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diff --git a/old/30028-h/30028-h.htm b/old/30028-h/30028-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..79248a8 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/30028-h/30028-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,13764 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Award of Justice, by A. Maynard Barbour.</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + @media screen { + hr.pb {margin:30px 0; width:100%; border:none;border-top:thin dashed silver;} + .pagenum {display: inline; font-size: x-small; text-align: right; text-indent: 0; position: absolute; right: 2%; padding: 1px 3px; font-style: normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration: none; background-color: inherit; border:1px solid #eee;} + .pncolor {color: silver;} + } + @media print { + hr.pb {border:none;page-break-after: always;} + .pagenum { display:none; } + } + body {margin-left: 11%; margin-right: 10%;} + p {margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 0.5em;} + + blockquote {display: block; margin: .75em 5%; font-size: 90%;} + h1 {font-size:1.6em;} + h1,h2,h3 {text-align:center; font-weight:normal;} + h2 {font-size:1.2em;} + h3 {font-size:1.0em;} + p.tp {font-size:1em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:center;} + + .chsp {margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + a {text-decoration: none;} + hr.tb {border: none; border-bottom:1px solid black; width: 33%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;} + hr.toprule {width: 65%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver; clear:both;} + p.center {text-align: center !important;} + p.cg {margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; text-align: left; width: 101%;} + p.lalign {text-align: left !important;} + p.ralign {text-align: right !important;} + span.indent1 {margin: 0; padding:0; text-indent:0; width: 0.4em; display: block; float: left;} + span.indent4 {margin: 0; padding:0; text-indent:0; width: 1.6em; display: block; float: left;} + span.indent6 {margin: 0; padding:0; text-indent:0; width: 2.4em; display: block; float: left;} + span.rindent2 {margin: 0; padding:0; text-indent:0; width: 0.8em; display: block; float: right;} + span.rindent8 {margin: 0; padding:0; text-indent:0; width: 3.2em; display: block; float: right;} + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;} +</style> + +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +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;'>“<span class='smcap'>That Mainwaring Affair.</span>”</p> +<p class='tp'>“Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof.”––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 & 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 & Co.<br />Copyright, 1901, by Rand, McNally & 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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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,</p> +<p>“See that, Tom? that’s my set of cameras; they’re +fine too, I tell you.”</p> +<p>“But why do you bother to take them around with you +all the time, like that?” inquired his friend.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“The dickens, you did!” exclaimed Tom, suddenly remembering +a ludicrous predicament in which his guest +had caught him.</p> +<p>“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!”</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, “Train 3 ours late.” His eyes seemed riveted to +the spot.</p> +<p>“What’s the matter now?” asked Tom, who took in the +situation at a glance.</p> +<p>“Matter! Why, that blasted train is three hours behind +time.”</p> +<p>“Too bad!” said Tom, with a grin; “if I’d only known +that I needn’t have driven my horses so hard.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I see,” said Ned, rather sarcastically; “perhaps you +can tell me why they don’t ‘rustle’ that train along on +time.”</p> +<p>“I suppose,” replied Tom, “it’s on account of that +wreck two days ago; you know your train was ten hours +late yesterday.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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:</p> +<p>“Well, what am I to do in this beastly place, anyhow?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</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 “tenderfoot,” 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’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.</p> +<p>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.</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’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’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.</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’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.</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’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.</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’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.</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’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.”</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>“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.</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>“You are from––?”</p> +<p>“From Chicago,” Houston replied promptly.</p> +<p>“Ah,” Rutherford responded, “then I suppose you are +quite familiar with this part of the country.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“On the contrary, this is my first trip out here.”</p> +<p>“Indeed! A pleasure trip, I presume?”</p> +<p>“No, I am out on business,” replied Houston, not caring +to state very definitely just then the nature of his +business.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Forty-eight hours!” exclaimed his companion, “you +surely have not been on this train that length of time.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</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’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>“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.</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“They’re in sight now,” responded Houston quietly.</p> +<p>“What!” exclaimed his companion, dropping his knife +and fork in haste.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Sixty miles, at least,” said Houston, glancing at them, +“perhaps more.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Rutherford’s eyes expressed an immense amount of +incredulity, while Houston simply bowed silently. The +man continued:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“You seem to have a ‘corner’ on this part of the northwest?” +remarked Rutherford, rather sarcastically.</p> +<p>“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:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Ah, your business?” asked his interlocutor.</p> +<p>“I am an accountant,” he replied quietly.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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!</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>“I suppose,” said Rutherford, addressing his companion +rather hesitatingly, “I suppose you will remain +in Silver City for some time?”</p> +<p>“I am not quite certain,” he replied, “my impression +is, however, that I shall not be detained there more than +a day or two.”</p> +<p>“Indeed! then are you going on farther west?”</p> +<p>“No, I expect to go out among the mines for a while.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>Rutherford sat for an instant as if petrified; then managed +to gasp, “Great Heavens! are you associated in +business with that man?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I see; you are just going to take the position. +Did you know all the time who he was?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>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––”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</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 “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.</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,––frail mountain children of +the sun and wind,––to be preserved as souvenirs of the +“divide.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Wait till you see his eyes,” said Rutherford, then inquired, +“By the way, did you see the old mining chap +anywhere?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I didn’t see him out looking at the mountains.”</p> +<p>“No, probably they have no interest for him, except +just so far as they contain gold mines.”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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’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.</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’ +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 & +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 “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.</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>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Is he interested in mines?” inquired Mr. Blaisdell.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“We shall soon see,” 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>“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.”</p> +<p>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:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Lyle, are you not rather severe? They come for the +sake of the scenery, or as I have, for rest.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“But stories of western life usually contain a great +deal of originality and piquancy; that is why they are +popular.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“How kind!” exclaimed Miss Gladden, “I don’t wonder +that you consider him your friend. Is he here now?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Does he live alone?” asked Miss Gladden.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“There are plots enough, and villains enough, but +Jack is not one of them,” quietly replied the girl, with a +curious expression.</p> +<p>“Would he let me come and see him?” inquired Miss +Gladden.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Why, have you seen them?” asked Miss Gladden, in +surprise.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Well,” retorted Lyle, “see him yourself, and see what +impressions you will receive.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Agreed,” 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>“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.”</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’s mind as Rutherford +made the above remark, and he answered:</p> +<p>“I don’t apprehend any particular danger at present, +but I am glad you are with me.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“You seem to have forgotten the school teacher,” +Houston remarked, with a quiet smile.</p> +<p>“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.”</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 “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.</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’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.</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,––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.</p> +<p>“Evidently mine host and his sons,” remarked Houston.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Sh!” said Houston quickly, under his breath, “see +what you think of this!”</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’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>“What’s the matter, my boy?” he asked, in a low, +laughing tone, “Are you spell-bound?”</p> +<p>“Spell-bound? well, slightly!” responded Rutherford. +“Great Heavens, Houston! do they have such women +as those out here?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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 “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.</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,––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.</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’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.</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,––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.</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>“I cannot understand,” Rutherford was saying, “how +such a style of beauty, so delicate and refined you know, +could ever exist in such surroundings.”</p> +<p>“She is a mystery,” added Houston, “and unless I am +greatly mistaken, she has a nature as sensitive and refined +as her face.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“You runaway!” she exclaimed, “why have you been +hiding when you should have been helping me entertain +the new guests?”</p> +<p>“I didn’t think you needed any help,” replied Lyle, +brightly.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Have there been any camping parties yet?” asked +Houston.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Snow-storms!” they all exclaimed; “What!” said +Miss Gladden, “after such warm weather as this?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Has this gulch where we are, any such euphonious +title?” inquired Miss Gladden.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“That sounds cheerful!” commented Miss Gladden.</p> +<p>“Is there a ghost story connected with the gulch, Miss +Maverick?” inquired Houston.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Is that story still believed here?” asked Houston.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“The long twilight here deceives one, I have hardly +become accustomed to it myself,” said Miss Gladden.</p> +<p>“The ladies will surely pardon us,” said Houston, +“since it is through their making the time pass so pleasantly +that we have trespassed.”</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 “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.</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>“Say, Bull-dog, can you wash windows?” he asked.</p> +<p>“Bet yer life,” was the laconic reply, accompanied by +a grin.</p> +<p>“What will you charge me for washing these four?”</p> +<p>The small individual surveyed the windows critically, +then answered:</p> +<p>“Six bits.”</p> +<p>“Go ahead,” said Houston, “let’s see how good a job +you can do.”</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’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.</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, +“You have met the young men I spoke of the other evening?”</p> +<p>“Yes,” replied Lyle, still gazing into the fire, “they +are stopping at the house.”</p> +<p>“How long will they remain?”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Bookkeeper for the mining company!” he exclaimed, +“are you sure you are correct?”</p> +<p>“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’?”</p> +<p>Jack looked at her inquiringly.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“You seem to have made a study of him,” remarked +Jack, quietly.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Sometimes, Lyle,” said Jack, slowly, “these deep people +make a dangerous study; they are likely to become +too interesting.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Of me!” said Jack sarcastically, “your Mr. Houston +would doubtless feel nattered at being compared to +a weather-beaten miner.”</p> +<p>“You were not always a miner,” retorted Lyle quickly, +“and you are a gentleman, and always will be.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“That?” said Jack, answering indifferently, but watching +her face keenly, “Oh, that is a picture I’ve had a +great while.”</p> +<p>“But, Jack, I never saw it, did I?”</p> +<p>“No, Lyle, I haven’t seen it myself for years, until to-night.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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:</p> +<p>“Jack, I never saw her, did I?”</p> +<p>“Certainly not while you have been here,” he replied, +“I cannot say whom you may have seen before that.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“Oh, no, thank you,” said Lyle, smiling brightly, “it +isn’t late.”</p> +<p>“Then Rex must go,” 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, “Strange she did not see +the resemblance! I hoped she would; there could not +be two faces more alike.”</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>“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.”</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, “What was you doin’ out so late +last night? Pretty time ’twas when you come in, +where’d you been?”</p> +<p>Lyle seemed to take no notice of his questions for a +moment, then replied, without a glance at him:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Oh,” he replied with a sneer, “so you was settin’ out +there waitin’ for the new clerk to come home, wasn’t +you?”