherford&rsquo;s lips curled with scorn and contempt as
+he looked at Haight; he saw there could be no semblance
+of civility between them, it was to be open war.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You are a coward!&rdquo; he said.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;And you are a sneak,&rdquo; Haight hissed in reply, &ldquo;prying
+around here when you had better be minding your
+own business.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Let me tell you that I am attending to my own business,
+and you will find before you are much older, that I
+have more right here than you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For a moment Haight hesitated, astonished by Rutherford&rsquo;s
+words and manner, then was about to make some
+reply, when the click of the instrument attracted his attention.
+Keeping his eye on Rutherford, he gave the
+answering signal with his left hand, then listened intently
+for the message. It came, containing the final orders and
+the farewell words of the Silver City office:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;Send the mines to hell, and Houston and his crowd with
+them. Look out for yourself. Good-bye.&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>In his interest in the message, Haight seemed, for an
+instant, to have partially forgotten Rutherford&rsquo;s presence,
+his eyes dropped toward the instrument, and in that
+instant, Rutherford cleared the space between them at a
+bound, gripping Haight firmly with one hand, while with
+the other he knocked the revolver which Haight had
+hastily drawn, half way across the room. With a single
+blow he knocked Haight to the floor, partially stunning
+him, but as he regained his senses, he rolled over towards
+the window, and with a strength born of desperation,
+struggled to his knees, and before Rutherford
+realized what he was trying to do, the shade flew upward
+to the top of the window. Even then, Rutherford would
+have thought little of it, had not Haight betrayed himself
+by a leer of fiendish triumph. In an instant Rutherford
+understood that it had been some pre-arranged signal.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You cowardly villain!&rdquo; he exclaimed, and pausing
+only long enough to give him a blow which left him unconscious
+on the floor, he rushed forth into the darkness
+and fury of the storm, in the direction of the mines.</p>
+<p>As he did so, he stumbled against a small boy, running
+even more swiftly in the same direction.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mister, Mister Houston! is that you?&rdquo; rang out Bull-dog&rsquo;s
+voice, above the storm.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, my boy, I am going to find Mr. Houston, to save
+him if I can.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, sir, let me go! I know about it, they&rsquo;re goin&rsquo; to
+fire the mines, I heerd Jake say so, and I was a goin&rsquo; to
+find Mister Houston myself; I&rsquo;ll get there quicker, &rsquo;n I
+know the mine better &rsquo;n you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;But, my boy, you risk your own life,&rdquo; said Rutherford.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Never mind that, sir; Mister Houston, he&rsquo;s been my
+friend, &rsquo;n his life&rsquo;s worth more&rsquo;n mine anyhow; I&rsquo;ll risk
+it,&rdquo; and he was already rushing on ahead, shouting back
+to Rutherford, &ldquo;You go to the tunnels, sir, you can help
+him there.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Tell him the signal has been given!&rdquo; called Rutherford,
+and Bull-dog, swinging his ragged hat in reply,
+sped swiftly on through the raging wind.</p>
+<p>Rutherford paused for a moment, then started in the
+direction of the tunnels. At that instant, Lyle, still struggling
+against the fury of the wind, had just reached the
+ground surrounding the mines; in a few seconds more
+she would have been within the fatal boundary line, but
+Bull-dog&rsquo;s voice, as he rushed past, warned her back.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Go back, go back, Miss Lyle! they&rsquo;ve given the signal
+to fire the mines, I&rsquo;m goin&rsquo; to warn &rsquo;em; don&rsquo;t be afraid,
+I&rsquo;ll save &rsquo;em, Mister Houston and Jack,&rdquo; and with these
+words, he rushed on, disappearing through the incline
+shaft.</p>
+<p>Lyle retreated a few steps, and then paused, looking
+wildly about her, dreading, expecting, she scarcely knew
+what.</p>
+<p>Suddenly the darkness seemed divided by a blinding
+flash, which spread into a sheet of flame, enveloping her
+within its lurid folds, while peal after peal of deafening
+thunder crashed and roared about her, and the lightning
+flashed and gleamed till it seemed as if earth and sky were
+commingled in one mass of flaming combat.</p>
+<p>Scarcely had the blinding flashes died in darkness, and
+the reverberations of the thunder still echoed and re-echoed
+among the surrounding mountains, when the
+earth began to rock and vibrate beneath her feet; there
+was the sound of a terrific explosion, she felt for an instant
+a strange sensation as if floating through the air,&ndash;&ndash;then
+she knew nothing more; she had been thrown to
+the ground, unconscious, by the shock.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, down the rough, narrow road, leading to
+the mines, Leslie Gladden and Ned Rutherford were
+making their way, having started immediately after Lyle,
+but unaccustomed to the furious mountain storms and
+unfamiliar with the road, they made slow progress in the
+darkness and tempest.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Miss Gladden, this is too hard for you,&rdquo; said Ned, as
+they paused once, gasping for breath, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t believe it
+is safe either, you ought never to have come.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What do I care for difficulty or danger?&rdquo; she replied,
+&ldquo;Think of Lyle going through this storm alone; I only
+pray she may not have been too late!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Scarcely had she finished speaking, when, without an
+instant&rsquo;s warning, the timber through which they were
+passing suddenly seemed one mass of blinding flame,
+while almost simultaneously came the deafening crash of
+the thunder.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Great Heavens! that must have struck awfully near
+us!&rdquo; exclaimed Ned, but no cry escaped from Leslie&rsquo;s lips,
+as, shuddering, she clasped his arm more closely and
+struggled bravely on.</p>
+<p>It was not until a few seconds later, when there came
+the sound of the terrible explosion, followed by the
+bursting and crashing of the rocks, while the ground
+quivered and trembled as though shaken by an earthquake,
+that, for an instant, her courage failed, and with a
+low cry, she sank to the ground, shivering with horror.
+But only for an instant, and then she rose to her feet,
+dizzy and trembling from the shock, but brave and determined
+as ever.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Come,&rdquo; she said hoarsely, &ldquo;we must hasten; perhaps
+we can help them in some way, even if we are too late to
+save them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Speechless from a horrible, sickening realization of all
+which that terrible shock might mean to those whom
+they were striving to save, Ned silently helped her forward.
+They had gone but a few steps, when there suddenly
+burst upon the dark and stormy heavens a dull, red
+glare, which grew brighter moment by moment, and on
+emerging from the timber into the open ground, a frightful
+scene met their gaze.</p>
+<p>Dense clouds of smoke were pouring from the shafts
+of the nearest mine, while, at a little distance, could be
+seen the mills, their whole interior already ablaze with
+light. In that end of the buildings containing the sorting
+rooms and Haight&rsquo;s office, the fire was raging, having
+come in contact with quantities of chemicals which had
+increased its fury.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Great C&aelig;sar!&rdquo; ejaculated Ned, &ldquo;the mills were struck,
+and are on fire.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>But Leslie uttered a sharp cry, and ran swiftly down the
+path to where Lyle lay unconscious, followed quickly by
+Ned.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Poor child, poor child!&rdquo; she moaned, &ldquo;oh, merciful
+heaven, she came too late, and they are all lost!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Then, as she knelt beside the unconscious form, there
+came another terrific explosion, which seemed to jar even
+the rocks about them to their very foundations, while
+from the already smoking shafts, the flames now issued,
+towering higher and higher, and adding new terror to the
+scene.</p>
+<p>Men were seen running from all directions, from the
+distant groups of mines, rushing to the burning mills,
+where the little fire corps belonging to the camp, were
+already engaged in a futile battle with the flames; but
+around the Yankee Boy mine there was no sign of life.</p>
+<p>The rain now began to descend in torrents, and the
+first dash of the storm seemed to revive Lyle, whom Leslie
+and Ned had raised to a sitting posture in their efforts
+to restore her to consciousness. Slowly she opened her
+eyes with a bewildered look, then springing to her feet,
+still weak and trembling, but resolute and determined,
+she gazed about her at the flaming shafts and burning
+mills, and suddenly cried,</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, I can remember now! I remember it all, it has
+come back to me,&ndash;&ndash;the terrible wreck, the burning cars
+all around us, and my mother crushed in the wreck; then
+the people carried us out and they put me down beside
+her, lying so white and still, and then,&ndash;&ndash;then that villain
+came and took me away,&ndash;&ndash;I can see it all,&rdquo; and she shuddered.</p>
+<p>Then looking at Leslie and Ned, who were watching
+her with startled faces, she seemed trying to recall the
+present situation. Before either of them could speak,
+however, there came the report of another explosion,
+more distant and deeper underground than any that had
+yet occurred, and the sound seemed to bring back to Lyle
+the memory of her last moments of consciousness before
+the first terrible shock, while the faces of her companions
+were blanched with terror.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I know now,&rdquo; she exclaimed quickly, &ldquo;I was too late,
+but Bull-dog warned them, and they are probably safe;
+we must go to the tunnels, they will make their escape
+there, and we may help them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>She ran swiftly down the path leading the way, while
+they followed only too gladly, their hearts filled with new
+hope.</p>
+<p>The men, finding it impossible to check the flames at
+the mills, were flocking in the direction of the Yankee
+group of mines. Fearing, however, to approach very
+near the scene of danger, they gathered in groups here
+and there, while a company of wretched women, the
+wives and daughters of the few married men who worked
+in the fated mines, ran hither and thither, sobbing and
+wringing their hands in their agony of fear and suspense
+for their own loved ones. Seeing Lyle leading the way
+to the tunnels, they all, men and women, followed in the
+same direction.</p>
+<p>The fury of the storm had passed; a heavy rain was still
+falling, but the wind had subsided, and the clouds had
+lifted and were already breaking away.</p>
+<p>Arriving at the tunnels, they found a crowd of men,
+among them a number who had made their escape from
+the mines. The hearts of Ned Rutherford and Lyle
+throbbed with joy as they descried Morton standing
+among the crowd, but Lyle&rsquo;s heart sank again with sickening
+dread as she saw no signs of Everard Houston or
+of Jack, while Leslie Gladden moaned in despair. Morton
+Rutherford was unhurt, except for a few bruises from
+flying rocks, and he was pleading with some of the men,
+and offering large sums of money to any one or two who
+would go with him into the tunnel in search of Houston
+and some of the missing men.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Houston told me that this part of the mine would
+be safe for some time,&rdquo; he shouted, &ldquo;and I will pay a
+thousand dollars to any one who will go with me as
+guide.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For a moment no one responded, then one of the men
+who had escaped, spoke,</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No sir, I wouldn&rsquo;t go back in that there mine for five
+thousand dollars, I&rsquo;m out, an&rsquo; I stays out,&rdquo; while another
+added, &ldquo;&rsquo;Twouldn&rsquo;t be of no use, sir; mos&rsquo; likely he was
+catched in some o&rsquo; them cave-ins; he stopped to give us
+all warnin&rsquo; an&rsquo; he was about the last one to start.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Cowards!&rdquo; exclaimed Lyle, stepping forth among
+them with blazing eyes, &ldquo;he risked his life to save yours,
+and you will not even try to save him. Morton,&rdquo; she
+added, turning toward her lover, &ldquo;I know every step of
+the tunnels, and I will go with you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The men slunk back like whipped curs, but made no
+response. The miners employed by the company throughout
+this group of mines were of the lowest class, and they
+were none too friendly to Houston, while the better
+class of men employed in the other mines were not familiar
+with these workings.</p>
+<p>Morton Rutherford advanced to meet Lyle; &ldquo;My
+darling,&rdquo; he said, in low tones, &ldquo;I cannot allow you to
+subject yourself to danger.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I would rather share the danger with you,&rdquo; she replied
+proudly, &ldquo;besides we must save them.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I will go, too,&rdquo; said Ned eagerly, &ldquo;I surely can help.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Lyle was about to suggest that he remain with Miss
+Gladden, but Leslie herself interposed.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, no, I do not need him,&rdquo; she said earnestly, &ldquo;I
+would suffer no more waiting alone, and he may do much
+good.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At that instant, two young men from another group of
+mines stepped forward; &ldquo;If you please, sir,&rdquo; said one of
+them, &ldquo;we don&rsquo;t want no money, and we can&rsquo;t act as
+guides, not being acquainted with the lay of things
+around here, but we&rsquo;d like to help you, for we like Mr.
+Houston, and we&rsquo;re his friends.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Their offer was gladly accepted, and preparations were
+hastily and silently made by the little party. Wet cloths
+and sponges were fastened across the lower portion of
+their faces, to prevent their inhaling the smoke and gases,
+while ropes were securely tied about their waists, the ends
+of which were to be held by persons on the outside. A
+frequent jerking of the rope would assure those outside
+that all was right in the tunnel, but a suspension of the
+jerking would indicate that that person had been overcome
+by the gases, and he would be immediately drawn
+out to the fresh air, by those at the outer end of the line.</p>
+<p>Pausing only for a bright smile of encouragement to
+Leslie, Lyle led the way into the tunnel, followed by Morton
+and Ned, the two miners bringing up the rear, and
+all disappeared in the subterranean darkness.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XLV' id='CHAPTER_XLV'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XLV.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>When Bull-dog&rsquo;s voice rang out above the storm, with
+its warning to Lyle, Houston, standing near the entrance
+of the shaft, alert, watchful for the first indication of danger,
+heard the words distinctly and acted instantly.</p>
+<p>Having given the usual danger signal, he shouted, &ldquo;To
+the tunnels, boys, for your lives! The mine has been
+fired, go to the tunnels!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>On returning from giving the agreed signal to Jack and
+Mike, he heard Bull-dog&rsquo;s voice above him in the shaft,
+calling his name and shouting the warning.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Come, my boy,&rdquo; shouted Houston in return, &ldquo;we&rsquo;ll
+start for the tunnels.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes sir, I&rsquo;m a comin&rsquo;, I know the way, but don&rsquo;t you
+wait fer me &rsquo;cause you may git catched.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I shall not leave you, Bull-dog, we&rsquo;ll go together,&rdquo;
+Houston answered, waiting for the little figure gliding
+swiftly toward him in the darkness.</p>
+<p>Suddenly the rocks by which they were surrounded began
+to quiver and vibrate; there was a deafening roar followed
+by a terrific crash, and an instant later, a mass of
+loosened rock was tearing its way through the shaft.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Cling to the wall, Bull-dog,&rdquo; shouted Houston, at the
+same time seizing a projecting ledge with a vise-like grip,
+and swinging himself upward, where he hung by his
+hands and wrists. It was a horrible position, but his
+powerful, athletic muscles bore the strain until the grinding,
+tearing mass had passed, and he dropped, scratched
+and bruised, but otherwise unhurt, to the ground.</p>
+<p>As he did so, he heard a faint moan, and hastening in
+the direction from whence it came, found Bull-dog, who,
+unable to spring high enough to escape the passing rocks,
+had been swept along and partially buried under the
+debris that followed.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My boy, are you hurt?&rdquo; asked Houston, bending over
+him in the darkness, and removing as fast as possible the
+mass of crushed and broken rock under which he lay.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Not much, I guess,&rdquo; replied the little, familiar voice,
+in tones that tried to be brave and cheery, but which
+quivered with pain, &ldquo;I tried to hold on, Mister Houston,
+but that big rock was a little too much fer me.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>As Houston at last freed him, the little fellow tried to
+rise, but sank quickly back, with an involuntary cry:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I guess I&rsquo;m done fer&ndash;&ndash;Mister Houston,&rdquo; he gasped
+faintly, &ldquo;but I don&rsquo;t care&ndash;&ndash;if you only&ndash;&ndash;get out safe.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The smoke and gases were now pouring down the
+shaft, and Houston realized that there was no time to be
+lost. Very tenderly he lifted the little form in his arms,
+and began, as rapidly as possible, the descent of the shaft,
+groping his way amid the rocks, toward the cut leading to
+the tunnels, through which he hoped to escape.</p>
+<p>The motion roused Bull-dog who had fainted. &ldquo;Mister
+Houston,&rdquo; he cried, &ldquo;don&rsquo;t mind me&ndash;&ndash;I wanted to save
+you, and I guess you can make it yet, if you hurry and
+don&rsquo;t bother with me; I won&rsquo;t mind bein&rsquo; left here, &rsquo;cause
+I&rsquo;ll know then that you&rsquo;re safe.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you worry, my boy,&rdquo; replied Houston, and his
+own voice trembled, &ldquo;we&rsquo;ll reach daylight all right, but
+we&rsquo;ll reach it together; I&rsquo;ll never leave you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>There was no reply except a contented, confiding nestling
+of the little head against Houston&rsquo;s shoulder; then,
+as a second explosion thundered above them, jarring the
+foundations of the rocks once more, he murmured drowsily,
+&ldquo;There she goes again,&rdquo; and sank into unconsciousness.</p>
+<p>The smoke was now so stifling that Houston was
+obliged to go upon his hands and knees, carrying Bull-dog
+in one arm; his progress was necessarily slow, but to
+his great joy he succeeded in finding the cut leading to
+tunnel No. 3; then, to his horror, he discovered that the
+entrance was blocked by a mass of earth and loose rock
+which had caved in.</p>
+<p>Laying Bull-dog carefully down, he examined the obstruction,
+and found there was a small opening at the top,
+and that the mass was of such a character that it could
+easily be removed with pick and shovel, but he had nothing.
+With desperate energy, he began tearing away the
+earth and rocks with his hands, then to his intense relief,
+after a few moments&rsquo; work, he heard voices on the other
+side. Houston listened; it was Jack and Mike, who, having
+waited for him in the tunnel, expecting him to join
+them immediately, had become alarmed at his non-appearance,
+and were returning with their picks and shovels,
+which they had taken out with them, calling him and
+searching for him.</p>
+<p>Houston shouted, and they hastened to the rescue,
+and the entrance was very quickly cleared sufficiently for
+Houston to crawl through. Before passing through,
+himself, however, he lifted Bull-dog, and carefully handed
+the unconscious form to Jack.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Who is this?&rdquo; the latter asked in surprise.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Bull-dog, the little hero who has saved our lives by
+sacrificing his own,&rdquo; Houston replied.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is he still living?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, but unconscious.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Silently and tenderly Jack handed the little fellow to
+the tender-hearted Mike, who at once started toward the
+tunnel with his burden, while Jack turned to assist Houston.</p>
+<p>At that instant, there came the third explosion, which
+was farther underground than either of those preceding.
+It was but a short distance from them, and an immense
+scale of overhanging rock quivered for an instant, then
+fell, throwing its fragments in every direction. Mike, at
+the distance which he had already gained, escaped unhurt.
+Jack and Houston sprang in opposite directions, but the
+pieces of flying rock overtook them, though they escaped
+being buried beneath the mass as it fell. They were both
+thrown to the ground; Houston staggered to his feet,
+badly bruised and cut and his left arm broken, but Jack
+remained motionless.</p>
+<p>Hearing Houston&rsquo;s call, Mike quickly returned, and he
+and Houston found that Jack was still alive, though badly
+injured about the head. The full extent of his injuries
+they realized they would be unable to ascertain until they
+could reach the surface. Together they consulted as to
+the best course to pursue. Mike wished to go back and
+get help immediately, but Houston insisted that they must
+first remove Jack and little Bull-dog as speedily as possible,
+as there was danger of other explosions following
+now in rapid succession, and also danger from the smoke
+and gases of the gradually approaching flames, which
+were consuming the timbering of the various shafts, and
+would at length communicate with the tunnels also.</p>
+<p>Instructing Mike to lay Jack&rsquo;s head across his shoulder,
+Houston then clasped his right arm closely about
+Jack&rsquo;s neck and shoulders. Mike, carrying Bull-dog on
+one arm, with the other was to lift Jack underneath the
+knees; and in this way they started for the tunnel.</p>
+<p>Houston suffered excruciating pain from the arm
+hanging helpless at his side, but he traveled forward
+without a murmur, scarcely conscious of his own suffering
+in his anxiety for Jack. The cut was comparatively
+short, but their progress was slow.</p>
+<p>Nearly overcome by the suffocating gases and the
+smoke, and faint from pain and loss of blood, Houston
+had just staggered into the tunnel, when he heard the
+welcome sound of the voices of Lyle and of Morton
+Rutherford, and knew that they were saved.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XLVI' id='CHAPTER_XLVI'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XLVI.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Meanwhile, the work of destruction went swiftly forward,
+explosions following in quick succession and with
+terrific force, throughout the Yankee group of mines,
+and the adjoining claims; while the flames from the burning
+shafts were rivaled by those which spread from the
+mills to the shops, storehouses and stables, and finally, to
+the miners&rsquo; quarters, till all were speedily reduced to
+ashes.</p>
+<p>Around the entrance to tunnel No. 3, a large crowd had
+gathered, not only from the various mines, but also from
+neighboring mining camps, all anxiously awaiting the
+return of the rescue party.</p>
+<p>At last they appeared. The first to emerge into daylight,
+was Ned Rutherford, bearing in his arms the
+crushed and mutilated form of little Bull-dog. Behind
+him came Houston, partially supported by one of the
+young miners and by Lyle, his left arm hanging at his
+side, his face deathly white beneath the blood and grime,
+but firm and dauntless as ever. As he stepped forth into
+the light, a wild cheer rose on the air, but Houston, raising
+his right hand with a deprecatory motion, silently
+pointed backward toward the tunnel, where, slowly
+emerging into view of the crowd, were Morton Rutherford
+and Mike, carrying, with the assistance of the other
+miner, the bleeding and unconscious form of Jack.</p>
+<p>The cheers were hushed, and the crowd silently surged
+about Houston and the two motionless, unconscious
+forms laid side by side upon the ground, their heads pillowed
+upon the rough jackets of the men, folded and tenderly
+placed beneath them by the hands of Lyle and Leslie,
+the latter half fainting with excitement.</p>
+<p>The men crowding about Houston congratulated him
+with a hearty hand-clasp, unaccompanied by words, except
+for an occasional inquiry as to his own condition.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am all right,&rdquo; he said in reply to the latter, &ldquo;my arm
+is nothing, the merest trifle; my only thought is for the
+two lives which I fear have been sacrificed for mine.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Anxiously he bent above the prostrate forms. Jack&rsquo;s
+head was frightfully gashed, and his heavy, labored
+breathing indicated that his brain was already affected.
+Houston spoke a word to Morton Rutherford, who
+quickly withdrew, and taking the swiftest horse in camp,
+was soon speeding down the road to the Y, in a second
+race against death.</p>
+<p>Houston next knelt beside Bull-dog; a faint fluttering
+about the heart was the only sign of life. The little waif
+was well known among the mining camps of that vicinity,
+and there were few dry eyes in the crowd as Houston told
+the story of his heroism.</p>
+<p>Houston saw the end was very near, and gently
+slipped his right arm under Bull-dog&rsquo;s head. Slowly the
+little fellow opened his eyes, looking, with a happy smile,
+into the face bending so tenderly over him. At that instant,
+the sun, bursting through the clouds, threw a ray
+of golden light in shining benediction across the little
+white face. His eyes brightened still more; &ldquo;We&rsquo;re safe!&rdquo;
+he whispered joyously. There was a slight quiver, and
+the little form was still.</p>
+<p>The sun, shining as brightly and serenely as though
+storms were unknown, looked down into that beautiful
+canyon upon a strange scene of ruin, desolation and
+death. Amid the wreck and debris of the explosions, lay
+the little hero who had saved so many lives that day, upon
+his face a child-like smile which it had never worn in life;
+while farther on down the canyon, beside the smoking
+embers of the milling plant, lay the one whose signal had
+wrought all this destruction. The men, rushing into the
+burning mills, had found the electrical apparatus in ruins,
+as though torn to pieces by giant hands, and beside it upon
+the floor lay Haight, a ghastly sight, his face blackened
+and distorted, his right arm and side seared and shriveled,
+by the mighty servant who had suddenly burst its fetters.</p>
+<p>Slowly and tenderly Jack was borne to the house, and
+laid in the room which had been Houston&rsquo;s, which Lyle
+had made ready for him with loving care, her tears falling
+fast as she recalled his farewell of the preceding night.
+To the house came also his two faithful friends, Mike and
+Rex, for the little cabin was no more, Jack had indeed
+spent his last night beneath its roof, though the succeeding
+night, to which he had looked forward, was far different
+from his anticipations.</p>
+<p>Days afterward, his gripsack, packed with such care on
+that last night in the cabin, was found by Houston concealed
+among the rocks, where Jack had hidden it on the
+morning of that eventful day, intending, when his work
+was done, to set forth upon his wandering life once more.</p>
+<p>Morton Rutherford, on arriving at the Y, had sent the
+following cipher dispatch to Van Dorn:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;Come out on special at once. The mines have been fired
+by telegraphic orders from Silver City office. Everard badly
+cut and arm broken, but not seriously injured. Jack but just
+alive. Bring surgeons and nurse as quickly as possible.&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>Having sent this message, and finding there was a very
+good physician at the Y, he sent him at once to the camp,
+to remain there until the surgeons should arrive, doing
+meantime all in his power to relieve the sufferers. Then
+giving orders for one of the company&rsquo;s men to take his
+horse, and replace it with a fresh one, Morton returned to
+the station to await Van Dorn&rsquo;s reply.</p>
+<p>At the house, Jack was being cared for by Mike and
+one of the older miners, who had had considerable experience
+in nursing, Houston doing everything which his
+crippled condition and the intense pain he was suffering,
+would permit.</p>
+<p>On the arrival of the physician from the Y, he first
+visited Jack, and leaving directions to be carried out for
+his temporary relief, next attended to the setting of Houston&rsquo;s
+arm and the dressing of his wounds. The operation
+required some time, but at last it was completed, and
+Houston returned to Jack&rsquo;s room.</p>
+<p>The room had been darkened, and in accordance with
+the physician&rsquo;s directions, Jack&rsquo;s beard had been shaven
+and his hair closely cut, to relieve his head as much as
+possible. His breathing was more natural, but he lay
+quiet and motionless as before.</p>
+<p>As Houston approached the bed in the dim light, he
+scarcely recognized his friend, so great was the change in
+his appearance, but as he drew nearer, he started visibly.
+Something in the smooth face and closely clipped head
+seemed wonderfully familiar, and carried him back to the
+days when he had first entered his uncle&rsquo;s home. Bending
+over him for an instant, he scanned the features more
+closely. It was enough! The face with its patrician features
+carved in such perfect beauty, though lined by sorrow,
+was the face of his cousin,&ndash;&ndash;his boyish hero and
+ideal.</p>
+<p>With a quick, dry sob, Houston turned from the bedside,
+more deeply moved than any of his associates had
+ever seen him.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Great God!&rdquo; he exclaimed, in low tones, &ldquo;it is Guy
+Cameron! my cousin Guy!&rdquo; and bending over the unconscious
+form once more, while the great tears coursed
+slowly down his face, he murmured:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Guy, dear old fellow, and you have known me all this
+time! God grant this has not come too late!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>With a low cry, Lyle had sprung to Houston&rsquo;s side,
+while Leslie and Ned Rutherford followed, and the others
+looked on in mute wonder and astonishment. Her quick
+ear had caught the name.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What name did you say?&rdquo; she cried eagerly, &ldquo;Did you
+say Guy Cameron? Is Jack&ndash;&ndash;my Jack&ndash;&ndash;is he my mother&rsquo;s
+brother?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston bowed in assent, he could not speak.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; moaned Lyle, &ldquo;no wonder that he loved us so!
+and we have not loved him half enough!&rdquo; and dropping
+on her knees beside the bed, sobbing bitterly, she seized
+the hand, nearly as white as the sheet upon which it lay,
+and covered it with passionate kisses.</p>
+<p>A few moments later, Morton Rutherford entered the
+room; Lyle was still kneeling by the bedside; beside her
+was Leslie, quietly weeping. Ned&rsquo;s eyes were suspiciously
+red, while in one corner, honest-hearted Mike was
+vainly trying to check his fast-flowing tears upon the
+sleeves of his blouse. Morton looked quickly toward the
+strangely altered face upon the pillows, and was struck by
+its wondrous beauty.</p>
+<p>Glancing inquiringly at Houston, as he advanced to
+meet him, he asked anxiously:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is he worse?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, there is no change yet, one way or another,&rdquo;
+Houston replied in low tones, and continued, &ldquo;Morton,
+we were speaking last night, at the cabin, of my uncle&rsquo;s
+son,&ndash;&ndash;my cousin, Guy Cameron.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, I remember.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He is found,&rdquo; Houston&rsquo;s voice trembled, and he could
+say no more, but Morton understood. He gazed with
+new and tearful interest upon the beautiful face in its
+death-like calm; then beckoning to Houston, he said, as
+they passed from the room:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Ah, you have at last found the key to the wondrous
+bond between you, and to his self-sacrificing love toward
+you and yours.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For a few moments they recalled certain incidents in
+their acquaintance with the silent, yet gentle and courteous
+occupant of the little cabin, and much that had
+seemed mysterious was now clear and plain in the light
+of this recent revelation.</p>
+<p>At last Morton said; &ldquo;I must hasten back to the Y,&rdquo;
+at the same time handing his friend the telegram received
+from Van Dorn:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;Leave in half an hour on special, with surgeons and nurse.
+Whitney and Lindlay remain here to attend to business. Warrants
+for arrests have been issued.&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;That is good,&rdquo; said Houston, with a sigh of relief,
+&ldquo;They are already on their way. And now, my dear Morton,
+I have one other commission for you, if you are willing
+to perform it.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You know I am at your service,&rdquo; Morton replied.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My aunt, whose faith and love have watched and
+waited for her son&rsquo;s return during all these years, must
+be brought here as quickly as possible. I am not in very
+good condition for travel, and do not feel that I can leave
+Guy. I know I can trust her in your care, you will be to
+her as a son, and such she will regard you when she knows
+all, and I commission you in my name to meet her and
+bring her out here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That I will very gladly do, my dear Everard, and at
+once; there must be no delay. By going out this evening,
+I will be able to take the early train east from Silver City:
+the special arrives at 6:10, the six o&rsquo;clock train being
+held at the Y, until after its arrival. I will return to the
+Y, meet Mr. Cameron and have a word with him, and go
+directly on to Silver City on the regular train.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Thirty minutes later, having hastily packed a small
+grip, and taken a tender farewell of Lyle, who knew his
+errand, and with tearful eyes bade him &ldquo;God-speed,&rdquo; Morton
+Rutherford left the house, accompanied by Ned, who
+was to return with Mr. Cameron and Van Dorn.</p>
+<p>The sun was slowly sinking behind the crests of the
+mountains, flooding the surrounding peaks with glory,
+when a wagon drawn by four panting, foaming horses,
+drew up before the house.</p>
+<p>From the front seat beside the driver, Ned Rutherford
+and Van Dorn sprang hastily to the ground, turning
+quickly to assist a fine-looking, elderly gentleman, with
+iron-gray hair and beard, whose dark, piercing eyes bore
+a strong resemblance to those of both Houston and Jack.
+He needed little assistance, however, and having alighted,
+turned with firm step and erect bearing, but with an expression
+of deep anxiety, toward the house, followed by
+the two young men, and by three strangers.</p>
+<p>At that instant Houston appeared within the little
+porch, his left arm in a sling, his face pale and haggard,
+though with a grave smile of affectionate welcome.</p>
+<p>Even in that brief instant, Mr. Cameron could not but
+observe the change which those few short months had
+wrought in the face of Everard Houston, the high-born
+son of wealth and culture, the pet of society; it had matured
+wonderfully; alert and keen, yet grave and thoughtful,
+he looked as though he had found a deeper and
+broader meaning to life than he had ever dreamed of in
+his luxurious eastern home.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My boy!&rdquo; exclaimed Mr. Cameron, hastening toward
+him, &ldquo;are you sure you have escaped without serious injury?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Quite sure,&rdquo; Houston replied, limping slightly, as he
+advanced to meet his uncle, &ldquo;my arm was hurt, and I am
+somewhat scratched and bruised and a little weak, but
+otherwise, sound as ever.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Thank God for that! I don&rsquo;t mind the loss of the
+property if you are safe; all the way out here, my boy, I
+have been reproaching myself for ever allowing you to
+come out to this country.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My dear uncle,&rdquo; Houston replied, with peculiar emphasis,
+&ldquo;I think you will soon find you have reason to be
+very glad and grateful that I came.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Cameron introduced the two surgeons and the
+nurse; &ldquo;I feared,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;from your sending for these
+gentlemen that you might be hurt far more seriously than
+I knew.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;but the one who has nearly sacrificed
+his own life in helping to save mine, needs their
+best skill, and I sent for them on his account.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That was right,&rdquo; replied Mr. Cameron, &ldquo;all that
+money can do shall be done for him,&rdquo; while one of the
+surgeons said, &ldquo;We will see our patient at once, Mr.
+Houston, if you please.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You will see him very soon,&rdquo; Houston replied with
+grave courtesy, &ldquo;but there are reasons why my uncle must
+first see him, and alone.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Cameron looked surprised, but silently followed
+Houston into the room which had been occupied by the
+two brothers, but which was now prepared for him. Then
+observing something peculiar in Houston&rsquo;s manner as
+he closed the door, he asked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What is it, my boy?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Pardon me, if I seem abrupt, uncle,&rdquo; Houston answered,
+&ldquo;but every moment is precious in saving a life unspeakably
+dear to each of us.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Cameron looked startled; Houston continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You have been like a father to me all these years, and
+I have felt toward you as a son, but to-day I have the joy
+of bringing you to the one, who holds in your heart, and
+always will hold, precedence even over myself.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Everard, my boy!&rdquo; exclaimed Mr. Cameron, in tones
+vibrating with suppressed emotion, &ldquo;what is it? Speak
+quickly, do not keep me in suspense,&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My dear uncle,&rdquo; said Houston very tenderly, &ldquo;the lost
+is found.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Cameron sank, nearly overcome, into the nearest
+chair, while his face grew deathly white.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Guy?&rdquo; he gasped, looking upward at Houston.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said the latter brokenly.</p>
+<p>The strong man covered his face with his hands, while
+his powerful frame shook with emotion.</p>
+<p>Houston, when he was able to speak, told him, very
+briefly, of his meeting with Jack, of their association, and
+the strange bond of sympathy and affection between
+them, of Jack&rsquo;s devotion, and how at last, he had been
+enabled to recognize him.</p>
+<p>Controlling himself with a mighty effort, Mr. Cameron
+rose, saying:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Take me to him.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Opening the door connecting the two rooms, Houston
+signaled to those within to leave the room, then led the
+father into the presence of the son whom he had so long
+mourned as dead.</p>
+<p>Mr. Cameron walked to the bedside, and looked long
+and earnestly upon the white face, drawn with pain, but
+still beautiful, and bearing to a great extent, the imprint
+of his own features; then as he tenderly clasped the hand
+lying upon the sheet, he murmured brokenly, between
+great, tearless sobs:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is he, my boy, my son! Thank God, it is not too
+late!&rdquo;</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XLVII' id='CHAPTER_XLVII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XLVII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>There was a long consultation between the physicians
+and surgeons following a careful and thorough examination
+of their patient, before the rendering of their decision.</p>
+<p>He had received various injuries of a serious character,
+but the injury to the head was far the most dangerous of
+all. There was a possibility that with the most careful
+nursing and the most skillful medical aid, he might live,
+but his recovery was exceedingly doubtful,&ndash;&ndash;one chance
+out of a hundred.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Do your best,&rdquo; was Mr. Cameron&rsquo;s reply to this decision,
+&ldquo;do your best, regardless of cost; if you wish counsel,
+have it; send out another nurse, the best you can secure,
+to relieve this one, and I wish one or the other of
+you gentlemen to remain here constantly, we must not
+be left without a physician. I may as well inform you
+now,&rdquo; Mr. Cameron added, with great dignity, in conclusion,
+&ldquo;that your patient is my son.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Astonishment was depicted upon the faces of the physicians,
+but Mr. Cameron continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;For some months my nephew has been out here incognito,
+engaged in unearthing the dishonest schemes
+and plots of the mining company who constituted our
+western agents, and I have just discovered that he was
+aided in this work by my son, who, unknown to me, was
+out here in disguise, working with the same end in view.
+You will, of course, understand, gentlemen, that money
+is no object; do everything within your power, and you
+shall be abundantly compensated.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Thus it was arranged that one or two physicians were
+constantly at the house, and when these returned to Silver
+City for a few hours, others took their places.</p>
+<p>A competent cook and housekeeper were also sent out
+from Silver City, as the excitement resulting from the
+terrible events of that day, together with her husband&rsquo;s
+connection therewith, which had in some way become
+generally known, proved too much for the feeble strength
+of Mrs. Maverick, and she was prostrated by the shock.</p>
+<p>Minty, terror-stricken by the results which she believed
+had followed her report to Haight, and by his fearful fate,
+in a fit of hysteria, confessed the share she had taken in
+the plot, and was summarily dismissed.</p>
+<p>After the coming of Mr. Cameron with the surgeons
+and nurse, Lyle and Leslie had withdrawn from the sick-room,
+and busied themselves in caring for Mrs. Maverick,
+and in superintendence of the necessary work; Van Dorn,
+whose astonishment at the revelations of the last two days
+was beyond expression, keeping them informed of the
+condition of the sufferer. Lyle was pale with excitement,
+but calmly and bravely took her place as head of the
+strangely assorted household, her heart throbbing wildly
+as she anticipated the meeting with Mr. Cameron.</p>
+<p>Within the sick-room the soft, gray twilight had deepened
+into darkness. At one side of the bed sat the nurse,
+his fingers upon the pulse of the patient, while he listened
+attentively to his breathing, now becoming irregular, and
+broken by low moans and occasional mutterings. On the
+other side sat Mr. Cameron, his head bowed upon his
+hands, his mind going back to the years of Guy&rsquo;s childhood
+and youth. How vividly he recalled many little incidents,
+seemingly trivial when they occurred, but carefully
+treasured among the most precious memories in the
+long, sad years that followed! With the memory of his
+son, his heart&rsquo;s pride and joy, came also that of the
+beautiful daughter, with her golden hair and starry eyes,
+the light of their home in those happy days.</p>
+<p>Mr. Cameron seemed lost in thought, but in reality,
+while thus reviewing the past, his mind was keenly conscious
+of the present. In one corner sat the faithful Mike,
+while at his feet lay the equally faithful Rex, who could be
+neither coaxed nor driven from the room, but remained
+quietly watching his master&rsquo;s face, an almost human love
+and sorrow looking out of his eyes, as he answered the
+occasional moans with a low, piteous whine.</p>
+<p>In another corner Everard talked in low tones with
+the two physicians who were to remain that night, Mr.
+Cameron taking cognizance, in the midst of his own sorrowful
+thoughts, of every word.</p>
+<p>At length some one called for a light, and a moment
+later, Mr. Cameron was conscious of a light step crossing
+the room, and of a lamp being placed on the table
+near the physicians, though none of its rays fell in the
+direction of the sufferer. Lifting his head, he saw the
+lamp with a screen so attached as to throw a shade over
+almost the entire room, leaving only a small portion
+lighted; but within that brightly illumined portion he had
+a glimpse, for an instant, of a face, which with its radiant
+eyes and its shining aureole of golden hair, was so
+nearly a counterpart of the one but just recalled so
+vividly to his mind, that it seemed a living reproduction
+of the same. Only a glimpse, for as he started, wondering
+if it could be a figment of his own imagination, the
+face suddenly vanished into the shadow, and the figure
+glided from the room. Still it haunted him; could there
+have been a real resemblance? or was it only a hallucination
+of his own?</p>
+<p>About an hour later, Houston, who had observed his
+uncle&rsquo;s involuntary start of surprise on seeing Lyle, and
+who was anxious that he should learn the truth as early
+as possible, slipping his arm within that of his uncle&rsquo;s,
+led him out upon the porch, where they lighted their
+cigars, smoking for a few moments in silence, then talking
+together in low tones of the one so dear to each of
+them, while Houston related the details of his first meeting
+and early acquaintance with the miner, Jack.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Even if Guy cannot recover,&rdquo; said Mr. Cameron, in
+tremulous tones, when Houston had finished, &ldquo;Yet if he
+lives long enough to see and recognize his mother and
+myself, and realize our feeling for him&ndash;&ndash;even then, I shall
+be more than repaid for your coming out here,&ndash;&ndash;though
+all else were lost.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Indeed you would,&rdquo; responded Houston, &ldquo;but I cannot
+help feeling that Guy&rsquo;s life will be spared, that he will
+live to bless your future years. But my dear uncle,&rdquo; he
+continued, very slowly, &ldquo;although you are yet unaware
+of it, you have nearly as much, if not an equal cause for
+joy in another direction.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I do not understand you, Everard; you surely do not
+allude to the property?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, very far from that; did you notice the young girl
+who came into Guy&rsquo;s room to-night?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;To bring the light?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The same.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, and I intended to inquire of you concerning her.
+Her face impressed me strangely; I cannot tell whether
+it was a fact or my own imagination, but I had been
+thinking of the children,&ndash;&ndash;Guy and his sister,&ndash;&ndash;as they
+were years ago, and it seemed to me that her face, as I
+saw it for an instant, was almost an exact counterpart of
+my own Edna&rsquo;s, as she used to look, even to the hair and
+eyes which were very peculiar.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It was no imagination on your part, the resemblance
+is very marked, not only in face, but in voice and manner
+as well.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;How do you account for it?&rdquo; asked Mr. Cameron
+quickly, &ldquo;Who is she?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She is the one who, of all the world, would have the
+best right to resemble your daughter,&rdquo; replied Houston;
+then, in answer to Mr. Cameron&rsquo;s look of perplexed inquiry,
+he continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Pardon me, uncle, for any painful allusion, but at the
+time of my cousin&rsquo;s death, I believe you had no direct
+proof as to the fate of her child?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No absolute proof, of course,&rdquo; replied Mr. Cameron,
+&ldquo;only the testimony of those who identified the mother,
+that there was no child with her, and no child among any
+of those saved answering to the description given, from
+which we naturally supposed the little one to have been
+killed outright. Why, Everard,&rdquo; he exclaimed, as a new
+thought occurred to him, &ldquo;you certainly do not think this
+Edna&rsquo;s child, do you?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Why might it not be possible?&rdquo; inquired Houston,
+wishing to lead his uncle gradually up to the truth.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Is this her home?&rdquo; asked Mr. Cameron in turn.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Houston, &ldquo;this has been her home, I believe,
+for the last ten years.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;If the supposition mentioned a moment ago were correct,
+how would she be here, amid such surroundings?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Do you know the man who runs this house?&rdquo; Houston
+asked.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;A man by the name of Maverick had charge of it
+when I was out here years ago; I do not know whether
+he is still here.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He is; do you know him? Did you ever have any
+business with him personally?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, I had him in my employ years ago, in the east,
+and was obliged to discharge him for dishonesty.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Thereby incurring his life-long hatred and enmity, so
+that years afterward, he sought to wreak his revenge upon
+you by stealing from the wrecked train, where your
+daughter lost her life, the little child who would otherwise
+have been your solace in that time of bereavement.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Everard!&rdquo; exclaimed Mr. Cameron, &ldquo;are you sure
+you are correct? What proof have you of this?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;The proofs were not discovered until recently,&rdquo;
+Houston replied, &ldquo;although we knew that they existed,
+but now this girl has found a letter from Maverick&rsquo;s
+wife confessing the whole crime, and stating that it was
+committed through a spirit of revenge; and she also has
+in her possession the articles of clothing she wore at the
+time she was stolen, together with a locket containing
+her mother&rsquo;s picture and her own name,&ndash;&ndash;Marjorie Lyle
+Washburn.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;That is enough,&rdquo; said Mr. Cameron briefly, &ldquo;let me
+see her, Everard.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston stepped within the house, reappearing a few
+moments later, with Lyle. Very beautiful she looked
+as she came forward in the soft radiance of the moonlight,
+a child-like confidence shining in the lovely eyes.</p>
+<p>Mr. Cameron rose to meet her, and taking both her
+hands within his own, he stood for an instant, gazing into
+the beautiful face.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My dear child, my own Edna!&rdquo; he said in broken
+tones, folding her closely within his arms, &ldquo;Thank God
+for another child restored to us from the dead!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Houston returned to the sick-room, leaving Mr. Cameron
+and Lyle in their new-found joy. Lyle told him
+briefly the story of her life, his eyes growing stern with
+indignation as he listened to the wrongs she had endured,
+then luminous with tenderness, as she told of Jack&rsquo;s affectionate
+care for her.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Call me &lsquo;papa&rsquo; my child, as you used to in the days of
+your babyhood,&rdquo; he said, kissing her, as they rose to return
+to Guy&rsquo;s room, &ldquo;you never even then, would call
+Mrs. Cameron or myself anything but &lsquo;mamma&rsquo; and
+&lsquo;papa,&rsquo; and now you shall be as our own child!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Together they watched beside the sick-bed until the
+morning sun touched the mountain peaks with glory, but
+there came no relief to the sufferer, now moaning and
+tossing in delirium.</p>
+<p>Eastward, across the mountain ranges, Morton Rutherford
+was speeding swiftly, scarcely heeding in his sorrow
+and anxiety, the grandeur and beauty through which
+he was passing; while from Chicago, the sweet-faced
+mother was hastening westward, all unconscious that she
+was being swiftly and surely borne to the answer of her
+prayers,&ndash;&ndash;that in that distant western country to which
+she was journeying, her son lay calling her in his fever
+and delirium.</p>
+<p>She had started in response to a dispatch from Morton
+Rutherford, at Silver City:</p>
+<blockquote>
+<p>&ldquo;Mr. Cameron and Everard Houston safe and well, but wish
+you to come out immediately. Wire where I will meet you in
+St. Paul. Will explain when I see you.</p>
+<p class='ralign'>&ldquo;Morton Rutherford.&rdquo;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p>The mining camp that morning, presented a strange
+scene of idleness and desolation. Many of the mines
+were in ruins, while the remainder were shut down.</p>
+<p>They would remain shut down for an indefinite period,
+Houston told the men who had gathered about the house
+for information. The officers of the company, he further
+stated, had been arrested and their property would
+soon be seized, hence it would be impossible to state
+when the mines would be reopened. It was probable
+that with the next spring, an entirely new corporation
+would be organized, and the mining and milling plant
+rebuilt, and operated on a much more extensive scale
+than before; and should this be the case, he would then
+and there vouch that those of his men who had proven
+themselves trustworthy and honorable, would be certain
+of work, should they desire it, in the newly opened mines.</p>
+<p>The men knew of Jack&rsquo;s condition, and while not a
+sound was made that would disturb the sufferer, the better
+class swung their hats high in the air, in token of applause,
+and then walked silently away.</p>
+<p>It was found in the succeeding days that several
+miners had lost their lives in the explosions of the Yankee
+Boy mine; a few were so far underground that their doom
+was inevitable, while others, whom Houston had warned,
+instead of following his instructions, had endeavored to
+escape through the shafts, and had discovered too late
+that they had only rushed on to certain death.</p>
+<p>Maverick, the tool by which all this destruction had
+been wrought, after his deadly work was done, overcome
+by his wretched cowardice, remained concealed until a
+late hour; then creeping from his hiding place to gloat
+over the havoc and ruin he had wrought, he suddenly
+found his triumph was short. Under the shelter of a few
+boards, temporarily erected, he found the ghastly remains
+of his companion and director in crime. Shivering and
+trembling with fear, he crept up the road till within sight
+of the house, arriving just in time to see Houston,&ndash;&ndash;whom
+he supposed crushed and buried within the mine,&ndash;&ndash;presenting
+Lyle to Mr. Cameron. He lingered long
+enough to see her clasped in his arms, then skulked back
+into the shadow, retreating down the road, gnashing his
+teeth with rage and disappointment. The following day
+search was made for him, under instructions from Mr.
+Cameron and Houston, who offered a large reward for
+him, living or dead. His body was found in an old,
+abandoned shaft on the mountain side, riddled with bullets.
+The vengeance of the miners, desperate from the
+loss of homes and employment, had overtaken him first.
+He was buried hastily and with little ceremony, his two
+sons having already taken themselves to parts unknown,
+fearful lest the penalty of their father&rsquo;s crimes might be
+inflicted upon them, and his fate become theirs also. A
+day or two later, Mrs. Maverick, who had been prostrated
+by the shock of the explosions and the succeeding
+events, died from a sudden paralysis, her feeble mind having
+first been cheered and soothed by the assurance from
+Mr. Cameron of his forgiveness for the small share which
+she had taken in the withholding Lyle from her true
+friends and home. She was given a decent burial in the
+miners&rsquo; little cemetery at the Y, and the house which for
+so many years had been called by their name, knew the
+Mavericks no more.</p>
+<p>Kind hands laid little Bull-dog under the murmuring
+pines on the mountain side, near Morgan&rsquo;s last resting
+place, but in the hearts, of Houston and his friends, his
+memory could never grow dim.</p>
+<p>The small community of miners suddenly vanished,
+the deserted quarters, with their blackened ruins, seeming
+little like the busy camp of but a few days before, resounding
+with their songs and jests.</p>
+<p>Only in the house nestling at the foot of the mountain
+there were no signs of desertion. It was crowded to
+overflowing, and within its walls, during those next succeeding
+days, what combats were waged, between hope
+and fear, joy and despair, life and death!</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XLVIII' id='CHAPTER_XLVIII'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XLVIII.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>Five days had passed, days of raging fever and delirium
+so violent that already the powerful frame seemed nearly
+exhausted; the sufferer calling almost incessantly for the
+loved ones of his old home, but oftenest for his mother.
+Some faint glimmer of recognition must occasionally
+have reached those darkened chambers of the brain, since
+when attended by Mr. Cameron, Houston or Lyle, he
+rested more quietly, though never calling Lyle by her
+own name, but always by that of his sister, Edna.</p>
+<p>The fever had subsided, and he was now rapidly passing
+into a death-like stupor, hovering between life and
+death, unconscious of skilled physicians and trained
+nurses that came and went, unconscious of loving friends
+bending above him, their prayers and efforts combined
+with the skill of the former, in the terrible combat against
+the mighty foe.</p>
+<p>The physicians watching by the bedside, shook their
+heads, as they felt the pulse, fluttering more and more
+faintly.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He is sinking, failing rapidly,&rdquo; they said, &ldquo;to-night
+will be the crisis, the turning point; unless there is a
+change then for the better, he will never see the dawning
+of another day.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>To Mrs. Cameron, journeying westward with Morton
+Rutherford, the moments had seemed like hours, the
+hours like days, since learning for whose sake had come
+the summons to that distant country. Only the speed
+of the lightning could have satisfied the heart of the
+mother hastening to her long-lost son.</p>
+<p>They had been kept informed along the route of Guy&rsquo;s
+condition, and now, upon their arrival at Silver City, on
+the noon train, they found a special car awaiting them,
+to convey them at once to the Y, which had been ordered
+by telegraphic dispatch from Mr. Cameron.</p>
+<p>The watchers by the bedside heard the sound of swiftly
+approaching wheels; Mr. Cameron and Houston stepped
+quickly out to greet the sweet-faced woman hastening
+toward the house on the arm of Morton Rutherford.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Am I in time? Is our boy still living?&rdquo; were her first
+words, as her husband met her with outstretched arms,
+his face working with deep emotion.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Just in time, thank God!&rdquo; was the broken reply.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Oh, Walter, is there no hope?&rdquo; she queried, understanding
+his words only too well.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I must not deceive you, Marjorie, there is the barest
+possibility that he may live, no more.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;He must live, and he will,&rdquo; replied the mother, in
+tones that reminded both Houston and Morton Rutherford
+wonderfully of Lyle.</p>
+<p>Turning toward Houston, Mrs. Cameron greeted him
+affectionately, and gently touching the wounded arm, exclaimed:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My poor, dear boy, what a terrible risk you have
+run!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>To which he replied, &ldquo;I would go through it all again,
+Aunt Marjorie, for the joy I believe it will bring you and
+yours.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A few moments later, Mr. Cameron led his wife into
+the sick-room. Lyle had already left the room, and there
+remained only Leslie Gladden, sitting quietly near the foot
+of the bed, and the nurse, who respectfully withdrew
+from his place beside the patient, as Mrs. Cameron approached.</p>
+<p>Calmly, though through fast-falling tears, the mother
+gazed for a moment upon her son; then dropping upon
+her knees beside the bed, she slipped one arm underneath
+the pillows, and gently drew the wounded head upon her
+own breast, tenderly kissing the brow and cheeks; then
+taking his hand within her own, she stroked and caressed
+it, meanwhile crooning over him in low, murmuring
+tones, as though he had been an infant.</p>
+<p>There were no dry eyes in that little room, not excepting
+even the nurse, while from the door-way of the adjoining
+room, Morton Rutherford, Lyle and Everard
+Houston watched the scene with hearts too full for utterance.
+Something in that gentle touch must have carried
+the troubled mind of the sufferer back to the days
+of his childhood; gradually the faint moaning ceased, the
+drawn, tense features relaxed, and a sweet, child-like
+smile stole over his face now assuming a death-like pallor.</p>
+<p>For hours the mother knelt there, her husband by her
+side, Everard and Leslie standing near, while in the background,
+in the dim light, was Lyle with Morton Rutherford.</p>
+<p>At last, Mr. Cameron, bending over his wife, entreated
+her to take a few moments&rsquo; rest and a little food. She hesitated,
+but Everard spoke:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;You must take some refreshment, Aunt Marjorie,
+you have had no food for hours; Leslie and I will watch
+here, and if there should be the slightest change, I will
+call you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>At the name of Leslie, Mrs. Cameron looked up, with
+a sweet, motherly smile, into the beautiful but tear-stained
+face beside her, and gently withdrawing from the bedside,
+she turned and clasped Miss Gladden in her arms,
+saying:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My dear Leslie, I did not think we would meet for
+the first time under such circumstances as these, but I am
+more than glad to find you here. Everard has always
+been, and still is as our own son, and I welcome you, my
+dear, as a daughter.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>On entering the dining-room, Mr. and Mrs. Cameron
+found a most tempting luncheon prepared for them, but
+no one in the room, Lyle having judged they would prefer
+to be by themselves for awhile.</p>
+<p>As Mrs. Cameron, having partaken of some slight refreshment,
+was preparing to return to the sick-room, her
+husband said:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Wait a moment, my dear; there is another joy in store
+for you, Marjorie, in that, through Everard&rsquo;s coming out
+into this country, we have received back from the dead,
+as it were, not only our son, but also a daughter. I
+want you to meet her now, my dear, so prepare yourself
+for a great surprise, and perhaps, something of a shock.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I do not understand you, dear,&rdquo; replied Mrs. Cameron,
+looking bewildered, &ldquo;you certainly do not refer to
+Leslie, I have met her.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;No, my love, Leslie is a beautiful girl, and will be to
+us a lovely daughter, but I refer to a daughter of our own
+flesh and blood.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Stepping to an adjoining room, Mr. Cameron called
+in a low tone, &ldquo;Lyle, my dear,&rdquo; returning immediately to
+his wife&rsquo;s side to support her in case the shock should
+prove too much in her present agitated condition.</p>
+<p>Lyle glided into the room, slowly approaching Mrs.
+Cameron, who sat speechless, pale as death, but controlling
+herself by a visible effort.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Edna, my child! my own Edna!&rdquo; she cried, rising
+with outstretched arms, and clasping Lyle to her breast;
+then turning toward her husband, she asked:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;What does this mean, Walter? Can this be Edna&rsquo;s
+child?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, my love,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;this is the little Marjorie
+we have mourned as dead for so many years.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>For a while they sat clasped in each other&rsquo;s arms, their
+tears commingling, while Mr. Cameron briefly explained
+to his wife the main facts in Lyle&rsquo;s strange history.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;She shall be our own daughter, shall she not, Walter?
+She shall be to us just what Edna was?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; was the response, &ldquo;she is our own daughter,
+Marjorie Lyle Cameron.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>They returned to Guy&rsquo;s room, Mrs. Cameron resuming
+her old place, with Guy&rsquo;s head upon her breast, his
+hand in hers, only that now Lyle knelt beside her. At
+their side, and very near his son, was Mr. Cameron, while
+just back of them were Everard, Leslie and Morton Rutherford.
+Ned Rutherford and Van Dorn lingered in the
+door-way watching, while at the foot of the bed stood
+Mike, the tears coursing down his rugged face. On the
+other side of the bed stood the physicians and nurse,
+their keen eyes watching the subtle changes passing over
+the face, now white as marble, and almost as motionless.</p>
+<p>Fainter and shorter grew the gasping breaths, more
+and more feeble the pulse, until at last it was evident to
+every one within that little room, that life had very nearly
+ebbed away.</p>
+<p>But there was one who did not, for one instant, lose
+faith or hope. The sublime faith which had upheld her
+through all those years of a sorrow greater than death,
+did not desert her now. Lyle seemed to share her faith,
+and they alone remained calm and tearless, the saint-like
+face of the mother shining with love and trust.</p>
+<p>Suddenly, upon that death-like stillness, her voice rang
+out, with startling clearness:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Guy! oh, Guy, my darling!&rdquo;</p>
+<p>And to that soul, slipping through the fast-darkening
+shadows, almost within the grasp of the great enemy,
+there seemed to have come some echo of those tones, with
+their piercing sweetness, recalling him to life; for, with a
+long, quivering breath, Guy slowly opened his eyes, gazing,
+for an instant, with a dreamy smile, upon the faces
+surrounding him. His eyes closed with a gentle sigh,
+but while those about him anxiously awaited the next
+breath, they again opened, full of the light of recognition,
+while a rapturous smile grew and deepened upon his face,
+irradiating his features with joy, his lips moving in a
+whisper so faint that only the mother&rsquo;s ear could catch
+the words:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I thought&ndash;&ndash;it was&ndash;&ndash;all&ndash;&ndash;a dream,&ndash;&ndash;but&ndash;&ndash;it&ndash;&ndash;is true,&rdquo;
+then, exhausted, he sank into a deep sleep like a child&rsquo;s,
+his breathing growing more and more regular and natural,
+moment by moment.</p>
+<p>The physicians withdrew from the bedside, their vigil
+was over; &ldquo;He will live,&rdquo; they said briefly, while in response,
+there rose from all parts of the room, deep sobs
+of joy.</p>
+<hr class='toprule' />
+<div class='chsp'>
+<a name='CHAPTER_XLIX' id='CHAPTER_XLIX'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XLIX.</h2>
+</div>
+<p>For the first week or two, Guy Cameron&rsquo;s recovery was
+slow, but at the expiration of that time his vigorous constitution
+reasserted itself, and he gained rapidly.</p>
+<p>Meanwhile, at Silver City, affairs were progressing under
+the efficient management of Mr. Whitney, the clear-headed
+attorney from New York.</p>
+<p>When orders for arrest were first issued, it was soon
+discovered that the office of the North Western Mining,
+Land &amp; Investment Company was practically deserted.
+None of their books or papers were to be found, their
+clerks had been dismissed, and no trace existed of the
+officers of the company. No information regarding their
+whereabouts could be obtained from any of the officers of
+the several high-titled companies occupying the same
+room, as they were supremely and serenely unconscious
+that anything out of the usual order had occurred, and
+full of regrets that they were unable to furnish the desired
+information.</p>
+<p>Blaisdell was discovered the following day, in company
+with his eldest son, in an old abandoned mine about two
+miles from town, which he claimed they were working,
+his limited means not allowing him to wander far from
+the scene of his crimes. He was brought back to town
+and held pending the discovery of Wilson and Rivers,
+for whom detectives were searching in every direction.
+The former was never found, but at the end of about two
+weeks, the latter was run to earth in an eastern city, where
+he was masquerading in snow-white wig and beard and
+colored eye-glasses, as a retired and invalid clergyman,
+living in great seclusion.</p>
+<p>Blaisdell and Rivers were tried on the charge of murder,
+the most important witnesses for the prosecution being
+Everard Houston and Morton Rutherford; the latter
+testifying as to the nature of the final and fatal dispatch
+sent on that eventful day, in which he was corroborated
+by the telegraph operator of the Silver City office, who
+had been found and secured as a witness, and who verified
+Rutherford&rsquo;s statements regarding the message, but
+at the same time cleared Mr. Blaisdell from all connection
+therewith; the message having been sent by Rivers
+in Blaisdell&rsquo;s absence, whether with his knowledge and
+consent, they were unable to ascertain. The charge
+against Blaisdell was therefore dismissed through lack of
+evidence, while in Rivers&rsquo; case, a verdict was returned for
+manslaughter, and he was given the extreme limit of the
+law, imprisonment for ten years.</p>
+<p>Blaisdell was then speedily arraigned for a new trial
+on the charge of embezzlement, the date on which his
+case was set for hearing being the same as that upon
+which his partner in crime was to be transferred to the
+state penitentiary.</p>
+<p>On that morning, however, the guard on going to the
+cell occupied by Rivers, found him just expiring, having
+succeeded in smuggling into his cell a quantity of
+morphine, how or when, no one could ascertain. He left
+a letter in which he stated that no state penitentiary had
+ever held him, or ever would, but that &ldquo;as the game was
+up&rdquo; he would give them a few particulars regarding his
+past life. He gave his true name, the name of a man who,
+twenty-five years before, had been wanted in the state
+of New York for a heavy bank robbery and murder. For
+years, under an alias, he had belonged to a gang of counterfeiters
+in Missouri, but upon the discovery and arrest
+of the leaders of the band, he had assumed his present
+alias and had come west.</p>
+<p>As Blaisdell took his place that morning in the prisoner&rsquo;s
+box, he was a pitiable object. Haunted almost to
+madness by the awful fate of his associate, confronted by
+an overwhelming array of evidence, furnished by Houston,
+Van Dorn and Lindlay, including also a deposition
+of Guy Cameron&rsquo;s, taken in his sick-room, his own abject
+and hopeless appearance bore the most damaging testimony
+against him. His case was quickly decided, his
+sentence being for seven years.</p>
+<p>After the trial, Morton Rutherford and Van Dorn returned
+at once to the camp, and a day or two later, when
+business affairs had at last been satisfactorily adjusted,
+Mr. Cameron and Houston returned, bringing with them
+Mr. Whitney and Lindlay, for a visit of a week among the
+mountains, before the entire party should return east.</p>
+<p>It was now early in the fall. Already the nights were
+frosty, but the days were royal as only early autumnal
+days among the mountains can be. Every breath was
+exhilarating, each inhalation seeming laden with some
+subtle elixir of life.</p>
+<p>Guy Cameron was now convalescent, able to sit with
+his friends in the low, rustic porch, or even to join them
+in short strolls among the rocks by the lake.</p>
+<p>One afternoon they all sat in and about the porch, in
+the soft, hazy sunlight, the vines and shrubbery about
+them brilliant in their autumnal tints of crimson and
+orange and gold. The group was complete, with the exception
+of Mr. Cameron and Mr. Whitney, who still lingered
+within doors, engaged in drawing up some papers
+of which no one seemed to understand the import, excepting
+Houston, who had just left the gentlemen to join
+the group outside.</p>
+<p>It was a strikingly beautiful picture; Mrs. Cameron
+seated in the center, with her sweet face and snow-white
+hair, and on either side a lovely daughter. Near Lyle
+were seated Guy Cameron and Morton Rutherford,&ndash;&ndash;between
+whom there already existed a deep affinity,&ndash;&ndash;-with
+their faces of remarkable strength and beauty. On
+the grass, just outside the porch, in various easy attitudes,
+were Ned Rutherford, Van Dorn and Lindlay, and
+it was noticeable that under the influence of late events,
+even Ned&rsquo;s boyish face was gradually assuming a far
+more mature and thoughtful expression.</p>
+<p>As Houston seated himself beside Leslie, both she and
+Lyle observed that his face was lighted with a smile of
+deep satisfaction, but he remained silent, and the conversation
+continued as before, the members of the little
+group engaged in anticipations of their return to their
+respective homes, and in comments upon this particular
+portion of the west with which they had become familiar.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Which will you love best, Jack, my dear,&rdquo; Lyle asked
+of Guy in low tones, using the old form of address still
+very dear to her, &ldquo;the eastern home, or the mountains?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My old home was never so dear to me as now,&rdquo; he
+replied, &ldquo;but I am deeply attached to the mountains; for
+years they were my only friends, and I shall wish to look
+upon them occasionally in the future.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; Ned Rutherford was saying, &ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t have
+thought it, but I&rsquo;ve got so attached to this place out here,
+I&rsquo;d like an excuse of some sort,&ndash;&ndash;some kind of business,
+you know,&ndash;&ndash;that would bring me here part of the time;
+what do you think, Mort?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I think our associations here have had a great deal to
+do with the attractions of the place, but as a quiet retreat
+in which to spend a few weeks of each summer, I can
+not imagine a more delightful place.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Everard, of what are you thinking so deeply?&rdquo; demanded
+Lyle, watching his thoughtful face, &ldquo;you have
+not spoken a word since you came out.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I am thinking of the evening when first we had Mr.
+Lindlay and Mr. Van Dorn as guests in this house; thinking
+of the contrast between then and now; that was
+ushering in the close of the old regime, and this is the
+eve of the new.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;When will the mines be reopened?&rdquo; inquired Van
+Dorn.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Just as soon as possible after the rebuilding of the
+plant, next spring.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;All these mines will be owned and controlled by the
+New York company, will they not?&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Yes, and they will probably purchase other good
+properties.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>&ldquo;&rsquo;Pon my soul, but that will make a fine plant, out
+&rsquo;ere!&rdquo; exclaimed Lindlay.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I should say so,&rdquo; responded Van Dorn.</p>
+<p>Just at that instant, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Whitney appeared,
+the latter carrying a large roll of legal cap, covered
+with his well-known hieroglyphics.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;My dear,&rdquo; said Mr. Cameron, seating himself beside
+his wife and a little in the rear of the remainder of the
+group, &ldquo;Mr. Whitney and myself have been engaged in
+drawing up the articles of incorporation of the new mining
+company to be organized out here very shortly, and I
+thought perhaps you and the young people would be interested
+in them. I want to say that they are drawn up
+subject to the approval of all parties interested, and after
+you have heard them read, we want you to express your
+opinions, jointly and severally. Mr. Whitney, as I believe
+you are the only one who would be able to read
+those cabalistic signs, we will now listen to you.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Amid a general laugh at Mr. Whitney&rsquo;s expense, he began
+the reading of the articles of incorporation. The
+first article, setting forth the object of the corporation,
+was read, and by the time Mr. Whitney had reached the
+second, the members of the party were all attention.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Article II. This corporation shall be known as The
+Rocky Mountain Mining Company.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>A murmur of approval ran through the little group,
+and the sonorous tones continued:</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Article III. The officers of the company hereby incorporated
+shall be as follows: Walter E. Cameron,
+president; Walter E. Houston, vice-president; Guy M.
+Cameron, treasurer and general manager; Edward B.
+Rutherford, Jr., secretary.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Cameron, from his post of observation, watching
+to see the effect produced by the reading of this document,
+did not have to wait long. The faces of the ladies
+expressed their delight, while Ned Rutherford was
+speechless with astonishment; but it was the figure half
+reclining in the invalid chair that he watched most
+closely; it was his son&rsquo;s approval that he most desired.</p>
+<p>At the mention of his name, Guy Cameron had given a
+slight start, but he now lay with closed eyes, the only
+sign of emotion visible being that his pale face had grown
+still paler. Only the preceding day, Guy and his parents
+had held their first and only conversation together regarding
+the time so long past, Mr. and Mrs. Cameron intending
+it to be the first and last allusion which should be
+made to that sad time. Guy well knew that all was forgiven;
+he knew that the unhappy secret had been guarded
+with such loving care that his reputation was untarnished,
+there was nothing to be recalled against him on his
+return; yet he would consent only to a brief visit to the old
+home; he would not yet return permanently.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Let me first go into business somewhere, and retrieve
+myself in my own eyes at least,&rdquo; he had said, &ldquo;not be
+taken back as a prodigal.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Mr. Cameron had conferred with Houston, and both
+hoped that a responsible position in the newly organized
+company, amid the old familiar scenes and work, and associated
+with those to whom he had become personally
+attached, would more than meet his wishes. Mr. Cameron
+had wished to make him general manager on account
+of his familiarity with the business, while Houston
+wished him to hold the office of treasurer, as token of
+their perfect trust; hence the two were combined.</p>
+<p>After all the articles of incorporation had been read in
+full, the little group broke up, and crowded around the
+newly-chosen young officers with many congratulations.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Great Scott!&rdquo; ejaculated Ned, &ldquo;I never was so thunder
+struck in my life! Accept it? well, I should say so,
+Mr. Cameron, and with many thanks; you couldn&rsquo;t have
+picked out anything that would suit me better. I guess,&rdquo;
+he added in a confidential aside to Houston, &ldquo;I guess that
+will fix the old fellow down there in Boston all right.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>Guy grasped his father&rsquo;s hand and Houston&rsquo;s in a manner
+that removed every anxiety from their minds.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;It is more than satisfactory,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;more than I
+could wish.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>The following day, Mr. Whitney, Lindlay and Van
+Dorn returned east, leaving the &ldquo;family party&rdquo; as they
+laughingly styled themselves, to follow later.</p>
+<p>Among the pleasant surprises of those last few days of
+their stay, it was discovered that Leslie Gladden, whom
+Mrs. Cameron and Lyle had urged to make her home
+with them upon their return, was the owner of a palatial
+residence not many blocks from their own city home, besides
+having a snug little fortune in bonds and stocks.</p>
+<p>Houston&rsquo;s surprise was unbounded, but remembering
+how he had won Leslie&rsquo;s love, there was little he could
+say.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;I thought you once said you never had a home of your
+own,&rdquo; he remarked in considerable perplexity.</p>
+<p>&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; she replied archly, &ldquo;a residence is not necessarily
+a home; it has never been a home to me since my
+earliest recollection, but it will be one soon, in the truest
+sense of the word.&rdquo;</p>
+<p>One morning a few days later, they awoke to find the
+mountains about them white with snow, and a light snowfall
+in the canyon; and though the latter vanished presently
+under the balmy breath of a &ldquo;chinook,&rdquo; it had given
+them warning that the winter king was approaching, and
+would soon seize the scepter from autumn&rsquo;s hand, to begin
+his long reign among the mountains.</p>
+<p>That day, the old house which had witnessed such
+varied scenes within the past few months, was closed, and
+a very joyous party started for Silver City, the initial point
+of the long eastward journey, their hearts throbbing with
+delight that they were homeward bound.</p>
+<p>In the first carriage rode Mr. and Mrs. Cameron and
+their newly-found son and daughter, while following so
+closely that their merry jokes and song and laughter were
+intermingled, were Everard Houston, Leslie Gladden
+and the two brothers; and as they passed down the winding
+canyon road, casting loving, farewell glances at the
+friendly peaks, clad that day in dazzling brightness, and
+recalled their first coming to the heart of the Rockies,
+they were, one and all, agreed that the end was better
+than the beginning.</p>
+<hr class='tb' />
+<p>According to Houston&rsquo;s prediction, the mines were reopened
+the following year, and operated on a far more
+extensive scale. On the site of the old mills, an immense
+building was erected, thoroughly equipped with the latest
+improvements in mining machinery and electrical and
+mechanical appliances. The old mines were repaired
+and extended and new properties were purchased, giving
+employment to hundreds of men. Early in the second
+year, a railroad was constructed by the company, extending
+up the canyon from the Y, to the camp, for the transportation
+of ore, mining supplies, freight and passengers.</p>
+<p>As the mines were enlarged and new properties developed,
+quite a community sprang up in that vicinity,
+which, after the construction of the railroad, speedily developed
+into a typical mining town; and now, after a lapse
+of three years, few would recognize the old camp.</p>
+<p>Half way up the steep grade from the Y, is the smelting
+plant of the company, while at the terminus of the
+road, are the long, stone storehouses, at one end of which
+is the general office and a pleasant reception room. Next
+comes the great milling and reduction plant, while just
+beyond are the offices of the company, a fine, three-story
+brick building. From this building can be seen, in one
+direction the extensive mining works, with their labyrinth
+of shafts and tunnels, diggings and dumps; while in another
+direction are stretched the homes of the miners,
+the boarding houses, and, at a little distance, the post-office,
+hotel, stores and shops of the little town, as well
+as a tasteful church and school house. As one gazes upon
+the peaceful picture of the mountain town, there is
+nothing to recall the frightful scene of destruction and
+ruin of only three years past.</p>
+<p>There is little to remind one of former times, until, having
+followed the broad, winding road for some distance,
+one suddenly comes upon a familiar sight. Nestling at
+the foot of the pine-covered mountain, on the site of the
+old boarding house, is a beautiful, wide-spreading stone
+cottage, so built that its numerous bow-windows take
+in a view of the azure lake and shining cascades, as well
+as of the surrounding peaks and the sunset sky; and on
+the broad, vine-covered veranda, is a well-known group,
+who come from their distant, city homes, to spend a few
+weeks of each summer amid the grandeur and beauty of
+the mountains, to listen to the whispering of the pines
+and the music of the cascades.</p>
+<p>Morton Rutherford and his bride are here; Lyle, physically
+and mentally developed into royal, radiant womanhood,
+more beautiful than ever, but to whom there comes
+occasionally an irresistible longing to revisit her old
+mountain home, for the years of happiness and love have
+obliterated all bitter memories of the loveless, joyless
+childhood, and only the remembrance of its beauty remains.</p>
+<p>By her side, is Guy Cameron, his proud, erect bearing
+showing the change which these few years have wrought
+in his life; lonely and solitary no longer, for near him is a
+queenly woman, who, knowing the sad secret of his past,
+will share and brighten his future.</p>
+<p>Everard Houston and his lovely wife need no introduction,
+but, beside them is a little stranger, possessing Leslie&rsquo;s
+wondrous dark eyes, but Houston&rsquo;s features,&ndash;&ndash;another
+little Marjorie,&ndash;&ndash;while beside the wee maiden is a
+small chevalier, only two months her senior, rejoicing in
+the name of Morton Rutherford. In the dignified, business-like
+face of the proud father, it is difficult to recognize
+the former Ned Rutherford, but while possessing
+still the same light-hearted nature, yet the responsibilities
+intrusted to him, and the years of constant association
+with a man like Everard Houston, have developed a business
+ability surprising even to himself. As secretary of
+the Rocky Mountain Mining Company, he has proved to
+be the right man in the right place, thereby reflecting
+much credit upon Houston&rsquo;s insight and good judgment
+in selecting him for the position. By his side is a fair
+woman, the &ldquo;Grace&rdquo; of whom he used to dream when
+first he visited the mountains.</p>
+<p>Strolling up and down the graveled walks, in consultation
+regarding the mines, are two figures, one of whom
+is easily recognized as Arthur Van Dorn, mining expert
+for the company, and superintendent of the milling and
+reduction plant. The energetic, business man by his
+side is M. T. Donovan, superintendent of the entire mining
+plant, but a second glance is necessary to recognize
+in him, Mike, the old-time miner, and the faithful friend
+of Guy Cameron in his years of loneliness. Donovan
+and Van Dorn present a striking contrast, but they are
+good friends, and the latter&rsquo;s personation of the former,
+on a certain occasion, is a standing joke between them.</p>
+<p>There is one more familiar figure, not to be omitted,
+and that is Rex, stretched on the soft grass in an attitude
+of perfect content, his nose resting on his paws, his eyes
+fixed on his master&rsquo;s face with the old-time devotion.</p>
+<p>Beautiful as this picture may be, it is not quite complete
+without a glimpse of a far-away, eastern home, where, in
+the gloaming, beside an open grate, sit a couple with
+peaceful faces, crowned with snow-white hair. They
+have passed the grand summit of middle age, with its
+broad horizons, where hope and ambition are at their
+zenith, and together are journeying down the long, gentle
+declivity; but the clouds of loss and bereavement and
+pain that gathered about their path in the years gone by,
+have passed, and the valley before them is flooded with
+golden light. Their home circle, once broken, is now
+nearly complete; the once vacant places by the fireside
+are again filled, and the old home, silent for so many
+years, again resounds with song and laughter, and echoes
+once more to the music of childish voices and the patter
+of little feet.</p>
+<p>For hours, they sit talking together of the joys which
+the late years have brought them; until the moonlight
+steals in through the open windows, reverently touching
+their heads with a silvery radiance, at the same time looking
+down in silent, shining benediction upon the peaceful
+scene in the heart of the Rockies.</p>
+<p style='text-align:center;margin-top:1.5em;margin-bottom:1em'>FINIS</p>
+
+<!-- generated by ppg.rb version: 3.14 -->
+<!-- timestamp: Sat Sep 19 07:02:09 -0600 2009 -->
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Award of Justice, by A. Maynard Barbour
+
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+</body>
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Award of Justice, by A. Maynard Barbour
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Award of Justice
+       Told in the Rockies
+
+Author: A. Maynard Barbour
+
+Release Date: September 19, 2009 [EBook #30028]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE AWARD OF JUSTICE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE AWARD OF JUSTICE
+
+OR
+
+TOLD IN THE ROCKIES.
+
+A Pen Picture of the West.
+
+BY
+
+A. MAYNARD BARBOUR,
+
+AUTHOR OF "That Mainwaring Affair."
+
+"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof."--Ecc. vii, 8.
+
+CHICAGO AND NEW YORK:
+
+RAND, McNALLY & COMPANY,
+
+PUBLISHERS.
+
+
+
+
+Copyright, 1897, by Rand, McNally & Co.
+
+Copyright, 1901, by Rand, McNally & Co.
+
+
+
+
+DEDICATION.
+
+To W. James Barbour,
+
+ My co-worker in this pleasant task,
+ at whose suggestion it was undertaken,
+ and by whose inspiration it has been guided,
+ from inception to completion,
+ this book is affectionately dedicated
+ by the author,
+
+A. MAYNARD BARBOUR.
+
+
+
+
+THE AWARD OF JUSTICE
+
+By A. Maynard Barbour.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+The Pacific Express was due at Valley City at 1:45 p.m. Within ten
+minutes of that time, a spring-board wagon, containing two young men
+and drawn by a pair of bronchos, suddenly appeared around one end of
+the dingy little depot. One of the men, dressed in a tweed traveling
+suit, jumped hastily from the wagon, while the other, who looked like
+a prosperous young ranchman, seemed to have all he could attend to in
+holding the restive little ponies, who were rearing and kicking in
+their impatience at being compelled to stand.
+
+"I'm afraid, Ned," he said, "that you'll have to look out for your
+traps yourself; these little rats haven't been driven for four days,
+and they're feeling pretty frisky."
+
+"All right, Tom," responded the other, diving under the seat of the
+spring-board and bringing out the said "traps," which consisted of two
+grips, a rifle case, a set of fishing rods, and, last but not least, a
+large, square case which he handled with great care, and now held up
+to his companion saying,
+
+"See that, Tom? that's my set of cameras; they're fine too, I tell
+you."
+
+"But why do you bother to take them around with you all the time, like
+that?" inquired his friend.
+
+"Oh," replied Ned, "I do that so as to be ready to catch any choice
+scenes I come across; I'm making a collection of views, you know, and
+I expect to get a good many on this trip. By the way, I got some
+stunning views over there at your place this morning, just before
+breakfast."
+
+"The dickens, you did!" exclaimed Tom, suddenly remembering a
+ludicrous predicament in which his guest had caught him.
+
+"Oh, yes," said Ned, "and when I get away at a safe distance I'm going
+to develop them and send them to you. I've got an awfully fine--well,
+by Jove, if that isn't just my luck!"
+
+Ned had just deposited his belongings on the depot platform and in
+doing so, noticed a piece of blackboard propped up against the wall,
+on which were chalked these words, "Train 3 ours late." His eyes
+seemed riveted to the spot.
+
+"What's the matter now?" asked Tom, who took in the situation at a
+glance.
+
+"Matter! Why, that blasted train is three hours behind time."
+
+"Too bad!" said Tom, with a grin; "if I'd only known that I needn't
+have driven my horses so hard."
+
+"Oh, confound those little beasts of yours;" exclaimed Ned, "a little
+exercise won't hurt them, but to think of three hours in a place like
+this! and say, don't you know how to spell out here?"
+
+"Well," said Tom, coolly, "I don't hold myself personally responsible
+for the wording of that blackboard, but I suppose that's the phonetic
+spelling they used to talk about when I lived east; you see we've
+adopted it out here, for we westerners have to rustle lively, and
+don't have time for old-fashioned ways."
+
+"I see," said Ned, rather sarcastically; "perhaps you can tell me why
+they don't 'rustle' that train along on time."
+
+"I suppose," replied Tom, "it's on account of that wreck two days ago;
+you know your train was ten hours late yesterday."
+
+"Yes," assented Ned, gazing about him with an expression of intense
+disgust; "I got here after dark; that's how it comes about that I
+never realized until the present moment what a paradise this place is.
+Valley City! I can't see more than a dozen buildings here."
+
+"That's probably because you're so near-sighted, my dear boy,"
+replied Tom; and Ned, who was very sensitive on the subject of his
+near-sightedness, colored, and readjusted his eye-glasses, while he
+asked in a tone of despair:
+
+"Well, what am I to do in this beastly place, anyhow?"
+
+"You might take a stroll about the city," suggested Tom, "if you get
+lost you'll have to inquire your way of some of the police. I would be
+delighted to stay and keep you company, but work on the ranch is
+rushing and I must hurry back; so I'll wish you good luck and
+good-bye."
