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diff --git a/30028-0.txt b/30028-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3d90373 --- /dev/null +++ b/30028-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,13734 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 30028 *** + +THE AWARD OF JUSTICE + +OR + +TOLD IN THE ROCKIES. + +A Pen Picture of the West. + +BY + +A. MAYNARD BARBOUR, + +AUTHOR OF "That Mainwaring Affair." + +"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof."--Ecc. vii, 8. + +CHICAGO AND NEW YORK: + +RAND, McNALLY & COMPANY, + +PUBLISHERS. + + + + +Copyright, 1897, by Rand, McNally & Co. + +Copyright, 1901, by Rand, McNally & Co. + + + + +DEDICATION. + +To W. James Barbour, + + My co-worker in this pleasant task, + at whose suggestion it was undertaken, + and by whose inspiration it has been guided, + from inception to completion, + this book is affectionately dedicated + by the author, + +A. MAYNARD BARBOUR. + + + + +THE AWARD OF JUSTICE + +By A. Maynard Barbour. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +The Pacific Express was due at Valley City at 1:45 p.m. Within ten +minutes of that time, a spring-board wagon, containing two young men +and drawn by a pair of bronchos, suddenly appeared around one end of +the dingy little depot. One of the men, dressed in a tweed traveling +suit, jumped hastily from the wagon, while the other, who looked like +a prosperous young ranchman, seemed to have all he could attend to in +holding the restive little ponies, who were rearing and kicking in +their impatience at being compelled to stand. + +"I'm afraid, Ned," he said, "that you'll have to look out for your +traps yourself; these little rats haven't been driven for four days, +and they're feeling pretty frisky." + +"All right, Tom," responded the other, diving under the seat of the +spring-board and bringing out the said "traps," which consisted of two +grips, a rifle case, a set of fishing rods, and, last but not least, a +large, square case which he handled with great care, and now held up +to his companion saying, + +"See that, Tom? that's my set of cameras; they're fine too, I tell +you." + +"But why do you bother to take them around with you all the time, like +that?" inquired his friend. + +"Oh," replied Ned, "I do that so as to be ready to catch any choice +scenes I come across; I'm making a collection of views, you know, and +I expect to get a good many on this trip. By the way, I got some +stunning views over there at your place this morning, just before +breakfast." + +"The dickens, you did!" exclaimed Tom, suddenly remembering a +ludicrous predicament in which his guest had caught him. + +"Oh, yes," said Ned, "and when I get away at a safe distance I'm going +to develop them and send them to you. I've got an awfully fine--well, +by Jove, if that isn't just my luck!" + +Ned had just deposited his belongings on the depot platform and in +doing so, noticed a piece of blackboard propped up against the wall, +on which were chalked these words, "Train 3 ours late." His eyes +seemed riveted to the spot. + +"What's the matter now?" asked Tom, who took in the situation at a +glance. + +"Matter! Why, that blasted train is three hours behind time." + +"Too bad!" said Tom, with a grin; "if I'd only known that I needn't +have driven my horses so hard." + +"Oh, confound those little beasts of yours;" exclaimed Ned, "a little +exercise won't hurt them, but to think of three hours in a place like +this! and say, don't you know how to spell out here?" + +"Well," said Tom, coolly, "I don't hold myself personally responsible +for the wording of that blackboard, but I suppose that's the phonetic +spelling they used to talk about when I lived east; you see we've +adopted it out here, for we westerners have to rustle lively, and +don't have time for old-fashioned ways." + +"I see," said Ned, rather sarcastically; "perhaps you can tell me why +they don't 'rustle' that train along on time." + +"I suppose," replied Tom, "it's on account of that wreck two days ago; +you know your train was ten hours late yesterday." + +"Yes," assented Ned, gazing about him with an expression of intense +disgust; "I got here after dark; that's how it comes about that I +never realized until the present moment what a paradise this place is. +Valley City! I can't see more than a dozen buildings here." + +"That's probably because you're so near-sighted, my dear boy," +replied Tom; and Ned, who was very sensitive on the subject of his +near-sightedness, colored, and readjusted his eye-glasses, while he +asked in a tone of despair: + +"Well, what am I to do in this beastly place, anyhow?" + +"You might take a stroll about the city," suggested Tom, "if you get +lost you'll have to inquire your way of some of the police. I would be +delighted to stay and keep you company, but work on the ranch is +rushing and I must hurry back; so I'll wish you good luck and +good-bye." + +"All right, old fellow," said Ned, shaking hands in a slightly +patronizing way, "if you ever get out of this country, and find +yourself within the limits of civilization again, just take a run down +to the 'Hub' and see me." + +"Much obliged," said Tom, turning around for a parting shot; "I say, +Ned, while you're waiting for the train, you'd better get out your +cameras; you might catch some more 'stunning views' you know," and +lightly snapping his whip, he started off, the bronchos standing on +their forefeet with their heels in the air. + +"Good-bye, Tom," Ned called, after the rapidly retreating spring-board, +"if you ever had any brains to lose I'd be anxious about you, but I +guess you're safe enough." + +Tom's only reply was a crack of the whip, and he and the ponies soon +disappeared in a cloud of dust, leaving Ned to survey his surroundings +at his leisure. + +In the foreground was the low, dingy depot, and on the platform, +leaning against the building as though their spinal columns were +unable to support them, were two specimens of the genus homo, which +were entirely new to the young Bostonian. He gazed at them with +undisguised interest, being unable to determine whether they were +cow-boys or miners, these being the two classes into which, as he +imagined, the western population was about evenly divided. That they +immediately classified him, in their western vernacular, as a +"tenderfoot," and a remarkably verdant specimen at that, was not owing +to their superior penetration, as it was a self-evident fact. + +Mr. Edward B. Rutherford, Jr., prided himself upon being a +resident of Boston, a son of one of her best families, and a +graduate of Harvard, and it is scarcely to be wondered at if he +felt himself slightly superior to ordinary mortals who had not been +blessed with these advantages. Nevertheless, the fact remained that +Mr. Rutherford's personal appearance could not be considered +especially prepossessing, even when moving in his own sphere where +he felt himself, as he would have expressed it, "en rapport" with his +surroundings; under other circumstances, as at the present time, it +very nearly approached the ludicrous. He was small in stature, but +his bump of self-esteem was developed in an inverse ratio to his +size. He seemed to be making a constant effort to maintain his +dignity at the proper level, in which direction he was greatly +assisted by a pair of eye-glasses, perched on a very large and +decidedly Roman nose. It had been claimed by his college chums +that the eye-glasses were worn for this especial purpose; be that +as it may, without their assistance, his task would certainly have +been a difficult one, as his eyes, which were very full and round, +and surmounted by a pair of extremely high-arched eyebrows, gave him +always an expression of exaggerated surprise and bewilderment, +which, when intensified as on the present occasion, rendered his +appearance very far from the otium cum dignitate to which he aspired. +But upon very few is the "giftie" bestowed, "to see oursel's as +ithers see us," and to many besides the junior Mr. Rutherford, such +a vision would be anything but satisfactory. + +At the present time, however, Rutherford's only troubles were his +immediate surroundings, and the problem of how to pass the next three +hours. The loungers, who by this time had changed to a sitting +posture, and who were staring at him with an unwinking fixedness which +made him rather nervous, did not seem very congenial companions. The +town consisted of merely a few, straggling, unpainted buildings, while +in every direction extended the apparently interminable stretches of +undulating prairie, partially covered with sage brush and wild cactus. +Though early in the season, the heat was intense, and the glare of the +sunlight reflected from the patches of white, chalk-like sand, was so +blinding as to seem unendurable. + +The interior of the depot was even more cheerless than the exterior. A +rusty stove, minus one leg, two or three battered benches, a flaming +circus poster, and an announcement of the preceding year's county fair +constituted the entire furnishing and decoration. No signs of life +were visible, the window into the ticket office being closed, while +from somewhere within the little inclosure, a telegraphic instrument +clicked with a cheerful pertinacity that to Rutherford seemed simply +exasperating. + +In the course of half an hour, however, the monotony was relieved by +the appearance of half a dozen soldiers, who strolled over from a +neighboring fort, about two miles distant. Rutherford had soon +introduced himself to them, with a formality which they considered +highly amusing, and they entertained him with tales of various +thrilling adventures and hair breadth escapes, nearly all invented for +the occasion, to which he listened with an open-mouthed astonishment +that elicited many winks and grins from the blue-coats. Finally, two +of them escorted him to a small Indian camp, about a mile distant, +which was hidden from view by a sandy knoll, where, in some cottonwood +brush, beside a small creek, they found half a dozen tepees, around +which were squatted twenty or thirty disreputable-looking Indians, +their ponies tethered in the brush near by. The bucks were sullen and +uncommunicative, maintaining a solemn silence broken only by an +occasional grunt. Their dress was a combination of Indian costume and +articles purchased from the white people, the latter being put on to +suit the individual taste of the wearer, without the least regard to +the use for which it was originally intended. One, who seemed a leader +in the camp, in addition to his native toggery of feathers, beads and +brass rings, wore trousers of striped bed-ticking, two or three pairs +of gayly colored suspenders knotted together for a belt and sash, and +a flaming red necktie braided in his hair. The squaws in their +blankets were quite socially inclined, and the wig-wams at a little +distance looked very romantic to the young easterner, but the odors +wafted from them were sufficient for him, and he declined to penetrate +any further into the mysteries of an Indian camp; and after taking one +or two views of the Indians and their tepees, he returned to the +depot. + +It was now nearly train time, and the number of loungers and loafers +had increased amazingly, considering the size of the town. There were +thirty or forty of them, all more or less resembling the first +specimens, and Rutherford wondered where they stowed themselves away, +not realizing that many came in from little shacks scattered over the +prairies; for to them, the coming of the train from the east was the +one great event of the day. + +Among them Rutherford noticed a man, who, though clad as roughly as +the others, yet had an individuality so distinct from them as to be +noticeable even to a stranger. He wore an old soft hat and rough +blouse, his trousers being tucked into a pair of heavy, hobnailed +boots that reached to his knees. He was tall and stooped slightly, but +there was none of the slouching figure and gait that characterized +those around him. His movements were quick, and, when standing +motionless, there was something in his very pose that conveyed an +impression of alertness and of latent strength. His back was turned +toward Rutherford, who was watching him under a sort of subtle +fascination, when suddenly he wheeled, facing him. His eyes were keen +and piercing, and as he looked for an instant at Rutherford with an +expression of suspicion and distrust, and then seemed to survey his +diminutive figure with a quick glance of contempt, that young man felt +a sudden and violent terror in his inmost soul, which was not lessened +when his eyes fell upon a sheath knife and huge revolver in the +stranger's belt. Involuntarily Rutherford's hand went to his hip +pocket, where reposed a dainty, pearl-handled Smith and Wesson, +38-calibre, but he immediately regretted the movement, for the +blue-black eyes watching him scintillated for a moment with a cold, +steel-like glitter, and the lips under the heavy, black beard curled +with a smile of fine scorn, that made our young hero exceedingly +uncomfortable. + +The whistle of the approaching train afforded him unspeakable relief, +and at the first opportunity he put himself and his belongings aboard +with a celerity very remarkable in one of his usual dignity. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +As the Pacific Express was speeding westward across the prairies, a +young man, half reclining among the cushions of the smoking car, was +enjoying a choice Havana. He took no note of external objects as they +flashed with almost lightning rapidity past the car windows, and he +seemed equally unconscious of the presence of his fellow passengers. +His dress and manner, as well as his nonchalant, graceful attitude, +and even the delicate poise of his cigar, were all indicative of +wealth and refinement, and of a courtesy innate, not acquired. His +head was slightly thrown back, and with half-closed, dreamy eyes, he +watched the coils of blue smoke wreathing and curling above his head, +but his mind was actively engaged in planning the details of the new +life opening up before him in the west. Walter Everard Houston, of New +York, the possessor of a million in his own name, and prospective heir +to many millions more, was en route for a small mining camp, far west, +in the heart of the Rockies, where he was to fill the position of +bookkeeper and corresponding secretary in the office of a mining +company, at a salary of one hundred dollars per month. + +Mr. Houston's parents had died when he was very young, and he had been +tenderly reared in the home of his uncle, his mother's brother, Walter +Everard Cameron. Even now, as he watched the blue coils above his +head, his memory was going back to the time when he had entered that +beautiful home. He recalled the different members of that lovely +family, as they then appeared to him; the dark, patrician face of his +aunt, with its wondrous beauty, which, in the following years had +been so softened and deepened by sorrow that now it was almost +saint-like in the calm look of peace and love which it wore, with the +soft, snow-white hair surrounding it like a halo of glory. Then his +beautiful cousin Edna, with her sunny hair and starry eyes, and her +wonderful voice filling the home with music. She had married soon +after he entered the family, and went with her husband to a distant, +western city, often returning to visit the old home. How well he +remembered the last visit! Her baby was then nearly two years old; he +could not now recall her name, but she was a little, golden-haired +toddler, with her mother's eyes and voice. His cousin was suddenly +called home by a telegram that her husband was ill; then, in a day or +two, came the news of a frightful railroad accident, a collision and a +fire which quickly consumed the wreck. Edna was rescued from the +flames, unconscious and dying, but no trace could be found of the +little one. Then followed word of the death of Edna's husband; he had +died a few hours later than the accident occurred, ignorant of the +terrible fate of his wife and child. + +Next came the memory of his cousin, Guy Cameron, but a few years older +than himself; dark and beautiful like his mother, proud spirited and +headstrong, the pride of his parents, but through him came their most +bitter sorrow. Through fast living and gambling he became deeply +involved, and forged his father's name to several checks, amounting to +nearly a hundred thousand; then, overcome by shame and remorse, he had +fled in the night, no one knew whither. His father payed the full +amount of the debt, without even betraying his son's guilt, and then +for years employed the most skillful detectives, trying to bring back +the wanderer to the love and forgiveness which awaited him; but in +vain, no trace of him existed. The father had long ago given up all +hope of ever seeing his boy again, and doubted whether he were living. +Only the sweet-faced mother, strong in her mother-love and in her +faith in God, believed that he would yet return, and was content to +watch and wait. + +Meantime, Everard Houston had become like a son to Mr. and Mrs. +Cameron. After leaving college, he had been taken by his uncle as a +partner into his enormous banking house, and intrusted more or less +with the charge of various departments of business with which he was +connected, and he had proven himself worthy of the trust reposed in +him. + +For a number of years, Mr. Cameron had been president of a large +investment company, which, among other properties, owned a number of +mines in the west which had been represented to be very valuable, and +which, at the time of purchase, possessed every indication of being +heavy producers of very rich ore. Lately, these mines had not been +yielding the profit which it was reasonable to expect from them, and +there were indications of bad management, if not of dishonesty, at the +western end of the line. One or two so-called experts had been sent +out to investigate, but they had after all so little knowledge of +practical mining, that they were unable to produce any tangible +evidence against the company who constituted their western agents, +although their reports had only tended to strengthen Mr. Cameron's +belief that there was underhanded and dishonest dealing somewhere, +which could only be detected by a person on the ground whom the +western company would not suspect of being personally interested. +Happening to learn, through a Chicago firm who were friends of Mr. +Cameron's, that the western company were desirous of getting a +bookkeeper and confidential clerk, it was decided, after consultation, +to send out Everard Houston to take this position. Accordingly, he had +gone to Chicago, and the firm there had written a letter to the mining +company, recommending him as a young man of their acquaintance, of +exceptional ability, reliable, and thoroughly to be trusted in all +confidential matters. The company had responded favorably, offering +the position to Mr. Houston for one month on trial, at one hundred +dollars, his traveling expenses to be paid by them. If he proved +satisfactory, they would retain him as long as would be mutually +agreeable, and if his services proved as valuable as expected, would +increase his salary. Mr. Houston was, therefore, on his way to the +mines to accept this position, together with the munificent salary, +and hoped to prove so satisfactory as to soon be admitted to the +"confidential" clerkship, in which event he anticipated being able to +accomplish a nice little piece of detective work. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +Mr. Houston was aroused from his pleasant revery by the rather noisy +entrance of a young man, who, with flushed face, and manner more +indicative of self-assertion than self-possession, passed down the car +and took a seat facing himself. This was none other than our friend, +Rutherford, who, having secured his berth in the sleeper, and arranged +his belongings to his entire satisfaction, immediately repaired to the +smoking car to soothe his perturbed and agitated spirits by a cigar. + +From under his heavily drooping eyelids, Houston regarded his +vis-a-vis with concealed amusement, for he was an apt student of human +nature, and possessed an unusual degree of insight into the +characteristics of those with whom he was thrown in contact. + +Rutherford, on his part, was watching Houston with his usual degree of +interest and curiosity. Each was measuring the other from his own +standpoint: Houston's prompt decision was,--"A good-hearted fellow, +but something of a cad;" while Rutherford's vague surmises, summed up +verbally, would have been,--"Nice looking sort of fellow, a gentleman; +guess he's got the stuff, too; 'twon't do any harm to make his +acquaintance." + +An opportunity for this soon presented itself, for as the conductor +passed leisurely through the car, examining tickets, Rutherford +discovered that their destinations were the same, and hastily drawing +his card case from his pocket, said: + +"As we seem likely to be fellow travelers for a while, I should be +pleased to make your acquaintance; allow me," at the same time +offering his card. + +Houston took the card, greeting him courteously, and giving his own +in exchange. He half smiled as he looked at the diminutive slip of +cardboard with its Boston address made unnecessarily prominent, while +Rutherford, after scanning the card he held, bearing simply the name +of W. E. Houston, remarked with a decidedly upward inflection, + +"You are from--?" + +"From Chicago," Houston replied promptly. + +"Ah," Rutherford responded, "then I suppose you are quite familiar +with this part of the country." + +"Well, not exactly," replied Houston, smiling, "Chicago, I'll admit, +seems inclined to embrace a small part of the state of Illinois within +her city limits, but I never heard of her attempting to claim the +prairies of the Missouri valley among her suburbs." + +"Well, no," said Rutherford, laughing, "not quite so bad as that, I +guess, but perhaps I didn't convey my meaning very clearly; my idea +was, that living in one of the western cities, you know, perhaps you +were out this way often." + +"On the contrary, this is my first trip out here." + +"Indeed! A pleasure trip, I presume?" + +"No, I am out on business," replied Houston, not caring to state very +definitely just then the nature of his business. + +"Well," said Rutherford, settling himself into an attitude more +comfortable than graceful, "I came out on a pleasure trip, but I must +say that so far, the pleasure has been rather an uncertain quantity; +for the last forty-eight hours, I haven't seen much besides dust, +Indians and desperadoes." + +"Forty-eight hours!" exclaimed his companion, "you surely have not +been on this train that length of time." + +"Not on this train; I stopped off last night to see an old friend of +mine that has a ranch out here," and forthwith, Rutherford launched +into a recital of his experiences of the last few hours, not omitting +a description of the man whose appearance had struck such terror to +his heart and expedited his departure from Valley City. + +"I tell you, he was a man I wouldn't like to meet in the dark; he was +armed to the teeth, and there was a look in his eye that was awfully +unpleasant." + +Mr. Houston judged from his companion's manner that he had not been +particularly pleased at meeting this alleged desperado in broad +daylight, but he courteously refrained from any such insinuation, and +as supper was just then announced, the young men adjourned to the +dining car, and the experiences of Mr. Rutherford were, for the time, +forgotten. + +Nothing special occurred that evening, except that the monotony of the +journey was slightly relieved by the train entering upon the Bad +Lands. For some time, Houston and Rutherford stood upon the rear +platform, enjoying their cigars, and watching the strange phenomena of +that weird region; on all sides, vast tracts of ashen gray or black, +as if burnt to a crisp, with no sign of life, animal or vegetable, the +lurid lights flashing and playing in the distance, until it seemed as +though they might be gliding through the borderland of Dante's +Inferno. + +Their cigars finished, they separated for the night, to be agreeably +surprised by the delightful change that met their eyes the following +morning. Houston was already at the breakfast table enjoying the +scenery, when Rutherford sauntered into the dining car. They exchanged +greetings, and the latter dropped into a seat facing his companion, +exclaiming as he did so, + +"Well, say now, this looks a little more like civilization, doesn't +it?" and having ordered his breakfast and helped himself to fruit, he +proceeded to watch the beautiful panorama flashing past in the +sunlight. + +They were passing through one of the most fertile valleys of the +northwest. Away to the south, a beautiful river glistened like a broad +ribbon of silver, and leading from it was a gleaming net-work of +irrigating canals and ditches, carrying the life-giving waters over +thousands of broad acres; some already green with grass and alfalfa, +while others were dotted with scores of men and horses opening the +brown earth in long, straight lines of furrows, or scattering +broadcast the golden grain. + +Far in the distance, faintly outlined against the blue sky, was a +fleecy, cloud-like mass, grayish blue at the base, with points here +and there of dazzling whiteness, which Houston had known at once as +the first glimpse of the Rocky Mountains, but which Rutherford failed +to notice. + +"Well," said the latter, withdrawing his head from the window, and +preparing to attack his breakfast, "it seems to me, after nearly +forty hours of nothing but prairies, it's about time to see some +mountains." + +"They're in sight now," responded Houston quietly. + +"What!" exclaimed his companion, dropping his knife and fork in +haste. + +"You can see them now; I've been waiting for you to recognize them," +said Houston, smiling; "look off there to the southwest," he added, as +Rutherford was readjusting his eye-glasses, preparatory to a careful +survey of the horizon. + +"Well, I'll be blessed!" ejaculated the latter, "I supposed those were +clouds. My! but they must be mighty far away, twenty-five miles, I +expect, at the least." + +"Sixty miles, at least," said Houston, glancing at them, "perhaps +more." + +"Pardon me, gentlemen," said a bland voice across the aisle, and the +young men, turning, saw a much-bejewelled individual, with a florid, +but very smiling face; "I see you have not yet become accustomed to +the vast distances of this great country of ours in the northwest. +Those mountains which you are discussing are about ninety miles +distant." + +Rutherford's eyes expressed an immense amount of incredulity, while +Houston simply bowed silently. The man continued: + +"The wonderful rarity of our atmosphere in these altitudes is +something that has to be experienced in order to be thoroughly +understood and appreciated, or even believed. You tell an eastern man +of the great distances here at which you can see and hear, clearly and +readily; he will immediately doubt your veracity, simply because it is +without the line of his experience. Now I myself, personally, with my +own, unaided vision, have been able to count the mules in a pack-train +sixty-three miles distant, and have repeatedly held conversations at +a distance of fifteen miles." + +"Guess the conversation was pretty much all on one side, wasn't it?" +asked Rutherford, adding sotto voce to Houston, "as on the present +occasion." + +"Ah, no, indeed not," the man replied; "I see, my young friend, that +you are inclined, like all strangers, to be a little incredulous and +skeptical, but if you remain in this country of ours any length of +time, that will soon pass away, very soon." + +"I don't think I care to remain here very long then, if it will have +any such effect on my brain as that," said Rutherford. + +"You are inclined to be facetious, my friend; that is all right, I +appreciate a little witticism myself occasionally. By the way," he +continued, evidently determined to get into conversation with Houston, +"I suppose you young gentlemen are out here on business, looking for +valuable investments in this wonderful country." + +At the word "Business" Mr. Rutherford instantly assumed his dignity, +dropping into the slightly drawling tone he always used on such +occasions, and which he intended as an extinguisher on any person whom +he deemed too familiar. + +"Well, no," he replied, twirling an incipient mustache, "at least, not +so far as I am concerned; I am just out on a sort of an extended +pleasure trip, you know." + +"Ah, your friend is a business man, I judge; perhaps," turning to +Houston, "we can interest you in some of our rare bargains in the line +of real estate, improved or unimproved, city or country; or possibly +in our mines, gold or silver properties, quartz or placer, we have +them all." + +"You seem to have a 'corner' on this part of the northwest?" remarked +Rutherford, rather sarcastically. + +"Indeed, young man, we have a good many 'corners,' pretty valuable +ones, too," the man replied imperturbably, still watching Houston, who +replied in a courteous but indifferent tone: + +"I am out here on business, but am not in a position to make any +investments at present, nor do I expect to be for some time." + +"Ah, your business?" asked his interlocutor. + +"I am an accountant," he replied quietly. + +The man seemed satisfied. "Well, gentlemen," he said, rising from the +table, "I am glad to have met you, and hope to have the pleasure of +seeing you later in our city. Allow me to present my card, and if +there is anything we can ever do for you in our line, please give us a +call," and smilingly handing each a card, he bowed himself out of the +car. + +"Well, by Jove!" exclaimed Rutherford, his grammar getting a little +mixed, "either that man's a fool, or he thought we were; I don't know +which." + +"Probably the latter," said Houston, smiling; then glancing at the +card beside his plate, he read, "J. D. Wilson, President of the +Northwestern Mining, Land and Investment Company, Silver City;" and he +was the prospective clerk of The Northwestern Mining, Land and +Investment Company! + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +An hour or two later, the Pacific Express was slowly winding up the +long mountain grade, the engine puffing and wheezing in apoplectic +fashion, and occasionally emitting short shrieks of protest. The +mountains, which had gradually been assuming shape and color, were now +looming up in grand proportions, their rugged outlines clearly defined +against the sky. Already the mountain breezes, fragrant with the +breath of tamarack, spruce and pine, stole in on adventurous wings +through the car windows; lifted locks, both golden and silvered, from +heated brows, kissed a fretful infant into peaceful slumber, turned +the pages of novels and flapped newspapers so persistently that their +readers were compelled to abandon them, and brought new energy and +inspiration to the languid, listless passengers, so that they began to +evince symptoms of interest in their surroundings. + +In his favorite lounging attitude, Houston sat, his eyes fixed on the +mountains, moment by moment growing more distinct in their rugged +grandeur, a half-smile of amusement playing over his face, as he +recalled the interview with the president of The Northwestern Mining, +Land and Investment Company. Upon inquiry, he had learned that Mr. +Wilson had boarded the train at a little way station, before daylight +that morning, and the zeal displayed by that gentleman in thus seeking +to ascertain something regarding the characteristics of his future +clerk, by anticipating his arrival in this manner seemed to Houston +decidedly amusing, and at the same time furnished him a clue +concerning the character of one of the men with whom he was to be +associated. + +He was aroused by the entrance of Rutherford, who, having learned that +the train would make stops among the canyons they were approaching, +was getting his kodak and plates in readiness, preparatory to taking +impressions of some of the finest views. + +After a few moments, the conversation drifted to the subject of their +destination, which they would reach in three or four hours. + +"I suppose," said Rutherford, addressing his companion rather +hesitatingly, "I suppose you will remain in Silver City for some +time?" + +"I am not quite certain," he replied, "my impression is, however, that +I shall not be detained there more than a day or two." + +"Indeed! then are you going on farther west?" + +"No, I expect to go out among the mines for a while." + +"Among the mines! Now I should think that would be fine; you'll have a +chance to see western life in earnest. So you are interested in mines! +Well, I thought something of the kind when you said you were out on +business. No wonder you were so cool with old Boomerang this morning, +and didn't care for any of his wonderful investments." + +Houston was silent for a moment, a curious smile playing over his fine +features; then watching Rutherford keenly through half-closed eyes, he +said, + +"On the contrary, instead of being a mine owner, as you surmise, I am +the employe of a mining company, and 'old Boomerang,' as you call him, +is the president of that company." + +Rutherford sat for an instant as if petrified; then managed to gasp, +"Great Heavens! are you associated in business with that man?" + +"Yes," said Houston, looking almost as if he enjoyed the situation, +"associated as employer and employe. I am going out to fill the +position of accountant for the same company of which he is president." + +"Oh, I see; you are just going to take the position. Did you know all +the time who he was?" + +"I had no more idea than you until I saw his card; but I think he knew +me, was looking around, in fact, to see what his new clerk was like." + +"The old beast!" exclaimed Rutherford. His face was a study, it +represented so many conflicting emotions; several times he seemed +about to speak, then remained silent, looking more and more perplexed. +He was sorely puzzled; Houston was the embodiment of courtesy and +refinement, his every word and gesture revealed a man of wealth, +education and culture,--and yet, a clerk, and for such a man! and +strangest of all, he seemed to feel no chagrin in speaking of his +position. + +Houston's voice broke in pleasantly upon his cogitations: "I saw it +would never do for you to travel about here under such erroneous +impressions; imagining you were associating with a heavy capitalist, +or a mining broker, when--" + +"Oh, hang it all!" interrupted Rutherford, brusquely, "What difference +does it make? You're a gentleman, anybody can see that. I'll own up +that it did knock me out at first to find you were connected in any +way with that old chap; but I know you're all right, and I had no +business questioning around as I did about your affairs; I beg your +pardon, and I'll explain now why I did it. I'm a stranger out here, +and I've taken an awful liking to you, and when we get to Silver City, +if you don't mind, I'd like to keep in with you until I get a little +accustomed to the ways out here; that is, if you've no objections." + +"That's all right," responded Houston cordially, "stay with me as long +as you like; and now, let's go out and take a look at the mountains," +and the two young men shook hands, each feeling a sort of presentiment +that the friendship begun under these peculiar circumstances was one +for life, and such it proved. + +On reaching the rear platform they discovered that the train was +following the course of a river winding through a rocky gorge that +grew narrower, moment by moment. The walls grew higher and steeper at +every turn, while towering above and beyond were the mountain peaks. +They stood clinging to the railings, and watching the rapidly changing +scene, as the train swerved and swept from one direction to another, +following the winding of the river. + +Suddenly the walls shot upward almost perpendicularly for hundreds of +feet, shutting out the sunlight, leaving nothing visible but a narrow +strip of sky; and still the great rocks came closer and closer, until +little more than the width of the car was left, and it seemed that in +a moment that must be crushed. The ponderous wheels were slowly +revolving over a trestle bridge of steel, mortised into the rocks, +while the deafening echoes reverberated between the narrowing walls, +and rippled the surface of the river flowing deep and black below. +Then suddenly another swift, sharp turn, and they were out in the +dazzling sunshine, amidst a scene of untold beauty and grandeur. + +Here, at the entrance of the canyon, the train stopped, giving the +passengers an opportunity to alight and enjoy the scenery. On all +sides rose masses of rock, some fashioned in wondrous beauty, others +in forms weird and fantastic; some gray and rugged, some tinted with +intermingling shades of color, and others sparkling in the sunlight as +though studded with gems innumerable. Here and there were piles of +rock, crimson and green and golden, resembling the moss-grown, +ivy-covered castles of the olden time. Farther on were mountains +covered with heavy forests of pine, through which the winds sighed and +whispered mysteriously, while at their feet the little streams +lingered lovingly long enough to catch the whispered secrets, and +bear them away, laughing and singing, on their journey toward the +great sea. + +The train moved slowly on to another canyon, more grand in its awful +solitude than the first, surrounded on all sides by walls nearly a +thousand feet in height. At one side, a broad sheet of water, +shimmering in the sunlight, fell, like a bridal veil, down the +precipitous rock, with a deafening roar disappearing into unseen +depths below, while at the base of the canyon lay a lake of sapphire, +in whose calm, untroubled depths, rocks and cascade and sky were +mirrored in perfect beauty. + +Slowly the train wound its way upward, until it paused again near the +summit of the range, on the "divide," the boundary line between the +east and the west. There were the serried ranks of the mountains, +vast, solemn, grand; and in that awful solitude, under the spell of +that eternal silence, a sense of the infinite hushed every tongue, and +each one stood with bated breath, as if on holy ground. On every side +the billowy ranges surged, like the gigantic waves of a storm-tossed +ocean suddenly congealed to stone, while here and there, towered +mighty peaks, like huge sentinels, their brows seamed with furrows +plowed by the hand of the centuries, their heads white with the snows +of countless ages. + +Here two tiny streams flowed side by side, then separated; the one to +start on its long journey toward the old Atlantic, the other toward +the Golden Gate, to mingle its waters with those of the sunset sea. + +Slowly the passengers returned to the train, stopping on their way to +gather the little wild flowers growing between the loosened +rocks,--frail mountain children of the sun and wind,--to be preserved +as souvenirs of the "divide." + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +Rutherford had so diligently improved the opportunities afforded by +the stopping of the train, in securing views of some of the finest +scenes, that when the divide was reached, he had only two plates +left. These he quickly used, and then gave himself up to silent +contemplation and enjoyment of the beauty around him. Very slowly and +regretfully he and Houston followed the example of the others, and +turned toward the waiting train, like them, picking the delicate +wild flowers and pressing them in their note books. + +It was during the first of these stops, at the entrance to the +canyons, that Rutherford, hastily glancing up from his work, saw, +standing among the passengers, a little in the background, the man +whom he had last seen at the Valley City depot. He was standing in the +same alert, watchful attitude, but the soft hat was drawn downward +over his face concealing his eyes, and the knife and revolver were +hidden by a rough jacket. He was not then looking toward Rutherford, +but was facing in another direction, where Houston was strolling among +the rocks, and when, a few moments later, Houston sauntered over to +observe his work, Rutherford called his attention to the man, but he +was nearly hidden behind a group of men, only a little of his figure +being visible. Later, when they were again seated in the car, +descending the western grade, Rutherford asked his companion whether +he had succeeded in getting a glimpse of the man. + +"Yes," said Houston, "a glimpse and no more; once or twice I was near +him, but his face was turned the other way. I passed him in taking the +train, but I had only a hurried glimpse of his face; it seemed to me +that it was a face of unusual intelligence for a man of that class, as +I should judge him to be a miner, but I did not think he looked +particularly dangerous." + +"Wait till you see his eyes," said Rutherford, then inquired, "By the +way, did you see the old mining chap anywhere?" + +"Oh, yes," said Houston, laughing, "twice; once with a townsite map +spread out before him, talking real estate to a couple of men, and +again in the smoking car where he was playing poker." + +"I didn't see him out looking at the mountains." + +"No, probably they have no interest for him, except just so far as +they contain gold mines." + +They talked of the mountains, and Rutherford suddenly exclaimed, "I +wish I could find some way of getting out and camping right among +the mountains themselves. I don't care to stop in any little +half-civilized western town for any length of time, but if I could +just go right out into the heart of the mountains somewhere, and +stay for a few weeks, that would be an experience worth having." + +Houston smiled; "How would you like a trip out into the part of the +country where I am going? As near as I can make out, it is twenty-five +miles from the nearest town, just a rough mining camp, with very few +people aside from the miners." + +"Why," replied Rutherford, "I think that would be fine; anyhow, I'll +try it if you have no objections; it will be a change anyway." + +And so it was decided that Rutherford should extend his pleasure trip +into the mining camp, and Houston was pleased with the arrangement, +for, notwithstanding the work which he had planned, he expected to +find many lonely hours and monotonous days, little dreaming of the +interests that awaited him, or that he was entering upon the most +eventful portion of his life. + +At about one o'clock the train arrived at Silver City, a town of about +fifteen thousand inhabitants. The young men, as they left the train, +caught a glimpse of the indefatigable Mr. Wilson as he was boarding a +street car in company with two intended victims which he had already +secured. They took a carriage, and as they were whirled rapidly +through the steep, narrow streets on their way