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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:</p> +<p>“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.”</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’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>“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.”</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>“You damned old fool! do you think you can try to +scare me? you’ll find ’tain’t very healthy business for +you.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“What do you mean?” he asked, now thoroughly +frightened.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Whew!” exclaimed the latter, rubbing his hands, +“this seems a little wintry, doesn’t it? Looks like a storm, +too!”</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Morgan, glancing up, “we’ll probably have +a snow-storm before noon.”</p> +<p>“How do you pleasure seekers intend to spend the +day?” inquired Houston, addressing Miss Gladden and +Rutherford.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</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>“Miss Maverick doesn’t look like herself this morning, +I wonder what is the matter.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Why,” asked Houston, “is he considered dangerous?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“What does he do?” asked Houston, “does he work +in the mines?”</p> +<p>“He used to,” replied Morgan, “but he don’t do any +more underground work, he––”</p> +<p>“Doesn’t he?” interrupted Haight, with a peculiar emphasis.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>Lyle coming into the room again, the talk regarding +Maverick ceased, but when she had left, Morgan continued:</p> +<p>“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––”</p> +<p>“Than she is of you,” 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>“I think Miss Maverick is an awfully nice girl.”</p> +<p>“We all think so,” said Haight, in his blandest manner, +“Mr. Morgan especially.”</p> +<p>“Oh,” said Morgan, angrily, but trying to speak indifferently, +“she’s nice enough, as nice as girls of her +class generally are.”</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>“Whatever ‘her class’ is, she is deucedly your superior, +you contemptible puppy!”</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>“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.”</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>“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.</p> +<p>“I say,” he began, “we’ve got that new fellow stirred +up, and I wish we hadn’t; I don’t want any trouble.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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––’”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Meanwhile, Houston was preparing to go to the office.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“There will be no more of it, that is certain,” 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’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’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>“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.”</p> +<p>“What do you mean by that last threat?” asked Morgan +defiantly.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“She has never mentioned your name to me, and you +will do well not to bring her name into this conversation.”</p> +<p>“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––”</p> +<p>Morgan never finished his sentence; a blow that he +afterwards said was “worse than the kick of a mule,” 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>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Do you mean,” asked Houston sternly, “that from +this time there will be no more insinuations against +ladies, and no innuendoes in their presence?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I’ll attend to Haight,” 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>“Another time will do, Mr. Haight,” said Houston +coldly, “I have business with yourself this morning.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“Certainly,” replied Haight in a tone of surprise, “I +kept the books for a few months last year.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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––”</p> +<p>“He has another one now,” said Houston, rising abruptly.</p> +<p>“Indeed!” exclaimed Haight.</p> +<p>“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.</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’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’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>“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.</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</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>“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.”</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. +“How did you ever get such a picture? and so perfect!” +they asked.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</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’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:</p> +<p>“Sir Knight, I want to thank you, in Lyle’s name and +my own, for the chivalric course you have taken this +morning.”</p> +<p>She could get no further; Houston, still holding her +hand, interrupted her.</p> +<p>“Do not thank me, Miss Gladden; I have only done +what it is the duty of every true man to do.”</p> +<p>“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.</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’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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</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’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>“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?”</p> +<p>“Oh, nothing, been sparring a little, that’s all.”</p> +<p>“Been down to the mines this morning?”</p> +<p>“No, sir, not yet; I thought maybe you’d be up and +want to give some directions before I went down.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“Morgan, how did you get that eye?” he asked again.</p> +<p>“Oh, Houston and I had a little set-to the other day, +and he hit me pretty hard, that’s all.”</p> +<p>“What was it about?” demanded Mr. Blaisdell.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</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>“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.”</p> +<p>Houston seemed for a moment to be weighing the +matter very deliberately.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“They’ll have their own expert with them, I suppose?” +asked Morgan.</p> +<p>“Yes,” answered Mr. Blaisdell, “but if he’s like the +most of those eastern experts, Haight and I can fix him +very easily.”</p> +<p>A little later the conversation ended, Mr. Blaisdell saying, +as he rose to go to his room:</p> +<p>“It is a confoundedly poor property, but I think a few +tons of ore from the Yankee Boy will sell it all right.”</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’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’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.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>Jack replied, very indifferently, that he had seen him +once or twice.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“What makes you think so?” asked Jack, much +amused.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“No, did they fight?” inquired Jack, much surprised.</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“Were you there?” asked Jack, laughing.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Jack had laughed heartily over Bull-dog’s description +of the scene; now he asked:</p> +<p>“What was the fight about?”</p> +<p>“Well,” said Bull-dog, gravely replacing his pipe in +his mouth, “’s near ’s I could make out, ’twas ’bout +some girl.”</p> +<p>“What girl?” inquired Jack, rather quickly.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</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’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’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>“You look tired, Morgan,” commented Houston.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Houston turned around facing Morgan, with a peculiar +smile.</p> +<p>“The Sunrise mine seems to have developed wonderfully +within the past few days,” he remarked quietly.</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“Does the mining company own the Yankee Boy?” +asked Houston.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And New Yorkers are not supposed to know all the +ins and outs of their western agent’s mining deals,” +commented Houston.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Why,” said Houston, in surprise, “Blaisdell is quite +well off, isn’t he?”</p> +<p>Morgan’s only answer was a significant shake of the +head.</p> +<p>“What!” exclaimed Houston in astonishment.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>Morgan shrugged his shoulders; “Have you seen old +Rivers yet?” he inquired.</p> +<p>“The secretary? No, I’ve never met him.”</p> +<p>“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!”</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>“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?”</p> +<p>“They are,” replied Houston.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Shall I send a team down?” asked Morgan.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I see,” said Rutherford, “just a natural effort to keep +his self-respect in equilibrium.”</p> +<p>“Has he many children?” inquired Houston.</p> +<p>“Well, no,” said Morgan, “not many, only fifteen.”</p> +<p>“Only fifteen!” said Houston, in astonishment, while +Rutherford exclaimed, “Oh, come off now, you’re joking!”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I think,” said Rutherford, “I’d like a wife younger +than my children.”</p> +<p>“He seems to,” replied Morgan, “they’re as spooney +as can be, when they’re not quarreling.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Great Scott!” said Rutherford, “is he a Mormon?”</p> +<p>Morgan shook his head, and Houston said:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“It cannot be quite as bad as that,” said Houston.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“But you certainly would not include all women in +such an assertion?” said Houston.</p> +<p>“I don’t know why not, as far as my experience goes, +they’re all off the same piece.”</p> +<p>“Why, man,” said Houston indignantly, “what are +you talking about? You had a mother once, you do not +mean to traduce her memory?”</p> +<p>For a moment, Morgan was silent, then he replied in +a tone that sounded very unlike his usual voice:</p> +<p>“Yes, I had a mother once, and that is what has made +me what I am; sometime I will tell you about her.”</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’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’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>“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.”</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>“Ah, the new clerk, Mr. Houston, I suppose; very +glad to meet you.”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.</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’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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Have you ever visited the west before, Mr. Winters?” +inquired Mr. Rivers.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“You have been out in this country often, I suppose,” +said Mr. Blaisdell, addressing the expert, who replied +coolly, with a very slight accent:</p> +<p>“No, sir; I simply come out ’ere once in a w’ile, you +know, just as an accommodation to Mr. Winters.”</p> +<p>“You live in New York, I suppose?”</p> +<p>“No, sir; my ’ome is in London,” he replied, with an +air that seemed to indicate he did not care for any further +conversation.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>On the way to the boarding house, Van Dorn managed +to walk with Houston, and exclaimed in a low +tone:</p> +<p>“Good heavens, Everard, what does this mean? What +are you masquerading around in this style for?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Houston laughed; “How about the Englishman?” he +asked.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Good!” said Houston, “and now there is one thing +more before we get to the house. You remember Morton +Rutherford?”</p> +<p>“Mort Rutherford, of old college days? well, I should +say so; what about him?”</p> +<p>“His brother is stopping here, you will see him at dinner.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Anything else I’m not to let him know?” queried +Van Dorn, taking out a small note book.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“But how is it Ned didn’t know you? Didn’t you ever +see him when you visited Mort?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I see; all right, I’ll be mum.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>Mr. Blaisdell looked on greatly astonished and +amused by Rutherford’s impetuous greeting.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>After dinner, Houston started a little early for the +office, and Van Dorn took his hat, saying:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Go ahead,” said Mr. Winters, “I suppose you’ll want +to go through the mines in our company, though, by +and by.”</p> +<p>“I probably will have to go in your company, if I go +at all,” Van Dorn replied carelessly, “my choice is rather +limited.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“I suppose so,” Van Dorn answered.</p> +<p>“All right, I’ll see you later,” 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>“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.</p> +<p>“Now, father, don’t you get left behind,” said his son +jokingly.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“All right, Mr. Blaisdell, that will be perfectly satisfactory, +whatever suits you young fellows, suits me.”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“Arthur,” he asked rather abruptly, “how soon do you +go east?”</p> +<p>“In about two weeks.”</p> +<p>“Any special engagements for this summer?”</p> +<p>“Nothing particularly important at present.”</p> +<p>“You remember my uncle, don’t you?”</p> +<p>“I remember Mr. Cameron perfectly, though I have +not seen him for a number of years.”</p> +<p>“I suppose, for a sufficient consideration, you would +come out here on business for us, at any time?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Let me know your impressions, later,” said Houston.</p> +<p>“Agreed,” 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’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>“Guess who it is, and you are free!”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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?”</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>“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?”</p> +<p>“One question at a time, if you please, sir,” said Miss +Gladden.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I will explain that a little later; what is the next in +order?”</p> +<p>“Is Helen here with you?”</p> +<p>“No, sir, she and George are in Denver.”</p> +<p>“And who is stopping here with you?”</p> +<p>“No one; do you think I need a guardian, or a chaperon?”</p> +<p>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?”</p> +<p>Miss Gladden laughed; “Did you see any very rough +people to-day at dinner?”</p> +<p>“Why no, to be sure, I did not, but then, there must +be many of them out here in this neighborhood.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“But there is no society here,” protested the old gentleman.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Has your cousin Humphrey been annoying you +again?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“But I am not, and perhaps never likely to be,” Miss +Gladden answered merrily.</p> +<p>“Yes, and you might have been married twenty times +over,” said Mr. Winters, shaking his head, “and my own +boy, Harry, among the lot.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Have you found the right one, yet?” asked the old +gentleman, watching her keenly.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</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>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“That’s one on you, father,” called his son, while Mr. +Blaisdell remarked, “The time evidently has passed very +pleasantly.”</p> +<p>“What is the origin of all this mirth?” demanded Mr. +Winters, as he seated himself with considerable dignity.