+
+"All right, old fellow," said Ned, shaking hands in a slightly
+patronizing way, "if you ever get out of this country, and find
+yourself within the limits of civilization again, just take a run down
+to the 'Hub' and see me."
+
+"Much obliged," said Tom, turning around for a parting shot; "I say,
+Ned, while you're waiting for the train, you'd better get out your
+cameras; you might catch some more 'stunning views' you know," and
+lightly snapping his whip, he started off, the bronchos standing on
+their forefeet with their heels in the air.
+
+"Good-bye, Tom," Ned called, after the rapidly retreating spring-board,
+"if you ever had any brains to lose I'd be anxious about you, but I
+guess you're safe enough."
+
+Tom's only reply was a crack of the whip, and he and the ponies soon
+disappeared in a cloud of dust, leaving Ned to survey his surroundings
+at his leisure.
+
+In the foreground was the low, dingy depot, and on the platform,
+leaning against the building as though their spinal columns were
+unable to support them, were two specimens of the genus homo, which
+were entirely new to the young Bostonian. He gazed at them with
+undisguised interest, being unable to determine whether they were
+cow-boys or miners, these being the two classes into which, as he
+imagined, the western population was about evenly divided. That they
+immediately classified him, in their western vernacular, as a
+"tenderfoot," and a remarkably verdant specimen at that, was not owing
+to their superior penetration, as it was a self-evident fact.
+
+Mr. Edward B. Rutherford, Jr., prided himself upon being a
+resident of Boston, a son of one of her best families, and a
+graduate of Harvard, and it is scarcely to be wondered at if he
+felt himself slightly superior to ordinary mortals who had not been
+blessed with these advantages. Nevertheless, the fact remained that
+Mr. Rutherford's personal appearance could not be considered
+especially prepossessing, even when moving in his own sphere where
+he felt himself, as he would have expressed it, "en rapport" with his
+surroundings; under other circumstances, as at the present time, it
+very nearly approached the ludicrous. He was small in stature, but
+his bump of self-esteem was developed in an inverse ratio to his
+size. He seemed to be making a constant effort to maintain his
+dignity at the proper level, in which direction he was greatly
+assisted by a pair of eye-glasses, perched on a very large and
+decidedly Roman nose. It had been claimed by his college chums
+that the eye-glasses were worn for this especial purpose; be that
+as it may, without their assistance, his task would certainly have
+been a difficult one, as his eyes, which were very full and round,
+and surmounted by a pair of extremely high-arched eyebrows, gave him
+always an expression of exaggerated surprise and bewilderment,
+which, when intensified as on the present occasion, rendered his
+appearance very far from the otium cum dignitate to which he aspired.
+But upon very few is the "giftie" bestowed, "to see oursel's as
+ithers see us," and to many besides the junior Mr. Rutherford, such
+a vision would be anything but satisfactory.
+
+At the present time, however, Rutherford's only troubles were his
+immediate surroundings, and the problem of how to pass the next three
+hours. The loungers, who by this time had changed to a sitting
+posture, and who were staring at him with an unwinking fixedness which
+made him rather nervous, did not seem very congenial companions. The
+town consisted of merely a few, straggling, unpainted buildings, while
+in every direction extended the apparently interminable stretches of
+undulating prairie, partially covered with sage brush and wild cactus.
+Though early in the season, the heat was intense, and the glare of the
+sunlight reflected from the patches of white, chalk-like sand, was so
+blinding as to seem unendurable.
+
+The interior of the depot was even more cheerless than the exterior. A
+rusty stove, minus one leg, two or three battered benches, a flaming
+circus poster, and an announcement of the preceding year's county fair
+constituted the entire furnishing and decoration. No signs of life
+were visible, the window into the ticket office being closed, while
+from somewhere within the little inclosure, a telegraphic instrument
+clicked with a cheerful pertinacity that to Rutherford seemed simply
+exasperating.
+
+In the course of half an hour, however, the monotony was relieved by
+the appearance of half a dozen soldiers, who strolled over from a
+neighboring fort, about two miles distant. Rutherford had soon
+introduced himself to them, with a formality which they considered
+highly amusing, and they entertained him with tales of various
+thrilling adventures and hair breadth escapes, nearly all invented for
+the occasion, to which he listened with an open-mouthed astonishment
+that elicited many winks and grins from the blue-coats. Finally, two
+of them escorted him to a small Indian camp, about a mile distant,
+which was hidden from view by a sandy knoll, where, in some cottonwood
+brush, beside a small creek, they found half a dozen tepees, around
+which were squatted twenty or thirty disreputable-looking Indians,
+their ponies tethered in the brush near by. The bucks were sullen and
+uncommunicative, maintaining a solemn silence broken only by an
+occasional grunt. Their dress was a combination of Indian costume and
+articles purchased from the white people, the latter being put on to
+suit the individual taste of the wearer, without the least regard to
+the use for which it was originally intended. One, who seemed a leader
+in the camp, in addition to his native toggery of feathers, beads and
+brass rings, wore trousers of striped bed-ticking, two or three pairs
+of gayly colored suspenders knotted together for a belt and sash, and
+a flaming red necktie braided in his hair. The squaws in their
+blankets were quite socially inclined, and the wig-wams at a little
+distance looked very romantic to the young easterner, but the odors
+wafted from them were sufficient for him, and he declined to penetrate
+any further into the mysteries of an Indian camp; and after taking one
+or two views of the Indians and their tepees, he returned to the
+depot.
+
+It was now nearly train time, and the number of loungers and loafers
+had increased amazingly, considering the size of the town. There were
+thirty or forty of them, all more or less resembling the first
+specimens, and Rutherford wondered where they stowed themselves away,
+not realizing that many came in from little shacks scattered over the
+prairies; for to them, the coming of the train from the east was the
+one great event of the day.
+
+Among them Rutherford noticed a man, who, though clad as roughly as
+the others, yet had an individuality so distinct from them as to be
+noticeable even to a stranger. He wore an old soft hat and rough
+blouse, his trousers being tucked into a pair of heavy, hobnailed
+boots that reached to his knees. He was tall and stooped slightly, but
+there was none of the slouching figure and gait that characterized
+those around him. His movements were quick, and, when standing
+motionless, there was something in his very pose that conveyed an
+impression of alertness and of latent strength. His back was turned
+toward Rutherford, who was watching him under a sort of subtle
+fascination, when suddenly he wheeled, facing him. His eyes were keen
+and piercing, and as he looked for an instant at Rutherford with an
+expression of suspicion and distrust, and then seemed to survey his
+diminutive figure with a quick glance of contempt, that young man felt
+a sudden and violent terror in his inmost soul, which was not lessened
+when his eyes fell upon a sheath knife and huge revolver in the
+stranger's belt. Involuntarily Rutherford's hand went to his hip
+pocket, where reposed a dainty, pearl-handled Smith and Wesson,
+38-calibre, but he immediately regretted the movement, for the
+blue-black eyes watching him scintillated for a moment with a cold,
+steel-like glitter, and the lips under the heavy, black beard curled
+with a smile of fine scorn, that made our young hero exceedingly
+uncomfortable.
+
+The whistle of the approaching train afforded him unspeakable relief,
+and at the first opportunity he put himself and his belongings aboard
+with a celerity very remarkable in one of his usual dignity.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+As the Pacific Express was speeding westward across the prairies, a
+young man, half reclining among the cushions of the smoking car, was
+enjoying a choice Havana. He took no note of external objects as they
+flashed with almost lightning rapidity past the car windows, and he
+seemed equally unconscious of the presence of his fellow passengers.
+His dress and manner, as well as his nonchalant, graceful attitude,
+and even the delicate poise of his cigar, were all indicative of
+wealth and refinement, and of a courtesy innate, not acquired. His
+head was slightly thrown back, and with half-closed, dreamy eyes, he
+watched the coils of blue smoke wreathing and curling above his head,
+but his mind was actively engaged in planning the details of the new
+life opening up before him in the west. Walter Everard Houston, of New
+York, the possessor of a million in his own name, and prospective heir
+to many millions more, was en route for a small mining camp, far west,
+in the heart of the Rockies, where he was to fill the position of
+bookkeeper and corresponding secretary in the office of a mining
+company, at a salary of one hundred dollars per month.
+
+Mr. Houston's parents had died when he was very young, and he had been
+tenderly reared in the home of his uncle, his mother's brother, Walter
+Everard Cameron. Even now, as he watched the blue coils above his
+head, his memory was going back to the time when he had entered that
+beautiful home. He recalled the different members of that lovely
+family, as they then appeared to him; the dark, patrician face of his
+aunt, with its wondrous beauty, which, in the following years had
+been so softened and deepened by sorrow that now it was almost
+saint-like in the calm look of peace and love which it wore, with the
+soft, snow-white hair surrounding it like a halo of glory. Then his
+beautiful cousin Edna, with her sunny hair and starry eyes, and her
+wonderful voice filling the home with music. She had married soon
+after he entered the family, and went with her husband to a distant,
+western city, often returning to visit the old home. How well he
+remembered the last visit! Her baby was then nearly two years old; he
+could not now recall her name, but she was a little, golden-haired
+toddler, with her mother's eyes and voice. His cousin was suddenly
+called home by a telegram that her husband was ill; then, in a day or
+two, came the news of a frightful railroad accident, a collision and a
+fire which quickly consumed the wreck. Edna was rescued from the
+flames, unconscious and dying, but no trace could be found of the
+little one. Then followed word of the death of Edna's husband; he had
+died a few hours later than the accident occurred, ignorant of the
+terrible fate of his wife and child.
+
+Next came the memory of his cousin, Guy Cameron, but a few years older
+than himself; dark and beautiful like his mother, proud spirited and
+headstrong, the pride of his parents, but through him came their most
+bitter sorrow. Through fast living and gambling he became deeply
+involved, and forged his father's name to several checks, amounting to
+nearly a hundred thousand; then, overcome by shame and remorse, he had
+fled in the night, no one knew whither. His father payed the full
+amount of the debt, without even betraying his son's guilt, and then
+for years employed the most skillful detectives, trying to bring back
+the wanderer to the love and forgiveness which awaited him; but in
+vain, no trace of him existed. The father had long ago given up all
+hope of ever seeing his boy again, and doubted whether he were living.
+Only the sweet-faced mother, strong in her mother-love and in her
+faith in God, believed that he would yet return, and was content to
+watch and wait.
+
+Meantime, Everard Houston had become like a son to Mr. and Mrs.
+Cameron. After leaving college, he had been taken by his uncle as a
+partner into his enormous banking house, and intrusted more or less
+with the charge of various departments of business with which he was
+connected, and he had proven himself worthy of the trust reposed in
+him.
+
+For a number of years, Mr. Cameron had been president of a large
+investment company, which, among other properties, owned a number of
+mines in the west which had been represented to be very valuable, and
+which, at the time of purchase, possessed every indication of being
+heavy producers of very rich ore. Lately, these mines had not been
+yielding the profit which it was reasonable to expect from them, and
+there were indications of bad management, if not of dishonesty, at the
+western end of the line. One or two so-called experts had been sent
+out to investigate, but they had after all so little knowledge of
+practical mining, that they were unable to produce any tangible
+evidence against the company who constituted their western agents,
+although their reports had only tended to strengthen Mr. Cameron's
+belief that there was underhanded and dishonest dealing somewhere,
+which could only be detected by a person on the ground whom the
+western company would not suspect of being personally interested.
+Happening to learn, through a Chicago firm who were friends of Mr.
+Cameron's, that the western company were desirous of getting a
+bookkeeper and confidential clerk, it was decided, after consultation,
+to send out Everard Houston to take this position. Accordingly, he had
+gone to Chicago, and the firm there had written a letter to the mining
+company, recommending him as a young man of their acquaintance, of
+exceptional ability, reliable, and thoroughly to be trusted in all
+confidential matters. The company had responded favorably, offering
+the position to Mr. Houston for one month on trial, at one hundred
+dollars, his traveling expenses to be paid by them. If he proved
+satisfactory, they would retain him as long as would be mutually
+agreeable, and if his services proved as valuable as expected, would
+increase his salary. Mr. Houston was, therefore, on his way to the
+mines to accept this position, together with the munificent salary,
+and hoped to prove so satisfactory as to soon be admitted to the
+"confidential" clerkship, in which event he anticipated being able to
+accomplish a nice little piece of detective work.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+Mr. Houston was aroused from his pleasant revery by the rather noisy
+entrance of a young man, who, with flushed face, and manner more
+indicative of self-assertion than self-possession, passed down the car
+and took a seat facing himself. This was none other than our friend,
+Rutherford, who, having secured his berth in the sleeper, and arranged
+his belongings to his entire satisfaction, immediately repaired to the
+smoking car to soothe his perturbed and agitated spirits by a cigar.
+
+From under his heavily drooping eyelids, Houston regarded his
+vis-a-vis with concealed amusement, for he was an apt student of human
+nature, and possessed an unusual degree of insight into the
+characteristics of those with whom he was thrown in contact.
+
+Rutherford, on his part, was watching Houston with his usual degree of
+interest and curiosity. Each was measuring the other from his own
+standpoint: Houston's prompt decision was,--"A good-hearted fellow,
+but something of a cad;" while Rutherford's vague surmises, summed up
+verbally, would have been,--"Nice looking sort of fellow, a gentleman;
+guess he's got the stuff, too; 'twon't do any harm to make his
+acquaintance."
+
+An opportunity for this soon presented itself, for as the conductor
+passed leisurely through the car, examining tickets, Rutherford
+discovered that their destinations were the same, and hastily drawing
+his card case from his pocket, said:
+
+"As we seem likely to be fellow travelers for a while, I should be
+pleased to make your acquaintance; allow me," at the same time
+offering his card.
+
+Houston took the card, greeting him courteously, and giving his own
+in exchange. He half smiled as he looked at the diminutive slip of
+cardboard with its Boston address made unnecessarily prominent, while
+Rutherford, after scanning the card he held, bearing simply the name
+of W. E. Houston, remarked with a decidedly upward inflection,
+
+"You are from--?"
+
+"From Chicago," Houston replied promptly.
+
+"Ah," Rutherford responded, "then I suppose you are quite familiar
+with this part of the country."
+
+"Well, not exactly," replied Houston, smiling, "Chicago, I'll admit,
+seems inclined to embrace a small part of the state of Illinois within
+her city limits, but I never heard of her attempting to claim the
+prairies of the Missouri valley among her suburbs."
+
+"Well, no," said Rutherford, laughing, "not quite so bad as that, I
+guess, but perhaps I didn't convey my meaning very clearly; my idea
+was, that living in one of the western cities, you know, perhaps you
+were out this way often."
+
+"On the contrary, this is my first trip out here."
+
+"Indeed! A pleasure trip, I presume?"
+
+"No, I am out on business," replied Houston, not caring to state very
+definitely just then the nature of his business.
+
+"Well," said Rutherford, settling himself into an attitude more
+comfortable than graceful, "I came out on a pleasure trip, but I must
+say that so far, the pleasure has been rather an uncertain quantity;
+for the last forty-eight hours, I haven't seen much besides dust,
+Indians and desperadoes."
+
+"Forty-eight hours!" exclaimed his companion, "you surely have not
+been on this train that length of time."
+
+"Not on this train; I stopped off last night to see an old friend of
+mine that has a ranch out here," and forthwith, Rutherford launched
+into a recital of his experiences of the last few hours, not omitting
+a description of the man whose appearance had struck such terror to
+his heart and expedited his departure from Valley City.
+
+"I tell you, he was a man I wouldn't like to meet in the dark; he was
+armed to the teeth, and there was a look in his eye that was awfully
+unpleasant."
+
+Mr. Houston judged from his companion's manner that he had not been
+particularly pleased at meeting this alleged desperado in broad
+daylight, but he courteously refrained from any such insinuation, and
+as supper was just then announced, the young men adjourned to the
+dining car, and the experiences of Mr. Rutherford were, for the time,
+forgotten.
+
+Nothing special occurred that evening, except that the monotony of the
+journey was slightly relieved by the train entering upon the Bad
+Lands. For some time, Houston and Rutherford stood upon the rear
+platform, enjoying their cigars, and watching the strange phenomena of
+that weird region; on all sides, vast tracts of ashen gray or black,
+as if burnt to a crisp, with no sign of life, animal or vegetable, the
+lurid lights flashing and playing in the distance, until it seemed as
+though they might be gliding through the borderland of Dante's
+Inferno.
+
+Their cigars finished, they separated for the night, to be agreeably
+surprised by the delightful change that met their eyes the following
+morning. Houston was already at the breakfast table enjoying the
+scenery, when Rutherford sauntered into the dining car. They exchanged
+greetings, and the latter dropped into a seat facing his companion,
+exclaiming as he did so,
+
+"Well, say now, this looks a little more like civilization, doesn't
+it?" and having ordered his breakfast and helped himself to fruit, he
+proceeded to watch the beautiful panorama flashing past in the
+sunlight.
+
+They were passing through one of the most fertile valleys of the
+northwest. Away to the south, a beautiful river glistened like a broad
+ribbon of silver, and leading from it was a gleaming net-work of
+irrigating canals and ditches, carrying the life-giving waters over
+thousands of broad acres; some already green with grass and alfalfa,
+while others were dotted with scores of men and horses opening the
+brown earth in long, straight lines of furrows, or scattering
+broadcast the golden grain.
+
+Far in the distance, faintly outlined against the blue sky, was a
+fleecy, cloud-like mass, grayish blue at the base, with points here
+and there of dazzling whiteness, which Houston had known at once as
+the first glimpse of the Rocky Mountains, but which Rutherford failed
+to notice.
+
+"Well," said the latter, withdrawing his head from the window, and
+preparing to attack his breakfast, "it seems to me, after nearly
+forty hours of nothing but prairies, it's about time to see some
+mountains."
+
+"They're in sight now," responded Houston quietly.
+
+"What!" exclaimed his companion, dropping his knife and fork in
+haste.
+
+"You can see them now; I've been waiting for you to recognize them,"
+said Houston, smiling; "look off there to the southwest," he added, as
+Rutherford was readjusting his eye-glasses, preparatory to a careful
+survey of the horizon.
+
+"Well, I'll be blessed!" ejaculated the latter, "I supposed those were
+clouds. My! but they must be mighty far away, twenty-five miles, I
+expect, at the least."
+
+"Sixty miles, at least," said Houston, glancing at them, "perhaps
+more."
+
+"Pardon me, gentlemen," said a bland voice across the aisle, and the
+young men, turning, saw a much-bejewelled individual, with a florid,
+but very smiling face; "I see you have not yet become accustomed to
+the vast distances of this great country of ours in the northwest.
+Those mountains which you are discussing are about ninety miles
+distant."
+
+Rutherford's eyes expressed an immense amount of incredulity, while
+Houston simply bowed silently. The man continued:
+
+"The wonderful rarity of our atmosphere in these altitudes is
+something that has to be experienced in order to be thoroughly
+understood and appreciated, or even believed. You tell an eastern man
+of the great distances here at which you can see and hear, clearly and
+readily; he will immediately doubt your veracity, simply because it is
+without the line of his experience. Now I myself, personally, with my
+own, unaided vision, have been able to count the mules in a pack-train
+sixty-three miles distant, and have repeatedly held conversations at
+a distance of fifteen miles."
+
+"Guess the conversation was pretty much all on one side, wasn't it?"
+asked Rutherford, adding sotto voce to Houston, "as on the present
+occasion."
+
+"Ah, no, indeed not," the man replied; "I see, my young friend, that
+you are inclined, like all strangers, to be a little incredulous and
+skeptical, but if you remain in this country of ours any length of
+time, that will soon pass away, very soon."
+
+"I don't think I care to remain here very long then, if it will have
+any such effect on my brain as that," said Rutherford.
+
+"You are inclined to be facetious, my friend; that is all right, I
+appreciate a little witticism myself occasionally. By the way," he
+continued, evidently determined to get into conversation with Houston,
+"I suppose you young gentlemen are out here on business, looking for
+valuable investments in this wonderful country."
+
+At the word "Business" Mr. Rutherford instantly assumed his dignity,
+dropping into the slightly drawling tone he always used on such
+occasions, and which he intended as an extinguisher on any person whom
+he deemed too familiar.
+
+"Well, no," he replied, twirling an incipient mustache, "at least, not
+so far as I am concerned; I am just out on a sort of an extended
+pleasure trip, you know."
+
+"Ah, your friend is a business man, I judge; perhaps," turning to
+Houston, "we can interest you in some of our rare bargains in the line
+of real estate, improved or unimproved, city or country; or possibly
+in our mines, gold or silver properties, quartz or placer, we have
+them all."
+
+"You seem to have a 'corner' on this part of the northwest?" remarked
+Rutherford, rather sarcastically.
+
+"Indeed, young man, we have a good many 'corners,' pretty valuable
+ones, too," the man replied imperturbably, still watching Houston, who
+replied in a courteous but indifferent tone:
+
+"I am out here on business, but am not in a position to make any
+investments at present, nor do I expect to be for some time."
+
+"Ah, your business?" asked his interlocutor.
+
+"I am an accountant," he replied quietly.
+
+The man seemed satisfied. "Well, gentlemen," he said, rising from the
+table, "I am glad to have met you, and hope to have the pleasure of
+seeing you later in our city. Allow me to present my card, and if
+there is anything we can ever do for you in our line, please give us a
+call," and smilingly handing each a card, he bowed himself out of the
+car.
+
+"Well, by Jove!" exclaimed Rutherford, his grammar getting a little
+mixed, "either that man's a fool, or he thought we were; I don't know
+which."
+
+"Probably the latter," said Houston, smiling; then glancing at the
+card beside his plate, he read, "J. D. Wilson, President of the
+Northwestern Mining, Land and Investment Company, Silver City;" and he
+was the prospective clerk of The Northwestern Mining, Land and
+Investment Company!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+An hour or two later, the Pacific Express was slowly winding up the
+long mountain grade, the engine puffing and wheezing in apoplectic
+fashion, and occasionally emitting short shrieks of protest. The
+mountains, which had gradually been assuming shape and color, were now
+looming up in grand proportions, their rugged outlines clearly defined
+against the sky. Already the mountain breezes, fragrant with the
+breath of tamarack, spruce and pine, stole in on adventurous wings
+through the car windows; lifted locks, both golden and silvered, from
+heated brows, kissed a fretful infant into peaceful slumber, turned
+the pages of novels and flapped newspapers so persistently that their
+readers were compelled to abandon them, and brought new energy and
+inspiration to the languid, listless passengers, so that they began to
+evince symptoms of interest in their surroundings.
+
+In his favorite lounging attitude, Houston sat, his eyes fixed on the
+mountains, moment by moment growing more distinct in their rugged
+grandeur, a half-smile of amusement playing over his face, as he
+recalled the interview with the president of The Northwestern Mining,
+Land and Investment Company. Upon inquiry, he had learned that Mr.
+Wilson had boarded the train at a little way station, before daylight
+that morning, and the zeal displayed by that gentleman in thus seeking
+to ascertain something regarding the characteristics of his future
+clerk, by anticipating his arrival in this manner seemed to Houston
+decidedly amusing, and at the same time furnished him a clue
+concerning the character of one of the men with whom he was to be
+associated.
+
+He was aroused by the entrance of Rutherford, who, having learned that
+the train would make stops among the canyons they were approaching,
+was getting his kodak and plates in readiness, preparatory to taking
+impressions of some of the finest views.
+
+After a few moments, the conversation drifted to the subject of their
+destination, which they would reach in three or four hours.
+
+"I suppose," said Rutherford, addressing his companion rather
+hesitatingly, "I suppose you will remain in Silver City for some
+time?"
+
+"I am not quite certain," he replied, "my impression is, however, that
+I shall not be detained there more than a day or two."
+
+"Indeed! then are you going on farther west?"
+
+"No, I expect to go out among the mines for a while."
+
+"Among the mines! Now I should think that would be fine; you'll have a
+chance to see western life in earnest. So you are interested in mines!
+Well, I thought something of the kind when you said you were out on
+business. No wonder you were so cool with old Boomerang this morning,
+and didn't care for any of his wonderful investments."
+
+Houston was silent for a moment, a curious smile playing over his fine
+features; then watching Rutherford keenly through half-closed eyes, he
+said,
+
+"On the contrary, instead of being a mine owner, as you surmise, I am
+the employe of a mining company, and 'old Boomerang,' as you call him,
+is the president of that company."
+
+Rutherford sat for an instant as if petrified; then managed to gasp,
+"Great Heavens! are you associated in business with that man?"
+
+"Yes," said Houston, looking almost as if he enjoyed the situation,
+"associated as employer and employe. I am going out to fill the
+position of accountant for the same company of which he is president."
+
+"Oh, I see; you are just going to take the position. Did you know all
+the time who he was?"
+
+"I had no more idea than you until I saw his card; but I think he knew
+me, was looking around, in fact, to see what his new clerk was like."
+
+"The old beast!" exclaimed Rutherford. His face was a study, it
+represented so many conflicting emotions; several times he seemed
+about to speak, then remained silent, looking more and more perplexed.
+He was sorely puzzled; Houston was the embodiment of courtesy and
+refinement, his every word and gesture revealed a man of wealth,
+education and culture,--and yet, a clerk, and for such a man! and
+strangest of all, he seemed to feel no chagrin in speaking of his
+position.
+
+Houston's voice broke in pleasantly upon his cogitations: "I saw it
+would never do for you to travel about here under such erroneous
+impressions; imagining you were associating with a heavy capitalist,
+or a mining broker, when--"
+
+"Oh, hang it all!" interrupted Rutherford, brusquely, "What difference
+does it make? You're a gentleman, anybody can see that. I'll own up
+that it did knock me out at first to find you were connected in any
+way with that old chap; but I know you're all right, and I had no
+business questioning around as I did about your affairs; I beg your
+pardon, and I'll explain now why I did it. I'm a stranger out here,
+and I've taken an awful liking to you, and when we get to Silver City,
+if you don't mind, I'd like to keep in with you until I get a little
+accustomed to the ways out here; that is, if you've no objections."
+
+"That's all right," responded Houston cordially, "stay with me as long
+as you like; and now, let's go out and take a look at the mountains,"
+and the two young men shook hands, each feeling a sort of presentiment
+that the friendship begun under these peculiar circumstances was one
+for life, and such it proved.
+
+On reaching the rear platform they discovered that the train was
+following the course of a river winding through a rocky gorge that
+grew narrower, moment by moment. The walls grew higher and steeper at
+every turn, while towering above and beyond were the mountain peaks.
+They stood clinging to the railings, and watching the rapidly changing
+scene, as the train swerved and swept from one direction to another,
+following the winding of the river.
+
+Suddenly the walls shot upward almost perpendicularly for hundreds of
+feet, shutting out the sunlight, leaving nothing visible but a narrow
+strip of sky; and still the great rocks came closer and closer, until
+little more than the width of the car was left, and it seemed that in
+a moment that must be crushed. The ponderous wheels were slowly
+revolving over a trestle bridge of steel, mortised into the rocks,
+while the deafening echoes reverberated between the narrowing walls,
+and rippled the surface of the river flowing deep and black below.
+Then suddenly another swift, sharp turn, and they were out in the
+dazzling sunshine, amidst a scene of untold beauty and grandeur.
+
+Here, at the entrance of the canyon, the train stopped, giving the
+passengers an opportunity to alight and enjoy the scenery. On all
+sides rose masses of rock, some fashioned in wondrous beauty, others
+in forms weird and fantastic; some gray and rugged, some tinted with
+intermingling shades of color, and others sparkling in the sunlight as
+though studded with gems innumerable. Here and there were piles of
+rock, crimson and green and golden, resembling the moss-grown,
+ivy-covered castles of the olden time. Farther on were mountains
+covered with heavy forests of pine, through which the winds sighed and
+whispered mysteriously, while at their feet the little streams
+lingered lovingly long enough to catch the whispered secrets, and
+bear them away, laughing and singing, on their journey toward the
+great sea.
+
+The train moved slowly on to another canyon, more grand in its awful
+solitude than the first, surrounded on all sides by walls nearly a
+thousand feet in height. At one side, a broad sheet of water,
+shimmering in the sunlight, fell, like a bridal veil, down the
+precipitous rock, with a deafening roar disappearing into unseen
+depths below, while at the base of the canyon lay a lake of sapphire,
+in whose calm, untroubled depths, rocks and cascade and sky were
+mirrored in perfect beauty.
+
+Slowly the train wound its way upward, until it paused again near the
+summit of the range, on the "divide," the boundary line between the
+east and the west. There were the serried ranks of the mountains,
+vast, solemn, grand; and in that awful solitude, under the spell of
+that eternal silence, a sense of the infinite hushed every tongue, and
+each one stood with bated breath, as if on holy ground. On every side
+the billowy ranges surged, like the gigantic waves of a storm-tossed
+ocean suddenly congealed to stone, while here and there, towered
+mighty peaks, like huge sentinels, their brows seamed with furrows
+plowed by the hand of the centuries, their heads white with the snows
+of countless ages.
+
+Here two tiny streams flowed side by side, then separated; the one to
+start on its long journey toward the old Atlantic, the other toward
+the Golden Gate, to mingle its waters with those of the sunset sea.
+
+Slowly the passengers returned to the train, stopping on their way to
+gather the little wild flowers growing between the loosened
+rocks,--frail mountain children of the sun and wind,--to be preserved
+as souvenirs of the "divide."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+Rutherford had so diligently improved the opportunities afforded by
+the stopping of the train, in securing views of some of the finest
+scenes, that when the divide was reached, he had only two plates
+left. These he quickly used, and then gave himself up to silent
+contemplation and enjoyment of the beauty around him. Very slowly and
+regretfully he and Houston followed the example of the others, and
+turned toward the waiting train, like them, picking the delicate
+wild flowers and pressing them in their note books.
+
+It was during the first of these stops, at the entrance to the
+canyons, that Rutherford, hastily glancing up from his work, saw,
+standing among the passengers, a little in the background, the man
+whom he had last seen at the Valley City depot. He was standing in the
+same alert, watchful attitude, but the soft hat was drawn downward
+over his face concealing his eyes, and the knife and revolver were
+hidden by a rough jacket. He was not then looking toward Rutherford,
+but was facing in another direction, where Houston was strolling among
+the rocks, and when, a few moments later, Houston sauntered over to
+observe his work, Rutherford called his attention to the man, but he
+was nearly hidden behind a group of men, only a little of his figure
+being visible. Later, when they were again seated in the car,
+descending the western grade, Rutherford asked his companion whether
+he had succeeded in getting a glimpse of the man.
+
+"Yes," said Houston, "a glimpse and no more; once or twice I was near
+him, but his face was turned the other way. I passed him in taking the
+train, but I had only a hurried glimpse of his face; it seemed to me
+that it was a face of unusual intelligence for a man of that class, as
+I should judge him to be a miner, but I did not think he looked
+particularly dangerous."
+
+"Wait till you see his eyes," said Rutherford, then inquired, "By the
+way, did you see the old mining chap anywhere?"
+
+"Oh, yes," said Houston, laughing, "twice; once with a townsite map
+spread out before him, talking real estate to a couple of men, and
+again in the smoking car where he was playing poker."
+
+"I didn't see him out looking at the mountains."
+
+"No, probably they have no interest for him, except just so far as
+they contain gold mines."
+
+They talked of the mountains, and Rutherford suddenly exclaimed, "I
+wish I could find some way of getting out and camping right among
+the mountains themselves. I don't care to stop in any little
+half-civilized western town for any length of time, but if I could
+just go right out into the heart of the mountains somewhere, and
+stay for a few weeks, that would be an experience worth having."
+
+Houston smiled; "How would you like a trip out into the part of the
+country where I am going? As near as I can make out, it is twenty-five
+miles from the nearest town, just a rough mining camp, with very few
+people aside from the miners."
+
+"Why," replied Rutherford, "I think that would be fine; anyhow, I'll
+try it if you have no objections; it will be a change anyway."
+
+And so it was decided that Rutherford should extend his pleasure trip
+into the mining camp, and Houston was pleased with the arrangement,
+for, notwithstanding the work which he had planned, he expected to
+find many lonely hours and monotonous days, little dreaming of the
+interests that awaited him, or that he was entering upon the most
+eventful portion of his life.
+
+At about one o'clock the train arrived at Silver City, a town of about
+fifteen thousand inhabitants. The young men, as they left the train,
+caught a glimpse of the indefatigable Mr. Wilson as he was boarding a
+street car in company with two intended victims which he had already
+secured. They took a carriage, and as they were whirled rapidly
+through the steep, narrow streets on their way to the hotel, the
+little city seemed to them like a thoroughly typical, western, mining
+town. The town was surrounded by mountains, and prospect holes and
+abandoned placer diggings could be seen in every direction, while
+interspersed among the business blocks of brick and stone, were tiny
+cabins, built of logs,--all relics of the earlier days when Silver
+City was but a large mining camp.
+
+After lunch, Houston started forth in search of the city office of The
+Northwestern Mining, Land and Investment Company, which he found
+without difficulty. He was surprised to discover that business there
+was conducted on something of a co-operative plan, as the one large
+room in which he found himself constituted the offices of some
+half-dozen mining and real estate companies, and was occupied at the
+time by eight or ten different men, each seated at his own desk, and
+separated from his neighbors by a little wooden railing. A broad aisle
+extended through the center of the room, and at the farther end were
+two or three accountants' desks, two large safes and two typewriters.
+
+The whole arrangement seemed to Houston extremely crowded and
+confusing, but he afterward learned that it had its advantages; as
+certain deeds, contracts and leases could be so easily mislaid and
+lost; then too, it had an effect upon the minds of some of their
+patrons that was particularly desirable, as they usually left the
+office in a state of such bewilderment, that they were unable to tell
+with any degree of certainty, just which one of the many high-sounding
+companies it was, with which they had entered into agreement, and as
+the eight or ten men were each connected in some way with all of the
+companies, they all came in for a share of the profits, no matter who
+was the victim.
+
+Houston having inquired of a white-haired, benevolent-looking
+individual at his right, for Mr. Wilson, was politely directed to the
+third desk on the left-hand side. Here he found Mr. Wilson, who
+greeted him effusively, and introduced him to Mr. Blaisdell, the
+general manager of the company. The secretary of the company was, at
+that moment, doing duty in another part of the room, as president of
+The North American Townsite & Irrigation Company, consequently Houston
+did not meet him until later.
+
+As Messrs. Wilson and Blaisdell were just then engaged with a
+customer, they begged Mr. Houston to excuse them for a few moments,
+which he did very willingly, and thus was afforded an opportunity to
+observe the two men closely. Mr. Blaisdell had rather a long and
+narrow face, and what is called a "sandy" complexion; his hair, face
+and small goatee (he wore no mustache) were all of the same, light,
+indefinite color; his eyes were small and pale blue, while his lips
+were thin and tightly compressed. His face, when at rest, had a
+sanctimonious expression which was sadly at variance with the
+avaricious, grasping look which it instantly assumed when animated. He
+said little, but Houston soon discovered that he was in reality the
+head man of the company, while Mr. Wilson was but the mouthpiece.
+
+In the twenty or thirty minutes which elapsed before these gentlemen
+could give Mr. Houston their undivided attention, he obtained
+sufficient insight into their characters, and enough of an inkling of
+their business methods, to make him more determined than ever to
+unearth their schemes, and doubly anxious to succeed in the role which
+he had assumed.
+
+As soon as they were at liberty, Mr. Wilson and the general manager
+turned very smilingly toward their new clerk, and after some questions
+regarding his business qualifications and experience, all of which he
+answered in a manner very satisfactory, they proceeded to give him
+detailed instructions relating to his future duties in the branch
+office, at the mining camp.
+
+"Of course," remarked Mr. Wilson, "you understand that as you become
+accustomed to the business, greater responsibility will devolve upon
+you; for the present, you are to have charge of the books and our
+correspondence from that point; and when you have sufficiently
+familiarized yourself with the details of the business, we shall
+expect you, in Mr. Blaisdell's absence, to take charge of the office,
+to receive the reports of the different superintendents and foremen of
+the mines, and if necessary, to inspect the work at the mines
+yourself, occasionally, in order to see that our instructions are
+being carried out."
+
+Houston thought that this included quite a range of work for an
+accountant, but as he was only too glad of the opportunities which
+would thus be afforded him for his own investigations, he raised no
+objections.
+
+"I suppose, Mr. Houston," added Mr. Blaisdell, very deliberately, "it
+is unnecessary to say that in a position of this kind, we require the
+utmost secrecy on your part regarding the affairs of the company. In
+giving you this very responsible position, we repose great confidence
+in you, and we expect you to prove yourself worthy of it."
+
+"Oh well," chuckled Mr. Wilson, "I should say, judging by Mr.
+Houston's appearance on the train this morning, he understands the art
+of preserving a golden silence as well as any one I ever saw. It was
+all I could do to get a dozen words out of him."
+
+Mr. Blaisdell smiled in a way that Houston understood he had received
+a full account of the meeting on the train. There being little more to
+be said, Houston inquired regarding accommodations at the camp,
+stating that a young acquaintance of his wished to remain in the
+mountains for a week or two.
+
+"Is he interested in mines?" inquired Mr. Blaisdell.
+
+"Oh, no," replied Houston, "he is the young man who informed Mr.
+Wilson he was out on an extended pleasure trip, and he imagines it
+would be great sport to be out in a genuine mining camp for a while,
+as far from civilization as possible."
+
+"That's all right," responded Mr. Blaisdell, "I was only going to
+state that we allow no visitors through the mines except those who are
+personally interested, or who have intentions of becoming purchasers,
+but if your friend merely wants to stop among the mountains for the
+fun of the thing, why, he's welcome to stay all summer for aught I
+care. As to accommodations, I think we can fix you both very
+comfortably. There are two boarding houses near the mines, for the
+miners, of course you would not go there; but old Jim Maverick and his
+wife run a boarding house about a quarter of a mile from there that is
+very good, and is a sort of stopping place for any tourists that find
+their way out there. I stop there myself, and I know Maverick and his
+wife are glad of all the boarders they can get. I believe they already
+had a lady when I was there last week, a school teacher or something
+of that sort, who had just come, and I think you will find it very
+comfortable there."
+
+Having learned that they would have to start for the camp at eight
+o'clock the next morning, Houston took his leave, promising to be in
+readiness at that time. He next visited a number of assay offices,
+where he learned a good many valuable points regarding the different
+classes of ore in that vicinity; then having purchased two or three
+works on practical mining and mineralogy, which he thought might be of
+assistance to him, he returned to the hotel, where he entertained
+Rutherford until dinner with an account of their trip to be taken on
+the morrow and the accommodations that awaited them, with the added
+attraction of the society of a solitary school teacher, whom their
+imaginations already depicted as of uncertain age, with short hair and
+spectacles. Many were Rutherford's speculations concerning this
+individual.
+
+"I've had the pleasure of the acquaintance of two specimens of that
+class," said he, "one was in the Catskill Mountains; she had a
+geological fad, and went out every morning with a little hammer, to
+hammer among the rocks all day; the other was a botanist, and returned
+every evening about covered with plants which she had pulled up, root
+and branch; I wonder which of them this one will resemble."
+
+"We shall soon see," said Houston.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+Nearly twenty-five miles from the nearest town, and not a human being
+visible from the point of observation occupied by Miss Gladden, as she
+slowly swung backward and forward in her hammock under the pines, half
+way up the mountain side; and the only sign of human life was a faint,
+blue smoke curling upward among the evergreens on one side, at the
+base of the mountain.
+
+Directly at the foot of the mountain lay a small lake of azure blue,
+at one end of which was a narrow bridge crossing the stream which
+formed the outlet to the lake, and from which a footpath wound in the
+direction of the solitary house from which the smoke ascended. At the
+other extremity of the lake, where the gulch narrowed into a deep
+ravine, walled with irregular masses of gray rock, a mountain stream
+came dashing down over the ledges, forming a series of cascades, and
+with a final leap plunged into the azure waters. It was a wild,
+solitary place, and had there been another human being visible, he
+doubtless would have been much astonished at the sight of a young
+lady, dressed in the height of fashion, lazily swinging to and fro,
+half way up the pine covered mountain.
+
+But for Miss Gladden the charm of the situation lay in its solitude;
+she was tired of society, and, glad to free herself for a while at
+least from its conventionalities, was congratulating herself upon her
+good fortune in finding this retreat, all unconscious that others were
+already entering into her little world, soon to enter into her heart
+and life.
+
+As she swung dreamily under the pines she was aroused by a clear,
+musical voice calling her name, and turning, saw the lithe, slender
+form of Lyle Maverick, the daughter of her host, rapidly approaching.
+Although Miss Gladden had been but a few days among the mountains,
+there already existed between her and Lyle Maverick a mutual
+admiration, though each was, as yet, unconscious of the admiration of
+the other.
+
+Lyle secretly worshipped Miss Gladden as the most beautiful being she
+had ever seen, nor was it strange, for Leslie Gladden had all her life
+received the homage always yielded to beauty, and from hearts far less
+susceptible than that of this untutored child of the mountains; but
+Lyle, notwithstanding her surroundings and her disadvantages, was
+proud spirited, and did not proclaim her admiration for the beautiful
+stranger. Miss Gladden, on her part, admired the imperious mountain
+maid, as the loveliest specimen of uncultured, untrained girlhood,
+just blossoming into womanhood, that she had ever met. She wondered
+how she came to be so unlike her surroundings, and what would be the
+result if this wild mountain flower could be transplanted to some more
+favorable spot, there to receive the care and nurture bestowed on so
+many far less beautiful. She had within the last few days, led by a
+desire to know the proud, shy girl, made a companion of her; this was
+a new experience for Lyle, and was fast deepening her admiration for
+Miss Gladden into confidence and regard.
+
+Miss Gladden watched Lyle now, as she came up the mountain path, as
+fleet of foot and graceful in every motion as a deer, her head thrown
+proudly back, her wavy hair rippling over her shoulders to her waist,
+and shining in the sunlight like fine spun gold.
+
+"Oh, Miss Gladden," she exclaimed, as, having reached the group of
+pines, she threw herself carelessly at the foot of one of them, "the
+solitude and isolation which you have prized so highly are to be
+invaded by two new boarders of masculine gender."
+
+A slight frown gathered on Miss Gladden's face, at the prospect of
+intruders thus encroaching upon the mountain retreat which she was
+beginning to regard as hers exclusively. Lyle, watching her, saw the
+frown, and continued, her eyes dancing with mischief:
+
+"They are city gentlemen, too, from the east; from Chicago and from
+Boston, only think of the honor conferred upon us! They have come from
+the land of civilization and culture to the wild west, to see how we
+barbarians live; at least that is the object of one of them who is out
+on a pleasure trip, for that is usually the meaning of western
+pleasure trips."
+
+"Lyle, are you not rather severe? They come for the sake of the
+scenery, or as I have, for rest."
+
+"A few for rest perhaps, but scenery? nonsense! Look at the majority
+of your 'western stories,' as they are called; how much is there in
+them of scenery? A few lines here and there, but pages devoted to
+descriptions of western life with its ignorance and uncouthness."
+
+"But stories of western life usually contain a great deal of
+originality and piquancy; that is why they are popular."
+
+"Possibly," said Lyle dryly, "but I have seen very little originality
+in the life I have led here. It may seem original to outsiders; it is
+monotonous enough to those who live it, year after year. The scenery
+of the west is grand, I love it, and if I could see it with such eyes
+as yours, eyes accustomed to beauty in all its infinite kinds and
+degrees, and with a mind cultivated, fed on the choicest thought than
+can be culled not only from our own country and in our own tongue, but
+from other countries and in other tongues as well, I would appreciate
+the beauty about me more keenly than I can now; but I despise this
+life in which I have been reared, a life of ignorance, coarseness,
+brutality and deceit. Here I have lived for the past ten years, here I
+am likely to live for ten, twenty years to come."
+
+Both were silent for a few moments, while Miss Gladden watched the
+beautiful face, in this instance an index of an equally beautiful
+soul, and she marveled more than ever. At last she said gently:
+
+"Lyle, dear, pardon me for asking such a question, but you are an
+anomaly; how is it, living all these years as you have, in these
+surroundings, that you have so good an education? You have evidently
+read considerable, and you converse well; you cannot be called
+ignorant."
+
+"No," the girl replied sadly, "I am not quite so ignorant as a
+stranger would think to see me, but I have learned just enough to make
+me realize how little I do know, and that little I have acquired by
+stealth. I could read a very little when we came here from some small
+town, somewhere in the east, I have forgotten where, and I wanted to
+learn, but father forbade it; he said he wouldn't have any of his
+children putting on airs, that what was good enough for him would have
+to do for them. He has always been severe with me, I suppose he didn't
+want any girls, that's what mother says. Mother was always as kind to
+me as she dared to be, but she was afraid to help me to learn
+anything, and she couldn't have taught me much anyway. I studied every
+little bit of print I could come across, if it were nothing more than
+a scrap of newspaper, I was so anxious to be able to read. Then, when
+I was about twelve years old, a little girl who stayed here one summer
+with her governess, left some of her old, worn-out school books and
+writing books. I hid them in my room as carefully as if they had been
+diamonds, and pored over them every chance I could get for the next
+year. About that time, I got acquainted with one of the miners who had
+been here a long time, a strange, silent man, who was very different
+from the others, and who kept by himself. He seemed to take a great
+liking to me, and I consider him to-day the best friend that I have in
+the world. He found out how I was studying and trying to learn, and he
+helped me, for he had had a fine education. He bought books for me,
+not only school books, but choice books to read, stories, poems and
+plays, and he has talked with me a great deal, and told me about
+places and people and authors, and so has saved me from being a total
+ignoramus."
+
+"How kind!" exclaimed Miss Gladden, "I don't wonder that you consider
+him your friend. Is he here now?"
+
+"Yes," replied Lyle, "he has been away for a few days, but he came
+back last night, and I went down to his cabin to see him. He brought
+me some beautiful books, but I keep them at his cabin most of the
+time, so no one at the house will get hold of them."
+
+"Does he live alone?" asked Miss Gladden.
+
+"No, an Irishman, who has a pretty good education, lives with him most
+of the time; he is quite a musician and is teaching me to play the
+violin. 'Mike' they call the Irishman, and my friend is 'Jack'; the
+other miners nicknamed him 'Lone Jack,' but nobody, I suppose, knows
+what their real names are."
+
+"Why, how interesting!" exclaimed Miss Gladden. "Why haven't you ever
+told me before? It sounds like a story with a deep-laid plot, and a
+typical villain lurking somewhere."
+
+"There are plots enough, and villains enough, but Jack is not one of
+them," quietly replied the girl, with a curious expression.
+
+"Would he let me come and see him?" inquired Miss Gladden.
+
+"He might, if I asked him, but you would find him very uncommunicative.
+He does not care for strangers. He was telling me last night about a
+comical, dudish looking fellow whom he saw on the train, and who got
+off at Silver City, and he said he was coming up here into the
+mountains in company with another young gentleman; he thought I would be
+likely to see them, and I think they are the new boarders."
+
+"Why, have you seen them?" asked Miss Gladden, in surprise.
+
+"Yes," laughed Lyle, "one of them, from my post of observation behind
+the kitchen door, and he did appear so ridiculous with his gold
+eye-glasses, looking as solemn as an owl, and glancing around with
+that expression of supercilious curiosity, as though he expected to
+find us all wild Indians, or something of the sort."
+
+"Ah, that accounts for the little tirade against western pleasure
+tourists I heard when you first came up. Evidently the eye-glasses did
+not produce a very favorable impression on you."
+
+"Well," retorted Lyle, "see him yourself, and see what impressions you
+will receive."
+
+"Well, my dear," said Miss Gladden, "as it is nearly dinner time, I
+would suggest that we adjourn to the house, alleviate these pangs of
+hunger, take an observation of the gold eye-glasses and report our
+impressions later."
+
+"Agreed," said Lyle merrily, and the two began to descend the
+mountain.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+Houston and Rutherford were promptly at the depot, as agreed, to take
+the early morning train to the mines.
+
+Mr. Blaisdell met them with a great show of cordiality, his thin lips
+contracted into a smile which was doubtless intended to be very
+agreeable, but which produced a sensation exactly the reverse.
+
+"Well," Rutherford began, with his peculiar drawl, when he and Houston
+were seated together in the car, with Mr. Blaisdell safely engaged in
+conversation at a little distance, "I can't say that I'm any more
+favorably impressed with Mr. Buncombe, or whatever his name is, than I
+was with old Boomerang yesterday. That fellow looked like a silly,
+pompous, old fool, and this one like a sly, old villain. I wish he'd
+stop that confounded, wolfish grin of his, it makes me feel
+uncomfortable, he looks as if he knew he had his prey just dead easy,
+and his chops were watering in anticipation. I say, old fellow, I
+don't think much of this Buncombe-Boomerang combination of yours, and
+I guess it's a good thing I'm along with you till we find out what
+sort of a trap we're getting into."
+
+Houston smiled; Rutherford had expressed his own opinion a great deal
+nearer than he cared to admit. He had seen enough of the men with whom
+he was to be associated to convince him that they were villains,
+cowardly villains too, the very sort of men that would be most
+desperate and dangerous when cornered; but he was fast laying his
+plans, and now the only drawback seemed that he would have no
+assistant, and he felt the time would come when he would need one, and
+some one familiar with mining. An expert from the east would not do,
+he would be suspected; and a detective would not possess the necessary
+information regarding mining in general, and these mines in
+particular. At times, a vague idea of taking Rutherford into his
+confidence came into his mind, but he was not ready to do this yet, if
+at all.
+
+All this flashed through Houston's mind as Rutherford made the above
+remark, and he answered:
+
+"I don't apprehend any particular danger at present, but I am glad you
+are with me."
+
+"The question with me is," continued Rutherford, "how I'll amuse
+myself during your office hours in such a region as this; I don't
+imagine I'll find a great many congenial companions."
+
+"You seem to have forgotten the school teacher," Houston remarked,
+with a quiet smile.
+
+"Oh, bother the school ma'am! I had forgotten her. I suppose she'll be
+as graceful as a scalene triangle, and about as entertaining as a
+mummy. They're mostly that kind, or else the gushing, adoring sort,
+that can't talk of anything but Browning, or Emerson, or theosophy, or
+something of that kind; and the most conceited lot of creatures that
+ever lived."
+
+Meanwhile, the train wound in and out among the mountains, stopping
+for a few moments at a small town where huge smelters were pouring
+forth their clouds of dense smoke, darkening the air until it seemed
+more like night than day; then on a few miles farther, to the little
+station known as the "Y," so-called on account of the form of the spur
+tracks owned by the mining company, by which the ore was brought down
+from the mines above.
+
+At the station was a store containing general mining supplies, with
+the post-office in one front window, a boarding and lodging house, and
+three or four saloons and gambling houses, these last designed to
+catch the wages of the miners from the surrounding camps.
+
+Mr. Blaisdell having found one of the superintendents who had come
+down with a team for supplies, they were soon on their way up the
+gulch, and in the course of an hour were left at the office buildings,
+while the team went on to the mines.
+
+Here Rutherford waited in the outer room of the little unpainted,
+frame building, while Mr. Blaisdell took Houston into the further
+room, and introduced him to Morgan, the general superintendent, and to
+his work, at the same time. Then, having seen Houston duly installed
+at his post of duty, perched on a wabbly stool, before a rickety,
+ink-bespattered desk, beside a window gray with the dust and smoke of
+ages, through which a few straggling sunbeams fell, Mr. Blaisdell
+sailed complacently forth to escort Rutherford to Jim Maverick's
+boarding house, whither the baggage had already been taken by the
+team; then, all necessary arrangements for rooms and board having been
+completed, he went out to the mines, leaving Rutherford alone in the
+camp of the Philistines. He found no one, however, more formidable
+than Mrs. Maverick, an old woman bent nearly double, with white hair
+and hollow, deep-sunken eyes, so faded it was impossible to tell what
+their original color might have been, and the "help," a stout,
+red-cheeked, coarse-featured girl of fifteen, whom Mrs. Maverick
+called "Minty," but who rejoiced in the euphonious name of Araminta
+Bixby, and who ogled and grinned at Rutherford until he found the task
+of preserving his dignity more difficult than ever.
+
+In the course of an hour he sauntered down to the office to meet
+Houston, and a little later the two sat in the porch of the low,
+wide-spreading house, partly frame and partly of logs, the roof of the
+porch supported by the trunks of slender trees, unhewn, from which
+even the bark had not been removed.
+
+From the porch there was a view of the lake, and in the distance the
+gleaming cascades, while just opposite, the gulch road followed its
+winding course and disappeared among the mountains.
+
+Presently there came up the winding road three men, apparently father
+and sons,--low-browed, heavy-eyed, brutal looking creatures,--who
+followed the foot path up toward the house, and glaring sullenly at
+the young men, shuffled around to the back door.
+
+"Evidently mine host and his sons," remarked Houston.
+
+"Well," replied Rutherford, "I think if I see a few more such
+specimens as those, I'll take the first train out. Say though, I
+haven't seen a sign of that school teacher, I begin to think she is a
+myth."
+
+"Sh!" said Houston quickly, under his breath, "see what you think of
+this!"
+
+Rutherford turned in the direction Houston was facing, and had two
+beings just then descended from the mythical regions, he could not
+have been more astonished than at sight of the pair approaching from
+the lake. The first was a young girl, apparently about sixteen, but
+tall and well developed, the scant garments that she wore revealing
+the beautifully rounded outlines of her form, her carriage free and
+every movement full of grace. Her face was exquisitely beautiful, the
+features refined and perfect as though chiseled in marble; her eyes
+shone with a star-like brilliancy, and her hair fell about her
+shoulders like a mass of burnished gold.
+
+Beside her was a woman several years her senior, equally beautiful,
+but an altogether different type of beauty; more mature, more perfect
+and more rare. Tall and splendidly developed, she moved with a queenly
+grace. Her face was classical in its contours, the profile resembling
+that of some of the old Grecians, while its beauty was so refined, so
+subtile, it could not be easily described. Perhaps the eyes were its
+chief attraction; large and dark, and of Madonna-like depth and
+tenderness; soulful eyes that reflected every emotion of the pure,
+womanly nature, as the calm lake mirrors the sunlit sky or the
+lowering storm-cloud, the silvery moon or the lightning's flash. The
+wavy, auburn hair, tinged in the sunlight with red gold, was gathered
+into a knot near the top of a shapely, well-poised head, while stray
+curls clustered rebelliously about the broad, fair brow, forming a
+shining aureole.
+
+Like a vision, the pair passed silently into the house, leaving
+Rutherford, for once in his life, speechless, and Houston watching
+him, apparently enjoying the situation.
+
+"What's the matter, my boy?" he asked, in a low, laughing tone, "Are
+you spell-bound?"
+
+"Spell-bound? well, slightly!" responded Rutherford. "Great Heavens,
+Houston! do they have such women as those out here?"
+
+"Evidently they have some fine samples of the genuine article, but I
+am not prepared to state how large a stock they carry. I'm positive of
+one thing though, that within the last three minutes you have changed
+your mind about taking the next train out. Not all the desperadoes and
+villains you've met from Valley City out, could drive you away from
+the mountains now."
+
+"You're right, they couldn't," said Rutherford, with a broad grin,
+"not if I know myself; no, sir, when I'm in the line of duty nothing
+can scare me out of it worth a cent, and just now I feel it to be my
+duty to solve some of the mysteries thickening around me, among them,
+that of the mountain nymphs."
+
+"Altogether too substantial for mountain nymphs, my boy," said
+Houston, "and you will please remember, while pursuing your line of
+duty, that I have vouched for your good behavior here, and am in a
+measure responsible for you, and I don't want to get into any trouble
+on your account."
+
+Rutherford cleared his throat, and rising slowly with all the dignity
+he could muster, looked gravely over his glasses at Houston in exact
+imitation of Mr. Blaisdell, and in an oracular tone remarked:
+
+"And you will please remember, my young friend, that I am out here as
+your duly constituted guardian, and as such, it is my duty to form the
+acquaintance of these--ahem!--these fair daughters of Eve, and judge
+for myself whether or not they will be suitable companions for an
+unsophisticated youth, like yourself."
+
+"Good!" said Houston, and after a few more jokes, dinner being
+announced by the moon-faced Minty, they went in to partake of their
+first meal in what Rutherford styled the "Hotel de Maverick."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+A few moments later, Houston and his friend had been duly presented by
+Mrs. Maverick, to Miss Gladden and to "our daughter, Lyle," the former
+in a gown of soft, clinging material, of a delicate, golden tint,
+combined with a reddish brown velvet, which suited her style of beauty
+to perfection; and Lyle, in dainty white apron, her beautiful hair
+loosely plaited in an enormous braid, prepared to act in the capacity
+of waiter.
+
+Never were guests served so deftly, or with such grace and dignity;
+she seemed absolutely free from all coquettish airs, and although the
+glances of the two gentlemen were about evenly divided between the
+beauty at their side and the fair waitress, Lyle carried herself with
+an equanimity that was remarkable. Not until the arrival, later, of
+the other boarders, Morgan, the general superintendent, and Haight,
+the mining expert,--so-called, though his expertness embraced much
+beside mining,--was there any change in her demeanor; then her eyes
+flashed, her lips curled, and a look of superb scorn passed over her
+face, an expression that reminded Rutherford unaccountably of the face
+he had seen at Valley City.
+
+Old Jim Maverick and his sons were not present, having taken their
+meal hastily in the kitchen. Beside her husband and sons, poor, old
+Mrs. Maverick was positively refined. She was a kind-hearted, motherly
+woman, and looked as though, in her younger days, she might have been
+very pretty, but poverty, hard work and abuse had very nearly
+obliterated all traces of youthful bloom, and her face had a hopeless,
+appealing look which was pathetic.
+
+A little later, Mr. Blaisdell arrived, rubbing his hands and smiling
+in his usual complacent manner, and he entertained the guests for some
+time with anecdotes of western life, some of them very well told, but
+in most of which it was noticeable that he bore a very prominent
+part.
+
+After dinner, Houston returned to the office in company with Morgan
+and the expert, two new characters which he was studying attentively.
+The former was a tall, raw-boned individual, with a genial,
+good-natured manner, but a weak face; one who would willingly be a
+tool for any villain, but an unreliable tool. He would betray his best
+friend, and knowing nothing of honor himself, he did not believe in
+its existence, among men or women. To him, all men were rogues, all
+business simply gambling on a large scale, and his only care was to be
+on the winning side.
+
+Haight was a small, dark man, with soft, insinuating manner, and, in
+accordance with his pet theory that every person, high or low, rich or
+poor, might sometime be useful to him in the furtherance of his own
+objects, he treated every one with punctilious politeness. To some his
+manner might have been pleasing, but to one with any degree of
+penetration, the crafty, scheming nature under the thin veneer was
+very apparent.
+
+Meanwhile, Rutherford had rather reluctantly accepted an invitation
+from Mr. Blaisdell to go through the mills and visit one or two of the
+less important mines. The young easterner was soon much interested,
+as, after having explored one of the smaller mines, the Peep
+o'Day,--which he thought very appropriately named as he glanced upward
+from a depth of a few hundred feet,--he was taken to the mills, and
+there saw the various stages through which the ores pass in the
+process of reduction. He almost forgot his dislike of Mr. Blaisdell
+as he listened to his explanation of the different classes of ore, and
+the various kinds of treatment which they required, and met some of
+his old college acquaintances,--the sulphates, nitrates, carbonates,
+and other members of that numerous family,--in new and startling
+array; for Mr. Blaisdell was thoroughly at home in chemistry and
+mineralogy, and enjoyed nothing so much as airing the knowledge he
+possessed in that one direction. Of other branches of science, and
+even on subjects of general information, he was profoundly ignorant,
+although blissfully unconscious of the fact.
+
+Rutherford was next shown the method by which the ore ready for
+shipment was conveyed down the mountain to the cars on the spur
+tracks, hundreds of feet below, by means of a rail tramway on trestle
+work, some three thousand feet in length, having a grade of nine feet
+per each hundred feet, over which cars of ore were passing, operated
+by gravity, the weight and velocity of the descending, loaded car,
+carrying the empty car upward. He thoroughly enjoyed these novel
+scenes, and congratulated himself upon the many picturesque mining
+views which he would add to his collection.
+
+As they were passing through one of the sorting rooms, they came upon
+Mr. Haight seated before a large table covered with specimens of ore,
+which he was examining with a powerful microscope, while beside him
+were various chemical and mechanical appliances for testing the
+different ores. Rutherford was enthusiastic in his admiration of the
+specimens, particularly those from the copper mines, with their
+beautiful coloring,--the blending tints of green and purple and
+blue,--and he created considerable amusement by his ecstasies over a
+large sample of iron pyrites, which he had mistaken for a splendid
+specimen of gold ore. Altogether it was a novel and pleasant
+experience for him, and when he joined Houston later, he felt himself
+considerably wiser in western lore.
+
+After supper, Mr. Blaisdell and Haight returned to the office for a
+private conference regarding some new ores which the latter had been
+testing. Morgan strolled down the gulch in the direction of the Y,
+drawn by the attractions of the gambling house and dance hall, leaving
+the two strangers to seek their own amusement, or to be entertained by
+Miss Gladden; they chose the latter, and, since among the mountains as
+on the ocean, friendships are quickly formed, the three were soon
+chatting as pleasantly, out in the low, rustic porch, as though their
+acquaintance dated back a number of days, instead of only a few hours.
+At the kitchen door, old Jim Maverick and his sons, with a dozen or so
+miners, lounged about, smoking their pipes, and enlivened by the
+blushing, giggling Miss Bixby.
+
+With the latter crowd Lyle would never mingle, much to the indignation
+of Maverick himself, and the chagrin of two or three would-be
+admirers, and not feeling at liberty to join, unasked, the group in
+the porch, she withdrew to her little room up-stairs, and taking from
+its hiding place one of the new books her friend had brought her,
+she was for a while unconscious of everything else. Then, as the
+twilight deepened, she closed the book, and having again concealed it,
+sat watching the stars just beginning to appear, one by one, and
+musing, as she often did, on her own life. Why had she not, with her
+passionate love of the beautiful and her thirst for knowledge, been
+given the birth and training, the social advantages of any one of
+that little group below? Or, if the fates had decreed that she must be
+born in such ignorance and degradation, and spend her life in such
+surroundings, why had they not given her a nature corresponding to
+her environment, as indifferent and unaspiring as that of the
+phlegmatic Miss Bixby? Why must she always feel as if she had been
+born to a better life than this, when in all probability, it must
+always go on in the same old routine which she hated and despised?
+She wondered what Jack meant by the questions he had asked her so
+often lately, as to where they had lived before coming to the
+mountains, and regarding her earliest recollections. Well, what were
+her earliest recollections? Something so shadowy she could not
+determine whether it were remembrance or imagination; but it was a
+vague idea of light and music and beauty; and why was it that when
+she heard or read of that bright life, so foreign to her, of which she
+had never had one glimpse, that it all seemed somehow half familiar?
+She did not believe she would be very awkward or out of place, if she
+could step for the first time into some of those bright scenes as
+she imagined them; why did it all seem so home-like to her?
+
+Meanwhile, the little group below were discussing the same problem
+that Lyle herself was trying to solve.
+
+"I cannot understand," Rutherford was saying, "how such a style of
+beauty, so delicate and refined you know, could ever exist in such
+surroundings."
+
+"She is a mystery," added Houston, "and unless I am greatly mistaken,
+she has a nature as sensitive and refined as her face."
+
+"You are right, Mr. Houston," replied Miss Gladden, "she possesses
+a refinement of nature that is wonderful; and not only that, she
+has a brilliant intellect if she could only have advantages, and
+notwithstanding all the difficulties and obstacles with which she
+has had to contend, she has already acquired a fair education, is
+remarkably well informed and a good conversationalist."
+
+A few moments later, Lyle was aroused from her revery by a familiar
+voice calling her, and coming down stairs, found Miss Gladden awaiting
+her.
+
+"You runaway!" she exclaimed, "why have you been hiding when you
+should have been helping me entertain the new guests?"
+
+"I didn't think you needed any help," replied Lyle, brightly.
+
+"You never made a worse mistake in your life," said Miss Gladden,
+leading the way out on the porch. "I have been trying to tell these
+gentlemen something about this country around here, and I have only
+succeeded in betraying my own ignorance."
+
+Both gentlemen greeted Lyle pleasantly, and Houston rose and gave her
+his chair with a grave, gentle courtesy which was new to her, and
+which she was quick to observe and appreciate. For some time they
+chatted of the surrounding country, Lyle telling them where the
+finest scenery, the best hunting and fishing and the pleasantest
+picnic grounds were to be found.
+
+"About a quarter of a mile from here," she said, "in Strawberry
+gulch is a small canyon that has been fitted up for tourists and
+excursionists, and every summer numerous camping parties come out from
+Silver City for a few days or weeks. There is a fine lake at the head
+of the canyon, a boat house, and a good supply of boats, tents,
+and almost everything needed for camp life."
+
+"Have there been any camping parties yet?" asked Houston.
+
+"Not yet," replied Lyle. "It is too early; they usually begin coming
+in July; we are likely to have snow-storms out here in the mountains
+yet."
+
+"Snow-storms!" they all exclaimed; "What!" said Miss Gladden, "after
+such warm weather as this?"
+
+"Oh, yes," said Lyle, "this is only the early warm weather we always
+have in May, but it will be much colder again before summer really
+begins in earnest; though the weather is never so severe here as in
+the gulches farther up the mountains."
+
+"It seems to me," said Rutherford, "I've heard of the greatest number
+of 'gulches' out here, and some of them have the most remarkable
+names; very original, certainly."
+
+"Their names are mostly indicative of their early history," Lyle
+answered; "there are a number of them in this vicinity,--Last Chance
+gulch, Poor Man's gulch, Lucky gulch, Bloody gulch, and so on."
+
+"Has this gulch where we are, any such euphonious title?" inquired
+Miss Gladden.
+
+"This one has two names, equally euphonious and equally historical; it
+is now called Spotted Horse gulch, but years since it was known as
+Dead Man's gulch."
+
+"That sounds cheerful!" commented Miss Gladden.
+
+"Is there a ghost story connected with the gulch, Miss Maverick?"
+inquired Houston.
+
+"Yes," said Lyle, "several of them, for the miners are mostly very
+superstitious. Years ago, when there were no well developed mines
+here, only a few prospects, a man who had just sold one of the
+properties, was murdered for his money, about half way between here
+and the mines, where the road is so narrow and passes under the
+overhanging rocks. He rode a spotted horse, and from the indications
+when he was found a few days after, he must have made a desperate
+fight, for both he and the horse were shot several times. Ever since,
+it has been said that the spotted horse goes up and down the gulch at
+night, sometimes alone, and sometimes with his rider, and so the gulch
+received its name."
+
+"Is that story still believed here?" asked Houston.
+
+"More or less," replied Lyle. "There is just enough faith in it, that,
+excepting Jack," and she nodded slightly to Miss Gladden, "there is
+not a miner in camp who could be hired to pass through that part of
+the gulch at midnight, for fear of seeing the phantom horse and his
+rider."
+
+"Possibly," said Miss Gladden, "it would be well for us to adjourn for
+the night, or we may have a glimpse of the phantoms; it must be after
+ten o'clock."
+
+"After ten, impossible!" exclaimed Rutherford, springing to his feet;
+"I beg your pardon, ladies, for having detained you so long; I never
+dreamed it was so late."
+
+"The long twilight here deceives one, I have hardly become accustomed
+to it myself," said Miss Gladden.
+
+"The ladies will surely pardon us," said Houston, "since it is through
+their making the time pass so pleasantly that we have trespassed."
+
+They separated for the night, and a little later, Mr. Blaisdell and
+Haight came up from the office, but Morgan did not return until
+daylight was beginning to tinge the eastern sky.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+A number of days passed uneventfully. Houston was occupied in getting
+familiarized with the work at the office, having first created an
+epoch in the history of that institution by having the windows
+thoroughly cleaned.
+
+One of the noted characters of the mining camp was a small boy who,
+when he could scarcely walk, had, on account of his fearless spirit
+and indomitable pluck, been dubbed with the name of "Bull-dog." The
+name was so appropriate, and the little fellow himself so proud of it,
+that as he grew older it was forgotten if he ever had any other; if he
+had, no one knew what it was. He was now nearly twelve years of age,
+as small as most boys of eight or nine, but he possessed the same
+spirit as of old. Bull-dog was the oldest of five children; his
+parents lived at the Y, a worthless, disreputable pair; he spent very
+little time under the parental roof, and filial respect was entirely
+left out of his composition, and no wonder! He was a favorite among
+the miners, spending much of his time in the camp, and the shrewd
+little fellow was very observant of what went on around him, and very
+keen and worldly-wise in his judgment of human nature as he found it.
+
+He speedily made the acquaintance of Houston, and when the latter came
+down to the office on his second morning, he found the boy awaiting
+him, and an idea occurred to him.
+
+"Say, Bull-dog, can you wash windows?" he asked.
+
+"Bet yer life," was the laconic reply, accompanied by a grin.
+
+"What will you charge me for washing these four?"
+
+The small individual surveyed the windows critically, then answered:
+
+"Six bits."
+
+"Go ahead," said Houston, "let's see how good a job you can do."
+
+Two hours afterward the windows were shining, and Houston paid the
+little fellow an equally shining dollar, instead of the six bits, thus
+making of Bull-dog a friend for life, and one whose friendship
+afterward proved of great value.
+
+Nearly every afternoon found Lyle at Jack's cabin, diligently reading
+or studying, guarded by Rex, the faithful collie, who would let no one
+but Lyle enter the cabin while Jack and Mike were at their work. Two
+or three evenings of each week she spent there, reviewing her lessons
+with Jack, or listening, either to the stories which he and Mike told
+of other countries, or to the music of Mike's violin, fierce and wild,
+or sweet and pathetic, according to the mood of the musician. The
+cabin, built of logs and plaster, and consisting of two rooms and a
+small attic, resembled miners' cabins in general, with the exception
+of the second and inner room. Here, the floor was nearly covered with
+skins of animals, while on the walls were shelves and brackets,
+hand-carved in delicate designs, and filled with books and choice
+pictures, beautiful etchings and photographs of various works of art.
+A few larger pictures hung on the walls, framed in some of the same
+skillfully carved work. The pine table, covered with a brightly
+colored spread, was strewn with finely bound volumes, and scattered
+about the room were several comfortable folding chairs, which Jack had
+bought in some of his trips to Silver City. A rude fireplace had been
+built in one side of the room, over which were arranged artistically
+two or three rifles, and the heads and horns of various animals, while
+on the mantel was a fine collection of ores. Altogether, it was a
+pleasant room, and gave more evidence of good taste, education and
+refinement than could have been found for more than a score of miles
+in that region. This was Jack's sanctum, and none but his two friends,
+Lyle and Mike, were ever allowed within it.
+
+In this room, a few evenings after the arrival of the two strangers,
+Lyle was sitting with her friends. The weather was already much
+cooler, and a bright fire was burning, before which Rex was
+comfortably stretched, while he watched the faces of his two friends,
+Jack and Lyle, who, having finished their usual reading, were silent
+for a few moments, looking into the fire and listening to Mike as he
+sat in his corner, his eyes closed, his head bent lovingly over his
+violin, while he evoked some of the wild, plaintive airs of his native
+country.
+
+Jack was the first to speak, as he asked in a low tone, "You have met
+the young men I spoke of the other evening?"
+
+"Yes," replied Lyle, still gazing into the fire, "they are stopping at
+the house."
+
+"How long will they remain?"
+
+"The younger one, the one you particularly admired, is to stop for a
+few weeks only; the other will probably remain permanently, as he is
+bookkeeper for the mining company."
+
+Jack gave an almost imperceptible start, but slight as it was, Lyle
+noticed it, and turning quickly, saw a peculiar expression of mingled
+surprise, perplexity and annoyance on his usually immobile face.
+
+"Bookkeeper for the mining company!" he exclaimed, "are you sure you
+are correct?"
+
+"I can only quote for my authority the Honorable J. O. Blaisdell," she
+replied archly, "you surely wouldn't doubt his word under any
+circumstances, would you? You look surprised; did you consider Mr.
+Houston one of the 'lilies'?"
+
+Jack looked at her inquiringly.
+
+"One of the 'lilies' like Mr. Rutherford," she explained, "who 'toil
+not neither do they spin,' I supposed him one at first, but I think
+differently now; I believe he would always be a worker of some kind,
+whether it were necessary or not; at the same time I don't believe it
+is exactly necessary for him to be a bookkeeper."
+
+"You seem to have made a study of him," remarked Jack, quietly.
+
+"Of course," answered Lyle, "what else are my eyes and my small stock
+of brains for, but to study everybody and everything that comes in my
+way? Besides, it's rather interesting to find a person of some depth,
+after such shallow people as Mr. Blaisdell and Haight, and that
+class."
+
+"Sometimes, Lyle," said Jack, slowly, "these deep people make a
+dangerous study; they are likely to become too interesting."
+
+"Never you fear for me, Jack," said the girl, with considerable
+spirit, but kindly, "I know too well how the world would look upon old
+Jim Maverick's daughter, to carry my heart on my sleeve."
+
+Both were silent for a moment, Jack watching her face intently. Mike
+had left the room. Lyle continued, in a gentler tone,
+
+"Mr. Houston is a perfect gentleman; he would make a safe study for
+me, even if I didn't realize my position. He reminds me of you, Jack,
+in some ways."
+
+"Of me!" said Jack sarcastically, "your Mr. Houston would doubtless
+feel nattered at being compared to a weather-beaten miner."
+
+"You were not always a miner," retorted Lyle quickly, "and you are a
+gentleman, and always will be."
+
+"In your opinion, child," said Jack pleasantly; then turning the
+subject, he asked, "What do you think of the 'lily' as you styled him,
+Mr. Rutherford, I think you called his name?"
+
+"Oh, he is a gentlemanly fellow, not so ridiculous as he looks;
+good-hearted, but not deep like the other,--not half so interesting to
+study."
+
+"Very well," replied Jack, "go on with your 'study,' but I wish you
+would make a little more of a study of yourself and of your own life,"
+and as he spoke, he carelessly took up a magazine and began turning
+the pages.
+
+"I don't know why," answered Lyle slowly, at the same time going over
+to the table where she had caught sight of a photograph which had
+evidently been concealed by the magazine, "my life before you became
+my friend and teacher would not make an interesting study for any
+one.--Oh, Jack, whose picture is this? and when did you get it?"
+
+"That?" said Jack, answering indifferently, but watching her face
+keenly, "Oh, that is a picture I've had a great while."
+
+"But, Jack, I never saw it, did I?"
+
+"No, Lyle, I haven't seen it myself for years, until to-night."
+
+"Not for years? how strange!" said Lyle in a low tone; then looking
+wistfully at the picture, she said, half to herself, "She must have
+been some one you loved some time."
+
+"She was very dear to me," he replied, so quietly that Lyle said
+nothing, but remained looking long and earnestly at the photograph. It
+was the picture of a young girl, a few years older than herself, but
+much more matured, and wondrously beautiful. The features were almost
+perfect, and the eyes, even there, seemed so radiant and tender. There
+seemed a wealth of love and sympathy in those eyes that touched Lyle's
+lonely heart, and her own eyes filled with tears, while she gazed as
+if under a spell; then she asked in a sort of bewildered tone:
+
+"Jack, I never saw her, did I?"
+
+"Certainly not while you have been here," he replied, "I cannot say
+whom you may have seen before that."
+
+"Before I came here," repeated Lyle dreamily, laying down the picture
+and preparing to go, "that is a sort of blank for the most part. It
+seems as though this hateful life had obliterated everything before
+it; the early years of my life seem buried out of sight."
+
+"Try to resurrect them," said Jack, adding, "Keep your eyes and ears
+open, and let me know results. Had I not better go home with you?"
+
+"Oh, no, thank you," said Lyle, smiling brightly, "it isn't late."
+
+"Then Rex must go," and Rex who was only waiting for the word bounded
+to the door to signify his readiness.
+
+After Lyle had gone, Jack took the picture, and after looking at it
+sadly for a moment, replaced it in the little case in his trunk where
+it had lain so long, and then sat down by the fire, muttering,
+"Strange she did not see the resemblance! I hoped she would; there
+could not be two faces more alike."
+
+All the way home, Lyle was thinking of the beautiful face, wondering
+where she had seen it, that it should seem so familiar, and after
+dismissing Rex with a caress, she sat for some time in the low porch,
+trying to solve the mystery.
+
+"It is no use," she said to herself at length, "it is no face I have
+ever seen, unless in some of those strange dreams I used to have."
+
+Going into the house, she found her parents had retired. Rutherford
+sat in his room reading, waiting for Houston, who was working late
+that night, Mr. Blaisdell having gone back to the city for a day or
+two. Miss Gladden was writing in her room, but Lyle would not disturb
+her, and going quietly to her own little room, she was soon sleeping
+peacefully, and the beautiful face was for a time forgotten.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+
+The next morning was several degrees colder, and there were
+indications of a snow-storm. Within doors, the atmosphere betokened a
+coming storm, as old Jim Maverick was several degrees more quarrelsome
+and ugly-tempered than usual. He glared sullenly at Lyle, as she
+stepped quietly about the kitchen, preparing the early breakfast that
+he and the boys took before starting for their work.
+
+Finally he growled, "What was you doin' out so late last night? Pretty
+time 'twas when you come in, where'd you been?"
+
+Lyle seemed to take no notice of his questions for a moment, then
+replied, without a glance at him:
+
+"I was not out late; I went out for a walk early in the evening, and
+came back early, but I staid out on the porch."
+
+"Oh," he replied with a sneer, "so you was settin' out there waitin'
+for the new clerk to come home, wasn't you?"
+
+"I didn't even know he was out of the house," said Lyle, indifferent
+to his sneers, so long as he did not mistrust where she had really
+spent the evening.
+
+"Oh, no, of course not! I understand you pretty well, and don't you
+forgit it, always puttin' on your damned airs round here, too nice for
+any of your own folks; I'd like to see you made a fool of by some of
+the dudes you're so stuck on."
+
+"You never will have that pleasure," replied Lyle, coolly, "I know too
+well the opinion that people have of you and your family, to ever be
+in any danger of being made a fool of."
+
+Old Jim's face grew livid with rage, and he clenched his hand with an
+oath, but hearing some of the boarders coming in to breakfast in the
+next room, he only hissed, with a terrible leer:
+
+"Never mind, even if you are my child, with that doll-face o' yourn,
+you might rope in that rich young feller for a few thousands."
+
+Lyle staggered under the insult as if she had received a blow, and
+pale and trembling, went into the next room to wait on the guests. She
+was relieved to see that Rutherford was not there; she felt she could
+not have faced him while those words of her father's were ringing in
+her ears. There was only Mr. Houston, who greeted her with his usual
+gentle courtesy, and Morgan, whom she despised.
+
+Out in the kitchen, however, her cause was being championed by Mrs.
+Maverick, the fire flashing from her faded eyes, as she talked in a
+manner very unusual for her.
+
+"You may abuse me as much as you like, Jim Maverick," she was saying,
+"I've had nothing but abuse from you for the past twenty years, and I
+don't never expect nothing else, but if you ever lay a hand on that
+girl, or speak to her like that again, you'll be sorry for it. I can
+make you smart for it, and you know it, and I'll do it too."
+
+The boys, Joe and Jim, aged respectively twenty and eighteen, stared
+at their mother in astonishment, but their father, several shades
+paler, ordered them from the house; then advancing toward his wife,
+shaking his fist and cursing her, he exclaimed:
+
+"You damned old fool! do you think you can try to scare me? you'll
+find 'tain't very healthy business for you."
+
+"Kill me, if you want to," she replied doggedly, "but you'll find it
+won't make you any better off; I've fixed you for that."
+
+"What do you mean?" he asked, now thoroughly frightened.
+
+"Mean!" said his wife, as she saw that she at last had the brute in
+her power, "it means that you've got to let that girl alone, and
+behave yourself to me, or you'll wish you had, that's all."
+
+Just then, Minty entered on the scene, her round eyes wide open with
+astonishment, and Lyle entering an instant later from the breakfast
+room, Maverick slunk away to his work.
+
+Meanwhile, the other boarders were gathering in the breakfast room,
+Miss Gladden and Rutherford being the last to enter.
+
+"Whew!" exclaimed the latter, rubbing his hands, "this seems a little
+wintry, doesn't it? Looks like a storm, too!"
+
+"Yes," said Morgan, glancing up, "we'll probably have a snow-storm
+before noon."
+
+"How do you pleasure seekers intend to spend the day?" inquired
+Houston, addressing Miss Gladden and Rutherford.
+
+"I think I shall spend it beside the fire," replied Miss Gladden,
+shivering slightly, and sitting down for a moment beside the little
+box stove, where a wood fire was crackling and spluttering; "I haven't
+quite decided what to do, because I didn't come out here prepared for
+snow-storms."
+
+"I believe," said Rutherford, "I'll take a day off and develop some of
+the pictures I've taken lately, and sort over my collection of
+views."
+
+"That will be delightful," exclaimed Miss Gladden, smiling brightly at
+Lyle who had entered the room in time to hear Rutherford's remark, "We
+will make Mr. Rutherford entertain us with his collection, won't we
+Lyle?"
+
+Lyle smiled in assent, but Miss Gladden very quickly detected traces
+of trouble in her face, and determined, if possible, to gain her
+confidence, and find the cause. Rutherford also noticed the change in
+her appearance, and remarked, after she had again left the room:
+
+"Miss Maverick doesn't look like herself this morning, I wonder what
+is the matter."