to the hotel, the +little city seemed to them like a thoroughly typical, western, mining +town. The town was surrounded by mountains, and prospect holes and +abandoned placer diggings could be seen in every direction, while +interspersed among the business blocks of brick and stone, were tiny +cabins, built of logs,--all relics of the earlier days when Silver +City was but a large mining camp. + +After lunch, Houston started forth in search of the city office of The +Northwestern Mining, Land and Investment Company, which he found +without difficulty. He was surprised to discover that business there +was conducted on something of a co-operative plan, as the one large +room in which he found himself constituted the offices of some +half-dozen mining and real estate companies, and was occupied at the +time by eight or ten different men, each seated at his own desk, and +separated from his neighbors by a little wooden railing. A broad aisle +extended through the center of the room, and at the farther end were +two or three accountants' desks, two large safes and two typewriters. + +The whole arrangement seemed to Houston extremely crowded and +confusing, but he afterward learned that it had its advantages; as +certain deeds, contracts and leases could be so easily mislaid and +lost; then too, it had an effect upon the minds of some of their +patrons that was particularly desirable, as they usually left the +office in a state of such bewilderment, that they were unable to tell +with any degree of certainty, just which one of the many high-sounding +companies it was, with which they had entered into agreement, and as +the eight or ten men were each connected in some way with all of the +companies, they all came in for a share of the profits, no matter who +was the victim. + +Houston having inquired of a white-haired, benevolent-looking +individual at his right, for Mr. Wilson, was politely directed to the +third desk on the left-hand side. Here he found Mr. Wilson, who +greeted him effusively, and introduced him to Mr. Blaisdell, the +general manager of the company. The secretary of the company was, at +that moment, doing duty in another part of the room, as president of +The North American Townsite & Irrigation Company, consequently Houston +did not meet him until later. + +As Messrs. Wilson and Blaisdell were just then engaged with a +customer, they begged Mr. Houston to excuse them for a few moments, +which he did very willingly, and thus was afforded an opportunity to +observe the two men closely. Mr. Blaisdell had rather a long and +narrow face, and what is called a "sandy" complexion; his hair, face +and small goatee (he wore no mustache) were all of the same, light, +indefinite color; his eyes were small and pale blue, while his lips +were thin and tightly compressed. His face, when at rest, had a +sanctimonious expression which was sadly at variance with the +avaricious, grasping look which it instantly assumed when animated. He +said little, but Houston soon discovered that he was in reality the +head man of the company, while Mr. Wilson was but the mouthpiece. + +In the twenty or thirty minutes which elapsed before these gentlemen +could give Mr. Houston their undivided attention, he obtained +sufficient insight into their characters, and enough of an inkling of +their business methods, to make him more determined than ever to +unearth their schemes, and doubly anxious to succeed in the role which +he had assumed. + +As soon as they were at liberty, Mr. Wilson and the general manager +turned very smilingly toward their new clerk, and after some questions +regarding his business qualifications and experience, all of which he +answered in a manner very satisfactory, they proceeded to give him +detailed instructions relating to his future duties in the branch +office, at the mining camp. + +"Of course," remarked Mr. Wilson, "you understand that as you become +accustomed to the business, greater responsibility will devolve upon +you; for the present, you are to have charge of the books and our +correspondence from that point; and when you have sufficiently +familiarized yourself with the details of the business, we shall +expect you, in Mr. Blaisdell's absence, to take charge of the office, +to receive the reports of the different superintendents and foremen of +the mines, and if necessary, to inspect the work at the mines +yourself, occasionally, in order to see that our instructions are +being carried out." + +Houston thought that this included quite a range of work for an +accountant, but as he was only too glad of the opportunities which +would thus be afforded him for his own investigations, he raised no +objections. + +"I suppose, Mr. Houston," added Mr. Blaisdell, very deliberately, "it +is unnecessary to say that in a position of this kind, we require the +utmost secrecy on your part regarding the affairs of the company. In +giving you this very responsible position, we repose great confidence +in you, and we expect you to prove yourself worthy of it." + +"Oh well," chuckled Mr. Wilson, "I should say, judging by Mr. +Houston's appearance on the train this morning, he understands the art +of preserving a golden silence as well as any one I ever saw. It was +all I could do to get a dozen words out of him." + +Mr. Blaisdell smiled in a way that Houston understood he had received +a full account of the meeting on the train. There being little more to +be said, Houston inquired regarding accommodations at the camp, +stating that a young acquaintance of his wished to remain in the +mountains for a week or two. + +"Is he interested in mines?" inquired Mr. Blaisdell. + +"Oh, no," replied Houston, "he is the young man who informed Mr. +Wilson he was out on an extended pleasure trip, and he imagines it +would be great sport to be out in a genuine mining camp for a while, +as far from civilization as possible." + +"That's all right," responded Mr. Blaisdell, "I was only going to +state that we allow no visitors through the mines except those who are +personally interested, or who have intentions of becoming purchasers, +but if your friend merely wants to stop among the mountains for the +fun of the thing, why, he's welcome to stay all summer for aught I +care. As to accommodations, I think we can fix you both very +comfortably. There are two boarding houses near the mines, for the +miners, of course you would not go there; but old Jim Maverick and his +wife run a boarding house about a quarter of a mile from there that is +very good, and is a sort of stopping place for any tourists that find +their way out there. I stop there myself, and I know Maverick and his +wife are glad of all the boarders they can get. I believe they already +had a lady when I was there last week, a school teacher or something +of that sort, who had just come, and I think you will find it very +comfortable there." + +Having learned that they would have to start for the camp at eight +o'clock the next morning, Houston took his leave, promising to be in +readiness at that time. He next visited a number of assay offices, +where he learned a good many valuable points regarding the different +classes of ore in that vicinity; then having purchased two or three +works on practical mining and mineralogy, which he thought might be of +assistance to him, he returned to the hotel, where he entertained +Rutherford until dinner with an account of their trip to be taken on +the morrow and the accommodations that awaited them, with the added +attraction of the society of a solitary school teacher, whom their +imaginations already depicted as of uncertain age, with short hair and +spectacles. Many were Rutherford's speculations concerning this +individual. + +"I've had the pleasure of the acquaintance of two specimens of that +class," said he, "one was in the Catskill Mountains; she had a +geological fad, and went out every morning with a little hammer, to +hammer among the rocks all day; the other was a botanist, and returned +every evening about covered with plants which she had pulled up, root +and branch; I wonder which of them this one will resemble." + +"We shall soon see," said Houston. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +Nearly twenty-five miles from the nearest town, and not a human being +visible from the point of observation occupied by Miss Gladden, as she +slowly swung backward and forward in her hammock under the pines, half +way up the mountain side; and the only sign of human life was a faint, +blue smoke curling upward among the evergreens on one side, at the +base of the mountain. + +Directly at the foot of the mountain lay a small lake of azure blue, +at one end of which was a narrow bridge crossing the stream which +formed the outlet to the lake, and from which a footpath wound in the +direction of the solitary house from which the smoke ascended. At the +other extremity of the lake, where the gulch narrowed into a deep +ravine, walled with irregular masses of gray rock, a mountain stream +came dashing down over the ledges, forming a series of cascades, and +with a final leap plunged into the azure waters. It was a wild, +solitary place, and had there been another human being visible, he +doubtless would have been much astonished at the sight of a young +lady, dressed in the height of fashion, lazily swinging to and fro, +half way up the pine covered mountain. + +But for Miss Gladden the charm of the situation lay in its solitude; +she was tired of society, and, glad to free herself for a while at +least from its conventionalities, was congratulating herself upon her +good fortune in finding this retreat, all unconscious that others were +already entering into her little world, soon to enter into her heart +and life. + +As she swung dreamily under the pines she was aroused by a clear, +musical voice calling her name, and turning, saw the lithe, slender +form of Lyle Maverick, the daughter of her host, rapidly approaching. +Although Miss Gladden had been but a few days among the mountains, +there already existed between her and Lyle Maverick a mutual +admiration, though each was, as yet, unconscious of the admiration of +the other. + +Lyle secretly worshipped Miss Gladden as the most beautiful being she +had ever seen, nor was it strange, for Leslie Gladden had all her life +received the homage always yielded to beauty, and from hearts far less +susceptible than that of this untutored child of the mountains; but +Lyle, notwithstanding her surroundings and her disadvantages, was +proud spirited, and did not proclaim her admiration for the beautiful +stranger. Miss Gladden, on her part, admired the imperious mountain +maid, as the loveliest specimen of uncultured, untrained girlhood, +just blossoming into womanhood, that she had ever met. She wondered +how she came to be so unlike her surroundings, and what would be the +result if this wild mountain flower could be transplanted to some more +favorable spot, there to receive the care and nurture bestowed on so +many far less beautiful. She had within the last few days, led by a +desire to know the proud, shy girl, made a companion of her; this was +a new experience for Lyle, and was fast deepening her admiration for +Miss Gladden into confidence and regard. + +Miss Gladden watched Lyle now, as she came up the mountain path, as +fleet of foot and graceful in every motion as a deer, her head thrown +proudly back, her wavy hair rippling over her shoulders to her waist, +and shining in the sunlight like fine spun gold. + +"Oh, Miss Gladden," she exclaimed, as, having reached the group of +pines, she threw herself carelessly at the foot of one of them, "the +solitude and isolation which you have prized so highly are to be +invaded by two new boarders of masculine gender." + +A slight frown gathered on Miss Gladden's face, at the prospect of +intruders thus encroaching upon the mountain retreat which she was +beginning to regard as hers exclusively. Lyle, watching her, saw the +frown, and continued, her eyes dancing with mischief: + +"They are city gentlemen, too, from the east; from Chicago and from +Boston, only think of the honor conferred upon us! They have come from +the land of civilization and culture to the wild west, to see how we +barbarians live; at least that is the object of one of them who is out +on a pleasure trip, for that is usually the meaning of western +pleasure trips." + +"Lyle, are you not rather severe? They come for the sake of the +scenery, or as I have, for rest." + +"A few for rest perhaps, but scenery? nonsense! Look at the majority +of your 'western stories,' as they are called; how much is there in +them of scenery? A few lines here and there, but pages devoted to +descriptions of western life with its ignorance and uncouthness." + +"But stories of western life usually contain a great deal of +originality and piquancy; that is why they are popular." + +"Possibly," said Lyle dryly, "but I have seen very little originality +in the life I have led here. It may seem original to outsiders; it is +monotonous enough to those who live it, year after year. The scenery +of the west is grand, I love it, and if I could see it with such eyes +as yours, eyes accustomed to beauty in all its infinite kinds and +degrees, and with a mind cultivated, fed on the choicest thought than +can be culled not only from our own country and in our own tongue, but +from other countries and in other tongues as well, I would appreciate +the beauty about me more keenly than I can now; but I despise this +life in which I have been reared, a life of ignorance, coarseness, +brutality and deceit. Here I have lived for the past ten years, here I +am likely to live for ten, twenty years to come." + +Both were silent for a few moments, while Miss Gladden watched the +beautiful face, in this instance an index of an equally beautiful +soul, and she marveled more than ever. At last she said gently: + +"Lyle, dear, pardon me for asking such a question, but you are an +anomaly; how is it, living all these years as you have, in these +surroundings, that you have so good an education? You have evidently +read considerable, and you converse well; you cannot be called +ignorant." + +"No," the girl replied sadly, "I am not quite so ignorant as a +stranger would think to see me, but I have learned just enough to make +me realize how little I do know, and that little I have acquired by +stealth. I could read a very little when we came here from some small +town, somewhere in the east, I have forgotten where, and I wanted to +learn, but father forbade it; he said he wouldn't have any of his +children putting on airs, that what was good enough for him would have +to do for them. He has always been severe with me, I suppose he didn't +want any girls, that's what mother says. Mother was always as kind to +me as she dared to be, but she was afraid to help me to learn +anything, and she couldn't have taught me much anyway. I studied every +little bit of print I could come across, if it were nothing more than +a scrap of newspaper, I was so anxious to be able to read. Then, when +I was about twelve years old, a little girl who stayed here one summer +with her governess, left some of her old, worn-out school books and +writing books. I hid them in my room as carefully as if they had been +diamonds, and pored over them every chance I could get for the next +year. About that time, I got acquainted with one of the miners who had +been here a long time, a strange, silent man, who was very different +from the others, and who kept by himself. He seemed to take a great +liking to me, and I consider him to-day the best friend that I have in +the world. He found out how I was studying and trying to learn, and he +helped me, for he had had a fine education. He bought books for me, +not only school books, but choice books to read, stories, poems and +plays, and he has talked with me a great deal, and told me about +places and people and authors, and so has saved me from being a total +ignoramus." + +"How kind!" exclaimed Miss Gladden, "I don't wonder that you consider +him your friend. Is he here now?" + +"Yes," replied Lyle, "he has been away for a few days, but he came +back last night, and I went down to his cabin to see him. He brought +me some beautiful books, but I keep them at his cabin most of the +time, so no one at the house will get hold of them." + +"Does he live alone?" asked Miss Gladden. + +"No, an Irishman, who has a pretty good education, lives with him most +of the time; he is quite a musician and is teaching me to play the +violin. 'Mike' they call the Irishman, and my friend is 'Jack'; the +other miners nicknamed him 'Lone Jack,' but nobody, I suppose, knows +what their real names are." + +"Why, how interesting!" exclaimed Miss Gladden. "Why haven't you ever +told me before? It sounds like a story with a deep-laid plot, and a +typical villain lurking somewhere." + +"There are plots enough, and villains enough, but Jack is not one of +them," quietly replied the girl, with a curious expression. + +"Would he let me come and see him?" inquired Miss Gladden. + +"He might, if I asked him, but you would find him very uncommunicative. +He does not care for strangers. He was telling me last night about a +comical, dudish looking fellow whom he saw on the train, and who got +off at Silver City, and he said he was coming up here into the +mountains in company with another young gentleman; he thought I would be +likely to see them, and I think they are the new boarders." + +"Why, have you seen them?" asked Miss Gladden, in surprise. + +"Yes," laughed Lyle, "one of them, from my post of observation behind +the kitchen door, and he did appear so ridiculous with his gold +eye-glasses, looking as solemn as an owl, and glancing around with +that expression of supercilious curiosity, as though he expected to +find us all wild Indians, or something of the sort." + +"Ah, that accounts for the little tirade against western pleasure +tourists I heard when you first came up. Evidently the eye-glasses did +not produce a very favorable impression on you." + +"Well," retorted Lyle, "see him yourself, and see what impressions you +will receive." + +"Well, my dear," said Miss Gladden, "as it is nearly dinner time, I +would suggest that we adjourn to the house, alleviate these pangs of +hunger, take an observation of the gold eye-glasses and report our +impressions later." + +"Agreed," said Lyle merrily, and the two began to descend the +mountain. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +Houston and Rutherford were promptly at the depot, as agreed, to take +the early morning train to the mines. + +Mr. Blaisdell met them with a great show of cordiality, his thin lips +contracted into a smile which was doubtless intended to be very +agreeable, but which produced a sensation exactly the reverse. + +"Well," Rutherford began, with his peculiar drawl, when he and Houston +were seated together in the car, with Mr. Blaisdell safely engaged in +conversation at a little distance, "I can't say that I'm any more +favorably impressed with Mr. Buncombe, or whatever his name is, than I +was with old Boomerang yesterday. That fellow looked like a silly, +pompous, old fool, and this one like a sly, old villain. I wish he'd +stop that confounded, wolfish grin of his, it makes me feel +uncomfortable, he looks as if he knew he had his prey just dead easy, +and his chops were watering in anticipation. I say, old fellow, I +don't think much of this Buncombe-Boomerang combination of yours, and +I guess it's a good thing I'm along with you till we find out what +sort of a trap we're getting into." + +Houston smiled; Rutherford had expressed his own opinion a great deal +nearer than he cared to admit. He had seen enough of the men with whom +he was to be associated to convince him that they were villains, +cowardly villains too, the very sort of men that would be most +desperate and dangerous when cornered; but he was fast laying his +plans, and now the only drawback seemed that he would have no +assistant, and he felt the time would come when he would need one, and +some one familiar with mining. An expert from the east would not do, +he would be suspected; and a detective would not possess the necessary +information regarding mining in general, and these mines in +particular. At times, a vague idea of taking Rutherford into his +confidence came into his mind, but he was not ready to do this yet, if +at all. + +All this flashed through Houston's mind as Rutherford made the above +remark, and he answered: + +"I don't apprehend any particular danger at present, but I am glad you +are with me." + +"The question with me is," continued Rutherford, "how I'll amuse +myself during your office hours in such a region as this; I don't +imagine I'll find a great many congenial companions." + +"You seem to have forgotten the school teacher," Houston remarked, +with a quiet smile. + +"Oh, bother the school ma'am! I had forgotten her. I suppose she'll be +as graceful as a scalene triangle, and about as entertaining as a +mummy. They're mostly that kind, or else the gushing, adoring sort, +that can't talk of anything but Browning, or Emerson, or theosophy, or +something of that kind; and the most conceited lot of creatures that +ever lived." + +Meanwhile, the train wound in and out among the mountains, stopping +for a few moments at a small town where huge smelters were pouring +forth their clouds of dense smoke, darkening the air until it seemed +more like night than day; then on a few miles farther, to the little +station known as the "Y," so-called on account of the form of the spur +tracks owned by the mining company, by which the ore was brought down +from the mines above. + +At the station was a store containing general mining supplies, with +the post-office in one front window, a boarding and lodging house, and +three or four saloons and gambling houses, these last designed to +catch the wages of the miners from the surrounding camps. + +Mr. Blaisdell having found one of the superintendents who had come +down with a team for supplies, they were soon on their way up the +gulch, and in the course of an hour were left at the office buildings, +while the team went on to the mines. + +Here Rutherford waited in the outer room of the little unpainted, +frame building, while Mr. Blaisdell took Houston into the further +room, and introduced him to Morgan, the general superintendent, and to +his work, at the same time. Then, having seen Houston duly installed +at his post of duty, perched on a wabbly stool, before a rickety, +ink-bespattered desk, beside a window gray with the dust and smoke of +ages, through which a few straggling sunbeams fell, Mr. Blaisdell +sailed complacently forth to escort Rutherford to Jim Maverick's +boarding house, whither the baggage had already been taken by the +team; then, all necessary arrangements for rooms and board having been +completed, he went out to the mines, leaving Rutherford alone in the +camp of the Philistines. He found no one, however, more formidable +than Mrs. Maverick, an old woman bent nearly double, with white hair +and hollow, deep-sunken eyes, so faded it was impossible to tell what +their original color might have been, and the "help," a stout, +red-cheeked, coarse-featured girl of fifteen, whom Mrs. Maverick +called "Minty," but who rejoiced in the euphonious name of Araminta +Bixby, and who ogled and grinned at Rutherford until he found the task +of preserving his dignity more difficult than ever. + +In the course of an hour he sauntered down to the office to meet +Houston, and a little later the two sat in the porch of the low, +wide-spreading house, partly frame and partly of logs, the roof of the +porch supported by the trunks of slender trees, unhewn, from which +even the bark had not been removed. + +From the porch there was a view of the lake, and in the distance the +gleaming cascades, while just opposite, the gulch road followed its +winding course and disappeared among the mountains. + +Presently there came up the winding road three men, apparently father +and sons,--low-browed, heavy-eyed, brutal looking creatures,--who +followed the foot path up toward the house, and glaring sullenly at +the young men, shuffled around to the back door. + +"Evidently mine host and his sons," remarked Houston. + +"Well," replied Rutherford, "I think if I see a few more such +specimens as those, I'll take the first train out. Say though, I +haven't seen a sign of that school teacher, I begin to think she is a +myth." + +"Sh!" said Houston quickly, under his breath, "see what you think of +this!" + +Rutherford turned in the direction Houston was facing, and had two +beings just then descended from the mythical regions, he could not +have been more astonished than at sight of the pair approaching from +the lake. The first was a young girl, apparently about sixteen, but +tall and well developed, the scant garments that she wore revealing +the beautifully rounded outlines of her form, her carriage free and +every movement full of grace. Her face was exquisitely beautiful, the +features refined and perfect as though chiseled in marble; her eyes +shone with a star-like brilliancy, and her hair fell about her +shoulders like a mass of burnished gold. + +Beside her was a woman several years her senior, equally beautiful, +but an altogether different type of beauty; more mature, more perfect +and more rare. Tall and splendidly developed, she moved with a queenly +grace. Her face was classical in its contours, the profile resembling +that of some of the old Grecians, while its beauty was so refined, so +subtile, it could not be easily described. Perhaps the eyes were its +chief attraction; large and dark, and of Madonna-like depth and +tenderness; soulful eyes that reflected every emotion of the pure, +womanly nature, as the calm lake mirrors the sunlit sky or the +lowering storm-cloud, the silvery moon or the lightning's flash. The +wavy, auburn hair, tinged in the sunlight with red gold, was gathered +into a knot near the top of a shapely, well-poised head, while stray +curls clustered rebelliously about the broad, fair brow, forming a +shining aureole. + +Like a vision, the pair passed silently into the house, leaving +Rutherford, for once in his life, speechless, and Houston watching +him, apparently enjoying the situation. + +"What's the matter, my boy?" he asked, in a low, laughing tone, "Are +you spell-bound?" + +"Spell-bound? well, slightly!" responded Rutherford. "Great Heavens, +Houston! do they have such women as those out here?" + +"Evidently they have some fine samples of the genuine article, but I +am not prepared to state how large a stock they carry. I'm positive of +one thing though, that within the last three minutes you have changed +your mind about taking the next train out. Not all the desperadoes and +villains you've met from Valley City out, could drive you away from +the mountains now." + +"You're right, they couldn't," said Rutherford, with a broad grin, +"not if I know myself; no, sir, when I'm in the line of duty nothing +can scare me out of it worth a cent, and just now I feel it to be my +duty to solve some of the mysteries thickening around me, among them, +that of the mountain nymphs." + +"Altogether too substantial for mountain nymphs, my boy," said +Houston, "and you will please remember, while pursuing your line of +duty, that I have vouched for your good behavior here, and am in a +measure responsible for you, and I don't want to get into any trouble +on your account." + +Rutherford cleared his throat, and rising slowly with all the dignity +he could muster, looked gravely over his glasses at Houston in exact +imitation of Mr. Blaisdell, and in an oracular tone remarked: + +"And you will please remember, my young friend, that I am out here as +your duly constituted guardian, and as such, it is my duty to form the +acquaintance of these--ahem!--these fair daughters of Eve, and judge +for myself whether or not they will be suitable companions for an +unsophisticated youth, like yourself." + +"Good!" said Houston, and after a few more jokes, dinner being +announced by the moon-faced Minty, they went in to partake of their +first meal in what Rutherford styled the "Hotel de Maverick." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +A few moments later, Houston and his friend had been duly presented by +Mrs. Maverick, to Miss Gladden and to "our daughter, Lyle," the former +in a gown of soft, clinging material, of a delicate, golden tint, +combined with a reddish brown velvet, which suited her style of beauty +to perfection; and Lyle, in dainty white apron, her beautiful hair +loosely plaited in an enormous braid, prepared to act in the capacity +of waiter. + +Never were guests served so deftly, or with such grace and dignity; +she seemed absolutely free from all coquettish airs, and although the +glances of the two gentlemen were about evenly divided between the +beauty at their side and the fair waitress, Lyle carried herself with +an equanimity that was remarkable. Not until the arrival, later, of +the other boarders, Morgan, the general superintendent, and Haight, +the mining expert,--so-called, though his expertness embraced much +beside mining,--was there any change in her demeanor; then her eyes +flashed, her lips curled, and a look of superb scorn passed over her +face, an expression that reminded Rutherford unaccountably of the face +he had seen at Valley City. + +Old Jim Maverick and his sons were not present, having taken their +meal hastily in the kitchen. Beside her husband and sons, poor, old +Mrs. Maverick was positively refined. She was a kind-hearted, motherly +woman, and looked as though, in her younger days, she might have been +very pretty, but poverty, hard work and abuse had very nearly +obliterated all traces of youthful bloom, and her face had a hopeless, +appealing look which was pathetic. + +A little later, Mr. Blaisdell arrived, rubbing his hands and smiling +in his usual complacent manner, and he entertained the guests for some +time with anecdotes of western life, some of them very well told, but +in most of which it was noticeable that he bore a very prominent +part. + +After dinner, Houston returned to the office in company with Morgan +and the expert, two new characters which he was studying attentively. +The former was a tall, raw-boned individual, with a genial, +good-natured manner, but a weak face; one who would willingly be a +tool for any villain, but an unreliable tool. He would betray his best +friend, and knowing nothing of honor himself, he did not believe in +its existence, among men or women. To him, all men were rogues, all +business simply gambling on a large scale, and his only care was to be +on the winning side. + +Haight was a small, dark man, with soft, insinuating manner, and, in +accordance with his pet theory that every person, high or low, rich or +poor, might sometime be useful to him in the furtherance of his own +objects, he treated every one with punctilious politeness. To some his +manner might have been pleasing, but to one with any degree of +penetration, the crafty, scheming nature under the thin veneer was +very apparent. + +Meanwhile, Rutherford had rather reluctantly accepted an invitation +from Mr. Blaisdell to go through the mills and visit one or two of the +less important mines. The young easterner was soon much interested, +as, after having explored one of the smaller mines, the Peep +o'Day,--which he thought very appropriately named as he glanced upward +from a depth of a few hundred feet,--he was taken to the mills, and +there saw the various stages through which the ores pass in the +process of reduction. He almost forgot his dislike of Mr. Blaisdell +as he listened to his explanation of the different classes of ore, and +the various kinds of treatment which they required, and met some of +his old college acquaintances,--the sulphates, nitrates, carbonates, +and other members of that numerous family,--in new and startling +array; for Mr. Blaisdell was thoroughly at home in chemistry and +mineralogy, and enjoyed nothing so much as airing the knowledge he +possessed in that one direction. Of other branches of science, and +even on subjects of general information, he was profoundly ignorant, +although blissfully unconscious of the fact. + +Rutherford was next shown the method by which the ore ready for +shipment was conveyed down the mountain to the cars on the spur +tracks, hundreds of feet below, by means of a rail tramway on trestle +work, some three thousand feet in length, having a grade of nine feet +per each hundred feet, over which cars of ore were passing, operated +by gravity, the weight and velocity of the descending, loaded car, +carrying the empty car upward. He thoroughly enjoyed these novel +scenes, and congratulated himself upon the many picturesque mining +views which he would add to his collection. + +As they were passing through one of the sorting rooms, they came upon +Mr. Haight seated before a large table covered with specimens of ore, +which he was examining with a powerful microscope, while beside him +were various chemical and mechanical appliances for testing the +different ores. Rutherford was enthusiastic in his admiration of the +specimens, particularly those from the copper mines, with their +beautiful coloring,--the blending tints of green and purple and +blue,--and he created considerable amusement by his ecstasies over a +large sample of iron pyrites, which he had mistaken for a splendid +specimen of gold ore. Altogether it was a novel and pleasant +experience for him, and when he joined Houston later, he felt himself +considerably wiser in western lore. + +After supper, Mr. Blaisdell and Haight returned to the office for a +private conference regarding some new ores which the latter had been +testing. Morgan strolled down the gulch in the direction of the Y, +drawn by the attractions of the gambling house and dance hall, leaving +the two strangers to seek their own amusement, or to be entertained by +Miss Gladden; they chose the latter, and, since among the mountains as +on the ocean, friendships are quickly formed, the three were soon +chatting as pleasantly, out in the low, rustic porch, as though their +acquaintance dated back a number of days, instead of only a few hours. +At the kitchen door, old Jim Maverick and his sons, with a dozen or so +miners, lounged about, smoking their pipes, and enlivened by the +blushing, giggling Miss Bixby. + +With the latter crowd Lyle would never mingle, much to the indignation +of Maverick himself, and the chagrin of two or three would-be +admirers, and not feeling at liberty to join, unasked, the group in +the porch, she withdrew to her little room up-stairs, and taking from +its hiding place one of the new books her friend had brought her, +she was for a while unconscious of everything else. Then, as the +twilight deepened, she closed the book, and having again concealed it, +sat watching the stars just beginning to appear, one by one, and +musing, as she often did, on her own life. Why had she not, with her +passionate love of the beautiful and her thirst for knowledge, been +given the birth and training, the social advantages of any one of +that little group below? Or, if the fates had decreed that she must be +born in such ignorance and degradation, and spend her life in such +surroundings, why had they not given her a nature corresponding to +her environment, as indifferent and unaspiring as that of the +phlegmatic Miss Bixby? Why must she always feel as if she had been +born to a better life than this, when in all probability, it must +always go on in the same old routine which she hated and despised? +She wondered what Jack meant by the questions he had asked her so +often lately, as to where they had lived before coming to the +mountains, and regarding her earliest recollections. Well, what were +her earliest recollections? Something so shadowy she could not +determine whether it were remembrance or imagination; but it was a +vague idea of light and music and beauty; and why was it that when +she heard or read of that bright life, so foreign to her, of which she +had never had one glimpse, that it all seemed somehow half familiar? +She did not believe she would be very awkward or out of place, if she +could step for the first time into some of those bright scenes as +she imagined them; why did it all seem so home-like to her? + +Meanwhile, the little group below were discussing the same problem +that Lyle herself was trying to solve. + +"I cannot understand," Rutherford was saying, "how such a style of +beauty, so delicate and refined you know, could ever exist in such +surroundings." + +"She is a mystery," added Houston, "and unless I am greatly mistaken, +she has a nature as sensitive and refined as her face." + +"You are right, Mr. Houston," replied Miss Gladden, "she possesses +a refinement of nature that is wonderful; and not only that, she +has a brilliant intellect if she could only have advantages, and +notwithstanding all the difficulties and obstacles with which she +has had to contend, she has already acquired a fair education, is +remarkably well informed and a good conversationalist." + +A few moments later, Lyle was aroused from her revery by a familiar +voice calling her, and coming down stairs, found Miss Gladden awaiting +her. + +"You runaway!" she exclaimed, "why have you been hiding when you +should have been helping me entertain the new guests?" + +"I didn't think you needed any help," replied Lyle, brightly. + +"You never made a worse mistake in your life," said Miss Gladden, +leading the way out on the porch. "I have been trying to tell these +gentlemen something about this country around here, and I have only +succeeded in betraying my own ignorance." + +Both gentlemen greeted Lyle pleasantly, and Houston rose and gave her +his chair with a grave, gentle courtesy which was new to her, and +which she was quick to observe and appreciate. For some time they +chatted of the surrounding country, Lyle telling them where the +finest scenery, the best hunting and fishing and the pleasantest +picnic grounds were to be found. + +"About a quarter of a mile from here," she said, "in Strawberry +gulch is a small canyon that has been fitted up for tourists and +excursionists, and every summer numerous camping parties come out from +Silver City for a few days or weeks. There is a fine lake at the head +of the canyon, a boat house, and a good supply of boats, tents, +and almost everything needed for camp life." + +"Have there been any camping parties yet?" asked Houston. + +"Not yet," replied Lyle. "It is too early; they usually begin coming +in July; we are likely to have snow-storms out here in the mountains +yet." + +"Snow-storms!" they all exclaimed; "What!" said Miss Gladden, "after +such warm weather as this?" + +"Oh, yes," said Lyle, "this is only the early warm weather we always +have in May, but it will be much colder again before summer really +begins in earnest; though the weather is never so severe here as in +the gulches farther up the mountains." + +"It seems to me," said Rutherford, "I've heard of the greatest number +of 'gulches' out here, and some of them have the most remarkable +names; very original, certainly." + +"Their names are mostly indicative of their early history," Lyle +answered; "there are a number of them in this vicinity,--Last Chance +gulch, Poor Man's gulch, Lucky gulch, Bloody gulch, and so on." + +"Has this gulch where we are, any such euphonious title?" inquired +Miss Gladden. + +"This one has two names, equally euphonious and equally historical; it +is now called Spotted Horse gulch, but years since it was known as +Dead Man's gulch." + +"That sounds cheerful!" commented Miss Gladden. + +"Is there a ghost story connected with the gulch, Miss Maverick?" +inquired Houston. + +"Yes," said Lyle, "several of them, for the miners are mostly very +superstitious. Years ago, when there were no well developed mines +here, only a few prospects, a man who had just sold one of the +properties, was murdered for his money, about half way between here +and the mines, where the road is so narrow and passes under the +overhanging rocks. He rode a spotted horse, and from the indications +when he was found a few days after, he must have made a desperate +fight, for both he and the horse were shot several times. Ever since, +it has been said that the spotted horse goes up and down the gulch at +night, sometimes alone, and sometimes with his rider, and so the gulch +received its name." + +"Is that story still believed here?" asked Houston. + +"More or less," replied Lyle. "There is just enough faith in it, that, +excepting Jack," and she nodded slightly to Miss Gladden, "there is +not a miner in camp who could be hired to pass through that part of +the gulch at midnight, for fear of seeing the phantom horse and his +rider." + +"Possibly," said Miss Gladden, "it would be well for us to adjourn for +the night, or we may have a glimpse of the phantoms; it must be after +ten o'clock." + +"After ten, impossible!" exclaimed Rutherford, springing to his feet; +"I beg your pardon, ladies, for having detained you so long; I never +dreamed it was so late." + +"The long twilight here deceives one, I have hardly become accustomed +to it myself," said Miss Gladden. + +"The ladies will surely pardon us," said Houston, "since it is through +their making the time pass so pleasantly that we have trespassed." + +They separated for the night, and a little later, Mr. Blaisdell and +Haight came up from the office, but Morgan did not return until +daylight was beginning to tinge the eastern sky. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +A number of days passed uneventfully. Houston was occupied in getting +familiarized with the work at the office, having first created an +epoch in the history of that institution by having the windows +thoroughly cleaned. + +One of the noted characters of the mining camp was a small boy who, +when he could scarcely walk, had, on account of his fearless spirit +and indomitable pluck, been dubbed with the name of "Bull-dog." The +name was so appropriate, and the little fellow himself so proud of it, +that as he grew older it was forgotten if he ever had any other; if he +had, no one knew what it was. He was now nearly twelve years of age, +as small as most boys of eight or nine, but he possessed the same +spirit as of old. Bull-dog was the oldest of five children; his +parents lived at the Y, a worthless, disreputable pair; he spent very +little time under the parental roof, and filial respect was entirely +left out of his composition, and no wonder! He was a favorite among +the miners, spending much of his time in the camp, and the shrewd +little fellow was very observant of what went on around him, and very +keen and worldly-wise in his judgment of human nature as he found it. + +He speedily made the acquaintance of Houston, and when the latter came +down to the office on his second morning, he found the boy awaiting +him, and an idea occurred to him. + +"Say, Bull-dog, can you wash windows?" he asked. + +"Bet yer life," was the laconic reply, accompanied by a grin. + +"What will you charge me for washing these four?" + +The small individual surveyed the windows critically, then answered: + +"Six bits." + +"Go ahead," said Houston, "let's see how good a job you can do." + +Two hours afterward the windows were shining, and Houston paid the +little fellow an equally shining dollar, instead of the six bits, thus +making of Bull-dog a friend for life, and one whose friendship +afterward proved of great value. + +Nearly every afternoon found Lyle at Jack's cabin, diligently reading +or studying, guarded by Rex, the faithful collie, who would let no one +but Lyle enter the cabin while Jack and Mike were at their work. Two +or three evenings of each week she spent there, reviewing her lessons +with Jack, or listening, either to the stories which he and Mike told +of other countries, or to the music of Mike's violin, fierce and wild, +or sweet and pathetic, according to the mood of the musician. The +cabin, built of logs and plaster, and consisting of two rooms and a +small attic, resembled miners' cabins in general, with the exception +of the second and inner room. Here, the floor was nearly covered with +skins of animals, while on the walls were shelves and brackets, +hand-carved in delicate designs, and filled with books and choice +pictures, beautiful etchings and photographs of various works of art. +A few larger pictures hung on the walls, framed in some of the same +skillfully carved work. The pine table, covered with a brightly +colored spread, was strewn with finely bound volumes, and scattered +about the room were several comfortable folding chairs, which Jack had +bought in some of his trips to Silver City. A rude fireplace had been +built in one side of the room, over which were arranged artistically +two or three rifles, and the heads and horns of various animals, while +on the mantel was a fine collection of ores. Altogether, it was a +pleasant room, and gave more evidence of good taste, education and +refinement than could have been found for more than a score of miles +in that region. This was Jack's sanctum, and none but his two friends, +Lyle and Mike, were ever allowed within it. + +In this room, a few evenings after the arrival of the two strangers, +Lyle was sitting with her friends. The weather was already much +cooler, and a bright fire was burning, before which Rex was +comfortably stretched, while he watched the faces of his two friends, +Jack and Lyle, who, having finished their usual reading, were silent +for a few moments, looking into the fire and listening to Mike as he +sat in his corner, his eyes closed, his head bent lovingly over his +violin, while he evoked some of the wild, plaintive airs of his native +country. + +Jack was the first to speak, as he asked in a low tone, "You have met +the young men I spoke of the other evening?" + +"Yes," replied Lyle, still gazing into the fire, "they are stopping at +the house." + +"How long will they remain?" + +"The younger one, the one you particularly admired, is to stop for a +few weeks only; the other will probably remain permanently, as he is +bookkeeper for the mining company." + +Jack gave an almost imperceptible start, but slight as it was, Lyle +noticed it, and turning quickly, saw a peculiar expression of mingled +surprise, perplexity and annoyance on his usually immobile face. + +"Bookkeeper for the mining company!" he exclaimed, "are you sure you +are correct?" + +"I can only quote for my authority the Honorable J. O. Blaisdell," she +replied archly, "you surely wouldn't doubt his word under any +circumstances, would you? You look surprised; did you consider Mr. +Houston one of the 'lilies'?" + +Jack looked at her inquiringly. + +"One of the 'lilies' like Mr. Rutherford," she explained, "who 'toil +not neither do they spin,' I supposed him one at first, but I think +differently now; I believe he would always be a worker of some kind, +whether it were necessary or not; at the same time I don't believe it +is exactly necessary for him to be a bookkeeper." + +"You seem to have made a study of him," remarked Jack, quietly. + +"Of course," answered Lyle, "what else are my eyes and my small stock +of brains for, but to study everybody and everything that comes in my +way? Besides, it's rather interesting to find a person of some depth, +after such shallow people as Mr. Blaisdell and Haight, and that +class." + +"Sometimes, Lyle," said Jack, slowly, "these deep people make a +dangerous study; they are likely to become too interesting." + +"Never you fear for me, Jack," said the girl, with considerable +spirit, but kindly, "I know too well how the world would look upon old +Jim Maverick's daughter, to carry my heart on my sleeve." + +Both were silent for a moment, Jack watching her face intently. Mike +had left the room. Lyle continued, in a gentler tone, + +"Mr. Houston is a perfect gentleman; he would make a safe study for +me, even if I didn't realize my position. He reminds me of you, Jack, +in some ways." + +"Of me!" said Jack sarcastically, "your Mr. Houston would doubtless +feel nattered at being compared to a weather-beaten miner." + +"You were not always a miner," retorted Lyle quickly, "and you are a +gentleman, and always will be." + +"In your opinion, child," said Jack pleasantly; then turning the +subject, he asked, "What do you think of the 'lily' as you styled him, +Mr. Rutherford, I think you called his name?" + +"Oh, he is a gentlemanly fellow, not so ridiculous as he looks; +good-hearted, but not deep like the other,--not half so interesting to +study." + +"Very well," replied Jack, "go on with your 'study,' but I wish you +would make a little more of a study of yourself and of your own life," +and as he spoke, he carelessly took up a magazine and began turning +the pages. + +"I don't know why," answered Lyle slowly, at the same time going over +to the table where she had caught sight of a photograph which had +evidently been concealed by the magazine, "my life before you became +my friend and teacher would not make an interesting study for any +one.--Oh, Jack, whose picture is this? and when did you get it?" + +"That?" said Jack, answering indifferently, but watching her face +keenly, "Oh, that is a picture I've had a great while." + +"But, Jack, I never saw it, did I?" + +"No, Lyle, I haven't seen it myself for years, until to-night." + +"Not for years? how strange!" said Lyle in a low tone; then looking +wistfully at the picture, she said, half to herself, "She must have +been some one you loved some time." + +"She was very dear to me," he replied, so quietly that Lyle said +nothing, but remained looking long and earnestly at the photograph. It +was the picture of a young girl, a few years older than herself, but +much more matured, and wondrously beautiful. The features were almost +perfect, and the eyes, even there, seemed so radiant and tender. There +seemed a wealth of love and sympathy in those eyes that touched Lyle's +lonely heart, and her own eyes filled with tears, while she gazed as +if under a spell; then she asked in a sort of bewildered tone: + +"Jack, I never saw her, did I?" + +"Certainly not while you have been here," he replied, "I cannot say +whom you may have seen before that." + +"Before I came here," repeated Lyle dreamily, laying down the picture +and preparing to go, "that is a sort of blank for the most part. It +seems as though this hateful life had obliterated everything before +it; the early years of my life seem buried out of sight." + +"Try to resurrect them," said Jack, adding, "Keep your eyes and ears +open, and let me know results. Had I not better go home with you?" + +"Oh, no, thank you," said Lyle, smiling brightly, "it isn't late." + +"Then Rex must go," and Rex who was only waiting for the word bounded +to the door to signify his readiness. + +After Lyle had gone, Jack took the picture, and after looking at it +sadly for a moment, replaced it in the little case in his trunk where +it had lain so long, and then sat down by the fire, muttering, +"Strange she did not see the resemblance! I hoped she would; there +could not be two faces more alike." + +All the way home, Lyle was thinking of the beautiful face, wondering +where she had seen it, that it should seem so familiar, and after +dismissing Rex with a caress, she sat for some time in the low porch, +trying to solve the mystery. + +"It is no use," she said to herself at length, "it is no face I have +ever seen, unless in some of those strange dreams I used to have." + +Going into the house, she found her parents had retired. Rutherford +sat in his room reading, waiting for Houston, who was working late +that night, Mr. Blaisdell having gone back to the city for a day or +two. Miss Gladden was writing in her room, but Lyle would not disturb +her, and going quietly to her own little room, she was soon sleeping +peacefully, and the beautiful face was for a time forgotten. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +The next morning was several degrees colder, and there were +indications of a snow-storm. Within doors, the atmosphere betokened a +coming storm, as old Jim Maverick was several degrees more quarrelsome +and ugly-tempered than usual. He glared sullenly at Lyle, as she +stepped quietly about the kitchen, preparing the early breakfast that +he and the boys took before starting for their work. + +Finally he growled, "What was you doin' out so late last night? Pretty +time 'twas when you come in, where'd you been?" + +Lyle seemed to take no notice of his questions for a moment, then +replied, without a glance at him: + +"I was not out late; I went out for a walk early in the evening, and +came back early, but I staid out on the porch." + +"Oh," he replied with a sneer, "so you was settin' out there waitin' +for the new clerk to come home, wasn't you?" + +"I didn't even know he was out of the house," said Lyle, indifferent +to his sneers, so long as he did not mistrust where she had really +spent the evening. + +"Oh, no, of course not! I understand you pretty well, and don't you +forgit it, always puttin' on your damned airs round here, too nice for +any of your own folks; I'd like to see you made a fool of by some of +the dudes you're so stuck on." + +"You never will have that pleasure," replied Lyle, coolly, "I know too +well the opinion that people have of you and your family, to ever be +in any danger of being made a fool of." + +Old Jim's face grew livid with rage, and he clenched his hand with an +oath, but hearing some of the boarders coming in to breakfast in the +next room, he only hissed, with a terrible leer: + +"Never mind, even if you are my child, with that doll-face o' yourn, +you might rope in that rich young feller for a few thousands." + +Lyle staggered under the insult as if she had received a blow, and +pale and trembling, went into the next room to wait on the guests. She +was relieved to see that Rutherford was not there; she felt she could +not have faced him while those words of her father's were ringing in +her ears. There was only Mr. Houston, who greeted her with his usual +gentle courtesy, and Morgan, whom she despised. + +Out in the kitchen, however, her cause was being championed by Mrs. +Maverick, the fire flashing from her faded eyes, as she talked in a +manner very unusual for her. + +"You may abuse me as much as you like, Jim Maverick," she was saying, +"I've had nothing but abuse from you for the past twenty years, and I +don't never expect nothing else, but if you ever lay a hand on that +girl, or speak to her like that again, you'll be sorry for it. I can +make you smart for it, and you know it, and I'll do it too." + +The boys, Joe and Jim, aged respectively twenty and eighteen, stared +at their mother in astonishment, but their father, several shades +paler, ordered them from the house; then advancing toward his wife, +shaking his fist and cursing her, he exclaimed: + +"You damned old fool! do you think you can try to scare me? you'll +find 'tain't very healthy business for you." + +"Kill me, if you want to," she replied doggedly, "but you'll find it +won't make you any better off; I've fixed you for that." + +"What do you mean?" he asked, now thoroughly frightened. + +"Mean!" said his wife, as she saw that she at last had the brute in +her power, "it means that you've got to let that girl alone, and +behave yourself to me, or you'll wish you had, that's all." + +Just then, Minty entered on the scene, her round eyes wide open with +astonishment, and Lyle entering an instant later from the breakfast +room, Maverick slunk away to his work. + +Meanwhile, the other boarders were gathering in the breakfast room, +Miss Gladden and Rutherford being the last to enter. + +"Whew!" exclaimed the latter, rubbing his hands, "this seems a little +wintry, doesn't it? Looks like a storm, too!" + +"Yes," said Morgan, glancing up, "we'll probably have a snow-storm +before noon." + +"How do you pleasure seekers intend to spend the day?" inquired +Houston, addressing Miss Gladden and Rutherford. + +"I think I shall spend it beside the fire," replied Miss Gladden, +shivering slightly, and sitting down for a moment beside the little +box stove, where a wood fire was crackling and spluttering; "I haven't +quite decided what to do, because I didn't come out here prepared for +snow-storms." + +"I believe," said Rutherford, "I'll take a day off and develop some of +the pictures I've taken lately, and sort over my collection of +views." + +"That will be delightful," exclaimed Miss Gladden, smiling brightly at +Lyle who had entered the room in time to hear Rutherford's remark, "We +will make Mr. Rutherford entertain us with his collection, won't we +Lyle?" + +Lyle smiled in assent, but Miss Gladden very quickly detected traces +of trouble in her face, and determined, if possible, to gain her +confidence, and find the cause. Rutherford also noticed the change in +her appearance, and remarked, after she had again left the room: + +"Miss Maverick doesn't look like herself this morning, I wonder what +is the matter." + +"I think there has been a storm of some kind in the kitchen," Houston +replied, "I heard pretty loud talk when I first came in." + +"Yes," said Morgan, joining in the conversation, "she and the old man +have some high old times, once in a while; and one thing is curious, +the girl never seems afraid of him, and that's more than can be said +of many of the men around here." + +"Why," asked Houston, "is he considered dangerous?" + +"He is a pretty tough customer," said Morgan, "I guess there's no job +too dirty for him to do, if he's only paid for it;" and then added +carelessly, "that's the kind of a man Blaisdell likes to have 'round +once in a while." + +"What does he do?" asked Houston, "does he work in the mines?" + +"He used to," replied Morgan, "but he don't do any more underground +work, he--" + +"Doesn't he?" interrupted Haight, with a peculiar emphasis. + +"Oh, yes, in some ways, plenty of it," laughed Morgan, "but I was +speaking of the mines; he's a sort of foreman now in one of 'em, and +tends to the sorting of the ore occasionally; helps Haight out +sometimes, when he has a particularly delicate job on hand," and +Morgan winked across the table at the expert, who smiled knowingly in +return. + +Lyle coming into the room again, the talk regarding Maverick ceased, +but when she had left, Morgan continued: + +"She's a queer girl; she gives it to the old man sometimes, up and +down; the boys don't dare give him any lip, but she's no more afraid +of him, than--" + +"Than she is of you," again interrupted Haight, with a smile that +seemed to discompose Morgan considerably, for he colored and bit his +lip. + +Miss Gladden looked annoyed, as did Houston, and Rutherford, feeling +something was amiss, unintentionally said about the worst thing he +could just at that moment. + +"I think Miss Maverick is an awfully nice girl." + +"We all think so," said Haight, in his blandest manner, "Mr. Morgan +especially." + +"Oh," said Morgan, angrily, but trying to speak indifferently, "she's +nice enough, as nice as girls of her class generally are." + +With a look of scorn and contempt that neither Haight nor Morgan soon +forgot, Miss Gladden rose from the table and left the room, while +Rutherford exclaimed indignantly: + +"Whatever 'her class' is, she is deucedly your superior, you +contemptible puppy!" + +Lyle just then entering, there was an ominous silence for an instant; +then Houston, rising from the table, remarked in a cool, even tone: + +"There has been enough said for the present, but" turning toward +Morgan and Haight, "I've something to say to you two, a little +later." + +Morgan put on his hat and started sullenly for the office, but Haight, +assuming his most ingratiating smile, stepped up to Houston, and, in a +low tone, began to apologize. Houston interrupted him. + +"There is no need of any words here," he said coldly, "I shall call on +you at the sorting rooms this morning, and shall then have something +to say to you, but I wish no words from you, at all," and retiring to +his room, he left Haight in a state of considerable trepidation. He +hurried after Morgan, and soon overtook him. + +"I say," he began, "we've got that new fellow stirred up, and I wish +we hadn't; I don't want any trouble." + +"Hang you, you little, sneaking coward!" answered Morgan, "if you +didn't want trouble, why didn't you hold your tongue? Whatever fuss +there is you've kicked up yourself, with your own smartness, so what +are you whining about?" + +"Oh, well, you know my principles, Morgan; I never want quarrels with +anybody; you know the old saying, 'the good will of a dog is better +than--'" + +"Oh, shut up!" said Morgan, "you make me tired! You're a damned +coward, and that's all there is about it. It's my opinion, though, in +the case of this dog, that his bark is a good deal worse than his +bite." + +Meanwhile, Houston was preparing to go to the office. + +"Say, old boy," said Rutherford, "hadn't I better go down with you? +You may have some trouble, you know, and I shouldn't wonder if they +would be two pretty nasty fellows to meddle with." + +"Much obliged, Ned," said Houston, "but I can take care of those two +fellows, and twenty more just like them. Haight is an out and out +coward, he wouldn't fight any more than he would cut his own throat. +Morgan would show fight, perhaps, but I'd finish him up before he even +knew where he was." + +"I guess I put my foot in it, saying what I did," said Rutherford, +staring through his eye-glasses in a meditative manner, "but it did +make me hot, their insinuating things in that way about such a nice +little girl as Lyle, and before Miss Gladden, too." + +"There will be no more of it, that is certain," replied Houston +decidedly, and he was gone. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +A few moments later, Houston stepped briskly into the office. Morgan +sat at his desk, sorting some mining reports, and looked up with a +sullen, defiant glance, but Houston ignored him, and going to his own +desk, began making preparations for his day's work. + +Bull-dog, who, since washing the windows, had constituted himself +office boy, had built the fire and was now sweeping. Houston greeted +him pleasantly, but his keen eyes at once detected trouble between +Houston and Morgan, and he was immediately on the alert. + +After the little fellow had finished his work, and Houston supposed he +had gone, he walked with a firm, decided step, over to where Morgan +stood lounging and looking out of the window. Morgan turned, and angry +as he was, he could not help a feeling of admiration for the splendid, +athletic form standing, firm as a rock, before him. Houston's keen, +dark eyes looked straight into his own, and for a moment, not a muscle +of his face moved, the finely cut features might have been chiseled in +stone; then he spoke, in even, measured tones, cold and cutting as +steel itself: + +"Mr. Morgan, I have this much to say to you, and it will be well for +you to remember it; that if I ever hear another insinuation against +that young lady of whom you were speaking this morning, or an +improper word of any kind in the presence of either of those ladies at +the house, I will put you in such shape, that you will not be able to +come to the office for a week; and more than that, there will be no +office work here for you." + +"What do you mean by that last threat?" asked Morgan defiantly. + +"I mean just this; that I know enough about you, that if I should +repeat what I know to Mr. Blaisdell, you would not remain in this +office one day longer." + +Morgan grew pale. "You seem to know a great deal for a man that's been +here no longer than you have. I suppose Lyle Maverick has been filling +you up with stuff about me." + +"She has never mentioned your name to me, and you will do well not to +bring her name into this conversation." + +"Seems to me you're wonderfully particular about old Jim Maverick's +girl," Morgan sneered, "I suppose you want her for yourself, though I +should think the other one--" + +Morgan never finished his sentence; a blow that he afterwards said was +"worse than the kick of a mule," had closed one eye. + +With an oath, he made a terrible lunge toward Houston, but he knew +nothing more until about fifteen minutes later, when he found himself +lying on the floor, under the long desk, on the opposite side of the +room, while Houston stood a few feet away, watching him. + +"You dirty contemptible cur!" said Houston, "do you think because you +have no sense of honor, because you are so vile you can have no idea +of what purity means, that every one is like yourself? You deserve to +be kicked like a dog; come out from there and fight, why don't you?" + +"I don't believe I'm very anxious to, if you'd just as soon excuse +me," said Morgan, who had gradually assumed a sitting posture, and was +passing his hand over his eye and jaw. Then, looking up with as much +of a grin as he could muster, with his rapidly swelling face, he +said, "Give it up, Houston; you're a better man than I am; I'll let +you boss this ranch." + +"Do you mean," asked Houston sternly, "that from this time there will +be no more insinuations against ladies, and no innuendoes in their +presence?" + +"Yes, I agree," said Morgan, "I'll never say anything myself, and I'll +smash any other fellow that does; I think," he added, reflectively, +"that you've showed me how pretty well, though I'd a little rather +you'd practiced on some other fellow, Haight, for instance." + +"I'll attend to Haight," said Houston, helping Morgan to his feet, and +smiling grimly at the figure he made. + +An hour later, Houston presented himself at the sorting rooms, where +Haight met him with many smiles, offering to show him through the +rooms. + +"Another time will do, Mr. Haight," said Houston coldly, "I have +business with yourself this morning." + +"Oh, yes," said Haight, as if the thought had just occurred to him, +"that unfortunate business at the table this morning; Mr. Houston, I +am more than sorry for what happened, and assure you, that, so far as +I am concerned, it shall never occur again." + +"It will be much better for your interests that it should not," +replied Houston; "I have not been in the habit of hearing such +insinuations against ladies, or such language in their presence; and +there is something more I have to say to you," he continued, as he saw +Haight was trying to speak; "you were bookkeeper for the company, for +a while, were you not?" + +"Certainly," replied Haight in a tone of surprise, "I kept the books +for a few months last year." + +"So I have been informed since coming here, and I wish to state that +the other day I had occasion to refer to some of the old books kept by +you, and I very soon found evidences of a few shady transactions on +your part that I think you would not care to have come to the +knowledge of the company." + +"You must be mistaken, Mr. Houston," said Haight, trying to preserve a +calm exterior, but paling visibly; "it must have been some of Mr. +Johnson's work you found." + +"No, Mr. Haight," said Houston firmly, "it was your own work, in your +own writing, and very bunglingly done at that; a man would not need to +be an expert accountant,--and that is what I am,--to detect the +fraud." + +"Mr. Houston," interrupted Haight, in trembling tones, "everything +here shall be as you wish, and I will help you too,--I can be of +use to you,--if you will just say nothing. There were certain +circumstances that I cannot now explain, that justified the +transactions you allude to; and as I have told you, I regret what +occurred this morning, and it shall not be repeated. But really, +Mr. Houston," he continued, "I had no idea that my teasing Morgan +this morning would have such an effect; you see, what I was joking +about was really to Miss Maverick's credit; it seems that a few +weeks ago, he was rather smitten with her and attempted to be what she +thought was a little too familiar, and she gave him a black eye, +and--" + +"He has another one now," said Houston, rising abruptly. + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Haight. + +"Yes, and there will be more black eyes if there are any more +insinuations of that character," and Houston returned to the office, +leaving behind him a bitter enemy, but one whose enmity would be +concealed by a cloak of friendship. + +Meanwhile, while Houston was pursuing his chivalric course, Miss +Gladden, sitting by the fire in the deserted breakfast room, was +planning in what way and by what means she could best help her young +friend in whom she felt such an interest. The scene at the table had +given her a new insight into Lyle's surroundings; the rudeness and +insult to which the beautiful girl was likely to be subjected in such +a home, the possible dangers to which she might also be exposed, and +she was more than ever determined to win the confidence of the +reserved, proud-spirited girl. + +In the midst of her reflections, Lyle entered the room, and Miss +Gladden saw there were still traces of trouble in her face. +Unconscious of the friends who were beginning to care for her welfare, +Lyle had felt that morning as though she could endure her life there +no longer. She had felt by a sort of instinct that she was in some way +connected with the talk at the table, and she knew that both Morgan +and Haight would not hesitate to injure her by their insinuations, in +retaliation for the manner in which she had met their advances. +Thirsting for human sympathy, her heart quickly responded to Miss +Gladden's words, as she told Lyle of her interest in her, her sympathy +for her, and her desire to help her, and in reply to one or two +questions, she spoke freely of the trials she had suffered, inevitably +connected with a life such as hers, and touched by the kindness of her +new-found friend, Lyle continued: + +"The insults and insinuations of those men, and others like them, +are bad enough, but I expect nothing else from such as they, but +when one receives insult from the source where one would expect +protection,--that is hardest of all," and with flushed cheeks and +quivering lips, Lyle related the scene with her father, and his +words to her, while Miss Gladden looked inexpressibly shocked. + +"I was almost desperate this morning," she said in conclusion, "I felt +as though I could not live such a life any longer; I must go +somewhere, anywhere, to get away from it. Mother says that nothing of +that kind shall ever happen again, that father is in her power in some +way, and she will not let him abuse me; but it is this whole wretched +life that I despise, if I could only be freed from that!" + +"I hope, dear, your life will not always be like this," said Miss +Gladden, "it shall not be if it is in my power to prevent it; perhaps +I may be able to brighten it in some way." + +"You have already," said Lyle gratefully, "I shall be happy now, as +long as you are here; after you are gone away,--" she shuddered +slightly, then added, "who knows what may happen before that time?" + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +A few hours later, a wild, mountain storm was raging outside, the wind +roaring down the canyon from the icy fields above, driving the fast +falling snow in every direction, with blinding fury. + +Within doors, however, a happy group were seated around the fire, +oblivious of the storm outside, or with just enough consciousness of +its fury to add to the enjoyment of the warmth and comfort inside. + +Miss Gladden was, as usual, becomingly gowned in a house dress of +rich, warm color, while she had persuaded Lyle to put on a dark blue +dress of her own, which, with a very little change, fitted as though +originally intended for her, and also to dress her beautiful, golden +hair high on her head, thus producing a change in her appearance which +astonished even Miss Gladden herself. + +The perfectly fitting gown revealed the outlines of her well developed +and finely proportioned form; its color seemed to enhance the delicacy +of her face and the brilliancy of her eyes, while the graceful +coiffure showed to good advantage the beautifully shaped head, and +added to her dignity. She seemed suddenly to have been transformed +from shy, reserved girlhood, to graceful, royal womanhood. + +As she, with Miss Gladden, entered the room where Rutherford awaited +them, that young gentleman started suddenly, and turning, gazed at the +regal little beauty, with her golden coronet, in undisguised +admiration, much to the amusement of both ladies. + +"Great Cæsar!" he exclaimed, "what metamorphosis is this? Excuse me, +Miss Maverick, I really couldn't help it; I thought you were a sort of +little girl, you know, and you are,--begging your pardon,--a very +beautiful young lady." + +Both ladies laughed merrily, and Miss Gladden secretly resolved that +Lyle, in the future, should always be dressed becomingly, if her +influence could accomplish anything in that direction. + +The afternoon passed very pleasantly in looking over the beautiful +views which Rutherford had collected since he left his distant, +eastern home. The pictures taken among the mountains had developed +finely, and they all grew enthusiastic over them. Then there were +pictures of his friends, in groups and singly, and in laughable +combinations and positions; among them, some which Rutherford had +taken of his friend, Tom Durston, and his family, at the ranch where +he had stopped over night on his way out. There was one of Tom +himself, in a futile attempt to milk a refractory cow, where he lay +sprawling ingloriously upon the ground, the milk bucket pouring its +foaming contents over him, the excited cow performing a war dance, +while two others, more peaceably inclined, looked on in mild-eyed +astonishment: chickens were flying in every direction, with +outstretched necks and wings, while in the background, a company of +geese were hissing their disapproval of the scene. + +The girls laughed until the tears were in their eyes. "How did you +ever get such a picture? and so perfect!" they asked. + +"Oh, I just happened to," he answered, "I was out that morning, with +my kodak all ready, looking for a subject, and I saw Tom milking, and +thought it would be fun to take a picture of him to send back to the +class-boys, you know; I held the kodak up and was just ready--when +that old cow sent him flying quicker than lightning, and I caught the +picture all right. I'm going to mail him one copy." + +There was a picture of Tom's baby, taking his bath, his mouth wide +open and his eyes shut, crying lustily for his mother, who had +deserted him to run to Tom's assistance. Then there were pictures of +Rutherford's home and friends, among them, that of a brother, older +than himself, which particularly attracted Lyle's attention; she +looked at it long and earnestly. He was sitting in an easy attitude, +smoking a cigar, and looking at the face of a beautiful, dark-eyed +girl, of about her own age, which appeared above him, encircled by +the light clouds of smoke,--just the face and no more. Rutherford +stated that it was his brother and their only sister, and explained +the process by which it was taken, but the picture remained in Lyle's +memory for many a day. + +After a while, Houston, returning a little early on account of the +storm, joined them, and the four friends spent the most enjoyable +evening which they had yet known together, notwithstanding the storm. + +It had been an eventful day. To Lyle, and one or two of the others, it +was the beginning of a new life, though they did not then realize it; +the first, faint flush that heralds the coming of the sun to brighten +the new day, but which is so subtle and silent, that few are aware of +its presence. + +Houston, on his return to the house at noon, had given, in answer to +Rutherford's eager inquiries, an account of the "skirmish" as he +called it. Rutherford was so proud of his friend, and of the victory +he had won, that at the first opportunity, he told the story to Miss +Gladden, before Houston had even returned to the office. Miss Gladden +was enthusiastic in her admiration of the course he had taken, so +different from many of the young men she had known in wealthy, +aristocratic circles, in thus defending a poor, friendless girl, +subject to insult because she had the misfortune, under such +circumstances, to be beautiful; and obeying the impulses of her +noble-hearted, high-spirited nature, she went to Houston, as she saw +him standing alone a few minutes after dinner, and extending her hand, +with a bright smile, said: + +"Sir Knight, I want to thank you, in Lyle's name and my own, for the +chivalric course you have taken this morning." + +She could get no further; Houston, still holding her hand, interrupted +her. + +"Do not thank me, Miss Gladden; I have only done what it is the duty +of every true man to do." + +"Then," said Miss Gladden, interrupting him in turn, "true men must be +exceedingly rare. I know very few, Mr. Houston, who would champion +the cause of a girl in Lyle's circumstances, in the manner you have +done," and then, with much feeling, she spoke of some of Lyle's +trials, and of her own determination to help her. + +A beautiful woman is never so lovely as when defending the cause of +some sister less fortunate than herself, and Houston thought he had +never seen Miss Gladden so beautiful as at that moment, and the +thought must in some way have conveyed itself to his eyes, for there +was something in his glance that brought a bright color to Miss +Gladden's cheek, and an added tenderness to her soulful eyes; +something that remained with her all that day, and somehow made life, +even in the heart of the mountains, shut out from the rest of the +world, look more inviting, more alluring than it had ever done +before. + +With Houston, also, the memory of those eyes with their depths of +tenderness, and the hand whose touch had thrilled him with its +magnetism, lingered, and brightened all that stormy afternoon. + +To Lyle, this day seemed the beginning of a new epoch in her solitary, +isolated life. For the first time, she had found genial companionship, +human sympathy and love, and chivalrous protection; for Miss Gladden +had hastened to tell her of the part Mr. Houston had taken in her +defense; and as the slowly maturing bud suddenly unfolds in the +morning sunlight, so in the new light and warmth which she had found +that day, her nature had suddenly expanded into mature, conscious +womanhood. + +That evening, as the little group of friends were separating for the +night, Miss Gladden having already gone up-stairs, Lyle, with a new +dignity and grace, walked over to where Houston stood by the fire, +with dreamy, thoughtful eyes. + +"Mr. Houston," said she, in low, sweet tones, "Miss Gladden has told +me of your kindness toward me to-day, and though she has thanked you +for us both, yet I wish to thank you personally." + +"Miss Maverick," he replied in his grave, gentle manner, "you are more +than welcome to any kindness I can do for you, but do not thank me for +what I did to-day; that was nothing, I would have been a beast not to +have done that little." + +"If you could know," she said, earnestly, "how rare such kindness and +protection have been in my past life, you would realize that it does +not seem like 'nothing' to me." + +To Houston, Lyle seemed much less mature than Miss Gladden, and though +he had been quick to observe the added charm in her manner that +evening, still she seemed to him little more than a child. Her words, +and something in the expression of those star-like eyes, touched him +deeply, and taking her hands in his, he answered tenderly: + +"My dear child, I am very sorry for the loneliness of your past life, +and I want you, from this time, to regard me as a brother, and if +there should be any way in which I could protect you, or help you, do +not hesitate to tell me freely." + +For the first time in all those weary years within her recollection, +Lyle went to her rest that night with a heart satisfied; for as yet, +only the surface of her affections had been stirred, and the hidden +depths below were still unfathomed, awaiting the influence of some +mightier power. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +The snow-storm detained Mr. Blaisdell in the city rather longer than +he intended, and Houston had improved the time in going over all the +old books and office records which were available. + +The books of the company he could examine at his leisure, on some +pretext or other, in Morgan's presence, but his extra work, which had +occupied his evenings, consisted in going over the old letter files, +mining reports and assay statements, making copies of whatever he +found that would be of value to him later. He had found evidence of +fraudulent transactions in the books of the company, and of these he +had made careful memoranda, but so far, the greatest amount of +evidence which he had secured, had been discovered in the old letters +written by Mr. Blaisdell to other members of the company at Silver +City, and received by him in return. These were copied exactly into a +set of small books which he had brought for that purpose, and he had +also made tracings and blue print copies of plats and maps of the most +important mines, and of the plans of their underground workings. + +What he now particularly desired was some turn of affairs that would +necessitate his visiting the mines, and give him an opportunity to +become familiar with their workings, and that, in some way, he could +gain access to the books and papers of the main office at Silver City, +as he would there find records of the business transacted directly +with the company in New York. He had taken the precaution to bring +with him copies of letters on file in the New York offices, but he now +felt that much of the most important evidence was contained in the +office at Silver City, and was the missing link which he would need +before going much farther, and as he sat at his desk one bright +morning, a few days after the storm, mentally reviewing the whole +situation, he was planning how he could best secure this also. + +Morgan, still carrying a few scars, sat with his legs crossed on top +of his table, reading a newspaper, when the door opened, and Mr. +Blaisdell entered. + +"Well, boys, good-morning," was his greeting, as he glanced quickly +around the office, and Morgan's feet suddenly descended to the floor. +"What's the matter with your eye, Morgan?" + +"Oh, nothing, been sparring a little, that's all." + +"Been down to the mines this morning?" + +"No, sir, not yet; I thought maybe you'd be up and want to give some +directions before I went down." + +"Very considerate!" remarked Mr. Blaisdell sarcastically, "you know I +would come to the mines myself, anyway, and could give directions +there just as well as here. Get ready to go down there with me, I'm +going in a few minutes." + +Going over to Houston's desk, he glanced hastily over the books, gave +some instructions, and saying that he wished to see him later, went +out to join Morgan. + +"Morgan, how did you get that eye?" he asked again. + +"Oh, Houston and I had a little set-to the other day, and he hit me +pretty hard, that's all." + +"What was it about?" demanded Mr. Blaisdell. + +"Nothing much," answered Morgan, carelessly, "we had some words about +that girl of Maverick's; I guess he's a little stuck on her himself, +and was afraid I'd be in his way, or something of the kind; I got mad +and hit him, or tried to, and he gave me a knock-out." + +"I was going to say that he doesn't look as though you had hit him +very hard," remarked Mr. Blaisdell dryly, and then continued, "Well, I +don't see the use of coming to blows over Maverick's girl, or any +other for that matter, they're not so scarce as all that. Jim's girl +has got a pretty face, but she isn't worth fighting about, that I can +see." + +There were reasons for Mr. Blaisdell's superior indifference to Lyle's +attractions, as she had been compelled more than once, in a most +emphatic manner, to check attempts at undue familiarity on his part, +notwithstanding the fact that he was a much-married man, living with +his third wife, his table surrounded with "olive plants"--fifteen in +number--of all sizes and descriptions, and regarded in the bosom of +his family as a model husband and father. + +Late in the afternoon, Mr. Blaisdell returned to the office, looking +very weary and somewhat worried. Morgan remained at the mines the rest +of the day. Mr. Blaisdell went over the books with Houston, and after +expressing considerable satisfaction at the work which he had +accomplished, he sat down by himself, and seemed lost in thought for +some time. At last he said: + +"Mr. Houston, I've been thinking for some time that we need a little +extra help in the office at Silver City, and yet not enough that it +has seemed advisable to employ another bookkeeper. Our books there are +getting behind, and a little mixed, too, I'm afraid. Mr. Lewis, our +bookkeeper, is quite an old man, and he has charge of two or three +sets of books for the different companies, and it is not to be +wondered at if he occasionally gets a little confused; and it occurred +to me while sitting here, that perhaps you might be willing to come +down, for a day or two, and straighten out the books for us." + +Houston seemed for a moment to be weighing the matter very deliberately. + +"Of course I could do it," he replied, "but it would involve +considerable extra time and expense for me, and I would want extra +compensation." + +"Oh, of course," responded Mr. Blaisdell, readily, "I understand that; +indeed, I was going to remark that you have already accomplished so +much work, and your methods seem to be so exact and, at the same time, +expeditious, that we will consider your term of probation here at an +end; we agreed to raise your salary at the end of the month, if your +services were satisfactory; they are eminently so, and I will take the +responsibility of paying you one hundred and twenty-five dollars for +this first month also. As to your fare back and forth between here and +Silver City, of course we will pay that." + +"Then," said Houston, smiling and inwardly congratulating himself, "I +do not see but that it is settled that I go to Silver City whenever +you are ready." + +"Very well," said Mr. Blaisdell, "you will not need to go down there +for ten days or so, as the time will make no appreciable difference in +the state of affairs there, and I shall need you here during that +time, as some parties are coming out from the east to look at some +mining properties, and both Morgan and myself will probably have to +spend most of our time at the mines." + +That evening, at the boarding house, Houston sat apparently interested +in a game of chess between Miss Gladden and Rutherford, but in +reality, paying close attention to a conversation carried on in low +tones between Mr. Blaisdell and Morgan. Only an occasional sentence +was audible, but he could gather enough to satisfy himself regarding +the nature of their plans. + +"Clean the rubbish out of the shaft, and set a couple of men to work +there for a day or two," Mr. Blaisdell was saying; a few words were +lost, and then he said, "Whenever I hear what day they are coming up, +we'll put on a good force." + +"They'll have their own expert with them, I suppose?" asked Morgan. + +"Yes," answered Mr. Blaisdell, "but if he's like the most of those +eastern experts, Haight and I can fix him very easily." + +A little later the conversation ended, Mr. Blaisdell saying, as he +rose to go to his room: + +"It is a confoundedly poor property, but I think a few tons of ore +from the Yankee Boy will sell it all right." + +This remark gave Houston considerable food for reflection, as the +Yankee Boy was one of the richest properties owned by the New York +company. He had that day received his first letter from his uncle, in +New York, sent under cover of an envelope from the Chicago firm, and +written in reply to a letter from himself mailed immediately upon his +arrival at the mines; and Mr. Blaisdell and Morgan having left, +Houston retired to his room to make his first report of the +information he had secured and seemed likely to secure, concerning the +ways and means of the western mining company; leaving the chess +players deep in their game, and Lyle watching them. + +Lyle, though keeping up her studies afternoons, had not been down to +Jack's cabin since the evening he had shown her the picture, partly on +account of the storm, and partly because she feared her father might +be watching her. + +Jack had wondered at her absence, thinking perhaps her new friends had +something to do with it; but on this night, Jack had other company, as +Bull-dog had ensconced himself in Mike's chair beside the stove, and +having also appropriated Mike's briar pipe,--its owner being +absent,--was smoking with all the gravity and self-possession of an +old-timer, and entertaining Jack with his quaint talk. + +"Say," he said at last, clasping his hands about his knee, and holding +the pipe between his teeth, "have ye seen that new feller up at the +orfice. Mister Houston, they call him?" + +Jack replied, very indifferently, that he had seen him once or twice. + +"Well, now, he's a Joe-dandy, a regular cracker-jack; an' he's goin' +ter be boss of that whole shootin' match, Morgan an' that little, +black, snaky feller, an' old Blaisdell, too, if he don't look out fer +hisself." + +"What makes you think so?" asked Jack, much amused. + +"I don't think so, I know it. He's got more sand than all the rest of +'em put together, an' he ain't afraid of nobody. 