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I looked for you at every turn of the road,” said his +son.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Mr. Winters,” said Mr. Blaisdell, “I begin to think +you’re the youngest man of our party.”</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’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.</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, “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.</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,––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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>Van Dorn’s eyes sparkled as he saw the shining lumps +from the Yankee Boy, and he and Lindlay exchanged +quick glances.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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:</p> +<p>“What do you think of that ore, Mr. Van Dorn?”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Boys, where are you going?” called Mr. Winters.</p> +<p>“Going to walk on ahead,” answered Van Dorn.</p> +<p>“Just as cheap to ride,” said Mr. Winters.</p> +<p>“Plenty of room,” added Mr. Blaisdell.</p> +<p>“We can’t wait for you, you’re too slow,” laughed +Van Dorn.</p> +<p>“Give our places to those gentlemen,” said Lindlay, +indicating Haight and Morgan, and with rather a painful +emphasis on the word “gentlemen.”</p> +<p>“Egad!” he exclaimed a few moments later, “Van +Dorn, what do you think of that for a mining proposition?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“By the way, that Mr. ’Uston seems a very decent sort +of a man,” commented Lindlay.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“A friend of yours! and w’at in the deuce is he doing +out ’ere, among such a beastly lot?”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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!”</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>“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>“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!”</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>“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>“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.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</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’ 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>“Lyle, dear, I wonder who that can be; he is dressed +like a miner, but his carriage and appearance is that of +a gentleman.”</p> +<p>“That,” answered Lyle, in a low tone, “is Jack; he is +a miner, and he is also a gentleman.”</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,––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.</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,––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>“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.”</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’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.</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>“Good!” said Rutherford, “that will be just the thing; +now we will have some music.”</p> +<p>“Miss Gladden,” said Houston, “why have we not +been favored in this way earlier?”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Do you never sing, Miss Maverick?” asked Rutherford.</p> +<p>“Only sometimes for myself,” she said, “I know only +two or three songs that I have heard others sing.”</p> +<p>“But you have a sweet voice,” said Houston, “will +you not sing for us?”</p> +<p>“If you will overlook any mistakes, I may,” answered +Lyle, “for I probably do not sing correctly, as I know +nothing of music.”</p> +<p>“Certainly, Lyle, we would like to hear you,” 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'>“Love is come with a song and a smile,<br /> +<span class='indent1'> </span>Welcome love with a smile and a song;<br /> +<span class='indent1'> </span>Love can stay but a little while:<br /> +<span class='indent4'> </span>Why can not he stay?<br /> +<span class='indent4'> </span>They call him away;<br /> +<span class='indent1'> </span>Ye do him wrong, ye do him wrong,<br /> +<span class='indent1'> </span>Love will stay for a whole life long.”</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'>“Where the singers, whose names are deathless,<br /> +One with another make music, unheard of men.”</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’s hand:</p> +<p>“My dear, we have found our song-queen, our nightingale. +We can all learn of you, and never equal you.”</p> +<p>Houston had been strangely moved, and as he spoke, +there was a slight tremor in his voice.</p> +<p>“I have heard, in all my life, but one voice like that, +and that was one who died when I was a child.”</p> +<p>Lyle looked surprised.</p> +<p>“Has no one ever told you you could sing?” asked +Miss Gladden.</p> +<p>“I never sang for any one, excepting once, for Jack,” +answered Lyle.</p> +<p>“What did he say of your voice?” inquired Miss Gladden.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Lyle,” said Miss Gladden suddenly, “how old is this +man whom you call Jack?”</p> +<p>“Possibly forty, perhaps a little less,” she answered indifferently.</p> +<p>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.</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>“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:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Great Heavens!” said Rutherford, with more feeling +than Houston had ever seen him manifest, “I’m sorry +for that girl, Houston.”</p> +<p>“Why?” asked Houston quietly.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Granting the parents and present life,” said Houston, +“is that any argument that she will always be ‘tied down +here’ as you say?”</p> +<p>“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,”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“But what about the question of heredity?” asked +Rutherford, “there must be bad blood there, when and +where would it make its appearance?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“By Jove! I never thought of that! It seems likely +enough, too. What do you think, that she was stolen?”</p> +<p>“No,” said Houston slowly, “that does not seem so +probable as that she may have been some child that they +were hired to take.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“It might seem so to some people,” Houston replied, +adding with a smile, “especially to a Bostonian, who +prided himself upon his ‘blue blood’.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“In what direction are you interested, if I may ask?” +said Houston, experiencing, for the first time, a little +twinge of jealousy.</p> +<p>“In the direction of the ‘Hub,’ my dear boy,” Rutherford +replied, with another blush.</p> +<p>“Spoken like a true Bostonian!” said Houston approvingly.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I wonder what will be her fate.”</p> +<p>“Time will tell,” 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’s request, he agreed to remain over until +the latter’s return, which he expected would be in +about ten days.</p> +<p>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.</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>“What is he doing there?” asked Jack, in a tone of surprise, +“Is he going to remain there?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“He seems efficient in whatever he undertakes,” she +replied with a light laugh, “clerking, fighting or love-making, +he is successful in all.”</p> +<p>“How has he succeeded in love-making?” asked Jack +quickly.</p> +<p>“Ask Miss Gladden,” was Lyle’s smiling rejoinder.</p> +<p>“Is he really in love with her, do you think?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And you are left out in the cold?” asked Jack kindly, +but watching her keenly.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“How about Mr. Rutherford? Isn’t he a friend of +yours, too?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“What is her motive for wishing to see me?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Has she or Mr. Houston heard you sing?”</p> +<p>“Yes.”</p> +<p>“What did they say of your voice?”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Then, under those conditions,” said Lyle, with almost +a tone of triumph in her voice, “you would meet Mr. +Houston.”</p> +<p>“Why?” asked Jack, quickly, turning toward her.</p> +<p>“Because he is my friend.”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>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?”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“Why must you know?” he asked, resuming his walk.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>For some moments Jack was silent, and when he spoke +his voice was full of some strong emotion:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Then, if he was in difficulty or danger, and needed +help, you would help him, would you not?” asked Lyle +eagerly.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“You are sure there is no one to hear us?”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.’</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>She paused a moment, then added, “He has enemies +working against him, and he ought to have some one to +help him.”</p> +<p>“Who are his enemies?” asked Jack.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Then you will look out for him, and help him, will +you not?” said Lyle, rising to go.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“Hello, there, Morgan, the Sunrise deal is off.”</p> +<p>“Off? who says so? Got a wire from the boss?”</p> +<p>“Yes, she just came, about fifteen minutes ago.”</p> +<p>“What’s the matter? did the old man say?”</p> +<p>“Nothing very definite; ‘party writes property not satisfactory,’ +that’s all he says.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“Who was there to put ’em onto anything?” asked +Morgan.</p> +<p>“Oh, the confidential clerk, may be; he was on such +good terms with Johnny Bull and the dude.”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“I was not reading,” she replied, “I was merely glancing +over a book of Miss Gladden’s while awaiting her +return.”</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>“This is a favorite resort of yours, is it not, Miss Maverick?”</p> +<p>“Yes, I come here frequently,” she replied.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>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.</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’s manner +signs of unusual excitement, but asked no questions, as +she did not think it best to force her confidence.</p> +<p>“Lyle, when are you going to take me to call on your +friend, Jack?” she inquired.</p> +<p>“Any time you wish,” Lyle answered, “I spoke to him +the other day about your coming, and he said you would +be most welcome.”</p> +<p>“Then he graciously consented to receive me! Very +well, suppose we go now, it is not late.”</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’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.</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’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>“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.”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“Indeed she has,” said Miss Gladden, “and with her +ability, it seems a pity that she should not have every +possible advantage.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Not entirely wasted,” said Miss Gladden, “for what +you have taught her will be of inestimable value to her +always.”</p> +<p>“Yes, indeed!” exclaimed Lyle, “what would my life +have been without you?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“He does not call them her parents,” thought Miss +Gladden, “does he know she is not their child?”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“You are right, Jack,” said Lyle, “if I were to wait for +his consent, I would never leave here, or have any advantages.”</p> +<p>“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:</p> +<p>“I have not yet decided just when I will go east, but +probably the latter part of the summer.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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:</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“Certainly,” he responded, “I would be pleased to see +you.”</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’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,––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.</p> +<p>As she and Lyle walked homeward together, the latter +asked:</p> +<p>“What do you think now of my friend, Miss Gladden?”</p> +<p>And Miss Gladden replied thoughtfully, “I think, my +dear, that he is one of earth’s heroes.”</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’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>“Well, Blaisdell,” said Mr. Rivers, in his quick, incisive +way, “I’m not in the least surprised.”</p> +<p>“Not surprised!” echoed Mr. Blaisdell, “Why not? I +confess I’m surprised and disappointed.”</p> +<p>“It’s just what I expected,” again chirped Mr. Rivers, +“just what I told you all along.”</p> +<p>“I knew you said you were rather suspicious just in +the direction where I felt the surest of them.”</p> +<p>“Just so,” said Mr. Rivers, “I said all along, ‘those +fish won’t bite worth a nickel.’”</p> +<p>“Well,” said Mr. Blaisdell, with a heavy sigh, “all we +can do is to try again.”</p> +<p>“And next time, I’d advise you to have a little more +bait, or else don’t tackle so big a fish.”</p> +<p>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.</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’s letter he read +and re-read with a smile, it was so characteristic of his +friend:</p> +<blockquote> +<p>“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</p> +<p class='ralign'>Your friend,<span class='rindent8'> </span><br /> +ARTHUR VAN DORN.<span class='rindent2'> </span></p> +<p class='lalign'>P. S. ‘The mills of the gods grind slowly,<br /> +<span class='indent6'> </span>But they grind exceeding small.’”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Which company do you mean?” inquired another +speaker.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“That’s right,” said an old gentleman who had not +spoken before, “they’re a tough lot.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>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.”</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>“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.</p> +<p>“They seemed well enough satisfied when they were +here,” remarked Haight.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“But who was there to say anything prejudicial? We +were all interested in selling the mine.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</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’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>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And with such sentiments as those,” Houston responded, +“you would make any spot on earth home to +those whom you loved.”</p> +<p>“I should hope to,” she replied, and added archly, +“and if they loved me, I think I would succeed.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I have never known any other than such a home +as that,” said Houston, slowly, “and it is the only true +home.”</p> +<p>“Pardon me,” said Miss Gladden, “but are your +parents living? I have often wondered.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Then with you it is a reality,” she answered, “but +with me, only an ideal.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>He had taken her hand, and she did not withdraw it, +but looking in his face, she asked:</p> +<p>“Would you make me your wife, knowing so little of +me as you do?”</p> +<p>“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?”</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>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Your brother!” exclaimed Miss Gladden and Houston, +“What! coming here among the mountains?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Then you are coming back again,” said Miss Gladden; +“that will be lovely, and we will be delighted to +meet your brother with you.”</p> +<p>“Indeed we will,” added Houston cordially, “what +time do you expect to be here, Ned?”</p> +<p>“My brother wants to get here, he says, in about six +or eight weeks, so it will probably be some time in August.”</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’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.</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’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:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“There seems to have been a great deal of mysterious +consultation about this affair,” remarked Rutherford, +“what is the program for to-morrow?”