+
+"I think there has been a storm of some kind in the kitchen," Houston
+replied, "I heard pretty loud talk when I first came in."
+
+"Yes," said Morgan, joining in the conversation, "she and the old man
+have some high old times, once in a while; and one thing is curious,
+the girl never seems afraid of him, and that's more than can be said
+of many of the men around here."
+
+"Why," asked Houston, "is he considered dangerous?"
+
+"He is a pretty tough customer," said Morgan, "I guess there's no job
+too dirty for him to do, if he's only paid for it;" and then added
+carelessly, "that's the kind of a man Blaisdell likes to have 'round
+once in a while."
+
+"What does he do?" asked Houston, "does he work in the mines?"
+
+"He used to," replied Morgan, "but he don't do any more underground
+work, he--"
+
+"Doesn't he?" interrupted Haight, with a peculiar emphasis.
+
+"Oh, yes, in some ways, plenty of it," laughed Morgan, "but I was
+speaking of the mines; he's a sort of foreman now in one of 'em, and
+tends to the sorting of the ore occasionally; helps Haight out
+sometimes, when he has a particularly delicate job on hand," and
+Morgan winked across the table at the expert, who smiled knowingly in
+return.
+
+Lyle coming into the room again, the talk regarding Maverick ceased,
+but when she had left, Morgan continued:
+
+"She's a queer girl; she gives it to the old man sometimes, up and
+down; the boys don't dare give him any lip, but she's no more afraid
+of him, than--"
+
+"Than she is of you," again interrupted Haight, with a smile that
+seemed to discompose Morgan considerably, for he colored and bit his
+lip.
+
+Miss Gladden looked annoyed, as did Houston, and Rutherford, feeling
+something was amiss, unintentionally said about the worst thing he
+could just at that moment.
+
+"I think Miss Maverick is an awfully nice girl."
+
+"We all think so," said Haight, in his blandest manner, "Mr. Morgan
+especially."
+
+"Oh," said Morgan, angrily, but trying to speak indifferently, "she's
+nice enough, as nice as girls of her class generally are."
+
+With a look of scorn and contempt that neither Haight nor Morgan soon
+forgot, Miss Gladden rose from the table and left the room, while
+Rutherford exclaimed indignantly:
+
+"Whatever 'her class' is, she is deucedly your superior, you
+contemptible puppy!"
+
+Lyle just then entering, there was an ominous silence for an instant;
+then Houston, rising from the table, remarked in a cool, even tone:
+
+"There has been enough said for the present, but" turning toward
+Morgan and Haight, "I've something to say to you two, a little
+later."
+
+Morgan put on his hat and started sullenly for the office, but Haight,
+assuming his most ingratiating smile, stepped up to Houston, and, in a
+low tone, began to apologize. Houston interrupted him.
+
+"There is no need of any words here," he said coldly, "I shall call on
+you at the sorting rooms this morning, and shall then have something
+to say to you, but I wish no words from you, at all," and retiring to
+his room, he left Haight in a state of considerable trepidation. He
+hurried after Morgan, and soon overtook him.
+
+"I say," he began, "we've got that new fellow stirred up, and I wish
+we hadn't; I don't want any trouble."
+
+"Hang you, you little, sneaking coward!" answered Morgan, "if you
+didn't want trouble, why didn't you hold your tongue? Whatever fuss
+there is you've kicked up yourself, with your own smartness, so what
+are you whining about?"
+
+"Oh, well, you know my principles, Morgan; I never want quarrels with
+anybody; you know the old saying, 'the good will of a dog is better
+than--'"
+
+"Oh, shut up!" said Morgan, "you make me tired! You're a damned
+coward, and that's all there is about it. It's my opinion, though, in
+the case of this dog, that his bark is a good deal worse than his
+bite."
+
+Meanwhile, Houston was preparing to go to the office.
+
+"Say, old boy," said Rutherford, "hadn't I better go down with you?
+You may have some trouble, you know, and I shouldn't wonder if they
+would be two pretty nasty fellows to meddle with."
+
+"Much obliged, Ned," said Houston, "but I can take care of those two
+fellows, and twenty more just like them. Haight is an out and out
+coward, he wouldn't fight any more than he would cut his own throat.
+Morgan would show fight, perhaps, but I'd finish him up before he even
+knew where he was."
+
+"I guess I put my foot in it, saying what I did," said Rutherford,
+staring through his eye-glasses in a meditative manner, "but it did
+make me hot, their insinuating things in that way about such a nice
+little girl as Lyle, and before Miss Gladden, too."
+
+"There will be no more of it, that is certain," replied Houston
+decidedly, and he was gone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+A few moments later, Houston stepped briskly into the office. Morgan
+sat at his desk, sorting some mining reports, and looked up with a
+sullen, defiant glance, but Houston ignored him, and going to his own
+desk, began making preparations for his day's work.
+
+Bull-dog, who, since washing the windows, had constituted himself
+office boy, had built the fire and was now sweeping. Houston greeted
+him pleasantly, but his keen eyes at once detected trouble between
+Houston and Morgan, and he was immediately on the alert.
+
+After the little fellow had finished his work, and Houston supposed he
+had gone, he walked with a firm, decided step, over to where Morgan
+stood lounging and looking out of the window. Morgan turned, and angry
+as he was, he could not help a feeling of admiration for the splendid,
+athletic form standing, firm as a rock, before him. Houston's keen,
+dark eyes looked straight into his own, and for a moment, not a muscle
+of his face moved, the finely cut features might have been chiseled in
+stone; then he spoke, in even, measured tones, cold and cutting as
+steel itself:
+
+"Mr. Morgan, I have this much to say to you, and it will be well for
+you to remember it; that if I ever hear another insinuation against
+that young lady of whom you were speaking this morning, or an
+improper word of any kind in the presence of either of those ladies at
+the house, I will put you in such shape, that you will not be able to
+come to the office for a week; and more than that, there will be no
+office work here for you."
+
+"What do you mean by that last threat?" asked Morgan defiantly.
+
+"I mean just this; that I know enough about you, that if I should
+repeat what I know to Mr. Blaisdell, you would not remain in this
+office one day longer."
+
+Morgan grew pale. "You seem to know a great deal for a man that's been
+here no longer than you have. I suppose Lyle Maverick has been filling
+you up with stuff about me."
+
+"She has never mentioned your name to me, and you will do well not to
+bring her name into this conversation."
+
+"Seems to me you're wonderfully particular about old Jim Maverick's
+girl," Morgan sneered, "I suppose you want her for yourself, though I
+should think the other one--"
+
+Morgan never finished his sentence; a blow that he afterwards said was
+"worse than the kick of a mule," had closed one eye.
+
+With an oath, he made a terrible lunge toward Houston, but he knew
+nothing more until about fifteen minutes later, when he found himself
+lying on the floor, under the long desk, on the opposite side of the
+room, while Houston stood a few feet away, watching him.
+
+"You dirty contemptible cur!" said Houston, "do you think because you
+have no sense of honor, because you are so vile you can have no idea
+of what purity means, that every one is like yourself? You deserve to
+be kicked like a dog; come out from there and fight, why don't you?"
+
+"I don't believe I'm very anxious to, if you'd just as soon excuse
+me," said Morgan, who had gradually assumed a sitting posture, and was
+passing his hand over his eye and jaw. Then, looking up with as much
+of a grin as he could muster, with his rapidly swelling face, he
+said, "Give it up, Houston; you're a better man than I am; I'll let
+you boss this ranch."
+
+"Do you mean," asked Houston sternly, "that from this time there will
+be no more insinuations against ladies, and no innuendoes in their
+presence?"
+
+"Yes, I agree," said Morgan, "I'll never say anything myself, and I'll
+smash any other fellow that does; I think," he added, reflectively,
+"that you've showed me how pretty well, though I'd a little rather
+you'd practiced on some other fellow, Haight, for instance."
+
+"I'll attend to Haight," said Houston, helping Morgan to his feet, and
+smiling grimly at the figure he made.
+
+An hour later, Houston presented himself at the sorting rooms, where
+Haight met him with many smiles, offering to show him through the
+rooms.
+
+"Another time will do, Mr. Haight," said Houston coldly, "I have
+business with yourself this morning."
+
+"Oh, yes," said Haight, as if the thought had just occurred to him,
+"that unfortunate business at the table this morning; Mr. Houston, I
+am more than sorry for what happened, and assure you, that, so far as
+I am concerned, it shall never occur again."
+
+"It will be much better for your interests that it should not,"
+replied Houston; "I have not been in the habit of hearing such
+insinuations against ladies, or such language in their presence; and
+there is something more I have to say to you," he continued, as he saw
+Haight was trying to speak; "you were bookkeeper for the company, for
+a while, were you not?"
+
+"Certainly," replied Haight in a tone of surprise, "I kept the books
+for a few months last year."
+
+"So I have been informed since coming here, and I wish to state that
+the other day I had occasion to refer to some of the old books kept by
+you, and I very soon found evidences of a few shady transactions on
+your part that I think you would not care to have come to the
+knowledge of the company."
+
+"You must be mistaken, Mr. Houston," said Haight, trying to preserve a
+calm exterior, but paling visibly; "it must have been some of Mr.
+Johnson's work you found."
+
+"No, Mr. Haight," said Houston firmly, "it was your own work, in your
+own writing, and very bunglingly done at that; a man would not need to
+be an expert accountant,--and that is what I am,--to detect the
+fraud."
+
+"Mr. Houston," interrupted Haight, in trembling tones, "everything
+here shall be as you wish, and I will help you too,--I can be of
+use to you,--if you will just say nothing. There were certain
+circumstances that I cannot now explain, that justified the
+transactions you allude to; and as I have told you, I regret what
+occurred this morning, and it shall not be repeated. But really,
+Mr. Houston," he continued, "I had no idea that my teasing Morgan
+this morning would have such an effect; you see, what I was joking
+about was really to Miss Maverick's credit; it seems that a few
+weeks ago, he was rather smitten with her and attempted to be what she
+thought was a little too familiar, and she gave him a black eye,
+and--"
+
+"He has another one now," said Houston, rising abruptly.
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed Haight.
+
+"Yes, and there will be more black eyes if there are any more
+insinuations of that character," and Houston returned to the office,
+leaving behind him a bitter enemy, but one whose enmity would be
+concealed by a cloak of friendship.
+
+Meanwhile, while Houston was pursuing his chivalric course, Miss
+Gladden, sitting by the fire in the deserted breakfast room, was
+planning in what way and by what means she could best help her young
+friend in whom she felt such an interest. The scene at the table had
+given her a new insight into Lyle's surroundings; the rudeness and
+insult to which the beautiful girl was likely to be subjected in such
+a home, the possible dangers to which she might also be exposed, and
+she was more than ever determined to win the confidence of the
+reserved, proud-spirited girl.
+
+In the midst of her reflections, Lyle entered the room, and Miss
+Gladden saw there were still traces of trouble in her face.
+Unconscious of the friends who were beginning to care for her welfare,
+Lyle had felt that morning as though she could endure her life there
+no longer. She had felt by a sort of instinct that she was in some way
+connected with the talk at the table, and she knew that both Morgan
+and Haight would not hesitate to injure her by their insinuations, in
+retaliation for the manner in which she had met their advances.
+Thirsting for human sympathy, her heart quickly responded to Miss
+Gladden's words, as she told Lyle of her interest in her, her sympathy
+for her, and her desire to help her, and in reply to one or two
+questions, she spoke freely of the trials she had suffered, inevitably
+connected with a life such as hers, and touched by the kindness of her
+new-found friend, Lyle continued:
+
+"The insults and insinuations of those men, and others like them,
+are bad enough, but I expect nothing else from such as they, but
+when one receives insult from the source where one would expect
+protection,--that is hardest of all," and with flushed cheeks and
+quivering lips, Lyle related the scene with her father, and his
+words to her, while Miss Gladden looked inexpressibly shocked.
+
+"I was almost desperate this morning," she said in conclusion, "I felt
+as though I could not live such a life any longer; I must go
+somewhere, anywhere, to get away from it. Mother says that nothing of
+that kind shall ever happen again, that father is in her power in some
+way, and she will not let him abuse me; but it is this whole wretched
+life that I despise, if I could only be freed from that!"
+
+"I hope, dear, your life will not always be like this," said Miss
+Gladden, "it shall not be if it is in my power to prevent it; perhaps
+I may be able to brighten it in some way."
+
+"You have already," said Lyle gratefully, "I shall be happy now, as
+long as you are here; after you are gone away,--" she shuddered
+slightly, then added, "who knows what may happen before that time?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+A few hours later, a wild, mountain storm was raging outside, the wind
+roaring down the canyon from the icy fields above, driving the fast
+falling snow in every direction, with blinding fury.
+
+Within doors, however, a happy group were seated around the fire,
+oblivious of the storm outside, or with just enough consciousness of
+its fury to add to the enjoyment of the warmth and comfort inside.
+
+Miss Gladden was, as usual, becomingly gowned in a house dress of
+rich, warm color, while she had persuaded Lyle to put on a dark blue
+dress of her own, which, with a very little change, fitted as though
+originally intended for her, and also to dress her beautiful, golden
+hair high on her head, thus producing a change in her appearance which
+astonished even Miss Gladden herself.
+
+The perfectly fitting gown revealed the outlines of her well developed
+and finely proportioned form; its color seemed to enhance the delicacy
+of her face and the brilliancy of her eyes, while the graceful
+coiffure showed to good advantage the beautifully shaped head, and
+added to her dignity. She seemed suddenly to have been transformed
+from shy, reserved girlhood, to graceful, royal womanhood.
+
+As she, with Miss Gladden, entered the room where Rutherford awaited
+them, that young gentleman started suddenly, and turning, gazed at the
+regal little beauty, with her golden coronet, in undisguised
+admiration, much to the amusement of both ladies.
+
+"Great Caesar!" he exclaimed, "what metamorphosis is this? Excuse me,
+Miss Maverick, I really couldn't help it; I thought you were a sort of
+little girl, you know, and you are,--begging your pardon,--a very
+beautiful young lady."
+
+Both ladies laughed merrily, and Miss Gladden secretly resolved that
+Lyle, in the future, should always be dressed becomingly, if her
+influence could accomplish anything in that direction.
+
+The afternoon passed very pleasantly in looking over the beautiful
+views which Rutherford had collected since he left his distant,
+eastern home. The pictures taken among the mountains had developed
+finely, and they all grew enthusiastic over them. Then there were
+pictures of his friends, in groups and singly, and in laughable
+combinations and positions; among them, some which Rutherford had
+taken of his friend, Tom Durston, and his family, at the ranch where
+he had stopped over night on his way out. There was one of Tom
+himself, in a futile attempt to milk a refractory cow, where he lay
+sprawling ingloriously upon the ground, the milk bucket pouring its
+foaming contents over him, the excited cow performing a war dance,
+while two others, more peaceably inclined, looked on in mild-eyed
+astonishment: chickens were flying in every direction, with
+outstretched necks and wings, while in the background, a company of
+geese were hissing their disapproval of the scene.
+
+The girls laughed until the tears were in their eyes. "How did you
+ever get such a picture? and so perfect!" they asked.
+
+"Oh, I just happened to," he answered, "I was out that morning, with
+my kodak all ready, looking for a subject, and I saw Tom milking, and
+thought it would be fun to take a picture of him to send back to the
+class-boys, you know; I held the kodak up and was just ready--when
+that old cow sent him flying quicker than lightning, and I caught the
+picture all right. I'm going to mail him one copy."
+
+There was a picture of Tom's baby, taking his bath, his mouth wide
+open and his eyes shut, crying lustily for his mother, who had
+deserted him to run to Tom's assistance. Then there were pictures of
+Rutherford's home and friends, among them, that of a brother, older
+than himself, which particularly attracted Lyle's attention; she
+looked at it long and earnestly. He was sitting in an easy attitude,
+smoking a cigar, and looking at the face of a beautiful, dark-eyed
+girl, of about her own age, which appeared above him, encircled by
+the light clouds of smoke,--just the face and no more. Rutherford
+stated that it was his brother and their only sister, and explained
+the process by which it was taken, but the picture remained in Lyle's
+memory for many a day.
+
+After a while, Houston, returning a little early on account of the
+storm, joined them, and the four friends spent the most enjoyable
+evening which they had yet known together, notwithstanding the storm.
+
+It had been an eventful day. To Lyle, and one or two of the others, it
+was the beginning of a new life, though they did not then realize it;
+the first, faint flush that heralds the coming of the sun to brighten
+the new day, but which is so subtle and silent, that few are aware of
+its presence.
+
+Houston, on his return to the house at noon, had given, in answer to
+Rutherford's eager inquiries, an account of the "skirmish" as he
+called it. Rutherford was so proud of his friend, and of the victory
+he had won, that at the first opportunity, he told the story to Miss
+Gladden, before Houston had even returned to the office. Miss Gladden
+was enthusiastic in her admiration of the course he had taken, so
+different from many of the young men she had known in wealthy,
+aristocratic circles, in thus defending a poor, friendless girl,
+subject to insult because she had the misfortune, under such
+circumstances, to be beautiful; and obeying the impulses of her
+noble-hearted, high-spirited nature, she went to Houston, as she saw
+him standing alone a few minutes after dinner, and extending her hand,
+with a bright smile, said:
+
+"Sir Knight, I want to thank you, in Lyle's name and my own, for the
+chivalric course you have taken this morning."
+
+She could get no further; Houston, still holding her hand, interrupted
+her.
+
+"Do not thank me, Miss Gladden; I have only done what it is the duty
+of every true man to do."
+
+"Then," said Miss Gladden, interrupting him in turn, "true men must be
+exceedingly rare. I know very few, Mr. Houston, who would champion
+the cause of a girl in Lyle's circumstances, in the manner you have
+done," and then, with much feeling, she spoke of some of Lyle's
+trials, and of her own determination to help her.
+
+A beautiful woman is never so lovely as when defending the cause of
+some sister less fortunate than herself, and Houston thought he had
+never seen Miss Gladden so beautiful as at that moment, and the
+thought must in some way have conveyed itself to his eyes, for there
+was something in his glance that brought a bright color to Miss
+Gladden's cheek, and an added tenderness to her soulful eyes;
+something that remained with her all that day, and somehow made life,
+even in the heart of the mountains, shut out from the rest of the
+world, look more inviting, more alluring than it had ever done
+before.
+
+With Houston, also, the memory of those eyes with their depths of
+tenderness, and the hand whose touch had thrilled him with its
+magnetism, lingered, and brightened all that stormy afternoon.
+
+To Lyle, this day seemed the beginning of a new epoch in her solitary,
+isolated life. For the first time, she had found genial companionship,
+human sympathy and love, and chivalrous protection; for Miss Gladden
+had hastened to tell her of the part Mr. Houston had taken in her
+defense; and as the slowly maturing bud suddenly unfolds in the
+morning sunlight, so in the new light and warmth which she had found
+that day, her nature had suddenly expanded into mature, conscious
+womanhood.
+
+That evening, as the little group of friends were separating for the
+night, Miss Gladden having already gone up-stairs, Lyle, with a new
+dignity and grace, walked over to where Houston stood by the fire,
+with dreamy, thoughtful eyes.
+
+"Mr. Houston," said she, in low, sweet tones, "Miss Gladden has told
+me of your kindness toward me to-day, and though she has thanked you
+for us both, yet I wish to thank you personally."
+
+"Miss Maverick," he replied in his grave, gentle manner, "you are more
+than welcome to any kindness I can do for you, but do not thank me for
+what I did to-day; that was nothing, I would have been a beast not to
+have done that little."
+
+"If you could know," she said, earnestly, "how rare such kindness and
+protection have been in my past life, you would realize that it does
+not seem like 'nothing' to me."
+
+To Houston, Lyle seemed much less mature than Miss Gladden, and though
+he had been quick to observe the added charm in her manner that
+evening, still she seemed to him little more than a child. Her words,
+and something in the expression of those star-like eyes, touched him
+deeply, and taking her hands in his, he answered tenderly:
+
+"My dear child, I am very sorry for the loneliness of your past life,
+and I want you, from this time, to regard me as a brother, and if
+there should be any way in which I could protect you, or help you, do
+not hesitate to tell me freely."
+
+For the first time in all those weary years within her recollection,
+Lyle went to her rest that night with a heart satisfied; for as yet,
+only the surface of her affections had been stirred, and the hidden
+depths below were still unfathomed, awaiting the influence of some
+mightier power.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+The snow-storm detained Mr. Blaisdell in the city rather longer than
+he intended, and Houston had improved the time in going over all the
+old books and office records which were available.
+
+The books of the company he could examine at his leisure, on some
+pretext or other, in Morgan's presence, but his extra work, which had
+occupied his evenings, consisted in going over the old letter files,
+mining reports and assay statements, making copies of whatever he
+found that would be of value to him later. He had found evidence of
+fraudulent transactions in the books of the company, and of these he
+had made careful memoranda, but so far, the greatest amount of
+evidence which he had secured, had been discovered in the old letters
+written by Mr. Blaisdell to other members of the company at Silver
+City, and received by him in return. These were copied exactly into a
+set of small books which he had brought for that purpose, and he had
+also made tracings and blue print copies of plats and maps of the most
+important mines, and of the plans of their underground workings.
+
+What he now particularly desired was some turn of affairs that would
+necessitate his visiting the mines, and give him an opportunity to
+become familiar with their workings, and that, in some way, he could
+gain access to the books and papers of the main office at Silver City,
+as he would there find records of the business transacted directly
+with the company in New York. He had taken the precaution to bring
+with him copies of letters on file in the New York offices, but he now
+felt that much of the most important evidence was contained in the
+office at Silver City, and was the missing link which he would need
+before going much farther, and as he sat at his desk one bright
+morning, a few days after the storm, mentally reviewing the whole
+situation, he was planning how he could best secure this also.
+
+Morgan, still carrying a few scars, sat with his legs crossed on top
+of his table, reading a newspaper, when the door opened, and Mr.
+Blaisdell entered.
+
+"Well, boys, good-morning," was his greeting, as he glanced quickly
+around the office, and Morgan's feet suddenly descended to the floor.
+"What's the matter with your eye, Morgan?"
+
+"Oh, nothing, been sparring a little, that's all."
+
+"Been down to the mines this morning?"
+
+"No, sir, not yet; I thought maybe you'd be up and want to give some
+directions before I went down."
+
+"Very considerate!" remarked Mr. Blaisdell sarcastically, "you know I
+would come to the mines myself, anyway, and could give directions
+there just as well as here. Get ready to go down there with me, I'm
+going in a few minutes."
+
+Going over to Houston's desk, he glanced hastily over the books, gave
+some instructions, and saying that he wished to see him later, went
+out to join Morgan.
+
+"Morgan, how did you get that eye?" he asked again.
+
+"Oh, Houston and I had a little set-to the other day, and he hit me
+pretty hard, that's all."
+
+"What was it about?" demanded Mr. Blaisdell.
+
+"Nothing much," answered Morgan, carelessly, "we had some words about
+that girl of Maverick's; I guess he's a little stuck on her himself,
+and was afraid I'd be in his way, or something of the kind; I got mad
+and hit him, or tried to, and he gave me a knock-out."
+
+"I was going to say that he doesn't look as though you had hit him
+very hard," remarked Mr. Blaisdell dryly, and then continued, "Well, I
+don't see the use of coming to blows over Maverick's girl, or any
+other for that matter, they're not so scarce as all that. Jim's girl
+has got a pretty face, but she isn't worth fighting about, that I can
+see."
+
+There were reasons for Mr. Blaisdell's superior indifference to Lyle's
+attractions, as she had been compelled more than once, in a most
+emphatic manner, to check attempts at undue familiarity on his part,
+notwithstanding the fact that he was a much-married man, living with
+his third wife, his table surrounded with "olive plants"--fifteen in
+number--of all sizes and descriptions, and regarded in the bosom of
+his family as a model husband and father.
+
+Late in the afternoon, Mr. Blaisdell returned to the office, looking
+very weary and somewhat worried. Morgan remained at the mines the rest
+of the day. Mr. Blaisdell went over the books with Houston, and after
+expressing considerable satisfaction at the work which he had
+accomplished, he sat down by himself, and seemed lost in thought for
+some time. At last he said:
+
+"Mr. Houston, I've been thinking for some time that we need a little
+extra help in the office at Silver City, and yet not enough that it
+has seemed advisable to employ another bookkeeper. Our books there are
+getting behind, and a little mixed, too, I'm afraid. Mr. Lewis, our
+bookkeeper, is quite an old man, and he has charge of two or three
+sets of books for the different companies, and it is not to be
+wondered at if he occasionally gets a little confused; and it occurred
+to me while sitting here, that perhaps you might be willing to come
+down, for a day or two, and straighten out the books for us."
+
+Houston seemed for a moment to be weighing the matter very deliberately.
+
+"Of course I could do it," he replied, "but it would involve
+considerable extra time and expense for me, and I would want extra
+compensation."
+
+"Oh, of course," responded Mr. Blaisdell, readily, "I understand that;
+indeed, I was going to remark that you have already accomplished so
+much work, and your methods seem to be so exact and, at the same time,
+expeditious, that we will consider your term of probation here at an
+end; we agreed to raise your salary at the end of the month, if your
+services were satisfactory; they are eminently so, and I will take the
+responsibility of paying you one hundred and twenty-five dollars for
+this first month also. As to your fare back and forth between here and
+Silver City, of course we will pay that."
+
+"Then," said Houston, smiling and inwardly congratulating himself, "I
+do not see but that it is settled that I go to Silver City whenever
+you are ready."
+
+"Very well," said Mr. Blaisdell, "you will not need to go down there
+for ten days or so, as the time will make no appreciable difference in
+the state of affairs there, and I shall need you here during that
+time, as some parties are coming out from the east to look at some
+mining properties, and both Morgan and myself will probably have to
+spend most of our time at the mines."
+
+That evening, at the boarding house, Houston sat apparently interested
+in a game of chess between Miss Gladden and Rutherford, but in
+reality, paying close attention to a conversation carried on in low
+tones between Mr. Blaisdell and Morgan. Only an occasional sentence
+was audible, but he could gather enough to satisfy himself regarding
+the nature of their plans.
+
+"Clean the rubbish out of the shaft, and set a couple of men to work
+there for a day or two," Mr. Blaisdell was saying; a few words were
+lost, and then he said, "Whenever I hear what day they are coming up,
+we'll put on a good force."
+
+"They'll have their own expert with them, I suppose?" asked Morgan.
+
+"Yes," answered Mr. Blaisdell, "but if he's like the most of those
+eastern experts, Haight and I can fix him very easily."
+
+A little later the conversation ended, Mr. Blaisdell saying, as he
+rose to go to his room:
+
+"It is a confoundedly poor property, but I think a few tons of ore
+from the Yankee Boy will sell it all right."
+
+This remark gave Houston considerable food for reflection, as the
+Yankee Boy was one of the richest properties owned by the New York
+company. He had that day received his first letter from his uncle, in
+New York, sent under cover of an envelope from the Chicago firm, and
+written in reply to a letter from himself mailed immediately upon his
+arrival at the mines; and Mr. Blaisdell and Morgan having left,
+Houston retired to his room to make his first report of the
+information he had secured and seemed likely to secure, concerning the
+ways and means of the western mining company; leaving the chess
+players deep in their game, and Lyle watching them.
+
+Lyle, though keeping up her studies afternoons, had not been down to
+Jack's cabin since the evening he had shown her the picture, partly on
+account of the storm, and partly because she feared her father might
+be watching her.
+
+Jack had wondered at her absence, thinking perhaps her new friends had
+something to do with it; but on this night, Jack had other company, as
+Bull-dog had ensconced himself in Mike's chair beside the stove, and
+having also appropriated Mike's briar pipe,--its owner being
+absent,--was smoking with all the gravity and self-possession of an
+old-timer, and entertaining Jack with his quaint talk.
+
+"Say," he said at last, clasping his hands about his knee, and holding
+the pipe between his teeth, "have ye seen that new feller up at the
+orfice. Mister Houston, they call him?"
+
+Jack replied, very indifferently, that he had seen him once or twice.
+
+"Well, now, he's a Joe-dandy, a regular cracker-jack; an' he's goin'
+ter be boss of that whole shootin' match, Morgan an' that little,
+black, snaky feller, an' old Blaisdell, too, if he don't look out fer
+hisself."
+
+"What makes you think so?" asked Jack, much amused.
+
+"I don't think so, I know it. He's got more sand than all the rest of
+'em put together, an' he ain't afraid of nobody. 'D ye hear 'bout that
+fight that him 'n Morgan had?"
+
+"No, did they fight?" inquired Jack, much surprised.
+
+"Did they fight!" exclaimed the little Arab, removing the pipe from
+his mouth, and shaking his head with evident satisfaction at the
+remembrance of the scene, "well, I should smile! Morgan, he tried hard
+enough ter fight, but the other feller did him up in 'bout the
+sixteenth part of a second!"
+
+"Were you there?" asked Jack, laughing.
+
+"I was peekin' through a crack in the door; they s'posed I'd gone, but
+I see somethin' was up when Mister Houston first come in, an' I just
+makes up my mind I'll see the fun through, an' when I goes out, I
+bangs the door hard, and then opens it agin, careful like, and peeks
+in; an' Mister Houston, he had walked over ter where Morgan was, an'
+had lit into him 'bout somethin' or ruther he'd ben sayin', an' if he
+didn't lay down the law ter him, I'll eat my hat. An' then Morgan he
+sets out to give him some of his lip, and by Jiminy! 'fore he could
+spit the words out, biff! comes a stunner right in his face, and shut
+one eye. My, wasn't he mad though! Then he goes ter give the other
+feller a punch in the head, an' Houston, he ducked the purtiest ye
+ever see, and let out a blow at Morgan's jaw, an' gee-whizz! Morgan
+goes a flying across the room, and lan's under the big desk, and he
+never come to fer 'bout twenty minits. My, but 'twas the slickest
+knock-out ye ever see, Corbett couldn't a done it slicker hisself! an'
+I rolled down them steps a laughin' so I 'most died. I went back after
+he'd come to, an' Mister Houston was a tellin' him ter come out an'
+fight, but he didn't seem ter wan'ter very bad, an' I see the fun was
+over, so I come away."
+
+Jack had laughed heartily over Bull-dog's description of the scene;
+now he asked:
+
+"What was the fight about?"
+
+"Well," said Bull-dog, gravely replacing his pipe in his mouth, "'s
+near 's I could make out, 'twas 'bout some girl."
+
+"What girl?" inquired Jack, rather quickly.
+
+"Well, the new feller, he didn't call no names, but I heerd Morgan say
+somethin' 'bout Lyle Maverick, an' so I guess 'twas her, but I knew
+you was always kinder sweet on her yourself, an' so I wasn't goin' ter
+say nothin', 'cause, 'nless you're a scrapper, you won't stand no sort
+of a chance with that feller."
+
+"All right, Bull-dog," said Jack, "I'm something of a 'scrapper'
+myself, but I don't expect to get into any trouble;" the tone was
+kind, and he spoke with a half smile, but the keenly observant eyes of
+the boy detected a shade on Jack's face. However, all conversation was
+suddenly checked by the entrance of Mike, who, in a manner more
+forcible than ceremonious, dispossessed Bull-dog of his chair and
+pipe. The little waif soon took his departure, but it was some time
+before the cloud on Jack's brow was dispelled.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+For the next day or two, Houston saw very little of either Mr.
+Blaisdell or Morgan, as they spent most of their time at the mines,
+but his own work was greatly increased, as copies of mining reports
+regarding the Sunrise mine, and duplicate sets of statements of the
+assay values of samples of ore taken from its various shafts, were to
+be made out with the greatest care. There were tracings and blue
+prints to be made from the original plats, by which it was to be shown
+that the vein of the Sunrise mine was but an extension of that of the
+Morning Star, one of the famous North Star group of mines; and there
+were also very important and strictly confidential letters to be
+written, under Mr. Blaisdell's directions, to the Silver City office,
+more particularly to Mr. Rivers, the secretary of the company, whom
+Houston had not yet seen.
+
+The Sunrise mine which was suddenly looming up into such prominence,
+was one of which Houston had never heard, but judging from the rich
+samples of ore produced, and the testimony of experts and assayers, it
+seemed to be one of the most valuable properties in that locality; but
+to Houston, situated as he was, behind the scenes, it only afforded an
+additional glimpse of the business methods of the company.
+
+As he still sat at his desk, having just completed his day's work,
+Morgan came in and threw himself down heavily into a chair, taking his
+favorite attitude, with his feet crossed on the table, and his hands
+clasped behind his head.
+
+"You look tired, Morgan," commented Houston.
+
+"I am tired," he replied, "too tired to breathe if I wasn't obliged
+to; this has been a hard day's work, and if old Blaisdell sells that
+mine, as he expects to, he'll have to divy up pretty liberally."
+
+Houston turned around facing Morgan, with a peculiar smile.
+
+"The Sunrise mine seems to have developed wonderfully within the past
+few days," he remarked quietly.
+
+Morgan laughed; "You'd think so," he replied, "if you could have seen
+it four days ago. There hasn't been a day's work done on it for over a
+year; some of it had caved in, and even the main shaft was pretty well
+filled up with rubbish. Now that's all cleaned out, and the few places
+where there is any quantity of ore in sight show up to good advantage,
+and we've hauled eight or ten tons of ore from the Yankee Boy down
+onto the dump, so it makes a pretty respectable showing. Oh, the boss
+is a cuckoo for any job of that kind."
+
+"Does the mining company own the Yankee Boy?" asked Houston.
+
+"No," answered Morgan, "that whole group of mines is owned by a set
+of New Yorkers; this company out here is their agent, that's all."
+
+"And New Yorkers are not supposed to know all the ins and outs of
+their western agent's mining deals," commented Houston.
+
+"Well, I should say not! There's a good many things going on that they
+are not supposed to know about, and that they wouldn't be very likely
+to get onto, either, some of 'em, even if they were right on the
+ground. Some of those ducks are pretty green, and fellows like
+Blaisdell or Rivers can make them believe most anything. If Blaisdell
+was half as smart as he makes some of those eastern fellows think he
+is, he would have been a rich man before this."
+
+"Why," said Houston, in surprise, "Blaisdell is quite well off, isn't
+he?"
+
+Morgan's only answer was a significant shake of the head.
+
+"What!" exclaimed Houston in astonishment.
+
+"Really, he is not worth a dollar," answered Morgan, "every nickle's
+worth of property that he ever had, that he hasn't lost outright, has
+been put into the hands of his wife, or his sons, or somebody or
+other, heaven knows who, I don't, nor nobody else."
+
+"Well, I am surprised," said Houston, "he seems shrewd and sharp in
+business matters, and I supposed he was a rich man. He must have made
+considerable money, what has become of it?"
+
+Morgan shrugged his shoulders; "Have you seen old Rivers yet?" he
+inquired.
+
+"The secretary? No, I've never met him."
+
+"Well," continued Morgan, "you probably will, in a day or two, he'll
+be likely to come up with the eastern party; and when you've seen him,
+you've seen the biggest rascal, and at the same time the slickest duck
+there is on this side of the divide, and I doubt if there's any on the
+other side can beat him. Old Blaisdell's pretty smooth, but he ain't a
+circumstance to Rivers. Rivers will rob you of your last dollar, and
+make you think he's your best friend all the time. Oh, he's a lulu,
+and no mistake!"
+
+Further conversation was prevented by the entrance of Mr. Blaisdell,
+with a fine lot of ore samples with their assay values attached, which
+he arranged on his desk, his thin lips drawn back meanwhile in his
+accustomed self-satisfied smile. When this was done, he turned to the
+young men.
+
+"Well," he began, with a low chuckle of delight, "I've got word my
+party is coming all right. Haight just got a telegram from Rivers,
+that Winters had wired him that he and his son and the expert would be
+in Silver City, on to-morrow's train, so I will have to go back to the
+city to-night, to be in readiness to meet them. Let me see, this is
+Wednesday, they arrive Thursday; Morgan, set the men to work on that
+mine Friday morning; we will be up here in the course of the forenoon,
+you see that everything is in first-class order. Houston, are those
+statements and tracings all ready?"
+
+"They are," replied Houston.
+
+"Very well, put them up as quick as you can, I'll take them to the
+city with me, and the team will be here in half a minute; I want to
+catch that six o'clock train. I didn't expect to have to go to-night,
+but that telegram has hurried up matters. Morgan, you keep everything
+straight to-morrow, and be ready for us Friday morning."
+
+"Shall I send a team down?" asked Morgan.
+
+"No, no matter about that, I'll take Joe Hunt's team there at the Y,
+it will be a rather more stylish turnout than one of the mining teams.
+Everything is here O.K. I suppose," as Houston handed him the papers
+he had requested, "all right, there's my team; well, so long, boys,
+don't get into any more fights while I'm gone," and he was soon
+rattling down the canyon toward the Y, while Houston and Morgan began
+to make preparations for closing the office.
+
+"Well," said Morgan, as he stood looking out of the window, and
+waiting for Houston to put away his books and papers for the night, "I
+can just imagine the little scene that will be enacted down there at
+the main office to-morrow, it would be as good as a play just to watch
+it. There will be old Wilson, with his diamonds and palaver,
+expatiating on the country and the mines; and Blaisdell, with that
+dignified way of his, talking of nitrates and sulphides, and so many
+milligrams equaling so many grains troy, and so many gramestons in so
+many pounds avoirdupois, and all that razzle-dazzle, and Rivers, not
+saying much of anything, but smiling, and calculating how many
+thousands he is going to put in his own pockets."
+
+Houston laughed, and was about to reply, when Rutherford came in, as
+he often walked down to meet Houston and accompany him to the house.
+
+"Come in, Ned," said Houston, "you should have been here a minute ago;
+Morgan has been giving some verbal portraits of the mining company.
+Your descriptive powers are excellent, Morgan, and you seem to know
+these men pretty well."
+
+"Know them," said Morgan, swinging himself astride a chair and folding
+his arms upon the back, while Rutherford perched upon a large writing
+table, and Houston leaned against his long desk, with his arms folded,
+"Know them, I should think I ought to. I worked in the Silver City
+office as bookkeeper for a year before coming out here, and six months
+of that time I boarded in Blaisdell's family; and as his wife hates
+Rivers' wife, and couldn't say enough about her, I knew about as much
+of one family as the other before I came away."
+
+"Does Mr. Blaisdell try to impress his better half with a sense of his
+intellectual superiority, as he does the rest of his fellow mortals?"
+asked Rutherford.
+
+"If he ever did," answered Morgan, "he must have got bravely over it
+some time ago; she treats him with a contempt that would have cured
+him of that habit. I've sometimes thought that the reason he swells so
+much out among people is because he's so unmercifully snubbed at
+home."
+
+"I see," said Rutherford, "just a natural effort to keep his
+self-respect in equilibrium."
+
+"Has he many children?" inquired Houston.
+
+"Well, no," said Morgan, "not many, only fifteen."
+
+"Only fifteen!" said Houston, in astonishment, while Rutherford
+exclaimed, "Oh, come off now, you're joking!"
+
+"No joking about it," said Morgan seriously, "I took the old man's
+word for it. I tried several times to count 'em, but had to give it
+up, it seemed that every day I saw a new one. Some of 'em are as old
+as I; you see this is his third wife, and some of the children are
+older than she."
+
+"I think," said Rutherford, "I'd like a wife younger than my
+children."
+
+"He seems to," replied Morgan, "they're as spooney as can be, when
+they're not quarreling."
+
+"Oh, deliver me!" said Rutherford, "I don't want to hear any more
+about them. How about that other man, Rivers? He hasn't such a surplus
+of children and wives, has he?"
+
+"Well," said Morgan slowly, "I guess if his children could all be got
+together, there'd be more of 'em than of Blaisdell's, and he has full
+as many wives, only, in his case, they are all living."
+
+"Great Scott!" said Rutherford, "is he a Mormon?"
+
+Morgan shook his head, and Houston said:
+
+"Morgan, I think in your efforts to be entertaining, you are drawing
+slightly on your imagination, thinking that we are fresh enough to
+believe anything you choose to tell us."
+
+"No, it's all true, whether you believe it or not. That man left a
+wife and family of children somewhere in New York State, more than ten
+years ago, and ran away with another woman; they have five or six
+children, and here, about three years ago, since I came here, he got
+his divorce from the first woman, and married this one. Then he spent
+last winter in San Francisco, and it seems now, that he circulated
+around there under another name,--and his name is no more Rivers, than
+mine is Jenks,--and passed himself off for an unmarried man, and now
+there's a woman there has entered suit against him, for breach of
+promise."
+
+"Well," said Rutherford, descending from his elevated position, "I
+move that we adjourn to the boarding house at once; if I hear any
+more such stuff, I'll lose my appetite."
+
+"The mystery to me is," said Houston, when they were started on their
+way to the house, "how such a man is allowed to live and do business
+in a respectable community."
+
+"Oh," said Morgan carelessly, "he isn't any worse than the rest of
+'em, only he's a little more out and out with it; and the rest of 'em
+know it, and as long as they all live in glass houses, they don't any
+of 'em want to throw any stones."
+
+"It cannot be quite as bad as that," said Houston.
+
+"Well, I've found 'em all about alike, men and women too, for that
+matter, though I believe you shut me off from expressing my views
+about women."
+
+"But you certainly would not include all women in such an assertion?"
+said Houston.
+
+"I don't know why not, as far as my experience goes, they're all off
+the same piece."
+
+"Why, man," said Houston indignantly, "what are you talking about? You
+had a mother once, you do not mean to traduce her memory?"
+
+For a moment, Morgan was silent, then he replied in a tone that
+sounded very unlike his usual voice:
+
+"Yes, I had a mother once, and that is what has made me what I am;
+sometime I will tell you about her."
+
+And nothing more was said until they reached the house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+Friday morning, word was received from Mr. Blaisdell, over the
+private wire connecting the office at Silver City with the mines,
+that he and Mr. Rivers would be up on the first train with a party of
+four, and to have everything in readiness for them; also to make
+arrangements for their accommodation at the boarding house. Morgan
+had already placed a small force of men at work on the mine, and
+after carrying out Mr. Blaisdell's instructions, remained himself at
+the mine, superintending the work.
+
+It was one of those perfect days, so frequent among the mountains; a
+cloudless sky, and the air so clear that one could see the most
+distant mountain peaks with wonderful distinctness. The weather was
+again warm, yet the air was cool and invigorating, and aromatic with
+the breath of the evergreen forests clothing the sides of the
+mountains and foot hills, while everywhere, the spring flowers were
+adding their color and beauty to the scene, their fragrance rising
+continuously, like an invisible cloud of incense, on every hand.
+
+At about eleven o'clock, Houston heard the noise of the approaching
+team, and stepping to the window, saw a three-seated, open wagon,
+drawn by a pair of powerful horses. On the back seat, with Mr.
+Blaisdell, was an old gentleman, evidently Mr. Winters, and on the
+second seat, facing them, were two whom Houston judged to be Mr.
+Rivers and the junior Mr. Winters; but he took little notice of them,
+for his attention was arrested by one of the two young men sitting on
+the front seat, with the driver. The figure looked wonderfully
+familiar, but the face was almost wholly concealed by a broad-brimmed,
+soft hat. The team stopped, and at once the passengers prepared to
+alight; the hat was suddenly pushed back, revealing to the astonished
+Houston, the shining spectacles and laughing face of Arthur Van Dorn,
+his college class mate and chum.
+
+The men were alighting, and it was evident that Mr. Blaisdell was in a
+most genial frame of mind, he fairly beamed on every one; but Houston,
+not waiting to meet him, made a hasty retreat into the back room, to
+decide quickly upon his course of action. Nearly a thousand plans
+occurred to him, but none seemed feasible. If Mr. Blaisdell were the
+only member of the firm present, he felt he would have little
+difficulty, but the presence of Mr. Rivers made it considerably harder
+for him.
+
+Meanwhile, in the front room, Mr. Blaisdell was receiving his guests
+in the most effusive manner, reminding Houston, even in his dilemma,
+of a gushing school girl.
+
+"Mr. Winters, let me assist you, you must be exceedingly weary; here,
+take this chair, you will find it a little more comfortable; sorry not
+to have more luxurious quarters in which to receive you, but this is
+the wild west, you know. Mr. Rivers, won't you see that Mr. Winters is
+comfortable, while I wait on his son. Mr. Lindlay, let me show you
+these specimens of ore, I think you will appreciate them as few can."
+
+In the midst of all this effusion, Mr. Rivers suddenly appeared in the
+back room. He was a small man, quite bald, with small, twinkling,
+peering eyes, and a quick motion of his head from one side to the
+other that reminded Houston of a ferret. Seeing Houston, his eyes
+twinkled until they nearly closed, he smiled, and extending his hand,
+said:
+
+"Ah, the new clerk, Mr. Houston, I suppose; very glad to meet you."
+
+At that moment Mr. Blaisdell entered; "Well, Mr. Rivers, you have
+found Mr. Houston, I see; Mr. Houston, this is Mr. Rivers, the
+secretary of the company. I was just looking for you, Houston, I want
+you to come in and meet the people in the other room."
+
+"In a moment, Mr. Blaisdell," said Houston, "but first, will you and
+Mr. Rivers just look over something I have found here. This looks to
+me as though a serious error had been made in this report regarding
+the Sunrise mine, and as you will probably need it to-day, had it
+better not be corrected?"
+
+"Error in the report of the Sunrise!" said Mr. Blaisdell, adjusting
+his spectacles, "let me see; why yes, that is an error, and a bad one,
+too, I am glad you called our attention to it; look here, Rivers," and
+the two men were deeply engrossed in a study of the papers before
+them.
+
+Houston improved the opportunity to reconnoiter the situation in the
+front room. Mr. Winters and his son were in a close consultation. The
+third man was busily engaged in looking at some ores, his back towards
+the door, while beside him stood Van Dorn, indifferently watching him.
+Houston gave a slight cough that attracted Van Dorn's attention; he
+turned, and seeing Houston, his face brightened, and he was about to
+spring forward to greet him, when the latter, with a quick motion of
+his hand, gave him the signal of their old college days, its
+equivalent in the western vernacular being, "Don't give me away," at
+the same time putting his finger on his lips. A look of intense
+surprise flashed across Van Dorn's face, but he grasped the situation
+at once, and silently giving the return signal, he turned and walked
+in the opposite direction with the most nonchalant manner imaginable,
+and Houston knew that his secret was safe. A few moments afterward,
+"Mr. Houston, our private secretary," was introduced to the entire
+party, and a hearty grip from Van Dorn's hand, which Houston returned
+with interest, was the only sign of mutual recognition.
+
+"Well friends," said Mr. Blaisdell, blandly, having looked at his
+watch, "it is now so near noon, that when we have allowed Mr. Winters
+ample time for rest, we had better proceed to the house and have our
+dinner, before going to the mines."
+
+"If you dine at noon," replied Mr. Winters, in a very genial, yet
+dignified manner, "there is scarcely time for a very extended
+exploration, but don't discommode yourselves in the least, gentlemen,
+on account of my age and feebleness. I have always enjoyed perfect
+health, and notwithstanding my gray hairs, I don't believe I am much
+older than my friend, here, Mr. Blaisdell."
+
+"Not older than I am, sir!" exclaimed Mr. Blaisdell, who prided
+himself upon his youthful appearance, "why, how old do you take me to
+be?"
+
+"Much older than you look," replied Mr. Winters, "I am sixty-five, and
+you are at least sixty, although you look ten years younger than
+that."
+
+"You have certainly proven yourself a Yankee by your guessing," said
+Mr. Blaisdell, slightly disconcerted, while the others joined in a
+general laugh at his expense, "I wouldn't have thought you would have
+made so good a guess as that, neither did I think you were so near my
+own age."
+
+"You have the advantage of me now," returned Mr. Winters, pleasantly,
+"but if we live twenty years, as I expect to, I'll then look younger
+than you, for I have the better health of the two."
+
+"Have you ever visited the west before, Mr. Winters?" inquired Mr.
+Rivers.
+
+"Yes, a few times," replied the old gentleman, while the mining
+expert, an Englishman, with large blue eyes, full face and blond
+mustache, smiled quietly at Van Dorn and Houston, who were seated near
+each other; "I've been west once or twice a year for the last ten
+years."
+
+"Indeed!" said Mr. Rivers, with considerable surprise, while the
+younger Mr. Winters said with a laugh, "Oh, you couldn't keep father
+at home in New York, any more than you could one of these Indians out
+here; he's got to be roaming around all over the country continually.
+If he didn't drag me about with him everywhere, I wouldn't object."
+
+"You have been out in this country often, I suppose," said Mr.
+Blaisdell, addressing the expert, who replied coolly, with a very
+slight accent:
+
+"No, sir; I simply come out 'ere once in a w'ile, you know, just as an
+accommodation to Mr. Winters."
+
+"You live in New York, I suppose?"
+
+"No, sir; my 'ome is in London," he replied, with an air that seemed
+to indicate he did not care for any further conversation.
+
+"Blaisdell," said Mr. Rivers, "I thought you said something some time
+ago, about dinner; if the ride in the mountain air has given the rest
+of these gentlemen such an appetite as it has me, we would like to see
+that dinner materialize before very long."
+
+On the way to the boarding house, Van Dorn managed to walk with
+Houston, and exclaimed in a low tone:
+
+"Good heavens, Everard, what does this mean? What are you masquerading
+around in this style for?"
+
+"Don't ask me to explain now, there are too many around; after dinner
+we will go down by ourselves, and I'll tell you the whole story. I may
+want a little advice from you, as you're a mining expert yourself."
+
+"Don't let any of these people out here know that," Van Dorn answered
+quickly; "Mr. Winters has introduced me as an inventor of some mining
+machinery that they use, just out here looking around for the pleasure
+of it; you know I did invent an amalgamator that is being used to some
+extent; but I'm not supposed to know anything about practical
+mining."
+
+Houston laughed; "How about the Englishman?" he asked.
+
+"He's no fool," said Van Dorn quickly, "though he is playing verdant;
+only comes out here to accommodate Mr. Winters, and so forth; that's
+all right, but he accommodates Mr. Winters pretty often. He's a fine
+expert and understands his business thoroughly, only I happen to be a
+little more familiar with the ores in this locality, as I spent a good
+many months out here in the mountains two years ago, experting mines;
+not in this camp of course, but only a few miles from here. Mr.
+Winters himself is sharp, and with Lindlay and myself out here, he's
+not going to be very badly taken in."
+
+"Good!" said Houston, "and now there is one thing more before we get
+to the house. You remember Morton Rutherford?"
+
+"Mort Rutherford, of old college days? well, I should say so; what
+about him?"
+
+"His brother is stopping here, you will see him at dinner."
+
+"What!" interrupted Van Dorn, "little Ned? What under heaven is he
+doing out here? Are you two fellows out here incognito making love to
+rustic maidens? or what are you doing?"
+
+"No, Ned is out here in his own name, you won't need be under any
+restrictions with him, but what I want to say is this: Don't let him
+know who I am, or that you used to know me, or that I know his
+brother."
+
+"Anything else I'm not to let him know?" queried Van Dorn, taking out
+a small note book.
+
+"No, put up your book, or Mr. Blaisdell will think I am giving you
+pointers on the mine. But this is how it is; Rutherford met me on the
+train coming out here, introduced himself to me, took a fancy to the
+mountains, and decided to stay a few weeks. He thinks I am--what you
+found me--the clerk for this company, and my home in Chicago. I am not
+ready to explain matters to him yet, so just simply appear as if you
+had never met me or heard of me till to-day."
+
+"But how is it Ned didn't know you? Didn't you ever see him when you
+visited Mort?"
+
+"No, I was there only once, and he was away at school at the time, and
+then he never went to Yale, you know, he is a Harvard graduate."
+
+"Oh, I see; all right, I'll be mum."
+
+A sharp turn in the road brought the house into view, with Rutherford
+seated on the porch, reading a magazine.
+
+He glanced up with his usual assumption of dignity, as the party
+approached, but catching sight of Van Dorn, at the rear of the little
+procession, his magazine and his dignity were suddenly flung to the
+winds, and he bounded down from the porch like a school-boy.
+
+"By Jove! Hello there, Van Dorn, how do you do? Great Scott! how did
+you ever come out here? I'm awfully glad to see you."
+
+"Very glad to see you, my dear boy," said Van Dorn, heartily, "but the
+mystery to me is, how do you happen to be here?"
+
+Mr. Blaisdell looked on greatly astonished and amused by Rutherford's
+impetuous greeting.
+
+"Well, Mr. Rutherford," he remarked, "you seem to have met an old
+friend; ah, yes, I see, you are from Boston, and so is Mr. Van Dorn."
+
+Introductions followed, and the party sat down to dinner. Houston,
+seated between Van Dorn and Rutherford, did not lack for entertainment,
+but he had been at the table but a few seconds when he became aware
+that Miss Gladden was not there. He waited till the meal was nearly
+over, and then quietly inquired of Lyle whether Miss Gladden were ill.
+
+"Oh no," Lyle answered, in a low tone, "Miss Gladden thought best, as
+so many gentlemen were to be here, and on business, to let them have
+the table to themselves."
+
+After dinner, Houston started a little early for the office, and Van
+Dorn took his hat, saying:
+
+"If you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I'll walk down with Mr. Houston. You
+know I'm not so crazy on mining as you are, and I'd like to see
+somebody for a change, that can talk on some other subject."
+
+"Go ahead," said Mr. Winters, "I suppose you'll want to go through the
+mines in our company, though, by and by."
+
+"I probably will have to go in your company, if I go at all," Van Dorn
+replied carelessly, "my choice is rather limited."
+
+"You'll be here this evening, won't you Van?" said Rutherford, who was
+then engaged in a sort of one-sided conversation with the Englishman.
+
+"I suppose so," Van Dorn answered.
+
+"All right, I'll see you later," Rutherford responded.
+
+The confidential clerk and the young inventor strolled down the road
+together, and the officers of the mining company never dreamed of the
+results.
+
+Half an hour later, Mr. Blaisdell and Mr. Rivers rose to return to the
+office, and the others followed their example, with the exception of
+Mr. Winters, who said:
+
+"If you boys are in a hurry to start, all right, go ahead; I'm going
+to take my after-dinner smoke out here on the porch," at the same time
+producing a fine meerschaum.
+
+"Now, father, don't you get left behind," said his son jokingly.
+
+"Get left, you young rattle-brains! I'll have my smoke out and be down
+there at the office, before you are ready to start; your old father
+generally 'gets there' in as good time as you can make."
+
+"I'll tell you what we will do, Mr. Winters," said Mr. Blaisdell, "the
+road to the mine branches off just below here, and we can just as well
+drive around here and call for you."
+
+"All right, Mr. Blaisdell, that will be perfectly satisfactory,
+whatever suits you young fellows, suits me."
+
+"Very well, then, Mr. Winters," said Mr. Blaisdell, "we 'young
+fellows' will be along in the course of half an hour," and they went
+down the canyon, leaving the old gentleman in the low porch, deep in
+the enjoyment of his pipe.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+
+As the quondam class-mates disappeared together down the winding road,
+Houston gave his friend, as succinctly as possible, an explanation of
+his presence there in the capacity of clerk, briefly outlining his
+plans, and stating what he had been able so far to accomplish.
+
+Van Dorn was intensely interested, and through his own practical
+knowledge and experience, was able to give Houston some valuable
+information, and to make some important suggestions.
+
+Houston was quick to see that here was just the help he would need a
+little later; he also knew that opportunities for seeing his friend
+would be limited, he must act promptly.
+
+"Arthur," he asked rather abruptly, "how soon do you go east?"
+
+"In about two weeks."
+
+"Any special engagements for this summer?"
+
+"Nothing particularly important at present."
+
+"You remember my uncle, don't you?"
+
+"I remember Mr. Cameron perfectly, though I have not seen him for a
+number of years."
+
+"I suppose, for a sufficient consideration, you would come out here on
+business for us, at any time?"
+
+"Like Lindlay, 'just to accommodate,' I suppose," laughed Van Dorn,
+and continued, "Everard, old boy, I am at the service of yourself and
+your uncle, and we'll say nothing about 'considerations' until
+afterward; then arrange it between yourselves."
+
+"We will not require your time and services without ample compensation,"
+returned Houston, "but you will be just the man I will need later; an
+expert, familiar with this locality, in whom my uncle will repose perfect
+confidence, and whom the company here will not suspect."
+
+"But Mr. Cameron may not place much confidence in the harum-scarum
+sophomore that visited his home a few years since, if he remembers him
+at all," said Van Dorn, with a little laugh.
+
+"My word will be enough for that," said Houston, "I will write a
+letter this afternoon for you to take to him. There are the gentlemen
+now, coming down the road; I will see you again this evening, and
+probably to-morrow. I wonder what has become of Mr. Winters?"
+
+"Probably he is taking his afternoon smoke," said Van Dorn. "I think
+the old gentleman would throw up the whole mining deal rather than
+sacrifice that. After what you've told me of this mining concern out
+here, I've considerable curiosity to see this famous mine they've been
+writing about. I've got an idea just about how it will pan out, but
+I'll say nothing till I've seen it."
+
+"Let me know your impressions, later," said Houston.
+
+"Agreed," answered Van Dorn, and the party outside having nearly
+reached the door, the subject was dropped.
+
+Meanwhile, Mr. Winters, seated in the rustic porch, his attention
+divided between the picturesque scenery surrounding him, and the
+spirals of blue smoke which he loved to watch, was in no hurry to
+exchange his present enjoyment for subterranean explorations; the rest
+and solitude seemed doubly welcome after the last few weeks of
+travel.
+
+Rutherford, who lingered a few moments after the others had gone, did
+not find him very socially inclined, and picking up his magazine from
+the floor, where it had reposed since Van Dorn's appearance, he
+started up the canyon for a stroll among the rocks by the lake.
+
+It is to be feared that Mr. Winters, under the combined influence of
+his pipe and the warm sunshine, was very nearly asleep. It is certain
+that he never heard the sound of soft, trailing garments beside him,
+nor did he appear to be in full possession of all his faculties, until
+two arms rested lightly on his shoulders, and a pair of small, white
+hands were clasped across his eyes.
+
+Such a proceeding, under such circumstances, naturally had the effect
+of very quickly restoring his faculties to their normal condition, but
+on trying to turn his head, he found it held as firmly as in a vise,
+by the hands which had been quickly removed from his eyes, while a
+mischievous voice announced imperiously:
+
+"Guess who it is, and you are free!"
+
+"Guess!" exclaimed the old gentleman in some perplexity, "why, if I
+were at home, I would know this was one of my little girl's tricks,
+but I cannot imagine who it is here."
+
+There was a musical, rippling laugh, as the hands were withdrawn,
+and Mr. Winters, turning quickly, came near losing his pipe in
+astonishment.
+
+"Bless my soul, Leslie! what does this mean? Well, well! so it was my
+little girl after all, up to her old tricks; but, child, how came you
+out here, in such a place as this?"
+
+At that moment, Houston or Rutherford would scarcely have recognized
+Miss Gladden, could they have seen her seated beside Mr. Winters with
+all the careless abandon of a child, laughing merrily in answer to his
+numerous questions, while he playfully pinched her cheek, or pulled
+her ear. To Mr. Winters, however, she seemed like one of his own
+children, for Leslie Gladden was an orphan, and Mr. and Mrs. Winters,
+having been deeply attached to her parents, and having no daughter of
+their own, had always regarded her as a daughter, and much of her life
+had been passed in their home.
+
+"Well, puss," said Mr. Winters, having answered her inquiries
+regarding his family, "seems to me it's about time you gave an account
+of yourself; what are you doing here? and what have you been doing
+since last Easter? and where are Helen and her husband?"
+
+"One question at a time, if you please, sir," said Miss Gladden.
+
+"That's right, giving the old man orders, as usual; we always spoiled
+you, Leslie. Well, in the first place, what possessed you to leave us
+in the way you did? We understood you had gone to spend Easter with
+Helen; and the next we heard, Helen wrote her sister that they were
+going to spend the summer traveling in the west, and that you were to
+accompany them."
+
+"I will explain that a little later; what is the next in order?"
+
+"Is Helen here with you?"
+
+"No, sir, she and George are in Denver."
+
+"And who is stopping here with you?"
+
+"No one; do you think I need a guardian, or a chaperon?"
+
+The old man's eyes twinkled; "You always were an independent sort of a
+girl, and pretty level-headed, too, I must admit; but, my dear child,
+is it safe for you to be out here alone among the miners, and this
+rough class of people?"
+
+Miss Gladden laughed; "Did you see any very rough people to-day at
+dinner?"
+
+"Why no, to be sure, I did not, but then, there must be many of them
+out here in this neighborhood."
+
+"I never see them," said Miss Gladden, "I associate only with the
+people you met to-day; no one here knows that I have wealth; so
+really, I am safer here than at home, where I am known."
+
+"But there is no society here," protested the old gentleman.
+
+"I came here to get away from society; there is plenty of refined and
+pleasant companionship, and if I have friends here, I know they are
+sincere friends, not money worshipers, or fortune hunters."
+
+"Oh, I see," said Mr. Winters, "the princess is out here in disguise,
+seeking some knight who will love her for herself alone, and not for
+her fortune."
+
+"No," said Miss Gladden gravely, "I have not come out here seeking for
+any knight, but to escape from a base, dishonorable and cowardly
+knave."
+
+"Has your cousin Humphrey been annoying you again?"
+
+"Yes, he and his mother made life a burden to me, that was my reason
+for leaving home as I did. Humphrey has sunk nearly every dollar of
+their property by his profligacy, and now, he and his mother are
+determined to have my fortune. Aunt exhausted all her stock of
+melodramatic and sentimental language and her tears in trying to get
+me to fulfill what she called my father's 'dying wish,' by marrying
+that debauchee and libertine; then she tried threats, and finally
+became so wild with rage, that she reminded me of the will, and told
+me I should never marry any one else; that Humphrey should have the
+property, as my father intended, sooner or later, if not with me, then
+without me. I knew Helen intended to come west, and I went to her and
+asked to let me travel with them. Now, you know my reason for leaving
+so suddenly, and for not writing. We have all enjoyed our trip very
+much; you know George came out on business, and when he was occupied,
+of course it was pleasanter for Helen that I was with her. While we
+were at St. Paul, George met some mining men, and he immediately began
+to have symptoms of mining fever, and hearing of the mines out here,
+he brought us out, among the mountains and miners. We came out when
+the weather was warm and delightful, and Helen and I roamed over the
+mountains while George explored the mines. Then he decided to go to
+Denver, and I would probably have accompanied them, though I had
+become attached to this place, but just then I heard that my cousin
+had traced me to St. Paul, and was in pursuit, to renew his attentions
+to me, so I decided to remain here where he will be less likely to
+find me. Helen and her husband are in Denver, sworn to secrecy
+regarding my whereabouts."
+
+"Well, well!" exclaimed the old gentleman, meditatively, "I wouldn't
+have thought your aunt would so far have forgotten herself. It was
+unfortunate that your father made such a will, leaving everything to
+Humphrey in case of your dying unmarried, but that was when you were
+both children, and he was very fond of the little fellow. Leslie, my
+dear, I wish you were married."
+
+"But I am not, and perhaps never likely to be," Miss Gladden answered
+merrily.
+
+"Yes, and you might have been married twenty times over," said Mr.
+Winters, shaking his head, "and my own boy, Harry, among the lot."
+
+"Once is enough for me, papa dear," said Miss Gladden lightly, yet in
+a more tender tone, "when the right one comes; but it could never have
+been Harry, any more than his brother, Richard; you and mamma were
+like parents to me, and the boys both seem like brothers."
+
+"Have you found the right one, yet?" asked the old gentleman, watching
+her keenly.
+
+"As I told you, I am not looking for a knight," she answered brightly,
+but the color deepened on her cheek, "if he ever comes, he must find
+me."
+
+Mr. Winters noted the telltale flush, and slowly shaking his head,
+remarked, "I don't know, Leslie, about the advisability of leaving you
+here; you were always inclined to be very philanthropic, and it would
+be like you to adopt some young man out here, thinking you had money
+enough for yourself and him, too; that clerk down at the office, for
+instance, or this kid that was prancing around in eye-glasses."
+
+"The 'kid' as you call him," Miss Gladden answered demurely, "has
+plenty of money of his own, and Mr. Houston seems abundantly able to
+take care of himself; if I adopt any one, it will be that beautiful
+girl who waited on you at dinner."
+
+"What is that, my dear?" said the old gentleman, brightening, "I
+noticed that girl at the table to-day; she is remarkably fine looking,
+and seemed to conduct herself like a perfect lady; who is she?"
+
+Miss Gladden, in her enthusiastic manner, began telling him of Lyle,
+and of the interest she had taken in her, but before she had proceeded
+very far, the team appeared at the junction of the roads, the men
+calling Mr. Winters.
+
+"Bless my stars, if there isn't the team!" he exclaimed, "well my
+little girl, good-bye for the present, you will see us both this
+evening," and having given Miss Gladden a promise that neither he nor
+his son would betray her secret, he hastened down the road to the
+waiting team.
+
+"Well, boys," he said, stopping to carefully empty the ashes from his
+pipe on a projecting ledge of rock, "I will have to give you credit
+for being on hand very promptly; that was about the shortest half hour
+that I can remember."
+
+A loud, ringing laugh greeted this remark, which caused Mr. Winters,
+who was replacing his pipe in its case, to look up in mild wonder.
+
+"That's one on you, father," called his son, while Mr. Blaisdell
+remarked, "The time evidently has passed very pleasantly."
+
+"What is the origin of all this mirth?" demanded Mr. Winters, as he
+seated himself with considerable dignity.
+
+"It seems," said Mr. Rivers, in explanation, "to be because you were
+so unconscious of the lapse of time; we were delayed in getting
+together our papers, and it is over an hour since we left the house."
+
+"I looked for you at every turn of the road," said his son.
+
+"I didn't," said Van Dorn, "I thought he had fallen asleep over his
+pipe; I never dreamed he was disgracing the whole crowd of us by such
+open flirtation as that,--I wish we had brought along a chaperon."
+
+"Well, gentlemen," said Mr. Winters very deliberately, "all I have to
+say is, that had you been in my place, the time would have seemed
+equally short to you, and I don't think there's one of you but would
+have been mighty glad to have been in my place."
+
+"Mr. Winters," said Mr. Blaisdell, "I begin to think you're the
+youngest man of our party."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+
+With many jokes and much hilarity, the mining party proceeded on their
+way. Arriving at the mines, they found Morgan and Haight awaiting
+them, who were duly introduced to the party, the English expert
+looking at Haight with much the same expression with which a mastiff
+might regard a rat terrier.
+
+Everything being in readiness, they began the descent of the long
+incline shaft, Mr. Blaisdell and Haight leading the way with Mr.
+Lindlay, while Mr. Rivers followed with Mr. Winters and his son and
+Van Dorn, Morgan bringing up the rear.
+
+It was nearly three hours before they reappeared at the surface, and
+to a physiognomist, their faces, as they emerged from the mouth of the
+shaft, would have furnished an amusing study.
+
+Mr. Blaisdell looked irritated and annoyed, but jubilant. He had been
+thoroughly disgusted by the conduct of the English expert. Instead
+of taking Mr. Blaisdell's word regarding the mine, corroborated as
+it was by undisputable evidence in the shape of mining reports,
+surveyor's notes, and maps, he had insisted on ascertaining for
+himself the important data, the width, dip and course of the vein,
+and the measurement of various angles and distances, with a
+persistency and accuracy that was simply exasperating. He also picked
+up samples of ore in the most unexpected places which he examined
+with the closest scrutiny. But having taken his measurements and made
+his examinations, the results were immediately jotted down in his
+note book, and the samples dropped in his pockets, without a word,
+which convinced Mr. Blaisdell that the expert knew very little of his
+business, and was probably either doing this to keep up appearances,
+or to gain a little information for his own benefit. Not a word had
+been said contradicting the statements he had made, not a question
+raised implying any doubt of their correctness;--evidently they were
+just the kind of purchasers he wanted, and his firmly set jaws and
+tightly compressed lips expressed his satisfaction.
+
+Mr. Rivers scanned the company keenly with his ferret-like glances;
+such unexpected acquiescence on their part made him slightly
+suspicious and very watchful. The thought uppermost in his mind was,
+"Either these people know absolutely nothing about mining, or they
+know too much for our good." He had intended going back to the city
+that evening, but he now decided to remain over.
+
+Mr. Winters, senior, reappeared, wearing the same expression of
+benevolence and dignity with which he had entered the mine. He seemed
+serenely unconscious of the existence of deceit or fraud in business
+transactions generally, and in mining negotiations in particular. Only
+those well acquainted with him could detect from the exaggerated
+twinkle of his eyes, that something had more than ordinarily amused
+him.
+
+Van Dorn and Lindlay had agreed before hand that they would keep
+entirely separate, and each pursue his own course of investigation
+independently of the other,--Van Dorn of course not being able to take
+any measurements, as he was not supposed to be an expert,--and compare
+notes later. As the two emerged into daylight and their eyes met, Van
+Dorn's laughing, blushing face would have betrayed him, had any one
+known his real business there, but a young inventor, exploring mines
+just for the fun of the thing, is supposed to find plenty of
+amusement. Under the big, blond mustache of the Englishman, a pair of
+lips curled scornfully, and his eyes rolled wildly for a moment, but
+that was all.
+
+As the gentlemen gathered around the dump, the last vestige of Mr.
+Blaisdell's irritation seemed to have disappeared, as he blandly
+expatiated upon the quantity and quality of the ore.
+
+Van Dorn's eyes sparkled as he saw the shining lumps from the Yankee
+Boy, and he and Lindlay exchanged quick glances.
+
+"Look at that," said the latter, quickly extracting from his pocket a
+sample of the Sunrise ore and placing it beside a piece taken at
+random from the dump; "does any one pretend to tell me that those are
+from the same vein?"
+
+"It is a different class of ore altogether," replied Van Dorn, "such
+ore as that never would be found under the conditions existing in that
+mine, but I'll be blest if I wouldn't like to see the mine it did come
+from."
+
+Mr. Rivers had observed this little side conversation and Van Dorn's
+close scrutiny of the samples, and was at his side in a moment,
+inquiring in his smoothest tones:
+
+"What do you think of that ore, Mr. Van Dorn?"
+
+"Very fine ore, so far as I can judge," said Van Dorn carelessly, "I
+would like to see it run through that concentrator and amalgamator of
+mine; if these men ever get through talking about mines, Mr. Rivers, I
+must get you and Mr. Blaisdell interested in my machinery."
+
+At the suggestion of Mr. Lindlay, the party next paid a visit to the
+Morning Star mine, that being the one which Mr. Blaisdell had declared
+was on the same lead as the Sunrise. This they found to be a valuable
+mine, but there was not the slightest indication of the vein being
+identical with that of the Sunrise, its strike carrying it in a
+totally different direction, and its characteristics being wholly
+dissimilar.
+
+As it was too late for any further mining explorations, the team was
+ordered, and preparations made for a return to the house.
+
+Lindlay and Van Dorn, by mutual agreement, started up the canyon road
+together, in advance of the others.
+
+"Boys, where are you going?" called Mr. Winters.
+
+"Going to walk on ahead," answered Van Dorn.
+
+"Just as cheap to ride," said Mr. Winters.
+
+"Plenty of room," added Mr. Blaisdell.
+
+"We can't wait for you, you're too slow," laughed Van Dorn.
+
+"Give our places to those gentlemen," said Lindlay, indicating
+Haight and Morgan, and with rather a painful emphasis on the word
+"gentlemen."
+
+"Egad!" he exclaimed a few moments later, "Van Dorn, what do you think
+of that for a mining proposition?"
+
+"It's pretty tough, in fact, about the toughest I ever saw," replied
+Van Dorn, "but then, you remember we got a hint at Silver City that
+they were sharpers."
+
+"Sharpers!" exclaimed Lindlay, "but I don't call them sharpers; I can
+admire a good, genuine piece of keen rascality, don't you know, for I
+can play just as sharp a game myself as the best of them, but w'en it
+comes to such downright, beastly work as this, so blundering and
+bungling you know, w'y it looks too much as though they thought we
+were all born idiots, to be very complimentary."
+
+"I'll admit it looks that way," said Van Dorn, laughing, "it doesn't
+look as though they had a very flattering opinion of our acquirements,
+or our natural penetration, if they suppose we can be gulled in this
+way. They are about the worst set of mining sharks I've ever had the
+pleasure of meeting, and I shall tell Houston so."
+
+"By the way, that Mr. 'Uston seems a very decent sort of a man,"
+commented Lindlay.
+
+"He's a fine fellow," responded Van Dorn warmly, "you see I know him,
+he's a friend of mine, but don't say anything till we get out of
+here."
+
+"A friend of yours! and w'at in the deuce is he doing out 'ere, among
+such a beastly lot?"
+
+"He is out on a piece of detective work on his own account," and Van
+Dorn briefly gave Lindlay an outline of what Houston had told him. A
+prolonged "Ah--h" from Lindlay was the only response.
+
+"I thought I'd better tell you," said Van Dorn, "for fear you would
+include him in the lot out here, and be down on him with the rest. He
+is a splendid fellow, and I want you to know him."
+
+"That I will," responded the Englishman, "'ere, give 'im my card, and
+tell 'im I'll be very glad to 'elp 'im out a bit any time if he needs
+it later, you know; I would like to see 'im get the best of these
+fellows."
+
+"I will tell him," replied Van Dorn, "he may give you a letter of
+introduction to his uncle. They are all fine people, and, as you say,
+I would like to see Houston get the best of these rascals; I believe
+he will, too, though he will have to lay low for a while yet, and
+there may be some pretty dangerous work for him before he gets
+through."
+
+The pedestrians and the remainder of the party reached the house at
+nearly the same time, the latter having been slightly delayed in
+starting. Although a little late, Houston and Rutherford, with Miss
+Gladden and Lyle, were awaiting them in the porch. The rare beauty of
+the two ladies elicited expressions of admiration from both Lindlay
+and Van Dorn, the latter exclaiming:
+
+"They evidently have some fine specimens of ladies out here, and no
+mistake; there seems to be no fraud in that direction. No wonder the
+old gentleman was so indifferent as to whether we called for him or
+not!"
+
+Miss Gladden extended a welcome, both cordial and graceful, to Mr.
+Winters and his son, and also to Van Dorn, whom Rutherford introduced
+as an old friend. Other introductions followed, and the entire company
+entered the long, low dining room, whither Lyle had already preceded
+them to see that everything was in perfect readiness. Exclamations of
+surprise and pleasure were heard on all sides, as the table had been
+tastefully decorated by the skillful fingers of the ladies, with wild
+flowers, and their beauty and fragrance filled the room. A very social
+meal followed, interspersed with jokes and repartee, and pleasant
+reminiscences. Toward the close, Mr. Blaisdell entertained them with
+amusing sketches of western life, and soon was relating some of his
+first mining experiences, when he had just come from the east, a newly
+fledged mining expert.
+
+"I was asked, in company with another expert, a western man, much
+older than I, to examine some properties for some mining men. They
+were all experienced miners, old hands at the business, and they
+regarded me, a young graduate from an eastern mining school, with no
+practical knowledge that they knew of, as totally incompetent to
+advise them, and, I think, invited me more out of courtesy than
+anything else; perhaps also, out of benevolent intention to give me an
+opportunity to learn something about mines.
+
+"The evening previous to the day the examination was to be made, they
+met for a little conversation regarding the history of the mine, and
+to make plans for the following day. Of course, our talk was
+principally of mining in general. Well, didn't I play 'green' that
+evening. You can bet your sweet life that I did!"
+
+Here Lindlay elbowed Houston, who in turn nudged Van Dorn. The last
+named gentleman telegraphed across to the younger Winters and
+Rutherford, and there seemed imminent danger of a general explosion;
+however, Mr. Blaisdell thought it was all in appreciation of his
+story, and blandly continued:
+
+"I think when we broke up that night, the rest of them must have
+wondered among themselves why they had been such fools as to invite
+me. But I was only anxious for the time to come to go down into that
+mine. It was a property which the company had bought when it was
+nothing but a prospect, but which had then possessed every indication
+of being a wonderful producer of very rich ore, and it was supposed
+that with a little further development it would make a very fine
+property. The company had immediately proceeded to develop the mine,
+following the vein, as they supposed, for several hundred feet, but it
+did not amount to anything worth speaking of. Occasionally they would
+find croppings of very rich ore, but no true vein, and they had
+finally determined to call in one or two experts, and after an
+examination, decide whether it was worth the expenditure of any more
+money, or whether it had better be abandoned.
+
+"Well, aside from having received a fine education in this branch
+of science, I had worked a good deal in some of old Nature's
+laboratories, and was more familiar with these things than they
+thought. I knew, from their talk, that they were not following the
+course of the vein, though they thought they were, but of course, I
+said nothing of that kind; I was playing green.
+
+"The next day we went down into the mine, and I found just what I
+expected to find; that they were simply following a false lead, and in
+reality, going farther and farther from the vein every move they made.
+There was the original vein to start with, and they had struck a false
+lead close beside it, and were going down; digging down lower and
+lower, while the true vein was right over their heads, and those
+miners and that confounded expert that knew so much more than I did,
+didn't any of them know enough just to look up there and see it. Why,
+near the point where they had first started, I could see the ore
+shining in places over my head, and there were croppings of it all
+along.
+
+"Well, to make a long story short, I advised them to stick to the
+mine, and the expert advised them to abandon it. A little while
+afterward, I asked them what they would take for the mine; of course
+they thought that an additional proof of my greenness that I should
+talk of buying it, but I hung on, not appearing very anxious about it
+of course, for then they might suspect something. You won't believe
+me, but I bought that mine for five hundred dollars, cash, and they
+thought I was the biggest fool and tenderfoot that ever came out here.
+I tell you, I made sure of a good, clear title to that property, and
+then I went to work. I followed the old, original vein, and in less
+than six weeks I had gold just a pouring out of that mine. My! but
+didn't that company try to get back then! but I wouldn't have anything
+to do with them; I told them I was a greenhorn and a tenderfoot, and
+they had better let me alone. Well, sir, I worked that mine eighteen
+months, and cleared, over and above all expenses, one hundred and
+fifty thousand dollars, and then I sold it for half a million, and
+those other fellows have been kicking themselves ever since."
+
+There was a hearty laugh at the termination of the story, and the
+company adjourned to the porch and the open space surrounding the
+house, for the evening.
+
+Taken all in all, there was in that little company sheltered under the
+old house that night, a strange combination of plots and counter
+plots, secrets and mysteries; and to Houston himself, as he sat a
+little apart from the others, watching the group with thoughtful eyes,
+it seemed a curious coincidence, that, on that evening, and at that
+place, there should be assembled so many of the principal actors in
+the drama which he knew must ere long be enacted, and he was unable to
+shake off a vague presentiment that this was the opening scene. Just
+what would that drama be, he wondered, would it be comedy or tragedy?
+never, with all his foresight, dreaming the depth of tragedy so soon
+to follow, or recognizing as such, some of the chief actors, even then
+passing within his ken.
+
+On one side of the low porch was seated Miss Gladden, entertaining Mr.
+Winters and his son, while behind her, Lyle was standing with
+unconscious grace, and a far-away, dreamy look in her eyes. Just
+across the entrance, on the other side, were Lindlay, Van Dorn and
+Rutherford, the last two engaged in animated conversation regarding
+old times, Lindlay occasionally joining with them, but most of the
+time watching Miss Gladden, with much admiration expressed in his
+usually critical face. Mr. Rivers sauntered back and forth before the
+house, smoking, while, at a little distance, Mr. Blaisdell, Haight and
+Morgan were talking together. Jim Maverick, coming from behind the
+house, touched his hat as a salute to Mr. Blaisdell, and after a quick
+glance of suspicious distrust at the elder Mr. Winters, shuffled off
+in the direction of the miners' quarters. A little later, a man with
+powerful, athletic frame, who walked with quick, elastic step, and yet
+as though conscious of his power, passed the house, followed by a fine
+collie. His hat was drawn low over his eyes, partly concealing his
+face, but this did not prevent his watching the group on the porch
+with close, keen scrutiny. Houston and Rutherford started slightly,
+and exchanged glances, for they had recognized their fellow passenger
+from Valley City, and they would doubtless have made some comment, but
+that just then Miss Gladden spoke:
+
+"Lyle, dear, I wonder who that can be; he is dressed like a miner, but
+his carriage and appearance is that of a gentleman."
+
+"That," answered Lyle, in a low tone, "is Jack; he is a miner, and he
+is also a gentleman."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+
+Several days had elapsed since the eastern party, accompanied by Mr.
+Blaisdell and Mr. Rivers, had returned to the city, and, as yet,
+nothing had been learned of their decision regarding the mine. The
+extra force of men on the Sunrise had returned to their regular
+shifts, and the work at the mining camp was going forward in the old
+routine, with the monotonous precision of clock-work.
+
+Houston was quietly pursuing his own way, conscious that the task
+before him involved difficulty and danger. He was aware that Haight,
+notwithstanding his obsequious politeness, was one of his worst
+enemies, and would injure him in every underhanded way within his
+power, as, beneath the smooth, smiling exterior, Houston could detect
+a deep, subtle malignity toward himself; and he rightly judged that
+Jim Maverick, the tool of the mining company, would be the instrument
+Haight would use when he was ready to work his revenge.