'D ye hear 'bout that +fight that him 'n Morgan had?" + +"No, did they fight?" inquired Jack, much surprised. + +"Did they fight!" exclaimed the little Arab, removing the pipe from +his mouth, and shaking his head with evident satisfaction at the +remembrance of the scene, "well, I should smile! Morgan, he tried hard +enough ter fight, but the other feller did him up in 'bout the +sixteenth part of a second!" + +"Were you there?" asked Jack, laughing. + +"I was peekin' through a crack in the door; they s'posed I'd gone, but +I see somethin' was up when Mister Houston first come in, an' I just +makes up my mind I'll see the fun through, an' when I goes out, I +bangs the door hard, and then opens it agin, careful like, and peeks +in; an' Mister Houston, he had walked over ter where Morgan was, an' +had lit into him 'bout somethin' or ruther he'd ben sayin', an' if he +didn't lay down the law ter him, I'll eat my hat. An' then Morgan he +sets out to give him some of his lip, and by Jiminy! 'fore he could +spit the words out, biff! comes a stunner right in his face, and shut +one eye. My, wasn't he mad though! Then he goes ter give the other +feller a punch in the head, an' Houston, he ducked the purtiest ye +ever see, and let out a blow at Morgan's jaw, an' gee-whizz! Morgan +goes a flying across the room, and lan's under the big desk, and he +never come to fer 'bout twenty minits. My, but 'twas the slickest +knock-out ye ever see, Corbett couldn't a done it slicker hisself! an' +I rolled down them steps a laughin' so I 'most died. I went back after +he'd come to, an' Mister Houston was a tellin' him ter come out an' +fight, but he didn't seem ter wan'ter very bad, an' I see the fun was +over, so I come away." + +Jack had laughed heartily over Bull-dog's description of the scene; +now he asked: + +"What was the fight about?" + +"Well," said Bull-dog, gravely replacing his pipe in his mouth, "'s +near 's I could make out, 'twas 'bout some girl." + +"What girl?" inquired Jack, rather quickly. + +"Well, the new feller, he didn't call no names, but I heerd Morgan say +somethin' 'bout Lyle Maverick, an' so I guess 'twas her, but I knew +you was always kinder sweet on her yourself, an' so I wasn't goin' ter +say nothin', 'cause, 'nless you're a scrapper, you won't stand no sort +of a chance with that feller." + +"All right, Bull-dog," said Jack, "I'm something of a 'scrapper' +myself, but I don't expect to get into any trouble;" the tone was +kind, and he spoke with a half smile, but the keenly observant eyes of +the boy detected a shade on Jack's face. However, all conversation was +suddenly checked by the entrance of Mike, who, in a manner more +forcible than ceremonious, dispossessed Bull-dog of his chair and +pipe. The little waif soon took his departure, but it was some time +before the cloud on Jack's brow was dispelled. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +For the next day or two, Houston saw very little of either Mr. +Blaisdell or Morgan, as they spent most of their time at the mines, +but his own work was greatly increased, as copies of mining reports +regarding the Sunrise mine, and duplicate sets of statements of the +assay values of samples of ore taken from its various shafts, were to +be made out with the greatest care. There were tracings and blue +prints to be made from the original plats, by which it was to be shown +that the vein of the Sunrise mine was but an extension of that of the +Morning Star, one of the famous North Star group of mines; and there +were also very important and strictly confidential letters to be +written, under Mr. Blaisdell's directions, to the Silver City office, +more particularly to Mr. Rivers, the secretary of the company, whom +Houston had not yet seen. + +The Sunrise mine which was suddenly looming up into such prominence, +was one of which Houston had never heard, but judging from the rich +samples of ore produced, and the testimony of experts and assayers, it +seemed to be one of the most valuable properties in that locality; but +to Houston, situated as he was, behind the scenes, it only afforded an +additional glimpse of the business methods of the company. + +As he still sat at his desk, having just completed his day's work, +Morgan came in and threw himself down heavily into a chair, taking his +favorite attitude, with his feet crossed on the table, and his hands +clasped behind his head. + +"You look tired, Morgan," commented Houston. + +"I am tired," he replied, "too tired to breathe if I wasn't obliged +to; this has been a hard day's work, and if old Blaisdell sells that +mine, as he expects to, he'll have to divy up pretty liberally." + +Houston turned around facing Morgan, with a peculiar smile. + +"The Sunrise mine seems to have developed wonderfully within the past +few days," he remarked quietly. + +Morgan laughed; "You'd think so," he replied, "if you could have seen +it four days ago. There hasn't been a day's work done on it for over a +year; some of it had caved in, and even the main shaft was pretty well +filled up with rubbish. Now that's all cleaned out, and the few places +where there is any quantity of ore in sight show up to good advantage, +and we've hauled eight or ten tons of ore from the Yankee Boy down +onto the dump, so it makes a pretty respectable showing. Oh, the boss +is a cuckoo for any job of that kind." + +"Does the mining company own the Yankee Boy?" asked Houston. + +"No," answered Morgan, "that whole group of mines is owned by a set +of New Yorkers; this company out here is their agent, that's all." + +"And New Yorkers are not supposed to know all the ins and outs of +their western agent's mining deals," commented Houston. + +"Well, I should say not! There's a good many things going on that they +are not supposed to know about, and that they wouldn't be very likely +to get onto, either, some of 'em, even if they were right on the +ground. Some of those ducks are pretty green, and fellows like +Blaisdell or Rivers can make them believe most anything. If Blaisdell +was half as smart as he makes some of those eastern fellows think he +is, he would have been a rich man before this." + +"Why," said Houston, in surprise, "Blaisdell is quite well off, isn't +he?" + +Morgan's only answer was a significant shake of the head. + +"What!" exclaimed Houston in astonishment. + +"Really, he is not worth a dollar," answered Morgan, "every nickle's +worth of property that he ever had, that he hasn't lost outright, has +been put into the hands of his wife, or his sons, or somebody or +other, heaven knows who, I don't, nor nobody else." + +"Well, I am surprised," said Houston, "he seems shrewd and sharp in +business matters, and I supposed he was a rich man. He must have made +considerable money, what has become of it?" + +Morgan shrugged his shoulders; "Have you seen old Rivers yet?" he +inquired. + +"The secretary? No, I've never met him." + +"Well," continued Morgan, "you probably will, in a day or two, he'll +be likely to come up with the eastern party; and when you've seen him, +you've seen the biggest rascal, and at the same time the slickest duck +there is on this side of the divide, and I doubt if there's any on the +other side can beat him. Old Blaisdell's pretty smooth, but he ain't a +circumstance to Rivers. Rivers will rob you of your last dollar, and +make you think he's your best friend all the time. Oh, he's a lulu, +and no mistake!" + +Further conversation was prevented by the entrance of Mr. Blaisdell, +with a fine lot of ore samples with their assay values attached, which +he arranged on his desk, his thin lips drawn back meanwhile in his +accustomed self-satisfied smile. When this was done, he turned to the +young men. + +"Well," he began, with a low chuckle of delight, "I've got word my +party is coming all right. Haight just got a telegram from Rivers, +that Winters had wired him that he and his son and the expert would be +in Silver City, on to-morrow's train, so I will have to go back to the +city to-night, to be in readiness to meet them. Let me see, this is +Wednesday, they arrive Thursday; Morgan, set the men to work on that +mine Friday morning; we will be up here in the course of the forenoon, +you see that everything is in first-class order. Houston, are those +statements and tracings all ready?" + +"They are," replied Houston. + +"Very well, put them up as quick as you can, I'll take them to the +city with me, and the team will be here in half a minute; I want to +catch that six o'clock train. I didn't expect to have to go to-night, +but that telegram has hurried up matters. Morgan, you keep everything +straight to-morrow, and be ready for us Friday morning." + +"Shall I send a team down?" asked Morgan. + +"No, no matter about that, I'll take Joe Hunt's team there at the Y, +it will be a rather more stylish turnout than one of the mining teams. +Everything is here O.K. I suppose," as Houston handed him the papers +he had requested, "all right, there's my team; well, so long, boys, +don't get into any more fights while I'm gone," and he was soon +rattling down the canyon toward the Y, while Houston and Morgan began +to make preparations for closing the office. + +"Well," said Morgan, as he stood looking out of the window, and +waiting for Houston to put away his books and papers for the night, "I +can just imagine the little scene that will be enacted down there at +the main office to-morrow, it would be as good as a play just to watch +it. There will be old Wilson, with his diamonds and palaver, +expatiating on the country and the mines; and Blaisdell, with that +dignified way of his, talking of nitrates and sulphides, and so many +milligrams equaling so many grains troy, and so many gramestons in so +many pounds avoirdupois, and all that razzle-dazzle, and Rivers, not +saying much of anything, but smiling, and calculating how many +thousands he is going to put in his own pockets." + +Houston laughed, and was about to reply, when Rutherford came in, as +he often walked down to meet Houston and accompany him to the house. + +"Come in, Ned," said Houston, "you should have been here a minute ago; +Morgan has been giving some verbal portraits of the mining company. +Your descriptive powers are excellent, Morgan, and you seem to know +these men pretty well." + +"Know them," said Morgan, swinging himself astride a chair and folding +his arms upon the back, while Rutherford perched upon a large writing +table, and Houston leaned against his long desk, with his arms folded, +"Know them, I should think I ought to. I worked in the Silver City +office as bookkeeper for a year before coming out here, and six months +of that time I boarded in Blaisdell's family; and as his wife hates +Rivers' wife, and couldn't say enough about her, I knew about as much +of one family as the other before I came away." + +"Does Mr. Blaisdell try to impress his better half with a sense of his +intellectual superiority, as he does the rest of his fellow mortals?" +asked Rutherford. + +"If he ever did," answered Morgan, "he must have got bravely over it +some time ago; she treats him with a contempt that would have cured +him of that habit. I've sometimes thought that the reason he swells so +much out among people is because he's so unmercifully snubbed at +home." + +"I see," said Rutherford, "just a natural effort to keep his +self-respect in equilibrium." + +"Has he many children?" inquired Houston. + +"Well, no," said Morgan, "not many, only fifteen." + +"Only fifteen!" said Houston, in astonishment, while Rutherford +exclaimed, "Oh, come off now, you're joking!" + +"No joking about it," said Morgan seriously, "I took the old man's +word for it. I tried several times to count 'em, but had to give it +up, it seemed that every day I saw a new one. Some of 'em are as old +as I; you see this is his third wife, and some of the children are +older than she." + +"I think," said Rutherford, "I'd like a wife younger than my +children." + +"He seems to," replied Morgan, "they're as spooney as can be, when +they're not quarreling." + +"Oh, deliver me!" said Rutherford, "I don't want to hear any more +about them. How about that other man, Rivers? He hasn't such a surplus +of children and wives, has he?" + +"Well," said Morgan slowly, "I guess if his children could all be got +together, there'd be more of 'em than of Blaisdell's, and he has full +as many wives, only, in his case, they are all living." + +"Great Scott!" said Rutherford, "is he a Mormon?" + +Morgan shook his head, and Houston said: + +"Morgan, I think in your efforts to be entertaining, you are drawing +slightly on your imagination, thinking that we are fresh enough to +believe anything you choose to tell us." + +"No, it's all true, whether you believe it or not. That man left a +wife and family of children somewhere in New York State, more than ten +years ago, and ran away with another woman; they have five or six +children, and here, about three years ago, since I came here, he got +his divorce from the first woman, and married this one. Then he spent +last winter in San Francisco, and it seems now, that he circulated +around there under another name,--and his name is no more Rivers, than +mine is Jenks,--and passed himself off for an unmarried man, and now +there's a woman there has entered suit against him, for breach of +promise." + +"Well," said Rutherford, descending from his elevated position, "I +move that we adjourn to the boarding house at once; if I hear any +more such stuff, I'll lose my appetite." + +"The mystery to me is," said Houston, when they were started on their +way to the house, "how such a man is allowed to live and do business +in a respectable community." + +"Oh," said Morgan carelessly, "he isn't any worse than the rest of +'em, only he's a little more out and out with it; and the rest of 'em +know it, and as long as they all live in glass houses, they don't any +of 'em want to throw any stones." + +"It cannot be quite as bad as that," said Houston. + +"Well, I've found 'em all about alike, men and women too, for that +matter, though I believe you shut me off from expressing my views +about women." + +"But you certainly would not include all women in such an assertion?" +said Houston. + +"I don't know why not, as far as my experience goes, they're all off +the same piece." + +"Why, man," said Houston indignantly, "what are you talking about? You +had a mother once, you do not mean to traduce her memory?" + +For a moment, Morgan was silent, then he replied in a tone that +sounded very unlike his usual voice: + +"Yes, I had a mother once, and that is what has made me what I am; +sometime I will tell you about her." + +And nothing more was said until they reached the house. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +Friday morning, word was received from Mr. Blaisdell, over the +private wire connecting the office at Silver City with the mines, +that he and Mr. Rivers would be up on the first train with a party of +four, and to have everything in readiness for them; also to make +arrangements for their accommodation at the boarding house. Morgan +had already placed a small force of men at work on the mine, and +after carrying out Mr. Blaisdell's instructions, remained himself at +the mine, superintending the work. + +It was one of those perfect days, so frequent among the mountains; a +cloudless sky, and the air so clear that one could see the most +distant mountain peaks with wonderful distinctness. The weather was +again warm, yet the air was cool and invigorating, and aromatic with +the breath of the evergreen forests clothing the sides of the +mountains and foot hills, while everywhere, the spring flowers were +adding their color and beauty to the scene, their fragrance rising +continuously, like an invisible cloud of incense, on every hand. + +At about eleven o'clock, Houston heard the noise of the approaching +team, and stepping to the window, saw a three-seated, open wagon, +drawn by a pair of powerful horses. On the back seat, with Mr. +Blaisdell, was an old gentleman, evidently Mr. Winters, and on the +second seat, facing them, were two whom Houston judged to be Mr. +Rivers and the junior Mr. Winters; but he took little notice of them, +for his attention was arrested by one of the two young men sitting on +the front seat, with the driver. The figure looked wonderfully +familiar, but the face was almost wholly concealed by a broad-brimmed, +soft hat. The team stopped, and at once the passengers prepared to +alight; the hat was suddenly pushed back, revealing to the astonished +Houston, the shining spectacles and laughing face of Arthur Van Dorn, +his college class mate and chum. + +The men were alighting, and it was evident that Mr. Blaisdell was in a +most genial frame of mind, he fairly beamed on every one; but Houston, +not waiting to meet him, made a hasty retreat into the back room, to +decide quickly upon his course of action. Nearly a thousand plans +occurred to him, but none seemed feasible. If Mr. Blaisdell were the +only member of the firm present, he felt he would have little +difficulty, but the presence of Mr. Rivers made it considerably harder +for him. + +Meanwhile, in the front room, Mr. Blaisdell was receiving his guests +in the most effusive manner, reminding Houston, even in his dilemma, +of a gushing school girl. + +"Mr. Winters, let me assist you, you must be exceedingly weary; here, +take this chair, you will find it a little more comfortable; sorry not +to have more luxurious quarters in which to receive you, but this is +the wild west, you know. Mr. Rivers, won't you see that Mr. Winters is +comfortable, while I wait on his son. Mr. Lindlay, let me show you +these specimens of ore, I think you will appreciate them as few can." + +In the midst of all this effusion, Mr. Rivers suddenly appeared in the +back room. He was a small man, quite bald, with small, twinkling, +peering eyes, and a quick motion of his head from one side to the +other that reminded Houston of a ferret. Seeing Houston, his eyes +twinkled until they nearly closed, he smiled, and extending his hand, +said: + +"Ah, the new clerk, Mr. Houston, I suppose; very glad to meet you." + +At that moment Mr. Blaisdell entered; "Well, Mr. Rivers, you have +found Mr. Houston, I see; Mr. Houston, this is Mr. Rivers, the +secretary of the company. I was just looking for you, Houston, I want +you to come in and meet the people in the other room." + +"In a moment, Mr. Blaisdell," said Houston, "but first, will you and +Mr. Rivers just look over something I have found here. This looks to +me as though a serious error had been made in this report regarding +the Sunrise mine, and as you will probably need it to-day, had it +better not be corrected?" + +"Error in the report of the Sunrise!" said Mr. Blaisdell, adjusting +his spectacles, "let me see; why yes, that is an error, and a bad one, +too, I am glad you called our attention to it; look here, Rivers," and +the two men were deeply engrossed in a study of the papers before +them. + +Houston improved the opportunity to reconnoiter the situation in the +front room. Mr. Winters and his son were in a close consultation. The +third man was busily engaged in looking at some ores, his back towards +the door, while beside him stood Van Dorn, indifferently watching him. +Houston gave a slight cough that attracted Van Dorn's attention; he +turned, and seeing Houston, his face brightened, and he was about to +spring forward to greet him, when the latter, with a quick motion of +his hand, gave him the signal of their old college days, its +equivalent in the western vernacular being, "Don't give me away," at +the same time putting his finger on his lips. A look of intense +surprise flashed across Van Dorn's face, but he grasped the situation +at once, and silently giving the return signal, he turned and walked +in the opposite direction with the most nonchalant manner imaginable, +and Houston knew that his secret was safe. A few moments afterward, +"Mr. Houston, our private secretary," was introduced to the entire +party, and a hearty grip from Van Dorn's hand, which Houston returned +with interest, was the only sign of mutual recognition. + +"Well friends," said Mr. Blaisdell, blandly, having looked at his +watch, "it is now so near noon, that when we have allowed Mr. Winters +ample time for rest, we had better proceed to the house and have our +dinner, before going to the mines." + +"If you dine at noon," replied Mr. Winters, in a very genial, yet +dignified manner, "there is scarcely time for a very extended +exploration, but don't discommode yourselves in the least, gentlemen, +on account of my age and feebleness. I have always enjoyed perfect +health, and notwithstanding my gray hairs, I don't believe I am much +older than my friend, here, Mr. Blaisdell." + +"Not older than I am, sir!" exclaimed Mr. Blaisdell, who prided +himself upon his youthful appearance, "why, how old do you take me to +be?" + +"Much older than you look," replied Mr. Winters, "I am sixty-five, and +you are at least sixty, although you look ten years younger than +that." + +"You have certainly proven yourself a Yankee by your guessing," said +Mr. Blaisdell, slightly disconcerted, while the others joined in a +general laugh at his expense, "I wouldn't have thought you would have +made so good a guess as that, neither did I think you were so near my +own age." + +"You have the advantage of me now," returned Mr. Winters, pleasantly, +"but if we live twenty years, as I expect to, I'll then look younger +than you, for I have the better health of the two." + +"Have you ever visited the west before, Mr. Winters?" inquired Mr. +Rivers. + +"Yes, a few times," replied the old gentleman, while the mining +expert, an Englishman, with large blue eyes, full face and blond +mustache, smiled quietly at Van Dorn and Houston, who were seated near +each other; "I've been west once or twice a year for the last ten +years." + +"Indeed!" said Mr. Rivers, with considerable surprise, while the +younger Mr. Winters said with a laugh, "Oh, you couldn't keep father +at home in New York, any more than you could one of these Indians out +here; he's got to be roaming around all over the country continually. +If he didn't drag me about with him everywhere, I wouldn't object." + +"You have been out in this country often, I suppose," said Mr. +Blaisdell, addressing the expert, who replied coolly, with a very +slight accent: + +"No, sir; I simply come out 'ere once in a w'ile, you know, just as an +accommodation to Mr. Winters." + +"You live in New York, I suppose?" + +"No, sir; my 'ome is in London," he replied, with an air that seemed +to indicate he did not care for any further conversation. + +"Blaisdell," said Mr. Rivers, "I thought you said something some time +ago, about dinner; if the ride in the mountain air has given the rest +of these gentlemen such an appetite as it has me, we would like to see +that dinner materialize before very long." + +On the way to the boarding house, Van Dorn managed to walk with +Houston, and exclaimed in a low tone: + +"Good heavens, Everard, what does this mean? What are you masquerading +around in this style for?" + +"Don't ask me to explain now, there are too many around; after dinner +we will go down by ourselves, and I'll tell you the whole story. I may +want a little advice from you, as you're a mining expert yourself." + +"Don't let any of these people out here know that," Van Dorn answered +quickly; "Mr. Winters has introduced me as an inventor of some mining +machinery that they use, just out here looking around for the pleasure +of it; you know I did invent an amalgamator that is being used to some +extent; but I'm not supposed to know anything about practical +mining." + +Houston laughed; "How about the Englishman?" he asked. + +"He's no fool," said Van Dorn quickly, "though he is playing verdant; +only comes out here to accommodate Mr. Winters, and so forth; that's +all right, but he accommodates Mr. Winters pretty often. He's a fine +expert and understands his business thoroughly, only I happen to be a +little more familiar with the ores in this locality, as I spent a good +many months out here in the mountains two years ago, experting mines; +not in this camp of course, but only a few miles from here. Mr. +Winters himself is sharp, and with Lindlay and myself out here, he's +not going to be very badly taken in." + +"Good!" said Houston, "and now there is one thing more before we get +to the house. You remember Morton Rutherford?" + +"Mort Rutherford, of old college days? well, I should say so; what +about him?" + +"His brother is stopping here, you will see him at dinner." + +"What!" interrupted Van Dorn, "little Ned? What under heaven is he +doing out here? Are you two fellows out here incognito making love to +rustic maidens? or what are you doing?" + +"No, Ned is out here in his own name, you won't need be under any +restrictions with him, but what I want to say is this: Don't let him +know who I am, or that you used to know me, or that I know his +brother." + +"Anything else I'm not to let him know?" queried Van Dorn, taking out +a small note book. + +"No, put up your book, or Mr. Blaisdell will think I am giving you +pointers on the mine. But this is how it is; Rutherford met me on the +train coming out here, introduced himself to me, took a fancy to the +mountains, and decided to stay a few weeks. He thinks I am--what you +found me--the clerk for this company, and my home in Chicago. I am not +ready to explain matters to him yet, so just simply appear as if you +had never met me or heard of me till to-day." + +"But how is it Ned didn't know you? Didn't you ever see him when you +visited Mort?" + +"No, I was there only once, and he was away at school at the time, and +then he never went to Yale, you know, he is a Harvard graduate." + +"Oh, I see; all right, I'll be mum." + +A sharp turn in the road brought the house into view, with Rutherford +seated on the porch, reading a magazine. + +He glanced up with his usual assumption of dignity, as the party +approached, but catching sight of Van Dorn, at the rear of the little +procession, his magazine and his dignity were suddenly flung to the +winds, and he bounded down from the porch like a school-boy. + +"By Jove! Hello there, Van Dorn, how do you do? Great Scott! how did +you ever come out here? I'm awfully glad to see you." + +"Very glad to see you, my dear boy," said Van Dorn, heartily, "but the +mystery to me is, how do you happen to be here?" + +Mr. Blaisdell looked on greatly astonished and amused by Rutherford's +impetuous greeting. + +"Well, Mr. Rutherford," he remarked, "you seem to have met an old +friend; ah, yes, I see, you are from Boston, and so is Mr. Van Dorn." + +Introductions followed, and the party sat down to dinner. Houston, +seated between Van Dorn and Rutherford, did not lack for entertainment, +but he had been at the table but a few seconds when he became aware +that Miss Gladden was not there. He waited till the meal was nearly +over, and then quietly inquired of Lyle whether Miss Gladden were ill. + +"Oh no," Lyle answered, in a low tone, "Miss Gladden thought best, as +so many gentlemen were to be here, and on business, to let them have +the table to themselves." + +After dinner, Houston started a little early for the office, and Van +Dorn took his hat, saying: + +"If you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I'll walk down with Mr. Houston. You +know I'm not so crazy on mining as you are, and I'd like to see +somebody for a change, that can talk on some other subject." + +"Go ahead," said Mr. Winters, "I suppose you'll want to go through the +mines in our company, though, by and by." + +"I probably will have to go in your company, if I go at all," Van Dorn +replied carelessly, "my choice is rather limited." + +"You'll be here this evening, won't you Van?" said Rutherford, who was +then engaged in a sort of one-sided conversation with the Englishman. + +"I suppose so," Van Dorn answered. + +"All right, I'll see you later," Rutherford responded. + +The confidential clerk and the young inventor strolled down the road +together, and the officers of the mining company never dreamed of the +results. + +Half an hour later, Mr. Blaisdell and Mr. Rivers rose to return to the +office, and the others followed their example, with the exception of +Mr. Winters, who said: + +"If you boys are in a hurry to start, all right, go ahead; I'm going +to take my after-dinner smoke out here on the porch," at the same time +producing a fine meerschaum. + +"Now, father, don't you get left behind," said his son jokingly. + +"Get left, you young rattle-brains! I'll have my smoke out and be down +there at the office, before you are ready to start; your old father +generally 'gets there' in as good time as you can make." + +"I'll tell you what we will do, Mr. Winters," said Mr. Blaisdell, "the +road to the mine branches off just below here, and we can just as well +drive around here and call for you." + +"All right, Mr. Blaisdell, that will be perfectly satisfactory, +whatever suits you young fellows, suits me." + +"Very well, then, Mr. Winters," said Mr. Blaisdell, "we 'young +fellows' will be along in the course of half an hour," and they went +down the canyon, leaving the old gentleman in the low porch, deep in +the enjoyment of his pipe. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + +As the quondam class-mates disappeared together down the winding road, +Houston gave his friend, as succinctly as possible, an explanation of +his presence there in the capacity of clerk, briefly outlining his +plans, and stating what he had been able so far to accomplish. + +Van Dorn was intensely interested, and through his own practical +knowledge and experience, was able to give Houston some valuable +information, and to make some important suggestions. + +Houston was quick to see that here was just the help he would need a +little later; he also knew that opportunities for seeing his friend +would be limited, he must act promptly. + +"Arthur," he asked rather abruptly, "how soon do you go east?" + +"In about two weeks." + +"Any special engagements for this summer?" + +"Nothing particularly important at present." + +"You remember my uncle, don't you?" + +"I remember Mr. Cameron perfectly, though I have not seen him for a +number of years." + +"I suppose, for a sufficient consideration, you would come out here on +business for us, at any time?" + +"Like Lindlay, 'just to accommodate,' I suppose," laughed Van Dorn, +and continued, "Everard, old boy, I am at the service of yourself and +your uncle, and we'll say nothing about 'considerations' until +afterward; then arrange it between yourselves." + +"We will not require your time and services without ample compensation," +returned Houston, "but you will be just the man I will need later; an +expert, familiar with this locality, in whom my uncle will repose perfect +confidence, and whom the company here will not suspect." + +"But Mr. Cameron may not place much confidence in the harum-scarum +sophomore that visited his home a few years since, if he remembers him +at all," said Van Dorn, with a little laugh. + +"My word will be enough for that," said Houston, "I will write a +letter this afternoon for you to take to him. There are the gentlemen +now, coming down the road; I will see you again this evening, and +probably to-morrow. I wonder what has become of Mr. Winters?" + +"Probably he is taking his afternoon smoke," said Van Dorn. "I think +the old gentleman would throw up the whole mining deal rather than +sacrifice that. After what you've told me of this mining concern out +here, I've considerable curiosity to see this famous mine they've been +writing about. I've got an idea just about how it will pan out, but +I'll say nothing till I've seen it." + +"Let me know your impressions, later," said Houston. + +"Agreed," answered Van Dorn, and the party outside having nearly +reached the door, the subject was dropped. + +Meanwhile, Mr. Winters, seated in the rustic porch, his attention +divided between the picturesque scenery surrounding him, and the +spirals of blue smoke which he loved to watch, was in no hurry to +exchange his present enjoyment for subterranean explorations; the rest +and solitude seemed doubly welcome after the last few weeks of +travel. + +Rutherford, who lingered a few moments after the others had gone, did +not find him very socially inclined, and picking up his magazine from +the floor, where it had reposed since Van Dorn's appearance, he +started up the canyon for a stroll among the rocks by the lake. + +It is to be feared that Mr. Winters, under the combined influence of +his pipe and the warm sunshine, was very nearly asleep. It is certain +that he never heard the sound of soft, trailing garments beside him, +nor did he appear to be in full possession of all his faculties, until +two arms rested lightly on his shoulders, and a pair of small, white +hands were clasped across his eyes. + +Such a proceeding, under such circumstances, naturally had the effect +of very quickly restoring his faculties to their normal condition, but +on trying to turn his head, he found it held as firmly as in a vise, +by the hands which had been quickly removed from his eyes, while a +mischievous voice announced imperiously: + +"Guess who it is, and you are free!" + +"Guess!" exclaimed the old gentleman in some perplexity, "why, if I +were at home, I would know this was one of my little girl's tricks, +but I cannot imagine who it is here." + +There was a musical, rippling laugh, as the hands were withdrawn, +and Mr. Winters, turning quickly, came near losing his pipe in +astonishment. + +"Bless my soul, Leslie! what does this mean? Well, well! so it was my +little girl after all, up to her old tricks; but, child, how came you +out here, in such a place as this?" + +At that moment, Houston or Rutherford would scarcely have recognized +Miss Gladden, could they have seen her seated beside Mr. Winters with +all the careless abandon of a child, laughing merrily in answer to his +numerous questions, while he playfully pinched her cheek, or pulled +her ear. To Mr. Winters, however, she seemed like one of his own +children, for Leslie Gladden was an orphan, and Mr. and Mrs. Winters, +having been deeply attached to her parents, and having no daughter of +their own, had always regarded her as a daughter, and much of her life +had been passed in their home. + +"Well, puss," said Mr. Winters, having answered her inquiries +regarding his family, "seems to me it's about time you gave an account +of yourself; what are you doing here? and what have you been doing +since last Easter? and where are Helen and her husband?" + +"One question at a time, if you please, sir," said Miss Gladden. + +"That's right, giving the old man orders, as usual; we always spoiled +you, Leslie. Well, in the first place, what possessed you to leave us +in the way you did? We understood you had gone to spend Easter with +Helen; and the next we heard, Helen wrote her sister that they were +going to spend the summer traveling in the west, and that you were to +accompany them." + +"I will explain that a little later; what is the next in order?" + +"Is Helen here with you?" + +"No, sir, she and George are in Denver." + +"And who is stopping here with you?" + +"No one; do you think I need a guardian, or a chaperon?" + +The old man's eyes twinkled; "You always were an independent sort of a +girl, and pretty level-headed, too, I must admit; but, my dear child, +is it safe for you to be out here alone among the miners, and this +rough class of people?" + +Miss Gladden laughed; "Did you see any very rough people to-day at +dinner?" + +"Why no, to be sure, I did not, but then, there must be many of them +out here in this neighborhood." + +"I never see them," said Miss Gladden, "I associate only with the +people you met to-day; no one here knows that I have wealth; so +really, I am safer here than at home, where I am known." + +"But there is no society here," protested the old gentleman. + +"I came here to get away from society; there is plenty of refined and +pleasant companionship, and if I have friends here, I know they are +sincere friends, not money worshipers, or fortune hunters." + +"Oh, I see," said Mr. Winters, "the princess is out here in disguise, +seeking some knight who will love her for herself alone, and not for +her fortune." + +"No," said Miss Gladden gravely, "I have not come out here seeking for +any knight, but to escape from a base, dishonorable and cowardly +knave." + +"Has your cousin Humphrey been annoying you again?" + +"Yes, he and his mother made life a burden to me, that was my reason +for leaving home as I did. Humphrey has sunk nearly every dollar of +their property by his profligacy, and now, he and his mother are +determined to have my fortune. Aunt exhausted all her stock of +melodramatic and sentimental language and her tears in trying to get +me to fulfill what she called my father's 'dying wish,' by marrying +that debauchee and libertine; then she tried threats, and finally +became so wild with rage, that she reminded me of the will, and told +me I should never marry any one else; that Humphrey should have the +property, as my father intended, sooner or later, if not with me, then +without me. I knew Helen intended to come west, and I went to her and +asked to let me travel with them. Now, you know my reason for leaving +so suddenly, and for not writing. We have all enjoyed our trip very +much; you know George came out on business, and when he was occupied, +of course it was pleasanter for Helen that I was with her. While we +were at St. Paul, George met some mining men, and he immediately began +to have symptoms of mining fever, and hearing of the mines out here, +he brought us out, among the mountains and miners. We came out when +the weather was warm and delightful, and Helen and I roamed over the +mountains while George explored the mines. Then he decided to go to +Denver, and I would probably have accompanied them, though I had +become attached to this place, but just then I heard that my cousin +had traced me to St. Paul, and was in pursuit, to renew his attentions +to me, so I decided to remain here where he will be less likely to +find me. Helen and her husband are in Denver, sworn to secrecy +regarding my whereabouts." + +"Well, well!" exclaimed the old gentleman, meditatively, "I wouldn't +have thought your aunt would so far have forgotten herself. It was +unfortunate that your father made such a will, leaving everything to +Humphrey in case of your dying unmarried, but that was when you were +both children, and he was very fond of the little fellow. Leslie, my +dear, I wish you were married." + +"But I am not, and perhaps never likely to be," Miss Gladden answered +merrily. + +"Yes, and you might have been married twenty times over," said Mr. +Winters, shaking his head, "and my own boy, Harry, among the lot." + +"Once is enough for me, papa dear," said Miss Gladden lightly, yet in +a more tender tone, "when the right one comes; but it could never have +been Harry, any more than his brother, Richard; you and mamma were +like parents to me, and the boys both seem like brothers." + +"Have you found the right one, yet?" asked the old gentleman, watching +her keenly. + +"As I told you, I am not looking for a knight," she answered brightly, +but the color deepened on her cheek, "if he ever comes, he must find +me." + +Mr. Winters noted the telltale flush, and slowly shaking his head, +remarked, "I don't know, Leslie, about the advisability of leaving you +here; you were always inclined to be very philanthropic, and it would +be like you to adopt some young man out here, thinking you had money +enough for yourself and him, too; that clerk down at the office, for +instance, or this kid that was prancing around in eye-glasses." + +"The 'kid' as you call him," Miss Gladden answered demurely, "has +plenty of money of his own, and Mr. Houston seems abundantly able to +take care of himself; if I adopt any one, it will be that beautiful +girl who waited on you at dinner." + +"What is that, my dear?" said the old gentleman, brightening, "I +noticed that girl at the table to-day; she is remarkably fine looking, +and seemed to conduct herself like a perfect lady; who is she?" + +Miss Gladden, in her enthusiastic manner, began telling him of Lyle, +and of the interest she had taken in her, but before she had proceeded +very far, the team appeared at the junction of the roads, the men +calling Mr. Winters. + +"Bless my stars, if there isn't the team!" he exclaimed, "well my +little girl, good-bye for the present, you will see us both this +evening," and having given Miss Gladden a promise that neither he nor +his son would betray her secret, he hastened down the road to the +waiting team. + +"Well, boys," he said, stopping to carefully empty the ashes from his +pipe on a projecting ledge of rock, "I will have to give you credit +for being on hand very promptly; that was about the shortest half hour +that I can remember." + +A loud, ringing laugh greeted this remark, which caused Mr. Winters, +who was replacing his pipe in its case, to look up in mild wonder. + +"That's one on you, father," called his son, while Mr. Blaisdell +remarked, "The time evidently has passed very pleasantly." + +"What is the origin of all this mirth?" demanded Mr. Winters, as he +seated himself with considerable dignity. + +"It seems," said Mr. Rivers, in explanation, "to be because you were +so unconscious of the lapse of time; we were delayed in getting +together our papers, and it is over an hour since we left the house." + +"I looked for you at every turn of the road," said his son. + +"I didn't," said Van Dorn, "I thought he had fallen asleep over his +pipe; I never dreamed he was disgracing the whole crowd of us by such +open flirtation as that,--I wish we had brought along a chaperon." + +"Well, gentlemen," said Mr. Winters very deliberately, "all I have to +say is, that had you been in my place, the time would have seemed +equally short to you, and I don't think there's one of you but would +have been mighty glad to have been in my place." + +"Mr. Winters," said Mr. Blaisdell, "I begin to think you're the +youngest man of our party." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + +With many jokes and much hilarity, the mining party proceeded on their +way. Arriving at the mines, they found Morgan and Haight awaiting +them, who were duly introduced to the party, the English expert +looking at Haight with much the same expression with which a mastiff +might regard a rat terrier. + +Everything being in readiness, they began the descent of the long +incline shaft, Mr. Blaisdell and Haight leading the way with Mr. +Lindlay, while Mr. Rivers followed with Mr. Winters and his son and +Van Dorn, Morgan bringing up the rear. + +It was nearly three hours before they reappeared at the surface, and +to a physiognomist, their faces, as they emerged from the mouth of the +shaft, would have furnished an amusing study. + +Mr. Blaisdell looked irritated and annoyed, but jubilant. He had been +thoroughly disgusted by the conduct of the English expert. Instead +of taking Mr. Blaisdell's word regarding the mine, corroborated as +it was by undisputable evidence in the shape of mining reports, +surveyor's notes, and maps, he had insisted on ascertaining for +himself the important data, the width, dip and course of the vein, +and the measurement of various angles and distances, with a +persistency and accuracy that was simply exasperating. He also picked +up samples of ore in the most unexpected places which he examined +with the closest scrutiny. But having taken his measurements and made +his examinations, the results were immediately jotted down in his +note book, and the samples dropped in his pockets, without a word, +which convinced Mr. Blaisdell that the expert knew very little of his +business, and was probably either doing this to keep up appearances, +or to gain a little information for his own benefit. Not a word had +been said contradicting the statements he had made, not a question +raised implying any doubt of their correctness;--evidently they were +just the kind of purchasers he wanted, and his firmly set jaws and +tightly compressed lips expressed his satisfaction. + +Mr. Rivers scanned the company keenly with his ferret-like glances; +such unexpected acquiescence on their part made him slightly +suspicious and very watchful. The thought uppermost in his mind was, +"Either these people know absolutely nothing about mining, or they +know too much for our good." He had intended going back to the city +that evening, but he now decided to remain over. + +Mr. Winters, senior, reappeared, wearing the same expression of +benevolence and dignity with which he had entered the mine. He seemed +serenely unconscious of the existence of deceit or fraud in business +transactions generally, and in mining negotiations in particular. Only +those well acquainted with him could detect from the exaggerated +twinkle of his eyes, that something had more than ordinarily amused +him. + +Van Dorn and Lindlay had agreed before hand that they would keep +entirely separate, and each pursue his own course of investigation +independently of the other,--Van Dorn of course not being able to take +any measurements, as he was not supposed to be an expert,--and compare +notes later. As the two emerged into daylight and their eyes met, Van +Dorn's laughing, blushing face would have betrayed him, had any one +known his real business there, but a young inventor, exploring mines +just for the fun of the thing, is supposed to find plenty of +amusement. Under the big, blond mustache of the Englishman, a pair of +lips curled scornfully, and his eyes rolled wildly for a moment, but +that was all. + +As the gentlemen gathered around the dump, the last vestige of Mr. +Blaisdell's irritation seemed to have disappeared, as he blandly +expatiated upon the quantity and quality of the ore. + +Van Dorn's eyes sparkled as he saw the shining lumps from the Yankee +Boy, and he and Lindlay exchanged quick glances. + +"Look at that," said the latter, quickly extracting from his pocket a +sample of the Sunrise ore and placing it beside a piece taken at +random from the dump; "does any one pretend to tell me that those are +from the same vein?" + +"It is a different class of ore altogether," replied Van Dorn, "such +ore as that never would be found under the conditions existing in that +mine, but I'll be blest if I wouldn't like to see the mine it did come +from." + +Mr. Rivers had observed this little side conversation and Van Dorn's +close scrutiny of the samples, and was at his side in a moment, +inquiring in his smoothest tones: + +"What do you think of that ore, Mr. Van Dorn?" + +"Very fine ore, so far as I can judge," said Van Dorn carelessly, "I +would like to see it run through that concentrator and amalgamator of +mine; if these men ever get through talking about mines, Mr. Rivers, I +must get you and Mr. Blaisdell interested in my machinery." + +At the suggestion of Mr. Lindlay, the party next paid a visit to the +Morning Star mine, that being the one which Mr. Blaisdell had declared +was on the same lead as the Sunrise. This they found to be a valuable +mine, but there was not the slightest indication of the vein being +identical with that of the Sunrise, its strike carrying it in a +totally different direction, and its characteristics being wholly +dissimilar. + +As it was too late for any further mining explorations, the team was +ordered, and preparations made for a return to the house. + +Lindlay and Van Dorn, by mutual agreement, started up the canyon road +together, in advance of the others. + +"Boys, where are you going?" called Mr. Winters. + +"Going to walk on ahead," answered Van Dorn. + +"Just as cheap to ride," said Mr. Winters. + +"Plenty of room," added Mr. Blaisdell. + +"We can't wait for you, you're too slow," laughed Van Dorn. + +"Give our places to those gentlemen," said Lindlay, indicating +Haight and Morgan, and with rather a painful emphasis on the word +"gentlemen." + +"Egad!" he exclaimed a few moments later, "Van Dorn, what do you think +of that for a mining proposition?" + +"It's pretty tough, in fact, about the toughest I ever saw," replied +Van Dorn, "but then, you remember we got a hint at Silver City that +they were sharpers." + +"Sharpers!" exclaimed Lindlay, "but I don't call them sharpers; I can +admire a good, genuine piece of keen rascality, don't you know, for I +can play just as sharp a game myself as the best of them, but w'en it +comes to such downright, beastly work as this, so blundering and +bungling you know, w'y it looks too much as though they thought we +were all born idiots, to be very complimentary." + +"I'll admit it looks that way," said Van Dorn, laughing, "it doesn't +look as though they had a very flattering opinion of our acquirements, +or our natural penetration, if they suppose we can be gulled in this +way. They are about the worst set of mining sharks I've ever had the +pleasure of meeting, and I shall tell Houston so." + +"By the way, that Mr. 'Uston seems a very decent sort of a man," +commented Lindlay. + +"He's a fine fellow," responded Van Dorn warmly, "you see I know him, +he's a friend of mine, but don't say anything till we get out of +here." + +"A friend of yours! and w'at in the deuce is he doing out 'ere, among +such a beastly lot?" + +"He is out on a piece of detective work on his own account," and Van +Dorn briefly gave Lindlay an outline of what Houston had told him. A +prolonged "Ah--h" from Lindlay was the only response. + +"I thought I'd better tell you," said Van Dorn, "for fear you would +include him in the lot out here, and be down on him with the rest. He +is a splendid fellow, and I want you to know him." + +"That I will," responded the Englishman, "'ere, give 'im my card, and +tell 'im I'll be very glad to 'elp 'im out a bit any time if he needs +it later, you know; I would like to see 'im get the best of these +fellows." + +"I will tell him," replied Van Dorn, "he may give you a letter of +introduction to his uncle. They are all fine people, and, as you say, +I would like to see Houston get the best of these rascals; I believe +he will, too, though he will have to lay low for a while yet, and +there may be some pretty dangerous work for him before he gets +through." + +The pedestrians and the remainder of the party reached the house at +nearly the same time, the latter having been slightly delayed in +starting. Although a little late, Houston and Rutherford, with Miss +Gladden and Lyle, were awaiting them in the porch. The rare beauty of +the two ladies elicited expressions of admiration from both Lindlay +and Van Dorn, the latter exclaiming: + +"They evidently have some fine specimens of ladies out here, and no +mistake; there seems to be no fraud in that direction. No wonder the +old gentleman was so indifferent as to whether we called for him or +not!" + +Miss Gladden extended a welcome, both cordial and graceful, to Mr. +Winters and his son, and also to Van Dorn, whom Rutherford introduced +as an old friend. Other introductions followed, and the entire company +entered the long, low dining room, whither Lyle had already preceded +them to see that everything was in perfect readiness. Exclamations of +surprise and pleasure were heard on all sides, as the table had been +tastefully decorated by the skillful fingers of the ladies, with wild +flowers, and their beauty and fragrance filled the room. A very social +meal followed, interspersed with jokes and repartee, and pleasant +reminiscences. Toward the close, Mr. Blaisdell entertained them with +amusing sketches of western life, and soon was relating some of his +first mining experiences, when he had just come from the east, a newly +fledged mining expert. + +"I was asked, in company with another expert, a western man, much +older than I, to examine some properties for some mining men. They +were all experienced miners, old hands at the business, and they +regarded me, a young graduate from an eastern mining school, with no +practical knowledge that they knew of, as totally incompetent to +advise them, and, I think, invited me more out of courtesy than +anything else; perhaps also, out of benevolent intention to give me an +opportunity to learn something about mines. + +"The evening previous to the day the examination was to be made, they +met for a little conversation regarding the history of the mine, and +to make plans for the following day. Of course, our talk was +principally of mining in general. Well, didn't I play 'green' that +evening. You can bet your sweet life that I did!" + +Here Lindlay elbowed Houston, who in turn nudged Van Dorn. The last +named gentleman telegraphed across to the younger Winters and +Rutherford, and there seemed imminent danger of a general explosion; +however, Mr. Blaisdell thought it was all in appreciation of his +story, and blandly continued: + +"I think when we broke up that night, the rest of them must have +wondered among themselves why they had been such fools as to invite +me. But I was only anxious for the time to come to go down into that +mine. It was a property which the company had bought when it was +nothing but a prospect, but which had then possessed every indication +of being a wonderful producer of very rich ore, and it was supposed +that with a little further development it would make a very fine +property. The company had immediately proceeded to develop the mine, +following the vein, as they supposed, for several hundred feet, but it +did not amount to anything worth speaking of. Occasionally they would +find croppings of very rich ore, but no true vein, and they had +finally determined to call in one or two experts, and after an +examination, decide whether it was worth the expenditure of any more +money, or whether it had better be abandoned. + +"Well, aside from having received a fine education in this branch +of science, I had worked a good deal in some of old Nature's +laboratories, and was more familiar with these things than they +thought. I knew, from their talk, that they were not following the +course of the vein, though they thought they were, but of course, I +said nothing of that kind; I was playing green. + +"The next day we went down into the mine, and I found just what I +expected to find; that they were simply following a false lead, and in +reality, going farther and farther from the vein every move they made. +There was the original vein to start with, and they had struck a false +lead close beside it, and were going down; digging down lower and +lower, while the true vein was right over their heads, and those +miners and that confounded expert that knew so much more than I did, +didn't any of them know enough just to look up there and see it. Why, +near the point where they had first started, I could see the ore +shining in places over my head, and there were croppings of it all +along. + +"Well, to make a long story short, I advised them to stick to the +mine, and the expert advised them to abandon it. A little while +afterward, I asked them what they would take for the mine; of course +they thought that an additional proof of my greenness that I should +talk of buying it, but I hung on, not appearing very anxious about it +of course, for then they might suspect something. You won't believe +me, but I bought that mine for five hundred dollars, cash, and they +thought I was the biggest fool and tenderfoot that ever came out here. +I tell you, I made sure of a good, clear title to that property, and +then I went to work. I followed the old, original vein, and in less +than six weeks I had gold just a pouring out of that mine. My! but +didn't that company try to get back then! but I wouldn't have anything +to do with them; I told them I was a greenhorn and a tenderfoot, and +they had better let me alone. Well, sir, I worked that mine eighteen +months, and cleared, over and above all expenses, one hundred and +fifty thousand dollars, and then I sold it for half a million, and +those other fellows have been kicking themselves ever since." + +There was a hearty laugh at the termination of the story, and the +company adjourned to the porch and the open space surrounding the +house, for the evening. + +Taken all in all, there was in that little company sheltered under the +old house that night, a strange combination of plots and counter +plots, secrets and mysteries; and to Houston himself, as he sat a +little apart from the others, watching the group with thoughtful eyes, +it seemed a curious coincidence, that, on that evening, and at that +place, there should be assembled so many of the principal actors in +the drama which he knew must ere long be enacted, and he was unable to +shake off a vague presentiment that this was the opening scene. Just +what would that drama be, he wondered, would it be comedy or tragedy? +never, with all his foresight, dreaming the depth of tragedy so soon +to follow, or recognizing as such, some of the chief actors, even then +passing within his ken. + +On one side of the low porch was seated Miss Gladden, entertaining Mr. +Winters and his son, while behind her, Lyle was standing with +unconscious grace, and a far-away, dreamy look in her eyes. Just +across the entrance, on the other side, were Lindlay, Van Dorn and +Rutherford, the last two engaged in animated conversation regarding +old times, Lindlay occasionally joining with them, but most of the +time watching Miss Gladden, with much admiration expressed in his +usually critical face. Mr. Rivers sauntered back and forth before the +house, smoking, while, at a little distance, Mr. Blaisdell, Haight and +Morgan were talking together. Jim Maverick, coming from behind the +house, touched his hat as a salute to Mr. Blaisdell, and after a quick +glance of suspicious distrust at the elder Mr. Winters, shuffled off +in the direction of the miners' quarters. A little later, a man with +powerful, athletic frame, who walked with quick, elastic step, and yet +as though conscious of his power, passed the house, followed by a fine +collie. His hat was drawn low over his eyes, partly concealing his +face, but this did not prevent his watching the group on the porch +with close, keen scrutiny. Houston and Rutherford started slightly, +and exchanged glances, for they had recognized their fellow passenger +from Valley City, and they would doubtless have made some comment, but +that just then Miss Gladden spoke: + +"Lyle, dear, I wonder who that can be; he is dressed like a miner, but +his carriage and appearance is that of a gentleman." + +"That," answered Lyle, in a low tone, "is Jack; he is a miner, and he +is also a gentleman." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + +Several days had elapsed since the eastern party, accompanied by Mr. +Blaisdell and Mr. Rivers, had returned to the city, and, as yet, +nothing had been learned of their decision regarding the mine. The +extra force of men on the Sunrise had returned to their regular +shifts, and the work at the mining camp was going forward in the old +routine, with the monotonous precision of clock-work. + +Houston was quietly pursuing his own way, conscious that the task +before him involved difficulty and danger. He was aware that Haight, +notwithstanding his obsequious politeness, was one of his worst +enemies, and would injure him in every underhanded way within his +power, as, beneath the smooth, smiling exterior, Houston could detect +a deep, subtle malignity toward himself; and he rightly judged that +Jim Maverick, the tool of the mining company, would be the instrument +Haight would use when he was ready to work his revenge. + +Maverick, from the first, had hated Houston with that instinctive +hatred which such vile natures, groveling in their own degradation, +always feel toward those moving on a higher plane, in an atmosphere +untainted by the putrescence which is their natural element. Maverick +knew that, to a man like Houston, his own baseness and villainy were +written in his face, and even in his slouching, cringing gait, as +plainly as though branded in letters of fire, and this was sufficient +to kindle his anger against him, and Haight, by his talk, added fuel +to the slowly smoldering fire. At home, but more particularly among +the miners, in the camp or at the Y, Maverick expressed his views +regarding Houston in language abounding with profanity and obscenity, +and many were the muttered threats of what he would do should the +object of his hatred ever cross his path. + +Houston, meanwhile, was quick to discern the danger signals, and was +laying his plans wisely and well. His own work in the office of the +mining camp was nearly completed; there remained yet the information +to be gathered from the Silver City office, to which he was now +expecting to be called any day, and then the work of familiarizing +himself with the mines. When this should be accomplished, the end, for +which he was working and waiting, would be very near. + +As he sat in the office one afternoon, reviewing the past few weeks, +he felt that he had succeeded thus far, even beyond his hopes. The +coming of Van Dorn and the acquaintance formed with Lindlay would be +of untold value to him in his work. A little later, Van Dorn would +come to his assistance without arousing suspicion, not being known as +a mining expert, and when the time came for the final denouement, +Lindlay would accompany Mr. Cameron to the mines, as he was a skilled +expert, and having already visited the mines, could furnish testimony +as to the fraud practiced by the company. + +Thus far, everything had gone well, and the weeks of work in a +secluded mining camp, to which he had looked forward with anything but +pleasurable anticipations, had in reality proven,--he was surprised to +admit to himself,--among the pleasantest of his life. He would really +have many regrets on leaving the mountains to return to his old home, +he had formed such pleasant associations; and then, he suddenly became +conscious that, of his life among the mountains, there was little he +would miss, excepting a pair of dark, soulful eyes, in whose depths he +had failed to detect the least shadow of falseness or unworthiness; +mirrors of a sweet, womanly nature, strong, pure and beautiful, which +with a quick, ready sympathy entered into his feelings, and often +seemed to fathom his unspoken thoughts, and clothe them with language +of her own. + +Houston started in astonishment, and, locking the office, took a +circuitous and little traveled road, determined to fully understand +his own heart before he again looked into those eyes with their depths +of sincerity and truth. + +For many years he had been the recipient of flattering attentions from +fond papas and aspiring mammas. Invitations to club dinners, banquets +and the most recherche lunches, on the one hand, were evenly balanced +by cards to receptions, soirees and afternoon teas, on the other. Had +he passed heart-whole through all these sieges, only to fall a victim, +here and now? + +He had admired Miss Gladden from the first; then, in their mutual +sympathy for Lyle, they had been drawn closer together, and since that +time,--yes, he could see it all now. + +Of Miss Gladden herself he knew very little, except that she was a +true, noble woman; he needed no words to tell him that. Rutherford had +learned from conversation with her, that she was an orphan, and had +been traveling with friends because her home was made unpleasant by +some of her relatives; and both had judged that she was probably, in +a measure, dependent upon wealthy relatives. + +This much Houston did know, however, that he loved Leslie Gladden, +that she was worthy of his love, and that life without her would not +seem worth the living. He believed that she loved him, and his heart +thrilled with the thought, that if so, it was for himself, not his +wealth, that she cared. Before he reached the house, his mind was +fully decided: + +"I love her for herself," he soliloquized, "not caring whether she is +rich or poor, and I believe she does, or will, love me in like manner. +In any event, I must learn my fate before the arrival of my uncle." + +As Houston approached the house, Miss Gladden and Lyle were standing +together in the porch. He greeted both ladies with even more than his +usual courtesy, but as his eyes met those of Miss Gladden, there was +that in his glance, which in itself, was a declaration of his love for +her. Lyle, with her quick intuition, read the meaning, and with her +natural sense of delicacy, as quickly withdrew, leaving them together. +For an instant, Miss Gladden's eyes dropped before Houston's glance, +while a lovely color suffused her cheek; then she raised her eyes, +meeting his with an answering glance, and in that mutual recognition, +though no word was spoken, they knew that they were lovers, and that +was enough for the present. + +Of late, the four friends had spent much time together; sometimes +climbing the mountains, to watch from their lofty summits the setting +sun, slowly descending amid clouds of flame, whose glowing colors were +reflected from the surrounding peaks in ever varying tints; the rose +changing to amethyst and violet, and the violet deepening to purple; +while far below, the canyon lay wrapped in soft, gray twilight. Or, +sometimes, taking one or two boats from the little boat-house built +for the accommodation of summer tourists, they rowed about the lake in +the moonlight. + +On this particular night, Rutherford proposed a row, in one of the +larger boats, the entire length of the lake, to the cascades, to which +the rest readily acceded. The ladies soon appeared in light, fleecy +wraps, Miss Gladden carrying a fine guitar, which called forth +exclamations of pleasure from the gentlemen. + +"Good!" said Rutherford, "that will be just the thing; now we will +have some music." + +"Miss Gladden," said Houston, "why have we not been favored in this +way earlier?" + +"Oh," she replied, archly, "it has never been a necessity until +to-night, but a long row in the moonlight would not be perfect without +music." + +This was their first trip to the end of the lakes, and they found +the scene beautiful beyond description. On one side an almost +perpendicular wall of rock; in the opposite direction, the mountain +ranges stretching far away in the distance, with snowy peaks gleaming +here and there, like watch towers; while just before them, the +shimmering cascades in the wondrous beauty of the moonlight, the deep, +unceasing roar seeming to rise and fall with a rhythm of its own. + +For the first few moments, they sat in silent admiration of the beauty +around them; then Miss Gladden touched the strings of the guitar, and +began singing in a rich contralto, in which Houston joined with a fine +baritone, while Rutherford added a clear, sweet tenor. Their voices +blended perfectly, and accompanied by the sweet notes of the guitar, +the music floated out over the lake, the lingering echoes dying away, +in the distance. + +Lyle took no part in the song, but sat listening with parted lips and +dreamy eyes. When the song was finished, she exclaimed: + +"Oh, please do not stop, I love to listen to you; it reminds me of +something I have heard long ago, I don't know when or where." + +"Do you never sing, Miss Maverick?" asked Rutherford. + +"Only sometimes for myself," she said, "I know only two or three songs +that I have heard others sing." + +"But you have a sweet voice," said Houston, "will you not sing for +us?" + +"If you will overlook any mistakes, I may," answered Lyle, "for I +probably do not sing correctly, as I know nothing of music." + +"Certainly, Lyle, we would like to hear you," said Miss Gladden. + +As simply, and as free from self-consciousness as a child, Lyle began +her song, her eyes fixed on the distant shining peaks, and her only +accompaniment the music of the cascades. + + "Love is come with a song and a smile, + Welcome love with a smile and a song; + Love can stay but a little while: + Why can not he stay? + They call him away; + Ye do him wrong, ye do him wrong, + Love will stay for a whole life long." + +Whether Lyle sang correctly that night was never known; even the +beautiful words of the old song that seemed so appropriate to the +occasion, were forgotten before she had sung more than two or three +lines, and her listeners sat entranced, spell-bound, by the voice of +the singer; a voice of such exquisite sweetness and clearness, and yet +possessing such power and depth of expression, that it thrilled the +hearts of her listeners, seeming to lift them out of all consciousness +of their surroundings, and to transport them to another world; a +world + + "Where the singers, whose names are deathless, + One with another make music, unheard of men." + +As the last note died away, a long, deep sigh from Houston seemed to +break the spell, and Miss Gladden looking up, her eyes shining with +unshed tears, said, as she pressed Lyle's hand: + +"My dear, we have found our song-queen, our nightingale. We can all +learn of you, and never equal you." + +Houston had been strangely moved, and as he spoke, there was a slight +tremor in his voice. + +"I have heard, in all my life, but one voice like that, and that was +one who died when I was a child." + +Lyle looked surprised. + +"Has no one ever told you you could sing?" asked Miss Gladden. + +"I never sang for any one, excepting once, for Jack," answered Lyle. + +"What did he say of your voice?" inquired Miss Gladden. + +"He said, like Mr. Houston, that he had heard but one voice like mine, +but that he did not like to hear me, so I have never sung since, +excepting by myself." + +"Lyle," said Miss Gladden suddenly, "how old is this man whom you call +Jack?" + +"Possibly forty, perhaps a little less," she answered indifferently. + +A new thought had flashed into Miss Gladden's mind. For some time she +had doubted whether Lyle were really a child of Maverick and his wife, +she was so utterly unlike them; could it be possible that Jack, whose +life seemed so much a mystery, was the father of Lyle? Was that the +reason for his interest in her? and had Lyle had some beautiful +mother,--unfortunate perhaps,--whose life had suddenly gone out, as +the little life had just begun, and whose memory was recalled too +vividly by Lyle's song? Miss Gladden determined, if possible, to find +a clue to this mystery. + +The boat was now on its homeward way, and a song with which all were +familiar having been found, the four voices blended in exquisite +harmony. + +"It seems to me there are some rare treats in store for us," was +Rutherford's comment, as the friends separated for the night; then, a +few moments later, when alone with Houston, he exclaimed: + +"By Jove, Houston! but what a voice that girl has! I never heard +anything like it in my life. I didn't say much before Miss Gladden, +for fear she might think I didn't appreciate her singing, and I +certainly did, for she sings magnificently." + +"You need have no fear of any sensitiveness on Miss Gladden's part," +said Houston quickly, "in the first place, their voices are altogether +different, there is no comparison between them; and in addition, Miss +Gladden's regard for Lyle is so disinterested and unselfish, there +would be no room for any feeling of that kind. We must all acknowledge +that Lyle certainly has a wonderful voice; as I said before, I have +heard but one like it." + +"Great Heavens!" said Rutherford, with more feeling than Houston had +ever seen him manifest, "I'm sorry for that girl, Houston." + +"Why?" asked Houston quietly. + +"Why, only to think of her beauty and intellect, and such a voice as +that, and then think of her parents, and the life to which she is tied +down here." + +"Granting the parents and present life," said Houston, "is that any +argument that she will always be 'tied down here' as you say?" + +"I think it would always fetter her in a measure; it will leave its +imprint upon her mind, or at least her memory, and although she is +not in her proper sphere here, yet her life here, and all its +associations, would be likely to make her feel out of place in a +higher sphere," + +"I think not," said Houston, watching Rutherford closely, "I think if +she could be removed from here, and given a thorough education, there +would remain no trace whatever of the early life." + +"But what about the question of heredity?" asked Rutherford, +"there must be bad blood there, when and where would it make its +appearance?" + +"That would be a serious question," replied Houston, "providing she is +the child of these people; I have always had grave doubts of that, and +Miss Gladden has often expressed the same." + +"By Jove! I never thought of that! It seems likely enough, too. What +do you think, that she was stolen?" + +"No," said Houston slowly, "that does not seem so probable as that she +may have been some child that they were hired to take." + +"In that case," said Rutherford, "I should think the uncertainty +regarding her family and origin, would be almost as bad as the +certainty in the other case." + +"It might seem so to some people," Houston replied, adding with a +smile, "especially to a Bostonian, who prided himself upon his 'blue +blood'." + +"Oh," said Rutherford, coloring, "I'm not pursuing this inquiry on my +own account at all, I was only thinking of her prospects generally. +I'm not interested in that direction." + +"In what direction are you interested, if I may ask?" said Houston, +experiencing, for the first time, a little twinge of jealousy. + +"In the direction of the 'Hub,' my dear boy," Rutherford replied, with +another blush. + +"Spoken like a true Bostonian!" said Houston approvingly. + +"Yes, sir," continued Rutherford, "there's a little girl belongs back +there in Boston, that's more to me than all the ladies you can produce +in this part of the country, or any other, no matter how beautiful +they may be; and she's not bad looking either. Her parents took her to +Europe for a little trip this spring, and Boston seemed so lonesome, +that was the reason I came west." + +"Good for you, Ned, you have my best wishes," said Houston, shaking +hands with his friend, "but really, you and Lyle had seemed so fond of +each other's society lately, that I thought perhaps it was to be your +destiny to rescue her from her unhappy fate." + +"Well, as to each other's society," said Rutherford, very slowly, "of +late we have been restricted to that or none, for you and Miss Gladden +have been growing so unconscious of us, that we've had to console with +each other; but then, I understood how 'twas, for I've been there +myself, you know, and I'm ready to offer congratulations and all that +sort of thing, whenever they are in order." + +Houston appeared very unconscious of Rutherford's meaning, as he +inquired, "How does Lyle herself regard your attentions? There must be +no trifling with her, I have too much regard for her myself, for +that." + +"Miss Maverick is not a girl to be trifled with," replied Rutherford, +"I think a good deal of her, since I am better acquainted with her, +and respect her and she knows it, but I think she realizes the sort of +anomalous position that she occupies, and that is why I say I am sorry +for her. She is far too brilliant for her surroundings, and yet not +fitted for a much higher place." + +"Not at present," replied Houston, "but with her natural endowments +and her innate delicacy and refinement, comparatively little training +and culture would be necessary to fit her for almost any position in +life." + +"I wonder what will be her fate." + +"Time will tell," replied Houston, who had his own plans. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + +Houston had been called away to the office at Silver City, a telegram +coming one afternoon for him to come down by the next train. +Rutherford was at that time expecting to leave in a few days, to +continue his pleasure trip to the coast, having already prolonged his +stay among the mountains far beyond his first intentions; but at +Houston's request, he agreed to remain over until the latter's return, +which he expected would be in about ten days. + +A few days after Houston's departure, Lyle started out one afternoon +for the little cabin, at an hour a little later than she went to +pursue her studies, or for reading. She knew that at this time, Jack +usually came off his shift, as he and Mike were expert miners, and +always completed their task some time in advance of the others. + +She had not seen Jack since the visit of the party from the east, +although she was at the cabin but a few evenings preceding that event, +and had explained her long absence. Now she had special reasons for +wishing to meet him, and she hastened on, hoping to find him alone. +When she reached the cabin, Jack had just come from the mine, and +Mike, fortunately, had gone down to the Y for needed supplies, and +would not return for some hours. + +After talking a little while, Lyle skillfully brought the conversation +around to Mr. Houston, and stated that he was in Silver City. + +"What is he doing there?" asked Jack, in a tone of surprise, "Is he +going to remain there?" + +"No, he has gone over temporarily to assist the company in that +office, as he said they needed extra help; he thought he would be back +in about ten days." + +"He seems to make a very efficient clerk for the mining company," said +Jack, with a peculiar emphasis which Lyle did not understand, but in +which she detected a flavor of sarcasm. + +"He seems efficient in whatever he undertakes," she replied with a +light laugh, "clerking, fighting or love-making, he is successful in +all." + +"How has he succeeded in love-making?" asked Jack quickly. + +"Ask Miss Gladden," was Lyle's smiling rejoinder. + +"Is he really in love with her, do you think?" + +"Judging by indications, it is a case of genuine love on both sides, +which, contrary to the old proverb, does run smoothly so far. I think +they are engaged." + +"And you are left out in the cold?" asked Jack kindly, but watching +her keenly. + +"You would not think so, if you could know how kind they are to me," +Lyle answered, "you and they are the only friends I have ever known." + +"How about Mr. Rutherford? Isn't he a friend of yours, too?" + +"Mr. Rutherford is a gentleman," she replied slowly, "he always treats +me with respect, and we have very pleasant times together, but he +never forgets that I belong to one station in life, and he to another. +He is altogether unlike Mr. Houston and Miss Gladden; I wish you could +know them, Jack, and that they could know you." + +"They probably have no desire to form my acquaintance, and I have no +need to form theirs. It is rather late in the day for me to make +friends now." + +"But Jack," said Lyle, in almost a pleading tone, "Miss Gladden wishes +to meet you, and has repeatedly asked me to inquire if she might come +and see you." + +"What is her motive for wishing to see me?" + +"I think because I have often spoken of you as my friend; then she +said recently, that she would like, if possible, to take me east with +her, and give me a musical education, and she would like to talk with +you about it." + +"Has she or Mr. Houston heard you sing?" + +"Yes." + +"What did they say of your voice?" + +"Miss Gladden seems to think I have a wonderful voice, and Mr. Houston +said he had heard but one like it in all his life." + +Jack had risen, and was looking out of the window, his back toward +Lyle; after a few moments he spoke, in an unusually gentle tone. + +"You can say to Miss Gladden, that if she wishes to see me regarding +you, she is welcome to come. Though I seldom receive callers, and have +no wish to meet strangers, I am willing to meet a true friend of +yours." + +"Then, under those conditions," said Lyle, with almost a tone of +triumph in her voice, "you would meet Mr. Houston." + +"Why?" asked Jack, quickly, turning toward her. + +"Because he is my friend." + +Jack shook his head, and began pacing the room. "No," he said, as +gently as ever, but very firmly, "I would rather not meet him." + +Lyle looked troubled. "Jack," she said earnestly, "you have always +appeared rather peculiar regarding Mr. Houston; tell me candidly, are +you his friend, or his enemy?" + +"Why!" he exclaimed in surprise, stopping before her, and looking into +her earnest face, with a smile, "How should I be either? Am I not +perfectly neutral? Are we not strangers?" + +Lyle shook her head decidedly. "I cannot say whether or not you are +strangers, but you are not neutral toward him; I have seen all along +that you have some strong feeling toward him, but whether of kindness +or enmity, I cannot tell, but I must know." + +"Why must you know?" he asked, resuming his walk. + +"Perhaps I can tell you later," she replied, "but, as you are my +friend, I must know whether you are, or will be, his friend, or his +enemy." + +For some moments Jack was silent, and when he spoke his voice was full +of some strong emotion: + +"My dear child, I have no reason for any enmity toward him, and if he +is the true, honorable man that you think he is, God knows I would +stand by him, even to death itself." + +"Then, if he was in difficulty or danger, and needed help, you would +help him, would you not?" asked Lyle eagerly. + +"My child," he answered gravely, "you must explain yourself; you +certainly can trust me. I promise you this, I will not harm him or +betray him, whatever may be the difficulty." + +"You are sure there is no one to hear us?" + +"I will make sure," he answered briefly, and bidding the collie guard +the outside door, he then closed the door between the two rooms, and +sat down near Lyle. + +"You remember," she began, "the evening you passed our house?" He +nodded. "Well, among the strangers there that night, were an English +expert, Mr. Lindlay, and a Mr. Van Dorn, who, they said, was an +inventor of some mining machinery. A little while after you passed, I +took a book and went out by the lake to read, sitting down behind a +thick group of small evergreens. I read as long as I could see, and +then sat for some time, thinking, and watching the reflection of the +moon in the lake. Then the moon went behind that tall peak, you know, +across the lake, and it was quite dark; but I remained there thinking +so deeply that, although for a few minutes I heard low voices talking, +I paid no attention to it, supposing it was simply some people going +up the mountain, till suddenly I was aroused by Mr. Houston's voice, +only a few feet from me, saying in a low tone, 'There may be +considerable danger ahead of us, but you are just the one I need, and +you will be well compensated,' and Mr. Van Dorn answered, 'Hang +compensation! if I can help you get the best of these rascals, I'm +going to do it, just for the gratification of the thing,' and then I +heard the Englishman, with his peculiar accent, saying something I +couldn't quite catch, but it seemed to be to the effect that he would +help Mr. Houston against what he called the 'domned scoundrels.' + +"At first, I wanted to leave, but I couldn't without their seeing me, +and having to make explanations, and making it embarrassing all round; +and then the thought flashed through my mind that Mr. Houston was a +good friend of mine, and perhaps if I stayed, I might be able to help +him if he should be in any danger later, as he spoke of, so I remained +there. + +"I haven't time to tell you all I heard, but this is what I learned: +He is not a clerk at all, but is out here in the interest of some rich +company in the east, with which an uncle of his is connected. This +eastern company have for some time suspected crooked work on the part +of the company here, and he has come out in the capacity of bookkeeper +and clerk to get all the information he can against them. He has +obtained all the proofs he can get in this office, and said he was +going over in a few days to the main office at Silver City,--and that +is where he is now,--to see what he can find against them there. When +he returns he is going to examine the mines that this eastern company +own, as fast as he can get opportunities, and it seems this Mr. Van +Dorn is a mining expert himself, though no one out here knows it, and +when Mr. Houston is ready, he is to come out here with some of his +mining machinery that he is going to set up in the mills, to show the +company his new method of reducing ores, but his real object in coming +will be to help Mr. Houston carry on his investigations against the +company. Then, when they have obtained all the information and proof +they need, they will telegraph Mr. Houston's uncle,--Mr. Cameron, I +think was his name,--and he and the English expert will come out +together, unexpectedly to the company, and I think they said they +would prosecute the officers of the company for fraud." + +Jack's face was concealed with one hand, but Lyle could see that he +had grown very pale, and beneath the heavy, black beard, his lips were +moving under the influence of some deep emotion. She continued: + +"My reason for wishing to confide this to you was, that I heard Mr. +Van Dorn ask Mr. Houston if there was any one among the miners whom +he could trust to help them, as he said without the assistance of some +one, familiar with the mines and their different workings, the +undertaking would be much more difficult and dangerous; and I thought +at once of you, Jack. You have often told me of the dishonesty and +fraud practiced by the company, and said that you would like to see +some of their schemes exposed, and I thought you would be just the one +to help Mr. Houston, and no one would be likely to suspect you +either." + +She paused a moment, then added, "He has enemies working against him, +and he ought to have some one to help him." + +"Who are his enemies?" asked Jack. + +"Haight, for one, and my father and all the men that he can influence; +and you know, that if they once suspected what he is doing, they would +not hesitate, for one moment, to kill him." + +"They would not," said Jack, quietly but decidedly, "and among the +mines it is a very easy thing to put a man out of the way." + +"Then you will look out for him, and help him, will you not?" said +Lyle, rising to go. + +"Yes, child," he answered with unusual tenderness, "you do not know +what you are asking, but since hearing what you have told me, no harm +shall come to your friend that I can prevent, no matter what it costs +me." + +"But Jack," said Lyle anxiously, going to him and laying her hands in +his, "this will not put you in danger, will it? My idea was that you +could give him information, and no one would ever suspect you; but you +have been too true a friend to me, for me to put you in any danger." + +"You need have no fear," he answered, "I did not refer to any +particular danger of that kind. I am only glad you have told me what +you have. Had I learned it in any other way, I would have wished to +help your friend. When he returns, say nothing to him of having asked +me to help him; I will find him in my own way." Lyle thanked Jack +heartily, and as she looked up into his face, her beautiful eyes +unusually bright, and her cheeks flushed with emotion, he seemed +strangely touched, and bending over her, kissed her reverently on her +forehead, for the first time in their acquaintance. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + +Nearly a week after the departure of Houston for Silver City, as +Morgan was passing the sorting rooms one morning, on his way from the +mines to the mills, he heard Haight calling him. + +"Hello, there, Morgan, the Sunrise deal is off." + +"Off? who says so? Got a wire from the boss?" + +"Yes, she just came, about fifteen minutes ago." + +"What's the matter? did the old man say?" + +"Nothing very definite; 'party writes property not satisfactory,' +that's all he says." + +"Hang it! I should think it looked good enough for 'em. Well," he +growled, "there's so much hard work gone for nothing," and thrusting +his hands deeper into his pockets in his disgust, Morgan started on +his way, but Haight detained him. + +"Hold on a minute; say, Morgan, you don't suppose that they caught on +to our deal, do you? or that anybody put 'em onto it?" + +"Who was there to put 'em onto anything?" asked Morgan. + +"Oh, the confidential clerk, may be; he was on such good terms with +Johnny Bull and the dude." + +Morgan shook his head. "He's too much of a sucker for the company, and +knows too well which side his bread is buttered, for business of that +kind." + +"I don't know about that," said Haight, "he's a dude and a tenderfoot +himself, and likes to toady around with those eastern snobs; what else +were they hob-nobbing with him for, if they didn't think they could +get some information out of him? I've got my own ideas on that subject +and I'm going to make some investigations, and if I find I'm correct, +he'll find pretty quick where he will be; I've no use for him any +way." "I haven't any more use for him than you have," answered +Morgan, "but he ain't a very safe fellow to fool with now, I can tell +you, and I don't think you want to run up against him yourself." + +"I don't know as I've said anything about running up against anybody," +said Haight, "that isn't my style, but I'll run him out of this +country in one way or another, see if I don't." + +"You think you're pretty smooth," Morgan called over his shoulder, as +he started for the mills, "and if you want to undertake the job, all +right; for my part, I don't care to have much to do with him." + +Two or three evenings later, as Lyle sat in her favorite nook beside +the lake, book in hand, watching for the return of Miss Gladden who +had gone with Rutherford for a short row, she was much surprised to +see Haight approaching, wearing his most ingratiating smile. For a day +or two, he had, on several occasions, when unobserved by the others, +treated her with a marked politeness intended to be very flattering, +for the thought had occurred to him that possibly through her he might +get some information regarding Houston. + +"Ah," he said now, seating himself at a little distance from her, and +with a glance at the book which she had closed and laid aside, "I fear +I have interrupted your reading." + +"I was not reading," she replied, "I was merely glancing over a book +of Miss Gladden's while awaiting her return." + +For a few moments he talked in a light, frivolous manner, but Lyle, +suspicious of some ulterior motive in his coming, did not respond very +favorably to his efforts at conversation. At last he said, very +pleasantly: + +"This is a favorite resort of yours, is it not, Miss Maverick?" + +"Yes, I come here frequently," she replied. + +"I judged so," he continued carelessly, "I saw you out here the +evening the eastern party was at the house, and I remember the English +expert and his friend took a walk in this direction, with Mr. Houston. +I suppose they were talking over the mine they had looked at, and +took Mr. Houston along thinking he might be able to give them any +additional information they needed. I wonder what they thought about +that mine," he added, watching Lyle, "I suppose you must have +overheard some of their conversation." + +Lyle was not taken off guard, however, and answered indifferently, "I +heard voices, but I was so absorbed in thought I paid little attention +to them; it was some time before I even recognized them." + +"But you certainly must have overheard some of their conversation," +said Haight, in his smoothest tones, "can you not recall anything said +about the mine?" + +"There was nothing whatever said about the mine," she replied, "and if +there had been, I am not in the habit of listening to conversations +and repeating them." + +"Of course not, under ordinary circumstances," Haight rejoined, +smiling, "but you know 'all is fair in love and war' and in mining +deals, and as I am interested in behalf of the company, and we +have, as yet, heard nothing from the party, you see I naturally had +a little curiosity regarding their conversation that evening. You +are sure they said nothing of the mine, or that Mr. Houston gave +them no information?" + +Lyle rose, her eyes flashing with scorn and indignation, as she +replied, "Why should Mr. Houston give them any information? As I have +told you, there was nothing said about the mine; so far as I could +judge, the gentlemen were talking of their own personal affairs; and +it is false that you have received no word from the eastern party, for +I heard you and Morgan talking at the table yesterday of the deal +having fallen through, and you suspect Mr. Houston of dishonorable +conduct only because you judge every one to be like yourself," and +without giving him opportunity to reply, she turned and walked in the +opposite direction toward the boat which she saw approaching in the +distance. + +Haight walked away toward the house, conscious that his interview had +been a failure, but more than ever determined to work his revenge upon +Houston, and upon Lyle also, when the right time came. + +Lyle determined, for the present, to say nothing regarding the +interview, and met her friends without any allusion to what had just +occurred. + +After assisting Miss Gladden ashore, Rutherford returned to the boat, +while Miss Gladden and Lyle started homeward. The former could detect +in Lyle's manner signs of unusual excitement, but asked no questions, +as she did not think it best to force her confidence. + +"Lyle, when are you going to take me to call on your friend, Jack?" +she inquired. + +"Any time you wish," Lyle answered, "I spoke to him the other day +about your coming, and he said you would be most welcome." + +"Then he graciously consented to receive me! Very well, suppose we go +now, it is not late." + +Arriving at the cabin, they found Jack and Mike sitting outside the +door, watching the last fleeting colors of the gorgeous sunset. Miss +Gladden was duly introduced, and invited within, and since the bashful +Irishman could not be prevailed upon to enter the cabin, Jack +entertained his guests alone. + +Miss Gladden, from Lyle's description of her friend, had expected to +find in Jack a gentleman, but she was totally unprepared for the +polished courtesy, the courtly ease and grace without a trace of +self-consciousness or restraint, with which, though clad in rough, +miner's clothes, he received her in the little cabin, and as she +conversed with him, she found her respect for him increasing every +moment. + +To Jack, isolated as he had been for years from refined, intellectual +associations, it seemed like a glimpse into another, and not +unfamiliar world, and the deference and respect expressed in Miss +Gladden's manner were especially gratifying. + +Very easily Miss Gladden led the conversation, avoiding, with +intuitive delicacy, all allusions to himself or his surroundings, till +at last she said: + +"I have taken such an interest in my friend, Lyle, and she has so +often spoken of your kindness to her, that I have wished to meet you, +for I feel that in her welfare, we have a mutual interest." + +Jack smiled gravely, as he replied, "I have endeavored to help her as +best I could under existing conditions, and notwithstanding the fact +that the ways and means have been exceedingly restricted, she has +proven herself an apt pupil, and has made good progress." + +"Indeed she has," said Miss Gladden, "and with her ability, it seems a +pity that she should not have every possible advantage." + +"To me," he replied, "it seems a great pity that so much of her life +has already been spent among such disadvantages, the greater part of +the most valuable portion of her life wasted." + +"Not entirely wasted," said Miss Gladden, "for what you have taught +her will be of inestimable value to her always." + +"Yes, indeed!" exclaimed Lyle, "what would my life have been without +you?" + +"I have laid the foundation so far as I was able," said Jack, smiling, +"but it was time, long ago, for the superstructure to be builded." + +"One reason why I wish to see you," continued Miss Gladden, "was to +ask you what you would think of the feasibility of my taking Lyle east +with me, when I return." + +"If you are willing to do that, Miss Gladden," said Jack, slowly, "I +can see nothing in the way of its practicability except to gain the +consent of Mr. and Mrs. Maverick, and that might prove a formidable +obstacle." + +"He does not call them her parents," thought Miss Gladden, "does he +know she is not their child?" + +Jack continued. "If it had not been for that difficulty, I would +gladly myself have furnished the means for a moderate education for +Lyle, but I knew Maverick's decided objection to her possessing even +the most rudimentary knowledge. I am of the opinion also, though I may +be in error, that he would not allow her to leave home." + +"You are right, Jack," said Lyle, "if I were to wait for his consent, +I would never leave here, or have any advantages." + +"May I inquire," said Jack, addressing Miss Gladden, "at what time you +expect to return east?" A faint color tinged Miss Gladden's cheek, as +she replied: + +"I have not yet decided just when I will go east, but probably the +latter part of the summer." + +"Ah, well," he answered, with a slight smile, "I hope that between now +and that time, some arrangement can be made to Lyle's advantage; but +if I may make any suggestion, it would be this; that nothing be said +at present regarding this subject to either Mr. or Mrs. Maverick, as +it would only arouse their opposition, and perhaps lead to some +unpleasant results." + +After a few moments' further conversation, Miss Gladden thanked Jack +for his kindness, and rose to go. At the door they found Mike, and +while Lyle chatted merrily with the witty Irishman for a moment, Miss +Gladden turned toward Jack, saying in a low tone: + +"I would like to have a talk with you regarding Lyle, some time when +she is not present; may I come and see you by myself some day?" + +"Certainly," he responded, "I would be pleased to see you." + +For a moment, Miss Gladden stood in silent admiration, watching this +man whose life seemed wrapped in so much mystery, while he replied to +some laughing questions of Lyle's. + +He was, even now, a splendid specimen of manhood, although his +shoulders were slightly stooped, and silver threads gleamed here and +there in the black hair and beard, making him look older than his +years. He had a face of remarkable beauty also,--with fine, clear-cut +features,--though browned with exposure, and bearing the lines that +only the fingers of sorrow can trace. His face did not resemble +Houston's in the least, but something in his manner reminded Miss +Gladden of her lover, and she watched him with a sort of fascination. + +As she and Lyle walked homeward together, the latter asked: + +"What do you think now of my friend, Miss Gladden?" + +And Miss Gladden replied thoughtfully, "I think, my dear, that he is +one of earth's heroes." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + +The ten days which Houston was to spend at Silver City had expired, +and his work there was completed. He had followed much the same plan +as in the office at the camp, doing the work of the company by day, +and pursuing his own investigations at night. + +Mr. Blaisdell had at first objected to his working evenings, telling +him the company had no wish to make a slave of him, but upon Houston's +representing that it was an absolute necessity in order to accomplish +the needed work within a given time, he allowed him to have his own +way. He had been able to get together much additional proof regarding +the fraudulent transactions of the company, even ascertaining in what +direction much of the revenue due the New York company had gone. + +He was present when the company received the brief but pointed letter +from Mr. Winters, in which he stated that the property shown them had +not been what they were looking for, and that they had found something +more satisfactory in another direction. + +"Well, Blaisdell," said Mr. Rivers, in his quick, incisive way, "I'm +not in the least surprised." + +"Not surprised!" echoed Mr. Blaisdell, "Why not? I confess I'm +surprised and disappointed." + +"It's just what I expected," again chirped Mr. Rivers, "just what I +told you all along." + +"I knew you said you were rather suspicious just in the direction +where I felt the surest of them." + +"Just so," said Mr. Rivers, "I said all along, 'those fish won't bite +worth a nickel.'" + +"Well," said Mr. Blaisdell, with a heavy sigh, "all we can do is to +try again." + +"And next time, I'd advise you to have a little more bait, or else +don't tackle so big a fish." + +It was Houston's last evening in Silver City, and he sat in the hotel +lobby reading letters which had just come from his uncle and Van Dorn, +under cover from the Chicago firm, as usual. + +Mr. Cameron was delighted to have met Van Dorn and the Englishman, and +had engaged both men to remain in New York, awaiting word from +Houston, when he should be ready. + +The closing paragraph in Van Dorn's letter he read and re-read with a +smile, it was so characteristic of his friend: + + "I have had one of my machines carefully packed, and it now stands + addressed, ready to accompany me to your mining camp on short + notice, where I will show your people the latest method for the + reduction of ores; and if the mining company itself is not pretty + well reduced' before we get through, my name is not that of + + Your friend, + ARTHUR VAN DORN. + + P. S. 'The mills of the gods grind slowly, + But they grind exceeding small.'" + +As Houston folded his letters, his attention was attracted by loud +talk among a group of men in another part of the lobby. Sauntering in +that direction, he heard an excited voice exclaim: + +"I tell you, they're the biggest frauds on the face of the earth. If +there's a dishonest scheme, or a sharp, underhanded little game that +they're not onto, I'd like to know what it is." + +"Which company do you mean?" inquired another speaker. + +"I mean the mining company represented by Rivers and Blaisdell, with +old Wilson as a figure-head. I can't remember all their long-winded +names, but the whole combination is rotten, from beginning to end, +nothing but a set of lying, scheming, thieving rascals." + +"That's right," said an old gentleman who had not spoken before, +"they're a tough lot." + +"Tough!" echoed the first speaker, "I should say so! One of their +little games is to take charge of mining claims for eastern parties. +The parties send on money for development work, but do you suppose it +is used in developing the mines? Not much! By and by, the first these +parties know, they have forfeited their claims through lack of +representation, but don't you think the company are not watching out, +ready to jump the claim the very day the time expires. Sometimes +they'll hire some poor Swede to locate the claim for them, and then +assign it to them for a trifle. In that way, I've heard of their +getting possession of the same claim over and over again." + +"I've heard pretty hard stories about Blaisdell," said another, "but I +guess he don't make much for himself, for as fast as he fleeces other +people, Rivers fleeces him." + +There was considerable more talk in the same strain, but after the +group had separated, Houston, who had learned the name of the +principal speaker, approached him as he was standing alone, and said, +in a low tone: + +"This is Mr. Hartwell, I believe; my name is Houston. Mr. Hartwell, I +heard your remarks a little while ago concerning the North Western +Mining Company and its officers. I am one of the clerks of that +company, and I wish to know if you are prepared to substantiate the +statements you have made here to-night." + +"Yes," the man exclaimed with an oath, "I'll substantiate every word +I've said here to-night, and I can get you a dozen more that will tell +you more about that company than I can." + +"Never mind about the others, for the present," replied Houston +coolly, "what you have said to-night is likely to come to the ears of +the company, and what I want to know is this; would you swear in court +to what you have said here?" + +"I tell you," said Mr. Hartwell, with another oath, "I'll swear to it +ten times over, and if I ever have a chance, I'll down you and your +cursed company till you won't know that you ever existed," and then +seeming to take Houston as the representative of the entire +corporation, he poured upon him a torrent of vituperation and abuse +which was very amusing to Houston, who was only thinking of securing +a witness for the prosecution, by and by. + +"Well, Mr. Hartwell," he said at last, "you seem so anxious to express +your feelings, we may give you an opportunity later. For the present, +I wish you good evening," and he walked smilingly away. + +Mr. Hartwell looked after him in amazement; "By George!" he +soliloquized, "but that fellow's a cool duck, anyhow! I couldn't faze +him a particle." + +The next morning, Houston, in company with Mr. Blaisdell, took the +early train for the mines. He could not help contrasting this with his +first trip over the same road. Then, he was a stranger, with his +entire work before him, uncertain of success in his undertaking; now, +his preparatory work was nearly done, and though the most difficult +part of his task yet remained, he felt that success was sure. But the +contrast which to him seemed, most striking, was in his own feelings, +for though conscious of enemies and having no knowledge of the friends +ready to assist him, he yet felt a certain pleasure in returning to +the mines, as though returning home; and he realized as never before, +that hidden away in the heart of the mountains was the source from +which henceforth must flow all his earthly happiness. + +Arriving at the office, they found no one there, and Houston +immediately began an attack upon the work accumulated during his +absence, while Mr. Blaisdell proceeded to the mills and mines. + +On his way he met Haight, and the subject of the unsuccessful mining +deal was at once taken up. + +"They simply wrote that the property was not what they wanted, and +that they had found what they were looking for elsewhere," said Mr. +Blaisdell in explanation. + +"They seemed well enough satisfied when they were here," remarked +Haight. + +"That was my impression," said Mr. Blaisdell, "but Rivers seems to +think differently. He says he was suspicious of them all the time, +because they said nothing one way or another, after seeing the +property; but my impression was that they were very well pleased." + +"Certainly," answered Haight, who always made it a practice to have +his opinions coincide with those expressed by the person with whom he +happened to be talking, especially if it were for his interest to do +so; "everything seemed satisfactory as far as I could judge. It is my +opinion, Mr. Blaisdell, and has been for some time, that something +must have been said by some one to prejudice those people against the +mine; that is the only way I could account for the deal falling +through as it did." + +"But who was there to say anything prejudicial? We were all interested +in selling the mine." + +"I don't care to call any names, Mr. Blaisdell, but I don't think it +best to take people into our confidence till we are pretty sure of +them." + +"Oh, you allude to Mr. Houston, but you are mistaken there; why, +Haight, that fellow is working for our interests, and he has saved the +company considerable money already in the way he has straightened the +books and detected crooked work; he's going to be invaluable." + +"He'll work for our interests just as long as it is for his interest +to do so, but I imagine anybody could buy him off pretty easy. He's +one of your swells; see how he dresses and what hightoned notions he +has for a man in his position, and then tell me he wouldn't take a +little tip on the outside if he got a chance." + +"I think you are mistaken," said Mr. Blaisdell slowly, "still, of +course, there might be something in what you say; I'll think it over," +and the subject was dropped for that day. + +Houston was very busy until nearly noon, but left the office a little +earlier than usual, as he was anxious to meet Miss Gladden a few +moments in advance of the others, if possible. + +She was outside the porch, training some vines which she and Lyle had +transplanted from among the rocks by the lake. Her back was toward the +road, but hearing Houston's step, as he approached the house, she +quickly turned, and in the depths of her luminous eyes he read a +welcome that made his return seem more than ever like a home-coming. +Clasping warmly the shapely little hand extended to him in greeting, +he drew it within his arm, and having led her to a comfortable seat +within the porch, he drew his own chair close beside her, where he +could watch the lovely face, so classic and perfect in its beauty, and +clothed, when animated, with a subtle, spirituelle radiance. + +"You are very welcome," said Miss Gladden, as he seated himself, "we +will all have to celebrate your return, for we have missed you very +much. Have you been well?" + +"Very well," replied Houston, smiling, "except for a touch of +homesickness occasionally when I remembered our evenings among the +mountains, or on the lake. It was fortunate that my evenings were so +crowded with work, or the malady might have proved quite serious." + +"Our evenings have not been nearly so pleasant without you," said Miss +Gladden, "we were all becoming frightfully dull and vapid, but I think +we will now recover our spirits." + +"I have learned one thing," said Houston, "that it is not any +particular place or surroundings that constitutes home for us, so much +as the presence of those who are dear to us. Imagine how it would have +seemed to me, three months ago, to have called this place 'home,' but +it seems wonderfully home-like to me to-day." + +"As to what constitutes a home, I am scarcely qualified to judge," +said Miss Gladden, "for I hardly know what a home is; but my idea is, +that any spot where my best loved ones were, would be home to me." + +"And with such sentiments as those," Houston responded, "you would +make any spot on earth home to those whom you loved." + +"I should hope to," she replied, and added archly, "and if they loved +me, I think I would succeed." + +"I fear," said Houston, smiling, "that we are very old fashioned and +far behind the spirit of modern times, which considers love of small +account in the elements that constitute a home." + +"I consider it an indispensable element, nevertheless," she replied, +earnestly, "for I have seen too much of so-called homes where it did +not exist, and they were not even successful imitations of the genuine +article; their hollowness and wretchedness were only too apparent." +She paused a moment, then continued: + +"To me, the home seems like one of the old-time temples; a place to be +kept sacred to peace and purity and love; from which the sin and +strife of the outside world should be faithfully excluded; whose +inmates, on entering, should leave behind all traces of the evil and +discord of the outer world, as the Oriental leaves his dust-laden +sandals at the door of his sanctuary." + +"I have never known any other than such a home as that," said Houston, +slowly, "and it is the only true home." + +"Pardon me," said Miss Gladden, "but are your parents living? I have +often wondered." + +"No," he replied, "my parents died when I was a mere child, but the +faint recollection of my early home, and the memory of my uncle's +home, which has been mine also, correspond very closely with the +picture you have just drawn." + +"Then with you it is a reality," she answered, "but with me, only an +ideal." + +"Miss Gladden," said Houston very earnestly, but with great +tenderness, "will you not let me help you to make a reality of your +ideal?" Then, as she did not immediately reply, he continued, "The +love that we believe in as the foundation of a true home, is not +lacking on my part. I love you, Leslie, so much that life with you +anywhere would seem perfect and complete, while life without you, even +in a palace, would not seem worth the living. Can you love me enough +to share my life and home, whatever it may be, as my wife?" + +He had taken her hand, and she did not withdraw it, but looking in his +face, she asked: + +"Would you make me your wife, knowing so little of me as you do?" + +"I think I know enough," he replied, "I know that you are a pure, +true-hearted woman; I know that whether you love me or not," her eyes +dropped, "there is no one you love better than me; and though I do +not know it, I am almost sure that you do care for me in some degree, +am I not right?" + +She looked up into the face bending over her, and Houston read his +answer in her eyes, and even had she tried to speak, he gave her no +opportunity for doing so. + +"To think of your conceit!" exclaimed Miss Gladden, a few moments +later, "in having the assurance to say that I cared for no one more +than you, whether I loved you or not; how did you ever come to make +such an assertion?" + +"Your eyes betrayed you," he answered, while she blushed, "they often +tell tales, but I have noticed they always tell the truth, and I knew +they would never have told me some secrets that they have, if there +was any one else you cared for." + +The sound of approaching footsteps interrupted their conversation, and +brought them back to the common, every-day affairs of life, and +turning, they saw Rutherford coming up the path from the lake, where +he had gone for a stroll. + +"Hello, Houston!" exclaimed the latter, catching a glimpse of his +friend, "when did you come? Well, I'm awfully glad you've got back, +we've missed you, old fellow, I can tell you." + +"Welcome home!" said a sweet voice, and Houston saw the starry eyes +and golden crowned head of Lyle framed in the door-way, and hastened +to greet her. She met him with a woman's grace, and with a child's +affection looking frankly out of her lovely eyes. After his brief +absence, Houston was impressed by her beauty as never before. "I +didn't know the child was so beautiful," he thought to himself, "I +believe she grows lovelier every day, and she reminds me strangely of +some one I have seen long ago." + +"Oh, by the way," said Rutherford, as the friends seated themselves +around the dinner table, "I've just received a letter from my brother, +and he says he is coming out here." + +"Your brother!" exclaimed Miss Gladden and Houston, "What! coming here +among the mountains?" + +"Yes," he replied, "he happened to be in New York when Van Dorn got +back, and from his description of the place, and mine, he says he +would like to see it. He is coming out to the coast by another route, +and wants me to meet him in San Francisco, and then we will stop here +on our return." + +"Then you are coming back again," said Miss Gladden; "that will be +lovely, and we will be delighted to meet your brother with you." + +"Indeed we will," added Houston cordially, "what time do you expect to +be here, Ned?" + +"My brother wants to get here, he says, in about six or eight weeks, +so it will probably be some time in August." + +Lyle had said nothing, but had listened to the conversation, a +thoughtful, far-away look stealing into her eyes; and the rest of the +boarders arriving just then, nothing more was said on the subject. + +Haight greeted Houston with his usual smiling politeness, but Morgan +looked sullen, and Mr. Blaisdell was gloomy and taciturn. Haight's +influence was working, and he could afford to smile. Lyle was quick to +note the situation, and also to detect in Haight's face an expression +of ill-concealed triumph, and as their eyes met, he read that in her +face that boded no good to himself. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + +Mr. Blaisdell having returned to the city that same day, everything +went forward in the same regular routine as prior to Houston's +absence, and evening found the four friends seated on the summit of an +immense rocky pile, watching the grand and rugged scenery surrounding +them illumined by the glowing colors of the sunset sky. They had been +talking of Rutherford's intended trip to the coast, when Miss Gladden +said: + +"Mr. Houston, how early can you join us to-morrow afternoon? We are +going to have a little picnic party of four, in honor of your return, +and also to give Mr. Rutherford pleasant memories of his last days +among the mountains." + +"Oh," said Rutherford, "now I understand; I've wondered what you +ladies were so mysterious about all day; you've been holding secret +sessions and making cabalistical signs to each other all the +afternoon. Well, as this picnic is partly on my account, I'm sure I +feel flattered and shall be delighted to attend. Houston, old boy, +when can we look for you?" + +"I think, considering the importance of the occasion, I can be ready +to join you at three o'clock," replied Houston, while the ladies +expressed their approval. + +"There seems to have been a great deal of mysterious consultation +about this affair," remarked Rutherford, "what is the program for +to-morrow?" + +"Well," said Miss Gladden, "for one thing, we must have plenty of +music; have neither of you gentlemen any musical instruments with +you?" + +"Not I," replied Houston, while Rutherford answered, laughing, "I have +a banjo that I brought along to amuse myself with in case I got +lonesome, but I've had no use for it so far, I've had such good +company here." + +"A very graceful compliment, thank you," said Miss Gladden, smiling, +"but bring the banjo by all means, we will have use for it to-morrow, +and I have just thought of something else for the occasion,--but I'm +not going to divulge all my plans, we must keep something for a +surprise, mustn't we, Lyle?" + +Lyle laughed merrily; "I'm not going to tell a single plan of mine; +you will all find when we reach the place, what a mountain picnic +means." + +"But can we not even know where we are going?" asked Rutherford, with +a tragic air. + +"You would not know if I should tell you," responded Lyle, "we are +going to Sunset Park." + +"Sunset Park!" they exclaimed, "where is that?" + +"Is it in any way connected with the Sunrise mine of recent fame?" +inquired Houston. + +"No," replied Lyle, "it is across the lake; you remember the landing I +showed you among the rocks? You follow the broad trail leading up the +mountains, and you will come to a beautiful plateau on the west side, +as level as a floor,--but I'm not going to tell you about it, you must +first see it for yourselves." + +The next morning, immediately after breakfast, while Houston still +stood talking with Miss Gladden and Rutherford, the graceful form of +Lyle suddenly darted past them, her face nearly concealed by an +enormous sunbonnet. + +"Lyle, you gypsy, where are you going?" called Miss Gladden. + +For answer, she turned and waved her hand with a merry laugh, then +ran, fleet-footed as a deer, to the edge of the lake, and unfastening +one of the little boats, was in it and rowing out upon the lake as +dextrously as a professional oarsman, before those watching her could +even guess her intentions. + +"Great Cæsar! but that girl can row!" exclaimed Rutherford, with all +the enthusiastic admiration of a newly graduated collegian. + +"Where is the child going?" asked Houston. + +"Probably to the picnic ground," said Miss Gladden, "but what for, I +cannot imagine." + +The sunbonnet was waved saucily in the air, and then instead of +steering for the landing place as they expected, the boat suddenly +disappeared around a corner of the rocks, in the opposite direction, +while there came ringing out on the air, in mocking tones, the words +of the old song: + + "I saw the boat go 'round the bend." + +No one saw Lyle when she returned, a couple of hours later, and not +even Miss Gladden knew that she was in the house until she made her +appearance at the dinner table, with a very demure face, exceedingly +pink fingers, and wearing an air of deep mystery that no amount of +joking could diminish. + +After dinner, Lyle made two or three trips across the lake, carrying +mysterious baskets and dishes. In one of these journeys she was +intercepted by Miss Gladden, who was lying in wait for her, and who, +tempted by the delightful aroma, lifted the cover of one of her +dishes. + +"Strawberries!" she exclaimed, "and wild ones! Where did you get them, +Lyle? They are the first I have seen out here." + +"They are the first that have ripened," she replied, "I went over to +the gulch for them this morning, but don't say anything about them," +she added, as she stepped into the boat with her treasures, "I'm going +to cache them until they are needed." + +"Going to do what?" said Miss Gladden. + +"Going to 'cache' them, hide them away among the rocks," she replied +laughing, and, taking the oars, she was soon speeding across the +lake. + +It was a merry party that started out two or three hours later. +Houston carried the banjo, as Rutherford had his precious camera and a +lot of plates, having declared his intention of immortalizing the +occasion by taking a number of views for the benefit of their +posterity. Miss Gladden had her guitar, and to the great astonishment +of the gentlemen, Lyle appeared, carrying a fine old violin. It was +Mike's, which she had borrowed for the occasion at the suggestion of +Miss Gladden, and in reply to the expressions of wonder from the +gentlemen, Miss Gladden said: + +"This is the surprise I planned for you, but wait till you have heard +her; I never heard her myself until a day or two ago." + +With song and laughter they crossed the lake, and having reached the +landing place among the rocks and fastened their boats, proceeded up +the mountain. Here they found a flight of natural stone steps, at the +head of which a broad trail wound around the mountain, until, having +passed a huge, shelving rock, they suddenly found themselves on a +plateau, broad, grassy, and, as Lyle had said, "as level as a floor." + +Groups of large evergreens afforded a refreshing shade. Underneath the +trees an immense, flat rock, covered with a snowy table-cloth and +trimmed with vines and flowers, gave hint of some of the more +substantial pleasures to be looked for later. At a distance gleamed +the silvery cascades, their rainbow-tinted spray rising in a perpetual +cloud of beauty. Far below could be seen the winding, canyon road, +while above and beyond, on all sides, the mountains reared their +glistening crests against the sky. + +For a time they gave themselves up to the enjoyment of the scene, +till, at Miss Gladden's suggestion, the tuning of the various +instruments began, interspersed with jokes and merry, rippling +laughter. Amidst the general merriment, Houston, with an air of great +gravity, produced from his pocket the different parts of a flute, +which he proceeded to fit together, saying: + +"When you were speaking last evening about the music for to-day I had +entirely forgotten the existence of this flute, but after we went to +our room, Ned persisted in practicing on that unmusical instrument of +his, and in searching in my trunk for a weapon of self defense, I +found this, and it answered my purpose so well then, I brought it with +me to-day." + +The music was a success, and it seemed as though the musicians would +never grow weary, but when, at Miss Gladden's request, Lyle sang +"Kathleen Mavourneen," her sweet, rich tones blending with the wild, +plaintive notes of the violin, her listeners again seemed entranced by +the witchery of the music, as on the night when first they heard her +sing, and were only aroused by the sound of hearty, prolonged cheering +from the canyon below. + +Looking over the edge of the plateau, they discovered a party of about +a dozen people, in a wagon drawn by six horses, who had stopped to +listen to the music, and give their panting animals a chance to rest. +Behind them was a line of three or four pack mules, laden with tents, +cooking utensils and bedding. + +"A camping party!" exclaimed Lyle, "the first of the season; they are +on their way to Strawberry gulch." + +On catching sight of the group above on the plateau, the ladies below +began waving their handkerchiefs, and the gentlemen were loud in their +cheers and calls for more music. + +"Give them another song, Miss Maverick," said Rutherford, "that is a +decided encore." + +Once more raising her violin, Lyle sang "The Maid of Dundee," and +never did song or singer meet with nobler applause, for the cheers +from below in the canyon were joined with those from above on the +plateau, and were echoed and re-echoed among the rocks, the last +reverberations dying away and mingling with the roar of the distant +cascades. + +As the camping party seemed in no haste to continue their journey, +Miss Gladden with the gentlemen then came forward to the edge of the +plateau, and all joined in singing a few familiar songs, some of them +accompanied by the guitar and the violin, after which, the party in +the canyon, with much waving of hats and handkerchiefs, and many +cheers in token of their appreciation, passed on their way. + +After this little episode, a gypsy fire was kindled, and in a short +time the rock table was spread with a dainty feast; chicken +sandwiches, mountain trout, which Lyle had caught in the morning, +delicately broiled, and the sweet, wild strawberries served in various +ways, all equally tempting and delicious. After the feast, Houston +proved himself an adept upon the violin, and he and Rutherford gave a +number of college songs, and old plantation songs and dances, +accompanied by the violin and banjo. + +At last, as the long, gray twilight was slowly deepening, and the +stars silently marshaling their forces in the evening sky, the two +boats drifted across the lake, only guided, not propelled, by the +oars, and the air, for a while, was filled with song. As they slowly +approached the shore, however, the singing gradually ceased. For a +while Rutherford talked of the coming of his brother; then he and Lyle +were silent, but from the other boat, at a little distance, came low, +murmuring tones. They had just entered upon the first pages of that +beautiful story, old as