</p> +<p>“Well,” said Miss Gladden, “for one thing, we must +have plenty of music; have neither of you gentlemen +any musical instruments with you?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“But can we not even know where we are going?” +asked Rutherford, with a tragic air.</p> +<p>“You would not know if I should tell you,” responded +Lyle, “we are going to Sunset Park.”</p> +<p>“Sunset Park!” they exclaimed, “where is that?”</p> +<p>“Is it in any way connected with the Sunrise mine of +recent fame?” inquired Houston.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Lyle, you gypsy, where are you going?” 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>“Great Cæsar! but that girl can row!” exclaimed +Rutherford, with all the enthusiastic admiration of a +newly graduated collegian.</p> +<p>“Where is the child going?” asked Houston.</p> +<p>“Probably to the picnic ground,” said Miss Gladden, +“but what for, I cannot imagine.”</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'>“I saw the boat go ’round the bend.”</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>“Strawberries!” she exclaimed, “and wild ones! +Where did you get them, Lyle? They are the first I have +seen out here.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Going to do what?” said Miss Gladden.</p> +<p>“Going to ‘cache’ them, hide them away among the +rocks,” 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’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>“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.”</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, “as level as a floor.”</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’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>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</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>“A camping party!” exclaimed Lyle, “the first of the +season; they are on their way to Strawberry gulch.”</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>“Give them another song, Miss Maverick,” said +Rutherford, “that is a decided encore.”</p> +<p>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.</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’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.</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’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>“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.</p> +<p>Lyle’s color deepened slightly, as she replied:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“How so, my dear?” inquired her friend.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“No,” answered Miss Gladden, “I can see no reason +for such a belief as that; but why do you ask?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Tell me about them,” said Miss Gladden, interested.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And what are these dreams, dear? You have never +before spoken to me of them.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And you say you have had this dream always?” +queried Miss Gladden.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“But whose face is it, Lyle?” questioned Miss Gladden; +“surely, it must resemble some one you have seen.”</p> +<p>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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“When? and where?” asked Miss Gladden quickly, +hoping to find some key to the problem she was trying +to solve.</p> +<p>“A few weeks after your coming, and at Jack’s cabin,” +Lyle replied.</p> +<p>“Did Jack show you the picture?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And did you recognize it as the face of your +dreams?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And you have never spoken to Jack about the picture +since?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Rutherford’s face expressed so much astonishment, +that it resembled nothing so much as an exaggerated +exclamation point. Houston continued:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“I was from Chicago, when you met me,” answered +Houston, smiling, “but I had come from New York less +than ten days before.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Certainly,” assented Houston.</p> +<p>“Well then, what in thunder,––if I may ask the question,––are +you doing out here with this confounded Buncombe-Boomerang +mining company?”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Say,” said Rutherford, suddenly, “if you and Mort +were class mates, you must have known Van Dorn.”</p> +<p>“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:</p> +<p>“Great Scott! but you fellows played that game well, +no one ever would have dreamed that you had known +each other.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>They smoked silently for a few moments, then Rutherford +said:</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“They are in order whenever you choose to offer +them,” Houston replied quietly.</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“It is rather unusual, I admit,” said Houston.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>A moment later he asked, “Does Miss Gladden know +what you are doing out here?” Houston shook his +head, in reply.</p> +<p>“Doesn’t she know who you really are?”</p> +<p>“Not yet,” Houston answered, “no one out here +knows any more about that than you did two hours +ago.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And when will she learn your secret? not until the +closing scene of the last act?”</p> +<p>“I cannot tell just when,” Houston answered, “that +will of course depend a great deal upon circumstances.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I am also,” she replied, “and I wish you a pleasant +journey and a speedy return.”</p> +<p>“This is not ‘good-bye,’ Mr. Rutherford,” said Miss +Gladden, extending her hand, “it is only ‘au revoir.’”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</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’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.</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>She paused, but he offered no comment, only bowed +gravely for her to continue.</p> +<p>“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.”</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,––almost indifferently it seemed to Miss +Gladden,––</p> +<p>“Have you discovered any direct evidence in support +of this conviction that she is not their child?”</p> +<p>“No tangible evidence,” replied Miss Gladden, “nothing, +of course, that could be called proof, but there are +what I consider very strong indications.”</p> +<p>“Are the indications on Lyle’s part, or on the part +of Mr. and Mrs. Maverick?” inquired Jack.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Your remark regarding Mrs. Maverick might be +still more applicable to him, that he is incapable of anything +like affection or kindness.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Jack rose, and began to pace the room.</p> +<p>“Did you hear her say that, Miss Gladden?”</p> +<p>“No, Lyle told me of it.”</p> +<p>“Had Lyle any idea of what she meant by it?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Jack seated himself. “You spoke of some reasons on +Lyle’s part for your conclusions; what were they?”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>Jack looked thoughtful. “I wonder that she has never +spoken to me regarding this dream,” he said at length.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Both were silent for a while, then Miss Gladden asked:</p> +<p>“Do you not think these dreams and impressions are +indications of an early life, far different from this?”</p> +<p>“I do,” he replied gravely.</p> +<p>“That was my opinion,” then, determined to get some +expression from him, she continued:</p> +<p>“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.”</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’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>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</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’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: +“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.”</p> +<p>He smiled as he noted Miss Gladden’s look of astonishment, +and continued:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Still,” said Miss Gladden, “these dreams of hers show +that there are memories there, and something may yet recall +them to her mind.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Do you think,” asked Miss Gladden, after a pause, +“that it would be wise to give Lyle a hint of our suspicions?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“May I inquire whether those whom you consider her +true parents are still living?”</p> +<p>“They both died many years ago.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And have they never made any inquiry for her?” Miss +Gladden asked in surprise.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>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!”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>Then, before she could reply, he said, in a different +tone, as though to change the conversation:</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Am I asking too much? Could I see the photograph +which you allowed Lyle to see?”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“I will not ask it,” 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’s hands, there were +tears in her eyes, as she exclaimed, “How beautiful! and +how like Lyle!”</p> +<p>“I hoped she would see the resemblance,” he replied.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.</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’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.</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Ah,” said Houston, “how did you hear of that?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Oh, no,” said Houston, quietly, “I didn’t see any reason +for being afraid.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Oh, that was all right, perfectly right on your part, +only I have adopted the policy of letting barking dogs +alone.”</p> +<p>After a little further conversation, Mr. Blaisdell looked +over the books, and finding everything in satisfactory +shape, remarked:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</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’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.</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’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>“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.”</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>“Everything in readiness; bring machinery at once.”</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: “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.</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>“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!”</p> +<p>At the next pause in their work, Mike’s feelings found +expression:</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.</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’s wing, +though touched with silver here and there, he found himself +unable to read the history of that life.</p> +<p>“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?”</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’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>“And who is the man called ‘Jack,’ who works with +the Irishman?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Are they the only miners living by themselves?” +asked Houston.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“No,” replied Houston, “but I should like very well to +visit them.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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’ +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, +“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.</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 “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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“My first, perhaps, but not my last,” said Houston, +with a winning smile.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“‘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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Let me see,” said Billy, “I don’t remember just where +I was, but I guess I’d finished as you come up.”</p> +<p>“Never mind, you can start another,” said Houston.</p> +<p>“Yes, Billy, give us another,” chimed in the boys.</p> +<p>“Go ahead, pardner,” added Morgan, “spin us a yarn, +that’s what we came for.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Those must have been interesting times,” said Houston.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Was that in the days of the vigilantes?” asked Houston.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“There must have been some high stakes played in +those days,” Houston remarked.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“‘Somebody wake that fool up,’ says he, with an oath.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“‘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.’</p> +<p>“‘I do,’ says I, jumpin’ up.</p> +<p>“‘And I,’ says another fellow, ‘the man just come into +camp a day or two ago, and his family’s starvin’.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVII' id='CHAPTER_XXVII'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> +</div> +<p>“Well,” said Morgan, as Houston overtook him, “what +do you think of a ‘genuwine minin’ camp,’ as Billy calls +it?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Yes, lots of things happen here, and folks think nothing +of ’em, that would be considered improbable anywhere +back east.”</p> +<p>“Are you from the east?” inquired Houston.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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>“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.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>As Morgan paused, Houston spoke very slowly and +kindly:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Well,” said Morgan, “I guess it don’t make much difference, +one way or another, what we think or what we +do.”</p> +<p>“Your mother’s opinions and actions seem to have +made considerable difference in your life,” answered +Houston, quietly.</p> +<p>“Yes, by George! I should say so!” replied Morgan, +gloomily.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Which way are you going?” asked Houston, also rising.</p> +<p>“Down to the Y.”</p> +<p>“What! are you going that distance as late as this?”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Why, has he money?” inquired Houston.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Are you in need of money?” asked Houston, quickly, +“if so, I will gladly accommodate you.”</p> +<p>“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’.”</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’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>“You are not often out in this locality at this hour, and +alone.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Pardon me,” said Jack, “but I suppose you are aware +that you have enemies here.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Houston, slightly surprised, “I am conscious +of that fact.”</p> +<p>“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?”</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,––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>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“Do you expect to remain out as late to-night as you +did last night?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know just how late I may be detained,” he +answered, smiling, “Why? are you keeping a watchful +eye upon me?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Houston was somewhat surprised by this second warning, +but he answered lightly:</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Miss Gladden just then came up, and Lyle soon resumed +her place among the players.</p> +<p>“Going out again this evening, Mr. Houston?”</p> +<p>“Yes, Miss Gladden,” replied Houston with mock +gravity.</p> +<p>“Excuse me, Everard,” she answered, blushing, “but +when so many strangers are about, I am obliged to be +very circumspect, you know.”</p> +<p>“There are no strangers within hearing at present, Leslie,” +he replied, “but isn’t it nearly time for this crowd +to take its departure?”</p> +<p>“Yes, they expect to leave to-morrow.”</p> +<p>“Thank Heaven!” exclaimed Houston devoutly.</p> +<p>Miss Gladden laughed merrily.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Houston smiled; “I am obliged to go out this evening, +Leslie, I have an engagement to-night, with Jack, at his +cabin.”</p> +<p>“With Jack!” exclaimed Miss Gladden, “then you +have made his acquaintance!”