+
+Maverick, from the first, had hated Houston with that instinctive
+hatred which such vile natures, groveling in their own degradation,
+always feel toward those moving on a higher plane, in an atmosphere
+untainted by the putrescence which is their natural element. Maverick
+knew that, to a man like Houston, his own baseness and villainy were
+written in his face, and even in his slouching, cringing gait, as
+plainly as though branded in letters of fire, and this was sufficient
+to kindle his anger against him, and Haight, by his talk, added fuel
+to the slowly smoldering fire. At home, but more particularly among
+the miners, in the camp or at the Y, Maverick expressed his views
+regarding Houston in language abounding with profanity and obscenity,
+and many were the muttered threats of what he would do should the
+object of his hatred ever cross his path.
+
+Houston, meanwhile, was quick to discern the danger signals, and was
+laying his plans wisely and well. His own work in the office of the
+mining camp was nearly completed; there remained yet the information
+to be gathered from the Silver City office, to which he was now
+expecting to be called any day, and then the work of familiarizing
+himself with the mines. When this should be accomplished, the end, for
+which he was working and waiting, would be very near.
+
+As he sat in the office one afternoon, reviewing the past few weeks,
+he felt that he had succeeded thus far, even beyond his hopes. The
+coming of Van Dorn and the acquaintance formed with Lindlay would be
+of untold value to him in his work. A little later, Van Dorn would
+come to his assistance without arousing suspicion, not being known as
+a mining expert, and when the time came for the final denouement,
+Lindlay would accompany Mr. Cameron to the mines, as he was a skilled
+expert, and having already visited the mines, could furnish testimony
+as to the fraud practiced by the company.
+
+Thus far, everything had gone well, and the weeks of work in a
+secluded mining camp, to which he had looked forward with anything but
+pleasurable anticipations, had in reality proven,--he was surprised to
+admit to himself,--among the pleasantest of his life. He would really
+have many regrets on leaving the mountains to return to his old home,
+he had formed such pleasant associations; and then, he suddenly became
+conscious that, of his life among the mountains, there was little he
+would miss, excepting a pair of dark, soulful eyes, in whose depths he
+had failed to detect the least shadow of falseness or unworthiness;
+mirrors of a sweet, womanly nature, strong, pure and beautiful, which
+with a quick, ready sympathy entered into his feelings, and often
+seemed to fathom his unspoken thoughts, and clothe them with language
+of her own.
+
+Houston started in astonishment, and, locking the office, took a
+circuitous and little traveled road, determined to fully understand
+his own heart before he again looked into those eyes with their depths
+of sincerity and truth.
+
+For many years he had been the recipient of flattering attentions from
+fond papas and aspiring mammas. Invitations to club dinners, banquets
+and the most recherche lunches, on the one hand, were evenly balanced
+by cards to receptions, soirees and afternoon teas, on the other. Had
+he passed heart-whole through all these sieges, only to fall a victim,
+here and now?
+
+He had admired Miss Gladden from the first; then, in their mutual
+sympathy for Lyle, they had been drawn closer together, and since that
+time,--yes, he could see it all now.
+
+Of Miss Gladden herself he knew very little, except that she was a
+true, noble woman; he needed no words to tell him that. Rutherford had
+learned from conversation with her, that she was an orphan, and had
+been traveling with friends because her home was made unpleasant by
+some of her relatives; and both had judged that she was probably, in
+a measure, dependent upon wealthy relatives.
+
+This much Houston did know, however, that he loved Leslie Gladden,
+that she was worthy of his love, and that life without her would not
+seem worth the living. He believed that she loved him, and his heart
+thrilled with the thought, that if so, it was for himself, not his
+wealth, that she cared. Before he reached the house, his mind was
+fully decided:
+
+"I love her for herself," he soliloquized, "not caring whether she is
+rich or poor, and I believe she does, or will, love me in like manner.
+In any event, I must learn my fate before the arrival of my uncle."
+
+As Houston approached the house, Miss Gladden and Lyle were standing
+together in the porch. He greeted both ladies with even more than his
+usual courtesy, but as his eyes met those of Miss Gladden, there was
+that in his glance, which in itself, was a declaration of his love for
+her. Lyle, with her quick intuition, read the meaning, and with her
+natural sense of delicacy, as quickly withdrew, leaving them together.
+For an instant, Miss Gladden's eyes dropped before Houston's glance,
+while a lovely color suffused her cheek; then she raised her eyes,
+meeting his with an answering glance, and in that mutual recognition,
+though no word was spoken, they knew that they were lovers, and that
+was enough for the present.
+
+Of late, the four friends had spent much time together; sometimes
+climbing the mountains, to watch from their lofty summits the setting
+sun, slowly descending amid clouds of flame, whose glowing colors were
+reflected from the surrounding peaks in ever varying tints; the rose
+changing to amethyst and violet, and the violet deepening to purple;
+while far below, the canyon lay wrapped in soft, gray twilight. Or,
+sometimes, taking one or two boats from the little boat-house built
+for the accommodation of summer tourists, they rowed about the lake in
+the moonlight.
+
+On this particular night, Rutherford proposed a row, in one of the
+larger boats, the entire length of the lake, to the cascades, to which
+the rest readily acceded. The ladies soon appeared in light, fleecy
+wraps, Miss Gladden carrying a fine guitar, which called forth
+exclamations of pleasure from the gentlemen.
+
+"Good!" said Rutherford, "that will be just the thing; now we will
+have some music."
+
+"Miss Gladden," said Houston, "why have we not been favored in this
+way earlier?"
+
+"Oh," she replied, archly, "it has never been a necessity until
+to-night, but a long row in the moonlight would not be perfect without
+music."
+
+This was their first trip to the end of the lakes, and they found
+the scene beautiful beyond description. On one side an almost
+perpendicular wall of rock; in the opposite direction, the mountain
+ranges stretching far away in the distance, with snowy peaks gleaming
+here and there, like watch towers; while just before them, the
+shimmering cascades in the wondrous beauty of the moonlight, the deep,
+unceasing roar seeming to rise and fall with a rhythm of its own.
+
+For the first few moments, they sat in silent admiration of the beauty
+around them; then Miss Gladden touched the strings of the guitar, and
+began singing in a rich contralto, in which Houston joined with a fine
+baritone, while Rutherford added a clear, sweet tenor. Their voices
+blended perfectly, and accompanied by the sweet notes of the guitar,
+the music floated out over the lake, the lingering echoes dying away,
+in the distance.
+
+Lyle took no part in the song, but sat listening with parted lips and
+dreamy eyes. When the song was finished, she exclaimed:
+
+"Oh, please do not stop, I love to listen to you; it reminds me of
+something I have heard long ago, I don't know when or where."
+
+"Do you never sing, Miss Maverick?" asked Rutherford.
+
+"Only sometimes for myself," she said, "I know only two or three songs
+that I have heard others sing."
+
+"But you have a sweet voice," said Houston, "will you not sing for
+us?"
+
+"If you will overlook any mistakes, I may," answered Lyle, "for I
+probably do not sing correctly, as I know nothing of music."
+
+"Certainly, Lyle, we would like to hear you," said Miss Gladden.
+
+As simply, and as free from self-consciousness as a child, Lyle began
+her song, her eyes fixed on the distant shining peaks, and her only
+accompaniment the music of the cascades.
+
+               "Love is come with a song and a smile,
+                Welcome love with a smile and a song;
+                Love can stay but a little while:
+                   Why can not he stay?
+                   They call him away;
+                Ye do him wrong, ye do him wrong,
+                Love will stay for a whole life long."
+
+Whether Lyle sang correctly that night was never known; even the
+beautiful words of the old song that seemed so appropriate to the
+occasion, were forgotten before she had sung more than two or three
+lines, and her listeners sat entranced, spell-bound, by the voice of
+the singer; a voice of such exquisite sweetness and clearness, and yet
+possessing such power and depth of expression, that it thrilled the
+hearts of her listeners, seeming to lift them out of all consciousness
+of their surroundings, and to transport them to another world; a
+world
+
+            "Where the singers, whose names are deathless,
+            One with another make music, unheard of men."
+
+As the last note died away, a long, deep sigh from Houston seemed to
+break the spell, and Miss Gladden looking up, her eyes shining with
+unshed tears, said, as she pressed Lyle's hand:
+
+"My dear, we have found our song-queen, our nightingale. We can all
+learn of you, and never equal you."
+
+Houston had been strangely moved, and as he spoke, there was a slight
+tremor in his voice.
+
+"I have heard, in all my life, but one voice like that, and that was
+one who died when I was a child."
+
+Lyle looked surprised.
+
+"Has no one ever told you you could sing?" asked Miss Gladden.
+
+"I never sang for any one, excepting once, for Jack," answered Lyle.
+
+"What did he say of your voice?" inquired Miss Gladden.
+
+"He said, like Mr. Houston, that he had heard but one voice like mine,
+but that he did not like to hear me, so I have never sung since,
+excepting by myself."
+
+"Lyle," said Miss Gladden suddenly, "how old is this man whom you call
+Jack?"
+
+"Possibly forty, perhaps a little less," she answered indifferently.
+
+A new thought had flashed into Miss Gladden's mind. For some time she
+had doubted whether Lyle were really a child of Maverick and his wife,
+she was so utterly unlike them; could it be possible that Jack, whose
+life seemed so much a mystery, was the father of Lyle? Was that the
+reason for his interest in her? and had Lyle had some beautiful
+mother,--unfortunate perhaps,--whose life had suddenly gone out, as
+the little life had just begun, and whose memory was recalled too
+vividly by Lyle's song? Miss Gladden determined, if possible, to find
+a clue to this mystery.
+
+The boat was now on its homeward way, and a song with which all were
+familiar having been found, the four voices blended in exquisite
+harmony.
+
+"It seems to me there are some rare treats in store for us," was
+Rutherford's comment, as the friends separated for the night; then, a
+few moments later, when alone with Houston, he exclaimed:
+
+"By Jove, Houston! but what a voice that girl has! I never heard
+anything like it in my life. I didn't say much before Miss Gladden,
+for fear she might think I didn't appreciate her singing, and I
+certainly did, for she sings magnificently."
+
+"You need have no fear of any sensitiveness on Miss Gladden's part,"
+said Houston quickly, "in the first place, their voices are altogether
+different, there is no comparison between them; and in addition, Miss
+Gladden's regard for Lyle is so disinterested and unselfish, there
+would be no room for any feeling of that kind. We must all acknowledge
+that Lyle certainly has a wonderful voice; as I said before, I have
+heard but one like it."
+
+"Great Heavens!" said Rutherford, with more feeling than Houston had
+ever seen him manifest, "I'm sorry for that girl, Houston."
+
+"Why?" asked Houston quietly.
+
+"Why, only to think of her beauty and intellect, and such a voice as
+that, and then think of her parents, and the life to which she is tied
+down here."
+
+"Granting the parents and present life," said Houston, "is that any
+argument that she will always be 'tied down here' as you say?"
+
+"I think it would always fetter her in a measure; it will leave its
+imprint upon her mind, or at least her memory, and although she is
+not in her proper sphere here, yet her life here, and all its
+associations, would be likely to make her feel out of place in a
+higher sphere,"
+
+"I think not," said Houston, watching Rutherford closely, "I think if
+she could be removed from here, and given a thorough education, there
+would remain no trace whatever of the early life."
+
+"But what about the question of heredity?" asked Rutherford,
+"there must be bad blood there, when and where would it make its
+appearance?"
+
+"That would be a serious question," replied Houston, "providing she is
+the child of these people; I have always had grave doubts of that, and
+Miss Gladden has often expressed the same."
+
+"By Jove! I never thought of that! It seems likely enough, too. What
+do you think, that she was stolen?"
+
+"No," said Houston slowly, "that does not seem so probable as that she
+may have been some child that they were hired to take."
+
+"In that case," said Rutherford, "I should think the uncertainty
+regarding her family and origin, would be almost as bad as the
+certainty in the other case."
+
+"It might seem so to some people," Houston replied, adding with a
+smile, "especially to a Bostonian, who prided himself upon his 'blue
+blood'."
+
+"Oh," said Rutherford, coloring, "I'm not pursuing this inquiry on my
+own account at all, I was only thinking of her prospects generally.
+I'm not interested in that direction."
+
+"In what direction are you interested, if I may ask?" said Houston,
+experiencing, for the first time, a little twinge of jealousy.
+
+"In the direction of the 'Hub,' my dear boy," Rutherford replied, with
+another blush.
+
+"Spoken like a true Bostonian!" said Houston approvingly.
+
+"Yes, sir," continued Rutherford, "there's a little girl belongs back
+there in Boston, that's more to me than all the ladies you can produce
+in this part of the country, or any other, no matter how beautiful
+they may be; and she's not bad looking either. Her parents took her to
+Europe for a little trip this spring, and Boston seemed so lonesome,
+that was the reason I came west."
+
+"Good for you, Ned, you have my best wishes," said Houston, shaking
+hands with his friend, "but really, you and Lyle had seemed so fond of
+each other's society lately, that I thought perhaps it was to be your
+destiny to rescue her from her unhappy fate."
+
+"Well, as to each other's society," said Rutherford, very slowly, "of
+late we have been restricted to that or none, for you and Miss Gladden
+have been growing so unconscious of us, that we've had to console with
+each other; but then, I understood how 'twas, for I've been there
+myself, you know, and I'm ready to offer congratulations and all that
+sort of thing, whenever they are in order."
+
+Houston appeared very unconscious of Rutherford's meaning, as he
+inquired, "How does Lyle herself regard your attentions? There must be
+no trifling with her, I have too much regard for her myself, for
+that."
+
+"Miss Maverick is not a girl to be trifled with," replied Rutherford,
+"I think a good deal of her, since I am better acquainted with her,
+and respect her and she knows it, but I think she realizes the sort of
+anomalous position that she occupies, and that is why I say I am sorry
+for her. She is far too brilliant for her surroundings, and yet not
+fitted for a much higher place."
+
+"Not at present," replied Houston, "but with her natural endowments
+and her innate delicacy and refinement, comparatively little training
+and culture would be necessary to fit her for almost any position in
+life."
+
+"I wonder what will be her fate."
+
+"Time will tell," replied Houston, who had his own plans.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+
+Houston had been called away to the office at Silver City, a telegram
+coming one afternoon for him to come down by the next train.
+Rutherford was at that time expecting to leave in a few days, to
+continue his pleasure trip to the coast, having already prolonged his
+stay among the mountains far beyond his first intentions; but at
+Houston's request, he agreed to remain over until the latter's return,
+which he expected would be in about ten days.
+
+A few days after Houston's departure, Lyle started out one afternoon
+for the little cabin, at an hour a little later than she went to
+pursue her studies, or for reading. She knew that at this time, Jack
+usually came off his shift, as he and Mike were expert miners, and
+always completed their task some time in advance of the others.
+
+She had not seen Jack since the visit of the party from the east,
+although she was at the cabin but a few evenings preceding that event,
+and had explained her long absence. Now she had special reasons for
+wishing to meet him, and she hastened on, hoping to find him alone.
+When she reached the cabin, Jack had just come from the mine, and
+Mike, fortunately, had gone down to the Y for needed supplies, and
+would not return for some hours.
+
+After talking a little while, Lyle skillfully brought the conversation
+around to Mr. Houston, and stated that he was in Silver City.
+
+"What is he doing there?" asked Jack, in a tone of surprise, "Is he
+going to remain there?"
+
+"No, he has gone over temporarily to assist the company in that
+office, as he said they needed extra help; he thought he would be back
+in about ten days."
+
+"He seems to make a very efficient clerk for the mining company," said
+Jack, with a peculiar emphasis which Lyle did not understand, but in
+which she detected a flavor of sarcasm.
+
+"He seems efficient in whatever he undertakes," she replied with a
+light laugh, "clerking, fighting or love-making, he is successful in
+all."
+
+"How has he succeeded in love-making?" asked Jack quickly.
+
+"Ask Miss Gladden," was Lyle's smiling rejoinder.
+
+"Is he really in love with her, do you think?"
+
+"Judging by indications, it is a case of genuine love on both sides,
+which, contrary to the old proverb, does run smoothly so far. I think
+they are engaged."
+
+"And you are left out in the cold?" asked Jack kindly, but watching
+her keenly.
+
+"You would not think so, if you could know how kind they are to me,"
+Lyle answered, "you and they are the only friends I have ever known."
+
+"How about Mr. Rutherford? Isn't he a friend of yours, too?"
+
+"Mr. Rutherford is a gentleman," she replied slowly, "he always treats
+me with respect, and we have very pleasant times together, but he
+never forgets that I belong to one station in life, and he to another.
+He is altogether unlike Mr. Houston and Miss Gladden; I wish you could
+know them, Jack, and that they could know you."
+
+"They probably have no desire to form my acquaintance, and I have no
+need to form theirs. It is rather late in the day for me to make
+friends now."
+
+"But Jack," said Lyle, in almost a pleading tone, "Miss Gladden wishes
+to meet you, and has repeatedly asked me to inquire if she might come
+and see you."
+
+"What is her motive for wishing to see me?"
+
+"I think because I have often spoken of you as my friend; then she
+said recently, that she would like, if possible, to take me east with
+her, and give me a musical education, and she would like to talk with
+you about it."
+
+"Has she or Mr. Houston heard you sing?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What did they say of your voice?"
+
+"Miss Gladden seems to think I have a wonderful voice, and Mr. Houston
+said he had heard but one like it in all his life."
+
+Jack had risen, and was looking out of the window, his back toward
+Lyle; after a few moments he spoke, in an unusually gentle tone.
+
+"You can say to Miss Gladden, that if she wishes to see me regarding
+you, she is welcome to come. Though I seldom receive callers, and have
+no wish to meet strangers, I am willing to meet a true friend of
+yours."
+
+"Then, under those conditions," said Lyle, with almost a tone of
+triumph in her voice, "you would meet Mr. Houston."
+
+"Why?" asked Jack, quickly, turning toward her.
+
+"Because he is my friend."
+
+Jack shook his head, and began pacing the room. "No," he said, as
+gently as ever, but very firmly, "I would rather not meet him."
+
+Lyle looked troubled. "Jack," she said earnestly, "you have always
+appeared rather peculiar regarding Mr. Houston; tell me candidly, are
+you his friend, or his enemy?"
+
+"Why!" he exclaimed in surprise, stopping before her, and looking into
+her earnest face, with a smile, "How should I be either? Am I not
+perfectly neutral? Are we not strangers?"
+
+Lyle shook her head decidedly. "I cannot say whether or not you are
+strangers, but you are not neutral toward him; I have seen all along
+that you have some strong feeling toward him, but whether of kindness
+or enmity, I cannot tell, but I must know."
+
+"Why must you know?" he asked, resuming his walk.
+
+"Perhaps I can tell you later," she replied, "but, as you are my
+friend, I must know whether you are, or will be, his friend, or his
+enemy."
+
+For some moments Jack was silent, and when he spoke his voice was full
+of some strong emotion:
+
+"My dear child, I have no reason for any enmity toward him, and if he
+is the true, honorable man that you think he is, God knows I would
+stand by him, even to death itself."
+
+"Then, if he was in difficulty or danger, and needed help, you would
+help him, would you not?" asked Lyle eagerly.
+
+"My child," he answered gravely, "you must explain yourself; you
+certainly can trust me. I promise you this, I will not harm him or
+betray him, whatever may be the difficulty."
+
+"You are sure there is no one to hear us?"
+
+"I will make sure," he answered briefly, and bidding the collie guard
+the outside door, he then closed the door between the two rooms, and
+sat down near Lyle.
+
+"You remember," she began, "the evening you passed our house?" He
+nodded. "Well, among the strangers there that night, were an English
+expert, Mr. Lindlay, and a Mr. Van Dorn, who, they said, was an
+inventor of some mining machinery. A little while after you passed, I
+took a book and went out by the lake to read, sitting down behind a
+thick group of small evergreens. I read as long as I could see, and
+then sat for some time, thinking, and watching the reflection of the
+moon in the lake. Then the moon went behind that tall peak, you know,
+across the lake, and it was quite dark; but I remained there thinking
+so deeply that, although for a few minutes I heard low voices talking,
+I paid no attention to it, supposing it was simply some people going
+up the mountain, till suddenly I was aroused by Mr. Houston's voice,
+only a few feet from me, saying in a low tone, 'There may be
+considerable danger ahead of us, but you are just the one I need, and
+you will be well compensated,' and Mr. Van Dorn answered, 'Hang
+compensation! if I can help you get the best of these rascals, I'm
+going to do it, just for the gratification of the thing,' and then I
+heard the Englishman, with his peculiar accent, saying something I
+couldn't quite catch, but it seemed to be to the effect that he would
+help Mr. Houston against what he called the 'domned scoundrels.'
+
+"At first, I wanted to leave, but I couldn't without their seeing me,
+and having to make explanations, and making it embarrassing all round;
+and then the thought flashed through my mind that Mr. Houston was a
+good friend of mine, and perhaps if I stayed, I might be able to help
+him if he should be in any danger later, as he spoke of, so I remained
+there.
+
+"I haven't time to tell you all I heard, but this is what I learned:
+He is not a clerk at all, but is out here in the interest of some rich
+company in the east, with which an uncle of his is connected. This
+eastern company have for some time suspected crooked work on the part
+of the company here, and he has come out in the capacity of bookkeeper
+and clerk to get all the information he can against them. He has
+obtained all the proofs he can get in this office, and said he was
+going over in a few days to the main office at Silver City,--and that
+is where he is now,--to see what he can find against them there. When
+he returns he is going to examine the mines that this eastern company
+own, as fast as he can get opportunities, and it seems this Mr. Van
+Dorn is a mining expert himself, though no one out here knows it, and
+when Mr. Houston is ready, he is to come out here with some of his
+mining machinery that he is going to set up in the mills, to show the
+company his new method of reducing ores, but his real object in coming
+will be to help Mr. Houston carry on his investigations against the
+company. Then, when they have obtained all the information and proof
+they need, they will telegraph Mr. Houston's uncle,--Mr. Cameron, I
+think was his name,--and he and the English expert will come out
+together, unexpectedly to the company, and I think they said they
+would prosecute the officers of the company for fraud."
+
+Jack's face was concealed with one hand, but Lyle could see that he
+had grown very pale, and beneath the heavy, black beard, his lips were
+moving under the influence of some deep emotion. She continued:
+
+"My reason for wishing to confide this to you was, that I heard Mr.
+Van Dorn ask Mr. Houston if there was any one among the miners whom
+he could trust to help them, as he said without the assistance of some
+one, familiar with the mines and their different workings, the
+undertaking would be much more difficult and dangerous; and I thought
+at once of you, Jack. You have often told me of the dishonesty and
+fraud practiced by the company, and said that you would like to see
+some of their schemes exposed, and I thought you would be just the one
+to help Mr. Houston, and no one would be likely to suspect you
+either."
+
+She paused a moment, then added, "He has enemies working against him,
+and he ought to have some one to help him."
+
+"Who are his enemies?" asked Jack.
+
+"Haight, for one, and my father and all the men that he can influence;
+and you know, that if they once suspected what he is doing, they would
+not hesitate, for one moment, to kill him."
+
+"They would not," said Jack, quietly but decidedly, "and among the
+mines it is a very easy thing to put a man out of the way."
+
+"Then you will look out for him, and help him, will you not?" said
+Lyle, rising to go.
+
+"Yes, child," he answered with unusual tenderness, "you do not know
+what you are asking, but since hearing what you have told me, no harm
+shall come to your friend that I can prevent, no matter what it costs
+me."
+
+"But Jack," said Lyle anxiously, going to him and laying her hands in
+his, "this will not put you in danger, will it? My idea was that you
+could give him information, and no one would ever suspect you; but you
+have been too true a friend to me, for me to put you in any danger."
+
+"You need have no fear," he answered, "I did not refer to any
+particular danger of that kind. I am only glad you have told me what
+you have. Had I learned it in any other way, I would have wished to
+help your friend. When he returns, say nothing to him of having asked
+me to help him; I will find him in my own way."  Lyle thanked Jack
+heartily, and as she looked up into his face, her beautiful eyes
+unusually bright, and her cheeks flushed with emotion, he seemed
+strangely touched, and bending over her, kissed her reverently on her
+forehead, for the first time in their acquaintance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+
+Nearly a week after the departure of Houston for Silver City, as
+Morgan was passing the sorting rooms one morning, on his way from the
+mines to the mills, he heard Haight calling him.
+
+"Hello, there, Morgan, the Sunrise deal is off."
+
+"Off? who says so? Got a wire from the boss?"
+
+"Yes, she just came, about fifteen minutes ago."
+
+"What's the matter? did the old man say?"
+
+"Nothing very definite; 'party writes property not satisfactory,'
+that's all he says."
+
+"Hang it! I should think it looked good enough for 'em. Well," he
+growled, "there's so much hard work gone for nothing," and thrusting
+his hands deeper into his pockets in his disgust, Morgan started on
+his way, but Haight detained him.
+
+"Hold on a minute; say, Morgan, you don't suppose that they caught on
+to our deal, do you? or that anybody put 'em onto it?"
+
+"Who was there to put 'em onto anything?" asked Morgan.
+
+"Oh, the confidential clerk, may be; he was on such good terms with
+Johnny Bull and the dude."
+
+Morgan shook his head. "He's too much of a sucker for the company, and
+knows too well which side his bread is buttered, for business of that
+kind."
+
+"I don't know about that," said Haight, "he's a dude and a tenderfoot
+himself, and likes to toady around with those eastern snobs; what else
+were they hob-nobbing with him for, if they didn't think they could
+get some information out of him? I've got my own ideas on that subject
+and I'm going to make some investigations, and if I find I'm correct,
+he'll find pretty quick where he will be; I've no use for him any
+way." "I haven't any more use for him than you have," answered
+Morgan, "but he ain't a very safe fellow to fool with now, I can tell
+you, and I don't think you want to run up against him yourself."
+
+"I don't know as I've said anything about running up against anybody,"
+said Haight, "that isn't my style, but I'll run him out of this
+country in one way or another, see if I don't."
+
+"You think you're pretty smooth," Morgan called over his shoulder, as
+he started for the mills, "and if you want to undertake the job, all
+right; for my part, I don't care to have much to do with him."
+
+Two or three evenings later, as Lyle sat in her favorite nook beside
+the lake, book in hand, watching for the return of Miss Gladden who
+had gone with Rutherford for a short row, she was much surprised to
+see Haight approaching, wearing his most ingratiating smile. For a day
+or two, he had, on several occasions, when unobserved by the others,
+treated her with a marked politeness intended to be very flattering,
+for the thought had occurred to him that possibly through her he might
+get some information regarding Houston.
+
+"Ah," he said now, seating himself at a little distance from her, and
+with a glance at the book which she had closed and laid aside, "I fear
+I have interrupted your reading."
+
+"I was not reading," she replied, "I was merely glancing over a book
+of Miss Gladden's while awaiting her return."
+
+For a few moments he talked in a light, frivolous manner, but Lyle,
+suspicious of some ulterior motive in his coming, did not respond very
+favorably to his efforts at conversation. At last he said, very
+pleasantly:
+
+"This is a favorite resort of yours, is it not, Miss Maverick?"
+
+"Yes, I come here frequently," she replied.
+
+"I judged so," he continued carelessly, "I saw you out here the
+evening the eastern party was at the house, and I remember the English
+expert and his friend took a walk in this direction, with Mr. Houston.
+I suppose they were talking over the mine they had looked at, and
+took Mr. Houston along thinking he might be able to give them any
+additional information they needed. I wonder what they thought about
+that mine," he added, watching Lyle, "I suppose you must have
+overheard some of their conversation."
+
+Lyle was not taken off guard, however, and answered indifferently, "I
+heard voices, but I was so absorbed in thought I paid little attention
+to them; it was some time before I even recognized them."
+
+"But you certainly must have overheard some of their conversation,"
+said Haight, in his smoothest tones, "can you not recall anything said
+about the mine?"
+
+"There was nothing whatever said about the mine," she replied, "and if
+there had been, I am not in the habit of listening to conversations
+and repeating them."
+
+"Of course not, under ordinary circumstances," Haight rejoined,
+smiling, "but you know 'all is fair in love and war' and in mining
+deals, and as I am interested in behalf of the company, and we
+have, as yet, heard nothing from the party, you see I naturally had
+a little curiosity regarding their conversation that evening. You
+are sure they said nothing of the mine, or that Mr. Houston gave
+them no information?"
+
+Lyle rose, her eyes flashing with scorn and indignation, as she
+replied, "Why should Mr. Houston give them any information? As I have
+told you, there was nothing said about the mine; so far as I could
+judge, the gentlemen were talking of their own personal affairs; and
+it is false that you have received no word from the eastern party, for
+I heard you and Morgan talking at the table yesterday of the deal
+having fallen through, and you suspect Mr. Houston of dishonorable
+conduct only because you judge every one to be like yourself," and
+without giving him opportunity to reply, she turned and walked in the
+opposite direction toward the boat which she saw approaching in the
+distance.
+
+Haight walked away toward the house, conscious that his interview had
+been a failure, but more than ever determined to work his revenge upon
+Houston, and upon Lyle also, when the right time came.
+
+Lyle determined, for the present, to say nothing regarding the
+interview, and met her friends without any allusion to what had just
+occurred.
+
+After assisting Miss Gladden ashore, Rutherford returned to the boat,
+while Miss Gladden and Lyle started homeward. The former could detect
+in Lyle's manner signs of unusual excitement, but asked no questions,
+as she did not think it best to force her confidence.
+
+"Lyle, when are you going to take me to call on your friend, Jack?"
+she inquired.
+
+"Any time you wish," Lyle answered, "I spoke to him the other day
+about your coming, and he said you would be most welcome."
+
+"Then he graciously consented to receive me! Very well, suppose we go
+now, it is not late."
+
+Arriving at the cabin, they found Jack and Mike sitting outside the
+door, watching the last fleeting colors of the gorgeous sunset. Miss
+Gladden was duly introduced, and invited within, and since the bashful
+Irishman could not be prevailed upon to enter the cabin, Jack
+entertained his guests alone.
+
+Miss Gladden, from Lyle's description of her friend, had expected to
+find in Jack a gentleman, but she was totally unprepared for the
+polished courtesy, the courtly ease and grace without a trace of
+self-consciousness or restraint, with which, though clad in rough,
+miner's clothes, he received her in the little cabin, and as she
+conversed with him, she found her respect for him increasing every
+moment.
+
+To Jack, isolated as he had been for years from refined, intellectual
+associations, it seemed like a glimpse into another, and not
+unfamiliar world, and the deference and respect expressed in Miss
+Gladden's manner were especially gratifying.
+
+Very easily Miss Gladden led the conversation, avoiding, with
+intuitive delicacy, all allusions to himself or his surroundings, till
+at last she said:
+
+"I have taken such an interest in my friend, Lyle, and she has so
+often spoken of your kindness to her, that I have wished to meet you,
+for I feel that in her welfare, we have a mutual interest."
+
+Jack smiled gravely, as he replied, "I have endeavored to help her as
+best I could under existing conditions, and notwithstanding the fact
+that the ways and means have been exceedingly restricted, she has
+proven herself an apt pupil, and has made good progress."
+
+"Indeed she has," said Miss Gladden, "and with her ability, it seems a
+pity that she should not have every possible advantage."
+
+"To me," he replied, "it seems a great pity that so much of her life
+has already been spent among such disadvantages, the greater part of
+the most valuable portion of her life wasted."
+
+"Not entirely wasted," said Miss Gladden, "for what you have taught
+her will be of inestimable value to her always."
+
+"Yes, indeed!" exclaimed Lyle, "what would my life have been without
+you?"
+
+"I have laid the foundation so far as I was able," said Jack, smiling,
+"but it was time, long ago, for the superstructure to be builded."
+
+"One reason why I wish to see you," continued Miss Gladden, "was to
+ask you what you would think of the feasibility of my taking Lyle east
+with me, when I return."
+
+"If you are willing to do that, Miss Gladden," said Jack, slowly, "I
+can see nothing in the way of its practicability except to gain the
+consent of Mr. and Mrs. Maverick, and that might prove a formidable
+obstacle."
+
+"He does not call them her parents," thought Miss Gladden, "does he
+know she is not their child?"
+
+Jack continued. "If it had not been for that difficulty, I would
+gladly myself have furnished the means for a moderate education for
+Lyle, but I knew Maverick's decided objection to her possessing even
+the most rudimentary knowledge. I am of the opinion also, though I may
+be in error, that he would not allow her to leave home."
+
+"You are right, Jack," said Lyle, "if I were to wait for his consent,
+I would never leave here, or have any advantages."
+
+"May I inquire," said Jack, addressing Miss Gladden, "at what time you
+expect to return east?" A faint color tinged Miss Gladden's cheek, as
+she replied:
+
+"I have not yet decided just when I will go east, but probably the
+latter part of the summer."
+
+"Ah, well," he answered, with a slight smile, "I hope that between now
+and that time, some arrangement can be made to Lyle's advantage; but
+if I may make any suggestion, it would be this; that nothing be said
+at present regarding this subject to either Mr. or Mrs. Maverick, as
+it would only arouse their opposition, and perhaps lead to some
+unpleasant results."
+
+After a few moments' further conversation, Miss Gladden thanked Jack
+for his kindness, and rose to go. At the door they found Mike, and
+while Lyle chatted merrily with the witty Irishman for a moment, Miss
+Gladden turned toward Jack, saying in a low tone:
+
+"I would like to have a talk with you regarding Lyle, some time when
+she is not present; may I come and see you by myself some day?"
+
+"Certainly," he responded, "I would be pleased to see you."
+
+For a moment, Miss Gladden stood in silent admiration, watching this
+man whose life seemed wrapped in so much mystery, while he replied to
+some laughing questions of Lyle's.
+
+He was, even now, a splendid specimen of manhood, although his
+shoulders were slightly stooped, and silver threads gleamed here and
+there in the black hair and beard, making him look older than his
+years. He had a face of remarkable beauty also,--with fine, clear-cut
+features,--though browned with exposure, and bearing the lines that
+only the fingers of sorrow can trace. His face did not resemble
+Houston's in the least, but something in his manner reminded Miss
+Gladden of her lover, and she watched him with a sort of fascination.
+
+As she and Lyle walked homeward together, the latter asked:
+
+"What do you think now of my friend, Miss Gladden?"
+
+And Miss Gladden replied thoughtfully, "I think, my dear, that he is
+one of earth's heroes."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+
+The ten days which Houston was to spend at Silver City had expired,
+and his work there was completed. He had followed much the same plan
+as in the office at the camp, doing the work of the company by day,
+and pursuing his own investigations at night.
+
+Mr. Blaisdell had at first objected to his working evenings, telling
+him the company had no wish to make a slave of him, but upon Houston's
+representing that it was an absolute necessity in order to accomplish
+the needed work within a given time, he allowed him to have his own
+way. He had been able to get together much additional proof regarding
+the fraudulent transactions of the company, even ascertaining in what
+direction much of the revenue due the New York company had gone.
+
+He was present when the company received the brief but pointed letter
+from Mr. Winters, in which he stated that the property shown them had
+not been what they were looking for, and that they had found something
+more satisfactory in another direction.
+
+"Well, Blaisdell," said Mr. Rivers, in his quick, incisive way, "I'm
+not in the least surprised."
+
+"Not surprised!" echoed Mr. Blaisdell, "Why not? I confess I'm
+surprised and disappointed."
+
+"It's just what I expected," again chirped Mr. Rivers, "just what I
+told you all along."
+
+"I knew you said you were rather suspicious just in the direction
+where I felt the surest of them."
+
+"Just so," said Mr. Rivers, "I said all along, 'those fish won't bite
+worth a nickel.'"
+
+"Well," said Mr. Blaisdell, with a heavy sigh, "all we can do is to
+try again."
+
+"And next time, I'd advise you to have a little more bait, or else
+don't tackle so big a fish."
+
+It was Houston's last evening in Silver City, and he sat in the hotel
+lobby reading letters which had just come from his uncle and Van Dorn,
+under cover from the Chicago firm, as usual.
+
+Mr. Cameron was delighted to have met Van Dorn and the Englishman, and
+had engaged both men to remain in New York, awaiting word from
+Houston, when he should be ready.
+
+The closing paragraph in Van Dorn's letter he read and re-read with a
+smile, it was so characteristic of his friend:
+
+  "I have had one of my machines carefully packed, and it now stands
+  addressed, ready to accompany me to your mining camp on short
+  notice, where I will show your people the latest method for the
+  reduction of ores; and if the mining company itself is not pretty
+  well reduced' before we get through, my name is not that of
+
+                                                Your friend,
+                                                  ARTHUR VAN DORN.
+
+  P. S. 'The mills of the gods grind slowly,
+        But they grind exceeding small.'"
+
+As Houston folded his letters, his attention was attracted by loud
+talk among a group of men in another part of the lobby. Sauntering in
+that direction, he heard an excited voice exclaim:
+
+"I tell you, they're the biggest frauds on the face of the earth. If
+there's a dishonest scheme, or a sharp, underhanded little game that
+they're not onto, I'd like to know what it is."
+
+"Which company do you mean?" inquired another speaker.
+
+"I mean the mining company represented by Rivers and Blaisdell, with
+old Wilson as a figure-head. I can't remember all their long-winded
+names, but the whole combination is rotten, from beginning to end,
+nothing but a set of lying, scheming, thieving rascals."
+
+"That's right," said an old gentleman who had not spoken before,
+"they're a tough lot."
+
+"Tough!" echoed the first speaker, "I should say so! One of their
+little games is to take charge of mining claims for eastern parties.
+The parties send on money for development work, but do you suppose it
+is used in developing the mines? Not much! By and by, the first these
+parties know, they have forfeited their claims through lack of
+representation, but don't you think the company are not watching out,
+ready to jump the claim the very day the time expires. Sometimes
+they'll hire some poor Swede to locate the claim for them, and then
+assign it to them for a trifle. In that way, I've heard of their
+getting possession of the same claim over and over again."
+
+"I've heard pretty hard stories about Blaisdell," said another, "but I
+guess he don't make much for himself, for as fast as he fleeces other
+people, Rivers fleeces him."
+
+There was considerable more talk in the same strain, but after the
+group had separated, Houston, who had learned the name of the
+principal speaker, approached him as he was standing alone, and said,
+in a low tone:
+
+"This is Mr. Hartwell, I believe; my name is Houston. Mr. Hartwell, I
+heard your remarks a little while ago concerning the North Western
+Mining Company and its officers. I am one of the clerks of that
+company, and I wish to know if you are prepared to substantiate the
+statements you have made here to-night."
+
+"Yes," the man exclaimed with an oath, "I'll substantiate every word
+I've said here to-night, and I can get you a dozen more that will tell
+you more about that company than I can."
+
+"Never mind about the others, for the present," replied Houston
+coolly, "what you have said to-night is likely to come to the ears of
+the company, and what I want to know is this; would you swear in court
+to what you have said here?"
+
+"I tell you," said Mr. Hartwell, with another oath, "I'll swear to it
+ten times over, and if I ever have a chance, I'll down you and your
+cursed company till you won't know that you ever existed," and then
+seeming to take Houston as the representative of the entire
+corporation, he poured upon him a torrent of vituperation and abuse
+which was very amusing to Houston, who was only thinking of securing
+a witness for the prosecution, by and by.
+
+"Well, Mr. Hartwell," he said at last, "you seem so anxious to express
+your feelings, we may give you an opportunity later. For the present,
+I wish you good evening," and he walked smilingly away.
+
+Mr. Hartwell looked after him in amazement; "By George!" he
+soliloquized, "but that fellow's a cool duck, anyhow! I couldn't faze
+him a particle."
+
+The next morning, Houston, in company with Mr. Blaisdell, took the
+early train for the mines. He could not help contrasting this with his
+first trip over the same road. Then, he was a stranger, with his
+entire work before him, uncertain of success in his undertaking; now,
+his preparatory work was nearly done, and though the most difficult
+part of his task yet remained, he felt that success was sure. But the
+contrast which to him seemed, most striking, was in his own feelings,
+for though conscious of enemies and having no knowledge of the friends
+ready to assist him, he yet felt a certain pleasure in returning to
+the mines, as though returning home; and he realized as never before,
+that hidden away in the heart of the mountains was the source from
+which henceforth must flow all his earthly happiness.
+
+Arriving at the office, they found no one there, and Houston
+immediately began an attack upon the work accumulated during his
+absence, while Mr. Blaisdell proceeded to the mills and mines.
+
+On his way he met Haight, and the subject of the unsuccessful mining
+deal was at once taken up.
+
+"They simply wrote that the property was not what they wanted, and
+that they had found what they were looking for elsewhere," said Mr.
+Blaisdell in explanation.
+
+"They seemed well enough satisfied when they were here," remarked
+Haight.
+
+"That was my impression," said Mr. Blaisdell, "but Rivers seems to
+think differently. He says he was suspicious of them all the time,
+because they said nothing one way or another, after seeing the
+property; but my impression was that they were very well pleased."
+
+"Certainly," answered Haight, who always made it a practice to have
+his opinions coincide with those expressed by the person with whom he
+happened to be talking, especially if it were for his interest to do
+so; "everything seemed satisfactory as far as I could judge. It is my
+opinion, Mr. Blaisdell, and has been for some time, that something
+must have been said by some one to prejudice those people against the
+mine; that is the only way I could account for the deal falling
+through as it did."
+
+"But who was there to say anything prejudicial? We were all interested
+in selling the mine."
+
+"I don't care to call any names, Mr. Blaisdell, but I don't think it
+best to take people into our confidence till we are pretty sure of
+them."
+
+"Oh, you allude to Mr. Houston, but you are mistaken there; why,
+Haight, that fellow is working for our interests, and he has saved the
+company considerable money already in the way he has straightened the
+books and detected crooked work; he's going to be invaluable."
+
+"He'll work for our interests just as long as it is for his interest
+to do so, but I imagine anybody could buy him off pretty easy. He's
+one of your swells; see how he dresses and what hightoned notions he
+has for a man in his position, and then tell me he wouldn't take a
+little tip on the outside if he got a chance."
+
+"I think you are mistaken," said Mr. Blaisdell slowly, "still, of
+course, there might be something in what you say; I'll think it over,"
+and the subject was dropped for that day.
+
+Houston was very busy until nearly noon, but left the office a little
+earlier than usual, as he was anxious to meet Miss Gladden a few
+moments in advance of the others, if possible.
+
+She was outside the porch, training some vines which she and Lyle had
+transplanted from among the rocks by the lake. Her back was toward the
+road, but hearing Houston's step, as he approached the house, she
+quickly turned, and in the depths of her luminous eyes he read a
+welcome that made his return seem more than ever like a home-coming.
+Clasping warmly the shapely little hand extended to him in greeting,
+he drew it within his arm, and having led her to a comfortable seat
+within the porch, he drew his own chair close beside her, where he
+could watch the lovely face, so classic and perfect in its beauty, and
+clothed, when animated, with a subtle, spirituelle radiance.
+
+"You are very welcome," said Miss Gladden, as he seated himself, "we
+will all have to celebrate your return, for we have missed you very
+much. Have you been well?"
+
+"Very well," replied Houston, smiling, "except for a touch of
+homesickness occasionally when I remembered our evenings among the
+mountains, or on the lake. It was fortunate that my evenings were so
+crowded with work, or the malady might have proved quite serious."
+
+"Our evenings have not been nearly so pleasant without you," said Miss
+Gladden, "we were all becoming frightfully dull and vapid, but I think
+we will now recover our spirits."
+
+"I have learned one thing," said Houston, "that it is not any
+particular place or surroundings that constitutes home for us, so much
+as the presence of those who are dear to us. Imagine how it would have
+seemed to me, three months ago, to have called this place 'home,' but
+it seems wonderfully home-like to me to-day."
+
+"As to what constitutes a home, I am scarcely qualified to judge,"
+said Miss Gladden, "for I hardly know what a home is; but my idea is,
+that any spot where my best loved ones were, would be home to me."
+
+"And with such sentiments as those," Houston responded, "you would
+make any spot on earth home to those whom you loved."
+
+"I should hope to," she replied, and added archly, "and if they loved
+me, I think I would succeed."
+
+"I fear," said Houston, smiling, "that we are very old fashioned and
+far behind the spirit of modern times, which considers love of small
+account in the elements that constitute a home."
+
+"I consider it an indispensable element, nevertheless," she replied,
+earnestly, "for I have seen too much of so-called homes where it did
+not exist, and they were not even successful imitations of the genuine
+article; their hollowness and wretchedness were only too apparent."
+She paused a moment, then continued:
+
+"To me, the home seems like one of the old-time temples; a place to be
+kept sacred to peace and purity and love; from which the sin and
+strife of the outside world should be faithfully excluded; whose
+inmates, on entering, should leave behind all traces of the evil and
+discord of the outer world, as the Oriental leaves his dust-laden
+sandals at the door of his sanctuary."
+
+"I have never known any other than such a home as that," said Houston,
+slowly, "and it is the only true home."
+
+"Pardon me," said Miss Gladden, "but are your parents living? I have
+often wondered."
+
+"No," he replied, "my parents died when I was a mere child, but the
+faint recollection of my early home, and the memory of my uncle's
+home, which has been mine also, correspond very closely with the
+picture you have just drawn."
+
+"Then with you it is a reality," she answered, "but with me, only an
+ideal."
+
+"Miss Gladden," said Houston very earnestly, but with great
+tenderness, "will you not let me help you to make a reality of your
+ideal?" Then, as she did not immediately reply, he continued, "The
+love that we believe in as the foundation of a true home, is not
+lacking on my part. I love you, Leslie, so much that life with you
+anywhere would seem perfect and complete, while life without you, even
+in a palace, would not seem worth the living. Can you love me enough
+to share my life and home, whatever it may be, as my wife?"
+
+He had taken her hand, and she did not withdraw it, but looking in his
+face, she asked:
+
+"Would you make me your wife, knowing so little of me as you do?"
+
+"I think I know enough," he replied, "I know that you are a pure,
+true-hearted woman; I know that whether you love me or not," her eyes
+dropped, "there is no one you love better than me; and though I do
+not know it, I am almost sure that you do care for me in some degree,
+am I not right?"
+
+She looked up into the face bending over her, and Houston read his
+answer in her eyes, and even had she tried to speak, he gave her no
+opportunity for doing so.
+
+"To think of your conceit!" exclaimed Miss Gladden, a few moments
+later, "in having the assurance to say that I cared for no one more
+than you, whether I loved you or not; how did you ever come to make
+such an assertion?"
+
+"Your eyes betrayed you," he answered, while she blushed, "they often
+tell tales, but I have noticed they always tell the truth, and I knew
+they would never have told me some secrets that they have, if there
+was any one else you cared for."
+
+The sound of approaching footsteps interrupted their conversation, and
+brought them back to the common, every-day affairs of life, and
+turning, they saw Rutherford coming up the path from the lake, where
+he had gone for a stroll.
+
+"Hello, Houston!" exclaimed the latter, catching a glimpse of his
+friend, "when did you come? Well, I'm awfully glad you've got back,
+we've missed you, old fellow, I can tell you."
+
+"Welcome home!" said a sweet voice, and Houston saw the starry eyes
+and golden crowned head of Lyle framed in the door-way, and hastened
+to greet her. She met him with a woman's grace, and with a child's
+affection looking frankly out of her lovely eyes. After his brief
+absence, Houston was impressed by her beauty as never before. "I
+didn't know the child was so beautiful," he thought to himself, "I
+believe she grows lovelier every day, and she reminds me strangely of
+some one I have seen long ago."
+
+"Oh, by the way," said Rutherford, as the friends seated themselves
+around the dinner table, "I've just received a letter from my brother,
+and he says he is coming out here."
+
+"Your brother!" exclaimed Miss Gladden and Houston, "What! coming here
+among the mountains?"
+
+"Yes," he replied, "he happened to be in New York when Van Dorn got
+back, and from his description of the place, and mine, he says he
+would like to see it. He is coming out to the coast by another route,
+and wants me to meet him in San Francisco, and then we will stop here
+on our return."
+
+"Then you are coming back again," said Miss Gladden; "that will be
+lovely, and we will be delighted to meet your brother with you."
+
+"Indeed we will," added Houston cordially, "what time do you expect to
+be here, Ned?"
+
+"My brother wants to get here, he says, in about six or eight weeks,
+so it will probably be some time in August."
+
+Lyle had said nothing, but had listened to the conversation, a
+thoughtful, far-away look stealing into her eyes; and the rest of the
+boarders arriving just then, nothing more was said on the subject.
+
+Haight greeted Houston with his usual smiling politeness, but Morgan
+looked sullen, and Mr. Blaisdell was gloomy and taciturn. Haight's
+influence was working, and he could afford to smile. Lyle was quick to
+note the situation, and also to detect in Haight's face an expression
+of ill-concealed triumph, and as their eyes met, he read that in her
+face that boded no good to himself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+
+Mr. Blaisdell having returned to the city that same day, everything
+went forward in the same regular routine as prior to Houston's
+absence, and evening found the four friends seated on the summit of an
+immense rocky pile, watching the grand and rugged scenery surrounding
+them illumined by the glowing colors of the sunset sky. They had been
+talking of Rutherford's intended trip to the coast, when Miss Gladden
+said:
+
+"Mr. Houston, how early can you join us to-morrow afternoon? We are
+going to have a little picnic party of four, in honor of your return,
+and also to give Mr. Rutherford pleasant memories of his last days
+among the mountains."
+
+"Oh," said Rutherford, "now I understand; I've wondered what you
+ladies were so mysterious about all day; you've been holding secret
+sessions and making cabalistical signs to each other all the
+afternoon. Well, as this picnic is partly on my account, I'm sure I
+feel flattered and shall be delighted to attend. Houston, old boy,
+when can we look for you?"
+
+"I think, considering the importance of the occasion, I can be ready
+to join you at three o'clock," replied Houston, while the ladies
+expressed their approval.
+
+"There seems to have been a great deal of mysterious consultation
+about this affair," remarked Rutherford, "what is the program for
+to-morrow?"
+
+"Well," said Miss Gladden, "for one thing, we must have plenty of
+music; have neither of you gentlemen any musical instruments with
+you?"
+
+"Not I," replied Houston, while Rutherford answered, laughing, "I have
+a banjo that I brought along to amuse myself with in case I got
+lonesome, but I've had no use for it so far, I've had such good
+company here."
+
+"A very graceful compliment, thank you," said Miss Gladden, smiling,
+"but bring the banjo by all means, we will have use for it to-morrow,
+and I have just thought of something else for the occasion,--but I'm
+not going to divulge all my plans, we must keep something for a
+surprise, mustn't we, Lyle?"
+
+Lyle laughed merrily; "I'm not going to tell a single plan of mine;
+you will all find when we reach the place, what a mountain picnic
+means."
+
+"But can we not even know where we are going?" asked Rutherford, with
+a tragic air.
+
+"You would not know if I should tell you," responded Lyle, "we are
+going to Sunset Park."
+
+"Sunset Park!" they exclaimed, "where is that?"
+
+"Is it in any way connected with the Sunrise mine of recent fame?"
+inquired Houston.
+
+"No," replied Lyle, "it is across the lake; you remember the landing I
+showed you among the rocks? You follow the broad trail leading up the
+mountains, and you will come to a beautiful plateau on the west side,
+as level as a floor,--but I'm not going to tell you about it, you must
+first see it for yourselves."
+
+The next morning, immediately after breakfast, while Houston still
+stood talking with Miss Gladden and Rutherford, the graceful form of
+Lyle suddenly darted past them, her face nearly concealed by an
+enormous sunbonnet.
+
+"Lyle, you gypsy, where are you going?" called Miss Gladden.
+
+For answer, she turned and waved her hand with a merry laugh, then
+ran, fleet-footed as a deer, to the edge of the lake, and unfastening
+one of the little boats, was in it and rowing out upon the lake as
+dextrously as a professional oarsman, before those watching her could
+even guess her intentions.
+
+"Great Caesar! but that girl can row!" exclaimed Rutherford, with all
+the enthusiastic admiration of a newly graduated collegian.
+
+"Where is the child going?" asked Houston.
+
+"Probably to the picnic ground," said Miss Gladden, "but what for, I
+cannot imagine."
+
+The sunbonnet was waved saucily in the air, and then instead of
+steering for the landing place as they expected, the boat suddenly
+disappeared around a corner of the rocks, in the opposite direction,
+while there came ringing out on the air, in mocking tones, the words
+of the old song:
+
+                  "I saw the boat go 'round the bend."
+
+No one saw Lyle when she returned, a couple of hours later, and not
+even Miss Gladden knew that she was in the house until she made her
+appearance at the dinner table, with a very demure face, exceedingly
+pink fingers, and wearing an air of deep mystery that no amount of
+joking could diminish.
+
+After dinner, Lyle made two or three trips across the lake, carrying
+mysterious baskets and dishes. In one of these journeys she was
+intercepted by Miss Gladden, who was lying in wait for her, and who,
+tempted by the delightful aroma, lifted the cover of one of her
+dishes.
+
+"Strawberries!" she exclaimed, "and wild ones! Where did you get them,
+Lyle? They are the first I have seen out here."
+
+"They are the first that have ripened," she replied, "I went over to
+the gulch for them this morning, but don't say anything about them,"
+she added, as she stepped into the boat with her treasures, "I'm going
+to cache them until they are needed."
+
+"Going to do what?" said Miss Gladden.
+
+"Going to 'cache' them, hide them away among the rocks," she replied
+laughing, and, taking the oars, she was soon speeding across the
+lake.
+
+It was a merry party that started out two or three hours later.
+Houston carried the banjo, as Rutherford had his precious camera and a
+lot of plates, having declared his intention of immortalizing the
+occasion by taking a number of views for the benefit of their
+posterity. Miss Gladden had her guitar, and to the great astonishment
+of the gentlemen, Lyle appeared, carrying a fine old violin. It was
+Mike's, which she had borrowed for the occasion at the suggestion of
+Miss Gladden, and in reply to the expressions of wonder from the
+gentlemen, Miss Gladden said:
+
+"This is the surprise I planned for you, but wait till you have heard
+her; I never heard her myself until a day or two ago."
+
+With song and laughter they crossed the lake, and having reached the
+landing place among the rocks and fastened their boats, proceeded up
+the mountain. Here they found a flight of natural stone steps, at the
+head of which a broad trail wound around the mountain, until, having
+passed a huge, shelving rock, they suddenly found themselves on a
+plateau, broad, grassy, and, as Lyle had said, "as level as a floor."
+
+Groups of large evergreens afforded a refreshing shade. Underneath the
+trees an immense, flat rock, covered with a snowy table-cloth and
+trimmed with vines and flowers, gave hint of some of the more
+substantial pleasures to be looked for later. At a distance gleamed
+the silvery cascades, their rainbow-tinted spray rising in a perpetual
+cloud of beauty. Far below could be seen the winding, canyon road,
+while above and beyond, on all sides, the mountains reared their
+glistening crests against the sky.
+
+For a time they gave themselves up to the enjoyment of the scene,
+till, at Miss Gladden's suggestion, the tuning of the various
+instruments began, interspersed with jokes and merry, rippling
+laughter. Amidst the general merriment, Houston, with an air of great
+gravity, produced from his pocket the different parts of a flute,
+which he proceeded to fit together, saying:
+
+"When you were speaking last evening about the music for to-day I had
+entirely forgotten the existence of this flute, but after we went to
+our room, Ned persisted in practicing on that unmusical instrument of
+his, and in searching in my trunk for a weapon of self defense, I
+found this, and it answered my purpose so well then, I brought it with
+me to-day."
+
+The music was a success, and it seemed as though the musicians would
+never grow weary, but when, at Miss Gladden's request, Lyle sang
+"Kathleen Mavourneen," her sweet, rich tones blending with the wild,
+plaintive notes of the violin, her listeners again seemed entranced by
+the witchery of the music, as on the night when first they heard her
+sing, and were only aroused by the sound of hearty, prolonged cheering
+from the canyon below.
+
+Looking over the edge of the plateau, they discovered a party of about
+a dozen people, in a wagon drawn by six horses, who had stopped to
+listen to the music, and give their panting animals a chance to rest.
+Behind them was a line of three or four pack mules, laden with tents,
+cooking utensils and bedding.
+
+"A camping party!" exclaimed Lyle, "the first of the season; they are
+on their way to Strawberry gulch."
+
+On catching sight of the group above on the plateau, the ladies below
+began waving their handkerchiefs, and the gentlemen were loud in their
+cheers and calls for more music.
+
+"Give them another song, Miss Maverick," said Rutherford, "that is a
+decided encore."
+
+Once more raising her violin, Lyle sang "The Maid of Dundee," and
+never did song or singer meet with nobler applause, for the cheers
+from below in the canyon were joined with those from above on the
+plateau, and were echoed and re-echoed among the rocks, the last
+reverberations dying away and mingling with the roar of the distant
+cascades.
+
+As the camping party seemed in no haste to continue their journey,
+Miss Gladden with the gentlemen then came forward to the edge of the
+plateau, and all joined in singing a few familiar songs, some of them
+accompanied by the guitar and the violin, after which, the party in
+the canyon, with much waving of hats and handkerchiefs, and many
+cheers in token of their appreciation, passed on their way.
+
+After this little episode, a gypsy fire was kindled, and in a short
+time the rock table was spread with a dainty feast; chicken
+sandwiches, mountain trout, which Lyle had caught in the morning,
+delicately broiled, and the sweet, wild strawberries served in various
+ways, all equally tempting and delicious. After the feast, Houston
+proved himself an adept upon the violin, and he and Rutherford gave a
+number of college songs, and old plantation songs and dances,
+accompanied by the violin and banjo.
+
+At last, as the long, gray twilight was slowly deepening, and the
+stars silently marshaling their forces in the evening sky, the two
+boats drifted across the lake, only guided, not propelled, by the
+oars, and the air, for a while, was filled with song. As they slowly
+approached the shore, however, the singing gradually ceased. For a
+while Rutherford talked of the coming of his brother; then he and Lyle
+were silent, but from the other boat, at a little distance, came low,
+murmuring tones. They had just entered upon the first pages of that
+beautiful story, old as eternity itself, and as enduring; the only one
+of earth's stories upon whose closing page, as we gaze with eyes dim
+with the approaching shadows of death, we find no "finis" written, for
+it is to be continued in the shadowless life beyond.
+
+Rutherford was thinking of some one far away, under European skies,
+and wishing that she were present with him there, to make his
+happiness complete.
+
+And Lyle, with that face of wondrous beauty, yet calm and inscrutable
+as that of the sphinx, had any power as yet passed over the hidden
+depths of her woman's nature, and troubled the waters? Were those
+eyes, with their far-away look, gazing into the past with its strange
+darkness and mystery, or striving to pierce the dim, impenetrable veil
+of the future? No one could say; perhaps she herself was scarcely
+conscious, but as they landed, Miss Gladden noted the new expression
+dawning in her eyes, and as the friends and lovers separated for the
+night, each one avowing that day to have been one of the most
+delightful of their whole lives, she wound her arm about Lyle in
+sisterly fashion, and drew her into her own room. Lyle, as was her
+custom, dropped upon a low seat beside her friend, but was silent.
+
+"Are you looking backward or forward, to-night, Lyle?" asked Miss
+Gladden, taking the lovely face in both her hands, and gazing into the
+beautiful eyes.
+
+Lyle's color deepened slightly, as she replied:
+
+"I hardly know; it seems sometimes as if I were looking into an
+altogether different life from this, a different world from that in
+which I have lived."
+
+"How so, my dear?" inquired her friend.
+
+"I scarcely know how to describe it myself," she replied; then asked
+abruptly, "Miss Gladden, do you believe we have ever had an existence
+prior to this? that we have lived on earth before, only amid different
+surroundings?"
+
+"No," answered Miss Gladden, "I can see no reason for such a belief as
+that; but why do you ask?"
+
+"Only because it seems sometimes as if that were the only way in which
+I could account for some of my strange impressions and feelings."
+
+"Tell me about them," said Miss Gladden, interested.
+
+"They are so vague," Lyle replied, "I hardly know how to describe
+them, but I have always felt them, more or less. When I read of life
+amid scenes of refinement and beauty, there is always an indefinable
+sense of familiarity about it all; and since you and Mr. Houston have
+been here, and I have lived such a different life,--especially since
+we have sung together so much,--the impression is much more vivid
+than before; even the music seems familiar, as if I had heard it all,
+or something like it, long ago, and yet it is utterly impossible,
+living the life I have. It must have been only in my dreams, those
+strange dreams I used to have so often, and which come to me even
+now."
+
+"And what are these dreams, dear? You have never before spoken to me
+of them."
+
+"No," Lyle answered, "I have never spoken of them to any one; they
+have always been rather vague and indefinite, like the rest of my
+strange impressions and fancies; only they are all alike, it is almost
+precisely the same dream, no matter when it comes to me. There is only
+one feature that is very clear or distinct, and that is a beautiful
+face that is always bending over me, and always seems full of love and
+tenderness. Sometimes there are other faces in the background, but
+they are confused and indistinct,--I can only recall this one that is
+so beautiful. Then there is always a general sense of light and
+beauty, and sometimes I seem to hear music; and then it is all
+suddenly succeeded by an indescribable terror, in which the face
+vanishes, and from which I awake trembling with fright."
+
+"And you say you have had this dream always?" queried Miss Gladden.
+
+"Yes, ever since I could remember. I don't seem to be able to recall
+much about my early childhood, before I was five or six years old, but
+these dreams are among my earliest recollections, and I would
+sometimes awake crying with fright. After I met Jack, and he began
+teaching me, my mind was so taken up with study, that the dreams
+became less frequent, and for the last two or three years, I had
+almost forgotten them, till something seemed to recall them, and now
+it occurs often, especially after we have had an evening of song. I
+know I shall see that beautiful face to-night."
+
+"But whose face is it, Lyle?" questioned Miss Gladden; "surely, it
+must resemble some one you have seen."
+
+Lyle shook her head; "I have never seen any living person whom it
+resembled. That, together with all these strange impressions of which
+I have told you, is what seems so mysterious, and leads me to half
+believe I have lived another life, sometime, somewhere."
+
+Miss Gladden sat silently caressing the golden head. Her suspicions
+that Lyle had had other parents than those whom she knew as such, were
+almost confirmed, but would it be best, with no tangible proof, to
+hint such a thought to Lyle herself? While she was thus musing, Lyle
+continued:
+
+"What seemed to me strangest of all, is, that though I cannot remember
+ever seeing a living face like the one in my dream, I have seen what I
+believe is a photograph of it."
+
+"When? and where?" asked Miss Gladden quickly, hoping to find some key
+to the problem she was trying to solve.
+
+"A few weeks after your coming, and at Jack's cabin," Lyle replied.
+
+"Did Jack show you the picture?"
+
+"No, I do not know that he intended me to see it, but it was lying on
+the table that evening; I took it up and looked at it, but he did not
+seem to want to talk about it. I have never seen it since, and he told
+me that until that evening, he had not seen it for a long time."
+
+"And did you recognize it as the face of your dreams?"
+
+"Not then; it seemed familiar, but it was not until after I reached
+home that I remembered my dream, and from that time, the dream
+returned. I see the face often now, and it is just like the picture,
+only possibly a little older and sweeter."
+
+"And you have never spoken to Jack about the picture since?"
+
+"No, for I have not seen it, and he has never alluded to it. He
+admitted that evening it was the picture of some one he had loved
+dearly, and I have since thought perhaps he would rather I had not
+seen it."
+
+Miss Gladden was silent; her old theory regarding Jack's being the
+father of Lyle, seemed to her now more probable than ever. She
+believed the picture to be that of Lyle's own mother, who, it seemed
+evident, had lived long enough that her child remembered her in her
+dreams, though unable to recall her face at other times.
+
+Very tenderly she bade Lyle good-night, determined that her next call
+at the little cabin should be made as early as possible.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+
+Houston and Rutherford, on retiring to their room, after the breaking
+up of the picnic party, donned their slippers and smoking jackets, and
+having lighted their cigars, and slipped into the easiest possible
+attitudes, prepared to devote the next few hours to a confidential
+tete-a-tete. The next day Rutherford would start on his journey to the
+coast, and naturally there were many topics of mutual interest to be
+discussed on this, their last night together for a number of weeks.
+
+Houston felt that the time had come for taking Rutherford into his
+confidence regarding his own work and plans, for it was evident that
+Van Dorn had posted his brother, and Rutherford would soon learn the
+truth from him, if in no other way. For a while Rutherford talked of
+his brother.
+
+"I knew he was intending to come west this summer, and I expected to
+meet him in some of the cities along the coast, but I supposed he
+would return by one of the southern routes. I'm awfully glad he has
+decided to come back this way," he added, "for I would enjoy it of
+course, to come around and see you again, and then, I'd like to have
+you meet Mort. He and I are not a bit alike, but I think he's a
+splendid fellow, and I think you and he will like each other."
+
+"I haven't a doubt of it, Ned," Houston replied, with an air of
+confidence rather surprising to his friend; "in fact, I think I will
+be as glad to meet him as you yourself;" then, as Rutherford's eyes
+expressed considerable wonder at such unexpected cordiality, he
+continued:
+
+"I've been thinking, for some time, Ned, that the friendship you have
+shown for the low-salaried clerk and bookkeeper whom you met on your
+way out here, deserves some degree of confidence in return, and this
+evening seems to be the best time for giving you a little explanation
+regarding the man whom you have called your friend for the last few
+weeks."
+
+"Why, certainly, if you wish," Rutherford replied, with slight
+embarrassment, "but then, it isn't at all necessary, you know; that
+is, unless it is your choice, for your salary or your position doesn't
+cut any figure with me. Whatever your circumstances may be, I know as
+well as I need to know that you are a gentleman; anybody can see that,
+and I have told my brother so."
+
+"I am much obliged to you, Ned," Houston answered, with difficulty
+restraining a smile, "but I am going to begin by saying that your
+brother knows me a great deal better than you do."
+
+Rutherford's face expressed so much astonishment, that it resembled
+nothing so much as an exaggerated exclamation point. Houston
+continued:
+
+"I have never in my life known what it was to have an own brother, but
+the one who for many years has held that place in my heart is Morton
+Rutherford, and I think he will tell you that of all his class mates,
+there was not one with whom he was upon more intimate, confidential
+terms, than Everard Houston, of New York."
+
+"Everard Houston! Great Scott!" exclaimed Rutherford, springing to his
+feet, "why I remember that name well; he was Mort's best friend. You
+don't mean to say you are the same? Why, I thought you said you were
+from Chicago!"
+
+"I was from Chicago, when you met me," answered Houston, smiling, "but
+I had come from New York less than ten days before."
+
+"Well, by Jove!" said Rutherford, walking up and down the room, "I am
+floored completely! If you had once said you were from New York, I
+might have suspected who you were, but Chicago! and then," here he
+stopped and gazed at his friend with a comical look of perplexity,
+"why, Everard Houston was the nephew and adopted son of W. E.
+Cameron."
+
+"Certainly," assented Houston.
+
+"Well then, what in thunder,--if I may ask the question,--are you
+doing out here with this confounded Buncombe-Boomerang mining
+company?"
+
+"That is just what I wished to tell you to-night," Houston replied,
+"but we must talk low, for walls sometimes have ears," and placing a
+chair for his friend near his own, he proceeded to tell him of his
+object in coming out to the mining camp, of the work which he had
+accomplished, and of his plans for what yet remained to be done.
+Rutherford listened with much interest, deepening into admiration for
+his friend.
+
+"And now," said Houston, in conclusion, "you will see why I could not
+very well reveal my identity to you when we first met. I knew you as
+soon as I saw your card, but I was a stranger in this part of the
+country, with a certain role to play, uncertain of success, and, not
+knowing what difficulties or obstacles I might meet, thought there
+would be less danger of unexpected complications, if you thought me
+just what I appeared to be."
+
+"You thought about right, too," said Rutherford, "for I'm awfully
+careless about anything of that kind, always putting my foot in it,
+you know; and I don't see how you ever could come out here, a perfect
+stranger, and carry everything along as smoothly as you have. Well, I
+remember I was awfully mixed there on the train, when you told me you
+had come out here to work for that company, for I thought all the time
+that if you were not a gentleman, then I never saw one; and it's lucky
+I did have sense enough to think of that, or I might have made a
+confounded chump of myself."
+
+"You would have cut me, would you?" asked Houston, laughing, "I was
+looking out for that, and would have considered it a rich joke if you
+had."
+
+"Rather too rich, I should say," said Rutherford, coloring. "Mort has
+always ridiculed me for that sort of thing, and told me I'd make a
+precious fool of myself some day; I don't intend to be snobbish,
+though he says I am, but that's just my way somehow, unless I happen
+to like a person. Mort is different from me; he will get along with
+all sorts of people, you know, but I never could."
+
+"You are all right," answered Houston, "you are a little conscious of
+your blue blood now and then, but as you grow older you will think
+less about that, and you have as good a heart as Morton, when a person
+is fortunate enough to find it."
+
+"Say," said Rutherford, suddenly, "if you and Mort were class mates,
+you must have known Van Dorn."
+
+"Certainly," said Houston, smilingly watching the blue coils of
+smoke from his cigar, "and when I first saw him with the Winters
+party, I knew my little game was up, unless I got my work in very
+expeditiously," and he described the little pantomime which took
+place in the office shortly after Van Dorn's arrival, much to the
+amusement of Rutherford, who exclaimed:
+
+"Great Scott! but you fellows played that game well, no one ever would
+have dreamed that you had known each other."
+
+Houston then told of the plan for Van Dorn's coming in a few weeks,
+and later, for the arrival of Mr. Cameron with Lindlay.
+
+"Oh," Rutherford exclaimed, "now I see why Mort is so anxious to get
+here at just about a certain time; he knows all about this, and wants
+to be in at the death himself; well, that suits me exactly. But say,
+old fellow, isn't this going to be a pretty nasty piece of business
+for you about that time?"
+
+"It would be if any one should get hold of this before the right time
+comes, but I do not anticipate any trouble, because I intend to be so
+guarded that nothing regarding my work will be known or suspected
+until my uncle is here, and we have them securely trapped.
+
+"It will require a cool head and a level one to carry this thing
+through, and accomplish what you have undertaken," said Rutherford
+thoughtfully, as he took one or two turns up and down the room, "and I
+guess you are the right one for the work. Van Dorn will be just the
+one to help you, too, he's pretty cool and quick-witted himself, but I
+should think you would both need a third party, somebody who has been
+on the ground for a long time and who understands all about the
+working of these things."
+
+"It would be of great assistance to us, and I intend to keep a
+look-out, and if it is possible to find such a person, and one whom we
+can trust at the same time, I shall secure him."
+
+"Well, I'm sure I wish you success, and I shall be anxious to hear
+from you while I'm gone, and know how you are coming on."
+
+They smoked silently for a few moments, then Rutherford said:
+
+"By the way, Houston, how about the congratulations I told you some
+time ago I was ready to offer whenever the occasion required; are they
+in order now? or shall I reserve them until my return?"
+
+"They are in order whenever you choose to offer them," Houston replied
+quietly.
+
+"Indeed! well, I'm glad to hear it, I thought it about time. I
+congratulate you most heartily, and tender you both my sincerest
+wishes for your happiness. I tell you what, old fellow, I think you've
+found a splendid woman, and I think, too, that you are wonderfully
+suited to each other. Seems strange, doesn't it? to think of a pair
+like you two, finding each other in a place like this!"
+
+"It is rather unusual, I admit," said Houston.
+
+"Yes," added Rutherford, "taking into consideration all the
+surroundings, and the why and wherefore of your coming here, I think
+it borders on the romantic."
+
+A moment later he asked, "Does Miss Gladden know what you are doing
+out here?" Houston shook his head, in reply.
+
+"Doesn't she know who you really are?"
+
+"Not yet," Houston answered, "no one out here knows any more about
+that than you did two hours ago."
+
+"Whew!" said Rutherford, "she will be slightly surprised when she
+finds that old Blaisdell's clerk and bookkeeper has a few cool
+millions of his own, won't she?"
+
+"I hope she will not object to the millions," said Houston with a
+smile, "but I have the satisfaction of knowing that they were not the
+chief attraction; she cares for me myself, and for my own sake, not
+for the sake of my wealth, and I am just old fashioned enough to
+consider that of first importance."
+
+"And when will she learn your secret? not until the closing scene of
+the last act?"
+
+"I cannot tell just when," Houston answered, "that will of course
+depend a great deal upon circumstances."
+
+Rutherford then became confidential regarding his own hopes for the
+future, and gave Houston a description of his fiancee, and a brief
+history of their acquaintance and engagement.
+
+"Grace is all right," he said in conclusion, "but her father is
+inclined to be a little old-fogyish, thinks we are too young for any
+definite engagement, and wants me to be permanently established in
+some business before we are married, and all that; when I can't see
+what in the deuce is the difference so long as I have plenty of stuff.
+So the upshot of it all was that he and his wife took Grace to Europe,
+and they're not coming back until the holidays, and if, by that time,
+we have neither of us changed our minds, and I am settled in business
+and all that sort of thing, we can be married. There's no danger of
+our changing our minds, so that's all right, but I declare I don't see
+the use of a fellow's tying himself down to some hum-drum business,
+when there's no need of it."
+
+"It isn't a bad idea though to find some business for which you are
+adapted, and stick to it," was Houston's reply; "that was the advice
+my uncle gave me when I returned from college, and he offered me the
+choice of going into business with himself, or selecting something
+else that I liked better."
+
+"Grace's father wants me to go in with him, but excuse me; if I went
+into business with any one, it would be somebody nearer my own age,
+where I'd have about as much to say as the other fellow, not an old
+man, and my father-in-law, in the bargain."
+
+"You may find something you will like, within the next few months,"
+said Houston, with a peculiar smile; "By the way, Morton used to say
+he was going to stick to journalistic work; how is he succeeding?"
+
+"Splendidly; you know he is one of the associate editors of the
+Dispatch, then he contributes regularly to several of the leading
+magazines, and lately he has some work of his own on hand besides, a
+work on some sort of scientific research: yes, he has succeeded
+well."
+
+So long did their conversation continue, that when they at last went
+to rest, it was nearly time for the surrounding peaks, standing like
+huge sentinels against the dark, eastern sky, to catch the first faint
+flush of the approaching day.
+
+They were a little late in making their appearance in the breakfast
+room. Miss Gladden and Lyle were awaiting them, but the others had
+gone. There was time for only a hasty breakfast before the team, going
+to the Y for supplies, which had been engaged to take Rutherford to
+the morning train, was at the door.
+
+"Well," said the latter, having seen his baggage safely aboard,
+including the familiar square case containing his precious cameras,
+"I've had a delightful time here, and I'm awfully glad I'm coming back
+again."
+
+"So are we, Mr. Rutherford," said Miss Gladden, "and we will be very
+glad to welcome your brother also, and do all in our power to make his
+visit a pleasant one."
+
+"It is doubtful whether he will ever want to leave here," Rutherford
+responded, "for he appreciates anything of this kind even more than I
+do. He'll grow wild over these mountains. Well, Miss Maverick," he
+continued, shaking hands with Lyle, "I thank you for all you've done
+to make my visit so pleasant, and I'm glad that we will only say
+good-bye for a little while."
+
+"I am also," she replied, "and I wish you a pleasant journey and a
+speedy return."
+
+"This is not 'good-bye,' Mr. Rutherford," said Miss Gladden, extending
+her hand, "it is only 'au revoir.'"
+
+"That is right," he answered, then added in low tones, "Miss Gladden,
+I have already congratulated Mr. Houston, and I hope you will accept
+my congratulations and best wishes also. I think almost as much of him
+as of my own brother, and I could not wish either of you any happier
+fortune than I believe you will find in each other."
+
+In a few moments Houston and Rutherford were riding rapidly down the
+canyon. At the office, where Houston had to prepare some orders for
+the driver, he and Rutherford took leave of each other.
+
+"Be good to yourself, old fellow," said Rutherford, "and keep us
+posted just how you are coming on; and say," he added, lowering his
+voice, "I'll keep you posted of our whereabouts, and if anything
+should happen, and you need help, wire us and we'll be here by the
+next train; you can count on two brothers now, instead of one, you
+know."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+
+A day or two after the departure of Rutherford, Miss Gladden, having
+learned from Lyle at what hour Jack usually completed his day's work,
+set forth upon her visit to the cabin. She felt that her errand might
+prove embarrassing both to Jack and herself; she wished to obtain some
+clue regarding Lyle's parentage; at least, to learn what his
+suspicions, or possible knowledge might be concerning the matter, and
+taking into consideration the contingency that she might be his own
+child, whose existence he had kept secret for reasons of his own, it
+was a subject which would require very delicate handling.
+
+She found Jack at the cabin, and alone, and his courteous greeting,
+containing less formality and more cordiality and friendliness than
+on the former occasion, made her task seem far less difficult. He
+ushered her into the pleasant little sitting-room, and she noted
+even more particularly than on her former visit, the exquisite
+taste betrayed, not only in the furnishings of the room, but in
+their very arrangement.
+
+After chatting a few moments regarding the little circle of friends at
+the house, in whom he seemed to take more interest than she would have
+expected from a man of his secluded life, the conversation naturally
+turned to Lyle, and Miss Gladden said:
+
+"I have wished to see you regarding her because you seem to be the
+only one among those living here who appreciates her ability, or
+cares for her welfare; and you have known her and her surroundings so
+long, I believed you could give me some suggestions and advice
+regarding what is best to be done for her, even now, while she remains
+here."
+
+"I have taken a great interest in the child ever since I have known
+her," Jack replied, "and I am only too glad that she has found another
+friend, and that friend a lady; and if I can assist, by suggestion or
+otherwise, I shall be most happy to do so."
+
+"I asked your opinion the other evening," continued Miss Gladden, "as
+to taking her east with me, but there were other matters pertaining to
+her welfare, on which I wished your opinion and advice, but I could
+not so well speak of them before her, so I asked for this interview."
+
+Miss Gladden hesitated a moment, almost hoping that Jack might make
+some remark which would give her a cue as to the best method for her
+to pursue in seeking the information she desired, but his attitude was
+that of respectful attention, and he was evidently waiting for her to
+proceed.
+
+"I have felt attracted toward Lyle from the first," she began slowly,
+"not alone by her wondrous beauty and grace of manner, but even more
+by her intelligence and intellectual ability, her natural refinement
+and delicacy, which, considering her surroundings, seemed to me simply
+inexplicable. From the very first, she has been to me a mystery, and
+as I become better acquainted with her, the mystery, instead of being
+lessened, is only deepened."
+
+She paused, but he offered no comment, only bowed gravely for her to
+continue.
+
+"I could not, and I cannot yet, understand how one like her could ever
+have been born, or could exist in such surroundings as hers; and the
+fact that she has existed here, her beautiful nature untainted,
+unsullied by the coarseness, the vulgarity and the immorality about
+her, to me seemed an indication that she was of an altogether
+different type, born in another and far higher sphere. I saw she was
+unhappy, and I determined to win her confidence, and in so doing, from
+a vague suspicion I have gradually arrived at a firm conviction that
+Lyle is not the child of those whom she calls her parents."
+
+Jack manifested no surprise, neither was there anything in his manner
+to indicate that this was a subject upon which he had any knowledge.
+He simply asked very calmly,--almost indifferently it seemed to Miss
+Gladden,--
+
+"Have you discovered any direct evidence in support of this conviction
+that she is not their child?"
+
+"No tangible evidence," replied Miss Gladden, "nothing, of course,
+that could be called proof, but there are what I consider very strong
+indications."
+
+"Are the indications on Lyle's part, or on the part of Mr. and Mrs.
+Maverick?" inquired Jack.
+
+"On both sides," replied Miss Gladden, "I have very little to say
+regarding Mrs. Maverick; she is a kind-hearted woman, and seems to
+treat Lyle with consideration and some degree of affection; there is
+very little of the latter, but perhaps it is all of which she is
+capable, for I should think life with that brute would quickly crush
+out all the affection, if not all the intelligence, in a woman's
+nature; but the neglect and ill treatment of Maverick himself towards
+Lyle surely indicate that she is no child of his."
+
+"Your remark regarding Mrs. Maverick might be still more applicable to
+him, that he is incapable of anything like affection or kindness."
+
+"Of course he is," replied Miss Gladden quickly, "but I can not
+conceive of a man being quite so low as to be without even animal
+instincts; I cannot believe that a father would insult and degrade his
+own daughter as he has Lyle, and as he would continue to do, if he
+were not restrained through fear of his wife."
+
+For the first time, Jack started. "Fear of his wife, did you say, Miss
+Gladden? Pardon me, but I think that brute fears neither God, man nor
+devil, and how you can assert that he is in fear of his wife, whom he
+has always abused mercilessly, I cannot imagine."
+
+"It is a fact, nevertheless; for one morning after he had been
+exceedingly abusive and insulting in his language toward Lyle, Mrs.
+Maverick told her that he was, in some way, in her power, and that it
+should never occur again; and it never has."
+
+Jack rose, and began to pace the room.
+
+"Did you hear her say that, Miss Gladden?"
+
+"No, Lyle told me of it."
+
+"Had Lyle any idea of what she meant by it?"
+
+"She did not seem to have; nothing was ever said regarding that phase
+of the subject; she only seemed relieved that Mrs. Maverick promised
+to prevent a repetition of her father's abuse of her."
+
+Jack seated himself. "You spoke of some reasons on Lyle's part for
+your conclusions; what were they?"
+
+Miss Gladden then told him of Lyle's strange impressions and of her
+dream, but made no allusion to the photograph, wishing to reserve that
+until later.
+
+Jack looked thoughtful. "I wonder that she has never spoken to me
+regarding this dream," he said at length.
+
+"She told me she had not had the dream so often since having been
+occupied with her studies and reading, probably that accounts for her
+not speaking of it; lately she says it has returned."
+
+Both were silent for a while, then Miss Gladden asked:
+
+"Do you not think these dreams and impressions are indications of an
+early life, far different from this?"
+
+"I do," he replied gravely.
+
+"That was my opinion," then, determined to get some expression from
+him, she continued:
+
+"I am so attached to her, so desirous, if possible, to rescue her from
+this wretched life, that I am anxious to get some clue as to her true
+parentage; that is why I have come to you, her friend. I thought
+possibly you might be able to aid me in getting some evidence, or some
+information regarding her early history."
+
+Miss Gladden was watching Jack keenly, to note if her words produced
+any effect on that immobile face. She was not disappointed: he
+started, almost imperceptibly, and as he fixed his dark eyes upon her
+own, she noticed, as never before, how keen and piercing, and how
+eloquently beautiful they were. Miss Gladden's eyes did not drop
+before his searching gaze; she was determined that he should read
+only sincerity and candor in their depths, and make his answer
+accordingly. When he spoke, his voice was unlike its usual smooth,
+even tone; it was tender and deep, full of some strange emotion, and
+reminded her wonderfully of her lover.
+
+"Miss Gladden, may I ask,--for I believe you will answer me truthfully
+and candidly,--what ever led you to suppose that I could give you any
+information regarding Lyle's early history?"
+
+"I will answer you candidly, as you wish," she replied; "the thought
+first occurred to me of coming to you for advice regarding Lyle,
+simply because I regarded you as her best friend, in fact, until I
+came, her only friend. Then a remark accidently dropped by Lyle, as to
+what you had once said of her singing, that it reminded you of but one
+voice which you had heard, but that you did not like to hear her, led
+me to think that perhaps she was in some way connected with some one
+you had known, and that possibly that was the reason for the special
+interest you took in her welfare.
+
+"Then there was something more, in connection with her dream," and she
+told him how Lyle had at last identified the pictured face which
+seemed so familiar to her, as the dream-face of her childhood, and how
+immediately after the dream had returned.
+
+"After she told me this," continued Miss Gladden, "you will see that I
+naturally concluded that the face was that of her mother; that her
+mother, her parents, and probably her early life were known to you;
+and I will frankly admit, that except that it seemed incredible that
+you would allow her to remain in these surroundings, if my hypothesis
+were correct, I would have believed that you were her father, and that
+grief from bereavement or separation, had caused you to choose this
+life for yourself and her."
+
+Jack had again risen and was slowly pacing the room. Miss Gladden
+could read no sign of displeasure in his face, though she detected
+indications of some powerful emotion, and of acute suffering. He
+seemed battling with old-time memories, and when at last he seated
+himself and began speaking, there was a strange pathos vibrating
+through the forced calmness of his voice, and the piercing eyes, now
+looking so kindly into her own, had in their depths such hopeless
+sadness, that Miss Gladden's heart was stirred by a pity deeper than
+she had ever known, for she instinctively felt that she was in the
+presence of some great, despairing sorrow.
+
+With a smile of rare sweetness and beauty, he said: "Your candor and
+frankness deserve confidence in return, and I will give it so far as
+it is within my power to do so, and yet I fear that you will be
+disappointed. Your surmises are incorrect in many respects, and yet
+contain a great deal of truth, and I will try, so far as possible, to
+be as frank with you as you have been with me. In the first place, I
+must say to you, that regarding Lyle's true parentage, whether or not
+she is the child of the Mavericks, I know, positively, nothing more
+than do you, yourself."
+
+He smiled as he noted Miss Gladden's look of astonishment, and
+continued:
+
+"Like you, I have my suspicions that she is not their child, and have
+had them since first seeing her, years ago. As in your case, my
+suspicions long ago changed to conviction, and my convictions are
+probably even deeper than yours, for the reason, that in form, in
+feature, in voice and manner, in every expression and gesture," his
+voice trembled for an instant, but he controlled it, "she is the exact
+counterpart of another; some one whom I knew in a life as remote, as
+far from this as it is possible to conceive. But I have no direct
+proof, not a shadow of tangible evidence with which I could confront
+Maverick and denounce him with having stolen the child, and, knowing
+him as I do, I know that for Lyle's sake, until I have some such
+proof, it were better to remain silent."
+
+"Pardon me for interrupting you," Miss Gladden exclaimed, "but that is
+a contingency that never entered my mind, that Lyle had been stolen
+from her parents! That is far worse than anything I had dreamed of."
+
+"Nevertheless, if she is not their child, she was stolen, and just in
+proportion as the former is improbable, the latter is probable, almost
+certain. You will now see wherein your supposition that my interest in
+her was due to her connection in my mind with some one I had formerly
+known, was correct. I took a special interest in her for this reason;
+it was a pleasure to teach her, to note her mind expanding so rapidly,
+to watch her as she developed physically and mentally; every day
+growing more and more like the one I had known. I enjoyed tracing the
+resemblance day by day, though it often caused me almost as much pain
+as pleasure,--but when I heard her sing, that was too much,--it was
+more than I could bear,--it was like compelling some lost soul in
+purgatory to listen to the songs of paradise."
+
+There was a tremor in Jack's voice, and he paused, touched even more
+deeply by the sympathetic tears glistening in the beautiful eyes full
+of such tender pity, than by the bitter memories passing before his
+own mind.
+
+"What has perplexed me most," he continued, "is the fact that Lyle has
+seemed unable to recall anything relating to her early childhood. I
+have tried in every way to arouse her memory, and that was my chief
+object in allowing her to see the photograph of which she told you;
+but, as she often says, the first few years of her life seem to be
+only blank. I cannot account for that."
+
+"Still," said Miss Gladden, "these dreams of hers show that there are
+memories there, and something may yet recall them to her mind."
+
+"That has been my hope," he replied, "that is what I have been waiting
+for all these years, for her mind to recall some incident, or some
+individual, that would furnish the needed proof as to her parentage."
+
+"Do you think," asked Miss Gladden, after a pause, "that it would be
+wise to give Lyle a hint of our suspicions?"
+
+"I have thought it might be well, if possible, to arouse her own
+suspicions by some process of reasoning on her part, not by any
+suggestions of ours."
+
+"May I inquire whether those whom you consider her true parents are
+still living?"
+
+"They both died many years ago."
+
+"Then, if her identity could be proven beyond a doubt, would there be
+any one to give her such a home as she ought to have?"
+
+"Yes, there are those who would be only too glad to give her such a
+home as very few have the good fortune to possess."
+
+"And have they never made any inquiry for her?" Miss Gladden asked in
+surprise.
+
+"They have no idea that she is living; her parents died under peculiar
+circumstances, and she was supposed to have died at the same time."
+
+"Then ought we not," said Miss Gladden thoughtfully, "both for her
+sake and theirs, to let them know that she is living, and help them to
+find her?"
+
+"Unless they could see her for themselves," he replied, "they would
+probably be rather skeptical, and require very positive proof
+regarding her claims, they have believed her dead for so many years.
+But even though I may have known Lyle's mother, I am not in
+communication with her friends, and would not be the proper person to
+present her claims to them."
+
+For a few moments, Miss Gladden sat silently watching the play of the
+light and shade on the mountain side across the ravine, opposite the
+cabin, as the shadows cast by the light, floating clouds, followed
+each other in rapid succession.
+
+Jack seemed to be thinking deeply, and when he at last spoke, it was
+with great deliberation:
+
+"For a long time, as I have become more and more convinced of Lyle's
+identity, I have been anxious to have her taken away from these
+surroundings, and placed in the home to which I believe she has a
+right; but without tangible evidence with which to establish her
+claims, and also to prove Maverick's guilt, I could think of no
+feasible plan, nothing that did not seem likely to result in failure,
+and leave Lyle possibly in a worse condition than at present. I will
+now say to you, Miss Gladden, in confidence, that I think before very
+long, the way will be opened for Lyle to find the home and friends
+that I consider are really hers. Through information given me in
+confidence, I have learned that some of those whom I believe to be
+most closely related to her and who would be most interested in her,
+did they know of her existence, will in all probability be out here on
+business this summer; if they do not recognize Lyle, I shall be
+greatly disappointed."
+
+Miss Gladden's face expressed the delight she felt. "Is it possible?"
+she exclaimed, "Why, I cannot conceive of anything lovelier! If she
+has been stolen all these years, and her people unconscious of her
+very existence, to have them appear on the scene, and recognize and
+claim her, will seem like a beautiful bit of fiction interwoven in our
+prosaic, every-day life, or like the closing scene in some drama,
+where the wrongs at last are all made right. To think what happiness
+it will bring to them, to her and to us!"
+
+Jack's face grew strangely serious. "I shall be glad for her sake;" he
+replied, then added: "Sometimes, Miss Gladden, wrongs are righted only
+at a terrible cost, and what seems to you like the closing of a
+peaceful drama, may prove a tragedy to those who are concerned in
+it."
+
+Then, before she could reply, he said, in a different tone, as though
+to change the conversation:
+
+"It will not be best to mention what I have told you to any one; there
+is no knowing what course Maverick might pursue if he had a hint of
+it, for he is a desperate man; but if there is any way in which Lyle's
+mind could be carried back and made to recall something of her past
+life, I wish it might be done."
+
+Miss Gladden had risen, preparatory to taking leave. Having given a
+searching glance around the room, she turned toward Jack, saying
+wistfully:
+
+"Am I asking too much? Could I see the photograph which you allowed
+Lyle to see?"
+
+For an instant Jack hesitated; then he replied, "I am willing you
+should see it, but you must not expect me to say anything concerning
+that picture or myself. I have spoken to you in confidence regarding
+Lyle, but I can go no further."
+
+"I will not ask it," she replied.
+
+Without a word, he went to a small trunk, concealed by a fine
+bear-skin, and taking therefrom the picture, silently handed it to
+Miss Gladden.
+
+She uttered a low cry of surprise, and then stood for some time
+intently studying the lovely face in every detail. When she returned
+the picture to Jack's hands, there were tears in her eyes, as she
+exclaimed, "How beautiful! and how like Lyle!"
+
+"I hoped she would see the resemblance," he replied.
+
+"It seems almost incredible that she did not," answered Miss Gladden,
+"except for the fact that she has the least self-consciousness of any
+one I ever saw; it is doubtful if she would recognize her own
+picture."
+
+For a long time Jack stood watching Miss Gladden, as, having thanked
+him for the interview, she walked slowly up the winding road. His eyes
+grew strangely wistful and tender, very unlike their ordinary
+expression, and a smile, sad but sweet, played about the usually stern
+lips.
+
+"He has chosen well," he murmured at length, "they are well suited to
+each other; Heaven grant nothing may ever mar their happiness!" and
+with a heavy sigh, he turned and entered the cabin.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+
+As Miss Gladden slowly followed the winding canyon road on her
+return from the little cabin, the thoughts flashing through her mind
+very strongly resembled the lights and shadows which she had watched
+chasing each other across the mountain side. While she had gained
+very little direct information, Jack's theories had strengthened
+her own convictions, though placing the matter in a slightly
+different light. She had a very vivid imagination, and looked
+forward with anticipations of keenest pleasure to the coming of
+Lyle's friends,--whoever they might be--and their probable recognition
+of her; and yet she could not forget Jack's words regarding the
+terrible cost which might be involved, resulting in possible tragedy,
+and an indefinable dread seemed at times to overshadow all other
+thoughts, and perplex her. Not dreaming, however, that the words
+could refer to herself, or those in whom she was most deeply
+interested, she tried to banish this feeling by planning what
+course would be best to pursue regarding Lyle, and determined to
+confide the whole matter to Houston, and ask his advice. So
+absorbed was she in her own thoughts and plans, that not until she
+had nearly approached the house, did she observe the presence of
+strangers.
+
+A party of eight or ten ladies and gentlemen, including three or four
+tourists from the east, had come out from Silver City. They had come
+with wagons, bringing a large tent which was to be put up for those
+who could not be accommodated in the house. They proved to be very
+pleasant people, and during the ensuing ten days of their stay, Miss
+Gladden and Lyle seldom saw each other apart from their guests. There
+were numerous excursions to various points of interest, moonlight
+rides on the lake and impromptu dances.
+
+Houston at this time was more than usually occupied, as the day after
+the arrival of the camping party, Mr. Blaisdell unexpectedly appeared
+upon the scene. He arrived quite early in the morning, having been
+brought by special train from the Y. He found Houston alone in the
+office, and greeted him with a cordiality quite surprising to the
+latter, considering his taciturn, dissatisfied manner when at the
+mines a few days before. He seemed in no hurry to leave the office,
+but remained talking for some time concerning business affairs at
+Silver City.
+
+"I may want you to run over there, just for a day, while I'm here," he
+said at length, "for I expect to remain out here for about a week. By
+the way, Houston, I hear you pitched into old Hartwell one night, over
+there at the hotel, for some remarks he made about the company."
+
+"Ah," said Houston, "how did you hear of that?"
+
+"There was a friend of mine there, who overheard Hartwell's talk, and
+afterward saw you go up and speak to him. Having seen you in our
+office, he had a little curiosity as to what was going on. He said
+Hartwell cursed you up hill and down, but that you were so damned cool
+the old fellow couldn't rattle you. Hartwell told him afterward that
+you threatened to compel him to substantiate all he had said, and he
+was glad that the old fellow, for once, found somebody that wasn't
+afraid of him."
+
+"Oh, no," said Houston, quietly, "I didn't see any reason for being
+afraid."
+
+"Well," said Mr. Blaisdell, "I liked your spirit all right, but then,
+men like Hartwell are not worth paying any attention to. He is
+interested in another company, so of course he tries to run down ours,
+and he has a certain clique that he has persuaded to think just as he
+does. I never think it best to notice any of his remarks."
+
+"If he had simply made a few remarks," said Houston in reply, "I would
+of course have let them remain unnoticed, but he had continued his
+harangue for nearly an hour before I spoke to him, so I thought it as
+well to have a word with him myself."
+
+"Oh, that was all right, perfectly right on your part, only I have
+adopted the policy of letting barking dogs alone."
+
+After a little further conversation, Mr. Blaisdell looked over the
+books, and finding everything in satisfactory shape, remarked:
+
+"You seem to have familiarized yourself very thoroughly with the work
+so far as you have gone, and in a very short time. You will doubtless
+remember, Mr. Houston, that when we engaged you, you were told that we
+should probably need your services later at the mines, in assisting
+the general superintendent. Morgan's work is increasing lately, and I
+have been thinking that I would much prefer to have a trustworthy
+person like yourself, assist him, even if we have to employ another
+bookkeeper, than to put on an entirely new man at the mines. I am
+going out to the mines this afternoon, to see how Morgan is getting
+along, and I think that to-morrow we will close the office, and you
+had better go out with me, and I will show you the work that I wish
+you to have charge of there. It probably will not take all your time,
+you will still be in the office more or less, at least enough to
+superintend the work in case I bring out a new man. He will simply
+work under your direction and supervision, the responsibility will all
+devolve upon you."
+
+For the next day or two, Houston's time was spent at the mines,
+familiarizing himself with the underground workings, and becoming
+acquainted with the different classes and grades of ore, and the
+various methods of mining and reducing the same.
+
+This was just the opportunity for which Houston had been waiting, and
+he entered upon his new work with a zest and enthusiasm that delighted
+Mr. Blaisdell, and even won the esteem of Morgan. On the second day,
+to Houston's great joy, he was given charge, under Morgan, of what was
+known as the "Yankee" group of mines, containing the Yankee Boy, the
+Yankee Girl and the Puritan, the three most valuable mines in which
+the New York company was interested.
+
+In passing through one of these mines, Houston noticed two miners
+working together with wonderful precision and accuracy, and on looking
+at them closely, recognized in one of them, the man whom Rutherford
+had pointed out to him on the train from Valley City, and of whom he
+had heard Miss Gladden speak as Lyle's friend. The man seemed to pay
+little attention to his being there, and on coming out, Houston
+inquired of Mr. Blaisdell concerning him.
+
+"I can tell you nothing about him," replied Mr. Blaisdell, "except
+that he and his partner, the Irishman, are the two most expert miners
+we have. They live by themselves, and refuse to mingle with the other
+men, consequently they are not very popular among the miners, but of
+course that cuts no figure with us, so long as they are skilled
+workmen."
+
+The next day, Houston went to Silver City, on business for Mr.
+Blaisdell, and while there, sent the following message over the wires,
+to Van Dorn:
+
+"Everything in readiness; bring machinery at once."
+
+Upon his return to the mining camp to enter upon his new duties,
+Houston resolved to make a careful study of the men working under him,
+both foremen and miners, for the purpose of determining whether there
+were among them any whom he could trust sufficiently to seek from them
+whatever assistance might be necessary for himself and Van Dorn in
+their future work.
+
+Accordingly, for the first few days, he spent considerable time in the
+mines, apparently examining the workings, but in reality watching the
+men themselves. Among some of them he saw black looks and scowls, and
+heard muttered comments regarding himself: "Git onto the dude!" "D'ye
+see the tenderfoot?" "Thinks he's goin' to boss us, does he? we'll
+show him a trick or two." These were mainly from Maverick's consorts,
+and men of their ilk, ignorant and brutal. Houston paid no attention
+to their remarks or frowns, but continued his rounds among them,
+conscious that he was master of the situation, meanwhile giving
+instructions to the foreman who accompanied him. As he passed and
+repassed Jack and Mike, working together with almost the automatic
+precision of machinery, he stopped to watch them, attracted partly by
+admiration for their work, and partly by a slight interest in the man
+who had been his fellow passenger, and concerning whom he had heard
+such various reports.
+
+During the slight pause in their work, the Irishman eyed him
+curiously, with indications of his native drollery and humor betraying
+themselves in his mirthful face; he seemed about to speak, but Jack,
+with set, stern features, was ready, and the work continued without a
+word. In that brief interim, however, Jack had fixed one of his keen,
+piercing glances upon Houston, which the latter returned with one
+equally searching, and though not a muscle relaxed in that immobile
+face, covered with dust and grime, yet a strange thrill of mutual
+sympathy quivered and vibrated through the soul of each man, and
+Houston knew that he had found a friend.
+
+"There is a man among a thousand," he thought as he walked away, "a
+man of honor, in whom one could place unbounded confidence; no wonder
+Lyle has found him such a friend!"
+
+At the next pause in their work, Mike's feelings found expression:
+
+"Begorra! but the young mon is progressin' foinely, to be put over the
+loikes of us, and bein' as how most loikely he niver sit foot in a
+moine, till comin' out into this counthry!"
+
+Jack's face had grown strangely set and white: "We are to be his
+friends, remember that, Mike," he said, in a voice unnaturally stern.
+
+"Frinds!" exclaimed the astonished Mike, "Be-dad! and whin did I iver
+know ye to make frinds with ony of owld Blaisdell's men befoor?"
+
+"Keep your eyes open and your mouth shut, Mike," was Jack's only reply
+as he again began work, and Mike had nothing to do but to follow his
+example.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+
+In a short time Houston had become perfectly familiar with his new
+surroundings. He was thoroughly at home in the underground workings,
+readily finding his way in the labyrinth of shafts, tunnels and
+cross-cuts extending for miles in all directions, and connecting the
+various mining claims one with another.
+
+He knew the name and face of nearly every man employed in the various
+shifts, and by his keen perception and insight, was able to form a
+very correct estimate of their character and standing in that little
+community. Though no words had been exchanged between himself and Jack
+beyond those of the most commonplace greetings, yet his respect for
+the man, and confidence in him, increased with each day, and was
+plainly indicated by his manner toward him whenever they met.
+
+As he watched the men, in his frequent rounds through the mines,
+most of their faces were to him as an open book, on some of whose
+pages he read histories of misfortune and loss, or crime and shame in
+the past, and on others, of eager ambitions and bright hopes for the
+future. There were men with gray hair and bowed forms, whose dull
+eyes and listless step told of hopeless, irretrievable loss; men
+of intelligence and ability whose recklessness or whose despondency
+told of some living sorrow, worse than death; there were some whose
+stealthy, shrinking gait and watchful, suspicious glance bespoke
+some crime, unknown to their fellows, but which to themselves seemed
+ever present, suspended, like the sword of Damocles, above their
+heads.
+
+But even to Houston, Jack remained a mystery, and as he noted the
+powerful, athletic form, the profile of patrician beauty, perfect as
+though chiseled in marble, the hair and beard black and glossy as the
+raven's wing, though touched with silver here and there, he found
+himself unable to read the history of that life.
+
+"There is a man," he soliloquized, "my equal, if not my superior, in
+birth, in education, in intellectual ability; how came he here? What
+has wrecked his life?"
+
+But the dark, piercing eyes, turned on him for an instant, gave no
+answer to his query.
+
+As he and Morgan, their day's work completed, were returning to the
+house, Houston made some inquiries regarding the men, and from the
+information given by Morgan concerning some of them, found his own
+judgment of them correct.
+
+"And who is the man called 'Jack,' who works with the Irishman?"
+
+"Heaven knows, I don't, nor nobody else," replied Morgan; "he came
+here about six or seven years ago, I guess, at least; he was here when
+I came, and was considered an expert then. He never would have
+anything to say to the other men, and always lived by himself till the
+Irishman came; he was another queer sort of duck and was a first-class
+miner, too, so him and Jack has worked together and lived together
+ever since, but Jack is boss."
+
+"Are they the only miners living by themselves?" asked Houston.
+
+"The only single men; there's six or seven of 'em that are married and
+have families, like Maverick; they have very good shacks, furnished by
+the company, but all the single men, excepting them two, live at the
+quarters. By the way, have you ever been down to the quarters?"
+
+"No," replied Houston, "but I should like very well to visit them."
+
+"All right, we'll go to-night if you like; I go down there myself once
+in a while and listen to their stories; they've most of 'em had some
+queer experiences, and they can spin as many yarns as a lot of
+sailors, any time."
+
+Later in the evening, Houston, having excused himself to the ladies in
+general, and Miss Gladden in particular, accompanied by Morgan, was on
+his way to the miners' quarters. The latter were situated but a short
+distance from the office, on the road to the mines, and consisted of
+two boarding houses and four bunk houses. Farther down the road were
+the stables for the horses used in hauling supplies; also blacksmith
+and carpenter shops, and a storehouse.
+
+A rather novel scene presented itself to Houston as he approached.
+Scattered about on the ground, and loafing in the door-ways in all
+attitudes and positions, were over a hundred men, of various ages,
+classes and nationalities, but principally Cornishmen, or, in
+western vernacular, "Cousin Jacks." Many of them were strangers to
+him, being employed in other mines than those with which he was
+familiar, but among them were many of his own men. From the
+door-way of one of the bunk houses came the strains of a violin,
+while in another, a concertina shrieked and groaned, and from all
+directions came the sound of ribald songs, coarse jests and
+boisterous laughter. Here and there were groups of men engaged in
+playing poker or seven-up, where little piles of silver and gold
+were rapidly changing hands, to the accompaniment of muttered oaths.
+At one side, Maverick and a few kindred spirits seemed trying to
+outrival one another in profanity and obscenity, while at some
+distance from them, was a large company of the better class of
+men, some lounging against trees and rocks, some sitting or lying
+at full length on the ground, but all listening with unmistakable
+interest, to a man, gray and grizzled, with a weather-beaten but
+kindly face, who evidently was entertaining the crowd with tales of
+his own early life.
+
+As Houston and Morgan approached, the speaker stopped; some of the men
+half rose from their recumbent positions out of respect for the "new
+boss," and all eyed him rather curiously, though not unkindly. Houston
+recognized many of his own men among them, and greeted them with a
+pleasant "Good evening, boys."
+
+"Hullo, Billy," said Morgan, addressing the old miner, "what do you
+know to-night?" then noting that he was watching Houston with a half
+smile on his rugged face, he added, "Thought I'd bring the boss down
+to see you and the rest of the boys to-night."
+
+"Good evenin' boss," responded the old fellow, while a merry smile
+twinkled in his eyes, "I expect this is your first visit to a reg'lar,
+genuwine minin' camp?"
+
+"My first, perhaps, but not my last," said Houston, with a winning
+smile.
+
+"That's right," said the old man approvingly, as he proceeded to
+refill his pipe; "I've been a watchin' you, off and on, down there at
+the mines, bein' as I'd heerd you was a tenderfoot, and I must say
+you've took a holt as if you was an old hand at the job."
+
+"Oh, yes," Houston replied, "with a little determination, a person can
+pick up anything of that kind easily. I think, with a little practice,
+I could make a pretty successful miner; it would require grit and
+stick-to-it-ativeness, that's all."
+
+"'Grit and stick-to-it-ativeness,' that's good," said the old miner,
+highly pleased, "well, you seem to have plenty of 'em both, and plenty
+of good muscle, too," with an admiring glance at Houston's fine,
+athletic form.
+
+"See here, Billy," said Houston pleasantly, after chatting a few
+moments, "when we came, it looked very much as though you were telling
+stories to the crowd here, and the boys all seemed very much
+interested; now we want you to go on with your story, we would enjoy
+it as much as the rest."
+
+"Let me see," said Billy, "I don't remember just where I was, but I
+guess I'd finished as you come up."
+
+"Never mind, you can start another," said Houston.
+
+"Yes, Billy, give us another," chimed in the boys.
+
+"Go ahead, pardner," added Morgan, "spin us a yarn, that's what we
+came for."
+
+"I was only tellin' the boys about the old days when I came out to the
+mines, and for the first few years after," Billy began.
+
+"Those must have been interesting times," said Houston.
+
+"Int'restin'? I should say so! You fellows don't know nothin' about
+minin' compared to them days; I tell you, things was lively then. I
+was there at Leadville when it was opened up, and you couldn't get
+anybody to look at you without payin' 'em a good, round sum for it;
+couldn't get a place to roll yourself in your blanket and lie on the
+floor short of five or ten dollars; folks bought dry goods boxes and
+lived in 'em. Then I was down here when they opened up the Big Bonanza
+mine, in Diamond gulch, not far from Silver City. I tell you boys,
+them was high old times, everything was scarce and prices was
+high,--flour was a hundred dollars a sack, and potatoes seventy-five
+dollars a bushel,--but money was plenty,--or gold dust,--we didn't
+have no money, everything was paid for in gold dust. 'Twas pretty
+tough in them days, too, everybody went armed to the teeth, and guns
+and knives was used pretty free."
+
+"Was that in the days of the vigilantes?" asked Houston.
+
+"Yes, they come along soon after, they had to. There was desperate
+characters here, but the vigilantes made short work of 'em, they
+didn't even give 'em time to say their prayers. I tell you, the
+gambling houses and the dance halls, and all them places was lively in
+them days. There wasn't many words over a game, if any quarrels come
+up, they was settled pretty quick with the revolver or bowie knife."
+
+"There must have been some high stakes played in those days," Houston
+remarked.
+
+"High? well, yes, rather; I've seen men sit down to a game worth
+anywhere from fifty to two or three hundred thousand, and get up
+without a cent in the world."
+
+The old man paused to relight his pipe, and having puffed reflectively
+for a few moments, settled himself with the air of a man who has a
+long story to tell, and the surrounding miners evidently so understood
+it, for they shifted their positions accordingly, and prepared to
+listen.
+
+"Speakin' of gamblin'," he began, "puts me in mind of something that
+happened among the camps on the other side of the range, nigh onto
+fifteen years ago. A gang of us boys was in Dandy Jim's gambling hall
+one night. The place was crowded, I remember, and we was all tryin' to
+make our fortunes on the high card. Some of us was dead broke, but
+them that hadn't the stuff borrowed from them that had, sure of better
+luck next time. They was all so deep in the game that none of 'em
+noticed a seedy-lookin' chap who come in, kinder quiet like, and set
+down to the faro table and began to play. I guess I was the only one
+who noticed him, and at first, I couldn't make him out, but after a
+bit, I remembered him as 'Unlucky Pete.' That man had a history. When
+I first saw him, some eight or ten years before that night, he had
+just come west with his wife, a pretty little woman, and had a good
+team of horses and a new wagon. He was a reg'lar border character, and
+whenever a new country was opened up for settlement, him and his wife
+was the first on the ground, ready to make a run to secure a home.
+Pete was prosperous, till one night, in a quarrel over a game of
+cards, he killed his man, and from that time his luck changed. He
+secured one or two good claims, but lost title to them; he lost his
+horses, and as fast as he bought other horses, they died or was
+stolen, and everything went against him. He wandered from one country
+to another, but bad luck met him at every turn. The last I seen him
+was some two years before; then him and his wife and two or three
+babies was goin' over the country in an old, broken-down wagon. The
+wheels was held together with wire and ropes, and the canvas top was
+in rags and tatters; the horses was the poorest, skinniest creatures
+you ever see, and him and his wife looked off the same piece.
+
+"Well, somehow or 'nuther, I knew him that night, though he looked
+harder than ever, and had an old slouched hat down over his face. He
+looked like a man that was pushed pretty close to the wall, and had
+got down to his last nickel. Well, he set down there to the table, and
+threw a silver dollar on the high card; then pulled that old hat down
+clean over his eyes, and never spoke, or looked one way or another.
+The high card won, and the dealer paid the bet, and pushed the money
+over to Pete, but he never stirred.
+
+"Well, that high card kep' a winnin' till there was a big pile of
+money there, but Pete, he never stirred, no more'n a stone. The
+dealer, he got mad and begun to swear, but Pete didn't move.
+
+"'Somebody wake that fool up,' says he, with an oath.
+
+"A fellow sittin' next to Pete shook him, and then tore off his hat.
+Well, boys, I'll never forget that sight, it makes me sort o' shiver
+now, when I think of it; there set a dead man at the table before that
+pile of gold.
+
+"The dealer started to rake in that pile o' money, but about a dozen
+revolvers was p'inted at him, and he decided not to be in too big a
+hurry about it.
+
+"'What's the use anyway?' says he, 'the man's dead and the money's no
+good for him, and besides, nobody knows who he is.'
+
+"'I do,' says I, jumpin' up.
+
+"'And I,' says another fellow, 'the man just come into camp a day or
+two ago, and his family's starvin'."
+
+"Well, we bundled that money up pretty sudden, and a half a dozen of
+us started to find the folks; we found 'em, too, but the wife was
+dead, starved to death, and the children wouldn't have lasted much
+longer. The oldest, a girl about eight years old, told that they had
+nothin' to eat for two days, and her father found the dollar, and
+started down to the store for food, but soon after he left the cabin,
+the mother died.
+
+"We buried Pete and his wife in one grave, and then with the pile of
+money we got good homes for the children, and some of it was to be
+used in givin' 'em a good eddication, and the last I heerd, they was
+comin' on well. But I've never set down to a game sence, that I
+haven't thought of the night I played faro, with a dead man at the
+table."
+
+At the conclusion of the old miner's story, a little suppressed thrill
+of excitement ran through his audience. Morgan, who had seemed
+restless and ill at ease, rose to go, and Houston, finding it much
+later than he supposed, after a few pleasant words with the boys, bade
+them good night, and hastened after Morgan, who was already sauntering
+up the road a little way in advance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+
+"Well," said Morgan, as Houston overtook him, "what do you think of a
+'genuwine minin' camp,' as Billy calls it?"
+
+"The quarters are much more extensive than I supposed," replied
+Houston, "I never realized before that there were so many men employed
+here; some of them are good fellows, too, I enjoyed my visit to-night
+immensely."
+
+"I generally like to come down and listen to them once in a while,"
+said Morgan, "but somehow, I didn't care to stay there to-night, that
+story of Billy's made me feel sort of creepy; I'm feeling a little off
+to-night, anyway."
+
+"That was a strange story the old fellow told, almost bordering on the
+improbable, it seemed to me, but I suppose there are a great many
+strange occurrences in a country like this."
+
+"Yes, lots of things happen here, and folks think nothing of 'em, that
+would be considered improbable anywhere back east."
+
+"Are you from the east?" inquired Houston.
+
+"Yes, part way," said Morgan, "not from way back, though, I've never
+been farther east than Ohio. I was born in Missouri, and raised in
+northern Iowa."
+
+He was silent for a moment, then continued: "I believe I told you one
+day that sometime I'd give you a bit of my life; I guess now's as good
+as any time, and when you've heard it, maybe you won't wonder at some
+of my views.
+
+"As I said, I was born in Missouri; when I was about three years old,
+my folks moved to Iowa. I can just remember my father being with us at
+that time, but I never saw him after I was three and a half or so, and
+when I got old enough to think about it and ask for him, mother told
+me he was dead, and I never knew anything different till years after.
+We were always moving, I remember, from one place to another, and
+though we never had any money saved up, yet we lived well and never
+wanted for anything. Mother used to have a good deal of company, and
+be away from home considerable, but she was always kind to me, and I
+was a soft, warm-hearted, little chap in those days, and I know I
+thought the world of her.
+
+"We lived together till I was about ten years old, and then times
+began to get pretty close; mother didn't have any money, and we had to
+pinch to get along, but she was always good to me.
+
+"Finally she decided to go to Denver; said she had heard of an opening
+there for her to run a boarding house and make money, but she didn't
+want to take me with her, and sent me to a brother of hers, living in
+Ohio. That was the end of all happiness for me. He was a man old
+enough to be my grandfather, for mother was the youngest of a large
+family. He and his wife lived by themselves, for they had no children,
+and a meaner, stingier old couple never lived. Mother wrote pretty
+often at first, and always sent money, but don't you think I ever got
+any of it. They never mentioned my mother to me, and they wouldn't let
+me speak of her.
+
+"Well, things went on from bad to worse, and finally, when I was
+fourteen, I run away. I stole rides on freight cars when I could, and
+when I couldn't do that, I tramped, till I got to St. Louis, and got a
+place there in a third-class hotel as bell boy. While I was there, I
+picked up a good many little accomplishments that have stuck to me
+ever since, gambling and swearing, and so on. I got to be pretty
+tough, I know, but in spite of it all, there was one good spot about
+me yet,--I thought the world of my mother. I staid in St. Louis two
+years; in that time I had only heard from mother twice, but she sent
+me money both times, and wrote me kind letters, though she never said
+anything about my coming to see her."
+
+By this time, they had reached the main road, and as Morgan seated
+himself on a rock to finish his story, Houston followed his example.
+
+"I made up my mind I wanted to see her, so I took what little money I
+had saved up, about eighty dollars, and started for Denver. The last
+letter I had from mother, she said she was running a house on a
+certain street, and I supposed of course it was a boarding house. I
+won't tell you her real name; Morgan wasn't her name, nor mine
+neither, I took it afterwards, but I'll call her name Johnson. I got
+to Denver, and happened to meet an old acquaintance of mine named Tim,
+who took me to a fifth-class boarding and lodging house where he was
+staying. Tim had only been in Denver a few days, and knew very little
+of the city, but we found a crowd of old-timers at the house, and
+after a while I asked for Mrs. Johnson who kept a boarding house on
+such a street. The men all laughed and began to guy me; I got hot and
+was going to sail into them, but Tim persuaded me to go out with him,
+and we started in to paint the town.
+
+"Well, we'd been out about two or three hours, when we came to a
+dancing hall, the toughest we'd seen,--a regular dive,--and we went
+in, bound to have some fun. The place was full of tough-looking subs,
+and a lot of frouzy, dowdy girls, and what they lacked in good looks
+they made up in paint and brass,--such brazen faces I never saw. Half
+way down the hall was a big, fat woman, with her hair blondined, who
+seemed to have charge of the place, and was giving orders to the man
+behind the bar. They had some loud talk, and something in her voice
+took my attention, and I looked at her; just then she turned 'round
+facing me, and great God! it was my mother! I knew her in spite of the
+blond hair and the paint, and she knew me. She gave one awful shriek,
+and then fell in a dead faint, and when she came to half an hour
+after, she went into hysterics, and screamed and raved and cried
+nearly all night.
+
+"I was so dazed, everything was going round and round, and I thought
+the world was coming to an end; and it would have been better for me
+if it had. The next day, she was able to see me, and I went to her
+room, and I guess I must have staid three or four hours. She told me
+then, that her husband was living, but that he quit her back in Iowa,
+and that he claimed I was not his child. She cried and begged me to
+stay with her, but I left her that day. That was fifteen years ago,
+and I have never seen her since. From that time, the last tie that
+bound me to even a belief in anything good was gone. I took a
+different name, and came up here in this part of the country. Once I
+found a girl I liked, but just as I began to think something of her, I
+found she was like all the rest of 'em. I've no faith in man or woman,
+and don't believe there is any such thing as honor or virtue. If there
+are some people who seem virtuous and honorable, it is simply either
+because they have been so placed that there was no temptation to be
+anything else, or because they have succeeded in keeping up
+appearances a little better than other folks."
+
+As Morgan paused, Houston spoke very slowly and kindly:
+
+"Your experience has certainly been a sad one, Morgan, and I am truly
+sorry for you; sorry most of all that it has produced such an effect
+on you."
+
+"Well," said Morgan, "I guess it don't make much difference, one way
+or another, what we think or what we do."
+
+"Your mother's opinions and actions seem to have made considerable
+difference in your life," answered Houston, quietly.
+
+"Yes, by George! I should say so!" replied Morgan, gloomily.
+
+"Perhaps your opinions and your conduct are wrecking some other life,
+in like manner. There is not one of us who does not exert a powerful
+influence on those about us, one way or the other, to build up and
+strengthen, or to wreck and destroy."
+
+As there was no reply, Houston said: "I am very glad you have given me
+this sketch of your life, Morgan, I shall always feel differently
+toward you, remembering this."
+
+"Yes," said Morgan, rising, "I wanted you to know, and I thought this
+was as good a time as I would have. You will remember it, whatever
+happens," he added ambiguously, as he started slowly down the road, in
+an opposite direction from the house.
+
+"Which way are you going?" asked Houston, also rising.
+
+"Down to the Y."
+
+"What! are you going that distance as late as this?"
+
+"Yes," replied Morgan, "I don't go all the way by the road; there's a
+cut across that makes it a good deal shorter, and I'll have plenty of
+time."
+
+They both stood a few moments watching a tall, dark figure that had
+been pacing up and down the road all the time they had been talking,
+sometimes approaching quite near, then retreating out of sight. They
+both recognized it as Jack.
+
+"He's a queer duck," muttered Morgan, "wonder what he's doing, this is
+rather late for a constitutional;" then added, "I wish I had some of
+the money that chap's got."
+
+"Why, has he money?" inquired Houston.
+
+"He must have," was the reply, "he never spends anything, just hoards
+it up; he's got enough any way to help me out just now, if I could
+only have it."
+
+"Are you in need of money?" asked Houston, quickly, "if so, I will
+gladly accommodate you."
+
+"Much obliged," replied Morgan, starting down the road, "but I can get
+along for the present. Luck has been against me a little lately, but I
+guess it will turn all right," adding, as he looked back over his
+shoulder, "if it don't turn too late, like 'Unlucky Pete'."
+
+As Houston walked rapidly up the canyon toward the house, he saw Jack
+again approaching, and glad of an opportunity to meet this man toward
+whom he felt such a powerful attraction, he slackened his pace as Jack
+came up, and greeting him cordially, stopped and entered into
+conversation with him. To his surprise, he found Jack's manner far
+less reserved than on the few occasions when they had met in the mine.
+He seemed as ready to stop as Houston himself, and though he spoke
+with a dignity of tone and manner utterly unlike an employe, the icy
+reserve was gone, and in its place, there was in his voice the genuine
+ring of friendliness.
+
+After a few moments of ordinary conversation, Jack remarked:
+
+"You are not often out in this locality at this hour, and alone."
+
+"No," Houston replied, "but I have been visiting the miners in company
+with Morgan, and remained there later than I intended. Then a talk
+with Morgan out there among the rocks delayed me still longer."
+
+"Pardon me," said Jack, "but I suppose you are aware that you have
+enemies here."
+
+"Yes," said Houston, slightly surprised, "I am conscious of that
+fact."
+
+"And," continued Jack, lowering his tone, "you are probably also aware
+that this enmity is likely to increase, so that unless you exercise
+great caution, your life will be in danger?"
+
+Houston was startled, not so much by the suggestion of personal
+danger, as by the thought that this man seemed to understand something
+of his position there. Was it possible his secret was known? It could
+not be, but if it were,--his nerves quivered, not with fear for
+himself, but with apprehension lest his whole scheme should in some
+way prove a failure.
+
+These thoughts flashed through his mind with the speed of lightning,
+but Jack was quick to read them, and before Houston could make any
+reply, he continued:
+
+"I desire to have a private interview with you, as early as possible,
+and as we will wish to be perfectly secure from interruption, as well
+as from all danger of being overheard, I wish you would come to my
+cabin, there we can talk with perfect safety. And now, as a key to
+this contemplated interview, allow me to say that I fully understand
+your mission here; but have no fear, your secret is absolutely safe.
+My only reason for wishing to meet you is, that I desire to aid you if
+you will permit me. Will you fix an evening for this conference of
+ours?"
+
+"Certainly," said Houston cordially, his momentary surprise giving way
+to the confidence which he had felt in this man, since first meeting
+him, face to face.
+
+An engagement was made for the near future, and with a cordial
+hand-clasp, the two men parted.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+
+The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little
+porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily
+improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players
+and joined him. Looking at him rather archly, she asked:
+
+"Do you expect to remain out as late to-night as you did last night?"
+
+"I don't know just how late I may be detained," he answered, smiling,
+"Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?"
+
+"Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your
+guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then
+she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country
+from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant
+or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has
+enemies."
+
+Houston was somewhat surprised by this second warning, but he answered
+lightly:
+
+"Yes, I know I am in what Ned used to call 'the camp of the
+Philistines,' but you do not think I have any dangerous enemies, do
+you?"
+
+"It is only fear of detection that keeps some of them from being
+dangerous," said Lyle, who saw Miss Gladden approaching, "don't give
+them any opportunities for working their spite in the dark."
+
+Miss Gladden just then came up, and Lyle soon resumed her place among
+the players.
+
+"Going out again this evening, Mr. Houston?"
+
+"Yes, Miss Gladden," replied Houston with mock gravity.
+
+"Excuse me, Everard," she answered, blushing, "but when so many
+strangers are about, I am obliged to be very circumspect, you know."
+
+"There are no strangers within hearing at present, Leslie," he
+replied, "but isn't it nearly time for this crowd to take its
+departure?"
+
+"Yes, they expect to leave to-morrow."
+
+"Thank Heaven!" exclaimed Houston devoutly.
+
+Miss Gladden laughed merrily.
+
+"Well," he continued rather savagely, "I hope, after they are gone, we
+can enjoy our evenings again as we used to. For the last ten days, I
+have scarcely had an opportunity for a word with you, unless we
+deliberately gave the whole company the cold shoulder, which, of
+course, would not answer."
+
+"And so," said Miss Gladden laughing, "you wreak your revenge upon
+poor me these last two evenings, by taking yourself away, where I
+cannot even have the satisfaction of seeing you, while I talk to
+somebody else."
+
+Houston smiled; "I am obliged to go out this evening, Leslie, I have
+an engagement to-night, with Jack, at his cabin."
+
+"With Jack!" exclaimed Miss Gladden, "then you have made his
+acquaintance!"
+
+"No, I can scarcely say that, for I never exchanged a half dozen words
+with him before last evening. This interview to-night is wholly on
+business."
+
+"Well," said Miss Gladden, who saw the players beckoning to her, "I am
+glad you are going to meet him. I saw him the other day, and had a
+talk with him regarding Lyle, and I wanted to tell you about it, but
+have had no opportunity. I think you will find him one of the most
+perfect gentlemen you ever met," and with a little farewell wave of
+the hand, she left him to rejoin the players who were waiting for
+her.
+
+Half an hour later, Houston found himself in the inner room of the
+little cabin, alone with Jack, while at the outside door, Rex was
+stationed as guard.
+
+Already the twilight was beginning to gather in the little room, but
+even in its soft, shadowy light, Houston noted the evidences, existing
+on all sides, of a refined nature, a nature keenly appreciative of
+beauty in all its forms.
+
+"I hope," said Jack, seating himself near his guest, "that you will
+excuse the gathering darkness; I thought it more prudent not to have
+a light, as it might attract attention, I am in the habit of sitting
+so much in the twilight, myself."
+
+"A light is not necessary," Houston replied, "the twilight is very
+pleasant, and the moon will be up presently, and will afford us all
+the light we need."
+
+There was a moment or two of silence, while Houston waited for his
+companion to broach the subject of the evening. He was anxious to
+ascertain how much regarding himself and his errand there in the camp,
+Jack really knew, and more particularly, to learn, if possible, how he
+had become possessed of his knowledge.
+
+Jack, on his part, was wondering whether, with their brief acquaintance,
+he could give Houston any assurance that the latter would consider
+sufficient to warrant taking himself into full confidence concerning
+his work and plans, so that he could render the assistance he desired.
+
+"You were doubtless somewhat surprised," he began very deliberately
+and slowly, "by my request, last evening, for this interview."
+
+"Yes," replied the other, "I will admit that I was surprised, more
+especially by the reason which you gave for your request,--that you
+understood my position here, and desired to help me."
+
+"Did it never occur to you that, to a person with any degree of
+penetration, any ability at reading a man's character and habits of
+life, your position here, as clerk for a disreputable mining company,
+would, of itself, seem an anomaly, and be liable to excite the
+suspicion that you had some ulterior object in view?"
+
+"I think," said Houston, with a smile, "you are supposing a person
+with keener perceptions than are possessed by many in this locality."
+
+"They nearly all possess them to a certain degree, in a latent,
+uncultivated form, perhaps, but still there. For example, what is the
+true secret of Maverick's hatred toward you, of Haight's enmity,
+except that they recognize by a sort of instinct that you belong to an
+altogether different sphere from that in which they move? They cannot
+reason it out perhaps, but they feel it;--your language, your conduct,
+your manner, the very cut of your clothes, though but a plain
+business suit, proclaim to one who can read, and reason from these
+things correctly, and deduct their results therefrom, that you are a
+man of the highest culture and refinement, of high moral character,
+and of wealth. Consequently, the question arises, 'What are you doing
+here?'"
+
+"Pardon me, I do not intend to be personal in my remarks," replied
+Houston, "but in my opinion, only a person who has himself moved in
+the highest circles of life would be able to reason in this manner."
+
+"Possibly," said Jack, "they would be better able to classify you,
+as it were, and assign you to your true position, but these others
+feel keenly that you are not of their world, but they are generally
+incapable of drawing any conclusions from their observations, as very
+few of them have the reasoning faculty, and hence, they would not be
+likely to question your object or motive in holding this position. My
+design, however, in thus calling your attention to these facts, is
+simply to show you that you need not be greatly surprised when I say
+that from your first coming here, I have felt that you were no
+ordinary employe; that you were merely holding this position
+temporarily, either in your own interests, or in the interests of
+some one else,--but not in the interests of the mining company.
+Notwithstanding the fact that I live a very secluded life, I yet have
+means of ascertaining nearly all that is going on around me, and I
+will say to you truthfully, that I learned the secret of your
+mission here without even asking a question."
+
+"I can scarcely understand," said Houston, "how you came to be the
+recipient of this secret, since you do not mingle with others, and
+apparently take very little interest in their affairs."
+
+"Perhaps," said Jack, in low, musical tones, "you would be able to
+understand the situation better, did you know that your secret was
+told me by a friend of yours, who believed that, through my very
+isolation and loneliness, I could the better assist you."
+
+"A friend of mine!" exclaimed Houston, in surprise, "Is it possible
+that my eastern friends are known to you, and that some one of them
+has written you?"
+
+"No one has written me, the story was told me by a friend of yours
+here."
+
+Instantly there flashed into Houston's mind the memory of Lyle's
+warning, and also of Miss Gladden's declaration that she had seen and
+talked with Jack, but how could his true position be known to either
+of them?
+
+"I have but two friends here, at present," was his reply, "and they
+are women."
+
+"True women are the truest friends," said Jack tersely.
+
+"But how can either of them know anything regarding my work here?"
+
+"I will tell you," and very briefly Jack gave Houston an account of
+how his plans had first become known to Lyle, and of her subsequent
+interview with himself, begging his assistance in Houston's behalf.
+
+Houston was inexpressibly astonished and touched to find that the
+beautiful girl, whom he had considered friendless and helpless, and
+whom he had defended through a sense of chivalry, had, in return,
+served him so nobly and so opportunely. He resolved to see her and
+express to her his appreciation of what she had done, as early as
+possible.
+
+"I think," said Jack, in conclusion, "you will admit that by this
+means I have obtained a thorough understanding of what you wish to
+accomplish."
+
+"You understand it perfectly," Houston answered.
+
+"You will also admit that, after the years of experience that I have
+had in these particular mines, I must be thoroughly conversant with
+affairs in connection therewith, and could probably render you just
+the assistance you will need."
+
+"Most certainly you could," responded Houston quickly, "I know of no
+one in the entire camp who could assist us so well as you."
+
+"Then," said Jack, "the next and only consideration is, whether you
+have that degree of confidence in me, that you would feel warranted in
+trusting me implicitly,--"
+
+"Enough said," said Houston, interrupting him hastily but cordially,
+"I have that confidence in you, that, even if you had not sought this
+interview, sooner or later, I would have come to you for assistance."
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed Jack, in surprise, "may I ask why?"
+
+Houston hesitated a moment, and then replied:
+
+"I believe, though we have met so recently, we may speak together as
+friends, or as brothers; you spoke a while ago of the faculty of
+perception; please credit me with possessing it in some degree myself,
+and while I do not wish to be personal or intrusive in my remarks, I
+am sure you will allow me to say, that if there is any degree of
+incongruity between my appearance and the position I hold, it
+certainly exists in a much greater degree in your own case. I, of
+course, know nothing of your past life; I wish to know nothing of it,
+except so far as you yourself would tell me, should you ever choose to
+do so, but this much I do know, and have known from the first, that
+you are vastly superior to your surroundings here. You claim,--and you
+are correct,--that I have had the advantages of excellent birth and
+breeding, of culture and wealth, but you are not one whit behind me in
+any of these things. Added to all this is the experience which you
+have accumulated in these late years, in this particular branch of
+work; surely it was not strange that I felt your acquaintance would be
+invaluable, could I but secure your friendship sufficiently for you to
+be interested in my plans."
+
+The moon had risen, flooding the little room with a soft, pale light,
+but Jack was sitting in the shadow, and Houston could not see the
+effect produced by his words. He wondered a little that Jack made no
+response, and, after waiting in silence for a moment or two,
+continued:
+
+"There is one other consideration which you have not mentioned, and
+which must not be omitted, and that is compensation."
+
+A sudden movement on Jack's part caused Houston to pause for an
+instant, but nothing was said, and he proceeded:
+
+"I could not think of asking you to share the difficulties and dangers
+of this work without abundant compensation. Mr. Cameron, my uncle, who
+is interested--"
+
+"Stop!" said Jack, putting up one hand as if to ward off a blow; his
+voice was hoarse, almost stern, and vibrated with some strange, deep
+emotion; "If you ever speak to me again of compensation, I will
+utterly refuse to help you in any way."
+
+"I beg your pardon," said Houston, in a low, gentle tone, "I intended
+no offense, and I shall certainly respect your wishes."
+
+"There was no offense," replied Jack, more calmly, "but you spoke a
+few moments since of friendship; that word, to a man living the life I
+have lived, means volumes; whatever I do, let it be done for
+friendship's sake."
+
+"So let it be!" responded Houston solemnly, strangely moved by Jack's
+manner.
+
+For a long time they talked of the work before them, and Houston spoke
+of the expected arrival of Van Dorn within the next day or two, who
+was to remain until the end.
+
+"The end is not far distant," said Jack, "for after his coming I can
+give you nearly all the additional proof needed," and he then
+proceeded to give information concerning matters of which Houston had
+not, as yet, obtained even a clue. An arrangement was made whereby
+Houston and Van Dorn, after the arrival of the latter, were to meet
+Jack at the cabin, and perfect their plans for the brief campaign
+before them.
+
+At last, as Houston rose to take his leave, he said: "I hope you will
+pardon the remark, but while I have not the least doubt of your
+friendship toward me in this, I cannot overcome the impression that
+you also have some personal interest in this matter."
+
+"Possibly," replied Jack, gravely, still standing in the shadow as
+Houston stepped forth into the moonlight, "but not in the way in which
+you think."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+
+The camping party had returned to Silver City, and the old house among
+the mountains slowly subsided into its former quiet. Lyle's time had
+been so occupied by the numerous demands made upon her by the
+departing guests, that Houston had found no opportunity for speaking
+with her, as he had planned the previous evening.
+
+When the day's work was completed, he, with Miss Gladden and Lyle, sat
+in the little porch, watching a brief but furious mountain storm,
+which had suddenly sprung up, preventing them from taking their
+customary evening stroll.
+
+To the ordinary beauty of the scene around them was added the grandeur
+of the tempest, forming a spectacle not easily forgotten. Around the
+summits of the lofty peaks the fierce lightnings were playing,
+sometimes darting back and forth like the swords of mighty giants,
+flashing in mortal combat; sometimes descending swiftly in fiery
+chains, then seeming to wrap the whole universe in sheets of flame;
+while the crash and roll of the thunder echoed and re-echoed from peak
+to peak, the lingering reverberations still muttering and rumbling in
+the distance, as the fierce cannonading was again renewed. The wind
+rushed, roaring and shrieking, down the canyon, while the rain fell in
+gusty, fitful torrents.
+
+At the end of half an hour, only a few stray drops were falling, the
+sun suddenly burst forth in a flood of golden light, and against the
+dark background of the storm-cloud, a rainbow spanned the eastern
+horizon, its glorious tints seeming almost to rival the gorgeous
+colors of the western sky.
+
+Soon after the storm had passed, Haight was seen approaching the
+house. As he came up, he handed a telegraphic dispatch to Houston,
+saying:
+
+"Just got a wire from the boss for you and Morgan; did you know
+anything about this kind of an arrangement?"
+
+Houston opened the telegram, and read:
+
+  "Van Dorn up to-morrow to set up machinery on trial; may not be
+  able to come myself for a day or two. Have Morgan and Houston give
+  him all help they can spare, but not to interfere with work.
+
+                                                         Blaisdell."
+
+Houston read the message carefully, then said to Haight, who stood
+awaiting his reply:
+
+"I knew nothing of their having made any definite arrangement. I
+remember hearing Van Dorn say something to Mr. Blaisdell, just before
+they all went away, about bringing one of his machines out here, but
+Blaisdell didn't seem to give him any encouragement at that time."
+
+"He evidently has roped the old man in on it, at last," said Haight,
+seating himself.
+
+"It looks like it," Houston answered indifferently.
+
+"What is the machine anyway?" Haight inquired. "Is it any good?"
+
+"I cannot tell you," replied Houston, "because I know absolutely
+nothing about it, except that it is for the reduction of ores. I heard
+Van Dorn allude to it two or three times while he was here, and he
+seemed quite enthusiastic about it, which I thought was, of course,
+perfectly natural. Where is Morgan?" Houston continued, "have you told
+him?"
+
+Haight shook his head; "Morgan is at the Y, I suppose, as usual, and
+nobody will see him before sometime to-morrow. Have you noticed that
+fellow lately, Mr. Houston? Half the time he don't seem to know what
+he's about."
+
+"I have noticed that he scarcely appears like himself, of late,"
+Houston replied; "he seems to have some serious trouble."
+
+"He's been losing pretty heavy lately, I guess, that's what's the
+matter; he's awful reckless in his gambling, it's neck or nothing,
+with him. I tell you," Haight continued, watching Houston sharply,
+"Morgan would get the G.B. pretty sudden if the boss got onto the way
+he's carrying sail."
+
+"Possibly," said Houston, quietly, "but he will not know of it from
+me."
+
+"No?" said Haight, with a curious, rising reflection.
+
+"No, indeed," responded Houston, with some warmth, "when a man is in
+trouble, it is no time to give him a push downward; besides, I would
+not do or say anything to injure Morgan, anyway."
+
+Haight looked up curiously, and even the faces of the ladies expressed
+a slight surprise.
+
+"I didn't know you and Morgan were such good friends," Haight remarked
+wonderingly.
+
+"I do not know," said Houston, "that either he or I consider that we
+are particular friends, though we are friendly enough, but I have
+learned this about Morgan; that whatever his principles, or his manner
+of life may be, he is far less to be blamed than people would
+ordinarily suppose."
+
+"Well," said Haight, rising, "Morgan and I have been together, off and
+on, for the last three years, but I don't know anything about him
+except just what I have seen for myself, what anybody can see; of
+course his way isn't my way, but then, we don't any of us think alike,
+and I've never had any fault to find with him, and we've got along
+together first rate. I suppose," he continued, "you will give
+directions in the morning for that fellow and his machines, for it
+isn't likely that Morgan will be around much before ten o'clock."
+
+"Very well," said Houston, "I will be up early and will see that one
+of the six-horse teams is at the Y to meet him, and I can get through
+at the mines in season to be at the office by the time he will reach
+there; he probably will not get up before noon, with all that load."
+
+Happening to glance toward Lyle, as Haight withdrew, Houston read
+in her eyes, in their look of eager expectancy, and the firm
+determination expressed in her face, that she fully understood the
+meaning of what had passed.
+
+It was equally evident that Miss Gladden had received no hint of the
+situation, for at almost the same instant she inquired:
+
+"Is Mr. Van Dorn going to erect one of his reducing machines here?"
+
+Houston answered in the affirmative.
+
+"He will be likely to remain here some time, then, will he not?"
+
+"In all probability," Houston replied, "it must take considerable time
+to get one of those machines in perfect running order."
+
+"Then of course he will be here when Mr. Rutherford returns, with his
+brother; they were all such intimate friends, it will be pleasant for
+them to meet here. But I am surprised," she added, "that he is
+bringing one of his machines such a distance as this."
+
+"Why so?" inquired Houston.
+
+"Because, Mr. Winters told me that although the amalgamator was
+undoubtedly a valuable invention, and would prove a great success in a
+mining country, Van Dorn was too indolent to even try to introduce it
+among mining men, as it would require too much exertion on his part."
+
+Houston smiled at this accurate description of his class mate.
+
+Miss Gladden continued: "Mr. Winters said that Van Dorn was a fine
+fellow, but that he was never so happy as when engaged in some little
+scheme, apparently doing one thing, and in reality, doing something
+else, as when he was acting as mining expert for Mr. Winters."
+
+"Well," said Houston, laughing, "if that is the characteristic of Mr.
+Van Dorn, it will not be best to mention it here, as the officers of
+the company are very suspicious anyway, and very guarded as to who is
+permitted to have access to the mines and mills, and we might
+unconsciously make it rather unpleasant for him."
+
+The next morning, Houston went very early to the stables to order a
+team and three or four men to the Y to meet Van Dorn. Having given all
+necessary instructions, he returned to the house, but it was still
+early, and there was no one but Lyle in the breakfast room.
+
+At a signal from Houston, she approached the door-way, where he
+remained standing, as from that position he could easily watch both
+the porch and the interior of the room, to assure himself that they
+were safe from listeners.
+
+"I have just discovered recently," he began in a low tone, "that I am
+indebted to you for securing valuable assistance for me in my work
+here."
+
+"Why?" she asked quickly, in surprise, "did Jack tell you that it was
+I who asked him to help you?"
+
+"Certainly," replied Houston, "I naturally wished to know where he
+obtained his information, and he told me of your interview with him,
+and your persistent efforts in my behalf. I want to thank you, for I
+appreciate your conduct under such circumstances; you acted wisely and
+nobly, and did the very best thing that could have been done."
+
+"I am glad that I have your approval," she replied, "my overhearing
+what I did was unintentional and unavoidable, but having learned your
+plans, and that you needed help, I sought it from the only one
+competent to give it, and at the same time perfectly true and worthy
+of your confidence."
+
+"You certainly made a noble use of the knowledge you had obtained;
+there are very few, Lyle, who could have been trusted with such a
+secret, and who would have proven so trustworthy."
+
+"If you will pardon me for saying it, Mr. Houston, there is one other,
+whom you could, and, in my opinion, should trust with this."
+
+Houston looked at her inquiringly.
+
+"I mean Miss Gladden," was her response.
+
+"I see you have given her no hint," he said, smiling.
+
+"Not a word," Lyle answered, "it was not my place to do so; you know
+best what you wish her to know, and when, but I think you ought to
+confide in her fully, for she is a noble woman; you could trust her,
+and she would help you."
+
+"I realize that," Houston replied, "but I did not wish her to be
+worried by this; there will probably be more or less danger before it
+is all over, and I thought she would be happier not to know."
+
+Lyle lifted her beautiful head proudly, with a gesture so full of
+grace, Houston could not but observe it.
+
+"If I were in her place," she said, slowly and firmly, and with
+peculiar emphasis, "and my lover were in any danger, I would far
+rather know it, and give him my help, if possible, my prayers and
+sympathy at any rate, than to remain in ignorance, and perhaps
+unconsciously hinder him."
+
+Houston looked at Lyle in astonishment; was this clear-headed woman
+the untutored, untrained child of the mountains whom he had always
+regarded with a tender, chivalric regard, almost akin to pity?
+
+Lyle continued; "Do not think that even if you refrain from telling
+her this secret, she will not know that it exists; she will be quick
+to see indications of a secret understanding between yourself and
+others,--between yourself and myself, even,--in which she has no
+share. Will that seem to her like confidence, or even justice, on your
+part. It will be better for her, for you and for me that you tell her
+your plans fully, for you will find her strong and true and brave,
+whatever the end shall prove."
+
+"My dear Lyle," said Houston, slowly, "I believe you are right, and I
+will never consider you a child again; but I cannot understand how
+you, with your youth and inexperience, can think and act so wisely and
+well."
+
+"We none of us know what we can do or be," she answered gravely, "till
+an emergency arises, and we are suddenly shown what is required of
+us."
+
+"I will follow your suggestion at the first opportunity," Houston
+said, after a pause, "I shall tell Miss Gladden all that you know
+regarding my plans and my work, with but one reservation; for the
+present, I do not wish her to know that Mr. Cameron is related to
+me."
+
+Lyle looked slightly surprised, "Very well," she answered, in a tone
+of assent, adding, "You are his nephew, are you not?"
+
+"His nephew and his adopted son," Houston replied, with a peculiar
+smile.
+
+"Ah!" she replied quietly, "I understand; Miss Gladden is to know
+nothing at present of your wealth."
+
+"I have won her love with love, not with gold," he said proudly, "but
+she will find, by and by, that the latter is not lacking."
+
+A remark of Miss Gladden's, which she had made in confidence, soon
+after her engagement to Houston, was suddenly recalled to Lyle's mind;
+"Whether he has money or not, I do not know or care, for I have enough
+for both of us."
+
+A curious smile flitted over her face for a moment, but she only said,
+"You must be very wealthy!"
+
+"I have enough," Houston responded, "to give to Miss Gladden the home
+of which she is worthy, but which she has never known; and," he added,
+"there is one thing, my dear Lyle, upon which we are both agreed;
+that our home, wherever it shall be, shall be your home also, as our
+sister."
+
+For a moment, Lyle's lips quivered, and she was unable to speak. At
+that instant, Haight entered the breakfast room, darting at them a
+look of curiosity and suspicion, as they stood together in the
+door-way. Houston was pleased to see Lyle's perfect self-control.
+Without stirring in the least from her place by his side, she asked,
+in the most matter-of-fact tone, whether Mr. Van Dorn would be likely
+to arrive from the Y in season for dinner, and what room it would be
+best to prepare for him.
+
+"You had better let him share my room, in case he has no objections,"
+Houston answered indifferently, "for you like to keep your rooms in
+readiness for guests as much as possible, and Rutherford, when he
+returns, will probably room with his brother."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+
+As Houston was hurrying up from the mines at about eleven o'clock, on
+his way to the office, he met Morgan, just started on his rounds, and
+was shocked at the change which a few hours had made in his
+appearance. His heavy gait, his pale, haggard face and bloodshot eyes,
+told, not only of late hours and terrible dissipation, but of some
+severe mental strain, also. Morgan half smiled, as he saw Houston's
+look of pained surprise.
+
+"Yes," he said, "I know I look pretty hard this morning, but I was up
+late; I guess I'll be all right in a day or two. What's this Haight's
+been telling me about one of those fellows coming out here with some
+mining machinery? Which one is it, that English dude?"
+
+"No," answered Houston, "Van Dorn, the one with glasses, he was the
+inventor, you remember."
+
+"Well, if he's invented anything that will make old Rivers hand out
+any cash, he'd better get a patent on it, that's all I've got to say.
+How in thunder the old man ever gave his consent to his coming out
+here, monkey-fooling around with his machines, is more'n I can make
+out; but if the company want him up here, I'm sure I don't care a
+damn. The boss himself isn't coming up, is he?"
+
+"Not for a day or two," replied Houston.
+
+"Well," said Morgan, with one of his characteristic shrugs, "I guess
+I'll have to spruce up a bit, before he comes."
+
+"That is so, Morgan," said Houston, kindly, "I wouldn't want Mr.
+Blaisdell to see you as you look this morning; I'm too much a friend
+of yours myself for that."
+
+"Oh well, I'll be all right before he gets here. Who's going down to
+meet that fellow and his contraptions?"
+
+"I sent Hayes down with two or three men, and a six-horse team, early
+this morning."
+
+"Good for you!" laughed Morgan, starting on his way, "You'd make a
+first-rate boss 'round here; guess I'll have to give you a raise."
+
+Houston walked slowly down the road after Morgan left him, having
+apparently forgotten his haste. The story which Morgan had told him a
+few nights before, of his own life, had awakened his pity for the man
+as nothing else could have done. He felt that Morgan was in serious
+trouble, and in danger of losing his position, and that he was already
+where it would take very little to drive him to complete ruin. He
+resolved to seize the first opportunity that presented itself, to try
+to ascertain the cause of his trouble, and to assist him in any way
+that he possibly could.
+
+On reaching the office, he found considerable work awaiting him, and
+for a while, all other thoughts were banished from his mind. About
+noon, a heavy rumbling and rattling attracted his attention, and,
+going to the door, he saw the slowly approaching team, winding from
+side to side of the steep, canyon road, the powerful horses straining
+and panting under the heavy load. Perched on the top of the load,
+under a wide-spread umbrella, and fanning himself with his straw hat,
+was Van Dorn, his face irradiated by a broad smile as he caught sight
+of Houston. Two of the men walked beside the team, blocking the
+wheels with rocks, as the horses were occasionally stopped to rest. As
+they came within speaking distance, Van Dorn sang out merrily:
+
+"I say, Houston, this is what I call up-hill work; it has been a
+pretty hard pull all the way."
+
+"Yes," said Houston, "particularly hard on you, judging by appearances."
+
+Van Dorn laughed, and proceeded to close his umbrella, while an
+expansive grin broke over the face of one of the workmen, trudging
+along the hot, dusty road. At the brow of the hill, the team again
+stopped to rest, and Van Dorn descended from his lofty position,
+Houston meanwhile giving instructions to the driver:
+
+"Drive over to the stables, Hayes, and take the horses off and let
+them rest; after dinner, put on another set of horses, and drive to
+the mills; we will be there to see to the unloading."
+
+"Well, Everard, old boy, how are you?" exclaimed Van Dorn, as they
+started for the office; "I started within five hours after I received
+your telegram, and here I am, at your service."
+
+"When did you reach Silver City? yesterday?" inquired Houston.
+
+"Yesterday!" exclaimed Van Dorn, "my dear boy, do you think the world
+was made in one day? No, sir; I got in the day before, and spent the
+remainder of that day, and all of yesterday in cultivating the good
+graces of your company. I went straight for their offices, and it took
+all the arguments and persuasion I could muster, with some treating,
+and a good deal of judicious flattery thrown in, before I could get
+the old fellows to consent to my giving the machine a trial. I got
+around Blaisdell pretty easy after I had flattered him a little, but
+that Rivers is a beast! Said he didn't see why I was so anxious to
+have them test the machine, and all that! I explained, of course, that
+this was the first I had ever brought it out into the west, and they
+were so well known that if I could only get their endorsement, and so
+on and so forth. Oh, I want to tell you all about it later, and if you
+don't acknowledge that I'm a born diplomat, I'll give up; but at
+present, my first business must be to allay these pangs of hunger,
+they are becoming unendurable."
+
+"Certainly, we will go to the house at once," said Houston, preparing
+to close the office.
+
+"Wait a minute!" said Van Dorn, diving furiously into his pockets; "I
+attended to that little business that you wrote me about, just
+according to directions, and I want you to see if it is perfectly
+satisfactory before we go any further, and then I'll have it off my
+mind; why, confound it! where is that thing anyway?" he exclaimed,
+turning a half dozen pockets inside out, and emptying a heterogeneous
+collection upon the desk before him. "Oh, here it is! I knew I had it
+safe somewhere; there now, Everard, I took as much pains as if it had
+been for myself, it was one of the finest stones I could find; I think
+it is a beauty, and I hope you will like it."
+
+He handed a small case to Houston, partially open, from whose depths
+of white velvet a superb diamond ring flashed forth its wondrous rays,
+seeming almost to brighten the dingy little room in which they were
+standing.
+
+"It is indeed a beauty," said Houston, "perfect! I could not have made
+a better selection myself. I knew I could trust to your good judgment,
+Arthur, and I am exceedingly obliged; I'll do as much for you when you
+are ready for a ring of this kind."
+
+"All right, I'm glad if you like it. I believe I sent my congratulations
+by letter, but I'll renew them now. I only hope the lady herself will
+be pleased with the selection."
+
+On their way to the house, Van Dorn said: "Ned Rutherford has gone to
+the coast to meet his brother, I suppose."
+
+"Yes; you probably know he and Morton are intending to stop here on
+their return?"
+
+"Yes; Mort, as soon as he found you were here, and especially after I
+gave him an inkling of what was going on, said he should certainly
+stop as he came back. You ought to have seen him though, when I told
+him you were out here! Good gracious! he was simply thunderstruck! He
+said Ned had been writing all along about a Houston, from Chicago,
+that he had met on the train, and that he was a fine fellow, and all
+that; but of course he never dreamed it was you."
+
+The remainder of the day passed very swiftly, for there was much to be
+done. After dinner, Houston and Van Dorn went down to the mills and
+superintended the unloading and unpacking of the machinery; then, as
+it was too late in the day to begin preparations for its erection,
+Houston visited the mines, Van Dorn accompanying him only a little way
+into the main shaft. As they came out together, half an hour later,
+and started for the office, Van Dorn drew a small piece of ore from
+his pocket, saying:
+
+"I've discovered now where that fine ore on the dump of the famous
+Sunrise lode came from."
+
+"Yes," said Houston, "and you will make other discoveries, shortly."
+
+At the office there was much to be said on both sides; Van Dorn giving
+his friend messages and directions from Mr. Cameron, and giving also
+the particulars of his interview with the company, and how he had
+finally obtained their consent for the erection of the machinery at
+their mills.
+
+Houston, on his part, related what he had been doing in the few weeks
+intervening since Van Dorn's former visit, and explained his new
+position as assistant superintendent of the group of mines in which
+they were most interested.
+
+Van Dorn whistled; "That's good!" he exclaimed, "I wondered how it was
+that you were going in and out among the mines in that way, I thought
+that was something new. Have you found any one whom we can trust to
+help us?"
+
+In reply, Houston told his friend of Jack, of his experience and skill
+as a miner, and of his offer to help them.
+
+Van Dorn was greatly interested, and before they were aware, the
+afternoon had passed, and it was time to close the office and return
+to the house.
+
+At the supper table that evening, the diamond ring appeared, flashing
+on the white, shapely hand of Leslie Gladden, and she herself looked
+radiantly beautiful.
+
+After the meal was over, Morgan, who was still pale and haggard, and
+had been very silent at the table, pulled his hat down over his eyes,
+and started down the road.
+
+"Morgan," called Houston, "where are you going?"
+
+"I dun'no," he answered moodily, "down to the Y, I guess, by and by."
+
+"Well, hold on a minute, I will walk down with you a ways; I want to
+see you."
+
+"All right," responded Morgan, walking on very slowly.
+
+Houston hastily excused himself to Miss Gladden and Van Dorn, and
+hurrying after Morgan, soon overtook him. For some time, Houston
+talked with him regarding the work for the next day, and the men who
+could best be detailed to help Van Dorn. They had reached the same
+spot where they had stopped to talk a few nights before, and, as then,
+were seated on the rocks. At last, the business arrangements were all
+completed, and Morgan made a move as if to start, and then Houston's
+real errand in overtaking him became apparent.
+
+"Morgan, you are not fit to be out to-night, you must have rest, you
+will break down living this way."
+
+"Yes," said Morgan, raising his hollow, heavy eyes to Houston's face,
+"I'm about done up, that's a fact."
+
+"I wouldn't go to the Y to-night, if I were you; come back to the
+house and get a good night's rest, it will make a different man of
+you."
+
+Morgan looked undecided for a moment; "'Twouldn't be no use going up
+there now," he answered gloomily, "I couldn't rest if I tried. I
+haven't slept scarcely any for three nights; but I ain't going to stay
+out late to-night as I've been doing; I shan't play after midnight.
+I'm going to have two or three games just to see what luck I'll have,
+and if I don't have luck, why, that ends it, I ain't going to play all
+night."
+
+"Morgan," said Houston earnestly, "you spoke the other night about
+money; now, as I told you then, if you need any money, I'm your
+friend, and I'll gladly accommodate you with whatever you need."
+
+For the first time in all their acquaintance, Morgan's careless,
+indifferent manner changed, and for a few moments he seemed touched.
+
+"Yes, I believe you," he said, after a pause, "I believe you're more
+of a friend to me than anybody else. Blaisdell would kick me out
+quicker'n it takes to say so, if he knew just how I stand to-night.
+Even Haight's got the big-head and puts on his airs since he's seen
+I'm down; you're the only one that's showed me any kindness."
+
+"Now, Morgan, just say what money you need, and you shall have it; I
+want to help you out of this," said Houston.
+
+"No," said Morgan, decidedly, "if I am a gambler, and all that, I
+ain't going to take the wages from a fellow that works for less than I
+do, to help me out of trouble. The Lord knows you've earnt your money,
+for you've worked faithful."
+
+"Never mind about that, Morgan," said Houston, hastily, "I'm not
+wholly dependent on my salary; I had a good little sum of money laid
+by before I came out here; there is plenty, I will not miss it, and
+you are welcome to it."
+
+"Much obliged to you, Houston, but I can't take it,--not now, at any
+rate,--maybe I'll call on you for it to-morrow, if I don't have luck
+to-night."
+
+"You are welcome to it whenever you want it," said Houston cordially,
+his hand on Morgan's shoulder; "I only wish you were not going to the
+Y to-night."
+
+"Well," said Morgan, as he rose slowly, "don't think I don't
+appreciate your kindness, for I do. You've heard me say that I didn't
+believe in honor in anybody; I guess I'll have to take that back, for
+if there is such a thing as honor, you've got it. I don't know how it
+is," he said, with a heavy sigh, then added slowly, "I guess you've
+been raised different somehow, from most of us out here. The Lord
+knows how I was raised."
+
+He started a few steps down the road, hesitated, and came back.
+
+"Houston, there's one thing I want to say to you, for you've been good
+to me, that's this; look out for Haight; he's no friend of yours, and
+I guess you're sharp enough to know it, but maybe you don't know what
+a sneaking, cowardly cur he is; look out for him!"
+
+"Thank you, Morgan, I will."
+
+"He ain't like me," he continued, "if I don't like anybody I let 'em
+know it, and fight 'em fair and square; you can tell that by the way I
+bucked up against you, when you first came here," and he smiled at the
+recollection, the first time he had smiled in the whole conversation.
+
+"Morgan," said Houston, "I've been sorry for that a good many times
+since; if I had known about you then what you have since told me, I
+never would have been so severe in my judgment of you."
+
+"Oh, that was all right," he answered, "it did me good; I didn't like
+you very well at first, but I've always had a liking for you ever
+since. Well, so long!" and with a faint smile, Morgan went on his
+way.
+
+Houston stood watching him for a few moments, then turned back in the
+direction of the house, little thinking how, or where, they would meet
+again.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+
+The next morning dawned fair and cloudless, giving promise of one of
+those royal days, so frequent in the almost perfect climate of the
+higher altitudes.
+
+Long before noon the heat would be intense, but in the early morning
+there was wafted down from the mountain side, where the pines were
+nodding and whispering so mysteriously, a cool, exhilarating breeze,
+which kissed the surface of the azure lake, sleeping so peacefully,
+and, awakening immediately into smiles, it lay rippling and dimpling
+with laughter in the sunlight.
+
+The vines, transplanted by Miss Gladden and Lyle, under their
+fostering care, had transformed the little porch into a bower of
+beauty. Here stood Van Dorn, his fair, almost feminine face flushed
+with pleasure, and his blue eyes sparkling, as the light breeze played
+with the auburn curls clustering about his forehead, and he looked
+forth on the beauty of the scene.
+
+"Ah--h!" he exclaimed, drawing a long breath, "isn't this refreshing
+after the stifling heat and dust of the journey out here? Isn't it
+glorious?"
+
+"It is," responded Houston, "this is one of the mornings when it is a
+joy just simply to live and breathe."
+
+Houston was fired with new ambition that morning; he would no longer
+have to work alone, keeping his anxieties and doubts, his plans and
+discoveries alike to himself; from henceforth he would have
+companionship, counsel and assistance, and he felt a new interest and
+enthusiasm.
+
+Immediately after breakfast, the two set forth upon their first day's
+work. Going first to the mills, Houston secured the services of two or
+three men who could be spared from the ordinary work, to assist Van
+Dorn in making preparations for the erection of the machinery; then he
+left for his early visit to the mines.
+
+It was nearly ten o'clock when, having finished his round of duties at
+the mines, and coming up to the surface from the cool, underground
+workings, he found the heat almost unendurable, and strolled over to
+the mills, to see how Van Dorn was progressing. The latter did not
+seem averse to stopping for a few moments, and for a while, the two
+chatted and laughed with the old, careless abandon of their college
+days, without a thought of the more serious side of life, until,
+something being needed for the work, which Houston thought was in the
+tool-house, they proceeded together to look for it.
+
+Houston was still searching for the needed implements, when Van Dorn,
+who was near the door, called out:
+
+"I say, Everard, here's a small specimen of humanity who seems to be
+looking for you in a desperate hurry," and an instant later, he heard
+a familiar voice say:
+
+"Is the boss in there, mister? Le'me in quick, I wan'ter see 'im!"
+
+Turning quickly, he saw Bull-dog, breathless, pale and quivering with
+excitement.
+
+"Say, boss," he gasped, before Houston could speak, "they want
+yer--down ter the Y,--Morgan has shot hisself!"
+
+"What is that, boy?" exclaimed Houston hoarsely, clearing the space
+between them at a bound.
+
+"Morgan's shot hisself, 'n they sent us fer yer,--me'n Hank,--he's out
+there," with a backward jerk of his thumb over his shoulder toward the
+open door.
+
+Houston sprang to the door; another boy was talking excitedly with Van
+Dorn, while his horse stood, panting heavily and covered with dust and
+foam.
+
+"Here's the man you want," said Van Dorn, turning a white face toward
+Houston, "Great God, Everard!" he exclaimed, "Morgan has killed
+himself!"
+
+"He is not dead!" exclaimed Houston, turning towards the boy.
+
+The latter nodded; "They found 'im shot through the head, 'n this was
+in his hand, 'n the cops won't let nobody in till you come," and he
+handed Houston a bit of paper.
+
+It was a scrap of newspaper, crumpled and spattered with blood, and,
+as Houston smoothed it out, he read on the margin, in characters
+wavering and almost illegible, written with a trembling hand, but
+still Morgan's writing, "Send to the camp for Houston, he's the only
+friend I've got."
+
+For an instant, it seemed to Houston as though the glorious sunlight
+had suddenly turned to blackness, a blackness in which the scrap of
+paper gleamed white before him, its red spots glowing like spots of
+flame. He seemed again to see Morgan as he looked when parting from
+him the previous evening; the haggard face, with its hollow eyes and
+faint, pathetic smile, and as he recalled his words in reply to his
+own repeated offers of money, there seemed a new meaning in them;
+"Maybe I'll call on you for it to-morrow if I don't have luck
+to-night."
+
+But Houston realized there was no time to waste, and in a few moments
+he was mounted on a powerful gray horse, on his way to the Y,
+notwithstanding Van Dorn's protests on account of the intense heat,
+having requested the latter to explain his absence at the house. Just
+as he was about to start, Bull-dog begged to be allowed to ride with
+him, to which Houston consented, and lifting the little fellow up,
+seated him in front of himself. Very little was said, for the horse
+seemed to understand what was expected of him, and sped like the wind
+down the narrow canyon road, but Houston's hand rested kindly on
+Bull-dog's shoulder, steadying the slender frame, and, at the same
+time, warming the heart of the forlorn little waif, to whom even the
+touch of kindness was something exceedingly rare.