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“You were doubtless somewhat surprised,” he began +very deliberately and slowly, “by my request, last evening, +for this interview.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“I think,” said Houston, with a smile, “you are supposing +a person with keener perceptions than are possessed +by many in this locality.”</p> +<p>“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?’”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“No one has written me, the story was told me by a +friend of yours here.”</p> +<p>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?</p> +<p>“I have but two friends here, at present,” was his reply, +“and they are women.”</p> +<p>“True women are the truest friends,” said Jack tersely.</p> +<p>“But how can either of them know anything regarding +my work here?”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“You understand it perfectly,” Houston answered.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Most certainly you could,” responded Houston quickly, +“I know of no one in the entire camp who could assist +us so well as you.”</p> +<p>“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,––”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Indeed!” exclaimed Jack, in surprise, “may I ask +why?”</p> +<p>Houston hesitated a moment, and then replied:</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“There is one other consideration which you have not +mentioned, and which must not be omitted, and that is +compensation.”</p> +<p>A sudden movement on Jack’s part caused Houston to +pause for an instant, but nothing was said, and he proceeded:</p> +<p>“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––”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I beg your pardon,” said Houston, in a low, gentle +tone, “I intended no offense, and I shall certainly respect +your wishes.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“So let it be!” responded Houston solemnly, strangely +moved by Jack’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>“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.</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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’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’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>“Just got a wire from the boss for you and Morgan; +did you know anything about this kind of an arrangement?”</p> +<p>Houston opened the telegram, and read:</p> +<blockquote> +<p>“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.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>Houston read the message carefully, then said to +Haight, who stood awaiting his reply:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“He evidently has roped the old man in on it, at last,” +said Haight, seating himself.</p> +<p>“It looks like it,” Houston answered indifferently.</p> +<p>“What is the machine anyway?” Haight inquired. “Is +it any good?”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“I have noticed that he scarcely appears like himself, +of late,” Houston replied; “he seems to have some serious +trouble.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Possibly,” said Houston, quietly, “but he will not +know of it from me.”</p> +<p>“No?” said Haight, with a curious, rising reflection.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Haight looked up curiously, and even the faces of the +ladies expressed a slight surprise.</p> +<p>“I didn’t know you and Morgan were such good +friends,” Haight remarked wonderingly.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Is Mr. Van Dorn going to erect one of his reducing +machines here?”</p> +<p>Houston answered in the affirmative.</p> +<p>“He will be likely to remain here some time, then, will +he not?”</p> +<p>“In all probability,” Houston replied, “it must take +considerable time to get one of those machines in perfect +running order.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Why so?” inquired Houston.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Houston smiled at this accurate description of his class +mate.</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Why?” she asked quickly, in surprise, “did Jack tell +you that it was I who asked him to help you?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Houston looked at her inquiringly.</p> +<p>“I mean Miss Gladden,” was her response.</p> +<p>“I see you have given her no hint,” he said, smiling.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Lyle lifted her beautiful head proudly, with a gesture so +full of grace, Houston could not but observe it.</p> +<p>“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.”</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; “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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Lyle looked slightly surprised, “Very well,” she answered, +in a tone of assent, adding, “You are his nephew, +are you not?”</p> +<p>“His nephew and his adopted son,” Houston replied, +with a peculiar smile.</p> +<p>“Ah!” she replied quietly, “I understand; Miss Gladden +is to know nothing at present of your wealth.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>A curious smile flitted over her face for a moment, but +she only said, “You must be very wealthy!”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.”</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’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.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“No,” answered Houston, “Van Dorn, the one with +glasses, he was the inventor, you remember.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“Not for a day or two,” replied Houston.</p> +<p>“Well,” said Morgan, with one of his characteristic +shrugs, “I guess I’ll have to spruce up a bit, before he +comes.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Oh well, I’ll be all right before he gets here. Who’s +going down to meet that fellow and his contraptions?”</p> +<p>“I sent Hayes down with two or three men, and a six-horse +team, early this morning.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“I say, Houston, this is what I call up-hill work; it has +been a pretty hard pull all the way.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Houston, “particularly hard on you, judging +by appearances.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“When did you reach Silver City? yesterday?” inquired +Houston.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Certainly, we will go to the house at once,” said Houston, +preparing to close the office.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>On their way to the house, Van Dorn said: “Ned +Rutherford has gone to the coast to meet his brother, I +suppose.”</p> +<p>“Yes; you probably know he and Morton are intending +to stop here on their return?”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“I’ve discovered now where that fine ore on the dump +of the famous Sunrise lode came from.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Houston, “and you will make other discoveries, +shortly.”</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’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; “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?”</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>“Morgan,” called Houston, “where are you going?”</p> +<p>“I dun’no,” he answered moodily, “down to the Y, I +guess, by and by.”</p> +<p>“Well, hold on a minute, I will walk down with you a +ways; I want to see you.”</p> +<p>“All right,” 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’s real +errand in overtaking him became apparent.</p> +<p>“Morgan, you are not fit to be out to-night, you must +have rest, you will break down living this way.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Morgan, raising his hollow, heavy eyes to +Houston’s face, “I’m about done up, that’s a fact.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>For the first time in all their acquaintance, Morgan’s +careless, indifferent manner changed, and for a few moments +he seemed touched.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Now, Morgan, just say what money you need, and +you shall have it; I want to help you out of this,” said +Houston.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>He started a few steps down the road, hesitated, and +came back.</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“Thank you, Morgan, I will.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“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?”</p> +<p>“It is,” responded Houston, “this is one of the mornings +when it is a joy just simply to live and breathe.”</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’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’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>“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:</p> +<p>“Is the boss in there, mister? Le’me in quick, I wan’ter +see ’im!”</p> +<p>Turning quickly, he saw Bull-dog, breathless, pale and +quivering with excitement.</p> +<p>“Say, boss,” he gasped, before Houston could speak, +“they want yer––down ter the Y,––Morgan has shot hisself!”</p> +<p>“What is that, boy?” exclaimed Houston hoarsely, +clearing the space between them at a bound.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“Here’s the man you want,” said Van Dorn, turning +a white face toward Houston, “Great God, Everard!” he +exclaimed, “Morgan has killed himself!”</p> +<p>“He is not dead!” exclaimed Houston, turning towards +the boy.</p> +<p>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.</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’s writing, +“Send to the camp for Houston, he’s the only friend +I’ve got.”</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; “Maybe I’ll call on +you for it to-morrow if I don’t have luck to-night.”</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’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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“’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.”</p> +<p>“Who were they?” inquired Houston.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“How do you know?”</p> +<p>“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.”</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’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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>At last they came to a rickety stair-way, and as they +neared the top, Bull-dog whispered:</p> +<p>“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.”</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’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.”</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’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’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:</p> +<p>“Open the window,” he said, and his voice sounded +strange even to himself, “draw back those curtains, this +place is stifling.”</p> +<p>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.</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>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</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’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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</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’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>“He’s gone,” she moaned, “and I don’t want to live no +longer.”</p> +<p>“Did you care so much for him?” asked Houston, wonderingly.</p> +<p>“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.”</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’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'>“As wave follows wave across the sea,”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“Perfectly sure,” replied Houston, calmly, “so far as +money is concerned, poor Morgan has wronged no one +but himself.”</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>The thought flashed through Houston’s mind that a +deeper disgrace than this awaited the company, but he +only replied:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“So you knew of his habits and offered him money? +It was your duty to have reported him to me.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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’s attention +in that direction.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Mr. Blaisdell returned the slip, and there was a new respect +indicated in tone and manner, as he replied:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I shall be there in a few hours,” 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:–––</p> +<p class='center'>“Rest, brother, rest in thy last, long sleep.”</p> +<p>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!</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’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>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Humph!” sniffed Mr. Rivers contemptuously, “You’d +better let me manage that fellow, Blaisdell, he’ll run away +with you.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Well, you fellows may joke as much as you please,” +said Mr. Blaisdell, a little testily, “I tell you the man is +smart.”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“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.”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“How is that?” inquired Houston, with much interest, +“to what do you refer?”</p> +<p>“I refer to the Lucky Chance mine; are you familiar +with that property?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“Certainly,” answered Houston, “I am aware of that +fact.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Both Houston and Van Dorn studied the diagram carefully +for a moment, when the latter exclaimed:</p> +<p>“Why, the main tunnel extends more than a hundred +feet beyond the boundary line.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“That is it exactly,” said Van Dorn, “no wonder the +mine pays well!”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“But how did you discover this?” asked Houston.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“How many are employed there? and what class of +men are they?” inquired Houston.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Van Dorn whistled softly.</p> +<p>“Could you assume the Irish dialect, on an occasion +like this, Mr. Van Dorn?” Jack inquired.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>Both Houston and Jack laughed at Van Dorn’s ready +answer.</p> +<p>“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.</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’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>“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.</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’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>“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.”</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’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.</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’s voice, as he and Van Dorn approached the house, +and a moment later, they heard the ringing laugh of the +latter.</p> +<p>“They are evidently in good spirits,” remarked Lyle, +“their visit must have been a satisfactory one.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Why?” exclaimed Miss Gladden in surprise, “do you +think Mr. Houston will fail after all?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I would not think they could escape with all the evidence +accumulating against them now,” said Miss Gladden +thoughtfully.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“It looks like Haight,” said Miss Gladden, “but why +is he creeping along so cautiously?”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Jim!” he whispered, “Jim, wake up!”</p> +<p>“Who’s that? What d’ye want?” came the response in +a surly tone.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Don’t be frightened,” she said, “but I believe Haight +must have seen or heard something;” and she hastily told +what she had overheard.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>A few moments later, Maverick shuffled out on the +porch and sat down beside Haight with a growl.</p> +<p>“Damned pretty time, I sh’d think, to talk! What in +hell do you want?”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“Huh?” said Maverick, rather stupidly, “what are ye +drivin’ at?”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“Damned if I know,” was the laconic response.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“That’s it, go ahead!” said Haight.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“That’s right,” said Haight, “now what object would +he be likely to have in getting information from Jack?”