+
+Houston's mind was occupied with thoughts of the terrible scene he was
+rapidly approaching, as well as with memories of his last interview
+with Morgan on the preceding night. At last, having crossed a ravine,
+the horse slackened his pace, as he climbed the steep ascent on the
+other side, and Houston, almost unconsciously, spoke his thoughts
+aloud.
+
+"Poor Morgan!" he said, with a heavy sigh, "poor fellow! If I could
+only have saved him from this! God knows I would have given him any
+amount of money to have prevented this."
+
+"'Twouldn't ha' been no use, sir," Bull-dog broke in quickly, eager to
+console Houston, "'twouldn't ha' been no use to have give 'im money,
+'cause, ye see, them fellers that he played with would ha' got it
+all."
+
+"Who were they?" inquired Houston.
+
+"Oh, there was Faro Dick and Slicky Sam, and a lot of 'em; Morgan
+wasn't no match for fellers like them, they was all too swift fer
+him."
+
+"How do you know?"
+
+"Oh, I seen 'em playin' lots o' times, and they're all reg'lar
+sharpers, 'n Morgan, he'd got reckless, 'n he didn't stan' no show
+against 'em."
+
+Houston looked down wonderingly and pityingly upon the little fellow,
+young in years, but who knew so much of the dark side of life, but
+nothing more was said, as, having reached the top of the hill, the
+station was close at hand.
+
+Having left his horse in charge of one of the company's men, Houston,
+accompanied by Bull-dog as guide, proceeded across the street, to the
+group of dirty, disreputable-looking buildings containing the saloons,
+gambling houses and dance halls. He had little need of a guide, for,
+before the shabbiest and most disreputable of the entire lot, was
+gathered a motley crowd, gazing with awestruck curiosity at the
+building in which had been enacted the tragedy of the night before. It
+was a saloon with gambling rooms in the rear. Here Morgan had played
+his last game,--just to see what luck he would have,--as he had said
+to Houston, and from which he had come forth ruined, despairing,
+desperate.
+
+Passing through the crowd of jabbering Chinamen and "dagoes," of
+miners off shift, drawn hither by curiosity, and of gamblers of all
+grades from the professional expert to the "tin-horn," Houston found
+his way around the corner of the building, down into an alley, dark,
+dismal and reeking with filth. Here were groups of slatternly, unkempt
+women, some of whom stared at him with brazen faces, while others
+slunk away, not quite lost to shame.
+
+At last they came to a rickety stair-way, and as they neared the top,
+Bull-dog whispered:
+
+"There's some of 'em now; that tall feller is Faro Dick, he deals down
+stairs, and the little, black feller is Slicky, and that short, fat
+one, that's Brocky Joe."
+
+The group gathered about the door-way at the head of the stairs eyed
+Houston curiously as he approached. He gave them only a quick, keen
+glance, but in that glance he had detected the trio named by Bull-dog,
+and they cowered visibly beneath the scorn and contempt which flashed
+from his eye, while the entire group of loungers made way, impelled
+partly by an unconscious respect for the broad, powerful shoulders,
+and splendid, athletic frame.
+
+Down a dark, narrow hall, Bull-dog led the way to a door guarded by
+two men, who touched their caps respectfully to Houston. They were two
+of the mining company's watchmen, who were kept at the station to
+guard their property, and to preserve order generally, and hence were
+designated by the gamins of the place as police and "cops."
+
+Silently they unlocked and opened the door for Houston, and one of
+them entered with him. It was a small room, evidently a woman's, and
+its general squalor and dilapidation were made more apparent by
+tawdry, shabby bits of finery strewn here and there. Curtains of red
+damask, faded and ragged, hung at the window, excluding the daylight,
+and on a small table a kerosene lamp had burned itself out. But
+Houston took little notice of the room; as his eyes became accustomed
+to the dim light, he saw but one object.
+
+Across the bed in one corner of the room, lay Morgan, his left arm
+thrown out across the pillows, the other dropped at his side, and a
+revolver clenched in his right hand. His head was turned slightly to
+one side, exposing the ghastly wound near the temple, his face was
+blackened and mutilated, but still bore traces of the terrible strain
+of those last few hours of life.
+
+Houston stepped back, even his firm nerves quivering, and his heart
+throbbing with a great sorrow for the life so suddenly quenched in the
+darkness of despair.
+
+On a chair were Morgan's hat and coat, where he had thrown them, and
+as Houston turned toward the little table, he saw there a newspaper
+from which a scrap had been torn. Taking the bit of paper, containing
+Morgan's last message, from his pocket, he compared them; it fitted
+exactly, and beside the paper lay a bit of pencil with which those
+last words had been written, and to Houston, with his keen perception
+and vivid imagination, the whole scene of the previous night with its
+minute and pathetic details, seemed passing before his vision. He
+turned to the watchman:
+
+"Open the window," he said, and his voice sounded strange even to
+himself, "draw back those curtains, this place is stifling."
+
+Upon inquiry, Houston found the watchman could give him very little
+information. In passing down the alley at about eight o'clock that
+morning, his attention had been arrested by screams issuing from the
+building. On rushing up-stairs, he saw a crowd gathering about the
+door of this room, and, on entering, was shocked at the sight
+revealed. Mollie, the girl who usually occupied the room, was
+screaming hysterically, but when able to talk explained that she had
+been out all night and had but just returned. Morgan was in the habit
+of coming to the room, and had a key, but he had not been there of
+late, having gambled every night till daylight.
+
+Her screams had attracted nearly the whole neighborhood, some of whom
+corroborated her statements, and one or two testified to having heard
+a shot sometime about midnight, but nothing had been thought of it, as
+it was supposed to be some row in the gambling rooms below. The
+watchman had ordered the crowd out of the room, and sent the messenger
+for Houston, and also a telegram to Silver City for the coroner, who
+was expected on the noon train.
+
+As it was nearly noon, Houston decided to step over to the depot,
+leaving the room in charge of the watchman. On his way, he heard
+various comments from groups gathered here and there. Passing a
+half-dozen miners, he heard one of them say:
+
+"If he'd 'a been a union man, we'd 'a taken care of 'im, but he worked
+for the bosses, and helped 'em to make big money, and now, let the
+bosses take care of 'im and bury 'im."
+
+A bitter smile crossed Houston's face, and stepping into the little
+telegraph office, he sent a message, first, in his own name, to one of
+the undertaking firms of Silver City, for everything that was needed
+to be sent up by the special freight that afternoon; and then a brief
+dispatch to Mr. Blaisdell, stating what had occurred, but that the
+affairs of the company were all right, and there was no necessity for
+his coming to the camp immediately.
+
+A few moments later, the train arrived, bringing the coroner, and as
+quickly as possible the inquest was held. Very few facts were
+developed beyond those already learned by Houston, excepting the
+extent of Morgan's losses. These included not only everything which he
+had possessed, even to his watch and a few pieces of jewelry, but in
+addition, a large sum of money advanced him by Brocky Joe. Those with
+whom he was playing testified that he had quit shortly before
+midnight, and left the hall rather hastily. At the time, they thought
+he had gone to borrow more money, and perhaps try his luck at some
+other place, but nothing more was seen of him, and they soon forgot
+the occurrence.
+
+When all was over and the crowd was slowly dispersing, Houston saw
+several members of the gambling fraternity approaching him, headed by
+the two designated by Bull-dog as Slicky Sam and Brocky Joe. The
+latter, a stout, red-faced individual, with flaming necktie and
+blazing diamonds, was evidently speaker for the entire party.
+
+"We would like," he began, in a high-pitched, falsetto voice, "to
+express our regrets for what has occurred, and I wish to state on
+behalf of my associates here, and also personally, that there was no
+ill feeling toward your friend, and I am perfectly willing to overlook
+the small amount of indebtedness; and if there is anything we can do,
+in the way of sharing the burial expenses, or anything of the kind, we
+shall be glad to do so."
+
+"Your assistance is not needed," replied Houston, in a cold, cutting
+tone, "you have already done your work; you and your ilk have brought
+him where he is, and that is enough," and he turned abruptly from
+them.
+
+As he re-entered the room, he met Mollie, who cast an appealing glance
+at him. She could not have been over twenty years of age, but she
+looked worn and haggard. Her hair was disheveled, large, dark rings
+encircled her heavy, lusterless eyes, now swollen with weeping, and
+there was a look of helpless and hopeless despair in her glance that
+aroused Houston's pity. It was a new experience for him to be brought
+into contact with these wrecked and ruined lives, and sorrow for the
+one life which had gone out so suddenly and needlessly, made him
+pitiful toward all.
+
+A look of pity, a word of pure, disinterested kindness, was something
+new in the life of the poor creature before him, and she began sobbing
+afresh:
+
+"He's gone," she moaned, "and I don't want to live no longer."
+
+"Did you care so much for him?" asked Houston, wonderingly.
+
+"Yes," she sobbed, "I never cared for nobody but him. I thought once
+he cared for me, but after a while I found he didn't, and then I went
+to the bad as fast as I could, but still I cared for him. I never was
+very good, for I never had no chance to be, but I'd 'a been different
+from what I am, if he'd only 'a cared for me."
+
+Houston went back into the wretched room, and looked long and sadly at
+the one who, in his last moments of despair, had called him his
+friend. He recalled the story told him that night among the rocks; he
+thought of the life ruined by a mother's neglect and sin, and now of
+another life shut out in hopeless misery because of his indifference
+and neglect, and Houston realized at that moment, as never before, the
+influences, for good or for evil, extending from one human life to
+another, spreading onward and onward,
+
+                 "As wave follows wave across the sea,"
+
+till the widening circles at last touch the shores of eternity.
+
+An hour or two later, when Houston stepped over to the depot to meet
+the incoming special freight, he was somewhat surprised to see Mr.
+Blaisdell step from the train, and in his white face, his firmly set
+mouth with its hard lines, and his pale blue eyes, it could readily be
+seen that he knew nothing of pity or mercy for the man who had served
+him so faithfully.
+
+"I did not expect you so early, Mr. Blaisdell," said Houston, as they
+exchanged greetings, "I thought after receiving my dispatch you would
+feel no anxiety, and would probably not come out till the evening
+train."
+
+"Your telegram was a great relief," Mr. Blaisdell answered in an
+excited tone, "but I was all ready to come, as, from the tenor of
+Haight's message this morning, I feared the worst. You are sure the
+affairs of the company are all right?"
+
+"Perfectly sure," replied Houston, calmly, "so far as money is
+concerned, poor Morgan has wronged no one but himself."
+
+"Well," said Mr. Blaisdell, with a sigh of relief, "I am glad to hear
+that, but this is an outrageous affair,--simply outrageous,--a man in
+his responsible position, trusted as he has been, coming to such an
+end as this, under such circumstances and amid such surroundings! It
+is a disgrace to himself, and to those associated with him in
+business,--to the entire company!"
+
+The thought flashed through Houston's mind that a deeper disgrace than
+this awaited the company, but he only replied:
+
+"I had not looked at it in that light, Mr. Blaisdell; I, as one of his
+associates, certainly feel no disgrace attached to myself. I had
+thought only of the terrible pity for a life so needlessly ruined and
+lost."
+
+"Pity!" said Mr. Blaisdell, contemptuously, "If a man willfully
+degrades himself and disgraces his friends, I have no pity for him, he
+deserves none for such dishonorable, dishonest conduct."
+
+"His dishonesty, as you term it, must have been of rather an unusual
+type," said Houston, "since I offered him money only last night, and
+he refused to take it."
+
+"So you knew of his habits and offered him money? It was your duty to
+have reported him to me."
+
+"I do not need you, Mr. Blaisdell, or any one else, to tell me what my
+duty is here," replied Houston, with dignity, "I did not know until
+recently to what extent Morgan was gambling, and when a man is in
+trouble, I will never give him a push downward."
+
+One of the workmen just then came to Houston for instructions
+regarding the shipment which he had ordered from Silver City, thus
+attracting Mr. Blaisdell's attention in that direction.
+
+"What is this, Houston?" he exclaimed angrily, "what does this mean?
+You certainly had no right, no authority to order these things; the
+company will not pay one cent toward the burial of a man who has
+proven himself so unworthy of the confidence reposed in him."
+
+"Mr. Blaisdell," said Houston, calmly, but in a tone his employer had
+never heard before, "there is not the least necessity for the company
+to pay one cent, or for you to feel any concern in this matter. I have
+ordered these things myself, personally, upon my own responsibility."
+
+For the first time Mr. Blaisdell had found an employe who evidently
+did not stand in fear of him, and surprise held him silent for a
+moment.
+
+"Very well," he answered, in an altered tone, "but I must say I can
+see no reason for such a quixotic proceeding on your part; I never
+supposed you and Morgan were particular friends."
+
+"Here is my reason," Houston replied, handing him the bit of paper
+bearing Morgan's last words; "When a despairing man, in his last
+moments, appeals to me as his friend, and his only friend, even though
+that man were my worst enemy, I would feel in duty bound to do for him
+everything that a friend could do."
+
+Mr. Blaisdell returned the slip, and there was a new respect indicated
+in tone and manner, as he replied:
+
+"I don't know but you are right, do as you think best. I am going up
+to the camp, you can come whenever you are ready."
+
+"I shall be there in a few hours," said Houston, and they separated.
+
+A little later, everything that he could do had been done, and as
+Houston looked for the last time upon the pale face, where the angel
+of death was already smoothing out the lines traced by the last few
+days of suffering, and softening the features into a look of
+contentment and peace, he was glad that in the last moments of that
+life, there had come faith, even in one human being.
+
+Early the next morning, a little group was gathered in a beautiful,
+secluded spot, on the mountain side, overlooking the station. Houston
+and Van Dorn were there, and a clergyman from a little parish in a
+small town a few miles distant, to whom the sad story had been told,
+read the simple but impressive words of the burial service and offered
+a brief prayer. And, as the weary body was lowered to its final
+resting place, at the foot of the murmuring pines, there came to the
+minds of Houston and Van Dorn the memory of the burial of a class-mate
+in the old college days, and simultaneously their voices rose on the
+clear, morning air, blending in the words chanted on that former
+occasion:----
+
+             "Rest, brother, rest in thy last, long sleep."
+
+Slowly the little company dispersed, each going his own way. Upon
+Houston's mind the events of those last twenty-four hours had left an
+impression never to be effaced, but to most in that community one
+human life, more or less, was of slight significance. To them, life
+was but one great game, in which fortune, reputation, character,
+everything which they possessed, whether much or little, was staked on
+the high card. No wonder that little thought was given to the losers,
+dropping out, one by one!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII.
+
+
+The following days were crowded with work for Houston. A bookkeeper
+was immediately sent over from Silver City to do the office work, but,
+excepting Houston, the company had no man, both competent and who
+could be trusted, to fill Morgan's position. It was therefore arranged
+that for the next few weeks, until they could ascertain the address of
+a former superintendent, who had recently returned east, and
+communicate with him, Houston was to superintend the working of all
+the mines.
+
+This involved much additional work and responsibility, but Houston
+filled the position so satisfactorily and showed such business tact
+and executive ability, that Mr. Blaisdell, on his return to Silver
+City, had fully determined to retain him permanently as superintendent
+at the mines, and, if possible, secure Barden, their former man, as an
+assistant.
+
+"I tell you, Rivers, that Houston is a capable man, wonderfully
+capable," he said, having related to the remaining officers of the
+company Houston's success in filling Morgan's position.
+
+"It seems to me, Blaisdell," said Mr. Brunnell, the benevolent looking
+old gentleman whom Houston had seen on his first visit to the offices,
+and one of the board of directors, "it seems to me you had better look
+out for him yourself; that young man is rising so fast, he's likely to
+oust you yet."
+
+"Well, no, I guess not," replied Mr. Blaisdell confidently, with his
+complacent smile, "I don't think you fellows could get along without
+me, just yet. I don't know what we would do with him, though, in case
+of any disagreement, he's as independent as though he were a
+millionaire instead of a salaried clerk; he would never care a rap for
+anything we might say, he would take his own way every time," and Mr.
+Blaisdell gave an account of his interview with Houston at the Y.
+
+"Humph!" sniffed Mr. Rivers contemptuously, "You'd better let me
+manage that fellow, Blaisdell, he'll run away with you."
+
+"He'll run away with those mines up there, Blaisdell," chuckled Mr.
+Brunnell, peering over his glasses at the general manager, who was
+strutting pompously about the office.
+
+"Well, you fellows may joke as much as you please," said Mr.
+Blaisdell, a little testily, "I tell you the man is smart."
+
+"Confound it! I know he's smart; I tell you he's too damned smart for
+you!" responded Mr. Rivers, who had very little respect for Mr.
+Blaisdell's business ability, but found him a very convenient
+cat's-paw.
+
+As early as possible after the completion of the new arrangements at
+the mines, Houston and Van Dorn, in accordance with a previous
+engagement, visited Jack at his cabin. The hour was late, and as they
+entered the room already familiar to Houston, a lamp was burning
+brightly, but a heavy screen hung over it, concentrating the light
+upon the table beneath, on which lay various drawings and tracings,
+and allowing only a dim light to pervade the room.
+
+Houston introduced Van Dorn, whom Jack greeted with characteristic
+courtesy, though with something of his old reserve, and having seated
+his guests, he at once proceeded to the discussion of the business
+which had brought them together.
+
+In reply to an inquiry of his regarding the present situation of
+affairs, Houston informed him of the arrangement just completed by
+which he was to have entire charge of the work at the mines for the
+next few weeks, until the coming of Mr. Barden.
+
+"Your present position is much more favorable for your work," replied
+Jack, "it is exceedingly doubtful whether the company will have any
+use for the services of Mr. Barden."
+
+Houston then stated briefly what had been done since Van Dorn's
+arrival, adding in conclusion, "Of course, we would have accomplished
+more within this time, had it not been for the confusion and changes
+resulting from Morgan's sudden death."
+
+"Yes," said Jack, "that has hindered you temporarily, but it will
+result to your advantage. All that I regretted was that an examination
+which I hoped you and Mr. Van Dorn might be able to make last week,
+immediately upon his arrival, will now have to be postponed until next
+week, but even that is better as it is."
+
+"How is that?" inquired Houston, with much interest, "to what do you
+refer?"
+
+"I refer to the Lucky Chance mine; are you familiar with that
+property?"
+
+"Not especially," said Houston, "I have paid no attention to it, as it
+was not one in which our company was interested, nor one of which I
+was in charge. Since the recent change, I have visited the mine once
+with Mr. Blaisdell, but we only went in a short distance, and he
+informed me there was but little work done there, and but few men
+employed."
+
+"Yes," replied Jack, with peculiar emphasis, "but that 'little work'
+as he terms it yields the company a larger percentage than any other
+single mine which they own."
+
+Houston's face expressed considerable astonishment. "You surprise me,"
+he exclaimed, "because I thought I knew their best paying properties,
+and I never would have supposed that was one of them, either from my
+own observation, or from anything I have heard of it."
+
+"It would not be for the interests of the company to have much said
+regarding the mine, or to have the workings investigated very closely.
+You are probably aware that the claim adjoins the Yankee Boy?"
+
+"Certainly," answered Houston, "I am aware of that fact."
+
+"Very well," replied Jack, rising and going to the table. "I have
+prepared some diagrams here which I would like you and Mr. Van Dorn to
+examine. Here you will see," he continued, as they drew their chairs
+near the table," the boundaries and underground workings of the Lucky
+Chance mine, with their approximate measurements. Please look them
+over and see if you detect any irregularities."
+
+Both Houston and Van Dorn studied the diagram carefully for a moment,
+when the latter exclaimed:
+
+"Why, the main tunnel extends more than a hundred feet beyond the
+boundary line."
+
+"Now allow me to substitute this diagram," said Jack, spreading a
+larger tracing before them. "This is the same as the other with the
+addition of a portion of the boundary lines and underground workings
+of the adjoining claim, the Yankee Boy."
+
+"Ah, I see," said Houston, "the tunnel from the Lucky Chance has been
+carried beyond the boundary line in such a direction as to strike the
+vein of the adjoining claim."
+
+"That is it exactly," said Van Dorn, "no wonder the mine pays well!"
+
+"As I stated before," continued Jack, "these measurements, and, to a
+certain extent, the course of the tunnel, are given approximately, as
+I had no means of ascertaining the exact data, but I know they are
+essentially correct. It only remains for you, gentlemen, to verify
+this, by making an examination of the tunnel and taking the courses
+and measurements exactly, and also by comparing the ore now taken out
+with that originally found in the mine, and with the ore of the Yankee
+Boy, and you will then have evidence of the greatest fraud which has
+been perpetrated upon the rightful owners of the Yankee Boy, and which
+has been carried on for the last four or five years."
+
+"But how did you discover this?" asked Houston.
+
+"I first came here," replied Jack, "shortly after the sale of the
+Yankee Boy group of properties had been consummated. Within a few
+months afterward, the company located the Lucky Chance mine;
+development work was carried forward as rapidly as possible, quite a
+number of men being employed, of which I was one. It was evident that
+in locating this mine, the company hoped they had struck an extension
+of the vein of the Yankee Boy lode; it proved of an entirely different
+character, however, yielding rather a low-grade ore. The claim was
+surveyed and patented as soon as the necessary amount of improvements,
+required by law, had been placed upon it. After obtaining patent, the
+company then extended the tunnel in an entirely different direction,
+and, as you will find upon investigation, beyond the boundary line,
+until it intersected a portion of the Yankee Boy vein. Here a body of
+very rich ore was struck, and the mine has been a paying property ever
+since. For this last work very few men were retained, and but few have
+been employed there since, those few being men whom the company
+thought could be trusted, or upon whom they had some hold by which
+they could compel them to silence. I was employed there until very
+recently, and from the first had a thorough understanding of the
+course and extent of the different workings, and consequently am
+perfectly familiar with them."
+
+"Everard," said Van Dorn, for whom work of this kind possessed a
+special attraction, "I think this is just about the kind of an
+expedition we will like."
+
+"I think so myself," Houston replied, "but at the same time, it is the
+most risky piece of work we have yet undertaken, and we will have to
+depend upon our friend here for suggestions and advice. You will of
+course accompany us?" he added, turning to Jack, who had withdrawn
+from the table and was sitting in the dim light.
+
+"Certainly," responded Jack, "it would be a very dangerous undertaking
+for two strangers to go through that part of the mine without a guide
+at any time, especially at night, and it will be at best, a hazardous
+piece of work."
+
+"How many are employed there? and what class of men are they?"
+inquired Houston.
+
+"About a dozen on the night shift," Jack replied, "mostly Cornishmen,
+but whatever their nationality, it is usually the most treacherous
+and brutal men that we have that are employed by the company in that
+mine. Maverick used to work there until he was transferred above
+ground. It will not be necessary for us to come in contact with
+very many of them, however, as they are so widely scattered through
+the mine, and on the night shift next week, there will be four
+men,--a father and three sons,--who will do just about whatever I
+say, especially if a little money is given them. Mr. Houston's new
+position as superintendent, will aid us very materially. A visit from
+him, with me as guide, will not excite suspicion, but Mr. Van Dorn
+will be suspected in a moment, and we must disguise him."
+
+Van Dorn whistled softly.
+
+"Could you assume the Irish dialect, on an occasion like this, Mr. Van
+Dorn?" Jack inquired.
+
+"An' shure," exclaimed Van Dorn, with the broadest accent imaginable,
+"an' will yez be afther tellin' me, be-dad! why I should not shpake me
+own mither tongue?"
+
+Both Houston and Jack laughed at Van Dorn's ready answer.
+
+"You will do," Jack said quietly, but in a tone so rich and musical as
+to chain the attention of his guests while he proceeded to plan the
+details of their visit to the mine.
+
+In an hour or two, the modus operandi had been fully decided upon, and
+nothing remained but to fix the night for their expedition, and this
+it was thought best to leave to be determined by circumstances the
+following week. The instruments needed for taking measurements were to
+be taken down beforehand by Houston, and concealed in a safe place
+near the mine, and on the night of the examination, he was to go from
+the house directly to the mine, where he would be joined by Jack and
+Van Dorn, the latter dressed in a suit of Mike's mining clothes, and
+personating him as closely as possible.
+
+All arrangements being now as nearly complete as possible, Houston and
+Van Dorn bade their host a cordial good night, and walked cheerfully
+homeward, in the cool, night air, under the star-lit sky, all
+unconscious of a pair of eyes, which from behind a large rock, had
+eagerly watched for their appearance, and followed their every
+movement.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII.
+
+
+As Houston and Van Dorn disappeared around a turn in the road, the
+figure of Haight emerged into the starlight from behind a large rock
+where he had been concealed most of the time during their stay at the
+cabin. Incidently he had seen them on their way to visit Jack, and the
+lateness of the hour combined with the direction in which they were
+going, aroused his curiosity to such a degree that he followed them at
+a distance, and having seen them enter the cabin, his suspicious
+nature was at once on the alert.
+
+"I guess I'll find out what in the devil this means," he said to
+himself, as he paused behind a rock at a little distance, determined
+to ascertain what he could regarding their movements.
+
+It was a long and wearisome watch; once or twice he ventured near the
+cabin, to see whether by closer observation he could obtain any clue
+to what might be going on within, but the closely shaded window gave
+no sign, and beyond an occasional low murmuring of voices, nothing
+disturbed the silence, except once a low, ominous growl from Rex, as
+he caught sight of Haight's skulking figure from his station just
+outside the door.
+
+When at last the door opened, and Houston and Van Dorn stepped forth
+into the calm night, the lynx-eyed watcher failed to detect anything
+beyond a friendly leave-taking, after which the two walked homeward,
+chatting in the most commonplace manner imaginable.
+
+"By George!" he soliloquized, as he followed at a safe distance, "I
+wonder if I haven't had my labor for my pains! But that did look
+mighty queer anyhow, their going 'round to see the old chap, and I'll
+wager there's something in it, too. I shouldn't wonder if that Van
+Dorn is out here in the interest of that old party who was looking at
+mines a while ago, and with Houston's help is going to get a few
+pointers. Jack knows pretty well what is going on around here, and
+may be a little money would make him talk. I'm going to keep watch of
+some of these smart people, and I know of one or two that will help me
+about it. If I can get hold of anything, I'll report it to Rivers;
+Houston has pulled the wool over Blaisdell's eyes, but Rivers won't
+have anybody monkeying round these mines, and if I can once put him on
+the track, there'll be a few less of these swells about, and it will
+be money in my pocket."
+
+Late as it was when Houston and Van Dorn returned to the house, Miss
+Gladden and Lyle had not retired. Houston had told Miss Gladden the
+secret of his business there in the mining camp, and, true to Lyle's
+prediction, he had found her, while quick to realize the dangers of
+his position, yet able to assist him by her readiness to enter into
+his feelings, her interest in his plans and her timely suggestions.
+Once she had met Jack since learning Houston's secret, and in a few,
+well-chosen words, had conveyed to him her knowledge of the fact that
+he was giving her lover aid and protection in his work, and her
+gratitude therefor.
+
+She and Lyle were aware of the import of the visit to the cabin that
+night, and they sat in the dusky shadows, looking out into the night,
+alternately talking in low tones, and listening for the return of
+Houston and his friend.
+
+Miss Gladden was the first to catch the sound of her lover's voice, as
+he and Van Dorn approached the house, and a moment later, they heard
+the ringing laugh of the latter.
+
+"They are evidently in good spirits," remarked Lyle, "their visit must
+have been a satisfactory one."
+
+"Mr. Van Dorn seems so jubilant they must have made some new
+discoveries," said Miss Gladden, "he never seems so happy as when he
+is ferreting out some fraud, or unearthing some dishonest scheme."
+
+"There is material enough here to make his happiness complete for some
+time," said Lyle rather bitterly, "I only wish every one of the guilty
+parties could be brought to justice, but I doubt whether they ever
+will be."
+
+"Why?" exclaimed Miss Gladden in surprise, "do you think Mr. Houston
+will fail after all?"
+
+"No, not that necessarily," Lyle answered, "but even if he succeeds in
+getting his evidence together, and his friends come out from the east,
+I do not believe they will ever succeed in securing the ones who are
+most guilty, who have planned and plotted the whole thing. Over and
+over again, people whom they have wronged and defrauded have brought
+suit against them, but to no purpose; they are continually involved in
+litigation, but they always manage to evade the law in one way or
+another, I do not claim to understand how."
+
+"I would not think they could escape with all the evidence accumulating
+against them now," said Miss Gladden thoughtfully.
+
+"You wouldn't think so," replied Lyle, "but you don't know them. Who
+is that?" she asked suddenly, catching sight in the dim light of a
+figure approaching the house.
+
+"It looks like Haight," said Miss Gladden, "but why is he creeping
+along so cautiously?"
+
+"I believe he has been following Mr. Houston," said Lyle, quickly,
+"wait a minute, keep perfectly quiet, so he will think every one is
+asleep up stairs," and in an instant, she was going swiftly and
+noiselessly down the stairs. The door at the foot of the stairs was
+partially open, and Lyle could hear Haight, as, after opening the
+outside door very carefully, he stepped lightly toward the room
+occupied by Houston and Van Dorn; here he paused and listened, but
+evidently hearing nothing, he cautiously made his way across to the
+room of Mr. and Mrs. Maverick, the door of which was ajar.
+
+"Jim!" he whispered, "Jim, wake up!"
+
+"Who's that? What d'ye want?" came the response in a surly tone.
+
+"Sh! don't make any noise," he whispered, "it's Haight; get up and
+come out on the porch, but be quiet about it; I want to have a talk
+with you."
+
+A muttered assent was given, and Haight tip-toed softly out to the
+porch, and sat down.
+
+Lyle crept up-stairs again to Miss Gladden.
+
+"Don't be frightened," she said, "but I believe Haight must have seen
+or heard something;" and she hastily told what she had overheard.
+
+"Now," said she in conclusion, "the window on the porch is open, and
+as soon as they are both outside, I will go there and listen. Even if
+I cannot hear all that is said I will probably catch enough to learn
+what is going on. You wait for me and keep perfectly quiet."
+
+A few moments later, Maverick shuffled out on the porch and sat down
+beside Haight with a growl.
+
+"Damned pretty time, I sh'd think, to talk! What in hell do you
+want?"
+
+"Well, you were long enough getting out here," said Haight, in his
+smoothest tones, all unaware of a figure that had glided to the open
+window behind him, and now knelt within six feet of him. "Now quit
+your growling, for you and I are good friends, Jim, and I want your
+advice. Jim," he continued in a lower tone, "what would you think two
+fellows like Houston and Van Dorn would want with that old chap,
+Jack?"
+
+"Huh?" said Maverick, rather stupidly, "what are ye drivin' at?"
+
+"Wake up! you're half asleep, Jim! Your two dandy boarders here only
+just came home about twenty minutes ago; they've been for the last
+three or four hours down there in Jack's cabin, with the windows all
+shut tight and curtains down, and still as death. What do you suppose
+that means?"
+
+"Damned if I know," was the laconic response.
+
+"Now, Jim, don't be so uncommunicative; there may be something in this
+for you and me if we just put our heads together, 'two heads are
+better than one,' you know, so set your thinking machine to work and
+grind out some ideas."
+
+"Well," said Maverick, slowly, "I dun'no what that Houston, damn him,
+would be runnin' 'round after Jack for, unless he wanted to get some
+p'inters on the mines some way."
+
+"That's it, go ahead!" said Haight.
+
+"Houston," continued Maverick, with an oath and applying a vile
+epithet, "is too all-fired smart to notice anybody, and Jack's
+another, so they'd be likely to hitch."
+
+"That's right," said Haight, "now what object would he be likely to
+have in getting information from Jack?"
+
+"I dun'no," said the other, "unless mebbe he's paid by somebody on the
+outside."
+
+"Well," said Haight, "I guess we've got about the same idea of it;
+it's my opinion he is paid by somebody, and that somebody is Van Dorn,
+or whoever's backing him. I don't put much stock in this machinery
+business of his; he don't act like a fellow that needs to go peddling
+machines about the country, and I notice he don't seem in any great
+rush about putting it up, now he's got here; he ain't one of the kind
+that has to rustle for a living, like you and me. I think he's just
+out here getting pointers on the mines for that old fellow that was
+here a while ago, and he's probably paying Houston a good, round sum
+for helping him along, and now they've got Jack roped in on the
+deal."
+
+"Well," said Maverick savagely, "if that's their game, I guess 'twill
+be dead easy stoppin' it any time we're a mind to; these 'ere mines is
+awfully unsafe places for a tenderfoot to be prowlin' 'round in," and
+he laughed a cruel laugh, very familiar to the listener at the
+window.
+
+"That's so," assented Haight, "I think we'd better keep close watch of
+these fellows, and if they get too fresh, just have 'em laid out with
+a sandbag or two."
+
+"Better'n that," said Maverick, "to take 'em some time in the mines;
+folks like them are likely to get dizzy and fall some times, or get in
+the way of the ore buckets and be knocked silly."
+
+"Well, I'll tell you what I want you to do; I'll keep watch, and if I
+know of their going down to the cabin again, I want you to put some
+men on to watch out for them; we'll investigate and find out what is
+going on. Put on what men you please, and have them report to me, and
+we'll find out what this means, and make our plans accordingly."
+
+"That there's a damned ticklish place to get any of the men to go late
+at night," said Maverick reflectively.
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"That place is harnted, ye know, by the man on the spotted horse."
+
+"Oh, nonsense!" ejaculated Haight.
+
+"It's a fact though; he rides up and down there once in a while, and I
+wouldn't want ter see him myself."
+
+"Oh, hang your ghost!" said Haight, impatiently, "tell your men if
+they see it to shoot it."
+
+"That wouldn't do no good," responded Maverick doggedly, "It's the
+sight of it brings bad luck, and sometimes death. There was a fellow
+here two years ago, he seen it one night, and the next day he was
+killed in the mines; they said the ghost had called him."
+
+"Well," said Haight, rising, "It would be well if your ghost would
+only call Houston and Van Dorn some night; but I want you to do as I
+say, anyway."
+
+Lyle, who had caught nearly every word of this conversation, now rose
+quickly and retreated to the kitchen, knowing she would there be safe
+from detection, and could also judge of their movements. Nothing
+further was said, however; Haight went stealthily up-stairs to his
+room, and Maverick, after cursing to himself a few moments, was soon
+snoring profoundly, and Lyle then returned to Miss Gladden's room. She
+felt a sickening sensation as she repeated the conversation to her
+friend, and realized all that it meant. Miss Gladden was inexpressibly
+shocked:
+
+"Lyle, my dear child, is it possible that they would go to such
+extreme limits as that. I had thought that he would be in danger of
+some assault in the dark, or something of that kind, but to trap him
+in the mines! I never dreamed of anything so cowardly, so dastardly!
+He will be in constant danger in the performance of his daily round of
+duties."
+
+"Dear Leslie," said Lyle,--for thus Miss Gladden had of late requested
+her to address her,--"I have told you, you did not realize what a
+place this is, and the worst of all is, that it is my father who is
+planning this, after all the kindness which you and Mr. Houston have
+shown me! What must you think of us?"
+
+"Of you, my dear child? I love you and trust you the same as ever,"
+exclaimed Miss Gladden impulsively, "he is no father of yours!"
+
+Lyle, in her grief, did not notice the import of Miss Gladden's words,
+but she exclaimed passionately:
+
+"I will never call that man father again as long as I live, and if it
+ever comes to that, I will shoot him, rather than let him injure Mr.
+Houston." Then, a moment later, she added more calmly:
+
+"I must not allow myself to become excited, I must think and plan. Do
+you know, I was so glad that they have not, as yet, found the real
+clue to what is going on, and do not even suspect the truth, and they
+must not be allowed even to surmise it; as long as they do not, Mr.
+Houston is comparatively safe, and they must not be allowed to watch
+him, or get any clue to his movements."
+
+"But how can you prevent it, dear? You know the country and the people
+so much better than I, that you can plan and direct far better than I
+can; you command, dear Lyle, and you will find me ready to obey,
+afraid of nothing, not death itself, if I can only help him and save
+him from his enemies."
+
+"You had better write a note to him to-night, to give him quietly in
+the morning, as you may not have an opportunity for a long talk with
+him so early, and tell him what I have told you. Then he can probably
+make arrangements with Jack by writing, so that he will not need to go
+to the cabin again at present; or, if necessary, I can go for him."
+
+"But what will they do about their intended examination of the mines?
+They will surely be watched then."
+
+"All they can do is to make their plans as quietly and secretly as
+possible, and then go prepared for the worst, but I think I can help
+them there; I have a scheme of my own, something that occurred to me
+while listening to their conversation, which I will tell you later."
+
+The note was written, and it was nearly daylight, when the two at last
+retired, to rest possibly, but not to sleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV.
+
+
+For the next ensuing days there were no more visits to the cabin.
+According to Lyle's suggestion, a few notes were quietly exchanged
+between Houston and Jack; thus their plans were maturing, while there
+was nothing which outsiders could detect.
+
+Meanwhile, Haight had bestowed considerable attention upon Miss
+Araminta Bixby, to the unspeakable delight of that individual, and had
+so ingratiated himself into her favor that she only too gladly
+consented to play the part of spy on the movements of Houston and Van
+Dorn. The two Maverick boys had also agreed to report to him whatever
+they were able to learn concerning these two.
+
+Houston and Van Dorn, however, did not seem quite so intimate of late.
+They were apparently as good friends as ever, but were not so
+frequently seen together. Nearly every evening, Van Dorn started out
+for a stroll, sometimes with Lyle, sometimes alone, often sauntering
+in the direction of the cabin, but never seen to enter; while Houston,
+after spending an hour or two with Miss Gladden, would walk down to
+the mines, and entering the various tunnels, or descending the shafts
+of one mine and another, would watch the night shift at their work, or
+inspect the workings, occasionally taking measurements here and there.
+On one of these trips Jack accompanied him, and on their return, they
+completed the arrangements for the visit to the Lucky Chance mine, the
+following night.
+
+On the afternoon of the next day, Houston returned to the house a
+little earlier than usual, having finished his work for the day at the
+mines and mills, and as he with Miss Gladden and Lyle, sat in the
+little porch, they were joined a few moments later by Van Dorn. In low
+tones the plans for the evening were discussed.
+
+"Of course," said Houston, "we shall go prepared for trouble, but I
+do not anticipate that we shall meet with any. Even if we are watched,
+our course of procedure will differ so slightly from what we have
+followed for a week past, I think it will not excite suspicion."
+
+"They have watched me so many evenings to no purpose, they may be off
+guard to-night," said Van Dorn.
+
+"Don't flatter yourself that you will escape 'Minty's' espionage for a
+single night," replied Lyle, "she would remain out all night watching
+you to gain a smile from Haight in the morning."
+
+Van Dorn laughed. "So it is the charming Miss Bixby whose watchful eye
+is upon me!" he exclaimed, "I think I will have to enter the lists as
+Haight's rival, and see if I cannot win such faithful devotion upon
+the right side."
+
+"After you are gone," said Lyle, "I will soon be able to tell whether
+there will be men sent out to watch you to-night; and I shall act
+accordingly," she added, with a smile at Miss Gladden.
+
+"Why, Miss Maverick, what will you do?" inquired Van Dorn, "you must
+not expose yourself in any way."
+
+"I will be in no danger," she answered smiling.
+
+"I have no idea what Lyle intends to do," said Houston, "but I have
+great confidence in her plans, for she knows this class of people
+better than we, and I have found her judgment to be relied upon, on
+every occasion so far."
+
+Lyle's beautiful eyes spoke her thanks for his words of appreciation,
+as she asked:
+
+"At what hour will you have completed the examination, and be ready to
+leave the mine?"
+
+"Probably very near twelve o'clock," Houston replied, "we cannot
+accomplish our work much before that time, and I do not wish to be out
+much later."
+
+"Well," said Lyle, merrily, but with a slightly mysterious air, "if
+you are out at that hour, you may see the phantom horse and his
+rider."
+
+"Why, how is that?" inquired Van Dorn wonderingly, while Houston
+remarked:
+
+"If we see nothing more than phantoms, we shall be very happily
+disappointed."
+
+"All right," she responded, "if the ghost walks to-night, don't be
+surprised," and hearing some one enter the dining room to make
+preparations for the evening meal, she left them, and the subject of
+conversation changed immediately.
+
+A few hours later, Houston started as usual for the mines. There was
+nothing out of the ordinary course of affairs in this, except that the
+leave-taking between him and Leslie was unusually tender, but of this
+no one knew but themselves. A little earlier, Van Dorn had left for
+his customary stroll, giving Lyle an invitation to accompany him,
+which she declined on the plea of being very busy. She immediately
+withdrew to the kitchen, and smiled to herself presently, as she saw
+Minty, with an air of great importance, starting out in the same
+direction. She had been gone about half an hour, when Lyle, who was
+again seated in the porch, caught sight of her moon-shaped face
+peering around the corner of the house in frantic endeavors to attract
+Haight's attention. As he was facing in almost an opposite direction,
+her efforts were unavailing, and Lyle, who could with difficulty
+restrain a smile, added to her embarrassment by inquiring in the
+blandest tones:
+
+"What is it, Araminta? do you wish to see me?"
+
+At the mention of her name, Haight turned suddenly, just as the
+blushing Miss Bixby was stammering out his name, and catching his eye,
+she began nodding vigorously, to signify the importance of her
+errand.
+
+For once, Haight's punctilious suavity upon which he prided himself,
+deserted him, and exclaiming, partly in anger, and partly as a blind,
+"Confound it! what does the fool want of me?" he disappeared around
+the house, while Lyle exchanged glances with Miss Gladden, and the
+inoffensive young bookkeeper, recently imported from Silver City,
+looked on in mute astonishment.
+
+At the kitchen door, Haight found his agent and spy, her face shining
+with delight that she at last had some news to impart.
+
+"He's went in there to-night, Mr. Haight," she cried breathlessly, "I
+seen him; I've watched him every night, but he's never went in till
+to-night."
+
+"You fool!" exclaimed Haight, angrily, "why couldn't you come around
+and give me the tip on the quiet, instead of standing there grimacing
+like an idiot, making a fool of yourself and me, too? Where are the
+boys?"
+
+Such a greeting was too much for Minty, after her faithfulness; her
+anger was too great even for words, she was speechless and without
+deigning even a look at Haight, she went into the house, and rushing
+to her room, burst into a storm of tears, vowing then and there,
+between her sobs, that she would tell Mr. Van Dorn every word that
+Haight had said about him.
+
+Meanwhile, Lyle, from her post of observation in the kitchen, saw
+Haight call Jim Maverick out from among a group of miners who had
+congregated for an evening's visit, and after a few words, Maverick
+signaled to one of the miners, who, with his two companions, came over
+and joined them. A few moments later the three started down the road,
+and Lyle heard Haight's final instructions to them:
+
+"Get onto what those fellows are about, if you have to stay till
+morning, and if you want any help, send Jake back."
+
+She knew the men; they were cruel and treacherous, and she was
+confident that they were well armed, but they were at the same time,
+cowards, and returning to Miss Gladden, she whispered:
+
+"I shall try my little experiment to-night, and I do not believe there
+will be any trouble."
+
+It was quite dark when the men who had been sent to watch for Van Dorn
+reached the little cabin. A lamp was burning within, as could be told
+by the lines of light around the edge of the dark shade at the window,
+but beyond this, there was neither sign nor sound. Having assured
+themselves that there was no way by which they could ascertain what
+was going on within, the men sat down behind a little clump of
+evergreens, and filling their pipes, prepared to await developments.
+Scarcely had they done so, however, when the light suddenly went out.
+
+"What the divil do they think they're givin' us?" said one of the men,
+with an oath.
+
+"They seen us mos' likely, and they're tryin' to fool us that there's
+nobody there."
+
+"They can't play no such trick on us as that, damn 'em," said the
+first speaker, but at that instant the cabin door opened, and two
+figures came out. The men sprang quickly to their feet, making no
+sound, and listening intently. They heard the lock click in the door,
+and Jack's voice bidding Rex take care of the house, to which he
+barked in reply; and then came Mike's broad voice:
+
+"The saints presarve us! but the baste knows more than mony a mon, I'm
+afther thinkin'."
+
+"That he does," replied Jack, "and he is far more faithful."
+
+The men, astonished, slunk back into the brush, their keen eyes
+watching every movement of the two as they passed; there was no
+mistaking those figures, or the rough clothes which they wore; it was
+Jack and Mike, and their powerful muscle was too well known throughout
+the camp, for any man, even the most brutal, to have the slightest
+wish to tackle either of them.
+
+As Jack and his companion passed out of hearing, the men dropped to
+the ground, and for a moment the air resounded with their profanity,
+while they held a brief consultation.
+
+"They've tricked us, and that feller's hidin' 'round here," said the
+leader, "or else he went on ahead to the mines; he hadn't no time to
+go back to the house, for we'd 'a met 'im. There's somethin' in the
+wind to-night," he added with an oath, "and I'm goin' to find out what
+'tis. You fellers git after them two and keep 'em in sight; the boss
+is down there, and mebbe the other feller, too; if ye see 'im, send
+Jake to me, and I'll come 'round there and we'll lay for 'em. If he
+ain't there, he's here, hidin' somewhere, and I'll watch and settle
+his hash for 'im all right when he does show up."
+
+"We'd better git some more of the boys," said Jake, "if we're goin' to
+tackle them fellers with Jack and Mike along; that ain't no kind of a
+job I'm hankerin' after."
+
+"You damned fool!" said the first speaker, "who's said anything 'bout
+Jack and Mike? They'll come back the way they've went, and them others
+will start up the canyon for the house, and if we three can't hold
+'em up, my name ain't Pete Brody; now git!"
+
+Jack and his partner had met Houston in the Yankee Boy mine. As they
+emerged from the shaft a little later, the piercing eyes of Jack and
+Houston caught a glimpse of two figures skulking among the rocks at a
+distance. Van Dorn was at a slight disadvantage, being somewhat
+near-sighted, and having been obliged to take off his glasses when
+donning Mike's costume.
+
+"I know them," said Jack, "they are two of the three that were outside
+the cabin, and one of them is about the biggest coward that breathes;
+we could dispose of a regiment of such men, but I prefer to get along
+without trouble if we can."
+
+They started for the other mine, Houston taking the lead and Van Dorn
+following, while Jack brought up the rear.
+
+"They are following us," said Jack, after two or three quick glances
+behind him, "but at a distance; we will probably have a nearer view of
+them later, when we leave the mine."
+
+As they proceeded through the tunnel of the Lucky Chance mine, they
+met very few of the miners; they touched their caps to Houston with a
+sort of sullen civility, and greeted his companions with rough jests,
+which Jack received with his usual taciturn manner, but to which Van
+Dorn, from underneath his disguise, responded with bits of Irish
+blarney and wit, which greatly amused his associates.
+
+Meanwhile, Pete Brody, as he kept his solitary watch before the cabin,
+was surprised by the sudden return of Jake.
+
+"Have ye found 'im?" he inquired eagerly, "Is he down there with the
+boss?"
+
+"No, he's not there."
+
+"Then, what in hell are you back here for?"
+
+"Bud sent me," answered Jake; "he said to tell ye they've gone into
+the Lucky Chance, and what do ye be thinkin' o' that?"
+
+"The Lucky Chance!" exclaimed Pete, "then there's some diviltry a
+goin' sure, for the old man, he don't let nobody into that mine
+'thout he's along; and if that Van-what's-his-name ain't down there
+he's right here, that's all, and here I stays."
+
+"And me and Bud, we're to watch out for the boss?"
+
+"Yes, lay for 'im and overhaul 'im, and find out what the divil is
+goin' on."
+
+"I guess he's a pretty tough feller to handle, from all I've heerd,"
+remarked Jake reflectively.
+
+Pete responded with an oath. "Knock 'im silly, he'll be easy 'nough
+handlin' then."
+
+"Ye don't mean for to do 'im up, do ye Pete?"
+
+"Well, I guess nobody'd feel very bad if ye did."
+
+Jake went down the road, and Pete was alone once more. After waiting a
+while, he determined to ascertain, if possible, whether there was any
+one within the cabin. As he approached the door, there was a low
+savage growl from the faithful watcher within. Very stealthily he
+tried to open the door, but it was locked, and in response there was
+such a furious onset upon the other side, accompanied by such fierce
+growls, that he started back involuntarily.
+
+It was nearly twelve o'clock, and Pete was growing desperate, and
+anxious to put an end to his long watch. He retreated to the road, and
+stood looking at the cabin, trying to decide whether he should break
+in the window and shoot the dog, and run the risk of being shot in
+return by whoever might be concealed within, when his attention was
+suddenly arrested by a strange sound, as of heavily muffled footsteps
+close behind him. He turned quickly, and in the starlight beheld a
+sight that seemed to chill the blood in his veins. Not more than fifty
+feet distant, and slowly approaching him, were the spotted horse and
+his ghostly rider.
+
+Every detail was perfect, like the description he had often heard
+given by others who had seen the frightful apparition: the man dressed
+in his miner's clothes, carrying the empty bag from which the gold had
+been stolen; his face ghastly white, and the blood streaming from his
+breast, while horse and rider were partially shrouded by a white
+covering which floated from behind them.
+
+Nearer and nearer came those strange footsteps, closer and closer the
+fearful sight, and still Pete stood, as if turned to stone, his eyes
+starting from their sockets, his hair rising, but unable to move or
+speak.
+
+Suddenly a long, low groan issuing from the ghastly lips seemed to
+break the spell, and with one terrible shriek, Pete gave two or three
+bounds out of the road, and ran for his life, jumping and leaping over
+the rocks and through the brush, like a wild man.
+
+The ghost gave a low, rippling laugh of satisfaction, and turning the
+horse, rode rapidly back in the direction from which it had come,
+until striking the road from the house to the mines, where the horse
+trotted briskly for some distance, but on nearing the mines, once more
+resumed his funereal pace.
+
+The two men concealed in the brush along the road had no warning of
+the approaching phantom, until they caught the sound of the strange
+footsteps, and peered cautiously out, only to see the fearful sight
+that Pete beheld shortly before.
+
+"Holy Moses!" exclaimed Jake, with a yell, "it's the ghost!" The men
+jumped simultaneously into the road, and started for the miners'
+quarters, screaming like maniacs. The ghost followed in swift pursuit
+until they were some distance past the mines; the men then being
+safely disposed of with no danger of their return, it turned slowly in
+the direction of the Lucky Chance mine.
+
+Houston and his friends, having accomplished their task, stepped forth
+from the tunnel into the starlight, looking carefully and searchingly
+in every direction.
+
+"There is no one to be seen at present," said Houston in low tones,
+"they may be concealed about here, or we may meet them on the road to
+the house."
+
+"Very probably," Jack replied, "we must now proceed with the utmost
+caution. Mr. Van Dorn and I will accompany you to the house, and he
+had better then go with me to the cabin, in case there should be spies
+watching for our return, and it will be safer for him to remain there
+until nearly daylight, as none of the men will be out at that time,
+and he can return to the house unobserved."
+
+They had gone but a short distance, however, when, passing around a
+curve in the road, they beheld a sight that filled them with
+astonishment.
+
+"Shades of the departed!" exclaimed Houston, "what kind of an
+apparition is this?"
+
+Jack studied the approaching figures for an instant, a smile of
+amusement lighting up his usually stern features, while Van Dorn
+hastily slipped on his glasses for a better view.
+
+"That," said Jack, "is evidently the famous phantom of Spotted Horse
+gulch, but who has originated the idea?"
+
+"It must be Lyle," said Houston, "she said the ghost would walk
+to-night."
+
+"Well, by George!" exclaimed Van Dorn, "that is pretty good anyway."
+
+Slowly the ghost approached, giving the interested observers an
+opportunity to note the details of the make-up; the ghastly face, the
+heavy beard of dark colored wool, the narrow strips of red flannel
+streaming from breast and side, and even the heavy woolen socks upon
+the horse's feet, muffling the sound of his steps. Suddenly the slouch
+hat was raised, and the shining eyes of Lyle looked out from the
+strange disguise, as she announced in triumphant tones:
+
+"The road is clear, and you are safe!"
+
+"Lyle," said Houston, "how did you ever think of this? Did you devise
+this masquerade?"
+
+"The idea was mine," she answered, "it occurred to me the other night
+while listening to their talk, but Miss Gladden helped me to carry it
+out."
+
+"And was it a success?" asked Van Dorn wonderingly, having more
+practical knowledge of mines than of miners, "Were the men frightened?"
+
+"You would have thought so, could you have seen Pete Brody," Lyle
+replied, with a low laugh, "I believe he is running yet, and I
+wouldn't be surprised if Jake has lost what few wits he ever
+possessed."
+
+"It was one of the best schemes that could have been devised," said
+Jack, gravely, adding, "We probably owe you more than we know."
+
+Quietly and safely the little party proceeded up the winding road, and
+having reached their several destinations, all were soon at rest. Even
+the spotted horse, securely stabled in his accustomed place, gravely
+munched his wisp of hay without a thought of the ghostly escapade in
+which he had borne so prominent a part.
+
+But in the miners' quarters consternation reigned, as Pete and Bud
+related their experiences, Jake being utterly incapacitated for
+speech. Even to Jack and Van Dorn, Mike had a fearful tale to tell of
+the sight he had witnessed, while alone with Rex in the cabin, and it
+was some time before his perturbed Irish fancies could be soothed; and
+"the night that the ghost walked," was one long remembered and
+frequently recalled by many of the denizens of the little mining
+camp.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV.
+
+
+After the events leading up to the examination of the Lucky Chance
+mine, it was considered best for a while to pursue very nearly the
+same line of conduct that had been followed for the last ten days,
+carefully avoiding any abrupt change which might attract attention.
+All necessary data had now been secured, and Houston felt that he
+could better afford to remain quiet for a brief time and reconnoiter
+the situation, than by any hasty move to excite further suspicion at
+the present time.
+
+At the breakfast table the next morning, however, the thoughts of all
+present were partially diverted into different channels, by the
+arrival of a telegram for Houston which proved to be a message from
+Ned Rutherford, to the effect that he and his brother were on their
+way to Silver City, and would be at the mining camp within the next
+twenty-four or thirty-six hours.
+
+Haight had been exceedingly angry on learning from Maverick, early in
+the morning, of the failure of the men to report anything definite
+concerning the movements of those whom they had been sent out to
+watch. He had accomplished nothing, and was uncertain what course next
+to pursue, and he too, decided to remain quiet for the present. He
+continued to watch Houston and Van Dorn, his ugly suspicions only half
+concealed by the smiling exterior which he tried to assume. He had
+hastened to make peace with Minty, as he feared the results which
+might follow should his plottings become known to Houston, not
+dreaming that the latter had woven such a web around, not the mining
+company alone, but including also its principal employes, that in
+remaining where he was, a fate far worse than his fears awaited him.
+
+During the day, Miss Gladden and Lyle busied themselves with
+preparations for the expected guests. A room on the ground floor,
+adjoining and connecting with the one occupied by Houston and Van
+Dorn, and with a view of the lake and cascades, was put in readiness;
+and books, sketches and bric-a-brac contributed by Houston and Miss
+Gladden, and tastefully arranged by Lyle, relieved the blank walls and
+plain furniture, and made the place look quite attractive.
+
+Houston was jubilant over the information acquired by their expedition
+of the previous night; nothing out of the usual course occurred that
+day, and returning earlier from his customary visit to the mines than
+he had done of late, the remainder of the evening was devoted to music
+and song.
+
+After Miss Gladden and Lyle had gone up-stairs, they sat for some time
+talking over the events of the last few days, and anticipating the
+coming of Rutherford and his brother on the morrow. Many were Miss
+Gladden's surmises regarding the stranger, and Lyle then learned for
+the first time that he was an intimate friend of Houston's.
+
+"Everard tells me that though Ned is a pleasant fellow and good
+hearted, yet he is not in the least like his brother. He says Morton,
+as he always calls him, is a most perfect gentleman in every sense of
+the word, and a scholar of rare intellectual attainments, fond of
+scientific research, and a brilliant writer."
+
+"I judged from his picture that the two brothers were very unlike,"
+said Lyle, "and from your description he will be in many respects a
+new specimen to come under my limited observation; I will have to make
+a study of him, and see if he is at all like my idea of a literary
+person. I would not suppose, though, there would be much to interest
+him here; the only rarities he will find are possibly new phases of
+ignorance and coarseness and crime."
+
+Miss Gladden thought, as she looked at Lyle, that if the new-comer did
+not find rare beauty of mind and soul, as well as of form and face, in
+that secluded region, he certainly must be very unappreciative; but
+she only said:
+
+"You seem to have forgotten what Ned said of his brother, that his
+love of the beautiful was so intense, he doubted whether he would ever
+want to leave the scenery and surroundings here."
+
+"That was simply one of Mr. Rutherford's extravagant expressions,"
+Lyle replied, "the natural surroundings here are certainly beautiful,
+but their beauty only makes the conditions mentally and morally the
+more painfully conspicuous, and if I can see the contrast so plainly,
+who have always lived here and known no other life, how must it look
+to one such as he!"
+
+"Why do you always insist upon it so strongly that you have never
+known any other life than this?" inquired Miss Gladden.
+
+"Why?" asked Lyle, in surprise, "I suppose simply because it is a
+fact, the one hateful truth that I despise, and so I say it over and
+over to myself, to check these foolish dream-fancies of mine, that
+seem as if I had known something better sometime."
+
+Lyle spoke with more bitterness than Miss Gladden had ever heard
+before, and the latter answered gently:
+
+"If I were in your place, Lyle dear, I would not try to check these
+fancies; I would encourage them."
+
+Lyle gazed at her friend in astonishment. "Encourage them!" she
+repeated, "I don't understand your meaning, why would you advise
+that?"
+
+"To see to what they would lead, my dear." Then, as Lyle looked
+bewildered, she continued:
+
+"Did it never occur to you, Lyle, that these fancies, as you call
+them, might possibly be an effort on the part of memory to recall
+something, long ago forgotten?"
+
+"I never thought of such a possibility," she replied, slowly.
+
+Miss Gladden threw one arm about her caressingly.
+
+"If these were mere fancies why should they occur so persistently, and
+why should there be this sense of familiarity, of which you have
+spoken, with other and far different associations than these, unless
+there is some distinct image hidden away in the recesses of your
+brain, which your mind is trying to recall?"
+
+Lyle had grown very pale; she had caught the idea which Miss Gladden
+was trying to convey, and her form trembled, while her lips and
+delicate nostrils quivered with suppressed agitation.
+
+"Leslie," she cried, "do you mean that you think it possible there is
+any reality in it,--that I have ever known a different life from
+this,--a life anything like that which seems to come back to me?"
+
+"I think it not only possible, but probable," said her friend, drawing
+the trembling girl closer to herself, "and that is why I want you to
+encourage these impressions, and see if you will not, after a time, be
+able to recall the past more definitely."
+
+"But why do you believe this?" questioned Lyle, "How did you ever
+think of it?"
+
+"When you first told me of your fancies, as you called them, and of
+your dreams, constantly recurring since your earliest childhood, I
+felt that they must be produced by something that had really occurred,
+some time in the past, but perhaps so long ago that only the faintest
+impression was left upon your mind; but however faint, to me it seemed
+proof that the reality had existed. The more I have questioned you,
+the more I have become convinced of this, and I find I am not alone in
+my opinion."
+
+"Have you talked with Jack, and does he think as you do?" Lyle
+questioned. Miss Gladden answered in the affirmative.
+
+"Is that the reason he has asked me so often regarding my early
+life?"
+
+"Yes, he has questioned you, hoping you might be able to recall
+something of those years which you say seem to you only a blank. We
+can only surmise regarding your early life, but if you could recall
+some slight incident, or some individual, it might prove whether our
+surmises were correct." Then, as Lyle remained silent, Miss Gladden
+continued:
+
+"That face which you always see in your dreams, must be the face of
+some one you have really seen and known."
+
+"Yes," Lyle answered dreamily, "I have often thought of that, and have
+tried to remember when, or where, it could have been."
+
+For a few moments, both were silent; Lyle, in her abstraction,
+loosened her hair, and it fell around her like a veil of fine-spun
+gold. An idea suddenly occurred to Miss Gladden, and rising from her
+chair, she gathered up the golden mass, and began to rearrange and
+fasten it, Lyle scarcely heeding her action, so absorbed was she in
+thought.
+
+When she had completed her work, she looked critically at Lyle for a
+moment, and seeming satisfied with the result, asked her to look in
+the glass. Half mechanically, Lyle did as requested, but at the first
+glance at the face reflected there, she uttered a low cry, and stood
+as if transfixed. Miss Gladden had arranged her hair in a style worn
+nearly twenty years before, and in imitation of the photograph which
+Jack had shown her. The effect was magical, as it showed Lyle's face
+to be an exact counterpart of the beautiful pictured face.
+
+To Lyle it revealed much more, for to her astonished gaze there was
+brought back, with life-like distinctness and realism, the face of her
+dreams; the one which she had seen bending tenderly over her since her
+earliest recollection, and which had seemed so often to comfort her in
+the days of her childish griefs when she had sobbed herself to sleep.
+
+Suddenly, Miss Gladden saw the face in the glass grow deathly white,
+and Lyle, quickly turning toward her friend, exclaimed:
+
+"I see it now! That is my mother's face that I have seen in my dreams!
+And I have seen it living some time, somewhere, but not here. These
+people are not my parents; I am no child of theirs. Oh, Leslie, tell
+me, is this true?"
+
+Very gently Miss Gladden soothed the excited girl, telling her that
+while her friends knew nothing as yet, for a certainty, regarding her
+parentage, they felt that she, in her early life, had had a home and
+surroundings far different from those she knew here, and that they
+hoped ere long, with her help, to arrive at the whole truth.
+
+"But how did I ever come to live here with these people?" inquired
+Lyle, a new fear dawning in her eyes, "do you suppose they were hired
+to take me?"
+
+"No, never," said Miss Gladden, "as nearly as we can judge, you must
+have been stolen."
+
+"And do you think my own parents are now living?" she asked.
+
+So far as she was able to do so, Miss Gladden explained the situation,
+as Jack had told it to her, making no reference, however, to what he
+had said regarding the possibility of Lyle's friends coming to the
+mountains, where they would be likely to recognize her. Of this, Miss
+Gladden herself understood so little, she thought best not to allude
+to it now.
+
+"But why has Jack never told me of this, and of my mother? He must
+have known her," said Lyle.
+
+"You must remember, dear, that he had no proof that any such relation
+really existed; as I understood him, he with others, supposed that
+this child was not living, but he was struck with the resemblance
+between you and the mother of this child, and the relationship
+occurred to him at first as the merest possibility, but grew almost to
+a certainty, as the resemblance between you increased; and yet, you
+can see that under the circumstances, while you were under the control
+and in the power of these people, it would not be best to say anything
+until he had some proof as to your identity."
+
+"I see," Lyle answered, thoughtfully, "but now that I remember her as
+my mother, do you suppose that he would talk with me about her, or
+help me to find my true relatives?"
+
+"I hardly know how to answer you," said Miss Gladden slowly, "there is
+some mystery about it all, dear, that I do not understand; he might
+perhaps talk more freely with you, but with me he appeared willing to
+say very little regarding your mother, or your friends. Still, he gave
+me a hint, so vague and shadowy I scarcely understood it, but to the
+effect that he thought there might, before long, be an opportunity
+for a meeting between you and those whom he believed to be your
+friends."
+
+"Well," said Lyle, after a pause, "Jack is a true friend to me, he
+knows what is best, and I can afford to wait with even such a
+possibility to look forward to. I will not wait in idleness either, I
+shall try to find some clue, some evidence as to who I really am, and
+something tells me I will succeed." Then she added tenderly, "Do you
+know, I believe, whoever my mother may have been, Jack must have loved
+her."
+
+"She certainly was very dear to him," replied Miss Gladden.
+
+They talked till far into the morning hours, and as they finally
+separated for the night, Lyle approached her friend, and throwing her
+arms about her neck, she exclaimed, almost in tears:
+
+"Oh, Leslie, you can never know how glad I am that you have shown me
+this, and shown it to me to-night! I have felt so disgraced, so
+degraded by the life here, it seemed as if I were a part of it all, a
+part of my own hateful surroundings but now, I know I am not; now,"
+she continued, lifting her head proudly and raising her arms slowly
+with a beautiful gesture, "they can fetter me no longer! The chains
+that have held me so long and so cruelly are already bursting; even
+now, I can rise above them; soon, I shall be free!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI.
+
+
+Do coming events cast their shadows before? Did the silently-waving
+pinions of the angel who "troubled the waters" give any hint of his
+beneficent approach? However that may be, certain it is that on the
+morning of the day in which the hitherto untroubled depths of Lyle's
+womanly nature were to be stirred by the mightiest of influences,
+there came to her a prescience, thrilling and vibrating through her
+whole being, that this day was to be the crisis, the turning point of
+her life. On that day, she was to meet one whose influence upon her
+own life she felt would be far greater than that of any human being
+she could recall.
+
+Lyle was not in love. As yet, she knew nothing of what love might be,
+but she possessed rare depth of feeling. In her lonely, secluded life,
+she had known few emotions, but those few were deep and lasting; and
+when, a few months before, she had incidentally seen the photograph of
+Morton Rutherford,--only one among many, all unknown to her,--it had
+left an impression upon her heart and brain, never to be effaced.
+
+His was no ordinary face; it would attract the most casual observer,
+and to one gifted with Lyle's wonderful insight and perception, and
+possessing her fine susceptibilities, there would be revealed such
+rare strength and beauty of mind and character combined, that, once
+seen, it might not be easily forgotten.
+
+To Lyle, in her isolation, it seemed a glimpse of a kindred soul, and
+she had often wondered what the living face itself might be, and what
+acquaintance and friendship with such a soul might mean. She had
+looked forward to his coming to the camp with mingled pleasure and
+dread. She thoroughly understood the position which she held in the
+estimation of the younger Mr. Rutherford; would his brother regard her
+with the same half pitying, half patronizing admiration? Would her
+narrow, restricted life seem so small and poor to him, with his
+superior attainments, that he would altogether ignore her? Or would he
+be able, like Mr. Houston and Miss Gladden, to overlook her hateful
+and hated environment, and help her rise above it?
+
+These were the questions which for the past few weeks had perplexed
+and troubled her; but the revelation which had come to her on the
+previous night had changed the whole current of her thought. What
+matter now, how mean or debasing her surroundings, since no taint
+from them could attach itself to her? What matter if her life had
+been cramped and restricted, since she was soon to rise above it
+into the life for which she had been created? Perhaps her natural
+sphere was not, after all, so unlike that in which her friends
+moved, to which even he was accustomed, the stranger, whose coming
+she now anticipated with a strange, unaccountable thrill of
+expectation. Would he, with that wonderful power which she felt he
+possessed, to elevate or to crush the souls with whom he came in
+contact, would he recognize her true sphere, as her other friends
+had done, or would he be blinded by her surroundings?
+
+She could not rest; she rose and looked forth upon the glorious dawn
+of the new day, and was impressed as never before, with the beauty of
+the vision which met her eyes. To her, it seemed like the dawning of a
+new epoch in her life; nay, more than that, like the dawning of a new
+life itself.
+
+Impatient of restraint, she left the house, and went out into the
+morning fresh from the hand of the Creator, as yet undefiled by
+contact with human life. Hastily climbing a series of rocky ledges,
+she reached a broad plateau, and looked about her. The life which she
+had so hated and despised seemed suddenly to have dropped forever out
+of sight, and she was conscious only of a new beauty, a new glory
+surrounding her.
+
+The mountains, blushing in the first rosy light, lifted their
+gleaming, glory-crowned spires heavenward; the cascades chanted
+in thunderous, yet rhythmic tones, their unceasing anthem of
+praise, their snow-white spray ascending skyward, like clouds of
+incense, while the little flowers, clinging to rock and ledge and
+mountain-side, turned their sweet faces upward in silent adoration.
+The place seemed pervaded by a spirit of universal adoration and
+praise, and instinctively, Lyle bowed her head in silent worship;
+and as she did so, there came to her, as though revealed by the
+lightning's flash, the vision of her mother kneeling beside her, in
+those dim days so long ago, clasping her tiny hands within her own,
+and teaching her baby lips to lisp the words of prayer.
+
+For a long time she knelt in that temple made without hands, till
+mountain and valley were bathed in glorious sunlight; and when at
+last, she descended the rocky footpath, she felt, as she looked forth
+upon the new life opening before her, no fear, no shrinking, but
+strong to go forward and meet her destiny, whatever it might be.
+
+All were impressed that morning by Lyle's manner, the added dignity
+of bearing, the new expression that looked forth from her soulful
+eyes, though none but Miss Gladden understood the cause.
+
+At the breakfast table, the final plans were made for the reception of
+the guests to arrive that day. Word had been received that they were
+already in Silver City, and would come out on the noon train. Houston
+had telegraphed to the Y for the best team there to be in readiness to
+bring them up to the camp, and an hour or so before noon, he and Van
+Dorn were to take two horses and ride to the Y to meet them, and
+accompany them on their ride up the canyon. A late dinner was to be
+served upon their arrival, when the two ladies would be present, as
+Lyle no longer acted in the capacity of waiter, Miss Gladden having
+some time before insisted that she should preside at the table, and
+the blushing Miss Bixby, after much painstaking effort, having been
+finally educated up to the point of performing that ceremony very
+creditably.
+
+"Everard," said Miss Gladden after breakfast, as Houston stopped for
+his customary chat with her before starting out on his daily routine,
+"did you observe Lyle this morning? I never saw her look so lovely;"
+adding playfully, "I wonder you did not fall in love with her, she is
+far more beautiful than I."
+
+"Allow me to be judge," he replied, "though I will admit that I think
+she grows more beautiful every day. But as to falling in love with
+her, I doubt if I would have done that even had I not met you. From
+the first she has seemed to me unaccountably like a sister; I cannot
+explain why, unless it was because of that child-like, almost
+appealing manner she had at that time. She has none of it now,
+however, she is developing very rapidly into a noble womanhood, and
+yet I still have the same feeling toward her, and I think she regards
+me as a brother."
+
+"That is true," said Miss Gladden, "she cares for you more than for
+any of the others, but only, as you say, as a brother. Her heart does
+not seem to be very susceptible."
+
+"She may be none the less susceptible," Houston replied, "but she
+realizes her position here, and she is far too proud spirited to carry
+her heart upon her sleeve."
+
+Miss Gladden then related to Houston the events oi the preceding
+night, and Lyle's sudden recollection of her own mother. He was much
+interested.
+
+"I am more than glad," he replied, "doubtless the memory of her early
+childhood will gradually come back to her, and we may be able to
+ascertain her true parentage. I hope so, at least, for I believe
+Maverick to be an out and out scoundrel, capable of any villainy, and
+I would like to see him brought to justice."
+
+The room set apart for the expected guests, as well as the dining-room,
+was decorated with wild flowers and trailing vines, and in this
+pleasant employment, and the preparation of a few dainty dishes for
+the table, the forenoon passed swiftly.
+
+The noon train had scarcely come to a stop at the little station at
+the Y, when Ned Rutherford was seen rushing impetuously from the car,
+his camera case as usual in one hand, at sight of which the two young
+men waiting on the platform burst into a hearty laugh.
+
+"There he is," said Houston, "the same old Ned!"
+
+"The very same old boy!" added Van Dorn, as they hastened to meet
+him.
+
+"Hullo, Everard!" cried Ned, jumping upon the platform, "I say, but it
+seems mighty good to see you again! How are you, Van Dorn?"
+
+"How are you, Ned?" said Van Dorn, extending his hand, "we wouldn't
+have known you if it hadn't been for that camera box of yours!"
+
+"That so?" answered Ned, good-naturedly, "well, I always considered it
+indispensable, but I didn't suppose my identity would be lost without
+it."
+
+Meanwhile, Houston had hastened to meet the elder brother, and it
+could readily be seen that they were more than ordinary friends.
+
+"Everard, old fellow!" he exclaimed, in response to Houston's
+greeting, "this is the greatest pleasure I've had in many a day. I
+never dreamed that the Houston of whom Ned wrote such glowing accounts
+was my old friend."
+
+"I used to think sometimes," said Houston, "when Ned was writing you,
+that I would like to send you some reminder of old times, a college
+password or signal that you would understand; but at that time, I
+didn't know Ned very well, and of course I was anxious to conceal my
+identity here."
+
+"That was right," said the elder Rutherford, with a comical glance at
+his brother, "Ned is rather injudicious, he belongs to that
+unfortunate class of people, with the best of intentions, who usually
+succeed in doing as much mischief as others with the worst."
+
+"Right you are there," said Ned, "I'm always putting my foot in it one
+way or another; I wouldn't advise anybody to make a confidant of me,
+I'd give them away sure. I say, Everard," he continued, while his
+brother and Van Dorn exchanged cordial greetings, "how are you getting
+on, and how is the Buncombe-Boomerang combination?"
+
+"We have been very successful so far, everything is nearly in
+readiness, and the combination as you call it, cannot exist much
+longer; we will give you full particulars later."
+
+"And how are the ladies?" Ned inquired further.
+
+"They are well, and waiting to give you and your brother a royal
+welcome."
+
+"Thank you," Morton Rutherford replied, "I am quite anxious to meet
+them, Ned, of course, can speak for himself."
+
+"That he can, and generally does when the right time comes," responded
+that individual, "you will find I am a universal favorite here, in the
+camp of the Philistines."
+
+In a little while they were on their way to camp, Houston and Morton
+Rutherford occupying the back seat of the light, canopy-top wagon,
+while Van Dorn and Ned took the forward seat with the driver, the
+horses and baggage following with one of the mining teams.
+
+Morton Rutherford gave his friend a glowing account of his journey
+through the west, dwelling at considerable length on his enjoyment of
+the scenic routes. As they wound upward through the canyon, he grew
+ecstatic over the wild beauty and rugged grandeur extending in every
+direction, and when they finally drew rein before the long, low
+boarding house, nestling at the foot of the mountain, with its rustic,
+vine-covered porch, and surrounded on all sides by the wild scenery of
+that region, his admiration knew no bounds.
+
+"What a delightful retreat!" he exclaimed, "what a study for an
+artist!"
+
+Within the porch, among the vines, the ladies awaited their coming,
+and Lyle, looking forth from her shady retreat, saw the face whose
+image had been imprinted on heart and brain, and at a glance she read
+all she had expected to find, and more. There were the fine features,
+expressing such depth and power, and yet such delicacy of thought and
+feeling, the intellectual brow, the dark, expressive eyes, all as she
+had seen them in the picture; but what picture could convey the living
+beauty of the whole? It was the face of one whom women would worship,
+and men would follow even to death.
+
+The gentlemen approached the house, Houston and his friend leading the
+way. Miss Gladden advanced to meet them, and as Houston introduced Mr.
+Rutherford, she extended to him a most gracious and graceful welcome,
+and also to Ned. Her gown was white, of soft, clinging material,
+trimmed with quantities of rich, rare lace, and brightened here and
+there with touches of crimson and gold. She wore a few costly jewels,
+and the diamond hilt of a tiny dagger glistened and scintillated in
+her auburn-tinted hair. She looked very beautiful, and as Mr.
+Rutherford paused to respond to her welcome with a few courteous
+words, he thought his friend was surely to be congratulated on the
+prize he had won.
+
+Meanwhile, Ned had discovered Lyle, as she stood partially hidden
+among the vines, awaiting her turn, and hastened to greet her in his
+impetuous fashion.
+
+"How do you do, Miss Maverick? I'm awfully glad to see you. I want you
+to know my brother," and his cheerful voice sounded on his brother's
+ear, as he replied to some remark of Miss Gladden's.
+
+"Morton, I want to introduce you to our nightingale; Miss Maverick,
+allow me to make you acquainted with my brother."
+
+With a rare smile lighting up his face, Morton Rutherford turned
+toward the speaker, and as he did so, saw a vision of the most royal
+young womanhood his eyes had ever beheld. She, too, was dressed in
+white, but it was a filmy, cloud-like mass, with trimmings of ethereal
+blue. She wore no jewels, but a crown of golden hair gleamed like a
+coronet above her head, and her delicately molded face had a
+spirituelle beauty and radiance unlike any living face he had ever
+seen, and which he could only compare to the exquisite Madonna faces,
+painted by artists of the old world, and of the olden time.
+
+And Lyle, coming forward with unconscious, queenly grace, looked for
+an instant into that face whose subtle power she already felt, her
+wondrous, starry eyes, luminous with a new, strange light, meeting his
+with their depth of meaning, their powerful magnetism, and from that
+brief instant, life for each was changed, wholly and completely;
+whether for good or ill, for weal or woe, neither as yet could say.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII.
+
+
+It was a very congenial little company that somewhat later gathered
+about the dinner table. There were no outsiders present on this
+occasion to check their conversation, and the room resounded with
+merry laughter as the young men related various reminiscences of their
+college days, or as Lyle gave her eastern friends some amusing
+glimpses of western life.
+
+Morton Rutherford added his share to the general enjoyment, as he gave
+in an inimitable manner which fascinated his listeners, sketches of
+places and people he had met in his western journey; but a close
+observer would have noticed that his dark eyes often wandered to the
+face of the fair hostess, presiding at the table with such dignity,
+and his thoughts much of the time were far removed from the subject of
+conversation.
+
+Of the strange, wild tumult in Lyle's breast there was no token, save
+in her heightened color, and the added brilliancy of her eyes.
+
+The plain, but wholesome mountain fare disappeared rapidly before the
+appetites sharpened by the bracing air of that altitude, and still the
+little company lingered at the table, loath to tear themselves away.
+
+Plans were made for a few days and evenings of genuine enjoyment,
+before proceeding any further with the business in which all were so
+deeply interested. Houston and Van Dorn would of course be more or
+less confined by their work, and it was voted that, during the day,
+Mr. Rutherford should be entertained by the ladies, or, as the hunting
+and fishing season had now opened, he and Ned would be able to find
+considerable sport in the surrounding country. But the evenings were
+to be spent by the entire party in visits to the different points of
+interest and beauty already familiar to some of their number.
+
+"And one of the first places to visit," said Ned Rutherford, at this
+point in the conversation, "will be the cascades; we will go out there
+in boats, you know, with the guitar and violin, and have music just as
+we did the first time we ever went out. Great Scott! but I never will
+forget that night as long as I live!"
+
+"With the ladies' approval, that will be one of our first trips," said
+Houston.
+
+"You play and sing, do you not, Mr. Rutherford?" Miss Gladden
+inquired, addressing the elder brother.
+
+"Yes, occasionally," he answered, with a peculiar smile.
+
+"What instrument do you use?"
+
+"I can accompany myself on several different instruments," he replied,
+"but the violin is my favorite; it is capable of more expression than
+most others."
+
+At last the little party adjourned to the porch, and Lyle, under the
+pretext of some household duties, excused herself, and escaped to her
+own little room. Here her forced composure gave way, and her highly
+wrought feelings found relief in a passionate burst of tears, though
+why she wept, she could not have told.
+
+Unconsciously to herself, perhaps, Morton Rutherford had of late
+become the hero of her thoughts, partially on account of her high
+estimate of him, and also because of the sympathy which she felt would
+exist between them in taste and thought and feeling. She had dreamed
+of a friendship with him, perhaps more perfect and helpful than any
+she had yet known; but they had met, and in that one glance had been
+revealed to her a natural affinity deeper than any of which she had
+ever dreamed, and the impossibility of a calm, Platonic friendship
+between kindred spirits such as theirs.
+
+Unconsciously to herself, Lyle had that day crossed the great divide,
+and womanhood, with its dower of love and joy, of pain and suffering,
+was henceforth hers. The mightiest element in her nature, which had
+lain dormant all these years, its power unsuspected even by herself,
+was now aroused, and even while she felt the throbbing of its new
+life, as yet, she knew not its name. She was young, her observation
+and her experience had been limited, and there had been no one to
+prepare her for the certain awakening of this mighty power, before
+whose conquering sway all else must yield.
+
+She grew more calm, and as she reviewed the few friendships she had
+known,--the helpful kindness and tenderness of Jack in whom she had
+confided her childish griefs, the chivalry of Everard Houston, who
+from the first had constituted himself her champion and protector, and
+even the pleasant kindliness of Ned Rutherford, whom she scarcely
+deemed more than an acquaintance,--there was suddenly revealed to her
+quickened perception the distinction between friendship and love, and
+instantly she recognized the stranger who had taken possession of her
+heart: Love had come. Love was to be henceforth king, and she stood
+trembling and abashed in the presence of the new sovereign. Her tears
+flowed silently, but she was far from unhappy; love, even unknown and
+unreciprocated, brings its own sweet reward.
+
+Whether her love would ever be returned by the one whose glance had
+awakened it in its might, she dared not even think. She knew not, as
+yet, in what light he would regard her. Notwithstanding the friendship
+and esteem manifested by the younger brother, she fully understood the
+insurmountable barrier which his pride had placed between himself and
+her. Would it exist in the mind of the elder brother also? Or would
+his keener insight, his superior perception discern her true
+position? Time alone would tell.
+
+A little later, calm and queenly as ever, Lyle rejoined the little
+group, who had strolled out a short distance from the house, and were
+seated beside the lake, in the cooling shadow of a large rock.