</p> +<p>“I dun’no,” said the other, “unless mebbe he’s paid by +somebody on the outside.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“That there’s a damned ticklish place to get any of the +men to go late at night,” said Maverick reflectively.</p> +<p>“Why so?”</p> +<p>“That place is harnted, ye know, by the man on the +spotted horse.”</p> +<p>“Oh, nonsense!” ejaculated Haight.</p> +<p>“It’s a fact though; he rides up and down there once +in a while, and I wouldn’t want ter see him myself.”</p> +<p>“Oh, hang your ghost!” said Haight, impatiently, “tell +your men if they see it to shoot it.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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’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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>Lyle, in her grief, did not notice the import of Miss +Gladden’s words, but she exclaimed passionately:</p> +<p>“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:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“But what will they do about their intended examination +of the mines? They will surely be watched then.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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’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>“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.”</p> +<p>“They have watched me so many evenings to no purpose, +they may be off guard to-night,” said Van Dorn.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Why, Miss Maverick, what will you do?” inquired +Van Dorn, “you must not expose yourself in any way.”</p> +<p>“I will be in no danger,” she answered smiling.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Lyle’s beautiful eyes spoke her thanks for his words of +appreciation, as she asked:</p> +<p>“At what hour will you have completed the examination, +and be ready to leave the mine?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Why, how is that?” inquired Van Dorn wonderingly, +while Houston remarked:</p> +<p>“If we see nothing more than phantoms, we shall be +very happily disappointed.”</p> +<p>“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.</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’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>“What is it, Araminta? do you wish to see me?”</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’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.</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</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’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:</p> +<p>“Get onto what those fellows are about, if you have to +stay till morning, and if you want any help, send Jake +back.”</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>“I shall try my little experiment to-night, and I do not +believe there will be any trouble.”</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>“What the divil do they think they’re givin’ us?” said +one of the men, with an oath.</p> +<p>“They seen us mos’ likely, and they’re tryin’ to fool us +that there’s nobody there.”</p> +<p>“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:</p> +<p>“The saints presarve us! but the baste knows more +than mony a mon, I’m afther thinkin’.”</p> +<p>“That he does,” replied Jack, “and he is far more faithful.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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!”</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’s costume.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>They started for the other mine, Houston taking the +lead and Van Dorn following, while Jack brought up the +rear.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Have ye found ’im?” he inquired eagerly, “Is he down +there with the boss?”</p> +<p>“No, he’s not there.”</p> +<p>“Then, what in hell are you back here for?”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And me and Bud, we’re to watch out for the boss?”</p> +<p>“Yes, lay for ’im and overhaul ’im, and find out what +the divil is goin’ on.”</p> +<p>“I guess he’s a pretty tough feller to handle, from all +I’ve heerd,” remarked Jake reflectively.</p> +<p>Pete responded with an oath. “Knock ’im silly, he’ll +be easy ’nough handlin’ then.”</p> +<p>“Ye don’t mean for to do ’im up, do ye Pete?”</p> +<p>“Well, I guess nobody’d feel very bad if ye did.”</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’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’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>“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.</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Shades of the departed!” exclaimed Houston, “what +kind of an apparition is this?”</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>“That,” said Jack, “is evidently the famous phantom of +Spotted Horse gulch, but who has originated the idea?”</p> +<p>“It must be Lyle,” said Houston, “she said the ghost +would walk to-night.”</p> +<p>“Well, by George!” exclaimed Van Dorn, “that is pretty +good anyway.”</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’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>“The road is clear, and you are safe!”</p> +<p>“Lyle,” said Houston, “how did you ever think of this? +Did you devise this masquerade?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And was it a success?” asked Van Dorn wonderingly, +having more practical knowledge of mines than of +miners, “Were the men frightened?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“It was one of the best schemes that could have been +devised,” said Jack, gravely, adding, “We probably owe +you more than we know.”</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’ 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.</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’s surmises +regarding the stranger, and Lyle then learned for +the first time that he was an intimate friend of Houston’s.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“Why do you always insist upon it so strongly that +you have never known any other life than this?” inquired +Miss Gladden.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Lyle spoke with more bitterness than Miss Gladden +had ever heard before, and the latter answered gently:</p> +<p>“If I were in your place, Lyle dear, I would not try to +check these fancies; I would encourage them.”</p> +<p>Lyle gazed at her friend in astonishment. “Encourage +them!” she repeated, “I don’t understand your meaning, +why would you advise that?”</p> +<p>“To see to what they would lead, my dear.” Then, as +Lyle looked bewildered, she continued:</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“I never thought of such a possibility,” she replied, +slowly.</p> +<p>Miss Gladden threw one arm about her caressingly.</p> +<p>“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?”</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>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“But why do you believe this?” questioned Lyle, “How +did you ever think of it?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Have you talked with Jack, and does he think as you +do?” Lyle questioned. Miss Gladden answered in the +affirmative.</p> +<p>“Is that the reason he has asked me so often regarding +my early life?”</p> +<p>“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:</p> +<p>“That face which you always see in your dreams, must +be the face of some one you have really seen and known.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” Lyle answered dreamily, “I have often thought +of that, and have tried to remember when, or where, it +could have been.”</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’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>“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?”</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>“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?”</p> +<p>“No, never,” said Miss Gladden, “as nearly as we can +judge, you must have been stolen.”</p> +<p>“And do you think my own parents are now living?” +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’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>“But why has Jack never told me of this, and of my +mother? He must have known her,” said Lyle.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“She certainly was very dear to him,” 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>“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!”</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 “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.</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,––only one among many, +all unknown to her,––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’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’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’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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“There he is,” said Houston, “the same old Ned!”</p> +<p>“The very same old boy!” added Van Dorn, as they +hastened to meet him.</p> +<p>“Hullo, Everard!” cried Ned, jumping upon the platform, +“I say, but it seems mighty good to see you again! +How are you, Van Dorn?”</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“That so?” answered Ned, good-naturedly, “well, I always +considered it indispensable, but I didn’t suppose my +identity would be lost without it.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And how are the ladies?” Ned inquired further.</p> +<p>“They are well, and waiting to give you and your +brother a royal welcome.”</p> +<p>“Thank you,” Morton Rutherford replied, “I am quite +anxious to meet them, Ned, of course, can speak for himself.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“What a delightful retreat!” he exclaimed, “what a +study for an artist!”</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>“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.</p> +<p>“Morton, I want to introduce you to our nightingale; +Miss Maverick, allow me to make you acquainted with +my brother.”</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’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>“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!”</p> +<p>“With the ladies’ approval, that will be one of our first +trips,” said Houston.</p> +<p>“You play and sing, do you not, Mr. Rutherford?” +Miss Gladden inquired, addressing the elder brother.</p> +<p>“Yes, occasionally,” he answered, with a peculiar smile.</p> +<p>“What instrument do you use?”</p> +<p>“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.”</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,––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.</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’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’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’s.</p> +<p>“Who in hell is that new feller you’ve got up here?”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“Damn you! who asked you to say anything? Git out +of here,” he roared, and Minty made a hasty retreat into +the cellar.</p> +<p>“Who’s that new feller out there?” he again demanded +of his wife.</p> +<p>“His name is Rutherford, and he’s a brother of the +young man that come out here with Mr. Houston,” was +her reply.</p> +<p>“What’s his business here?”</p> +<p>“I guess he hain’t got none, he seems to be out here +for pleasure like his brother.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>His wife made no response.</p> +<p>“What’s that girl Lyle tricked out in such finery for?” +he next asked.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</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,––perhaps +sweeter,––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’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’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>“Mr. Van Dorn,” he said in his blandest tones, “may +we have the pleasure of your company in our boat?”</p> +<p>As Van Dorn laughingly accepted the invitation, Morton +Rutherford turned toward his brother, saying:</p> +<p>“Are you not going to extend an invitation to me, +also?”</p> +<p>“Unfortunately,” said Ned, with as much dignity as he +could assume, “this boat will seat but three people.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>There was a general laugh at Ned’s expense, as he +clambered into the other boat, exclaiming good-naturedly:</p> +<p>“Well, Mort, that’s an awfully shabby trick, but then, +it’s all I can expect of you, anyhow.”</p> +<p>“It’s all you deserve, after such attempted selfishness +on your part,” 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>“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.”</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’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'>“Love is come with a song and a smile.”</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>“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.”</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’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,––his usual attitude when in deep thought.</p> +<p>“Getting up another article on the application of electric +force?” inquired Ned, as he paused to watch his +brother.</p> +<p>“No,” was the reply, “I am thinking at present of a +force far more subtle and more powerful than that of +electricity.”</p> +<p>“Why, how’s that?” asked Ned in surprise, “I thought +electricity was one of your pet hobbies.”</p> +<p>“Never mind about my pet hobbies,” said his brother, +with a smile, “just continue your writing for the present.”</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>“I shall have to give you credit for a great deal of constancy, +Ned, more than I really supposed you possessed.”</p> +<p>“How’s that?” asked Ned, with a slight blush, “to what +do you refer.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Ah,” said his brother, quietly, “and what of the younger +lady? Perhaps she is not your style, either?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“Through the villainy of that man whom you pointed +out to me as her father; through his villainy, and in no +other way.”</p> +<p>“You think she was stolen?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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:</p> +<p>“Good for you, Mort, and here’s my hand; I’m with +you on this, whatever you do.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“No, stay, if you please,” said Lyle.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“No,” she replied, “my thoughts were too perplexing, +I was growing weary of them.”</p> +<p>Mr. Rutherford glanced at the surrounding mountains; +“Were you, too, trying to fathom the mystery of the +eternal hills?” he asked.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Morton Rutherford was silent for a few moments, then +he said in low tones:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And what would be your solution?” she asked quickly.</p> +<p>He saw that she understood his meaning, and was +watching him intently, eagerly, and he said:</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“You interest me very much are you willing to tell me +how you arrived at this knowledge of which you speak?”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>Lyle gave him a smile of rare sweetness and deep significance; +“I am glad to know that,” she said simply.</p> +<p>“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:</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>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?”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“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.”</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’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.</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’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’s cabin, his astonishment +found expression.</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“On whose experience do you base your highly original +remark, your brother’s or your own?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.”</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’s face with a degree of interest +unusual for him to manifest in a stranger.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Yes, I know,” Jack responded, briefly.</p> +<p>“What! has she already told you?” Rutherford asked +in surprise.</p> +<p>“Only unconsciously; but I read soon after your coming, +that her heart was no longer her own.”</p> +<p>Then grasping Rutherford’s hand warmly, he added, in +tones vibrating with some deep emotion.</p> +<p>“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!”