+
+She could not help observing the smile of pleasure with which Mr.
+Rutherford welcomed her approach, but she would not yet trust herself
+to hold any protracted conversation with him, and giving him only a
+bright little smile of recognition, she seated herself beside Ned, and
+began a playful badinage, as they had been accustomed to banter each
+other on his former visit. Morton Rutherford watched them curiously,
+listening to the war of words with a half smile, and evidently
+absorbed in his own thoughts, as, for a while, Miss Gladden and Mr.
+Van Dorn had the conversation to themselves, Houston having gone to
+the mines.
+
+As the shadows began to lengthen, and the sun seemed hovering over a
+snow-crowned peak that stood out boldly against the western horizon,
+Houston was seen approaching the house, and at a little distance,
+Maverick and his two sons. Lyle, who was then standing on the outer
+edge of the group, talking with Miss Gladden, was quick to observe a
+sudden movement on Ned's part, as, turning toward his brother, he made
+some brief remark in low tones, regarding the approaching trio. She
+well knew the tenor of his remark, and watched closely to see its
+effect.
+
+She saw Morton Rutherford glance in the direction indicated by a
+slight motion of Ned's head, and then, though he betrayed no surprise
+by word or movement, an expression of astonishment crossed his face,
+but only for an instant. His features grew white and stern, and he
+watched every movement of the three figures, as, with stealthy,
+slouching gait and suspicious looks, they stole around the corner of
+the house, and the expression of his eye seemed to Lyle like that of a
+judge passing sentence on a condemned criminal.
+
+He did not look at Lyle immediately, perhaps he was conscious of the
+eyes watching him so narrowly from under the heavily drooping lids,
+fringed with long, golden lashes, but when he did look toward her,
+there was a depth of meaning in those dark eyes which she could not
+fathom.
+
+Twenty-four hours before, Lyle standing there, under those circumstances,
+would have been crushed with humiliation, but in the light of the
+revelation of the night before, she met his glance with an expression
+which to him seemed utterly inscrutable. There was neither shame nor
+apology written on her face, as with a calm, bright smile, and the same
+self-possessed manner, she turned and passed into the house.
+
+Upon entering the dining-room, Lyle heard angry words in the kitchen,
+and paused to listen. The voice was Maverick's.
+
+"Who in hell is that new feller you've got up here?"
+
+"That's the brother of the young feller that was here a spell ago,"
+answered the voice of Minty, who was just emerging from the pantry.
+
+"Damn you! who asked you to say anything? Git out of here," he roared,
+and Minty made a hasty retreat into the cellar.
+
+"Who's that new feller out there?" he again demanded of his wife.
+
+"His name is Rutherford, and he's a brother of the young man that come
+out here with Mr. Houston," was her reply.
+
+"What's his business here?"
+
+"I guess he hain't got none, he seems to be out here for pleasure like
+his brother."
+
+"Pleasure!" growled Maverick, with an oath, "there's too many of 'em,
+damn 'em, out here for pleasure; I'd give some of 'em some pleasure
+that they ain't a lookin' for, if I had a chance."
+
+His wife made no response.
+
+"What's that girl Lyle tricked out in such finery for?" he next
+asked.
+
+"They're clothes that Miss Gladden give her," Mrs. Maverick replied,
+"and it saves us jest so much, so you needn't growl; besides she looks
+nice."
+
+"Looks nice!" said Maverick, contemptuously, "you're always bound to
+stick up for her! Look here, old woman," he added, in a lower tone,
+but which Lyle could hear, "have you been tellin' that girl anything?
+She don't own me for her daddy lately, I notice; now, if you've been
+puttin' her or anybody else onto anything of the kind, I can tell you
+you'll be damned sorry for it before you git through with me."
+
+"I hain't said a word, it's jest a notion she's took, I dun'no why. I
+hain't said nothin' nor I ain't a goin' to, as long as you behave
+yourself, Jim Maverick, but the proofs is all ready in case you don't
+treat me and her jest as you'd orter."
+
+A terrible oath burst from Maverick's lips, but the entrance of the
+two boys and Minty, prevented any further conversation on this
+subject; and Lyle, seated in the little porch whither she had
+retreated from the dining-room, reflected on what she had just heard,
+its meaning seeming very clear to her in the light of what Miss
+Gladden had told her the night before.
+
+There were proofs then in existence, probably in that very house, as
+to her identity. Her friends were correct in their surmises: she had
+been stolen, and the villain who had committed the deed, even now
+trembled with apprehension lest his villainy should become known.
+Those proofs she must have, and it would be worse than useless to
+demand them of either Maverick or his wife. She must search for them.
+This she resolved to do, day by day, as opportunity afforded, until
+there should be no nook or corner which she had not thoroughly
+explored.
+
+As Lyle recalled all that occurred within the past twenty-four hours,
+the most eventful period within her recollection thus far, she felt
+that she had virtually broken with the old life and all its
+associations, and that she stood upon the threshold of a new life,
+higher, nobler,--perhaps sweeter,--than any of which she had ever
+dreamed.
+
+The return of the little company of friends to the house interrupted
+her thoughts, but not before she had decided fully as to her future
+course.
+
+After supper, it was decided to spend that first evening on the summit
+of one of the nearest mountains, to watch the glories of the sunset,
+and to give Morton Rutherford a bird's-eye view of the beautiful
+scenery, before introducing him to its details.
+
+But on the second evening, the entire party set forth for the trip to
+the cascades, for which Ned was so especially desirous.
+
+Mr. Houston and Miss Gladden led the little procession, Houston
+carrying her guitar. Ned had constituted himself Lyle's escort by
+taking the violin, and they came next, while Morton Rutherford and
+Arthur Van Dorn brought up the rear.
+
+Their two boats were already awaiting them, and Ned, having assisted
+Lyle to a seat, turned to Van Dorn.
+
+"Mr. Van Dorn," he said in his blandest tones, "may we have the
+pleasure of your company in our boat?"
+
+As Van Dorn laughingly accepted the invitation, Morton Rutherford
+turned toward his brother, saying:
+
+"Are you not going to extend an invitation to me, also?"
+
+"Unfortunately," said Ned, with as much dignity as he could assume,
+"this boat will seat but three people."
+
+"Is that so!" replied his brother, with a curious downward inflection,
+"unfortunately, then, for Mr. Houston and Miss Gladden, you will have
+to take the other boat, as I am going in this one myself," and
+stepping lightly into the boat, he pulled it quickly out into the
+water, leaving Ned in a state of bewilderment, alone on shore, as Mr.
+Houston and Miss Gladden were already seated in their boat, and
+watching this little by-play.
+
+There was a general laugh at Ned's expense, as he clambered into the
+other boat, exclaiming good-naturedly:
+
+"Well, Mort, that's an awfully shabby trick, but then, it's all I can
+expect of you, anyhow."
+
+"It's all you deserve, after such attempted selfishness on your part,"
+replied his brother.
+
+They rowed across the lake in the soft light, the glory of the setting
+sun still reflected from the surrounding peaks, the music of their
+boat songs accompanied by the dip and plash of the oars.
+
+At last they reached the cascades, and rounding a little promontory,
+the glory of that wondrous scene suddenly burst upon them. For a
+moment Mr. Rutherford sat speechless, and Lyle, facing him, silently
+enjoyed his surprise and his ecstasy as keenly as he enjoyed the
+wonderful beauty about him. In his face, she read the same capacity
+for joy or for suffering which Nature had bestowed upon herself, and
+when his eyes suddenly met hers again, he saw the tears glistening in
+their shining depths, and with quick, intuitive sympathy, readily
+understood the cause.
+
+For a while they rowed back and forth in almost silent admiration;
+then the boats were brought side by side at the foot of the cascades,
+and the air resounded with song; sometimes their voices all blending
+together in exquisite harmony, then in twos and threes, while
+occasionally, some beautiful old song would be given as a solo.
+
+It had been an evening of rare enjoyment for each one, and they were
+just about to turn their boats homeward, when Ned Rutherford
+exclaimed:
+
+"I say, don't let us leave this spot until Miss Maverick sings that
+song she gave us the first time we came out here, the first we ever
+heard her sing. I never can forget that song, and it is always
+associated with this place."
+
+The others joined in the request. Lyle hesitated. Could she trust
+herself to sing that song to-night? It was easy to sing when love had
+come to another's heart, but could she sing it now that he had come to
+her own?
+
+She consented, and the oars rested once more. With her eyes fixed on
+the distant mountains, Lyle began her song:
+
+                "Love is come with a song and a smile."
+
+At the first words, Morton Rutherford started, and as he fixed his
+eyes on the beautiful singer, her fair form and shining hair outlined
+against the silvery cascades, it seemed to him the loveliest sight of
+his whole life.
+
+Her voice, exquisitely sweet as she began, gained in expression and
+power, until she sang as she had never sung before; and as the last
+notes died away, Houston, bending his head low, whispered to Miss
+Gladden:
+
+"Leslie, my dear, do you think now that Lyle's heart is not
+susceptible? She never could sing that song in that way if she knew
+nothing of love."
+
+And Miss Gladden made no reply, for her own heart was too full for
+words.
+
+The song was ended, and Lyle's eyes suddenly met the dark ones fixed
+upon her face, and though no words were spoken, she read in their
+depths that hers was not the only heart to which love had come.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVIII.
+
+
+That night the diminutive lamp that did duty in the room assigned to
+the two brothers burned till long past the hour of midnight. By its
+dim light, Ned Rutherford indited a letter to his fiancee, while his
+brother quietly paced back and forth, the entire length of the small
+apartment, his hands clasped behind him and his head thrown back,--his
+usual attitude when in deep thought.
+
+"Getting up another article on the application of electric force?"
+inquired Ned, as he paused to watch his brother.
+
+"No," was the reply, "I am thinking at present of a force far more
+subtle and more powerful than that of electricity."
+
+"Why, how's that?" asked Ned in surprise, "I thought electricity was
+one of your pet hobbies."
+
+"Never mind about my pet hobbies," said his brother, with a smile,
+"just continue your writing for the present."
+
+Half an hour later, as Ned folded and sealed the voluminous letter,
+and placed upon it the long, foreign address, his brother, watching
+him with a curious half smile, said:
+
+"I shall have to give you credit for a great deal of constancy, Ned,
+more than I really supposed you possessed."
+
+"How's that?" asked Ned, with a slight blush, "to what do you refer."
+
+"To your fidelity to your affianced," Morton replied, "under the rather
+adverse circumstances that attend your suit, and notwithstanding
+the unusual attractions by which you have been surrounded here."
+
+"Well, as to that," said Ned, slowly, "I don't know as I deserve so
+very much credit. Houston appropriated Miss Gladden to himself pretty
+soon after we came here, and besides, she isn't exactly my style,
+after all; she would suit Houston a great deal better than me."
+
+"Ah," said his brother, quietly, "and what of the younger lady?
+Perhaps she is not your style, either?"
+
+"Well, no, I should say not," Ned replied, with the least perceptible
+scorn in his tone, "not but what she is a lovely girl, and I respect
+her, and feel sorry for her, but I should think one glimpse of her
+family would decide that question, once for all."
+
+"Ned," said Morton Rutherford, pausing in his walk, directly in front
+of his brother, "is it possible that you are so blind as not to see
+that Miss Maverick, as you call her,--I prefer to call her Lyle,--has
+no connection whatever with the family in which she lives?"
+
+"Do you think so?" Ned inquired, with surprise, "I remember Houston
+and Miss Gladden expressed the same opinion when I was here before,
+but I don't think they had any proof that such was the case, and even
+if it were so, I don't see how it helps the matter much, for nobody
+knows to what sort of a family she really does belong."
+
+"Ned," said his brother, indignantly, "I know nothing of the opinion
+of Houston or Miss Gladden upon this subject, but where are your own
+eyes, and where is your reason? If you discovered one of the rarest
+and most beautiful flowers known to exist in the plant world, in a
+heap of tailings out here among these mines, would you immediately
+conclude that, because you had found it there, it must be indigenous
+to the spot? Look at that girl, and tell me if there is one trace in
+feature, in form, in manner, or in speech, of plebeian blood, and then
+will you tell me that she is in any way connected with people such as
+these? They are not merely plebeian, they are low, debased, criminal.
+They are criminals of the deepest dye, not only capable of any
+villainy, but already guilty, and to such a degree that their guilt
+has made them shrinking, skulking cowards."
+
+"But, Mort, if you are correct, and I don't say that you are not, how
+does she come to be in such a place as this, with no memory of
+anything different?"
+
+"Through the villainy of that man whom you pointed out to me as her
+father; through his villainy, and in no other way."
+
+"You think she was stolen?"
+
+"I do; I can see in his face that he has committed some terrible
+crime,--perhaps many of them,--and he is afraid to look a stranger in
+the eye; and a glance at that beautiful girl is enough to fasten upon
+him one of his crimes. She is from a family whose blood is as pure
+from any taint, physical, mental, or moral, as is your own, and unless
+I am greatly mistaken, she is not wholly unconscious of this
+herself."
+
+"Great Heavens!" exclaimed the younger brother, "I never dreamed of
+all this! If it is really as you think, I only wish we could find her
+true home, and have her restored to it, and make that scoundrel suffer
+for his crime."
+
+"If it is among the possibilities, it shall be done," said Morton
+Rutherford, quietly, but in a tone which startled Ned with its volume
+of meaning. The latter looked up in quick surprise, a question on his
+lips, but he knew his brother's face too well; the question was not
+asked, and he only said:
+
+"Good for you, Mort, and here's my hand; I'm with you on this,
+whatever you do."
+
+For the next few days, nothing of any special import occurred at the
+camp. Houston, soon after the arrival of Morton and Ned Rutherford,
+had written to his uncle that preparations were now about completed,
+and everything was so nearly in readiness that he and his party had
+better come out immediately to one of the western cities, from which
+they could be summoned by telegraph on short notice. Accordingly, Mr.
+Cameron had already left New York, and in company with his attorney
+and the English expert, was now on his way west, Mrs. Cameron also
+accompanying him as far west as Chicago, where she was to stop with
+friends while he went on to the mines, as she had insisted that she
+would feel much happier to be nearer her husband and Everard, so that
+she could more easily reach them in the event of any trouble at the
+mines.
+
+Van Dorn was progressing well with his work, and the machine would
+soon be ready for its trial test, though he said he would in all
+probability first have to go to Silver City, in order to have replaced
+one or two small but important parts which had been broken in the
+long, westward journey.
+
+Lyle, in the midst of the strange happiness which had lately come to
+her heart, had not forgotten her resolve to search for the proofs, of
+such importance to her. On the contrary, she had now a new and
+powerful incentive which gave additional zest to her efforts,
+although, thus far, they had proved unsuccessful.
+
+One afternoon, after having made a particularly thorough but fruitless
+search, she stole quietly out of the house, and following the little
+path along the shore of the lake, soon found herself in her favorite
+retreat among the rocks, a secluded place from which there was no sign
+of human habitation; only the mountains in their vast solitudes were
+visible, their silent grandeur more eloquent than words. It was a spot
+that she had loved even in her childhood, and which had, in later
+years, been her resort for study and reflection.
+
+In a brief interview with Jack, at the cabin, the previous evening,
+she had told him of her increasingly distinct recollections of her
+mother, of the angry words between Maverick and his wife which she had
+overheard, and of her search which she felt would yet result in her
+obtaining possession of the necessary proofs of her identity.
+
+To her surprise, Jack, while commending the course which she was
+taking, yet seemed strangely averse to talking much with her upon the
+subject. At last, as she was leaving the cabin, he had taken her hands
+in his, saying, in a strangely tender tone:
+
+"My dear Lyle, because I say little, you must not think I take no
+interest in this affair which concerns you so closely. I am deeply
+interested, more deeply than you will probably ever know, but it is
+for many reasons a painful subject to me, one full of bitter memories;
+but I have one favor to ask of you, my dear child, which I know you
+will grant for the sake of the memory of the happy hours we have spent
+together,--it is this; that whatever proof you may succeed in finding,
+you will first bring to me."
+
+"Certainly I will, dear Jack," Lyle had replied, wondering at his
+manner, "in whom should I confide if not in you, who have been my
+first and best friend."
+
+And he, his dark, piercing eyes looking into the depths of her own,
+their gaze softened by tender affection, had replied:
+
+"Yes, your friend always, Lyle, remember that; none truer or more
+devoted to you or your welfare; but before long, my dear, your heart
+will learn, if it has not learned already, the difference between
+friendship and love."
+
+With burning cheeks and tearful eyes Lyle recalled his words, and
+pondered deeply on the strange bond that seemed, in some way, to exist
+between his life and hers, but the longer she tried to solve the
+problem, the deeper and more obscure it seemed.
+
+In the midst of her reflections, she heard a light step upon the rocky
+footpath, and looking up, saw Morton Rutherford approaching. So
+absorbed was he in the study of the masses of rock about him, on which
+had been traced by the finger of the centuries, in wonderful
+hieroglyphics, the early history of the earth, that for a time he was
+unconscious of her presence there. When he saw her he raised his hat
+and came quickly forward.
+
+"I beg your pardon," he said, in deep, musical tones, "I supposed
+myself alone with my own thoughts; am I intruding? if so, send me away
+at once."
+
+"No, stay, if you please," said Lyle.
+
+"Thank you," he answered, seating himself on the rocks at a little
+distance, "you appeared so lost in thought I feared my coming might
+annoy you."
+
+"No," she replied, "my thoughts were too perplexing, I was growing
+weary of them."
+
+Mr. Rutherford glanced at the surrounding mountains; "Were you, too,
+trying to fathom the mystery of the eternal hills?" he asked.
+
+"No," was her reply, "I have never attempted anything so far beyond me
+as that; I have found more mysteries in every-day, human life than I
+could solve."
+
+Morton Rutherford was silent for a few moments, then he said in low
+tones:
+
+"I hope you will pardon me when I say, that to me, your own life here,
+under the existing circumstances and conditions, is a mystery, one
+which seems capable of but one solution."
+
+"And what would be your solution?" she asked quickly.
+
+He saw that she understood his meaning, and was watching him intently,
+eagerly, and he said:
+
+"Permit me to reply to your question by asking one in return. Do you
+not believe that your life had a beginning elsewhere than here, and
+under far different conditions?"
+
+"It is more than a belief with me, it is a certainty, and yet, strange
+as it may appear to you, this knowledge has come to me but recently,
+and even now, I know nothing of what those conditions may have been,
+except that they were totally unlike these that exist here."
+
+"You interest me very much are you willing to tell me how you arrived
+at this knowledge of which you speak?"
+
+Very briefly, and without going into details, Lyle, in response to the
+magnetic sympathy of those dark eyes, gave a vivid outline of her
+life, and of the vague impressions which of late were becoming
+distinct recollections, and of her hope of soon finding tangible
+evidence regarding the life which was daily growing more and more of a
+reality.
+
+Mr. Rutherford listened with intense interest to the strange story,
+and when she had finished, he said slowly, as he took a short turn up
+and down the rocky path:
+
+"Believe me, I have not listened to this through mere, idle curiosity;
+much as your story has interested me, it has not surprised me, for I
+read the truth almost from our first meeting."
+
+Lyle gave him a smile of rare sweetness and deep significance; "I am
+glad to know that," she said simply.
+
+"Why so?" he asked, pausing and seating himself beside her; "Did you
+think I could fail to recognize the soul that looked out to welcome me
+when I first came, no matter amid what surroundings I found it?" Then,
+as she remained silent, he continued, his tones thrilling her heart as
+no human voice had ever done before:
+
+"Since the hour that I first met you, Lyle, life has changed for
+me,--I think perhaps it will never be quite the same again for either
+of us. I know that I love you with a love that, whether reciprocated
+or not, can never die; that henceforth, you will be,--you must be,--a
+part of my very life. Let me care for you and help you; let me help
+you in your search for the home for which you were created, and of
+which you are worthy; but, Lyle, before you search any farther for
+that home, will you not consent to become the queen of my home, as you
+are already the queen of my heart?"
+
+Lyle lifted her head proudly, though the tears glistened on the long,
+golden lashes; "Do you ask me that, here and now, knowing nothing as
+yet, of what the future may reveal?"
+
+"I do; I have no fear for the future if I but have your love. Do you
+think that, perhaps, in the days to come, amid other and different
+surroundings, you might find some one whose love your heart would
+choose in preference to mine?"
+
+"Never!" cried Lyle, impulsively, turning with outstretched arms to
+him, "You are the only one I have ever loved,--the only one I could
+ever love!"
+
+"Then that is enough for me," he replied, drawing her closely to his
+breast; "you have come forth from the years of the wretched past, with
+a soul star-white and shining, and I have no fears for the future."
+
+When the little group of friends assembled that evening, it was not
+long before some one discovered that a small diamond ring, of
+exquisite, antique design, which Morton Rutherford had worn, had, in
+some manner, become transferred to Lyle's hand. "Wear this, for the
+present," he had said, in taking it from his own hand, "until I can
+obtain a costlier one for you," but Lyle had insisted that once placed
+upon her hand, there it must remain, as she would prize it far above
+any other which money could buy; and such had been the final
+decision.
+
+When this significant fact had been discovered by one of the little
+company, the intelligence was speedily telegraphed to the rest, and
+Morton and Lyle soon found themselves the recipients of hearty and
+affectionate congratulations from the others.
+
+The astonishment depicted on Ned's face, when he comprehended the turn
+affairs had taken, was beyond description, but in the little
+excitement which prevailed for a few moments, it passed unnoticed, so
+that he had sufficiently recovered himself to join very gracefully in
+the general congratulations when his turn came.
+
+A few hours later, however, as he went out for a stroll with Van Dorn,
+while his brother and Houston started out in the direction of Jack's
+cabin, his astonishment found expression.
+
+"Great Scott! but I never was so dumfounded in my life! I tell you
+what, Van, I believe people lose their wits when they are in love!"
+
+"On whose experience do you base your highly original remark, your
+brother's or your own?"
+
+"Well, both, and lots of others besides. I never yet saw a person who
+was in love that didn't act just the reverse of what you would expect,
+or of what they would under ordinary circumstances. Now, look at us
+two, for instance. Look at me! Everybody calls me rash and impetuous,
+and Mort is always lecturing me for it, and it's always my way to rush
+head-first into anything that comes along, and here I've been making
+love, in the regular, orthodox fashion, to a girl I've known ever
+since I wore knickerbockers, and playing propriety and all that to my
+prospective father-in-law; and now see Mort! the most precise,
+deliberate fellow you ever saw, never says or does anything that isn't
+exactly suited to the occasion, you know; and here he goes and tumbles
+head over heels in love with a pretty girl the first time he sees her,
+and when he doesn't know a blessed thing about her, and, by George!
+engages himself to her before he's known her a week! If that isn't a
+case of clear-gone lunacy, then I never saw one."
+
+Van Dorn laughed; "Well, of the two, I should prefer your brother's
+form of lunacy to yours; if I ever was to be in love, I should want
+the misery over as quickly as possible."
+
+As Houston and his friend, having made a brief call at the cabin, rose
+to take their leave, the former observed Jack watching Rutherford's
+face with a degree of interest unusual for him to manifest in a
+stranger.
+
+"I want you and my friend, Rutherford, to know each other the little
+time he will be here," he said, addressing Jack, "for though I have
+never known what it was to have a brother in reality, he seems to me
+to more nearly fill that position than any one I have known, and I
+have told him of your kindness and assistance, and the strange bond
+that has seemed to unite us from the first, though we met as
+strangers, so he naturally wishes to meet you."
+
+There was a peculiar quiver of the lips under the heavy, black beard,
+as Jack replied, in deep, full tones, "Mr. Rutherford's face carries
+with it its own recommendation, and the fact that he is as a brother
+to yourself will insure him a double welcome here as often as he
+pleases to come during his stay."
+
+Houston passed onward into the outer room, pausing to chat with Mike,
+while Morton Rutherford lingered, and extending his hand to Jack, said
+in low tones:
+
+"I have another reason for wishing to meet you. From what Lyle has
+told me, I know you to have been, until very recently, her only
+friend, and to you, as to her friend, and perhaps, in one sense, her
+guardian, I wish to state that I love her, and have been so fortunate
+as to win her love in return; and that I hope before very long, my
+home will be hers."
+
+"Yes, I know," Jack responded, briefly.
+
+"What! has she already told you?" Rutherford asked in surprise.
+
+"Only unconsciously; but I read soon after your coming, that her heart
+was no longer her own."
+
+Then grasping Rutherford's hand warmly, he added, in tones vibrating
+with some deep emotion.
+
+"You have chosen better than you know. I believe I can trust her and
+her happiness in your hands. God bless you both! and may He bless you
+in proportion to your love and fidelity toward her!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIX.
+
+
+The following day, Mr. Blaisdell suddenly made his appearance at the
+camp, accompanied by Mr. Rivers and a mining expert who had come out
+in the interests of a Chicago firm, looking for good paying
+investments. Houston had received no word of their coming, and the
+first intimation which he had of their arrival was the sight of the
+three gentlemen, as he approached the house at dinner time.
+
+"How are you, Houston?" said Mr. Blaisdell, pausing in his walk up and
+down before the house, and extending his hand, "How's the work
+progressing?"
+
+"Finely," replied Houston, "the output is steadily increasing, week by
+week."
+
+"Keeps you pretty busy, I suppose? Well, I hope we can give you a
+little help before long; we've located Barden at last, and he starts
+for the west next week. Let me introduce you to Mr. Parsons, a mining
+expert from Chicago; Mr. Parsons, this is Mr. Houston, our general
+superintendent."
+
+Houston exchanged greetings with the stranger, and with Mr. Rivers,
+the latter watching him closely, though saying very little.
+
+Dinner was served as quickly as possible, as Mr. Parsons was limited
+for time, and was to return to Silver City on the evening train. Most
+of the conversation at the table was on mines and mining, Mr.
+Blaisdell trying to impress each one present, Mr. Parsons in
+particular, with his extensive knowledge, both theoretical and
+practical, on all that pertained to the subject, as well as with a
+sense of the immense value of the properties owned by the company.
+
+"Mr. W. E. Cameron, of New York, owns some very valuable mines out
+here, I understand," said Mr. Parsons casually, his innocent remark
+producing rather a startling effect upon the minds of his listeners,
+though they, one and all, succeeded in preserving a calm exterior.
+
+"He has an interest in some very fine properties," replied Mr.
+Blaisdell blandly, though with a visible contracting of the muscles
+about the mouth, "you are acquainted with Mr. Cameron, I presume?"
+
+"Oh, no, on the contrary, I never even met the gentleman, but he is
+extensively known among the leading business houses of Chicago, and he
+was pointed out to me, the day I came away, as the owner of some of
+the finest mines in this locality," Mr. Parsons explained, thereby
+carrying consternation to the heart of every one present.
+
+"Did I understand you to say that Mr. Cameron was in Chicago?"
+inquired Mr. Blaisdell, while Mr. Rivers' restless eyes were at once
+on the alert.
+
+"Certainly, he was there the day I left; at least, a gentleman with
+whom I happened to be talking about western investments, pointed him
+out to me, and cited him as the owner of western properties."
+
+"Ah, yes, did you hear anything said as to whether he was coming this
+way?"
+
+"Nothing, nothing whatever, except what I have stated."
+
+"It's all right," said Mr. Rivers, speaking for the first time, and in
+his quick, incisive way; he feared Mr. Blaisdell had betrayed his
+anxiety; "all right, only we would like to know his whereabouts, as it
+will be necessary to wire him in a day or two, regarding some ore
+shipments. Can you give us the hotel where he was stopping?"
+
+"I am very sorry that I cannot oblige you, but I have not the least
+idea where he was located; I simply saw him passing on the street."
+
+"It is of no consequence," replied Mr. Blaisdell, with assumed
+indifference, "we can of course ascertain his present address from the
+New York house; it will take a little more time, that is all. We had
+better proceed to the mines at once, if Mr. Parsons is ready."
+
+When they had left and Haight was on his way to the mills, the four
+young men held a few moments' consultation outside the house.
+
+"By Jingo!" exclaimed Ned Rutherford, "it looks as though old Buncombe
+was going to get on to our surprise party that we're planning for him!
+What are you fellows going to do about it?"
+
+"Well," said Van Dorn. "I'm not sure whether this is going to
+interfere with our arrangements or not; what do you think, Everard?
+will the company 'smell a rat' anywhere?"
+
+"They are evidently alarmed at the possibility of Mr. Cameron's coming
+out here, but there is nothing yet to arouse their suspicions against
+us, so I do not think it will interfere materially with our plans at
+present. They will be able to learn nothing of my uncle's movements
+from the New York house, as he will have forestalled them there. He
+had but just reached Chicago when this Parsons left, and as he and Mr.
+Whitney wished, if possible, to remain there a few days, to consult
+with a legal firm who are personal friends of theirs, I think it best,
+in case this company remains quiet, to take no action yet for two or
+three days; but if the officers of the company begin to appear
+suspicious, or as if they were trying to cover their tracks, the
+sooner we telegraph for our party, the better; get them here as
+quickly as possible."
+
+"Yes, that will be best," said Morton Rutherford, "if their suspicions
+are aroused, we cannot be too expeditious, for they will be desperate
+when they find themselves cornered."
+
+"We must hold ourselves in readiness to act promptly," Houston added,
+"probably within twenty-four hours we will be able to decide which
+course to pursue."
+
+Houston went to his work determined to keep a close watch on the
+movements of Blaisdell and Rivers. A couple of hours later, however,
+the three men entered the mill where he was engaged superintending the
+weighing of some ore; Mr. Rivers went at once to Haight's little
+private office, while Blaisdell approached him with the expert.
+
+"Mr. Houston," he said, "just take Mr. Parsons through the mills and
+entertain him for the next half hour. Mr. Rivers and myself will be
+engaged about that length of time."
+
+Houston complied with the request, and in a very short time discovered
+that Mr. Parsons' knowledge of metallurgy and mineralogy was
+exceedingly limited, but that in exact proportion to his own
+ignorance, he had been profoundly impressed by the knowledge which Mr.
+Blaisdell had aired for his especial benefit, and the parrot-like way
+in which he repeated some of the expressions which Mr. Blaisdell kept
+as his "stock in trade," was very amusing.
+
+Meanwhile Houston was deeply interested in the private meeting held in
+Haight's little dingy room, as he felt certain that some issues were
+being discussed and decisions reached that would, in their results, be
+of the greatest importance to him, and he awaited the reappearance of
+the general manager and secretary with considerable expectancy.
+
+He was not disappointed; a glance at their faces revealed that the
+subjects under discussion had not been pleasant. Mr. Blaisdell's face
+was white, and set in hard, determined lines, while that of his
+companion was flushed with anger, and his cunning, crafty eyes were
+full of suspicion, as they glanced repeatedly in Houston's direction.
+
+"Mr. Parsons," said Mr. Blaisdell, "we will have to ask you to excuse
+Mr. Houston, as we have a little business with him, and if you will
+step over there in the office and sit down, we will have completed our
+business in half or three-quarters of an hour; by that time the team
+will be here, in readiness to take us to the train."
+
+After a few moments of desultory conversation about the work which
+Houston knew to be only preliminary, during which Mr. Rivers moved
+about in a nervous, restless manner, Mr. Blaisdell said:
+
+"Mr. Houston, we hear some rather strange reports concerning your
+conduct lately; your actions have certainly been highly censurable,
+and the least that can be said is that you have exceeded your
+authority here in a very marked degree."
+
+"In what respect have I exceeded my authority?" demanded Houston,
+folding his arms, with an expression on his face that made the
+general manager regret that he had begun the encounter; but it was too
+late to retreat, besides, Rivers was watching him!
+
+"In your manner of discharging the duties assigned to you; you have
+taken advantage of your position in the most reprehensible and
+unworthy way, and have overstepped the bounds when you had no right
+whatever to do so."
+
+"I shall have to ask you to be a little more explicit, Mr. Blaisdell,"
+Houston replied.
+
+"Why don't you come to the point, Blaisdell?" said Rivers impatiently.
+"What's the use of beating about the bush? The long and the short of
+it is just this," he added, turning to Houston, "you have been taking
+upon yourself what did not concern you, prying around, late at night,
+in mines with which you had nothing whatever to do, in company with
+miners who had no more business there than you had."
+
+"To what mine do you refer?" asked Houston, with exasperating
+persistency.
+
+"I mean the Lucky Chance, and you know it," retorted Rivers angrily.
+
+"Mr. Rivers," said Houston, in a tone that Blaisdell had heard on a
+former occasion, and with a steel-like glitter in his eyes that was
+anything but attractive to either of the gentlemen present; "Mr.
+Blaisdell knows, if you do not, that since my first coming here,
+whatever kind of work has been assigned to me, I have thoroughly
+familiarized myself with it. When I was given charge of these mines I
+had reason to suppose that each and every mine owned by the company
+was included under my supervision, and if there were any which the
+officers of the company, for reasons of their own, wished excluded
+from such supervision, it was their business so to inform me. I have
+not been so informed. Mr. Blaisdell himself took me into that mine,
+and nothing was said to lead me to suppose that that mine was any
+exception to those placed in my charge, and your informant, if he
+chose so to do, could tell you that I have inspected in like manner
+each and every mine under my supervision, taking with me one or both
+of the same men, when the mine happened to be one with which I was not
+familiar."
+
+"His intentions were all right," interposed Mr. Blaisdell, "he was
+over-zealous, that was all."
+
+"Intentions be damned!" said Mr. Rivers, angrily, "he was altogether
+too officious, and I won't have it; people in my employ have to know
+their place and keep it."
+
+"That is all very well," said Houston, in cutting tones, "but I will
+not ask you, Mr. Rivers, or any one connected with this company, to
+tell me my place."
+
+"What!" exclaimed Rivers in a rage, "let me tell you, young man, it is
+to your interest to be a little careful."
+
+"Is it?" answered Houston scornfully; "Mr. Rivers," he added,
+advancing toward that gentleman, "why don't you discharge me? Wouldn't
+that be to your interest?"
+
+Mr. Rivers saw he had gone too far; "No," he answered quickly, though
+sullenly, "we have said nothing about discharging you; you are too
+efficient a man for us to lose."
+
+"No, Houston," added Mr. Blaisdell, "we wouldn't think of discharging
+you, you're too good a man."
+
+"No, I'm not too good a man," replied Houston, facing them both with
+a look which they understood; "you don't discharge me simply
+because,--you don't dare to!" and he emphasized the last words with a
+heavy blow upon a rude desk standing near.
+
+Blaisdell and Rivers exchanged glances, and for a moment were
+speechless. The former was the first to recover himself.
+
+"Come, Houston," he said, in a conciliatory tone, "we won't have any
+more words; we all understand one another pretty well, and there'll
+be no more complaints or trouble. You go on pretty much as you have
+done, and it will be all right. It's time we were getting back now,
+but I'll be out here next week with Barden, and we'll fix things
+up satisfactory all 'round."
+
+"When will he get here?" asked Houston.
+
+"The latter part of next week."
+
+Houston thought an instant, his party would be there the first or
+middle of the week.
+
+"Very well," he replied, "I tender my resignation now, to take effect
+when he comes."
+
+"Oh, no, Houston, no indeed, why, we couldn't think of such a thing,"
+said Blaisdell, really alarmed, while Rivers maintained a sullen
+silence.
+
+"I am not particularly anxious to hold this position, I can assure
+you; there is very little in it but hard work."
+
+"Oh, well, well, you stay by us a while longer, and we'll take you
+into the company yet."
+
+"No," said Houston, "it would be no use taking me into the company, I
+wouldn't know my place, or keep it," and with that parting shot, he
+turned and left them.
+
+"Blaisdell," said Rivers, his face relaxing for a moment into a grim
+smile, "it's just as I told you, your smart young man is too smart for
+you. It's my opinion we've caught a tartar;--we're afraid to keep him,
+and we don't dare let him go."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XL.
+
+
+As Houston, on the following morning, in the execution of his daily
+round of duties, happened to be passing the Yankee Boy mine, his
+attention was arrested by a quantity of powder deposited near the
+mouth of the shaft, which the workmen were preparing to take below.
+
+"What is the meaning of this?" he inquired sternly. "Who has given any
+orders for this powder to be brought here?"
+
+"Them was the boss's orders, sir," replied one of the men, respectfully.
+
+"The boss? whom do you mean?"
+
+"Begging your pardon, sir, I meant the boss as was up here yisterday;
+Mr. Haight, he told me this morning as these was the orders he give
+him."
+
+"Haight," said Houston, as, a few moments later, he entered the office
+of that individual, "did Mr. Blaisdell leave orders yesterday for
+powder to be taken over to the Yankee Boy mines?"
+
+"Yes," replied Haight, with his usual smile, "and I intended to have
+spoken to you about it this morning, but I forgot it."
+
+"What is his object? any blasting to be done?"
+
+"Yes, we had quite a long consultation together yesterday, he and
+Rivers and I, and we decided that it would pay to do some extensive
+drifting in those mines, and a good deal of that rock will have to be
+blasted."
+
+"How soon is this blasting to begin?"
+
+"Well, I can't say exactly, just how soon, probably within the next
+seven or eight days."
+
+"In what direction is the drifting to extend?"
+
+Haight looked slightly surprised but replied: "We're a little
+undecided about that, just what course to take; Rivers was for one
+thing, and Blaisdell and I for another. After they have blasted a
+ways, we can tell something from the character of the rock in what
+direction it will be best to run the drift."
+
+After a few more questions, some of which Haight did not answer so
+readily as might have been expected, Houston left him. He did not
+proceed at once to the building where Van Dorn was at work, but first
+returned to the mines, where he discovered that the powder was not
+only being stored in the Yankee Boy group, but also in the Lucky
+Chance, and one or two others of the surrounding mines. A little later
+he made an errand to that part of the mills where Van Dorn was to be
+found, and quietly calling him to one side, related to him what he had
+discovered, and his talk with Haight.
+
+Van Dorn was more familiar with mines, their methods of operation, and
+the rules governing their underground workings, than Houston, and he
+immediately exclaimed:
+
+"By George! that fellow is a fool, Everard, or else he was simply
+'stuffing' you; to drift in the direction he mentioned would be a
+useless expenditure of time and money, there would be nothing in it,
+it is utterly absurd!"
+
+"I mistrusted as much," said Houston, "and I have my own opinion as to
+the meaning of all this, but I wished to get your idea of the matter.
+What do you think of it?"
+
+"It looks to me," said Van Dorn slowly, "as though they were making
+preparations to blow up these mines, at a moment's warning."
+
+"That," said Houston, "was just the conviction that forced itself upon
+my mind when I saw that powder, though I will admit I had never once
+thought of their resorting to such measures as that."
+
+"It's about the only thing left for them to do, by George! after the
+shape in which they have got things; their idea probably would be, in
+the event of Mr. Cameron's coming, to destroy in this way all the
+evidence, as they think, existing against them. It shows pretty
+conclusively that they have no suspicions of us, for if they knew the
+evidence in our possession they would blow us up rather than the
+mines. You will telegraph at once for Mr. Cameron, will you not?"
+
+"At once; we must get him here as quickly and as quietly as we can;
+before they put their plans into action, if possible."
+
+"That is the thing to do; they probably will take no action unless
+they hear of his coming. We ought to get a dispatch off before
+night."
+
+"We will," Houston replied, with quiet decision.
+
+"How will you manage it? It will look rather suspicious for you or me
+to leave our work and go down to the Y with a message."
+
+"Give Morton our dispatch and cipher book, and he will attend to it
+better than you or I, for he is an expert operator."
+
+"By George! that's so, I had forgotten it; he learned telegraphy there
+at college just to amuse himself, and had a battery in his room; well,
+that's fortunate, he will be just the one for us."
+
+"It is nearly noon," said Houston, consulting his watch, "we will see
+Morton at the house, and arrange the message between us, and he will
+send it immediately."
+
+After dinner, there was a brief consultation in Houston's room with
+the result that the following dispatch was formulated, written in
+cipher, and addressed to Mr. Whitney, at Chicago, the attorney from
+New York, accompanying Mr. Cameron:
+
+  "Come at once, no delay; go to Arlington Hotel, Silver City; keep
+  dark, do not register. Van Dorn will meet you at hotel."
+
+Houston realized that they were now rapidly approaching the final
+denouement,--the closing act of the drama which might yet prove a
+tragedy,--and as he placed the folded slip of paper in Morton
+Rutherford's hand, he said with a sigh:
+
+"This is the beginning of the end."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLI.
+
+
+As Morton Rutherford's fingers touched the key of the little
+instrument that was to send forth that fateful message, it was the
+unconscious touching of a secret spring which was to set in motion a
+succession of events of which he little dreamed.
+
+He remained at the station until the answer came back over the wires:
+
+  "Leave Chicago to-night; will follow instructions to the letter."
+
+This was on Saturday. On Tuesday the expected party would reach Silver
+City, where they were to be met by Van Dorn, who would furnish them
+all details and accompany them on the evening train to the Y, from
+which point Houston and Morton Rutherford would convey them by team to
+the mining camp.
+
+From Saturday until Tuesday only! but those intervening days were full
+of a strange excitement for the little group of friends who were in
+the secret, and there was that constant sense of expectancy, combined
+with an alert watchfulness, which kept the nerves tense and rigid, and
+rendered the mind unusually clear and active.
+
+On Monday, Van Dorn left for Silver City, his errand ostensibly being
+to replace the broken portions of the machinery, now nearly finished,
+which were necessary for its completion.
+
+All felt that the climax to which they had looked forward was now very
+near, and Lyle, who perhaps realized the situation the most keenly of
+any, was restless and excited, something very unusual for her.
+
+Her search, thus far unsuccessful, had not been abandoned, and as she
+sat in the little porch on that particular afternoon, idle because she
+could not fix her attention upon book or work, it seemed as if the
+years of her early life among the mountains stood out with more than
+usual distinctness. Among other trifling objects, there was suddenly
+recalled to her memory a box which used always to stand in Mrs.
+Maverick's little bed-room, and which had looked wonderfully
+attractive to her childish eyes on account of a flowered red and green
+paper with which it was covered. Once, overcome with infantile
+curiosity, she had tried to open it, and had received a severe
+whipping therefor. She could remember it very distinctly now, a box
+about eighteen inches square, with no fastening, but always securely
+tied with a stout cord. Late years it had been removed to the little
+attic and she had forgotten it. Where was it now? She had not seen it
+for months, or was it years? What could it have contained?
+
+Miss Gladden was occupied with a new magazine. Morton and Ned
+Rutherford had gone out for a stroll among the rocks. Quietly Lyle
+slipped up-stairs, and going to the dark, dusty attic, began searching
+for the object so suddenly recalled to mind.
+
+She could find no trace of it, however, and had about concluded that
+it must have been destroyed, when her attention was arrested by a pile
+of old clothing and rubbish on the floor in a particularly dark
+corner, behind some large boxes. A slight examination revealed that
+there was some solid substance underneath. Hastily overturning the
+rubbish, her eyes descried in the dim light the identical red and
+green papered box familiar to her childhood.
+
+With an exclamation of joy she dragged it forth from its hiding place,
+and going over to the one tiny window, covered with dust and cobwebs,
+she sat down with the newly found treasure, first arranging a pile of
+old bedding as a screen between herself and the door, to preclude all
+possibility of her whereabouts being discovered.
+
+With fingers trembling with excitement, she undid the fastenings of
+the heavy cord and slowly lifted the cover, not knowing exactly what
+she expected or hoped to find, but certain that the key for which she
+had searched was close at hand.
+
+Within the box lay a large parcel wrapped in a newspaper, worn and
+yellow with age, and pinned to the parcel was a letter, addressed in a
+cramped, almost illegible hand:
+
+                               "To Lyle,
+                      to be read after my death."
+
+Lyle recognized the writing,--it was Mrs. Maverick's, whose
+educational advantages, though exceedingly limited, were yet superior
+to those of her husband, in that she could read and write, though she
+had little idea of the rules of grammar or orthography.
+
+Lyle unpinned the letter and turned it over curiously in her hands for
+a moment; then she laid it aside, saying to herself:
+
+"I will first see what this package contains, and will probably open
+that later."
+
+She lifted the parcel and began removing the paper wrappings, which
+burst like tissue and dropped in pieces, leaving a mass of fine
+cambric and dainty laces and embroideries, from which was exhaled a
+perfume, faint and subtle, and yet which recalled to Lyle so vividly
+the memories of that long-ago forgotten time, that she seemed like one
+awakening from a long oblivion to the scenes of a once familiar life.
+For a moment, she grew faint and dizzy, and, closing her eyes, leaned
+against the wall for support, while she tried to grasp the vision that
+seemed just ready to open up before her. But it passed, and with a
+sigh she opened her eyes, her gaze falling on the contents of the
+package which had fallen open.
+
+She saw the dress of a little child,--apparently about two years of
+age,--a marvelous creation of the finest of white linen and the
+daintiest of embroideries; lying within it was a broad sash of blue
+silk, neatly folded together, a pair of tiny, blue silk stockings,
+and little kid shoes of the same delicate shade; but the shoes and
+sash, as well as the dress, were soiled and blackened as if they had
+come in contact with charred wood.
+
+The dress and the little undergarments each and all bore the initials
+"M. L. W.," and Lyle pondered over them with wondering eyes, while
+handling with reverent touch these relics of her childhood,--a
+childhood which she could not recall.
+
+As she unrolled the blue sash, there dropped from within its folds a
+small, pasteboard box, which she hastily opened, exposing to view a
+tiny gold locket and chain of rare workmanship and exquisite design.
+Upon touching a little spring, it opened, and Lyle gave a low cry of
+delight, for there was revealed the same beautiful face which she had
+seen in Jack's cabin,--the face of her mother. For some time she gazed
+at it through fast-gathering tears, then happening to note the
+engraving on the inside of the case, opposite to the picture, she held
+it closer to the light, to discern the delicate characters of the
+inscription, and read:
+
+                     "To Marjorie Lyle Washburn,
+                     Upon her second birthday."
+
+Lyle Maverick no longer, but Marjorie Lyle Washburn! She repeated the
+name over and over to herself,--the magic talisman by which she was to
+find the home and friends she sought!
+
+Kissing the locket reverently, she replaced it in the box, and folding
+together the little garments, she again took up the letter. She
+studied it for a moment, then resolutely breaking the seal, began to
+read its contents. It was slow work, for the writing in many places
+was so poor as to be nearly illegible, but, with burning cheeks and
+eyes flashing with indignation at what it revealed, she read it to the
+end.
+
+In uncouth phrases and illiterate language, and yet with a certain
+pathos, Mrs. Maverick told the story of the death, years before, while
+their home was east, in Ohio, of her own little girl between two and
+three years of age, and her inconsolable sorrow. A few months
+afterward, Jim had suddenly returned from a neighboring town where he
+was working, bringing with him a beautiful little girl of the same age
+as her own, but unusually advanced for her years, whose father and
+mother he claimed had been killed in a railroad accident, and of whose
+friends nothing could be learned. His wife had accepted his story in
+good faith, and welcomed the motherless little one to her own lonely
+heart. Unknown to Jim, who had charged her to burn them, she had also
+preserved the garments worn by the little stranger on that day.
+
+But the little one did not take kindly to her new surroundings but
+cried piteously for her mother, night and day, even refusing food of
+all kinds, until she was suddenly taken with a strange illness which
+lasted for many weeks. When she finally recovered, all memory of her
+former life seemed to have been completely blotted out of her mind,
+and she no longer called for her mother, except occasionally in her
+sleep. Very soon after they had come out to the mines, and nothing of
+any importance occurred until Lyle was about seven years old.
+
+At that time, Jim had suddenly made his appearance at the house one
+day, appearing both angry and frightened, and had ordered his wife to
+keep Lyle locked up, on pretext of punishing her, until he gave
+permission for her release. He would give no explanation, and by his
+curses and threats compelled her to obey.
+
+That day, a fine-looking, elderly gentleman, who had just arrived from
+the east to purchase some mining property, came to the house for
+dinner, and took his meals there for the two days following, during
+which time, Lyle was not allowed her liberty. Not until nearly a year
+later did Mrs. Maverick learn that the eastern stranger, whose coming
+had so terrified Maverick, was Lyle's grandfather. Jim then confessed
+that he had taken the child from the wreck where its mother had lost
+her life, and brought her west with him, knowing whose child she was,
+and keeping her out of revenge for some wrong which he claimed this
+man had done him years before.
+
+In vain his wife urged to have the child returned to her rightful
+home; he threatened her life if she ever breathed the secret to any
+living soul. A sense of guilt made her unhappy for a time, but as
+years passed she grew more indifferent to it, and as she saw, more and
+more, how utterly unlike any of her own family Lyle was growing, she
+no longer cared for her as she had done, though she tried to treat her
+kindly. Jim's hatred of Lyle seemed to increase with every year, until
+his wife sometimes feared that he would resort to personal violence.
+
+As she found her own health and strength failing she began to reflect
+upon the terrible position in which Lyle would find herself in case of
+her own death, left alone with Maverick and his two sons, and to save
+her from such a fate, she had resolved to write this letter,
+acquainting Lyle with her own history so far as she was able to give
+it.
+
+At the close she begged Lyle not to think too harshly of her or
+consider that she was altogether to blame in this matter, and
+expressed the wish that she might some day find her own friends from
+whom she had been taken.
+
+It would be impossible to describe Lyle's emotions as she finished the
+perusal of this strange letter; joy that she had finally found the
+evidence she sought, and an intense longing to see those from whom she
+had been so cruelly separated all these years, mingled with a fearful
+apprehension lest this knowledge might have come too late, when those
+whose affection she would claim, might have already passed beyond the
+limits of finite, human love, into the love infinite and eternal. And
+deep in her heart burned indignation, fierce and strong, against the
+one who had wrought all this wretchedness,--carrying additional sorrow
+to a home already bereaved, robbing her of the love that was
+rightfully hers and of the dower of a happy childhood which could
+never be restored,--all to gratify his cowardly revenge!
+
+In the midst of these reflections, Lyle suddenly recalled the promise
+she had given Jack that he should be the first to learn of her
+success. It was now time for him to be at the cabin and she would have
+an opportunity to see him before the return of the others to the
+house. Accordingly, she restored the empty box to its hiding place,
+and having concealed the most of its contents in her own room,
+started forth on her joyful errand, taking with her the tiny locket
+and the letter.
+
+As she approached the cabin she saw Jack sitting with Rex in the
+door-way and knew that he was alone. Jack, to whom her face was an
+open book, read the tidings which she had brought before they had
+exchanged a word. He rose to meet her, and looking into her radiant
+face, he said in gentle tones and with a grave smile:
+
+"You have good news! Have you found what you hoped to find?"
+
+"I have," she replied, "and you who have shared all my troubles must
+be the first sharer of my joy."
+
+Together they entered the cabin, and seated in the little, familiar
+room, Lyle told the story of her discovery, and opening the locket,
+placed it in Jack's hands.
+
+For a moment he gazed silently at the little trinket, then he said in
+low tones, as if half to himself, "It is she, and you are her child,
+as I have always believed," then added, "I rejoice with you, Lyle, I
+am glad for your sake."
+
+But even as he spoke, Lyle, notwithstanding the exuberance of her own
+joy, could not fail to observe in his face indications of poignant
+pain, as he looked at the lovely pictured face, and as she repeated
+the name inscribed opposite.
+
+"Jack!" she suddenly exclaimed, "have I made you suffer by my
+thoughtlessness? Forgive me!"
+
+"No, my dear," he answered tenderly, "you have caused me no pain; if I
+suffer, it is on account of bitter memories of which you as yet know
+nothing, and I pray you may never know. What letter have you there?"
+
+Lyle read the letter, Jack silently pacing up and down the room,
+listening, with a look of intense indignation deepening on his face,
+until she had finished.
+
+"It is as I have suspected all these years," he said, "the dastardly
+villain! the scoundrel! Thank God, it is not yet too late, there are
+those who can and will right the wrong, so far as it is possible to
+right it."
+
+At Lyle's request, they compared the picture with the photograph in
+Jack's possession; they were one and the same, except that the latter
+had been taken a few years earlier.
+
+"Jack," said Lyle earnestly, "can you tell me anything about my
+relatives? Are my grandparents living? and had my parents brothers or
+sisters?"
+
+"I have learned quite recently that your grandparents are still
+living," Jack answered slowly, after a pause, "as to the others I
+cannot say; even of your own mother I can trust myself to say but very
+little, it is too painful!"
+
+"What would you advise me to do now?" Lyle asked wistfully, but with
+slight hesitation. "What would be the best course for me to take?"
+
+With an expression unlike anything she had ever seen on his face, and
+a depth of pathos in his voice she had never heard, he replied very
+tenderly:
+
+"I can no longer advise you, my dear Lyle; take these proofs which you
+have found to Everard Houston; he can advise you now far better than
+I; show them to him, my dear, and you will have no further need of
+counsel or help from me, much as I wish it were in my power to give
+both."
+
+"To Mr. Houston?" Lyle had risen in her surprise, and stood regarding
+Jack with tearful, perplexed astonishment; there was a hidden
+significance in his words which as yet she could not fathom. "I do not
+understand you, Jack; why do you speak as though you could no more be
+to me the friend and counselor that you have been?"
+
+He smiled one of his rare, sweet smiles. "Do as I have suggested,
+dear,--then you will understand; and I shall want to see you for a few
+moments again to-night, after you have seen him."
+
+Somewhat reassured by his smile, and yet perplexed by his manner, Lyle
+left the cabin and slowly returned to the house, everything about her
+seeming unreal, as though she were walking in a dream.
+
+Miss Gladden was chatting with Morton and Ned Rutherford, and in reply
+to Lyle's question whether Mr. Houston had returned, stated that he
+was in his room, having just come up from the mines.
+
+"Thank you, I will see him just a moment," Lyle responded, passing
+into the house.
+
+"You have not heard any bad news, have you?" asked Miss Gladden
+apprehensively, noting the peculiar expression on Lyle's face.
+
+"No," the latter answered with a smile, "it is about nothing regarding
+himself that I wish to see him, only something concerning myself."
+
+The door stood open into Houston's room, and Lyle could see him
+standing by the table, arranging some papers which he proceeded to
+sort and tie up in separate parcels.
+
+In response to her light knock he glanced quickly around, and
+observing her unusual expression, advanced to meet her, thinking, as
+did Miss Gladden, that possibly she had heard something appertaining
+to the present situation of affairs at the camp.
+
+"Good evening, Lyle, come in; you look as though you were the bearer
+of important news of some kind."
+
+"I have news," she replied, "though of importance only to myself; I
+need a little counsel, and was told to come to you."
+
+"You know, Lyle, I will only be too glad to give you any advice, or
+render any assistance within my power."
+
+"Thank you," she answered, at the same time producing the little box
+and the letter. "Leslie has probably told you of the manner in which I
+learned that the proofs as to my true parentage and my own identity
+existed within this house, and of my search for them since that
+time."
+
+Houston bowed in assent.
+
+"To-day," she continued, "my search proved successful, in so far as
+that I have discovered my own name, and also the proofs that I was
+stolen by that villain, Maverick, in a spirit of retaliation and
+revenge; but I have as yet no knowledge as to who or where my friends
+may be. Naturally, I took these proofs to Jack, and asked his advice
+as to the best course to pursue, and he has sent me to you."
+
+"I am more than glad to hear this, my dear Lyle," responded Houston
+cordially; "I have always felt a great interest in you, and it will
+give me much pleasure if I can assist you in finding your friends, and
+I shall appreciate it highly if Jack has intrusted me with this
+responsibility."
+
+Taking the locket from the box, Lyle handed it, unopen, to Houston,
+saying as she did so, "This is the only clue I have by which to
+find my friends; it contains my mother's picture, and my own
+name,--Marjorie Lyle Washburn."
+
+"Washburn!" exclaimed Houston in surprise, pausing as he was about to
+open the locket. "Washburn! Marjorie Washburn! That sounds familiar,
+both those names occur in my uncle's family, his wife and his
+daughter,--ah, I recall it now, that was the name of my cousin's
+little daughter. Strange!--what! what is this?" He had opened the
+locket and was gazing in astonishment at the beautiful face.
+"This,--this is her picture, the picture of my cousin, Edna Cameron
+Washburn! What is the meaning of this?" And, unable to say anything
+further, he looked to Lyle for an explanation.
+
+She, too, was nearly speechless with astonishment. "What did you say
+was her name?" she stammered.
+
+Houston repeated the name, while a strange light began to dawn in his
+face.
+
+"She was my mother," Lyle said simply. She could say nothing more, the
+walls of the little room seemed to be whirling rapidly about her, and
+she could see nothing distinctly.
+
+Faintly, as though sounding far in the distance, she heard Houston's
+voice as he exclaimed:
+
+"Can it be possible? and yet, you resemble her! Why have I never
+thought of it before? She had a little daughter Marjorie, whom we
+always supposed was killed in the wreck in which her own life was
+lost."
+
+"And this," said Lyle, holding out the letter, but speaking with great
+effort, for the room was growing very dark, and a strange numbness
+seemed stealing over heart and brain, "this tells that I was stolen
+from the side of my dead mother who was killed in a wreck--" She could
+get no farther, and she knew nothing of his reply. A thick darkness
+seemed to envelop her, fast shutting out all sense even of life
+itself. There was a sound for an instant like the deafening roar of
+waters surging about her, and then she seemed sinking down, down into
+infinite depths, until she lost all consciousness. For the first time
+in her life she had fainted.
+
+Houston caught her as she was falling, and a moment later the little
+group outside were startled by his sudden appearance.
+
+"Leslie," he said, in quick, low tones, "you and Morton come to my
+room. Lyle has fainted."
+
+"What is the trouble, Everard?" asked Ned, springing to his feet.
+"Anything serious?"
+
+"I think not," was Houston's reply. "Her fainting was the result of
+over-excitement. Come into my room, Ned, when she has revived, I think
+I have made a discovery in which we will all be interested."
+
+When he returned Lyle was beginning to revive, though unable to speak,
+and leaving her in the care of Leslie and Morton for a few moments,
+Houston hastily scanned the letter which Lyle had given him, soon
+reading enough of its contents here and there to get a correct idea of
+the whole.
+
+Both Miss Gladden and Morton Rutherford realized that something had
+transpired out of the usual order of events. Each believed it
+connected with some discovery relating to Lyle's early history, but of
+what nature the discovery might be they had no clue.
+
+As soon as she was able to speak Houston was at her side, and she read
+in his face the confirmation of the truth which had dawned upon her
+mind as he had repeated her mother's name, but which had seemed to her
+past belief.
+
+"It is really true, and I have not been dreaming?" she asked.
+
+"It is most certainly true, my dear Lyle," Houston replied, "and I am
+very glad to find that you, who have seemed to me like a sister from
+our first acquaintance, will soon be my sister in reality."
+
+Stooping, he kissed her on the forehead, and then in reply to the
+glances of astonishment on the part of the others, he said:
+
+"Leslie, I will have to prepare you for a double surprise, and since
+we four are now members of one family, I can speak here without
+reserve. When I first won your love, my dear, it was as the salaried
+clerk of a disreputable mining company. I was old-fashioned enough to
+wish to win your love with love, to feel assured that you cared for me
+for my own sake. Lately, you have known that I was the representative
+of Mr. Cameron, of New York, but you did not know that I was Mr.
+Cameron's nephew and adopted son,--his son in all respects, excepting
+that I have not taken his name." He paused a moment, and laid his hand
+affectionately on Lyle's shoulder. "I now have a pleasant surprise for
+you both. I wish to introduce you to Marjorie Lyle Washburn, my cousin
+and my adopted sister."
+
+With a burst of tears, Miss Gladden knelt beside Lyle, throwing her
+arms about her neck, while Lyle whispered:
+
+"Dear Leslie, you have been like a sister to me in my poverty and
+loneliness. I am glad we will not be separated in the life of love and
+happiness that awaits me. We will be sisters still, more closely
+united than ever."
+
+Turning to Morton Rutherford, whose emotion seemed nearly as deep as
+Miss Gladden's, Houston said:
+
+"Morton, you remember hearing of my beautiful cousin Edna, and of the
+sad death of herself and her little daughter, as we always supposed.
+This is her daughter, and I know that when my uncle and aunt meet her,
+they will adopt her as their own daughter in her mother's place."
+
+It would be impossible to depict the scene that followed, the surprise
+and delight of Miss Gladden, or the deep joy of Morton Rutherford, but
+by and by, when they had become more calm, a knock was heard. Houston
+opened the door, and Ned Rutherford, looking in, was entirely unable
+to comprehend the scene. Houston held in his hand a small gold locket
+and a photograph which he seemed to be comparing with each other. Lyle
+looked very pale, but radiantly happy. Morton was standing near,
+while Miss Gladden still knelt at her side, her eyes overflowing with
+tears of joy.
+
+"Come in, Ned," said Houston cordially. "We want you here to complete
+the family group."
+
+Ned looked rather bewildered, as he replied: "I just wanted to inquire
+for Miss Maverick, to know if she was better."
+
+"She is much better," said Houston with a smile, but before he could
+say anything further, Morton turned toward his brother, saying in
+gentle, quiet tones, but with a look in his eye which spoke volumes to
+Ned's inner consciousness:
+
+"Ned, this is Miss Maverick no longer, but Miss Washburn, the
+grand-daughter of the Mr. Cameron whom we expect here to-morrow."
+
+Poor Ned Rutherford! If he had ever laid any claim to dignity and
+self-possession, they both deserted him now. Utterly bereft of speech,
+he stood for a moment as if petrified. Then approaching Lyle, he
+stammered:
+
+"I beg your pardon, Miss,--Miss Washburn, but that is always Mort's
+way, to spring anything on me in such a fashion as to knock me out
+completely. I beg your pardon for appearing so stupid, and I
+congratulate you on the good news, and extend you my best wishes,
+Miss----"
+
+"Oh, call me Lyle," she interrupted, with a rippling laugh. "I have a
+right to that name yet."
+
+"Is that so?" said Ned, with the air of a drowning man clutching at a
+straw. "Thank you; I'm glad that's left for a sort of land mark, you
+know. I'll call you 'Lyle' then, 'till I can get accustomed to the new
+name," and he sank in a heap in the nearest chair.
+
+The letter was read, and bitter were the denunciations against
+Maverick.
+
+"The scoundrel! He ought to be lynched this very night," said Ned.
+"That's the way they do those things out here."
+
+"Not late years, Ned," corrected his brother, "and even if they did,
+that would not be best."
+
+"It is a question with me," said Houston, "situated just as we are at
+present, and with Mr. Cameron expected in a few hours, whether it
+would be wise to do anything about this until after his arrival."
+
+"I think not," said Morton, "under the circumstances, you do not want
+to arouse the antipathy of any of the miners before Mr. Cameron's
+coming, and as Maverick knows nothing of this discovery, he will of
+course remain here, and Mr. Cameron can advise in this matter as he
+thinks best."
+
+And this was the final decision.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLII.
+
+
+A few hours later Lyle stood in the gloaming, taking leave of Jack, in
+the quaint, cozy room in the cabin, little dreaming that they stood
+there together for the last time.
+
+They had talked long and earnestly of the new life opening up before
+her, and her tears flowed fast as she recalled the happy hours they
+had spent together, or as she anticipated the days to come. Her tears
+were not the only ones, but the friendly twilight, rapidly deepening,
+concealed the others.
+
+"And to think that you have known so much of this all the time, and
+did not tell me!" she exclaimed.
+
+"It was best, my little one, best for each of us. I was constantly
+planning how I might bring this about when the right time came. That
+time has come, and as my little girl, whom I have loved as deeply as
+any one in the future can ever love her, and whom I have cherished and
+helped to the extent of my limited power, goes forth into this new
+life, I can and will rejoice in the joy, the love and the happiness
+that will be hers. And I know that amid new scenes, new friends and
+new loves, she will never quite forget the old friend and the old
+love."
+
+"Never, Jack; I could never forget you, and Everard and Morton will
+never forget you. They are coming to see you to-night. Dear Jack, why
+could you not give up this lonely life, and go with us to the east?
+We would all love you and make you one of us, and our home would be
+yours."
+
+"My dear child," he replied with a slight shudder, "you know not what
+you ask. I know the love that prompted it, but never ask it again."
+
+"Very well," said Lyle, with a sorrowful submission, "but I know what
+I can do." And she put her arms about his neck. "I will come out to
+the mountains and visit you here."
+
+Then, as he remained silent, she queried:
+
+"You would be here, wouldn't you, Jack, where I could find you?"
+
+Oh, the agony which his strong, loving heart endured! How could he
+tell her that even then he never expected to look upon her face again!
+He could not. He only said:
+
+"I cannot tell, dear, my life is an erratic and wandering one. No one,
+not even I, can say where I may be."
+
+"But you have not lived a wandering life lately; you have lived here
+for many years."
+
+"Because the lodestone, the magnet of my heart was here," he answered
+half-playfully, half-tenderly. "When that is gone, I shall be likely
+to fly off in a tangent again."
+
+"Oh, Jack, you must not talk so. I want to see you in the years to
+come. I must and I will. I feel it," she added brightly.
+
+For answer, Jack, for the first time, placed his arms about her, and
+for a moment folded her closely to his breast. Then, bending his head,
+he kissed her reverently, first on the forehead, then on the lips,
+saying, "God bless you always, my dear child!"
+
+She returned the kiss, and as he released her, she whispered:
+
+"Good-night, dear Jack!"
+
+"Good-night, my dear," he answered, adding under his breath, "and
+good-bye!"
+
+After she had gone, he sat in the gathering darkness alone, lost in
+thought. The collie, returning from attending Lyle on her homeward
+walk, divined, with keen, unerring instinct, the sorrow in his
+master's heart, and coming close, laid his head upon his knee, in
+mute sympathy and affection. His master stroked the noble head, but
+his thoughts were far away, and he was only aroused at length by the
+sound of voices, as Everard Houston and Morton Rutherford entered the
+cabin. The moon had now risen, and the little room in which he sat was
+filled with a soft, silver radiance.
+
+Jack rose to meet his guests, and his quick ear detected the vibration
+of a new emotion in Houston's voice, and as they exchanged greetings,
+there was something in the clasp of their hands that night that
+thrilled the heart of each one as never before.
+
+At heart, Jack was glad of the presence of Morton Rutherford. He
+feared that alone with Houston, after the events of that day, and in
+the light of the anticipated events of the morrow, his own emotions
+might prove too strong, weakening the perfect self-control which he
+felt he must now exercise. The presence of Rutherford acted as a
+tonic, and restored the desired equilibrium.
+
+"Mr. Houston already knows my aversion to a lamp, and if you do not
+object, Mr. Rutherford, we will sit for a while in the moonlight."
+
+"By all means," said Rutherford. "I myself dislike the glare of a
+bright light for genuine, friendly intercourse. A soft, subdued light
+is much more conducive to mutual confidence and interchange of thought
+and feeling."
+
+"Jack, my dear friend," said Houston, after a few moments of general
+conversation upon indifferent subjects, an effort on Jack's part to
+ward off the inevitable which he felt was surely coming, "You have
+added very materially to our happiness to-day, in that you have helped
+us to a happy solution of some of the mysteries that have perplexed
+us, and in doing this, have brought us all into much closer relations
+with one another."
+
+"You refer, of course, to Lyle," Jack replied, "but while I am very
+glad to have contributed to your happiness, I really deserve no credit
+therefor. I have suspected the relationship for some time, and was
+only waiting for the necessary proofs, which I felt would be found in
+good time."
+
+"But that is not the only mystery you have solved for us, or for me,"
+said Houston. "I think we now have a reason for the interest you have
+manifested in Lyle, and the kindness you have shown her; and, speaking
+for myself, I believe I have found a clue to the strange bond of
+mutual sympathy which has united us almost from our first meeting,
+even before we had exchanged one word; notwithstanding the coldness
+and reserve of your manner, I felt that back of it all you were my
+friend, and so it has proved. There has sprung up between us an
+affection which I believe to be mutual, and of a depth and power
+remarkable for such a brief acquaintance. But to-night there seems, to
+my mind, to be a reason for this, which I have been so blind as never
+to suspect."
+
+"And what may that reason be?" inquired Jack, calmly.
+
+"You will understand of course, my dear friend, as I have often said
+to you, I have no wish to question you regarding your life in the
+past, or to lead you to make any statements regarding yourself which
+you would not make freely and voluntarily; but to me it is evident
+that, although we met as strangers, you must sometime have been at
+least a trusted friend of the members of my uncle's family, if not
+more intimately connected with them."
+
+After a pause Jack replied, slowly:
+
+"As you are aware, I once knew Lyle's mother, and her memory is still
+unspeakably dear to me. I also knew the other members of Mr. Cameron's
+family, but that was all long ago in that past which is gone beyond
+recall, and to which any reference only brings the most bitter pain.
+When I learned your name and your true business here, I knew, of
+course, to what family you belonged, and I may have felt some degree
+of interest in you on that account, but the deep affection between us,
+which is, as you say, mutual, is, on my part, wholly for your own
+sake, because I knew you worthy of it. Regarding Lyle, I observed the
+wonderful resemblance between her and her mother, and it has been to
+me a source both of joy and of pain, especially of late, since it has
+grown so marked, and I have sometimes wondered that you did not
+observe it for yourself."
+
+"Now that I can see the resemblance so plainly, it seems strange that
+I did not think of it before," Houston replied. "She has always
+reminded me vaguely of some one, I could not recall whom. I can only
+account for it from the fact that I really saw my cousin Edna but
+seldom after I went to my uncle's home, as she was married very soon,
+and then we saw her only occasionally until her death, which occurred
+when I was only about twelve years of age. Consequently, my
+recollection of her was not particularly distinct. I am anticipating
+the meeting between her and my uncle and aunt,--they will recognize
+her immediately, and I am confident they will adopt her as their own
+daughter, in her mother's place."
+
+Jack started almost imperceptibly. "You do not expect Mrs. Cameron
+here with her husband?"
+
+"She will not come out with him, but she insisted on coming as far as
+Chicago, so that she would be able to reach us more readily in case of
+trouble, and I have thought to-day, since this recent discovery, that
+if the case against the company seems likely to take some time, I
+might go on to Chicago and bring her out to meet Lyle, and I would, of
+course, like her to meet Leslie, also."
+
+Jack remained silent, and withdrew a little farther into the shadow.
+It was Morton Rutherford who spoke now.
+
+"Did you not once tell me, Everard, in the old college days, that Mr.
+Cameron had lost a son also?"
+
+"Yes," said Houston, with a sigh. "That was a far heavier blow for
+them than the death of their daughter. He was their joy and pride,
+their hearts were bound up in him."
+
+"Ah," said Jack, in a voice almost cold in its even calmness. "I
+remember that Miss Cameron,--as I knew her,--had a brother. Is he also
+dead?"
+
+"We are compelled to believe that he must be dead," Houston answered,
+after a pause, in a tone of deep sadness. "He left home soon after his
+sister's death, and we have never heard from him since, though his
+parents searched for him, not in this country alone, but in others as
+well."
+
+"I beg your pardon for having alluded to it, Everard," said
+Rutherford, "you never told me the particulars, and I did not realize
+they were so painful."
+
+"No apologies are necessary among us three friends," Houston replied.
+"Guy's parents and I are the only living human beings who know, or
+ever will know, the reason for his leaving as he did. My uncle spent
+vast sums of money and employed detectives all over the world in his
+efforts to find him, and to let him know that the old home was open to
+him, and would always be just what it had been in the past. But it was
+of no avail, we could not even get any tidings of him, and uncle, long
+ago, gave him up for dead, though Aunt Marjorie believes that he is
+still living, and that he will yet return."
+
+"The faith of a good woman is sometimes simply sublime," replied
+Rutherford, "and a mother's love is something wonderful. To me it
+seems the nearest divine of anything we meet on earth."
+
+There was no response from the figure sitting motionless in the
+shadow. At that moment it required all the force of his tremendous
+will power to stem the current of almost uncontrollable emotion,
+surging across his soul.
+
+But the moments passed, other topics were introduced and discussed,
+and Jack joined in the conversation as calmly as the others.
+
+"I suppose," he remarked, as, a little later, he accompanied his
+guests to the door, "I suppose that before this time to-morrow, Mr.
+Cameron will have already arrived at the camp?"
+
+"Yes," Houston replied, "we expect him over on the evening train, with
+Van Dorn."
+
+As Houston and Rutherford took leave of Jack, there was something in
+his manner, something in the long, lingering hand-clasp which seemed
+more like a farewell than like a simple good-night, at which they
+silently wondered.
+
+Could they have looked in upon him an hour later, they would have
+understood the cause. Silently he moved about the room, gathering
+together the few little keepsakes among his possessions which he most
+prized. These he placed in a small gripsack which he carefully locked,
+saying to himself, as he looked around the room with a sigh, "Mike can
+have the rest."
+
+Then going to the window, he stood looking out upon the calm, moonlit
+scene, which for many years had been the only home he had known.
+
+"This is my last night here," he soliloquized, "my work here is done.
+After to-morrow, Everard Houston will need me no longer, everything in
+which I can render him assistance is now done, and his friends will
+afford him all needed protection. Lyle has found her own, her future
+is provided for. The wrongs which I have witnessed for years in
+silence, will be righted without any assistance of mine. There is
+nothing more for me to do, and to-morrow I will start forth on the
+old, wandering life again."
+
+His head dropped lower; he was thinking deeply.
+
+"He said the old home was open, and would always be what it had been
+in the past. Home! What would that not mean now, after all these
+years! But that was long ago. I am dead to them now,--dead and
+forgotten. They will be happy with their new-found daughter, and
+Everard will be to them as a son, their happiness will be complete,
+and I will not mar it by any reminders of the wretched past."
+
+He glanced upward at the surrounding peaks.
+
+"To-morrow I go forth again into the mountains,--those towers of
+refuge and strength,--and in their soothing solitudes I shall once
+more find peace!"
+
+Then he retired. But to Jack, resting for the last time in his cabin
+home, to those then peacefully sleeping in the little mining camp, or
+to the others speeding westward through the night, on the wings of
+steam, there came no vision, no thought of what the morrow was, in
+reality, to bring.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIII.
+
+
+Tuesday morning dawned,--a day never to be forgotten in the history of
+the little mining camp, or in the lives of many outsiders as well.
+
+A strange thrill of subdued excitement ran through the little group,
+assembled before breakfast in the porch, as they realized that the day
+to which they had looked forward with varying anticipations had at
+last arrived; and there was, unconsciously, a look of watchful
+expectancy on every face.
+
+Even Nature herself seemed in sympathy with them. For a few days the
+heat had been intense, devouring with its scorching breath every
+vestige of verdure on the mountain sides and foothills, and leaving
+them dull and dun. On this particular morning the heat seemed more
+terrible than ever, and there was not a breath of air stirring to cool
+the oppressive atmosphere. The earth and sky were suffused with a
+bright, red light, which gradually died away into a dim, purplish
+haze, through which the sun ascended like a ball of fire; while every
+blade and leaf hung motionless, as if awaiting breathlessly the coming
+of some great catastrophe.
+
+"This portends a storm," said Houston, as he watched the strange
+phenomena.
+
+"Yes," added Morton Rutherford, "an electric storm, and, if I am not
+mistaken, a very severe one."
+
+"How strange!" exclaimed Leslie, in a low tone, to Lyle, "everything
+is so hushed and still; it seems as if the elements, like ourselves,
+were just waiting."
+
+"I don't like it," Lyle answered, "it seems ominous," and she
+shuddered visibly.
+
+There was little breakfast eaten that morning, and the group of
+friends adjourned to the porch on the pretext of watching the weather,
+thereby attracting the attention of Haight, who still remained at the
+table.
+
+"What's in the wind now, I wonder," he soliloquized.
+
+"There was some kind of excitement here last evening, and everybody
+seems on the qui vive this morning. I guess I'd better look into
+this," and calling Minty to him, he gave her a quarter, with his most
+insinuating smile, saying in low tones:
+
+"You find out to-day, if you can, whether there's anything unusual
+going on among those folks out there, and let me know."
+
+She pocketed the money with her customary giggle, as she responded,
+nodding her head emphatically, "You jest betcher life I will."
+
+Haight then departed for the mills, and Houston soon after left for
+the mines, while an hour or two later Morton Rutherford, taking one of
+the horses, rode leisurely in the direction of the Y, where he was to
+await a telegram from Van Dorn, immediately upon the arrival of the
+Eastern train at Silver City.
+
+In due time the message came, in cipher:
+
+  "Party arrived all right; over on evening train."
+
+To which Rutherford replied as follows:
+
+  "All quiet here. Will wire later if anything occurs."
+
+Then starting on his return up the canyon, he urged his horse forward
+with all possible speed, conscious that the most critical time was now
+approaching, and fully decided regarding his course of action on
+reaching the camp.
+
+At the mines, Houston found everything progressing as usual, the work
+going forward in the same unending, monotonous routine.
+
+At the Silver City office of the mining company, however, the greatest
+excitement was prevailing. Having been utterly unable to obtain any
+clue as to the whereabouts or the intentions of Mr. Cameron, the
+mining company, to guard against being taken wholly by surprise, had
+devised a new scheme. Every morning had found Mr. Wilson seated on the
+early train which left Silver City for the East at five A. M., and
+which was sidetracked at a small station about ninety miles distant,
+to give the right of way to the regular, West-bound Pacific Express.
+Here both trains stopped for about fifteen minutes, affording Mr.
+Wilson ample opportunity to pass through the West-bound train, and
+satisfy himself whether or not there were any old acquaintances
+aboard. Failing to find the party for whom he was seeking, he himself
+returned to Silver City on the same train.
+
+On this particular morning, however, upon cautiously entering one of
+the sleepers, he had seen, seated in one section, apparently in close
+consultation, three gentlemen, one of whom he immediately recognized
+as Mr. Cameron. Opposite and facing him, was an elderly man whose face
+Mr. Wilson was unable to see, but the back of whose head presented a
+severely judicial appearance, while at Mr. Cameron's right was seated
+the English expert who had come out early in the season with Mr.
+Winters' party. Evidently, Mr, Cameron was en route for the mines.
+
+Mr. Wilson had hastily retreated, and, stopping at the little station
+only just long enough to send a wire to the company, had returned to
+the east-bound train, to continue his journey indefinitely, which had
+not been a part of the programme prepared by the officers of the said
+company in common with their various other plans. But Mr. Wilson had
+suddenly come to the conclusion that there were other localities
+better suited to his health just at that particular time than the
+great and glorious North West which had so long been his favorite
+theme, and whose praises he had so persistently sung.
+
+It was about ten o'clock when Mr. Wilson's telegram, announcing his
+discovery, reached the Silver City office, creating general
+consternation. After a hurried consultation, numerous papers and
+documents were hastily stored in a private vault belonging to the
+officers of the company, a dispatch was sent out over their private
+wire to Haight, informing him of the situation and giving certain
+instructions; after which Mr. Blaisdell and a confidential clerk
+betook themselves to the depot to await the arrival of the Pacific
+Express. Concealing themselves among the crowd, they watched Mr.
+Cameron and his associates as they left the train, and having waited
+till they were safely ensconced within a carriage, ready to start for
+their hotel, Mr. Blaisdell then ordered his clerk to take another
+carriage and follow them, remaining at the hotel long enough to
+ascertain all he possibly could concerning their movements, after
+which he was to report at the office.
+
+Turning once more toward the crowd, Mr. Blaisdell expected to meet Mr.
+Wilson, but to his astonishment and perplexity, he was nowhere to be
+seen. From the conductor, however, who had thought Mr. Wilson's
+conduct rather peculiar, he learned the facts in the case.
+
+"Yes, sir," said that individual in conclusion, swinging himself on to
+the departing train, "if that's the man you're looking for, he's
+vamoosed sure, and judging by the way he got aboard that train, he'll
+be traveling for some time to come."
+
+Great was the indignation of the remaining officers of the company on
+learning of the sudden departure of their worthy president, and it was
+not lessened when, upon investigation at the office, it was discovered
+that Mr. Wilson had not only relieved the company of his presence, but
+of all the available funds in their private vault as well, which, at
+that time, happened to be considerable; nevertheless, for obvious
+reasons, it was decided best to say nothing about it for a few days.
+
+The clerk, on his return from the hotel, stated that none of Mr.
+Cameron's party had registered, but had gone immediately to their
+rooms, where they had ordered a private lunch served. He had seen
+nothing more of them, but had seen Van Dorn there, however, and upon
+inquiry had learned that he had been there since the preceding day,
+apparently waiting for some one, evidently this party, as, immediately
+upon their arrival, he had sent a cipher dispatch to some one at the
+Y; and one of the party had been heard to inquire quite particularly
+at what time the evening train would leave Silver City for Cokeville,
+a small station near the Y.
+
+It was evident that Van Dorn was in league with Mr. Cameron's party,
+and that they intended going out to the camp that evening; prompt
+action was necessary. A message was sent to Haight, and after his
+reply, it was decided that desperate measures were also necessary.
+
+While Morton Rutherford was leisurely riding toward the Y, Haight,
+sitting at his desk in his dingy, stifling office, suddenly heard his
+name clicked by the little telegraphic instrument near him. Having
+given the usual signal in return, the following message came over the
+wire with peremptory haste:
+
+  "Get everything in readiness at once; Cameron coming on eastern
+  train with mining expert and attorney. Get everything ready for
+  the final touch and await further instructions in about two
+  hours."