</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>“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?”</p> +<p>“Finely,” replied Houston, “the output is steadily increasing, +week by week.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Ah, yes, did you hear anything said as to whether he +was coming this way?”</p> +<p>“Nothing, nothing whatever, except what I have +stated.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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’s little +private office, while Blaisdell approached him with the +expert.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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!</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I shall have to ask you to be a little more explicit, +Mr. Blaisdell,” Houston replied.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“To what mine do you refer?” asked Houston, with exasperating +persistency.</p> +<p>“I mean the Lucky Chance, and you know it,” retorted +Rivers angrily.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“His intentions were all right,” interposed Mr. Blaisdell, +“he was over-zealous, that was all.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“What!” exclaimed Rivers in a rage, “let me tell you, +young man, it is to your interest to be a little careful.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“No, Houston,” added Mr. Blaisdell, “we wouldn’t +think of discharging you, you’re too good a man.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>Blaisdell and Rivers exchanged glances, and for a moment +were speechless. The former was the first to recover +himself.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“When will he get here?” asked Houston.</p> +<p>“The latter part of next week.”</p> +<p>Houston thought an instant, his party would be there +the first or middle of the week.</p> +<p>“Very well,” he replied, “I tender my resignation now, +to take effect when he comes.”</p> +<p>“Oh, no, Houston, no indeed, why, we couldn’t think +of such a thing,” said Blaisdell, really alarmed, while Rivers +maintained a sullen silence.</p> +<p>“I am not particularly anxious to hold this position, I +can assure you; there is very little in it but hard work.”</p> +<p>“Oh, well, well, you stay by us a while longer, and +we’ll take you into the company yet.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“What is the meaning of this?” he inquired sternly. +“Who has given any orders for this powder to be brought +here?”</p> +<p>“Them was the boss’s orders, sir,” replied one of the +men, respectfully.</p> +<p>“The boss? whom do you mean?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“Yes,” replied Haight, with his usual smile, “and I intended +to have spoken to you about it this morning, but +I forgot it.”</p> +<p>“What is his object? any blasting to be done?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“How soon is this blasting to begin?”</p> +<p>“Well, I can’t say exactly, just how soon, probably +within the next seven or eight days.”</p> +<p>“In what direction is the drifting to extend?”</p> +<p>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.”</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>“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!”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“It looks to me,” said Van Dorn slowly, “as though +they were making preparations to blow up these mines, +at a moment’s warning.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“At once; we must get him here as quickly and as +quietly as we can; before they put their plans into action, +if possible.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“We will,” Houston replied, with quiet decision.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Give Morton our dispatch and cipher book, and he +will attend to it better than you or I, for he is an expert +operator.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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:</p> +<blockquote> +<p>“Come at once, no delay; go to Arlington Hotel, Silver +City; keep dark, do not register. Van Dorn will meet you at +hotel.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>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:</p> +<p>“This is the beginning of the end.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<a name='CHAPTER_XLI' id='CHAPTER_XLI'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XLI.</h2> +</div> +<p>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.</p> +<p>He remained at the station until the answer came back +over the wires:</p> +<blockquote> +<p>“Leave Chicago to-night; will follow instructions to the letter.”</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’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'>“To Lyle,<br /> +to be read after my death.”</p> +<p>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.</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>“I will first see what this package contains, and will +probably open that later.”</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,––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.</p> +<p>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.</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’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:</p> +<table summary=''><tr><td> +<p class='cg'>“To Marjorie Lyle Washburn,<br /> +Upon her second birthday.”</p> +</td></tr></table> +<p>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!</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’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’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’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!</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>“You have good news! Have you found what you +hoped to find?”</p> +<p>“I have,” she replied, “and you who have shared all +my troubles must be the first sharer of my joy.”</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’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, “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.”</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>“Jack!” she suddenly exclaimed, “have I made you +suffer by my thoughtlessness? Forgive me!”</p> +<p>“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?”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“Jack,” said Lyle earnestly, “can you tell me anything +about my relatives? Are my grandparents living? and had +my parents brothers or sisters?”</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“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?”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>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.”</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’s question whether Mr. +Houston had returned, stated that he was in his room, +having just come up from the mines.</p> +<p>“Thank you, I will see him just a moment,” Lyle responded, +passing into the house.</p> +<p>“You have not heard any bad news, have you?” asked +Miss Gladden apprehensively, noting the peculiar expression +on Lyle’s face.</p> +<p>“No,” the latter answered with a smile, “it is about +nothing regarding himself that I wish to see him, only +something concerning myself.”</p> +<p>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.</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>“Good evening, Lyle, come in; you look as though +you were the bearer of important news of some kind.”</p> +<p>“I have news,” she replied, “though of importance +only to myself; I need a little counsel, and was told to +come to you.”</p> +<p>“You know, Lyle, I will only be too glad to give you +any advice, or render any assistance within my power.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Houston bowed in assent.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>She, too, was nearly speechless with astonishment. +“What did you say was her name?” she stammered.</p> +<p>Houston repeated the name, while a strange light began +to dawn in his face.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>Faintly, as though sounding far in the distance, she +heard Houston’s voice as he exclaimed:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“Leslie,” he said, in quick, low tones, “you and Morton +come to my room. Lyle has fainted.”</p> +<p>“What is the trouble, Everard?” asked Ned, springing +to his feet. “Anything serious?”</p> +<p>“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.”</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’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’s name, but which had seemed to her +past belief.</p> +<p>“It is really true, and I have not been dreaming?” +she asked.</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>With a burst of tears, Miss Gladden knelt beside Lyle, +throwing her arms about her neck, while Lyle whispered:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Turning to Morton Rutherford, whose emotion seemed +nearly as deep as Miss Gladden’s, Houston said:</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“Come in, Ned,” said Houston cordially. “We want +you here to complete the family group.”</p> +<p>Ned looked rather bewildered, as he replied: “I just +wanted to inquire for Miss Maverick, to know if she was +better.”</p> +<p>“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:</p> +<p>“Ned, this is Miss Maverick no longer, but Miss Washburn, +the grand-daughter of the Mr. Cameron whom we +expect here to-morrow.”</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>“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–––”</p> +<p>“Oh, call me Lyle,” she interrupted, with a rippling +laugh. “I have a right to that name yet.”</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>The letter was read, and bitter were the denunciations +against Maverick.</p> +<p>“The scoundrel! He ought to be lynched this very +night,” said Ned. “That’s the way they do those things +out here.”</p> +<p>“Not late years, Ned,” corrected his brother, “and even +if they did, that would not be best.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“And to think that you have known so much of this +all the time, and did not tell me!” she exclaimed.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Then, as he remained silent, she queried:</p> +<p>“You would be here, wouldn’t you, Jack, where I +could find you?”</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>“I cannot tell, dear, my life is an erratic and wandering +one. No one, not even I, can say where I may be.”</p> +<p>“But you have not lived a wandering life lately; you +have lived here for many years.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</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, “God bless +you always, my dear child!”</p> +<p>She returned the kiss, and as he released her, she whispered:</p> +<p>“Good-night, dear Jack!”</p> +<p>“Good-night, my dear,” he answered, adding under +his breath, “and good-bye!”</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’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’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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“And what may that reason be?” inquired Jack, +calmly.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>After a pause Jack replied, slowly:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Jack started almost imperceptibly. “You do not expect +Mrs. Cameron here with her husband?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Jack remained silent, and withdrew a little farther into +the shadow. It was Morton Rutherford who spoke now.</p> +<p>“Did you not once tell me, Everard, in the old college +days, that Mr. Cameron had lost a son also?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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?”</p> +<p>“Yes,” Houston replied, “we expect him over on the +evening train, with Van Dorn.”</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, “Mike can have the rest.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>His head dropped lower; he was thinking deeply.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>He glanced upward at the surrounding peaks.</p> +<p>“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!”</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,––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>“This portends a storm,” said Houston, as he watched +the strange phenomena.</p> +<p>“Yes,” added Morton Rutherford, “an electric storm, +and, if I am not mistaken, a very severe one.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I don’t like it,” Lyle answered, “it seems ominous,” +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>“What’s in the wind now, I wonder,” he soliloquized.</p> +<p>“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:</p> +<p>“You find out to-day, if you can, whether there’s anything +unusual going on among those folks out there, +and let me know.”</p> +<p>She pocketed the money with her customary giggle, +as she responded, nodding her head emphatically, “You +jest betcher life I will.”</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>“Party arrived all right; over on evening train.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>To which Rutherford replied as follows:</p> +<blockquote> +<p>“All quiet here. Will wire later if anything occurs.”</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’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.</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’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.</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’s conduct +rather peculiar, he learned the facts in the case.</p> +<p>“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.”</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’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’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>“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.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>Haight sprang to his feet, and calling one of the men, +ordered, “Send Maverick to me as quickly as you can.”</p> +<p>In a few moments the slouching figure of Maverick +stood in the door-way.</p> +<p>“Come in, Jim, and shut that door,” said Haight, in a +quick, decisive tone that Maverick knew meant business.</p> +<p>“Jim, in what shape is the powder in those mines? +How long would it take to get everything ready for +action?”</p> +<p>Maverick’s eyes gleamed; here evidently was to be a +piece of work such as he enjoyed!</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Think you could get it all done at noon, while the +men are away?”</p> +<p>“Yes, easy.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“You bet I do, and I’ll do a damned good job, too,” +Maverick replied, with a grin; “but what’s the signal, +boss?”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“Out there, behind them rocks; I can see your winders +plain from there.”</p> +<p>“Yes, but if I made you any signal there, or put anything +in the window, others would see it as well as yourself.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Is old Cameron comin’ out here?” persisted Maverick, +with an expression of fear and hatred combined, visible in +his countenance.</p> +<p>“Cameron!” exclaimed Haight, with a slight start, and +wondering at Maverick’s appearance, “What do you +know about him?”</p> +<p>“I know he owns these ’ere mines, damn him!” answered +Maverick doggedly.</p> +<p>“Do you! Well, that’s enough, go along, you’re not +interested in Cameron.”</p> +<p>“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’?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know,” answered Haight shortly, “probably +before very long though.”</p> +<p>“When you git word he’s comin’ I wan’ter know it, +that’s all,” growled Maverick.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Maverick, with a leer, “’specially the new +superintendent, you’d like me ter give ’im an extra warnin’ +I s’pose.”</p> +<p>There was a corresponding leer on Haight’s face, as he +replied with a peculiar grimace,</p> +<p>“You’ve had your orders; if you are particularly anxious +to give anybody an extra warning, go ahead!”</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’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,––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.</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’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>“Lyle, what is the matter? Where are you going?” +they cried.</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“Lyle, come back!” shouted Ned, “let me go!”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Just what I was intending to suggest,” said Houston.</p> +<p>“You will remain here until I come back?