+
+Haight sprang to his feet, and calling one of the men, ordered, "Send
+Maverick to me as quickly as you can."
+
+In a few moments the slouching figure of Maverick stood in the
+door-way.
+
+"Come in, Jim, and shut that door," said Haight, in a quick, decisive
+tone that Maverick knew meant business.
+
+"Jim, in what shape is the powder in those mines? How long would it
+take to get everything ready for action?"
+
+Maverick's eyes gleamed; here evidently was to be a piece of work such
+as he enjoyed!
+
+"The powder's all there," he replied, "all there, jest in the right
+places, an' all there is ter do is ter lay the trains 'round there an'
+fix a few fuses; 'twouldn't take more'n half an hour, or sech a
+matter."
+
+"Think you could get it all done at noon, while the men are away?"
+
+"Yes, easy."
+
+"Very well, now listen; you are to get everything ready so that it
+will be nothing but 'a touch and a go,' as soon as I say the word,
+understand? Get everything ready this noon, give the men warning that
+there's going to be some blasting, and then, as quick as you've had
+your dinner, you be around here prompt, and stay within sight of this
+room till I send you word to quit. You know the rest, what directions
+Blaisdell left the last time he was here; you know what you're to wait
+for, and if you get a signal from me, you know what you're to do."
+
+"You bet I do, and I'll do a damned good job, too," Maverick replied,
+with a grin; "but what's the signal, boss?"
+
+"Let me see, I want something you'll recognize without any trouble,
+and that nobody else would notice, or think meant anything. Where will
+you be?"
+
+"Out there, behind them rocks; I can see your winders plain from
+there."
+
+"Yes, but if I made you any signal there, or put anything in the
+window, others would see it as well as yourself."
+
+"I'll tell you what, boss," said Maverick, glancing at the window on
+the right of Haight's desk, where hung an old, dilapidated shade,
+which had been lowered its full length in an effort to keep out the
+intolerable heat, "you let that there shade hang jest as it is till
+you want me, and when I see that yanked up, I'll know what it means,
+and you'll hear from me in jest about ten minits at the latest. But
+say, boss, what's all this racket about, anyhow? Some o' them eastern
+chaps comin' out here?"
+
+"That's none of your business, Jim," said Haight in a joking way, "you
+attend to what you've been told, and don't meddle with what don't
+concern you."
+
+"Is old Cameron comin' out here?" persisted Maverick, with an
+expression of fear and hatred combined, visible in his countenance.
+
+"Cameron!" exclaimed Haight, with a slight start, and wondering at
+Maverick's appearance, "What do you know about him?"
+
+"I know he owns these 'ere mines, damn him!" answered Maverick
+doggedly.
+
+"Do you! Well, that's enough, go along, you're not interested in
+Cameron."
+
+"Ain't I though!" said Maverick with a snarl and an oath, the hatred
+and wrath increasing in his face; "Me'n him has got an old score to
+settle yet. I only wisht he was a goin' ter be in them mines this
+afternoon. When's he comin'?"
+
+"I don't know," answered Haight shortly, "probably before very long
+though."
+
+"When you git word he's comin' I wan'ter know it, that's all," growled
+Maverick.
+
+"Well," said Haight, beginning to lose his temper, "when you see that
+curtain raised, you may know he's coming, and pretty damned quick too;
+now get out of the way, and attend to your business. Remember I've
+told you to give the men warning."
+
+"Yes," said Maverick, with a leer, "'specially the new superintendent,
+you'd like me ter give 'im an extra warnin' I s'pose."
+
+There was a corresponding leer on Haight's face, as he replied with a
+peculiar grimace,
+
+"You've had your orders; if you are particularly anxious to give
+anybody an extra warning, go ahead!"
+
+With a low, cruel laugh, Maverick withdrew, and a few moments later
+was shuffling along in the direction of the mines intent upon the work
+of destruction assigned to him, his face distorted with mingled fear
+and rage, his usually dull eyes gleaming with the fires of revenge.
+
+Haight hastened to the house to take a hurried dinner, and having
+learned from Minty that Morton Rutherford had gone to the Y, he again
+charged her to immediately report to him whatever she might learn, and
+returned to the office to await further instructions from the
+company.
+
+To Houston, constantly on the alert for danger signals, Haight's
+hurried and excited manner was the first indication of approaching
+trouble. It was evident that the company had received some inkling of
+impending danger, but of the extent of their information, or the
+nature of their communications with Haight, he had no means of
+ascertaining. Stating that he wished to see Morton Rutherford
+immediately upon his return, and that he would be at the Yankee Boy,
+near the entrance to the incline shaft, he hastened back to the mines
+at an earlier hour than usual.
+
+Finding Jack and Mike who had already returned, he told them of his
+surmises, and arranged a set of signals,--a certain number of blows on
+the rocks above them,--whereby he would give them warning if he found
+indications of immediate danger, upon which they were to make their
+escape in an opposite direction, by means of a tunnel, designated as
+tunnel No. 3, where he would speedily join them.
+
+On returning to the shaft, he found the majority of the men returning
+to their work as usual, Maverick having given them no warning, partly
+through his own cowardice, and partly through a determination that
+Houston should have no hint of what was to follow.
+
+Meanwhile, the long threatened storm was rapidly approaching with
+signs of unusual severity. Heavy clouds had obscured the sun and were,
+moment by moment, growing denser and blacker, while the heat was, if
+possible, more intense than before. There was that ominous calm that
+presages the coming of the tempest, while the air grew oppressive
+almost to suffocation. In the distant canyons, far up among the
+mountains, could be heard the muffled roaring of the wind, while the
+branches began to sway occasionally under the first hot breath of the
+approaching hurricane, which seemed like a blast from a furnace.
+
+On through the fast-gathering storm rode Morton Rutherford, urging
+forward his foam-covered horse, feeling by a certain, unerring
+intuition, that that ride through the winding canyon was a race
+between life and death. Having reached the camp, and left his
+dripping, panting horse at the stables, he walked rapidly on to the
+house, arriving shortly after Houston had left, and just in time to
+meet Maverick, hurrying to the house for a bit of food, his work of
+preparation having taken longer than he anticipated.
+
+One look at his malignant, demon-like face convinced Rutherford that
+he had arrived none too early, and that his own plans must be put in
+execution very soon.
+
+Pausing only long enough to exchange a few words with his brother and
+the ladies, in reply to their eager questions, he hurried on to the
+mines, he and they all unaware of a figure skulking behind him, in the
+fast-deepening gloom, in the direction of the mills. From an open
+window, aided by the peculiar condition of the atmosphere in those
+altitudes before a storm, which transmits the slightest sound with
+wonderful distinctness, Minty had overheard most of the conversation,
+and was hastening to fulfill her contract with Haight.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIV.
+
+
+Morton Rutherford was not the only one who had observed the
+expression on Maverick's face. To Lyle it seemed she had never seen
+such venomous malignity as was in the look which he gave her.
+Stepping into the dining room a few moments after Morton had left, she
+heard imprecations and curses mingled with her own name and that of
+Mr. Cameron, and realized at once that their secret was known; then,
+as he hastily left the house, she heard a few words of bitter hatred
+which would have no special meaning to his wife, but which Lyle,
+knowing what Houston and his friends had been anticipating for the
+last few days, readily understood.
+
+The wind was now raging down the canyon with terrific force, but Lyle
+had but one thought, to warn those whom she loved and save them from
+danger. Catching up a light wrap which she threw about her shoulders,
+she rushed out of the house, passing Miss Gladden and Ned, who were in
+the porch watching the storm, and who tried to detain her.
+
+"Lyle, what is the matter? Where are you going?" they cried.
+
+"To the mines!" Lyle answered, raising her voice above the roar of the
+storm; "They are going to fire the mines, and they are all there,
+Morton and Everard and Jack. I must warn them if I can!"
+
+"Lyle, come back!" shouted Ned, "let me go!"
+
+She shook her head; "I must go, I know the mines," she cried, and
+turning ran down the road, battling with the terrific wind, and was
+out of sight, almost before they realized what had happened.
+
+Meanwhile, Morton Rutherford had found Houston without difficulty.
+"They are coming, Everard," he announced, in a low tone, "they will
+be here to-night. What are the indications here?"
+
+"I judge from Haight's manner, that word of some kind has been
+received from headquarters, but just what is to be done, or whether
+there is any immediate danger, I cannot yet tell."
+
+"I am going over to Haight's office for a few moments," said
+Rutherford, "I may catch some message from the company that will show
+us the situation."
+
+"Just what I was intending to suggest," said Houston.
+
+"You will remain here until I come back?"
+
+"Yes, unless I should detect some certain signs of danger; in that
+case I shall warn the men, and shall start for tunnel No. 3, that part
+of the mine will be safe for a while, in any event."
+
+"Very well, you will probably hear from me within twenty or thirty
+minutes," and Rutherford started for the mills.
+
+Haight, on returning to the office from dinner, waited some little
+time for the expected dispatch. At last it came:
+
+  "Cameron just arrived with Englishman, Lindlay, and attorney;
+  going out to the mines on evening train. Are at Arlington Hotel,
+  Van Dorn at same hotel and in telegraphic communication with some
+  one at the Y. There is a conspiracy somewhere; what do you know?
+  Answer at once; is everything ready?"
+
+He was still studying the contents of the telegram, wondering just
+what the conspiracy might mean, when Minty slyly entered, and by means
+of the information she had secured, furnished him the needed key to
+the situation. In a few moments the following answer was returned:
+
+  "The truth is out; have just discovered Houston is Cameron's
+  nephew, out here in his interests; Van Dorn et al. working with
+  him. Cameron coming out to-night for the grand coup. Everything is
+  ready awaiting your orders."
+
+Just as the message was sent, Maverick passed on his way to his post,
+and seeing him, Haight stepped to the door and called him:
+
+"I say, Jim, I've learned the truth at last about that superintendent
+of ours, damn him! You seemed so interested in old Cameron this
+morning, I thought you'd like to know that it has turned out that this
+Houston is his nephew."
+
+"Houston, old man Cameron's nephew!" gasped Maverick, with a terrible
+oath, and growing fairly livid, "How'd ye get onto that?"
+
+"No matter how, Jim, but it seems he's been out here all summer
+getting onto some of our little business ways and reporting to the old
+man, and now he's got the old fellow out here to see the fun. Never
+mind, Jim, I guess the fun will be on the other side after all. I'll
+attend to my business and you'll attend to yours, but I thought you'd
+go at it with a better relish after this little piece of news."
+
+Maverick passed on his way, regardless of the storm, incapable of
+coherent speech, muttering oaths and curses intermingled with the
+vilest epithets, Haight watching him with a grim smile for a few
+moments. Then going back to his office, he had but just reseated
+himself at his desk, when Morton Rutherford entered the outer room.
+"Damn him! what is he sneaking around here for?" Haight soliloquized,
+at the same time hastily transferring a revolver from his desk to his
+pocket, "I'll spoil that mug of his if he attempts any funny business
+here."
+
+This movement was seen by Rutherford, who was watching him closely,
+but he appeared to take no notice of it and entered the office as
+usual, with a civil greeting to Haight. The latter sprang to his feet,
+taking his position close by the shaded window, his right hand
+grasping the revolver in his pocket.
+
+Rutherford's lips curled with scorn and contempt as he looked at
+Haight; he saw there could be no semblance of civility between them,
+it was to be open war.
+
+"You are a coward!" he said.
+
+"And you are a sneak," Haight hissed in reply, "prying around here
+when you had better be minding your own business."
+
+"Let me tell you that I am attending to my own business, and you will
+find before you are much older, that I have more right here than
+you."
+
+For a moment Haight hesitated, astonished by Rutherford's words and
+manner, then was about to make some reply, when the click of the
+instrument attracted his attention. Keeping his eye on Rutherford, he
+gave the answering signal with his left hand, then listened intently
+for the message. It came, containing the final orders and the farewell
+words of the Silver City office:
+
+  "Send the mines to hell, and Houston and his crowd with them. Look
+  out for yourself. Good-bye."
+
+In his interest in the message, Haight seemed, for an instant, to have
+partially forgotten Rutherford's presence, his eyes dropped toward the
+instrument, and in that instant, Rutherford cleared the space between
+them at a bound, gripping Haight firmly with one hand, while with the
+other he knocked the revolver which Haight had hastily drawn, half way
+across the room. With a single blow he knocked Haight to the floor,
+partially stunning him, but as he regained his senses, he rolled over
+towards the window, and with a strength born of desperation, struggled
+to his knees, and before Rutherford realized what he was trying to do,
+the shade flew upward to the top of the window. Even then, Rutherford
+would have thought little of it, had not Haight betrayed himself by a
+leer of fiendish triumph. In an instant Rutherford understood that it
+had been some pre-arranged signal.
+
+"You cowardly villain!" he exclaimed, and pausing only long enough to
+give him a blow which left him unconscious on the floor, he rushed
+forth into the darkness and fury of the storm, in the direction of the
+mines.
+
+As he did so, he stumbled against a small boy, running even more
+swiftly in the same direction.
+
+"Mister, Mister Houston! is that you?" rang out Bull-dog's voice,
+above the storm.
+
+"No, my boy, I am going to find Mr. Houston, to save him if I can."
+
+"Oh, sir, let me go! I know about it, they're goin' to fire the mines,
+I heerd Jake say so, and I was a goin' to find Mister Houston myself;
+I'll get there quicker, 'n I know the mine better 'n you."
+
+"But, my boy, you risk your own life," said Rutherford.
+
+"Never mind that, sir; Mister Houston, he's been my friend, 'n his
+life's worth more'n mine anyhow; I'll risk it," and he was already
+rushing on ahead, shouting back to Rutherford, "You go to the tunnels,
+sir, you can help him there."
+
+"Tell him the signal has been given!" called Rutherford, and Bull-dog,
+swinging his ragged hat in reply, sped swiftly on through the raging
+wind.
+
+Rutherford paused for a moment, then started in the direction of the
+tunnels. At that instant, Lyle, still struggling against the fury of
+the wind, had just reached the ground surrounding the mines; in a few
+seconds more she would have been within the fatal boundary line, but
+Bull-dog's voice, as he rushed past, warned her back.
+
+"Go back, go back, Miss Lyle! they've given the signal to fire the
+mines, I'm goin' to warn 'em; don't be afraid, I'll save 'em, Mister
+Houston and Jack," and with these words, he rushed on, disappearing
+through the incline shaft.
+
+Lyle retreated a few steps, and then paused, looking wildly about her,
+dreading, expecting, she scarcely knew what.
+
+Suddenly the darkness seemed divided by a blinding flash, which spread
+into a sheet of flame, enveloping her within its lurid folds, while
+peal after peal of deafening thunder crashed and roared about her, and
+the lightning flashed and gleamed till it seemed as if earth and sky
+were commingled in one mass of flaming combat.
+
+Scarcely had the blinding flashes died in darkness, and the
+reverberations of the thunder still echoed and re-echoed among the
+surrounding mountains, when the earth began to rock and vibrate
+beneath her feet; there was the sound of a terrific explosion, she
+felt for an instant a strange sensation as if floating through the
+air,--then she knew nothing more; she had been thrown to the ground,
+unconscious, by the shock.
+
+Meanwhile, down the rough, narrow road, leading to the mines, Leslie
+Gladden and Ned Rutherford were making their way, having started
+immediately after Lyle, but unaccustomed to the furious mountain
+storms and unfamiliar with the road, they made slow progress in the
+darkness and tempest.
+
+"Miss Gladden, this is too hard for you," said Ned, as they paused
+once, gasping for breath, "I don't believe it is safe either, you
+ought never to have come."
+
+"What do I care for difficulty or danger?" she replied, "Think of Lyle
+going through this storm alone; I only pray she may not have been too
+late!"
+
+Scarcely had she finished speaking, when, without an instant's
+warning, the timber through which they were passing suddenly seemed
+one mass of blinding flame, while almost simultaneously came the
+deafening crash of the thunder.
+
+"Great Heavens! that must have struck awfully near us!" exclaimed Ned,
+but no cry escaped from Leslie's lips, as, shuddering, she clasped his
+arm more closely and struggled bravely on.
+
+It was not until a few seconds later, when there came the sound of the
+terrible explosion, followed by the bursting and crashing of the
+rocks, while the ground quivered and trembled as though shaken by an
+earthquake, that, for an instant, her courage failed, and with a low
+cry, she sank to the ground, shivering with horror. But only for an
+instant, and then she rose to her feet, dizzy and trembling from the
+shock, but brave and determined as ever.
+
+"Come," she said hoarsely, "we must hasten; perhaps we can help them
+in some way, even if we are too late to save them."
+
+Speechless from a horrible, sickening realization of all which that
+terrible shock might mean to those whom they were striving to save,
+Ned silently helped her forward. They had gone but a few steps, when
+there suddenly burst upon the dark and stormy heavens a dull, red
+glare, which grew brighter moment by moment, and on emerging from the
+timber into the open ground, a frightful scene met their gaze.
+
+Dense clouds of smoke were pouring from the shafts of the nearest
+mine, while, at a little distance, could be seen the mills, their
+whole interior already ablaze with light. In that end of the buildings
+containing the sorting rooms and Haight's office, the fire was raging,
+having come in contact with quantities of chemicals which had
+increased its fury.
+
+"Great Caesar!" ejaculated Ned, "the mills were struck, and are on
+fire."
+
+But Leslie uttered a sharp cry, and ran swiftly down the path to where
+Lyle lay unconscious, followed quickly by Ned.
+
+"Poor child, poor child!" she moaned, "oh, merciful heaven, she came
+too late, and they are all lost!"
+
+Then, as she knelt beside the unconscious form, there came another
+terrific explosion, which seemed to jar even the rocks about them to
+their very foundations, while from the already smoking shafts, the
+flames now issued, towering higher and higher, and adding new terror
+to the scene.
+
+Men were seen running from all directions, from the distant groups of
+mines, rushing to the burning mills, where the little fire corps
+belonging to the camp, were already engaged in a futile battle with
+the flames; but around the Yankee Boy mine there was no sign of life.
+
+The rain now began to descend in torrents, and the first dash of the
+storm seemed to revive Lyle, whom Leslie and Ned had raised to a
+sitting posture in their efforts to restore her to consciousness.
+Slowly she opened her eyes with a bewildered look, then springing to
+her feet, still weak and trembling, but resolute and determined, she
+gazed about her at the flaming shafts and burning mills, and suddenly
+cried,
+
+"Oh, I can remember now! I remember it all, it has come back to
+me,--the terrible wreck, the burning cars all around us, and my mother
+crushed in the wreck; then the people carried us out and they put me
+down beside her, lying so white and still, and then,--then that
+villain came and took me away,--I can see it all," and she
+shuddered.
+
+Then looking at Leslie and Ned, who were watching her with startled
+faces, she seemed trying to recall the present situation. Before
+either of them could speak, however, there came the report of another
+explosion, more distant and deeper underground than any that had yet
+occurred, and the sound seemed to bring back to Lyle the memory of her
+last moments of consciousness before the first terrible shock, while
+the faces of her companions were blanched with terror.
+
+"I know now," she exclaimed quickly, "I was too late, but Bull-dog
+warned them, and they are probably safe; we must go to the tunnels,
+they will make their escape there, and we may help them."
+
+She ran swiftly down the path leading the way, while they followed
+only too gladly, their hearts filled with new hope.
+
+The men, finding it impossible to check the flames at the mills, were
+flocking in the direction of the Yankee group of mines. Fearing,
+however, to approach very near the scene of danger, they gathered in
+groups here and there, while a company of wretched women, the wives
+and daughters of the few married men who worked in the fated mines,
+ran hither and thither, sobbing and wringing their hands in their
+agony of fear and suspense for their own loved ones. Seeing Lyle
+leading the way to the tunnels, they all, men and women, followed in
+the same direction.
+
+The fury of the storm had passed; a heavy rain was still falling, but
+the wind had subsided, and the clouds had lifted and were already
+breaking away.
+
+Arriving at the tunnels, they found a crowd of men, among them a
+number who had made their escape from the mines. The hearts of Ned
+Rutherford and Lyle throbbed with joy as they descried Morton standing
+among the crowd, but Lyle's heart sank again with sickening dread as
+she saw no signs of Everard Houston or of Jack, while Leslie Gladden
+moaned in despair. Morton Rutherford was unhurt, except for a few
+bruises from flying rocks, and he was pleading with some of the men,
+and offering large sums of money to any one or two who would go with
+him into the tunnel in search of Houston and some of the missing men.
+
+"Mr. Houston told me that this part of the mine would be safe for some
+time," he shouted, "and I will pay a thousand dollars to any one who
+will go with me as guide."
+
+For a moment no one responded, then one of the men who had escaped,
+spoke,
+
+"No sir, I wouldn't go back in that there mine for five thousand
+dollars, I'm out, an' I stays out," while another added, "'Twouldn't
+be of no use, sir; mos' likely he was catched in some o' them
+cave-ins; he stopped to give us all warnin' an' he was about the last
+one to start."
+
+"Cowards!" exclaimed Lyle, stepping forth among them with blazing
+eyes, "he risked his life to save yours, and you will not even try to
+save him. Morton," she added, turning toward her lover, "I know every
+step of the tunnels, and I will go with you."
+
+The men slunk back like whipped curs, but made no response. The miners
+employed by the company throughout this group of mines were of the
+lowest class, and they were none too friendly to Houston, while the
+better class of men employed in the other mines were not familiar with
+these workings.
+
+Morton Rutherford advanced to meet Lyle; "My darling," he said, in low
+tones, "I cannot allow you to subject yourself to danger."
+
+"I would rather share the danger with you," she replied proudly,
+"besides we must save them."
+
+"I will go, too," said Ned eagerly, "I surely can help."
+
+Lyle was about to suggest that he remain with Miss Gladden, but Leslie
+herself interposed.
+
+"No, no, I do not need him," she said earnestly, "I would suffer no
+more waiting alone, and he may do much good."
+
+At that instant, two young men from another group of mines stepped
+forward; "If you please, sir," said one of them, "we don't want no
+money, and we can't act as guides, not being acquainted with the lay
+of things around here, but we'd like to help you, for we like Mr.
+Houston, and we're his friends."
+
+Their offer was gladly accepted, and preparations were hastily and
+silently made by the little party. Wet cloths and sponges were
+fastened across the lower portion of their faces, to prevent their
+inhaling the smoke and gases, while ropes were securely tied about
+their waists, the ends of which were to be held by persons on the
+outside. A frequent jerking of the rope would assure those outside
+that all was right in the tunnel, but a suspension of the jerking
+would indicate that that person had been overcome by the gases, and he
+would be immediately drawn out to the fresh air, by those at the outer
+end of the line.
+
+Pausing only for a bright smile of encouragement to Leslie, Lyle led
+the way into the tunnel, followed by Morton and Ned, the two miners
+bringing up the rear, and all disappeared in the subterranean
+darkness.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLV.
+
+
+When Bull-dog's voice rang out above the storm, with its warning to
+Lyle, Houston, standing near the entrance of the shaft, alert,
+watchful for the first indication of danger, heard the words
+distinctly and acted instantly.
+
+Having given the usual danger signal, he shouted, "To the tunnels,
+boys, for your lives! The mine has been fired, go to the tunnels!"
+
+On returning from giving the agreed signal to Jack and Mike, he heard
+Bull-dog's voice above him in the shaft, calling his name and shouting
+the warning.
+
+"Come, my boy," shouted Houston in return, "we'll start for the
+tunnels."
+
+"Yes sir, I'm a comin', I know the way, but don't you wait fer me
+'cause you may git catched."
+
+"I shall not leave you, Bull-dog, we'll go together," Houston
+answered, waiting for the little figure gliding swiftly toward him in
+the darkness.
+
+Suddenly the rocks by which they were surrounded began to quiver and
+vibrate; there was a deafening roar followed by a terrific crash, and
+an instant later, a mass of loosened rock was tearing its way through
+the shaft.
+
+"Cling to the wall, Bull-dog," shouted Houston, at the same time
+seizing a projecting ledge with a vise-like grip, and swinging himself
+upward, where he hung by his hands and wrists. It was a horrible
+position, but his powerful, athletic muscles bore the strain until the
+grinding, tearing mass had passed, and he dropped, scratched and
+bruised, but otherwise unhurt, to the ground.
+
+As he did so, he heard a faint moan, and hastening in the direction
+from whence it came, found Bull-dog, who, unable to spring high enough
+to escape the passing rocks, had been swept along and partially buried
+under the debris that followed.
+
+"My boy, are you hurt?" asked Houston, bending over him in the
+darkness, and removing as fast as possible the mass of crushed and
+broken rock under which he lay.
+
+"Not much, I guess," replied the little, familiar voice, in tones that
+tried to be brave and cheery, but which quivered with pain, "I tried
+to hold on, Mister Houston, but that big rock was a little too much
+fer me."
+
+As Houston at last freed him, the little fellow tried to rise, but
+sank quickly back, with an involuntary cry:
+
+"I guess I'm done fer--Mister Houston," he gasped faintly, "but I
+don't care--if you only--get out safe."
+
+The smoke and gases were now pouring down the shaft, and Houston
+realized that there was no time to be lost. Very tenderly he lifted
+the little form in his arms, and began, as rapidly as possible, the
+descent of the shaft, groping his way amid the rocks, toward the cut
+leading to the tunnels, through which he hoped to escape.
+
+The motion roused Bull-dog who had fainted. "Mister Houston," he
+cried, "don't mind me--I wanted to save you, and I guess you can make
+it yet, if you hurry and don't bother with me; I won't mind bein' left
+here, 'cause I'll know then that you're safe."
+
+"Don't you worry, my boy," replied Houston, and his own voice
+trembled, "we'll reach daylight all right, but we'll reach it
+together; I'll never leave you."
+
+There was no reply except a contented, confiding nestling of the
+little head against Houston's shoulder; then, as a second explosion
+thundered above them, jarring the foundations of the rocks once more,
+he murmured drowsily, "There she goes again," and sank into
+unconsciousness.
+
+The smoke was now so stifling that Houston was obliged to go upon his
+hands and knees, carrying Bull-dog in one arm; his progress was
+necessarily slow, but to his great joy he succeeded in finding the cut
+leading to tunnel No. 3; then, to his horror, he discovered that the
+entrance was blocked by a mass of earth and loose rock which had caved
+in.
+
+Laying Bull-dog carefully down, he examined the obstruction, and
+found there was a small opening at the top, and that the mass was of
+such a character that it could easily be removed with pick and
+shovel, but he had nothing. With desperate energy, he began
+tearing away the earth and rocks with his hands, then to his intense
+relief, after a few moments' work, he heard voices on the other
+side. Houston listened; it was Jack and Mike, who, having waited for
+him in the tunnel, expecting him to join them immediately, had
+become alarmed at his non-appearance, and were returning with
+their picks and shovels, which they had taken out with them, calling
+him and searching for him.
+
+Houston shouted, and they hastened to the rescue, and the entrance was
+very quickly cleared sufficiently for Houston to crawl through. Before
+passing through, himself, however, he lifted Bull-dog, and carefully
+handed the unconscious form to Jack.
+
+"Who is this?" the latter asked in surprise.
+
+"Bull-dog, the little hero who has saved our lives by sacrificing his
+own," Houston replied.
+
+"Is he still living?"
+
+"Yes, but unconscious."
+
+Silently and tenderly Jack handed the little fellow to the tender-hearted
+Mike, who at once started toward the tunnel with his burden, while
+Jack turned to assist Houston.
+
+At that instant, there came the third explosion, which was farther
+underground than either of those preceding. It was but a short
+distance from them, and an immense scale of overhanging rock quivered
+for an instant, then fell, throwing its fragments in every direction.
+Mike, at the distance which he had already gained, escaped unhurt.
+Jack and Houston sprang in opposite directions, but the pieces of
+flying rock overtook them, though they escaped being buried beneath
+the mass as it fell. They were both thrown to the ground; Houston
+staggered to his feet, badly bruised and cut and his left arm broken,
+but Jack remained motionless.
+
+Hearing Houston's call, Mike quickly returned, and he and Houston
+found that Jack was still alive, though badly injured about the head.
+The full extent of his injuries they realized they would be unable to
+ascertain until they could reach the surface. Together they consulted
+as to the best course to pursue. Mike wished to go back and get help
+immediately, but Houston insisted that they must first remove Jack and
+little Bull-dog as speedily as possible, as there was danger of other
+explosions following now in rapid succession, and also danger from the
+smoke and gases of the gradually approaching flames, which were
+consuming the timbering of the various shafts, and would at length
+communicate with the tunnels also.
+
+Instructing Mike to lay Jack's head across his shoulder, Houston then
+clasped his right arm closely about Jack's neck and shoulders. Mike,
+carrying Bull-dog on one arm, with the other was to lift Jack
+underneath the knees; and in this way they started for the tunnel.
+
+Houston suffered excruciating pain from the arm hanging helpless
+at his side, but he traveled forward without a murmur, scarcely
+conscious of his own suffering in his anxiety for Jack. The cut was
+comparatively short, but their progress was slow.
+
+Nearly overcome by the suffocating gases and the smoke, and faint from
+pain and loss of blood, Houston had just staggered into the tunnel,
+when he heard the welcome sound of the voices of Lyle and of Morton
+Rutherford, and knew that they were saved.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVI.
+
+
+Meanwhile, the work of destruction went swiftly forward, explosions
+following in quick succession and with terrific force, throughout the
+Yankee group of mines, and the adjoining claims; while the flames from
+the burning shafts were rivaled by those which spread from the mills
+to the shops, storehouses and stables, and finally, to the miners'
+quarters, till all were speedily reduced to ashes.
+
+Around the entrance to tunnel No. 3, a large crowd had gathered, not
+only from the various mines, but also from neighboring mining camps,
+all anxiously awaiting the return of the rescue party.
+
+At last they appeared. The first to emerge into daylight, was Ned
+Rutherford, bearing in his arms the crushed and mutilated form of
+little Bull-dog. Behind him came Houston, partially supported by one
+of the young miners and by Lyle, his left arm hanging at his side, his
+face deathly white beneath the blood and grime, but firm and dauntless
+as ever. As he stepped forth into the light, a wild cheer rose on the
+air, but Houston, raising his right hand with a deprecatory motion,
+silently pointed backward toward the tunnel, where, slowly emerging
+into view of the crowd, were Morton Rutherford and Mike, carrying,
+with the assistance of the other miner, the bleeding and unconscious
+form of Jack.
+
+The cheers were hushed, and the crowd silently surged about Houston
+and the two motionless, unconscious forms laid side by side upon the
+ground, their heads pillowed upon the rough jackets of the men, folded
+and tenderly placed beneath them by the hands of Lyle and Leslie, the
+latter half fainting with excitement.
+
+The men crowding about Houston congratulated him with a hearty
+hand-clasp, unaccompanied by words, except for an occasional inquiry
+as to his own condition.
+
+"I am all right," he said in reply to the latter, "my arm is nothing,
+the merest trifle; my only thought is for the two lives which I fear
+have been sacrificed for mine."
+
+Anxiously he bent above the prostrate forms. Jack's head was
+frightfully gashed, and his heavy, labored breathing indicated that
+his brain was already affected. Houston spoke a word to Morton
+Rutherford, who quickly withdrew, and taking the swiftest horse in
+camp, was soon speeding down the road to the Y, in a second race
+against death.
+
+Houston next knelt beside Bull-dog; a faint fluttering about the heart
+was the only sign of life. The little waif was well known among the
+mining camps of that vicinity, and there were few dry eyes in the
+crowd as Houston told the story of his heroism.
+
+Houston saw the end was very near, and gently slipped his right arm
+under Bull-dog's head. Slowly the little fellow opened his eyes,
+looking, with a happy smile, into the face bending so tenderly over
+him. At that instant, the sun, bursting through the clouds, threw a
+ray of golden light in shining benediction across the little white
+face. His eyes brightened still more; "We're safe!" he whispered
+joyously. There was a slight quiver, and the little form was still.
+
+The sun, shining as brightly and serenely as though storms were
+unknown, looked down into that beautiful canyon upon a strange scene
+of ruin, desolation and death. Amid the wreck and debris of the
+explosions, lay the little hero who had saved so many lives that day,
+upon his face a child-like smile which it had never worn in life;
+while farther on down the canyon, beside the smoking embers of the
+milling plant, lay the one whose signal had wrought all this
+destruction. The men, rushing into the burning mills, had found the
+electrical apparatus in ruins, as though torn to pieces by giant
+hands, and beside it upon the floor lay Haight, a ghastly sight, his
+face blackened and distorted, his right arm and side seared and
+shriveled, by the mighty servant who had suddenly burst its fetters.
+
+Slowly and tenderly Jack was borne to the house, and laid in the room
+which had been Houston's, which Lyle had made ready for him with
+loving care, her tears falling fast as she recalled his farewell of
+the preceding night. To the house came also his two faithful friends,
+Mike and Rex, for the little cabin was no more, Jack had indeed spent
+his last night beneath its roof, though the succeeding night, to which
+he had looked forward, was far different from his anticipations.
+
+Days afterward, his gripsack, packed with such care on that last night
+in the cabin, was found by Houston concealed among the rocks, where
+Jack had hidden it on the morning of that eventful day, intending,
+when his work was done, to set forth upon his wandering life once
+more.
+
+Morton Rutherford, on arriving at the Y, had sent the following cipher
+dispatch to Van Dorn:
+
+  "Come out on special at once. The mines have been fired by
+  telegraphic orders from Silver City office. Everard badly cut and
+  arm broken, but not seriously injured. Jack but just alive. Bring
+  surgeons and nurse as quickly as possible."
+
+Having sent this message, and finding there was a very good physician
+at the Y, he sent him at once to the camp, to remain there until the
+surgeons should arrive, doing meantime all in his power to relieve the
+sufferers. Then giving orders for one of the company's men to take his
+horse, and replace it with a fresh one, Morton returned to the station
+to await Van Dorn's reply.
+
+At the house, Jack was being cared for by Mike and one of the older
+miners, who had had considerable experience in nursing, Houston doing
+everything which his crippled condition and the intense pain he was
+suffering, would permit.
+
+On the arrival of the physician from the Y, he first visited Jack, and
+leaving directions to be carried out for his temporary relief, next
+attended to the setting of Houston's arm and the dressing of his
+wounds. The operation required some time, but at last it was
+completed, and Houston returned to Jack's room.
+
+The room had been darkened, and in accordance with the physician's
+directions, Jack's beard had been shaven and his hair closely cut, to
+relieve his head as much as possible. His breathing was more natural,
+but he lay quiet and motionless as before.
+
+As Houston approached the bed in the dim light, he scarcely recognized
+his friend, so great was the change in his appearance, but as he drew
+nearer, he started visibly. Something in the smooth face and closely
+clipped head seemed wonderfully familiar, and carried him back to the
+days when he had first entered his uncle's home. Bending over him for
+an instant, he scanned the features more closely. It was enough! The
+face with its patrician features carved in such perfect beauty, though
+lined by sorrow, was the face of his cousin,--his boyish hero and
+ideal.
+
+With a quick, dry sob, Houston turned from the bedside, more deeply
+moved than any of his associates had ever seen him.
+
+"Great God!" he exclaimed, in low tones, "it is Guy Cameron! my cousin
+Guy!" and bending over the unconscious form once more, while the great
+tears coursed slowly down his face, he murmured:
+
+"Guy, dear old fellow, and you have known me all this time! God grant
+this has not come too late!"
+
+With a low cry, Lyle had sprung to Houston's side, while Leslie and
+Ned Rutherford followed, and the others looked on in mute wonder and
+astonishment. Her quick ear had caught the name.
+
+"What name did you say?" she cried eagerly, "Did you say Guy Cameron?
+Is Jack--my Jack--is he my mother's brother?"
+
+Houston bowed in assent, he could not speak.
+
+"Oh," moaned Lyle, "no wonder that he loved us so! and we have not
+loved him half enough!" and dropping on her knees beside the bed,
+sobbing bitterly, she seized the hand, nearly as white as the sheet
+upon which it lay, and covered it with passionate kisses.
+
+A few moments later, Morton Rutherford entered the room; Lyle was
+still kneeling by the bedside; beside her was Leslie, quietly weeping.
+Ned's eyes were suspiciously red, while in one corner, honest-hearted
+Mike was vainly trying to check his fast-flowing tears upon the
+sleeves of his blouse. Morton looked quickly toward the strangely
+altered face upon the pillows, and was struck by its wondrous beauty.
+
+Glancing inquiringly at Houston, as he advanced to meet him, he asked
+anxiously:
+
+"Is he worse?"
+
+"No, there is no change yet, one way or another," Houston replied in
+low tones, and continued, "Morton, we were speaking last night, at the
+cabin, of my uncle's son,--my cousin, Guy Cameron."
+
+"Yes, I remember."
+
+"He is found," Houston's voice trembled, and he could say no more, but
+Morton understood. He gazed with new and tearful interest upon the
+beautiful face in its death-like calm; then beckoning to Houston, he
+said, as they passed from the room:
+
+"Ah, you have at last found the key to the wondrous bond between you,
+and to his self-sacrificing love toward you and yours."
+
+For a few moments they recalled certain incidents in their acquaintance
+with the silent, yet gentle and courteous occupant of the little
+cabin, and much that had seemed mysterious was now clear and plain in
+the light of this recent revelation.
+
+At last Morton said; "I must hasten back to the Y," at the same time
+handing his friend the telegram received from Van Dorn:
+
+  "Leave in half an hour on special, with surgeons and nurse.
+  Whitney and Lindlay remain here to attend to business. Warrants
+  for arrests have been issued."
+
+"That is good," said Houston, with a sigh of relief, "They are already
+on their way. And now, my dear Morton, I have one other commission for
+you, if you are willing to perform it."
+
+"You know I am at your service," Morton replied.
+
+"My aunt, whose faith and love have watched and waited for her son's
+return during all these years, must be brought here as quickly as
+possible. I am not in very good condition for travel, and do not feel
+that I can leave Guy. I know I can trust her in your care, you will be
+to her as a son, and such she will regard you when she knows all, and
+I commission you in my name to meet her and bring her out here."
+
+"That I will very gladly do, my dear Everard, and at once; there must
+be no delay. By going out this evening, I will be able to take the
+early train east from Silver City: the special arrives at 6:10, the
+six o'clock train being held at the Y, until after its arrival. I will
+return to the Y, meet Mr. Cameron and have a word with him, and go
+directly on to Silver City on the regular train."
+
+Thirty minutes later, having hastily packed a small grip, and taken a
+tender farewell of Lyle, who knew his errand, and with tearful eyes
+bade him "God-speed," Morton Rutherford left the house, accompanied by
+Ned, who was to return with Mr. Cameron and Van Dorn.
+
+The sun was slowly sinking behind the crests of the mountains,
+flooding the surrounding peaks with glory, when a wagon drawn by four
+panting, foaming horses, drew up before the house.
+
+From the front seat beside the driver, Ned Rutherford and Van
+Dorn sprang hastily to the ground, turning quickly to assist a
+fine-looking, elderly gentleman, with iron-gray hair and beard,
+whose dark, piercing eyes bore a strong resemblance to those of
+both Houston and Jack. He needed little assistance, however, and
+having alighted, turned with firm step and erect bearing, but
+with an expression of deep anxiety, toward the house, followed by
+the two young men, and by three strangers.
+
+At that instant Houston appeared within the little porch, his left arm
+in a sling, his face pale and haggard, though with a grave smile of
+affectionate welcome.
+
+Even in that brief instant, Mr. Cameron could not but observe the
+change which those few short months had wrought in the face of Everard
+Houston, the high-born son of wealth and culture, the pet of society;
+it had matured wonderfully; alert and keen, yet grave and thoughtful,
+he looked as though he had found a deeper and broader meaning to life
+than he had ever dreamed of in his luxurious eastern home.
+
+"My boy!" exclaimed Mr. Cameron, hastening toward him, "are you sure
+you have escaped without serious injury?"
+
+"Quite sure," Houston replied, limping slightly, as he advanced to
+meet his uncle, "my arm was hurt, and I am somewhat scratched and
+bruised and a little weak, but otherwise, sound as ever."
+
+"Thank God for that! I don't mind the loss of the property if you are
+safe; all the way out here, my boy, I have been reproaching myself for
+ever allowing you to come out to this country."
+
+"My dear uncle," Houston replied, with peculiar emphasis, "I think you
+will soon find you have reason to be very glad and grateful that I
+came."
+
+Mr. Cameron introduced the two surgeons and the nurse; "I feared," he
+said, "from your sending for these gentlemen that you might be hurt
+far more seriously than I knew."
+
+"No," said Houston, "but the one who has nearly sacrificed his own
+life in helping to save mine, needs their best skill, and I sent for
+them on his account."
+
+"That was right," replied Mr. Cameron, "all that money can do shall be
+done for him," while one of the surgeons said, "We will see our
+patient at once, Mr. Houston, if you please."
+
+"You will see him very soon," Houston replied with grave courtesy,
+"but there are reasons why my uncle must first see him, and alone."
+
+Mr. Cameron looked surprised, but silently followed Houston into the
+room which had been occupied by the two brothers, but which was now
+prepared for him. Then observing something peculiar in Houston's
+manner as he closed the door, he asked:
+
+"What is it, my boy?"
+
+"Pardon me, if I seem abrupt, uncle," Houston answered, "but every
+moment is precious in saving a life unspeakably dear to each of us."
+
+Mr. Cameron looked startled; Houston continued:
+
+"You have been like a father to me all these years, and I have felt
+toward you as a son, but to-day I have the joy of bringing you to the
+one, who holds in your heart, and always will hold, precedence even
+over myself."
+
+"Everard, my boy!" exclaimed Mr. Cameron, in tones vibrating with
+suppressed emotion, "what is it? Speak quickly, do not keep me in
+suspense,"
+
+"My dear uncle," said Houston very tenderly, "the lost is found."
+
+Mr. Cameron sank, nearly overcome, into the nearest chair, while his
+face grew deathly white.
+
+"Guy?" he gasped, looking upward at Houston.
+
+"Yes," said the latter brokenly.
+
+The strong man covered his face with his hands, while his powerful
+frame shook with emotion.
+
+Houston, when he was able to speak, told him, very briefly, of his
+meeting with Jack, of their association, and the strange bond of
+sympathy and affection between them, of Jack's devotion, and how at
+last, he had been enabled to recognize him.
+
+Controlling himself with a mighty effort, Mr. Cameron rose, saying:
+
+"Take me to him."
+
+Opening the door connecting the two rooms, Houston signaled to those
+within to leave the room, then led the father into the presence of the
+son whom he had so long mourned as dead.
+
+Mr. Cameron walked to the bedside, and looked long and earnestly upon
+the white face, drawn with pain, but still beautiful, and bearing to a
+great extent, the imprint of his own features; then as he tenderly
+clasped the hand lying upon the sheet, he murmured brokenly, between
+great, tearless sobs:
+
+"It is he, my boy, my son! Thank God, it is not too late!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVII.
+
+
+There was a long consultation between the physicians and surgeons
+following a careful and thorough examination of their patient, before
+the rendering of their decision.
+
+He had received various injuries of a serious character, but the
+injury to the head was far the most dangerous of all. There was a
+possibility that with the most careful nursing and the most skillful
+medical aid, he might live, but his recovery was exceedingly
+doubtful,--one chance out of a hundred.
+
+"Do your best," was Mr. Cameron's reply to this decision, "do your
+best, regardless of cost; if you wish counsel, have it; send out
+another nurse, the best you can secure, to relieve this one, and I
+wish one or the other of you gentlemen to remain here constantly, we
+must not be left without a physician. I may as well inform you now,"
+Mr. Cameron added, with great dignity, in conclusion, "that your
+patient is my son."
+
+Astonishment was depicted upon the faces of the physicians, but Mr.
+Cameron continued:
+
+"For some months my nephew has been out here incognito, engaged in
+unearthing the dishonest schemes and plots of the mining company who
+constituted our western agents, and I have just discovered that he was
+aided in this work by my son, who, unknown to me, was out here in
+disguise, working with the same end in view. You will, of course,
+understand, gentlemen, that money is no object; do everything within
+your power, and you shall be abundantly compensated."
+
+Thus it was arranged that one or two physicians were constantly at the
+house, and when these returned to Silver City for a few hours, others
+took their places.
+
+A competent cook and housekeeper were also sent out from Silver City,
+as the excitement resulting from the terrible events of that day,
+together with her husband's connection therewith, which had in some
+way become generally known, proved too much for the feeble strength of
+Mrs. Maverick, and she was prostrated by the shock.
+
+Minty, terror-stricken by the results which she believed had followed
+her report to Haight, and by his fearful fate, in a fit of hysteria,
+confessed the share she had taken in the plot, and was summarily
+dismissed.
+
+After the coming of Mr. Cameron with the surgeons and nurse, Lyle and
+Leslie had withdrawn from the sick-room, and busied themselves in
+caring for Mrs. Maverick, and in superintendence of the necessary
+work; Van Dorn, whose astonishment at the revelations of the last two
+days was beyond expression, keeping them informed of the condition of
+the sufferer. Lyle was pale with excitement, but calmly and bravely
+took her place as head of the strangely assorted household, her heart
+throbbing wildly as she anticipated the meeting with Mr. Cameron.
+
+Within the sick-room the soft, gray twilight had deepened into
+darkness. At one side of the bed sat the nurse, his fingers upon the
+pulse of the patient, while he listened attentively to his breathing,
+now becoming irregular, and broken by low moans and occasional
+mutterings. On the other side sat Mr. Cameron, his head bowed upon his
+hands, his mind going back to the years of Guy's childhood and youth.
+How vividly he recalled many little incidents, seemingly trivial when
+they occurred, but carefully treasured among the most precious
+memories in the long, sad years that followed! With the memory of his
+son, his heart's pride and joy, came also that of the beautiful
+daughter, with her golden hair and starry eyes, the light of their
+home in those happy days.
+
+Mr. Cameron seemed lost in thought, but in reality, while thus
+reviewing the past, his mind was keenly conscious of the present. In
+one corner sat the faithful Mike, while at his feet lay the equally
+faithful Rex, who could be neither coaxed nor driven from the room,
+but remained quietly watching his master's face, an almost human love
+and sorrow looking out of his eyes, as he answered the occasional
+moans with a low, piteous whine.
+
+In another corner Everard talked in low tones with the two physicians
+who were to remain that night, Mr. Cameron taking cognizance, in the
+midst of his own sorrowful thoughts, of every word.
+
+At length some one called for a light, and a moment later, Mr. Cameron
+was conscious of a light step crossing the room, and of a lamp being
+placed on the table near the physicians, though none of its rays fell
+in the direction of the sufferer. Lifting his head, he saw the lamp
+with a screen so attached as to throw a shade over almost the entire
+room, leaving only a small portion lighted; but within that brightly
+illumined portion he had a glimpse, for an instant, of a face, which
+with its radiant eyes and its shining aureole of golden hair, was so
+nearly a counterpart of the one but just recalled so vividly to his
+mind, that it seemed a living reproduction of the same. Only a
+glimpse, for as he started, wondering if it could be a figment of his
+own imagination, the face suddenly vanished into the shadow, and the
+figure glided from the room. Still it haunted him; could there have
+been a real resemblance? or was it only a hallucination of his own?
+
+About an hour later, Houston, who had observed his uncle's involuntary
+start of surprise on seeing Lyle, and who was anxious that he should
+learn the truth as early as possible, slipping his arm within that of
+his uncle's, led him out upon the porch, where they lighted their
+cigars, smoking for a few moments in silence, then talking together in
+low tones of the one so dear to each of them, while Houston related
+the details of his first meeting and early acquaintance with the
+miner, Jack.
+
+"Even if Guy cannot recover," said Mr. Cameron, in tremulous tones,
+when Houston had finished, "Yet if he lives long enough to see and
+recognize his mother and myself, and realize our feeling for him--even
+then, I shall be more than repaid for your coming out here,--though
+all else were lost."
+
+"Indeed you would," responded Houston, "but I cannot help feeling that
+Guy's life will be spared, that he will live to bless your future
+years. But my dear uncle," he continued, very slowly, "although you
+are yet unaware of it, you have nearly as much, if not an equal cause
+for joy in another direction."
+
+"I do not understand you, Everard; you surely do not allude to the
+property?"
+
+"No, very far from that; did you notice the young girl who came into
+Guy's room to-night?"
+
+"To bring the light?"
+
+"The same."
+
+"Yes, and I intended to inquire of you concerning her. Her face
+impressed me strangely; I cannot tell whether it was a fact or my own
+imagination, but I had been thinking of the children,--Guy and his
+sister,--as they were years ago, and it seemed to me that her face, as
+I saw it for an instant, was almost an exact counterpart of my own
+Edna's, as she used to look, even to the hair and eyes which were very
+peculiar."
+
+"It was no imagination on your part, the resemblance is very marked,
+not only in face, but in voice and manner as well."
+
+"How do you account for it?" asked Mr. Cameron quickly, "Who is she?"
+
+"She is the one who, of all the world, would have the best right to
+resemble your daughter," replied Houston; then, in answer to Mr.
+Cameron's look of perplexed inquiry, he continued:
+
+"Pardon me, uncle, for any painful allusion, but at the time of my
+cousin's death, I believe you had no direct proof as to the fate of
+her child?"
+
+"No absolute proof, of course," replied Mr. Cameron, "only the
+testimony of those who identified the mother, that there was no child
+with her, and no child among any of those saved answering to the
+description given, from which we naturally supposed the little one to
+have been killed outright. Why, Everard," he exclaimed, as a new
+thought occurred to him, "you certainly do not think this Edna's
+child, do you?"
+
+"Why might it not be possible?" inquired Houston, wishing to lead his
+uncle gradually up to the truth.
+
+"Is this her home?" asked Mr. Cameron in turn.
+
+"Yes," said Houston, "this has been her home, I believe, for the last
+ten years."
+
+"If the supposition mentioned a moment ago were correct, how would she
+be here, amid such surroundings?"
+
+"Do you know the man who runs this house?" Houston asked.
+
+"A man by the name of Maverick had charge of it when I was out here
+years ago; I do not know whether he is still here."
+
+"He is; do you know him? Did you ever have any business with him
+personally?"
+
+"Yes, I had him in my employ years ago, in the east, and was obliged
+to discharge him for dishonesty."
+
+"Thereby incurring his life-long hatred and enmity, so that years
+afterward, he sought to wreak his revenge upon you by stealing from
+the wrecked train, where your daughter lost her life, the little
+child who would otherwise have been your solace in that time of
+bereavement."
+
+"Everard!" exclaimed Mr. Cameron, "are you sure you are correct? What
+proof have you of this?"
+
+"The proofs were not discovered until recently," Houston replied,
+"although we knew that they existed, but now this girl has found a
+letter from Maverick's wife confessing the whole crime, and stating
+that it was committed through a spirit of revenge; and she also has in
+her possession the articles of clothing she wore at the time she was
+stolen, together with a locket containing her mother's picture and her
+own name,--Marjorie Lyle Washburn."
+
+"That is enough," said Mr. Cameron briefly, "let me see her,
+Everard."
+
+Houston stepped within the house, reappearing a few moments later,
+with Lyle. Very beautiful she looked as she came forward in the soft
+radiance of the moonlight, a child-like confidence shining in the
+lovely eyes.
+
+Mr. Cameron rose to meet her, and taking both her hands within his
+own, he stood for an instant, gazing into the beautiful face.
+
+"My dear child, my own Edna!" he said in broken tones, folding her
+closely within his arms, "Thank God for another child restored to us
+from the dead!"
+
+Houston returned to the sick-room, leaving Mr. Cameron and Lyle in
+their new-found joy. Lyle told him briefly the story of her life, his
+eyes growing stern with indignation as he listened to the wrongs she
+had endured, then luminous with tenderness, as she told of Jack's
+affectionate care for her.
+
+"Call me 'papa' my child, as you used to in the days of your
+babyhood," he said, kissing her, as they rose to return to Guy's room,
+"you never even then, would call Mrs. Cameron or myself anything but
+'mamma' and 'papa,' and now you shall be as our own child!"
+
+Together they watched beside the sick-bed until the morning sun
+touched the mountain peaks with glory, but there came no relief to the
+sufferer, now moaning and tossing in delirium.
+
+Eastward, across the mountain ranges, Morton Rutherford was speeding
+swiftly, scarcely heeding in his sorrow and anxiety, the grandeur and
+beauty through which he was passing; while from Chicago, the
+sweet-faced mother was hastening westward, all unconscious that she
+was being swiftly and surely borne to the answer of her prayers,--that
+in that distant western country to which she was journeying, her son
+lay calling her in his fever and delirium.
+
+She had started in response to a dispatch from Morton Rutherford, at
+Silver City:
+
+  "Mr. Cameron and Everard Houston safe and well, but wish you to
+  come out immediately. Wire where I will meet you in St. Paul. Will
+  explain when I see you.
+
+                                                "Morton Rutherford."
+
+The mining camp that morning, presented a strange scene of idleness
+and desolation. Many of the mines were in ruins, while the remainder
+were shut down.
+
+They would remain shut down for an indefinite period, Houston told the
+men who had gathered about the house for information. The officers of
+the company, he further stated, had been arrested and their property
+would soon be seized, hence it would be impossible to state when the
+mines would be reopened. It was probable that with the next spring, an
+entirely new corporation would be organized, and the mining and
+milling plant rebuilt, and operated on a much more extensive scale
+than before; and should this be the case, he would then and there
+vouch that those of his men who had proven themselves trustworthy and
+honorable, would be certain of work, should they desire it, in the
+newly opened mines.
+
+The men knew of Jack's condition, and while not a sound was made that
+would disturb the sufferer, the better class swung their hats high in
+the air, in token of applause, and then walked silently away.
+
+It was found in the succeeding days that several miners had lost their
+lives in the explosions of the Yankee Boy mine; a few were so far
+underground that their doom was inevitable, while others, whom Houston
+had warned, instead of following his instructions, had endeavored to
+escape through the shafts, and had discovered too late that they had
+only rushed on to certain death.
+
+Maverick, the tool by which all this destruction had been wrought,
+after his deadly work was done, overcome by his wretched cowardice,
+remained concealed until a late hour; then creeping from his hiding
+place to gloat over the havoc and ruin he had wrought, he suddenly found
+his triumph was short. Under the shelter of a few boards, temporarily
+erected, he found the ghastly remains of his companion and director in
+crime. Shivering and trembling with fear, he crept up the road till
+within sight of the house, arriving just in time to see Houston,--whom
+he supposed crushed and buried within the mine,--presenting Lyle to Mr.
+Cameron. He lingered long enough to see her clasped in his arms, then
+skulked back into the shadow, retreating down the road, gnashing his
+teeth with rage and disappointment. The following day search was made
+for him, under instructions from Mr. Cameron and Houston, who
+offered a large reward for him, living or dead. His body was found in
+an old, abandoned shaft on the mountain side, riddled with bullets.
+The vengeance of the miners, desperate from the loss of homes and
+employment, had overtaken him first. He was buried hastily and with
+little ceremony, his two sons having already taken themselves to parts
+unknown, fearful lest the penalty of their father's crimes might be
+inflicted upon them, and his fate become theirs also. A day or two
+later, Mrs. Maverick, who had been prostrated by the shock of the
+explosions and the succeeding events, died from a sudden paralysis,
+her feeble mind having first been cheered and soothed by the
+assurance from Mr. Cameron of his forgiveness for the small share
+which she had taken in the withholding Lyle from her true friends and
+home. She was given a decent burial in the miners' little cemetery
+at the Y, and the house which for so many years had been called by
+their name, knew the Mavericks no more.
+
+Kind hands laid little Bull-dog under the murmuring pines on the
+mountain side, near Morgan's last resting place, but in the hearts, of
+Houston and his friends, his memory could never grow dim.
+
+The small community of miners suddenly vanished, the deserted
+quarters, with their blackened ruins, seeming little like the busy
+camp of but a few days before, resounding with their songs and jests.
+
+Only in the house nestling at the foot of the mountain there were no
+signs of desertion. It was crowded to overflowing, and within its
+walls, during those next succeeding days, what combats were waged,
+between hope and fear, joy and despair, life and death!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLVIII.
+
+
+Five days had passed, days of raging fever and delirium so violent
+that already the powerful frame seemed nearly exhausted; the sufferer
+calling almost incessantly for the loved ones of his old home, but
+oftenest for his mother. Some faint glimmer of recognition must
+occasionally have reached those darkened chambers of the brain, since
+when attended by Mr. Cameron, Houston or Lyle, he rested more quietly,
+though never calling Lyle by her own name, but always by that of his
+sister, Edna.
+
+The fever had subsided, and he was now rapidly passing into a
+death-like stupor, hovering between life and death, unconscious of
+skilled physicians and trained nurses that came and went, unconscious
+of loving friends bending above him, their prayers and efforts
+combined with the skill of the former, in the terrible combat against
+the mighty foe.
+
+The physicians watching by the bedside, shook their heads, as they
+felt the pulse, fluttering more and more faintly.
+
+"He is sinking, failing rapidly," they said, "to-night will be the
+crisis, the turning point; unless there is a change then for the
+better, he will never see the dawning of another day."
+
+To Mrs. Cameron, journeying westward with Morton Rutherford, the
+moments had seemed like hours, the hours like days, since learning for
+whose sake had come the summons to that distant country. Only the
+speed of the lightning could have satisfied the heart of the mother
+hastening to her long-lost son.
+
+They had been kept informed along the route of Guy's condition, and
+now, upon their arrival at Silver City, on the noon train, they found
+a special car awaiting them, to convey them at once to the Y, which
+had been ordered by telegraphic dispatch from Mr. Cameron.
+
+The watchers by the bedside heard the sound of swiftly approaching
+wheels; Mr. Cameron and Houston stepped quickly out to greet the
+sweet-faced woman hastening toward the house on the arm of Morton
+Rutherford.
+
+"Am I in time? Is our boy still living?" were her first words, as her
+husband met her with outstretched arms, his face working with deep
+emotion.
+
+"Just in time, thank God!" was the broken reply.
+
+"Oh, Walter, is there no hope?" she queried, understanding his words
+only too well.
+
+"I must not deceive you, Marjorie, there is the barest possibility
+that he may live, no more."
+
+"He must live, and he will," replied the mother, in tones that
+reminded both Houston and Morton Rutherford wonderfully of Lyle.
+
+Turning toward Houston, Mrs. Cameron greeted him affectionately, and
+gently touching the wounded arm, exclaimed:
+
+"My poor, dear boy, what a terrible risk you have run!"
+
+To which he replied, "I would go through it all again, Aunt Marjorie,
+for the joy I believe it will bring you and yours."
+
+A few moments later, Mr. Cameron led his wife into the sick-room. Lyle
+had already left the room, and there remained only Leslie Gladden,
+sitting quietly near the foot of the bed, and the nurse, who
+respectfully withdrew from his place beside the patient, as Mrs.
+Cameron approached.
+
+Calmly, though through fast-falling tears, the mother gazed for a
+moment upon her son; then dropping upon her knees beside the bed, she
+slipped one arm underneath the pillows, and gently drew the wounded
+head upon her own breast, tenderly kissing the brow and cheeks; then
+taking his hand within her own, she stroked and caressed it,
+meanwhile crooning over him in low, murmuring tones, as though he had
+been an infant.
+
+There were no dry eyes in that little room, not excepting even the
+nurse, while from the door-way of the adjoining room, Morton
+Rutherford, Lyle and Everard Houston watched the scene with hearts too
+full for utterance. Something in that gentle touch must have carried
+the troubled mind of the sufferer back to the days of his childhood;
+gradually the faint moaning ceased, the drawn, tense features relaxed,
+and a sweet, child-like smile stole over his face now assuming a
+death-like pallor.
+
+For hours the mother knelt there, her husband by her side, Everard and
+Leslie standing near, while in the background, in the dim light, was
+Lyle with Morton Rutherford.
+
+At last, Mr. Cameron, bending over his wife, entreated her to take a
+few moments' rest and a little food. She hesitated, but Everard
+spoke:
+
+"You must take some refreshment, Aunt Marjorie, you have had no food
+for hours; Leslie and I will watch here, and if there should be the
+slightest change, I will call you."
+
+At the name of Leslie, Mrs. Cameron looked up, with a sweet, motherly
+smile, into the beautiful but tear-stained face beside her, and gently
+withdrawing from the bedside, she turned and clasped Miss Gladden in
+her arms, saying:
+
+"My dear Leslie, I did not think we would meet for the first time
+under such circumstances as these, but I am more than glad to find you
+here. Everard has always been, and still is as our own son, and I
+welcome you, my dear, as a daughter."
+
+On entering the dining-room, Mr. and Mrs. Cameron found a most
+tempting luncheon prepared for them, but no one in the room, Lyle
+having judged they would prefer to be by themselves for awhile.
+
+As Mrs. Cameron, having partaken of some slight refreshment, was
+preparing to return to the sick-room, her husband said:
+
+"Wait a moment, my dear; there is another joy in store for you,
+Marjorie, in that, through Everard's coming out into this country, we
+have received back from the dead, as it were, not only our son, but
+also a daughter. I want you to meet her now, my dear, so prepare
+yourself for a great surprise, and perhaps, something of a shock."
+
+"I do not understand you, dear," replied Mrs. Cameron, looking
+bewildered, "you certainly do not refer to Leslie, I have met her."
+
+"No, my love, Leslie is a beautiful girl, and will be to us a lovely
+daughter, but I refer to a daughter of our own flesh and blood."
+
+Stepping to an adjoining room, Mr. Cameron called in a low tone,
+"Lyle, my dear," returning immediately to his wife's side to support
+her in case the shock should prove too much in her present agitated
+condition.
+
+Lyle glided into the room, slowly approaching Mrs. Cameron, who sat
+speechless, pale as death, but controlling herself by a visible
+effort.
+
+"Edna, my child! my own Edna!" she cried, rising with outstretched
+arms, and clasping Lyle to her breast; then turning toward her
+husband, she asked:
+
+"What does this mean, Walter? Can this be Edna's child?"
+
+"Yes, my love," he replied, "this is the little Marjorie we have
+mourned as dead for so many years."
+
+For a while they sat clasped in each other's arms, their tears
+commingling, while Mr. Cameron briefly explained to his wife the main
+facts in Lyle's strange history.
+
+"She shall be our own daughter, shall she not, Walter? She shall be to
+us just what Edna was?"
+
+"Certainly," was the response, "she is our own daughter, Marjorie Lyle
+Cameron."
+
+They returned to Guy's room, Mrs. Cameron resuming her old place, with
+Guy's head upon her breast, his hand in hers, only that now Lyle knelt
+beside her. At their side, and very near his son, was Mr. Cameron,
+while just back of them were Everard, Leslie and Morton Rutherford.
+Ned Rutherford and Van Dorn lingered in the door-way watching, while
+at the foot of the bed stood Mike, the tears coursing down his rugged
+face. On the other side of the bed stood the physicians and nurse,
+their keen eyes watching the subtle changes passing over the face, now
+white as marble, and almost as motionless.
+
+Fainter and shorter grew the gasping breaths, more and more feeble the
+pulse, until at last it was evident to every one within that little
+room, that life had very nearly ebbed away.
+
+But there was one who did not, for one instant, lose faith or hope.
+The sublime faith which had upheld her through all those years of a
+sorrow greater than death, did not desert her now. Lyle seemed to
+share her faith, and they alone remained calm and tearless, the
+saint-like face of the mother shining with love and trust.
+
+Suddenly, upon that death-like stillness, her voice rang out, with
+startling clearness:
+
+"Guy! oh, Guy, my darling!"
+
+And to that soul, slipping through the fast-darkening shadows, almost
+within the grasp of the great enemy, there seemed to have come some
+echo of those tones, with their piercing sweetness, recalling him to
+life; for, with a long, quivering breath, Guy slowly opened his eyes,
+gazing, for an instant, with a dreamy smile, upon the faces
+surrounding him. His eyes closed with a gentle sigh, but while those
+about him anxiously awaited the next breath, they again opened, full
+of the light of recognition, while a rapturous smile grew and deepened
+upon his face, irradiating his features with joy, his lips moving in a
+whisper so faint that only the mother's ear could catch the words:
+
+"I thought--it was--all--a dream,--but--it--is true," then, exhausted,
+he sank into a deep sleep like a child's, his breathing growing more
+and more regular and natural, moment by moment.
+
+The physicians withdrew from the bedside, their vigil was over; "He
+will live," they said briefly, while in response, there rose from all
+parts of the room, deep sobs of joy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIX.
+
+
+For the first week or two, Guy Cameron's recovery was slow, but at the
+expiration of that time his vigorous constitution reasserted itself,
+and he gained rapidly.
+
+Meanwhile, at Silver City, affairs were progressing under the
+efficient management of Mr. Whitney, the clear-headed attorney from
+New York.
+
+When orders for arrest were first issued, it was soon discovered that
+the office of the North Western Mining, Land & Investment Company was
+practically deserted. None of their books or papers were to be found,
+their clerks had been dismissed, and no trace existed of the officers
+of the company. No information regarding their whereabouts could be
+obtained from any of the officers of the several high-titled companies
+occupying the same room, as they were supremely and serenely
+unconscious that anything out of the usual order had occurred, and
+full of regrets that they were unable to furnish the desired
+information.
+
+Blaisdell was discovered the following day, in company with his eldest
+son, in an old abandoned mine about two miles from town, which he
+claimed they were working, his limited means not allowing him to
+wander far from the scene of his crimes. He was brought back to town
+and held pending the discovery of Wilson and Rivers, for whom
+detectives were searching in every direction. The former was never
+found, but at the end of about two weeks, the latter was run to earth
+in an eastern city, where he was masquerading in snow-white wig and
+beard and colored eye-glasses, as a retired and invalid clergyman,
+living in great seclusion.
+
+Blaisdell and Rivers were tried on the charge of murder, the most
+important witnesses for the prosecution being Everard Houston and
+Morton Rutherford; the latter testifying as to the nature of the final
+and fatal dispatch sent on that eventful day, in which he was
+corroborated by the telegraph operator of the Silver City office, who
+had been found and secured as a witness, and who verified Rutherford's
+statements regarding the message, but at the same time cleared Mr.
+Blaisdell from all connection therewith; the message having been sent
+by Rivers in Blaisdell's absence, whether with his knowledge and
+consent, they were unable to ascertain. The charge against Blaisdell
+was therefore dismissed through lack of evidence, while in Rivers'
+case, a verdict was returned for manslaughter, and he was given the
+extreme limit of the law, imprisonment for ten years.
+
+Blaisdell was then speedily arraigned for a new trial on the charge of
+embezzlement, the date on which his case was set for hearing being the
+same as that upon which his partner in crime was to be transferred to
+the state penitentiary.
+
+On that morning, however, the guard on going to the cell occupied by
+Rivers, found him just expiring, having succeeded in smuggling into
+his cell a quantity of morphine, how or when, no one could ascertain.
+He left a letter in which he stated that no state penitentiary had
+ever held him, or ever would, but that "as the game was up" he would
+give them a few particulars regarding his past life. He gave his true
+name, the name of a man who, twenty-five years before, had been wanted
+in the state of New York for a heavy bank robbery and murder. For
+years, under an alias, he had belonged to a gang of counterfeiters in
+Missouri, but upon the discovery and arrest of the leaders of the
+band, he had assumed his present alias and had come west.
+
+As Blaisdell took his place that morning in the prisoner's box, he was
+a pitiable object. Haunted almost to madness by the awful fate of his
+associate, confronted by an overwhelming array of evidence, furnished
+by Houston, Van Dorn and Lindlay, including also a deposition of Guy
+Cameron's, taken in his sick-room, his own abject and hopeless
+appearance bore the most damaging testimony against him. His case was
+quickly decided, his sentence being for seven years.
+
+After the trial, Morton Rutherford and Van Dorn returned at once to
+the camp, and a day or two later, when business affairs had at last
+been satisfactorily adjusted, Mr. Cameron and Houston returned,
+bringing with them Mr. Whitney and Lindlay, for a visit of a week
+among the mountains, before the entire party should return east.
+
+It was now early in the fall. Already the nights were frosty, but the
+days were royal as only early autumnal days among the mountains can
+be. Every breath was exhilarating, each inhalation seeming laden with
+some subtle elixir of life.
+
+Guy Cameron was now convalescent, able to sit with his friends in the
+low, rustic porch, or even to join them in short strolls among the
+rocks by the lake.
+
+One afternoon they all sat in and about the porch, in the soft, hazy
+sunlight, the vines and shrubbery about them brilliant in their
+autumnal tints of crimson and orange and gold. The group was complete,
+with the exception of Mr. Cameron and Mr. Whitney, who still lingered
+within doors, engaged in drawing up some papers of which no one seemed
+to understand the import, excepting Houston, who had just left the
+gentlemen to join the group outside.
+
+It was a strikingly beautiful picture; Mrs. Cameron seated in
+the center, with her sweet face and snow-white hair, and on either
+side a lovely daughter. Near Lyle were seated Guy Cameron and
+Morton Rutherford,--between whom there already existed a deep
+affinity,---with their faces of remarkable strength and beauty.
+On the grass, just outside the porch, in various easy attitudes,
+were Ned Rutherford, Van Dorn and Lindlay, and it was noticeable
+that under the influence of late events, even Ned's boyish face
+was gradually assuming a far more mature and thoughtful expression.
+
+As Houston seated himself beside Leslie, both she and Lyle observed
+that his face was lighted with a smile of deep satisfaction, but he
+remained silent, and the conversation continued as before, the members
+of the little group engaged in anticipations of their return to their
+respective homes, and in comments upon this particular portion of the
+west with which they had become familiar.
+
+"Which will you love best, Jack, my dear," Lyle asked of Guy in low
+tones, using the old form of address still very dear to her, "the
+eastern home, or the mountains?"
+
+"My old home was never so dear to me as now," he replied, "but I am
+deeply attached to the mountains; for years they were my only friends,
+and I shall wish to look upon them occasionally in the future."
+
+"Well," Ned Rutherford was saying, "I wouldn't have thought it, but
+I've got so attached to this place out here, I'd like an excuse of
+some sort,--some kind of business, you know,--that would bring me here
+part of the time; what do you think, Mort?"
+
+"I think our associations here have had a great deal to do with the
+attractions of the place, but as a quiet retreat in which to spend a
+few weeks of each summer, I can not imagine a more delightful place."
+
+"Everard, of what are you thinking so deeply?" demanded Lyle, watching
+his thoughtful face, "you have not spoken a word since you came out."
+
+"I am thinking of the evening when first we had Mr. Lindlay and Mr.
+Van Dorn as guests in this house; thinking of the contrast between
+then and now; that was ushering in the close of the old regime, and
+this is the eve of the new."
+
+"When will the mines be reopened?" inquired Van Dorn.
+
+"Just as soon as possible after the rebuilding of the plant, next
+spring."
+
+"All these mines will be owned and controlled by the New York company,
+will they not?"
+
+"Yes, and they will probably purchase other good properties."
+
+"'Pon my soul, but that will make a fine plant, out 'ere!" exclaimed
+Lindlay.
+
+"I should say so," responded Van Dorn.
+
+Just at that instant, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Whitney appeared, the latter
+carrying a large roll of legal cap, covered with his well-known
+hieroglyphics.
+
+"My dear," said Mr. Cameron, seating himself beside his wife and a
+little in the rear of the remainder of the group, "Mr. Whitney and
+myself have been engaged in drawing up the articles of incorporation
+of the new mining company to be organized out here very shortly, and
+I thought perhaps you and the young people would be interested in
+them. I want to say that they are drawn up subject to the approval of
+all parties interested, and after you have heard them read, we want
+you to express your opinions, jointly and severally. Mr. Whitney, as I
+believe you are the only one who would be able to read those
+cabalistic signs, we will now listen to you."
+
+Amid a general laugh at Mr. Whitney's expense, he began the reading of
+the articles of incorporation. The first article, setting forth the
+object of the corporation, was read, and by the time Mr. Whitney had
+reached the second, the members of the party were all attention.
+
+"Article II. This corporation shall be known as The Rocky Mountain
+Mining Company."
+
+A murmur of approval ran through the little group, and the sonorous
+tones continued:
+
+"Article III. The officers of the company hereby incorporated shall be
+as follows: Walter E. Cameron, president; Walter E. Houston,
+vice-president; Guy M. Cameron, treasurer and general manager; Edward
+B. Rutherford, Jr., secretary."
+
+Mr. Cameron, from his post of observation, watching to see the effect
+produced by the reading of this document, did not have to wait long.
+The faces of the ladies expressed their delight, while Ned Rutherford
+was speechless with astonishment; but it was the figure half reclining
+in the invalid chair that he watched most closely; it was his son's
+approval that he most desired.
+
+At the mention of his name, Guy Cameron had given a slight start, but
+he now lay with closed eyes, the only sign of emotion visible being
+that his pale face had grown still paler. Only the preceding day, Guy
+and his parents had held their first and only conversation together
+regarding the time so long past, Mr. and Mrs. Cameron intending it to
+be the first and last allusion which should be made to that sad time.
+Guy well knew that all was forgiven; he knew that the unhappy secret
+had been guarded with such loving care that his reputation was
+untarnished, there was nothing to be recalled against him on his
+return; yet he would consent only to a brief visit to the old home; he
+would not yet return permanently.
+
+"Let me first go into business somewhere, and retrieve myself in my
+own eyes at least," he had said, "not be taken back as a prodigal."
+
+Mr. Cameron had conferred with Houston, and both hoped that a
+responsible position in the newly organized company, amid the old
+familiar scenes and work, and associated with those to whom he had
+become personally attached, would more than meet his wishes. Mr.
+Cameron had wished to make him general manager on account of his
+familiarity with the business, while Houston wished him to hold the
+office of treasurer, as token of their perfect trust; hence the two
+were combined.
+
+After all the articles of incorporation had been read in full, the
+little group broke up, and crowded around the newly-chosen young
+officers with many congratulations.
+
+"Great Scott!" ejaculated Ned, "I never was so thunder struck in my
+life! Accept it? well, I should say so, Mr. Cameron, and with many
+thanks; you couldn't have picked out anything that would suit me
+better. I guess," he added in a confidential aside to Houston, "I
+guess that will fix the old fellow down there in Boston all right."
+
+Guy grasped his father's hand and Houston's in a manner that removed
+every anxiety from their minds.
+
+"It is more than satisfactory," he said, "more than I could wish."
+
+The following day, Mr. Whitney, Lindlay and Van Dorn returned east,
+leaving the "family party" as they laughingly styled themselves, to
+follow later.
+
+Among the pleasant surprises of those last few days of their stay, it
+was discovered that Leslie Gladden, whom Mrs. Cameron and Lyle had
+urged to make her home with them upon their return, was the owner of a
+palatial residence not many blocks from their own city home, besides
+having a snug little fortune in bonds and stocks.
+
+Houston's surprise was unbounded, but remembering how he had won
+Leslie's love, there was little he could say.
+
+"I thought you once said you never had a home of your own," he
+remarked in considerable perplexity.
+
+"Well," she replied archly, "a residence is not necessarily a home; it
+has never been a home to me since my earliest recollection, but it
+will be one soon, in the truest sense of the word."
+
+One morning a few days later, they awoke to find the mountains about
+them white with snow, and a light snowfall in the canyon; and though
+the latter vanished presently under the balmy breath of a "chinook,"
+it had given them warning that the winter king was approaching, and
+would soon seize the scepter from autumn's hand, to begin his long
+reign among the mountains.
+
+That day, the old house which had witnessed such varied scenes within
+the past few months, was closed, and a very joyous party started for
+Silver City, the initial point of the long eastward journey, their
+hearts throbbing with delight that they were homeward bound.
+
+In the first carriage rode Mr. and Mrs. Cameron and their newly-found
+son and daughter, while following so closely that their merry jokes
+and song and laughter were intermingled, were Everard Houston, Leslie
+Gladden and the two brothers; and as they passed down the winding
+canyon road, casting loving, farewell glances at the friendly peaks,
+clad that day in dazzling brightness, and recalled their first coming
+to the heart of the Rockies, they were, one and all, agreed that the
+end was better than the beginning.
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+According to Houston's prediction, the mines were reopened the
+following year, and operated on a far more extensive scale. On the
+site of the old mills, an immense building was erected, thoroughly
+equipped with the latest improvements in mining machinery and
+electrical and mechanical appliances. The old mines were repaired and
+extended and new properties were purchased, giving employment to
+hundreds of men. Early in the second year, a railroad was constructed
+by the company, extending up the canyon from the Y, to the camp, for
+the transportation of ore, mining supplies, freight and passengers.
+
+As the mines were enlarged and new properties developed, quite a
+community sprang up in that vicinity, which, after the construction of
+the railroad, speedily developed into a typical mining town; and now,
+after a lapse of three years, few would recognize the old camp.
+
+Half way up the steep grade from the Y, is the smelting plant of the
+company, while at the terminus of the road, are the long, stone
+storehouses, at one end of which is the general office and a pleasant
+reception room. Next comes the great milling and reduction plant,
+while just beyond are the offices of the company, a fine, three-story
+brick building. From this building can be seen, in one direction the
+extensive mining works, with their labyrinth of shafts and tunnels,
+diggings and dumps; while in another direction are stretched the homes
+of the miners, the boarding houses, and, at a little distance, the
+post-office, hotel, stores and shops of the little town, as well as a
+tasteful church and school house. As one gazes upon the peaceful
+picture of the mountain town, there is nothing to recall the frightful
+scene of destruction and ruin of only three years past.
+
+There is little to remind one of former times, until, having followed
+the broad, winding road for some distance, one suddenly comes upon a
+familiar sight. Nestling at the foot of the pine-covered mountain, on
+the site of the old boarding house, is a beautiful, wide-spreading
+stone cottage, so built that its numerous bow-windows take in a view
+of the azure lake and shining cascades, as well as of the surrounding
+peaks and the sunset sky; and on the broad, vine-covered veranda, is a
+well-known group, who come from their distant, city homes, to spend a
+few weeks of each summer amid the grandeur and beauty of the
+mountains, to listen to the whispering of the pines and the music of
+the cascades.
+
+Morton Rutherford and his bride are here; Lyle, physically and
+mentally developed into royal, radiant womanhood, more beautiful than
+ever, but to whom there comes occasionally an irresistible longing to
+revisit her old mountain home, for the years of happiness and love
+have obliterated all bitter memories of the loveless, joyless
+childhood, and only the remembrance of its beauty remains.
+
+By her side, is Guy Cameron, his proud, erect bearing showing the
+change which these few years have wrought in his life; lonely and
+solitary no longer, for near him is a queenly woman, who, knowing the
+sad secret of his past, will share and brighten his future.
+
+Everard Houston and his lovely wife need no introduction, but, beside
+them is a little stranger, possessing Leslie's wondrous dark eyes, but
+Houston's features,--another little Marjorie,--while beside the wee
+maiden is a small chevalier, only two months her senior, rejoicing in
+the name of Morton Rutherford. In the dignified, business-like face of
+the proud father, it is difficult to recognize the former Ned
+Rutherford, but while possessing still the same light-hearted nature,
+yet the responsibilities intrusted to him, and the years of constant
+association with a man like Everard Houston, have developed a business
+ability surprising even to himself. As secretary of the Rocky Mountain
+Mining Company, he has proved to be the right man in the right place,
+thereby reflecting much credit upon Houston's insight and good
+judgment in selecting him for the position. By his side is a fair
+woman, the "Grace" of whom he used to dream when first he visited the
+mountains.
+
+Strolling up and down the graveled walks, in consultation regarding
+the mines, are two figures, one of whom is easily recognized as Arthur
+Van Dorn, mining expert for the company, and superintendent of the
+milling and reduction plant. The energetic, business man by his side
+is M. T. Donovan, superintendent of the entire mining plant, but a
+second glance is necessary to recognize in him, Mike, the old-time
+miner, and the faithful friend of Guy Cameron in his years of
+loneliness. Donovan and Van Dorn present a striking contrast, but they
+are good friends, and the latter's personation of the former, on a
+certain occasion, is a standing joke between them.
+
+There is one more familiar figure, not to be omitted, and that is Rex,
+stretched on the soft grass in an attitude of perfect content, his
+nose resting on his paws, his eyes fixed on his master's face with the
+old-time devotion.
+
+Beautiful as this picture may be, it is not quite complete without a
+glimpse of a far-away, eastern home, where, in the gloaming, beside an
+open grate, sit a couple with peaceful faces, crowned with snow-white
+hair. They have passed the grand summit of middle age, with its broad
+horizons, where hope and ambition are at their zenith, and together
+are journeying down the long, gentle declivity; but the clouds of loss
+and bereavement and pain that gathered about their path in the years
+gone by, have passed, and the valley before them is flooded with
+golden light. Their home circle, once broken, is now nearly complete;
+the once vacant places by the fireside are again filled, and the old
+home, silent for so many years, again resounds with song and laughter,
+and echoes once more to the music of childish voices and the patter of
+little feet.
+
+For hours, they sit talking together of the joys which the late years
+have brought them; until the moonlight steals in through the open
+windows, reverently touching their heads with a silvery radiance, at
+the same time looking down in silent, shining benediction upon the
+peaceful scene in the heart of the Rockies.
+
+FINIS
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Award of Justice, by A. Maynard Barbour
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE AWARD OF JUSTICE ***
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