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Very well, you will probably hear from me within +twenty or thirty minutes,” 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>“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?”</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>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“Houston, old man Cameron’s nephew!” gasped Maverick, +with a terrible oath, and growing fairly livid, +“How’d ye get onto that?”</p> +<p>“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.”</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. +“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.”</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’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>“You are a coward!” he said.</p> +<p>“And you are a sneak,” Haight hissed in reply, “prying +around here when you had better be minding your +own business.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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:</p> +<blockquote> +<p>“Send the mines to hell, and Houston and his crowd with +them. Look out for yourself. Good-bye.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>As he did so, he stumbled against a small boy, running +even more swiftly in the same direction.</p> +<p>“Mister, Mister Houston! is that you?” rang out Bull-dog’s +voice, above the storm.</p> +<p>“No, my boy, I am going to find Mr. Houston, to save +him if I can.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“But, my boy, you risk your own life,” said Rutherford.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.</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’s voice, as he rushed past, warned her back.</p> +<p>“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.</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,––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>“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.”</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.</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>“Come,” she said hoarsely, “we must hasten; perhaps +we can help them in some way, even if we are too late to +save them.”</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’s office, the fire was raging, having +come in contact with quantities of chemicals which had +increased its fury.</p> +<p>“Great Cæsar!” ejaculated Ned, “the mills were struck, +and are on fire.”</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>“Poor child, poor child!” she moaned, “oh, merciful +heaven, she came too late, and they are all lost!”</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>“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.</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>“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.”</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’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>“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.”</p> +<p>For a moment no one responded, then one of the men +who had escaped, spoke,</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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; “My +darling,” he said, in low tones, “I cannot allow you to +subject yourself to danger.”</p> +<p>“I would rather share the danger with you,” she replied +proudly, “besides we must save them.”</p> +<p>“I will go, too,” said Ned eagerly, “I surely can help.”</p> +<p>Lyle was about to suggest that he remain with Miss +Gladden, but Leslie herself interposed.</p> +<p>“No, no, I do not need him,” she said earnestly, “I +would suffer no more waiting alone, and he may do much +good.”</p> +<p>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.”</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’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, “To +the tunnels, boys, for your lives! The mine has been +fired, go to the tunnels!”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“Come, my boy,” shouted Houston in return, “we’ll +start for the tunnels.”</p> +<p>“Yes sir, I’m a comin’, I know the way, but don’t you +wait fer me ’cause you may git catched.”</p> +<p>“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.</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>“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.</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>“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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>As Houston at last freed him, the little fellow tried to +rise, but sank quickly back, with an involuntary cry:</p> +<p>“I guess I’m done fer––Mister Houston,” he gasped +faintly, “but I don’t care––if you only––get out safe.”</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. “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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</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’ 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>“Who is this?” the latter asked in surprise.</p> +<p>“Bull-dog, the little hero who has saved our lives by +sacrificing his own,” Houston replied.</p> +<p>“Is he still living?”</p> +<p>“Yes, but unconscious.”</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’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’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.</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’ 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>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</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’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.</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’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>“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.”</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’s men to take his +horse, and replace it with a fresh one, Morton returned to +the station to await Van Dorn’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’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.</p> +<p>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.</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’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.</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>“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:</p> +<p>“Guy, dear old fellow, and you have known me all this +time! God grant this has not come too late!”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“What name did you say?” she cried eagerly, “Did you +say Guy Cameron? Is Jack––my Jack––is he my mother’s +brother?”</p> +<p>Houston bowed in assent, he could not speak.</p> +<p>“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.</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’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>“Is he worse?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Yes, I remember.”</p> +<p>“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:</p> +<p>“Ah, you have at last found the key to the wondrous +bond between you, and to his self-sacrificing love toward +you and yours.”</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; “I must hasten back to the Y,” +at the same time handing his friend the telegram received +from Van Dorn:</p> +<blockquote> +<p>“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.”</p> +</blockquote> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“You know I am at your service,” Morton replied.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</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 “God-speed,” 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>“My boy!” exclaimed Mr. Cameron, hastening toward +him, “are you sure you have escaped without serious injury?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“You will see him very soon,” Houston replied with +grave courtesy, “but there are reasons why my uncle must +first see him, and alone.”</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’s manner as +he closed the door, he asked:</p> +<p>“What is it, my boy?”</p> +<p>“Pardon me, if I seem abrupt, uncle,” Houston answered, +“but every moment is precious in saving a life unspeakably +dear to each of us.”</p> +<p>Mr. Cameron looked startled; Houston continued:</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Everard, my boy!” exclaimed Mr. Cameron, in tones +vibrating with suppressed emotion, “what is it? Speak +quickly, do not keep me in suspense,”</p> +<p>“My dear uncle,” said Houston very tenderly, “the lost +is found.”</p> +<p>Mr. Cameron sank, nearly overcome, into the nearest +chair, while his face grew deathly white.</p> +<p>“Guy?” he gasped, looking upward at Houston.</p> +<p>“Yes,” 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’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>“Take me to him.”</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>“It is he, my boy, my son! Thank God, it is not too +late!”</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,––one chance +out of a hundred.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Astonishment was depicted upon the faces of the physicians, +but Mr. Cameron continued:</p> +<p>“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.”</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’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’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.</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’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’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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I do not understand you, Everard; you surely do not +allude to the property?”</p> +<p>“No, very far from that; did you notice the young girl +who came into Guy’s room to-night?”</p> +<p>“To bring the light?”</p> +<p>“The same.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“It was no imagination on your part, the resemblance +is very marked, not only in face, but in voice and manner +as well.”</p> +<p>“How do you account for it?” asked Mr. Cameron +quickly, “Who is she?”</p> +<p>“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:</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“Why might it not be possible?” inquired Houston, +wishing to lead his uncle gradually up to the truth.</p> +<p>“Is this her home?” asked Mr. Cameron in turn.</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Houston, “this has been her home, I believe, +for the last ten years.”</p> +<p>“If the supposition mentioned a moment ago were correct, +how would she be here, amid such surroundings?”</p> +<p>“Do you know the man who runs this house?” Houston +asked.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“He is; do you know him? Did you ever have any +business with him personally?”</p> +<p>“Yes, I had him in my employ years ago, in the east, +and was obliged to discharge him for dishonesty.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Everard!” exclaimed Mr. Cameron, “are you sure +you are correct? What proof have you of this?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“That is enough,” said Mr. Cameron briefly, “let me +see her, Everard.”</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>“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!”</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’s affectionate +care for her.</p> +<p>“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!”</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,––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>“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'>“Morton Rutherford.”</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’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,––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.</p> +<p>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.</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>“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.”</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’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>“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.</p> +<p>“Just in time, thank God!” was the broken reply.</p> +<p>“Oh, Walter, is there no hope?” she queried, understanding +his words only too well.</p> +<p>“I must not deceive you, Marjorie, there is the barest +possibility that he may live, no more.”</p> +<p>“He must live, and he will,” 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>“My poor, dear boy, what a terrible risk you have +run!”</p> +<p>To which he replied, “I would go through it all again, +Aunt Marjorie, for the joy I believe it will bring you and +yours.”</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’ rest and a little food. She hesitated, +but Everard spoke:</p> +<p>“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.”</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>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>“I do not understand you, dear,” replied Mrs. Cameron, +looking bewildered, “you certainly do not refer to +Leslie, I have met her.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</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>“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:</p> +<p>“What does this mean, Walter? Can this be Edna’s +child?”</p> +<p>“Yes, my love,” he replied, “this is the little Marjorie +we have mourned as dead for so many years.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“She shall be our own daughter, shall she not, Walter? +She shall be to us just what Edna was?”</p> +<p>“Certainly,” was the response, “she is our own daughter, +Marjorie Lyle Cameron.”</p> +<p>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.</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>“Guy! oh, Guy, my darling!”</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’s ear could catch +the words:</p> +<p>“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.</p> +<p>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.</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’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 & 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’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.</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 “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.</p> +<p>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.</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,––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.</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>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Everard, of what are you thinking so deeply?” demanded +Lyle, watching his thoughtful face, “you have +not spoken a word since you came out.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“When will the mines be reopened?” inquired Van +Dorn.</p> +<p>“Just as soon as possible after the rebuilding of the +plant, next spring.”</p> +<p>“All these mines will be owned and controlled by the +New York company, will they not?”</p> +<p>“Yes, and they will probably purchase other good +properties.”</p> +<p>“’Pon my soul, but that will make a fine plant, out +’ere!” exclaimed Lindlay.</p> +<p>“I should say so,” 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>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“Article II. This corporation shall be known as The +Rocky Mountain Mining Company.”</p> +<p>A murmur of approval ran through the little group, +and the sonorous tones continued:</p> +<p>“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.”</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’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>“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.”</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>“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.”</p> +<p>Guy grasped his father’s hand and Houston’s in a manner +that removed every anxiety from their minds.</p> +<p>“It is more than satisfactory,” he said, “more than I +could wish.”</p> +<p>The following day, Mr. Whitney, Lindlay and Van +Dorn returned east, leaving the “family party” 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’s surprise was unbounded, but remembering +how he had won Leslie’s love, there was little he could +say.</p> +<p>“I thought you once said you never had a home of your +own,” he remarked in considerable perplexity.</p> +<p>“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.”</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 “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.</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’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’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.</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’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’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. 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