eternity itself, and as enduring; the only one +of earth's stories upon whose closing page, as we gaze with eyes dim +with the approaching shadows of death, we find no "finis" written, for +it is to be continued in the shadowless life beyond. + +Rutherford was thinking of some one far away, under European skies, +and wishing that she were present with him there, to make his +happiness complete. + +And Lyle, with that face of wondrous beauty, yet calm and inscrutable +as that of the sphinx, had any power as yet passed over the hidden +depths of her woman's nature, and troubled the waters? Were those +eyes, with their far-away look, gazing into the past with its strange +darkness and mystery, or striving to pierce the dim, impenetrable veil +of the future? No one could say; perhaps she herself was scarcely +conscious, but as they landed, Miss Gladden noted the new expression +dawning in her eyes, and as the friends and lovers separated for the +night, each one avowing that day to have been one of the most +delightful of their whole lives, she wound her arm about Lyle in +sisterly fashion, and drew her into her own room. Lyle, as was her +custom, dropped upon a low seat beside her friend, but was silent. + +"Are you looking backward or forward, to-night, Lyle?" asked Miss +Gladden, taking the lovely face in both her hands, and gazing into the +beautiful eyes. + +Lyle's color deepened slightly, as she replied: + +"I hardly know; it seems sometimes as if I were looking into an +altogether different life from this, a different world from that in +which I have lived." + +"How so, my dear?" inquired her friend. + +"I scarcely know how to describe it myself," she replied; then asked +abruptly, "Miss Gladden, do you believe we have ever had an existence +prior to this? that we have lived on earth before, only amid different +surroundings?" + +"No," answered Miss Gladden, "I can see no reason for such a belief as +that; but why do you ask?" + +"Only because it seems sometimes as if that were the only way in which +I could account for some of my strange impressions and feelings." + +"Tell me about them," said Miss Gladden, interested. + +"They are so vague," Lyle replied, "I hardly know how to describe +them, but I have always felt them, more or less. When I read of life +amid scenes of refinement and beauty, there is always an indefinable +sense of familiarity about it all; and since you and Mr. Houston have +been here, and I have lived such a different life,--especially since +we have sung together so much,--the impression is much more vivid +than before; even the music seems familiar, as if I had heard it all, +or something like it, long ago, and yet it is utterly impossible, +living the life I have. It must have been only in my dreams, those +strange dreams I used to have so often, and which come to me even +now." + +"And what are these dreams, dear? You have never before spoken to me +of them." + +"No," Lyle answered, "I have never spoken of them to any one; they +have always been rather vague and indefinite, like the rest of my +strange impressions and fancies; only they are all alike, it is almost +precisely the same dream, no matter when it comes to me. There is only +one feature that is very clear or distinct, and that is a beautiful +face that is always bending over me, and always seems full of love and +tenderness. Sometimes there are other faces in the background, but +they are confused and indistinct,--I can only recall this one that is +so beautiful. Then there is always a general sense of light and +beauty, and sometimes I seem to hear music; and then it is all +suddenly succeeded by an indescribable terror, in which the face +vanishes, and from which I awake trembling with fright." + +"And you say you have had this dream always?" queried Miss Gladden. + +"Yes, ever since I could remember. I don't seem to be able to recall +much about my early childhood, before I was five or six years old, but +these dreams are among my earliest recollections, and I would +sometimes awake crying with fright. After I met Jack, and he began +teaching me, my mind was so taken up with study, that the dreams +became less frequent, and for the last two or three years, I had +almost forgotten them, till something seemed to recall them, and now +it occurs often, especially after we have had an evening of song. I +know I shall see that beautiful face to-night." + +"But whose face is it, Lyle?" questioned Miss Gladden; "surely, it +must resemble some one you have seen." + +Lyle shook her head; "I have never seen any living person whom it +resembled. That, together with all these strange impressions of which +I have told you, is what seems so mysterious, and leads me to half +believe I have lived another life, sometime, somewhere." + +Miss Gladden sat silently caressing the golden head. Her suspicions +that Lyle had had other parents than those whom she knew as such, were +almost confirmed, but would it be best, with no tangible proof, to +hint such a thought to Lyle herself? While she was thus musing, Lyle +continued: + +"What seemed to me strangest of all, is, that though I cannot remember +ever seeing a living face like the one in my dream, I have seen what I +believe is a photograph of it." + +"When? and where?" asked Miss Gladden quickly, hoping to find some key +to the problem she was trying to solve. + +"A few weeks after your coming, and at Jack's cabin," Lyle replied. + +"Did Jack show you the picture?" + +"No, I do not know that he intended me to see it, but it was lying on +the table that evening; I took it up and looked at it, but he did not +seem to want to talk about it. I have never seen it since, and he told +me that until that evening, he had not seen it for a long time." + +"And did you recognize it as the face of your dreams?" + +"Not then; it seemed familiar, but it was not until after I reached +home that I remembered my dream, and from that time, the dream +returned. I see the face often now, and it is just like the picture, +only possibly a little older and sweeter." + +"And you have never spoken to Jack about the picture since?" + +"No, for I have not seen it, and he has never alluded to it. He +admitted that evening it was the picture of some one he had loved +dearly, and I have since thought perhaps he would rather I had not +seen it." + +Miss Gladden was silent; her old theory regarding Jack's being the +father of Lyle, seemed to her now more probable than ever. She +believed the picture to be that of Lyle's own mother, who, it seemed +evident, had lived long enough that her child remembered her in her +dreams, though unable to recall her face at other times. + +Very tenderly she bade Lyle good-night, determined that her next call +at the little cabin should be made as early as possible. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + +Houston and Rutherford, on retiring to their room, after the breaking +up of the picnic party, donned their slippers and smoking jackets, and +having lighted their cigars, and slipped into the easiest possible +attitudes, prepared to devote the next few hours to a confidential +tete-a-tete. The next day Rutherford would start on his journey to the +coast, and naturally there were many topics of mutual interest to be +discussed on this, their last night together for a number of weeks. + +Houston felt that the time had come for taking Rutherford into his +confidence regarding his own work and plans, for it was evident that +Van Dorn had posted his brother, and Rutherford would soon learn the +truth from him, if in no other way. For a while Rutherford talked of +his brother. + +"I knew he was intending to come west this summer, and I expected to +meet him in some of the cities along the coast, but I supposed he +would return by one of the southern routes. I'm awfully glad he has +decided to come back this way," he added, "for I would enjoy it of +course, to come around and see you again, and then, I'd like to have +you meet Mort. He and I are not a bit alike, but I think he's a +splendid fellow, and I think you and he will like each other." + +"I haven't a doubt of it, Ned," Houston replied, with an air of +confidence rather surprising to his friend; "in fact, I think I will +be as glad to meet him as you yourself;" then, as Rutherford's eyes +expressed considerable wonder at such unexpected cordiality, he +continued: + +"I've been thinking, for some time, Ned, that the friendship you have +shown for the low-salaried clerk and bookkeeper whom you met on your +way out here, deserves some degree of confidence in return, and this +evening seems to be the best time for giving you a little explanation +regarding the man whom you have called your friend for the last few +weeks." + +"Why, certainly, if you wish," Rutherford replied, with slight +embarrassment, "but then, it isn't at all necessary, you know; that +is, unless it is your choice, for your salary or your position doesn't +cut any figure with me. Whatever your circumstances may be, I know as +well as I need to know that you are a gentleman; anybody can see that, +and I have told my brother so." + +"I am much obliged to you, Ned," Houston answered, with difficulty +restraining a smile, "but I am going to begin by saying that your +brother knows me a great deal better than you do." + +Rutherford's face expressed so much astonishment, that it resembled +nothing so much as an exaggerated exclamation point. Houston +continued: + +"I have never in my life known what it was to have an own brother, but +the one who for many years has held that place in my heart is Morton +Rutherford, and I think he will tell you that of all his class mates, +there was not one with whom he was upon more intimate, confidential +terms, than Everard Houston, of New York." + +"Everard Houston! Great Scott!" exclaimed Rutherford, springing to his +feet, "why I remember that name well; he was Mort's best friend. You +don't mean to say you are the same? Why, I thought you said you were +from Chicago!" + +"I was from Chicago, when you met me," answered Houston, smiling, "but +I had come from New York less than ten days before." + +"Well, by Jove!" said Rutherford, walking up and down the room, "I am +floored completely! If you had once said you were from New York, I +might have suspected who you were, but Chicago! and then," here he +stopped and gazed at his friend with a comical look of perplexity, +"why, Everard Houston was the nephew and adopted son of W. E. +Cameron." + +"Certainly," assented Houston. + +"Well then, what in thunder,--if I may ask the question,--are you +doing out here with this confounded Buncombe-Boomerang mining +company?" + +"That is just what I wished to tell you to-night," Houston replied, +"but we must talk low, for walls sometimes have ears," and placing a +chair for his friend near his own, he proceeded to tell him of his +object in coming out to the mining camp, of the work which he had +accomplished, and of his plans for what yet remained to be done. +Rutherford listened with much interest, deepening into admiration for +his friend. + +"And now," said Houston, in conclusion, "you will see why I could not +very well reveal my identity to you when we first met. I knew you as +soon as I saw your card, but I was a stranger in this part of the +country, with a certain role to play, uncertain of success, and, not +knowing what difficulties or obstacles I might meet, thought there +would be less danger of unexpected complications, if you thought me +just what I appeared to be." + +"You thought about right, too," said Rutherford, "for I'm awfully +careless about anything of that kind, always putting my foot in it, +you know; and I don't see how you ever could come out here, a perfect +stranger, and carry everything along as smoothly as you have. Well, I +remember I was awfully mixed there on the train, when you told me you +had come out here to work for that company, for I thought all the time +that if you were not a gentleman, then I never saw one; and it's lucky +I did have sense enough to think of that, or I might have made a +confounded chump of myself." + +"You would have cut me, would you?" asked Houston, laughing, "I was +looking out for that, and would have considered it a rich joke if you +had." + +"Rather too rich, I should say," said Rutherford, coloring. "Mort has +always ridiculed me for that sort of thing, and told me I'd make a +precious fool of myself some day; I don't intend to be snobbish, +though he says I am, but that's just my way somehow, unless I happen +to like a person. Mort is different from me; he will get along with +all sorts of people, you know, but I never could." + +"You are all right," answered Houston, "you are a little conscious of +your blue blood now and then, but as you grow older you will think +less about that, and you have as good a heart as Morton, when a person +is fortunate enough to find it." + +"Say," said Rutherford, suddenly, "if you and Mort were class mates, +you must have known Van Dorn." + +"Certainly," said Houston, smilingly watching the blue coils of +smoke from his cigar, "and when I first saw him with the Winters +party, I knew my little game was up, unless I got my work in very +expeditiously," and he described the little pantomime which took +place in the office shortly after Van Dorn's arrival, much to the +amusement of Rutherford, who exclaimed: + +"Great Scott! but you fellows played that game well, no one ever would +have dreamed that you had known each other." + +Houston then told of the plan for Van Dorn's coming in a few weeks, +and later, for the arrival of Mr. Cameron with Lindlay. + +"Oh," Rutherford exclaimed, "now I see why Mort is so anxious to get +here at just about a certain time; he knows all about this, and wants +to be in at the death himself; well, that suits me exactly. But say, +old fellow, isn't this going to be a pretty nasty piece of business +for you about that time?" + +"It would be if any one should get hold of this before the right time +comes, but I do not anticipate any trouble, because I intend to be so +guarded that nothing regarding my work will be known or suspected +until my uncle is here, and we have them securely trapped. + +"It will require a cool head and a level one to carry this thing +through, and accomplish what you have undertaken," said Rutherford +thoughtfully, as he took one or two turns up and down the room, "and I +guess you are the right one for the work. Van Dorn will be just the +one to help you, too, he's pretty cool and quick-witted himself, but I +should think you would both need a third party, somebody who has been +on the ground for a long time and who understands all about the +working of these things." + +"It would be of great assistance to us, and I intend to keep a +look-out, and if it is possible to find such a person, and one whom we +can trust at the same time, I shall secure him." + +"Well, I'm sure I wish you success, and I shall be anxious to hear +from you while I'm gone, and know how you are coming on." + +They smoked silently for a few moments, then Rutherford said: + +"By the way, Houston, how about the congratulations I told you some +time ago I was ready to offer whenever the occasion required; are they +in order now? or shall I reserve them until my return?" + +"They are in order whenever you choose to offer them," Houston replied +quietly. + +"Indeed! well, I'm glad to hear it, I thought it about time. I +congratulate you most heartily, and tender you both my sincerest +wishes for your happiness. I tell you what, old fellow, I think you've +found a splendid woman, and I think, too, that you are wonderfully +suited to each other. Seems strange, doesn't it? to think of a pair +like you two, finding each other in a place like this!" + +"It is rather unusual, I admit," said Houston. + +"Yes," added Rutherford, "taking into consideration all the +surroundings, and the why and wherefore of your coming here, I think +it borders on the romantic." + +A moment later he asked, "Does Miss Gladden know what you are doing +out here?" Houston shook his head, in reply. + +"Doesn't she know who you really are?" + +"Not yet," Houston answered, "no one out here knows any more about +that than you did two hours ago." + +"Whew!" said Rutherford, "she will be slightly surprised when she +finds that old Blaisdell's clerk and bookkeeper has a few cool +millions of his own, won't she?" + +"I hope she will not object to the millions," said Houston with a +smile, "but I have the satisfaction of knowing that they were not the +chief attraction; she cares for me myself, and for my own sake, not +for the sake of my wealth, and I am just old fashioned enough to +consider that of first importance." + +"And when will she learn your secret? not until the closing scene of +the last act?" + +"I cannot tell just when," Houston answered, "that will of course +depend a great deal upon circumstances." + +Rutherford then became confidential regarding his own hopes for the +future, and gave Houston a description of his fiancee, and a brief +history of their acquaintance and engagement. + +"Grace is all right," he said in conclusion, "but her father is +inclined to be a little old-fogyish, thinks we are too young for any +definite engagement, and wants me to be permanently established in +some business before we are married, and all that; when I can't see +what in the deuce is the difference so long as I have plenty of stuff. +So the upshot of it all was that he and his wife took Grace to Europe, +and they're not coming back until the holidays, and if, by that time, +we have neither of us changed our minds, and I am settled in business +and all that sort of thing, we can be married. There's no danger of +our changing our minds, so that's all right, but I declare I don't see +the use of a fellow's tying himself down to some hum-drum business, +when there's no need of it." + +"It isn't a bad idea though to find some business for which you are +adapted, and stick to it," was Houston's reply; "that was the advice +my uncle gave me when I returned from college, and he offered me the +choice of going into business with himself, or selecting something +else that I liked better." + +"Grace's father wants me to go in with him, but excuse me; if I went +into business with any one, it would be somebody nearer my own age, +where I'd have about as much to say as the other fellow, not an old +man, and my father-in-law, in the bargain." + +"You may find something you will like, within the next few months," +said Houston, with a peculiar smile; "By the way, Morton used to say +he was going to stick to journalistic work; how is he succeeding?" + +"Splendidly; you know he is one of the associate editors of the +Dispatch, then he contributes regularly to several of the leading +magazines, and lately he has some work of his own on hand besides, a +work on some sort of scientific research: yes, he has succeeded +well." + +So long did their conversation continue, that when they at last went +to rest, it was nearly time for the surrounding peaks, standing like +huge sentinels against the dark, eastern sky, to catch the first faint +flush of the approaching day. + +They were a little late in making their appearance in the breakfast +room. Miss Gladden and Lyle were awaiting them, but the others had +gone. There was time for only a hasty breakfast before the team, going +to the Y for supplies, which had been engaged to take Rutherford to +the morning train, was at the door. + +"Well," said the latter, having seen his baggage safely aboard, +including the familiar square case containing his precious cameras, +"I've had a delightful time here, and I'm awfully glad I'm coming back +again." + +"So are we, Mr. Rutherford," said Miss Gladden, "and we will be very +glad to welcome your brother also, and do all in our power to make his +visit a pleasant one." + +"It is doubtful whether he will ever want to leave here," Rutherford +responded, "for he appreciates anything of this kind even more than I +do. He'll grow wild over these mountains. Well, Miss Maverick," he +continued, shaking hands with Lyle, "I thank you for all you've done +to make my visit so pleasant, and I'm glad that we will only say +good-bye for a little while." + +"I am also," she replied, "and I wish you a pleasant journey and a +speedy return." + +"This is not 'good-bye,' Mr. Rutherford," said Miss Gladden, extending +her hand, "it is only 'au revoir.'" + +"That is right," he answered, then added in low tones, "Miss Gladden, +I have already congratulated Mr. Houston, and I hope you will accept +my congratulations and best wishes also. I think almost as much of him +as of my own brother, and I could not wish either of you any happier +fortune than I believe you will find in each other." + +In a few moments Houston and Rutherford were riding rapidly down the +canyon. At the office, where Houston had to prepare some orders for +the driver, he and Rutherford took leave of each other. + +"Be good to yourself, old fellow," said Rutherford, "and keep us +posted just how you are coming on; and say," he added, lowering his +voice, "I'll keep you posted of our whereabouts, and if anything +should happen, and you need help, wire us and we'll be here by the +next train; you can count on two brothers now, instead of one, you +know." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + + +A day or two after the departure of Rutherford, Miss Gladden, having +learned from Lyle at what hour Jack usually completed his day's work, +set forth upon her visit to the cabin. She felt that her errand might +prove embarrassing both to Jack and herself; she wished to obtain some +clue regarding Lyle's parentage; at least, to learn what his +suspicions, or possible knowledge might be concerning the matter, and +taking into consideration the contingency that she might be his own +child, whose existence he had kept secret for reasons of his own, it +was a subject which would require very delicate handling. + +She found Jack at the cabin, and alone, and his courteous greeting, +containing less formality and more cordiality and friendliness than +on the former occasion, made her task seem far less difficult. He +ushered her into the pleasant little sitting-room, and she noted +even more particularly than on her former visit, the exquisite +taste betrayed, not only in the furnishings of the room, but in +their very arrangement. + +After chatting a few moments regarding the little circle of friends at +the house, in whom he seemed to take more interest than she would have +expected from a man of his secluded life, the conversation naturally +turned to Lyle, and Miss Gladden said: + +"I have wished to see you regarding her because you seem to be the +only one among those living here who appreciates her ability, or +cares for her welfare; and you have known her and her surroundings so +long, I believed you could give me some suggestions and advice +regarding what is best to be done for her, even now, while she remains +here." + +"I have taken a great interest in the child ever since I have known +her," Jack replied, "and I am only too glad that she has found another +friend, and that friend a lady; and if I can assist, by suggestion or +otherwise, I shall be most happy to do so." + +"I asked your opinion the other evening," continued Miss Gladden, "as +to taking her east with me, but there were other matters pertaining to +her welfare, on which I wished your opinion and advice, but I could +not so well speak of them before her, so I asked for this interview." + +Miss Gladden hesitated a moment, almost hoping that Jack might make +some remark which would give her a cue as to the best method for her +to pursue in seeking the information she desired, but his attitude was +that of respectful attention, and he was evidently waiting for her to +proceed. + +"I have felt attracted toward Lyle from the first," she began slowly, +"not alone by her wondrous beauty and grace of manner, but even more +by her intelligence and intellectual ability, her natural refinement +and delicacy, which, considering her surroundings, seemed to me simply +inexplicable. From the very first, she has been to me a mystery, and +as I become better acquainted with her, the mystery, instead of being +lessened, is only deepened." + +She paused, but he offered no comment, only bowed gravely for her to +continue. + +"I could not, and I cannot yet, understand how one like her could ever +have been born, or could exist in such surroundings as hers; and the +fact that she has existed here, her beautiful nature untainted, +unsullied by the coarseness, the vulgarity and the immorality about +her, to me seemed an indication that she was of an altogether +different type, born in another and far higher sphere. I saw she was +unhappy, and I determined to win her confidence, and in so doing, from +a vague suspicion I have gradually arrived at a firm conviction that +Lyle is not the child of those whom she calls her parents." + +Jack manifested no surprise, neither was there anything in his manner +to indicate that this was a subject upon which he had any knowledge. +He simply asked very calmly,--almost indifferently it seemed to Miss +Gladden,-- + +"Have you discovered any direct evidence in support of this conviction +that she is not their child?" + +"No tangible evidence," replied Miss Gladden, "nothing, of course, +that could be called proof, but there are what I consider very strong +indications." + +"Are the indications on Lyle's part, or on the part of Mr. and Mrs. +Maverick?" inquired Jack. + +"On both sides," replied Miss Gladden, "I have very little to say +regarding Mrs. Maverick; she is a kind-hearted woman, and seems to +treat Lyle with consideration and some degree of affection; there is +very little of the latter, but perhaps it is all of which she is +capable, for I should think life with that brute would quickly crush +out all the affection, if not all the intelligence, in a woman's +nature; but the neglect and ill treatment of Maverick himself towards +Lyle surely indicate that she is no child of his." + +"Your remark regarding Mrs. Maverick might be still more applicable to +him, that he is incapable of anything like affection or kindness." + +"Of course he is," replied Miss Gladden quickly, "but I can not +conceive of a man being quite so low as to be without even animal +instincts; I cannot believe that a father would insult and degrade his +own daughter as he has Lyle, and as he would continue to do, if he +were not restrained through fear of his wife." + +For the first time, Jack started. "Fear of his wife, did you say, Miss +Gladden? Pardon me, but I think that brute fears neither God, man nor +devil, and how you can assert that he is in fear of his wife, whom he +has always abused mercilessly, I cannot imagine." + +"It is a fact, nevertheless; for one morning after he had been +exceedingly abusive and insulting in his language toward Lyle, Mrs. +Maverick told her that he was, in some way, in her power, and that it +should never occur again; and it never has." + +Jack rose, and began to pace the room. + +"Did you hear her say that, Miss Gladden?" + +"No, Lyle told me of it." + +"Had Lyle any idea of what she meant by it?" + +"She did not seem to have; nothing was ever said regarding that phase +of the subject; she only seemed relieved that Mrs. Maverick promised +to prevent a repetition of her father's abuse of her." + +Jack seated himself. "You spoke of some reasons on Lyle's part for +your conclusions; what were they?" + +Miss Gladden then told him of Lyle's strange impressions and of her +dream, but made no allusion to the photograph, wishing to reserve that +until later. + +Jack looked thoughtful. "I wonder that she has never spoken to me +regarding this dream," he said at length. + +"She told me she had not had the dream so often since having been +occupied with her studies and reading, probably that accounts for her +not speaking of it; lately she says it has returned." + +Both were silent for a while, then Miss Gladden asked: + +"Do you not think these dreams and impressions are indications of an +early life, far different from this?" + +"I do," he replied gravely. + +"That was my opinion," then, determined to get some expression from +him, she continued: + +"I am so attached to her, so desirous, if possible, to rescue her from +this wretched life, that I am anxious to get some clue as to her true +parentage; that is why I have come to you, her friend. I thought +possibly you might be able to aid me in getting some evidence, or some +information regarding her early history." + +Miss Gladden was watching Jack keenly, to note if her words produced +any effect on that immobile face. She was not disappointed: he +started, almost imperceptibly, and as he fixed his dark eyes upon her +own, she noticed, as never before, how keen and piercing, and how +eloquently beautiful they were. Miss Gladden's eyes did not drop +before his searching gaze; she was determined that he should read +only sincerity and candor in their depths, and make his answer +accordingly. When he spoke, his voice was unlike its usual smooth, +even tone; it was tender and deep, full of some strange emotion, and +reminded her wonderfully of her lover. + +"Miss Gladden, may I ask,--for I believe you will answer me truthfully +and candidly,--what ever led you to suppose that I could give you any +information regarding Lyle's early history?" + +"I will answer you candidly, as you wish," she replied; "the thought +first occurred to me of coming to you for advice regarding Lyle, +simply because I regarded you as her best friend, in fact, until I +came, her only friend. Then a remark accidently dropped by Lyle, as to +what you had once said of her singing, that it reminded you of but one +voice which you had heard, but that you did not like to hear her, led +me to think that perhaps she was in some way connected with some one +you had known, and that possibly that was the reason for the special +interest you took in her welfare. + +"Then there was something more, in connection with her dream," and she +told him how Lyle had at last identified the pictured face which +seemed so familiar to her, as the dream-face of her childhood, and how +immediately after the dream had returned. + +"After she told me this," continued Miss Gladden, "you will see that I +naturally concluded that the face was that of her mother; that her +mother, her parents, and probably her early life were known to you; +and I will frankly admit, that except that it seemed incredible that +you would allow her to remain in these surroundings, if my hypothesis +were correct, I would have believed that you were her father, and that +grief from bereavement or separation, had caused you to choose this +life for yourself and her." + +Jack had again risen and was slowly pacing the room. Miss Gladden +could read no sign of displeasure in his face, though she detected +indications of some powerful emotion, and of acute suffering. He +seemed battling with old-time memories, and when at last he seated +himself and began speaking, there was a strange pathos vibrating +through the forced calmness of his voice, and the piercing eyes, now +looking so kindly into her own, had in their depths such hopeless +sadness, that Miss Gladden's heart was stirred by a pity deeper than +she had ever known, for she instinctively felt that she was in the +presence of some great, despairing sorrow. + +With a smile of rare sweetness and beauty, he said: "Your candor and +frankness deserve confidence in return, and I will give it so far as +it is within my power to do so, and yet I fear that you will be +disappointed. Your surmises are incorrect in many respects, and yet +contain a great deal of truth, and I will try, so far as possible, to +be as frank with you as you have been with me. In the first place, I +must say to you, that regarding Lyle's true parentage, whether or not +she is the child of the Mavericks, I know, positively, nothing more +than do you, yourself." + +He smiled as he noted Miss Gladden's look of astonishment, and +continued: + +"Like you, I have my suspicions that she is not their child, and have +had them since first seeing her, years ago. As in your case, my +suspicions long ago changed to conviction, and my convictions are +probably even deeper than yours, for the reason, that in form, in +feature, in voice and manner, in every expression and gesture," his +voice trembled for an instant, but he controlled it, "she is the exact +counterpart of another; some one whom I knew in a life as remote, as +far from this as it is possible to conceive. But I have no direct +proof, not a shadow of tangible evidence with which I could confront +Maverick and denounce him with having stolen the child, and, knowing +him as I do, I know that for Lyle's sake, until I have some such +proof, it were better to remain silent." + +"Pardon me for interrupting you," Miss Gladden exclaimed, "but that is +a contingency that never entered my mind, that Lyle had been stolen +from her parents! That is far worse than anything I had dreamed of." + +"Nevertheless, if she is not their child, she was stolen, and just in +proportion as the former is improbable, the latter is probable, almost +certain. You will now see wherein your supposition that my interest in +her was due to her connection in my mind with some one I had formerly +known, was correct. I took a special interest in her for this reason; +it was a pleasure to teach her, to note her mind expanding so rapidly, +to watch her as she developed physically and mentally; every day +growing more and more like the one I had known. I enjoyed tracing the +resemblance day by day, though it often caused me almost as much pain +as pleasure,--but when I heard her sing, that was too much,--it was +more than I could bear,--it was like compelling some lost soul in +purgatory to listen to the songs of paradise." + +There was a tremor in Jack's voice, and he paused, touched even more +deeply by the sympathetic tears glistening in the beautiful eyes full +of such tender pity, than by the bitter memories passing before his +own mind. + +"What has perplexed me most," he continued, "is the fact that Lyle has +seemed unable to recall anything relating to her early childhood. I +have tried in every way to arouse her memory, and that was my chief +object in allowing her to see the photograph of which she told you; +but, as she often says, the first few years of her life seem to be +only blank. I cannot account for that." + +"Still," said Miss Gladden, "these dreams of hers show that there are +memories there, and something may yet recall them to her mind." + +"That has been my hope," he replied, "that is what I have been waiting +for all these years, for her mind to recall some incident, or some +individual, that would furnish the needed proof as to her parentage." + +"Do you think," asked Miss Gladden, after a pause, "that it would be +wise to give Lyle a hint of our suspicions?" + +"I have thought it might be well, if possible, to arouse her own +suspicions by some process of reasoning on her part, not by any +suggestions of ours." + +"May I inquire whether those whom you consider her true parents are +still living?" + +"They both died many years ago." + +"Then, if her identity could be proven beyond a doubt, would there be +any one to give her such a home as she ought to have?" + +"Yes, there are those who would be only too glad to give her such a +home as very few have the good fortune to possess." + +"And have they never made any inquiry for her?" Miss Gladden asked in +surprise. + +"They have no idea that she is living; her parents died under peculiar +circumstances, and she was supposed to have died at the same time." + +"Then ought we not," said Miss Gladden thoughtfully, "both for her +sake and theirs, to let them know that she is living, and help them to +find her?" + +"Unless they could see her for themselves," he replied, "they would +probably be rather skeptical, and require very positive proof +regarding her claims, they have believed her dead for so many years. +But even though I may have known Lyle's mother, I am not in +communication with her friends, and would not be the proper person to +present her claims to them." + +For a few moments, Miss Gladden sat silently watching the play of the +light and shade on the mountain side across the ravine, opposite the +cabin, as the shadows cast by the light, floating clouds, followed +each other in rapid succession. + +Jack seemed to be thinking deeply, and when he at last spoke, it was +with great deliberation: + +"For a long time, as I have become more and more convinced of Lyle's +identity, I have been anxious to have her taken away from these +surroundings, and placed in the home to which I believe she has a +right; but without tangible evidence with which to establish her +claims, and also to prove Maverick's guilt, I could think of no +feasible plan, nothing that did not seem likely to result in failure, +and leave Lyle possibly in a worse condition than at present. I will +now say to you, Miss Gladden, in confidence, that I think before very +long, the way will be opened for Lyle to find the home and friends +that I consider are really hers. Through information given me in +confidence, I have learned that some of those whom I believe to be +most closely related to her and who would be most interested in her, +did they know of her existence, will in all probability be out here on +business this summer; if they do not recognize Lyle, I shall be +greatly disappointed." + +Miss Gladden's face expressed the delight she felt. "Is it possible?" +she exclaimed, "Why, I cannot conceive of anything lovelier! If she +has been stolen all these years, and her people unconscious of her +very existence, to have them appear on the scene, and recognize and +claim her, will seem like a beautiful bit of fiction interwoven in our +prosaic, every-day life, or like the closing scene in some drama, +where the wrongs at last are all made right. To think what happiness +it will bring to them, to her and to us!" + +Jack's face grew strangely serious. "I shall be glad for her sake;" he +replied, then added: "Sometimes, Miss Gladden, wrongs are righted only +at a terrible cost, and what seems to you like the closing of a +peaceful drama, may prove a tragedy to those who are concerned in +it." + +Then, before she could reply, he said, in a different tone, as though +to change the conversation: + +"It will not be best to mention what I have told you to any one; there +is no knowing what course Maverick might pursue if he had a hint of +it, for he is a desperate man; but if there is any way in which Lyle's +mind could be carried back and made to recall something of her past +life, I wish it might be done." + +Miss Gladden had risen, preparatory to taking leave. Having given a +searching glance around the room, she turned toward Jack, saying +wistfully: + +"Am I asking too much? Could I see the photograph which you allowed +Lyle to see?" + +For an instant Jack hesitated; then he replied, "I am willing you +should see it, but you must not expect me to say anything concerning +that picture or myself. I have spoken to you in confidence regarding +Lyle, but I can go no further." + +"I will not ask it," she replied. + +Without a word, he went to a small trunk, concealed by a fine +bear-skin, and taking therefrom the picture, silently handed it to +Miss Gladden. + +She uttered a low cry of surprise, and then stood for some time +intently studying the lovely face in every detail. When she returned +the picture to Jack's hands, there were tears in her eyes, as she +exclaimed, "How beautiful! and how like Lyle!" + +"I hoped she would see the resemblance," he replied. + +"It seems almost incredible that she did not," answered Miss Gladden, +"except for the fact that she has the least self-consciousness of any +one I ever saw; it is doubtful if she would recognize her own +picture." + +For a long time Jack stood watching Miss Gladden, as, having thanked +him for the interview, she walked slowly up the winding road. His eyes +grew strangely wistful and tender, very unlike their ordinary +expression, and a smile, sad but sweet, played about the usually stern +lips. + +"He has chosen well," he murmured at length, "they are well suited to +each other; Heaven grant nothing may ever mar their happiness!" and +with a heavy sigh, he turned and entered the cabin. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + + +As Miss Gladden slowly followed the winding canyon road on her +return from the little cabin, the thoughts flashing through her mind +very strongly resembled the lights and shadows which she had watched +chasing each other across the mountain side. While she had gained +very little direct information, Jack's theories had strengthened +her own convictions, though placing the matter in a slightly +different light. She had a very vivid imagination, and looked +forward with anticipations of keenest pleasure to the coming of +Lyle's friends,--whoever they might be--and their probable recognition +of her; and yet she could not forget Jack's words regarding the +terrible cost which might be involved, resulting in possible tragedy, +and an indefinable dread seemed at times to overshadow all other +thoughts, and perplex her. Not dreaming, however, that the words +could refer to herself, or those in whom she was most deeply +interested, she tried to banish this feeling by planning what +course would be best to pursue regarding Lyle, and determined to +confide the whole matter to Houston, and ask his advice. So +absorbed was she in her own thoughts and plans, that not until she +had nearly approached the house, did she observe the presence of +strangers. + +A party of eight or ten ladies and gentlemen, including three or four +tourists from the east, had come out from Silver City. They had come +with wagons, bringing a large tent which was to be put up for those +who could not be accommodated in the house. They proved to be very +pleasant people, and during the ensuing ten days of their stay, Miss +Gladden and Lyle seldom saw each other apart from their guests. There +were numerous excursions to various points of interest, moonlight +rides on the lake and impromptu dances. + +Houston at this time was more than usually occupied, as the day after +the arrival of the camping party, Mr. Blaisdell unexpectedly appeared +upon the scene. He arrived quite early in the morning, having been +brought by special train from the Y. He found Houston alone in the +office, and greeted him with a cordiality quite surprising to the +latter, considering his taciturn, dissatisfied manner when at the +mines a few days before. He seemed in no hurry to leave the office, +but remained talking for some time concerning business affairs at +Silver City. + +"I may want you to run over there, just for a day, while I'm here," he +said at length, "for I expect to remain out here for about a week. By +the way, Houston, I hear you pitched into old Hartwell one night, over +there at the hotel, for some remarks he made about the company." + +"Ah," said Houston, "how did you hear of that?" + +"There was a friend of mine there, who overheard Hartwell's talk, and +afterward saw you go up and speak to him. Having seen you in our +office, he had a little curiosity as to what was going on. He said +Hartwell cursed you up hill and down, but that you were so damned cool +the old fellow couldn't rattle you. Hartwell told him afterward that +you threatened to compel him to substantiate all he had said, and he +was glad that the old fellow, for once, found somebody that wasn't +afraid of him." + +"Oh, no," said Houston, quietly, "I didn't see any reason for being +afraid." + +"Well," said Mr. Blaisdell, "I liked your spirit all right, but then, +men like Hartwell are not worth paying any attention to. He is +interested in another company, so of course he tries to run down ours, +and he has a certain clique that he has persuaded to think just as he +does. I never think it best to notice any of his remarks." + +"If he had simply made a few remarks," said Houston in reply, "I would +of course have let them remain unnoticed, but he had continued his +harangue for nearly an hour before I spoke to him, so I thought it as +well to have a word with him myself." + +"Oh, that was all right, perfectly right on your part, only I have +adopted the policy of letting barking dogs alone." + +After a little further conversation, Mr. Blaisdell looked over the +books, and finding everything in satisfactory shape, remarked: + +"You seem to have familiarized yourself very thoroughly with the work +so far as you have gone, and in a very short time. You will doubtless +remember, Mr. Houston, that when we engaged you, you were told that we +should probably need your services later at the mines, in assisting +the general superintendent. Morgan's work is increasing lately, and I +have been thinking that I would much prefer to have a trustworthy +person like yourself, assist him, even if we have to employ another +bookkeeper, than to put on an entirely new man at the mines. I am +going out to the mines this afternoon, to see how Morgan is getting +along, and I think that to-morrow we will close the office, and you +had better go out with me, and I will show you the work that I wish +you to have charge of there. It probably will not take all your time, +you will still be in the office more or less, at least enough to +superintend the work in case I bring out a new man. He will simply +work under your direction and supervision, the responsibility will all +devolve upon you." + +For the next day or two, Houston's time was spent at the mines, +familiarizing himself with the underground workings, and becoming +acquainted with the different classes and grades of ore, and the +various methods of mining and reducing the same. + +This was just the opportunity for which Houston had been waiting, and +he entered upon his new work with a zest and enthusiasm that delighted +Mr. Blaisdell, and even won the esteem of Morgan. On the second day, +to Houston's great joy, he was given charge, under Morgan, of what was +known as the "Yankee" group of mines, containing the Yankee Boy, the +Yankee Girl and the Puritan, the three most valuable mines in which +the New York company was interested. + +In passing through one of these mines, Houston noticed two miners +working together with wonderful precision and accuracy, and on looking +at them closely, recognized in one of them, the man whom Rutherford +had pointed out to him on the train from Valley City, and of whom he +had heard Miss Gladden speak as Lyle's friend. The man seemed to pay +little attention to his being there, and on coming out, Houston +inquired of Mr. Blaisdell concerning him. + +"I can tell you nothing about him," replied Mr. Blaisdell, "except +that he and his partner, the Irishman, are the two most expert miners +we have. They live by themselves, and refuse to mingle with the other +men, consequently they are not very popular among the miners, but of +course that cuts no figure with us, so long as they are skilled +workmen." + +The next day, Houston went to Silver City, on business for Mr. +Blaisdell, and while there, sent the following message over the wires, +to Van Dorn: + +"Everything in readiness; bring machinery at once." + +Upon his return to the mining camp to enter upon his new duties, +Houston resolved to make a careful study of the men working under him, +both foremen and miners, for the purpose of determining whether there +were among them any whom he could trust sufficiently to seek from them +whatever assistance might be necessary for himself and Van Dorn in +their future work. + +Accordingly, for the first few days, he spent considerable time in the +mines, apparently examining the workings, but in reality watching the +men themselves. Among some of them he saw black looks and scowls, and +heard muttered comments regarding himself: "Git onto the dude!" "D'ye +see the tenderfoot?" "Thinks he's goin' to boss us, does he? we'll +show him a trick or two." These were mainly from Maverick's consorts, +and men of their ilk, ignorant and brutal. Houston paid no attention +to their remarks or frowns, but continued his rounds among them, +conscious that he was master of the situation, meanwhile giving +instructions to the foreman who accompanied him. As he passed and +repassed Jack and Mike, working together with almost the automatic +precision of machinery, he stopped to watch them, attracted partly by +admiration for their work, and partly by a slight interest in the man +who had been his fellow passenger, and concerning whom he had heard +such various reports. + +During the slight pause in their work, the Irishman eyed him +curiously, with indications of his native drollery and humor betraying +themselves in his mirthful face; he seemed about to speak, but Jack, +with set, stern features, was ready, and the work continued without a +word. In that brief interim, however, Jack had fixed one of his keen, +piercing glances upon Houston, which the latter returned with one +equally searching, and though not a muscle relaxed in that immobile +face, covered with dust and grime, yet a strange thrill of mutual +sympathy quivered and vibrated through the soul of each man, and +Houston knew that he had found a friend. + +"There is a man among a thousand," he thought as he walked away, "a +man of honor, in whom one could place unbounded confidence; no wonder +Lyle has found him such a friend!" + +At the next pause in their work, Mike's feelings found expression: + +"Begorra! but the young mon is progressin' foinely, to be put over the +loikes of us, and bein' as how most loikely he niver sit foot in a +moine, till comin' out into this counthry!" + +Jack's face had grown strangely set and white: "We are to be his +friends, remember that, Mike," he said, in a voice unnaturally stern. + +"Frinds!" exclaimed the astonished Mike, "Be-dad! and whin did I iver +know ye to make frinds with ony of owld Blaisdell's men befoor?" + +"Keep your eyes open and your mouth shut, Mike," was Jack's only reply +as he again began work, and Mike had nothing to do but to follow his +example. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + + +In a short time Houston had become perfectly familiar with his new +surroundings. He was thoroughly at home in the underground workings, +readily finding his way in the labyrinth of shafts, tunnels and +cross-cuts extending for miles in all directions, and connecting the +various mining claims one with another. + +He knew the name and face of nearly every man employed in the various +shifts, and by his keen perception and insight, was able to form a +very correct estimate of their character and standing in that little +community. Though no words had been exchanged between himself and Jack +beyond those of the most commonplace greetings, yet his respect for +the man, and confidence in him, increased with each day, and was +plainly indicated by his manner toward him whenever they met. + +As he watched the men, in his frequent rounds through the mines, +most of their faces were to him as an open book, on some of whose +pages he read histories of misfortune and loss, or crime and shame in +the past, and on others, of eager ambitions and bright hopes for the +future. There were men with gray hair and bowed forms, whose dull +eyes and listless step told of hopeless, irretrievable loss; men +of intelligence and ability whose recklessness or whose despondency +told of some living sorrow, worse than death; there were some whose +stealthy, shrinking gait and watchful, suspicious glance bespoke +some crime, unknown to their fellows, but which to themselves seemed +ever present, suspended, like the sword of Damocles, above their +heads. + +But even to Houston, Jack remained a mystery, and as he noted the +powerful, athletic form, the profile of patrician beauty, perfect as +though chiseled in marble, the hair and beard black and glossy as the +raven's wing, though touched with silver here and there, he found +himself unable to read the history of that life. + +"There is a man," he soliloquized, "my equal, if not my superior, in +birth, in education, in intellectual ability; how came he here? What +has wrecked his life?" + +But the dark, piercing eyes, turned on him for an instant, gave no +answer to his query. + +As he and Morgan, their day's work completed, were returning to the +house, Houston made some inquiries regarding the men, and from the +information given by Morgan concerning some of them, found his own +judgment of them correct. + +"And who is the man called 'Jack,' who works with the Irishman?" + +"Heaven knows, I don't, nor nobody else," replied Morgan; "he came +here about six or seven years ago, I guess, at least; he was here when +I came, and was considered an expert then. He never would have +anything to say to the other men, and always lived by himself till the +Irishman came; he was another queer sort of duck and was a first-class +miner, too, so him and Jack has worked together and lived together +ever since, but Jack is boss." + +"Are they the only miners living by themselves?" asked Houston. + +"The only single men; there's six or seven of 'em that are married and +have families, like Maverick; they have very good shacks, furnished by +the company, but all the single men, excepting them two, live at the +quarters. By the way, have you ever been down to the quarters?" + +"No," replied Houston, "but I should like very well to visit them." + +"All right, we'll go to-night if you like; I go down there myself once +in a while and listen to their stories; they've most of 'em had some +queer experiences, and they can spin as many yarns as a lot of +sailors, any time." + +Later in the evening, Houston, having excused himself to the ladies in +general, and Miss Gladden in particular, accompanied by Morgan, was on +his way to the miners' quarters. The latter were situated but a short +distance from the office, on the road to the mines, and consisted of +two boarding houses and four bunk houses. Farther down the road were +the stables for the horses used in hauling supplies; also blacksmith +and carpenter shops, and a storehouse. + +A rather novel scene presented itself to Houston as he approached. +Scattered about on the ground, and loafing in the door-ways in all +attitudes and positions, were over a hundred men, of various ages, +classes and nationalities, but principally Cornishmen, or, in +western vernacular, "Cousin Jacks." Many of them were strangers to +him, being employed in other mines than those with which he was +familiar, but among them were many of his own men. From the +door-way of one of the bunk houses came the strains of a violin, +while in another, a concertina shrieked and groaned, and from all +directions came the sound of ribald songs, coarse jests and +boisterous laughter. Here and there were groups of men engaged in +playing poker or seven-up, where little piles of silver and gold +were rapidly changing hands, to the accompaniment of muttered oaths. +At one side, Maverick and a few kindred spirits seemed trying to +outrival one another in profanity and obscenity, while at some +distance from them, was a large company of the better class of +men, some lounging against trees and rocks, some sitting or lying +at full length on the ground, but all listening with unmistakable +interest, to a man, gray and grizzled, with a weather-beaten but +kindly face, who evidently was entertaining the crowd with tales of +his own early life. + +As Houston and Morgan approached, the speaker stopped; some of the men +half rose from their recumbent positions out of respect for the "new +boss," and all eyed him rather curiously, though not unkindly. Houston +recognized many of his own men among them, and greeted them with a +pleasant "Good evening, boys." + +"Hullo, Billy," said Morgan, addressing the old miner, "what do you +know to-night?" then noting that he was watching Houston with a half +smile on his rugged face, he added, "Thought I'd bring the boss down +to see you and the rest of the boys to-night." + +"Good evenin' boss," responded the old fellow, while a merry smile +twinkled in his eyes, "I expect this is your first visit to a reg'lar, +genuwine minin' camp?" + +"My first, perhaps, but not my last," said Houston, with a winning +smile. + +"That's right," said the old man approvingly, as he proceeded to +refill his pipe; "I've been a watchin' you, off and on, down there at +the mines, bein' as I'd heerd you was a tenderfoot, and I must say +you've took a holt as if you was an old hand at the job." + +"Oh, yes," Houston replied, "with a little determination, a person can +pick up anything of that kind easily. I think, with a little practice, +I could make a pretty successful miner; it would require grit and +stick-to-it-ativeness, that's all." + +"'Grit and stick-to-it-ativeness,' that's good," said the old miner, +highly pleased, "well, you seem to have plenty of 'em both, and plenty +of good muscle, too," with an admiring glance at Houston's fine, +athletic form. + +"See here, Billy," said Houston pleasantly, after chatting a few +moments, "when we came, it looked very much as though you were telling +stories to the crowd here, and the boys all seemed very much +interested; now we want you to go on with your story, we would enjoy +it as much as the rest." + +"Let me see," said Billy, "I don't remember just where I was, but I +guess I'd finished as you come up." + +"Never mind, you can start another," said Houston. + +"Yes, Billy, give us another," chimed in the boys. + +"Go ahead, pardner," added Morgan, "spin us a yarn, that's what we +came for." + +"I was only tellin' the boys about the old days when I came out to the +mines, and for the first few years after," Billy began. + +"Those must have been interesting times," said Houston. + +"Int'restin'? I should say so! You fellows don't know nothin' about +minin' compared to them days; I tell you, things was lively then. I +was there at Leadville when it was opened up, and you couldn't get +anybody to look at you without payin' 'em a good, round sum for it; +couldn't get a place to roll yourself in your blanket and lie on the +floor short of five or ten dollars; folks bought dry goods boxes and +lived in 'em. Then I was down here when they opened up the Big Bonanza +mine, in Diamond gulch, not far from Silver City. I tell you boys, +them was high old times, everything was scarce and prices was +high,--flour was a hundred dollars a sack, and potatoes seventy-five +dollars a bushel,--but money was plenty,--or gold dust,--we didn't +have no money, everything was paid for in gold dust. 'Twas pretty +tough in them days, too, everybody went armed to the teeth, and guns +and knives was used pretty free." + +"Was that in the days of the vigilantes?" asked Houston. + +"Yes, they come along soon after, they had to. There was desperate +characters here, but the vigilantes made short work of 'em, they +didn't even give 'em time to say their prayers. I tell you, the +gambling houses and the dance halls, and all them places was lively in +them days. There wasn't many words over a game, if any quarrels come +up, they was settled pretty quick with the revolver or bowie knife." + +"There must have been some high stakes played in those days," Houston +remarked. + +"High? well, yes, rather; I've seen men sit down to a game worth +anywhere from fifty to two or three hundred thousand, and get up +without a cent in the world." + +The old man paused to relight his pipe, and having puffed reflectively +for a few moments, settled himself with the air of a man who has a +long story to tell, and the surrounding miners evidently so understood +it, for they shifted their positions accordingly, and prepared to +listen. + +"Speakin' of gamblin'," he began, "puts me in mind of something that +happened among the camps on the other side of the range, nigh onto +fifteen years ago. A gang of us boys was in Dandy Jim's gambling hall +one night. The place was crowded, I remember, and we was all tryin' to +make our fortunes on the high card. Some of us was dead broke, but +them that hadn't the stuff borrowed from them that had, sure of better +luck next time. They was all so deep in the game that none of 'em +noticed a seedy-lookin' chap who come in, kinder quiet like, and set +down to the faro table and began to play. I guess I was the only one +who noticed him, and at first, I couldn't make him out, but after a +bit, I remembered him as 'Unlucky Pete.' That man had a history. When +I first saw him, some eight or ten years before that night, he had +just come west with his wife, a pretty little woman, and had a good +team of horses and a new wagon. He was a reg'lar border character, and +whenever a new country was opened up for settlement, him and his wife +was the first on the ground, ready to make a run to secure a home. +Pete was prosperous, till one night, in a quarrel over a game of +cards, he killed his man, and from that time his luck changed. He +secured one or two good claims, but lost title to them; he lost his +horses, and as fast as he bought other horses, they died or was +stolen, and everything went against him. He wandered from one country +to another, but bad luck met him at every turn. The last I seen him +was some two years before; then him and his wife and two or three +babies was goin' over the country in an old, broken-down wagon. The +wheels was held together with wire and ropes, and the canvas top was +in rags and tatters; the horses was the poorest, skinniest creatures +you ever see, and him and his wife looked off the same piece. + +"Well, somehow or 'nuther, I knew him that night, though he looked +harder than ever, and had an old slouched hat down over his face. He +looked like a man that was pushed pretty close to the wall, and had +got down to his last nickel. Well, he set down there to the table, and +threw a silver dollar on the high card; then pulled that old hat down +clean over his eyes, and never spoke, or looked one way or another. +The high card won, and the dealer paid the bet, and pushed the money +over to Pete, but he never stirred. + +"Well, that high card kep' a winnin' till there was a big pile of +money there, but Pete, he never stirred, no more'n a stone. The +dealer, he got mad and begun to swear, but Pete didn't move. + +"'Somebody wake that fool up,' says he, with an oath. + +"A fellow sittin' next to Pete shook him, and then tore off his hat. +Well, boys, I'll never forget that sight, it makes me sort o' shiver +now, when I think of it; there set a dead man at the table before that +pile of gold. + +"The dealer started to rake in that pile o' money, but about a dozen +revolvers was p'inted at him, and he decided not to be in too big a +hurry about it. + +"'What's the use anyway?' says he, 'the man's dead and the money's no +good for him, and besides, nobody knows who he is.' + +"'I do,' says I, jumpin' up. + +"'And I,' says another fellow, 'the man just come into camp a day or +two ago, and his family's starvin'." + +"Well, we bundled that money up pretty sudden, and a half a dozen of +us started to find the folks; we found 'em, too, but the wife was +dead, starved to death, and the children wouldn't have lasted much +longer. The oldest, a girl about eight years old, told that they had +nothin' to eat for two days, and her father found the dollar, and +started down to the store for food, but soon after he left the cabin, +the mother died. + +"We buried Pete and his wife in one grave, and then with the pile of +money we got good homes for the children, and some of it was to be +used in givin' 'em a good eddication, and the last I heerd, they was +comin' on well. But I've never set down to a game sence, that I +haven't thought of the night I played faro, with a dead man at the +table." + +At the conclusion of the old miner's story, a little suppressed thrill +of excitement ran through his audience. Morgan, who had seemed +restless and ill at ease, rose to go, and Houston, finding it much +later than he supposed, after a few pleasant words with the boys, bade +them good night, and hastened after Morgan, who was already sauntering +up the road a little way in advance. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + + +"Well," said Morgan, as Houston overtook him, "what do you think of a +'genuwine minin' camp,' as Billy calls it?" + +"The quarters are much more extensive than I supposed," replied +Houston, "I never realized before that there were so many men employed +here; some of them are good fellows, too, I enjoyed my visit to-night +immensely." + +"I generally like to come down and listen to them once in a while," +said Morgan, "but somehow, I didn't care to stay there to-night, that +story of Billy's made me feel sort of creepy; I'm feeling a little off +to-night, anyway." + +"That was a strange story the old fellow told, almost bordering on the +improbable, it seemed to me, but I suppose there are a great many +strange occurrences in a country like this." + +"Yes, lots of things happen here, and folks think nothing of 'em, that +would be considered improbable anywhere back east." + +"Are you from the east?" inquired Houston. + +"Yes, part way," said Morgan, "not from way back, though, I've never +been farther east than Ohio. I was born in Missouri, and raised in +northern Iowa." + +He was silent for a moment, then continued: "I believe I told you one +day that sometime I'd give you a bit of my life; I guess now's as good +as any time, and when you've heard it, maybe you won't wonder at some +of my views. + +"As I said, I was born in Missouri; when I was about three years old, +my folks moved to Iowa. I can just remember my father being with us at +that time, but I never saw him after I was three and a half or so, and +when I got old enough to think about it and ask for him, mother told +me he was dead, and I never knew anything different till years after. +We were always moving, I remember, from one place to another, and +though we never had any money saved up, yet we lived well and never +wanted for anything. Mother used to have a good deal of company, and +be away from home considerable, but she was always kind to me, and I +was a soft, warm-hearted, little chap in those days, and I know I +thought the world of her. + +"We lived together till I was about ten years old, and then times +began to get pretty close; mother didn't have any money, and we had to +pinch to get along, but she was always good to me. + +"Finally she decided to go to Denver; said she had heard of an opening +there for her to run a boarding house and make money, but she didn't +want to take me with her, and sent me to a brother of hers, living in +Ohio. That was the end of all happiness for me. He was a man old +enough to be my grandfather, for mother was the youngest of a large +family. He and his wife lived by themselves, for they had no children, +and a meaner, stingier old couple never lived. Mother wrote pretty +often at first, and always sent money, but don't you think I ever got +any of it. They never mentioned my mother to me, and they wouldn't let +me speak of her. + +"Well, things went on from bad to worse, and finally, when I was +fourteen, I run away. I stole rides on freight cars when I could, and +when I couldn't do that, I tramped, till I got to St. Louis, and got a +place there in a third-class hotel as bell boy. While I was there, I +picked up a good many little accomplishments that have stuck to me +ever since, gambling and swearing, and so on. I got to be pretty +tough, I know, but in spite of it all, there was one good spot about +me yet,--I thought the world of my mother. I staid in St. Louis two +years; in that time I had only heard from mother twice, but she sent +me money both times, and wrote me kind letters, though she never said +anything about my coming to see her." + +By this time, they had reached the main road, and as Morgan seated +himself on a rock to finish his story, Houston followed his example. + +"I made up my mind I wanted to see her, so I took what little money I +had saved up, about eighty dollars, and started for Denver. The last +letter I had from mother, she said she was running a house on a +certain street, and I supposed of course it was a boarding house. I +won't tell you her real name; Morgan wasn't her name, nor mine +neither, I took it afterwards, but I'll call her name Johnson. I got +to Denver, and happened to meet an old acquaintance of mine named Tim, +who took me to a fifth-class boarding and lodging house where he was +staying. Tim had only been in Denver a few days, and knew very little +of the city, but we found a crowd of old-timers at the house, and +after a while I asked for Mrs. Johnson who kept a boarding house on +such a street. The men all laughed and began to guy me; I got hot and +was going to sail into them, but Tim persuaded me to go out with him, +and we started in to paint the town. + +"Well, we'd been out about two or three hours, when we came to a +dancing hall, the toughest we'd seen,--a regular dive,--and we went +in, bound to have some fun. The place was full of tough-looking subs, +and a lot of frouzy, dowdy girls, and what they lacked in good looks +they made up in paint and brass,--such brazen faces I never saw. Half +way down the hall was a big, fat woman, with her hair blondined, who +seemed to have charge of the place, and was giving orders to the man +behind the bar. They had some loud talk, and something in her voice +took my attention, and I looked at her; just then she turned 'round +facing me, and great God! it was my mother! I knew her in spite of the +blond hair and the paint, and she knew me. She gave one awful shriek, +and then fell in a dead faint, and when she came to half an hour +after, she went into hysterics, and screamed and raved and cried +nearly all night. + +"I was so dazed, everything was going round and round, and I thought +the world was coming to an end; and it would have been better for me +if it had. The next day, she was able to see me, and I went to her +room, and I guess I must have staid three or four hours. She told me +then, that her husband was living, but that he quit her back in Iowa, +and that he claimed I was not his child. She cried and begged me to +stay with her, but I left her that day. That was fifteen years ago, +and I have never seen her since. From that time, the last tie that +bound me to even a belief in anything good was gone. I took a +different name, and came up here in this part of the country. Once I +found a girl I liked, but just as I began to think something of her, I +found she was like all the rest of 'em. I've no faith in man or woman, +and don't believe there is any such thing as honor or virtue. If there +are some people who seem virtuous and honorable, it is simply either +because they have been so placed that there was no temptation to be +anything else, or because they have succeeded in keeping up +appearances a little better than other folks." + +As Morgan paused, Houston spoke very slowly and kindly: + +"Your experience has certainly been a sad one, Morgan, and I am truly +sorry for you; sorry most of all that it has produced such an effect +on you." + +"Well," said Morgan, "I guess it don't make much difference, one way +or another, what we think or what we do." + +"Your mother's opinions and actions seem to have made considerable +difference in your life," answered Houston, quietly. + +"Yes, by George! I should say so!" replied Morgan, gloomily. + +"Perhaps your opinions and your conduct are wrecking some other life, +in like manner. There is not one of us who does not exert a powerful +influence on those about us, one way or the other, to build up and +strengthen, or to wreck and destroy." + +As there was no reply, Houston said: "I am very glad you have given me +this sketch of your life, Morgan, I shall always feel differently +toward you, remembering this." + +"Yes," said Morgan, rising, "I wanted you to know, and I thought this +was as good a time as I would have. You will remember it, whatever +happens," he added ambiguously, as he started slowly down the road, in +an opposite direction from the house. + +"Which way are you going?" asked Houston, also rising. + +"Down to the Y." + +"What! are you going that distance as late as this?" + +"Yes," replied Morgan, "I don't go all the way by the road; there's a +cut across that makes it a good deal shorter, and I'll have plenty of +time." + +They both stood a few moments watching a tall, dark figure that had +been pacing up and down the road all the time they had been talking, +sometimes approaching quite near, then retreating out of sight. They +both recognized it as Jack. + +"He's a queer duck," muttered Morgan, "wonder what he's doing, this is +rather late for a constitutional;" then added, "I wish I had some of +the money that chap's got." + +"Why, has he money?" inquired Houston. + +"He must have," was the reply, "he never spends anything, just hoards +it up; he's got enough any way to help me out just now, if I could +only have it." + +"Are you in need of money?" asked Houston, quickly, "if so, I will +gladly accommodate you." + +"Much obliged," replied Morgan, starting down the road, "but I can get +along for the present. Luck has been against me a little lately, but I +guess it will turn all right," adding, as he looked back over his +shoulder, "if it don't turn too late, like 'Unlucky Pete'." + +As Houston walked rapidly up the canyon toward the house, he saw Jack +again approaching, and glad of an opportunity to meet this man toward +whom he felt such a powerful attraction, he slackened his pace as Jack +came up, and greeting him cordially, stopped and entered into +conversation with him. To his surprise, he found Jack's manner far +less reserved than on the few occasions when they had met in the mine. +He seemed as ready to stop as Houston himself, and though he spoke +with a dignity of tone and manner utterly unlike an employe, the icy +reserve was gone, and in its place, there was in his voice the genuine +ring of friendliness. + +After a few moments of ordinary conversation, Jack remarked: + +"You are not often out in this locality at this hour, and alone." + +"No," Houston replied, "but I have been visiting the miners in company +with Morgan, and remained there later than I intended. Then a talk +with Morgan out there among the rocks delayed me still longer." + +"Pardon me," said Jack, "but I suppose you are aware that you have +enemies here." + +"Yes," said Houston, slightly surprised, "I am conscious of that +fact." + +"And," continued Jack, lowering his tone, "you are probably also aware +that this enmity is likely to increase, so that unless you exercise +great caution, your life will be in danger?" + +Houston was startled, not so much by the suggestion of personal +danger, as by the thought that this man seemed to understand something +of his position there. Was it possible his secret was known? It could +not be, but if it were,--his nerves quivered, not with fear for +himself, but with apprehension lest his whole scheme should in some +way prove a failure. + +These thoughts flashed through his mind with the speed of lightning, +but Jack was quick to read them, and before Houston could make any +reply, he continued: + +"I desire to have a private interview with you, as early as possible, +and as we will wish to be perfectly secure from interruption, as well +as from all danger of being overheard, I wish you would come to my +cabin, there we can talk with perfect safety. And now, as a key to +this contemplated interview, allow me to say that I fully understand +your mission here; but have no fear, your secret is absolutely safe. +My only reason for wishing to meet you is, that I desire to aid you if +you will permit me. Will you fix an evening for this conference of +ours?" + +"Certainly," said Houston cordially, his momentary surprise giving way +to the confidence which he had felt in this man, since first meeting +him, face to face. + +An engagement was made for the near future, and with a cordial +hand-clasp, the two men parted. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + + +The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little +porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily +improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players +and joined him. Looking at him rather archly, she asked: + +"Do you expect to remain out as late to-night as you did last night?" + +"I don't know just how late I may be detained," he answered, smiling, +"Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?" + +"Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your +guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then +she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country +from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant +or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has +enemies." + +Houston was somewhat surprised by this second warning, but he answered +lightly: + +"Yes, I know I am in what Ned used to call 'the camp of the +Philistines,' but you do not think I have any dangerous enemies, do +you?" + +"It is only fear of detection that keeps some of them from being +dangerous," said Lyle, who saw Miss Gladden approaching, "don't give +them any opportunities for working their spite in the dark." + +Miss Gladden just then came up, and Lyle soon resumed her place among +the players. + +"Going out again this evening, Mr. Houston?" + +"Yes, Miss Gladden," replied Houston with mock gravity. + +"Excuse me, Everard," she answered, blushing, "but when so many +strangers are about, I am obliged to be very circumspect, you know." + +"There are no strangers within hearing at present, Leslie," he +replied, "but isn't it nearly time for this crowd to take its +departure?" + +"Yes, they expect to leave to-morrow." + +"Thank Heaven!" exclaimed Houston devoutly. + +Miss Gladden laughed merrily. + +"Well," he continued rather savagely, "I hope, after they are gone, we +can enjoy our evenings again as we used to. For the last ten days, I +have scarcely had an opportunity for a word with you, unless we +deliberately gave the whole company the cold shoulder, which, of +course, would not answer." + +"And so," said Miss Gladden laughing, "you wreak your revenge upon +poor me these last two evenings, by taking yourself away, where I +cannot even have the satisfaction of seeing you, while I talk to +somebody else." + +Houston smiled; "I am obliged to go out this evening, Leslie, I have +an engagement to-night, with Jack, at his cabin." + +"With Jack!" exclaimed Miss Gladden, "then you have made his +acquaintance!" + +"No, I can scarcely say that, for I never exchanged a half dozen words +with him before last evening. This interview to-night is wholly on +business." + +"Well," said Miss Gladden, who saw the players beckoning to her, "I am +glad you are going to meet him. I saw him the other day, and had a +talk with him regarding Lyle, and I wanted to tell you about it, but +have had no opportunity. I think you will find him one of the most +perfect gentlemen you ever met," and with a little farewell wave of +the hand, she left him to rejoin the players who were waiting for +her. + +Half an hour later, Houston found himself in the inner room of the +little cabin, alone with Jack, while at the outside door, Rex was +stationed as guard. + +Already the twilight was beginning to gather in the little room, but +even in its soft, shadowy light, Houston noted the evidences, existing +on all sides, of a refined nature, a nature keenly appreciative of +beauty in all its forms. + +"I hope," said Jack, seating himself near his guest, "that you will +excuse the gathering darkness; I thought it more prudent not to have +a light, as it might attract attention, I am in the habit of sitting +so much in the twilight, myself." + +"A light is not necessary," Houston replied, "the twilight is very +pleasant, and the moon will be up presently, and will afford us all +the light we need." + +There was a moment or two of silence, while Houston waited for his +companion to broach the subject of the evening. He was anxious to +ascertain how much regarding himself and his errand there in the camp, +Jack really knew, and more particularly, to learn, if possible, how he +had become possessed of his knowledge. + +Jack, on his part, was wondering whether, with their brief acquaintance, +he could give Houston any assurance that the latter would consider +sufficient to warrant taking himself into full confidence concerning +his work and plans, so that he could render the assistance he desired. + +"You were doubtless somewhat surprised," he began very deliberately +and slowly, "by my request, last evening, for this interview." + +"Yes," replied the other, "I will admit that I was surprised, more +especially by the reason which you gave for your request,--that you +understood my position here, and desired to help me." + +"Did it never occur to you that, to a person with any degree of +penetration, any ability at reading a man's character and habits of +life, your position here, as clerk for a disreputable mining company, +would, of itself, seem an anomaly, and be liable to excite the +suspicion that you had some ulterior object in view?" + +"I think," said Houston, with a smile, "you are supposing a person +with keener perceptions than are possessed by many in this locality." + +"They nearly all possess them to a certain degree, in a latent, +uncultivated form, perhaps, but still there. For example, what is the +true secret of Maverick's hatred toward you, of Haight's enmity, +except that they recognize by a sort of instinct that you belong to an +altogether different sphere from that in which they move? They cannot +reason it out perhaps, but they feel it;--your language, your conduct, +your manner, the very cut of your clothes, though but a plain +business suit, proclaim to one who can read, and reason from these +things correctly, and deduct their results therefrom, that you are a +man of the highest culture and refinement, of high moral character, +and of wealth. Consequently, the question arises, 'What are you doing +here?'" + +"Pardon me, I do not intend to be personal in my remarks," replied +Houston, "but in my opinion, only a person who has himself moved in +the highest circles of life would be able to reason in this manner." + +"Possibly," said Jack, "they would be better able to classify you, +as it were, and assign you to your true position, but these others +feel keenly that you are not of their world, but they are generally +incapable of drawing any conclusions from their observations, as very +few of them have the reasoning faculty, and hence, they would not be +likely to question your object or motive in holding this position. My +design, however, in thus calling your attention to these facts, is +simply to show you that you need not be greatly surprised when I say +that from your first coming here, I have felt that you were no +ordinary employe; that you were merely holding this position +temporarily, either in your own interests, or in the interests of +some one else,--but not in the interests of the mining company. +Notwithstanding the fact that I live a very secluded life, I yet have +means of ascertaining nearly all that is going on around me, and I +will say to you truthfully, that I learned the secret of your +mission here without even asking a question." + +"I can scarcely understand," said Houston, "how you came to be the +recipient of this secret, since you do not mingle with others, and +apparently take very little interest in their affairs." + +"Perhaps," said Jack, in low, musical tones, "you would be able to +understand the situation better, did you know that your secret was +told me by a friend of yours, who believed that, through my very +isolation and loneliness, I could the better assist you." + +"A friend of mine!" exclaimed Houston, in surprise, "Is it possible +that my eastern friends are known to you, and that some one of them +has written you?" + +"No one has written me, the story was told me by a friend of yours +here." + +Instantly there flashed into Houston's mind the memory of Lyle's +warning, and also of Miss Gladden's declaration that she had seen and +talked with Jack, but how could his true position be known to either +of them? + +"I have but two friends here, at present," was his reply, "and they +are women." + +"True women are the truest friends," said Jack tersely. + +"But how can either of them know anything regarding my work here?" + +"I will tell you," and very briefly Jack gave Houston an account of +how his plans had first become known to Lyle, and of her subsequent +interview with himself, begging his assistance in Houston's behalf. + +Houston was inexpressibly astonished and touched to find that the +beautiful girl, whom he had considered friendless and helpless, and +whom he had defended through a sense of chivalry, had, in return, +served him so nobly and so opportunely. He resolved to see her and +express to her his appreciation of what she had done, as early as +possible. + +"I think," said Jack, in conclusion, "you will admit that by this +means I have obtained a thorough understanding of what you wish to +accomplish." + +"You understand it perfectly," Houston answered. + +"You will also admit that, after the years of experience that I have +had in these particular mines, I must be thoroughly conversant with +affairs in connection therewith, and could probably render you just +the assistance you will need." + +"Most certainly you could," responded Houston quickly, "I know of no +one in the entire camp who could assist us so well as you." + +"Then," said Jack, "the next and only consideration is, whether you +have that degree of confidence in me, that you would feel warranted in +trusting me implicitly,--" + +"Enough said," said Houston, interrupting him hastily but cordially, +"I have that confidence in you, that, even if you had not sought this +interview, sooner or later, I would have come to you for assistance." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Jack, in surprise, "may I ask why?" + +Houston hesitated a moment, and then replied: + +"I believe, though we have met so recently, we may speak together as +friends, or as brothers; you spoke a while ago of the faculty of +perception; please credit me with possessing it in some degree myself, +and while I do not wish to be personal or intrusive in my remarks, I +am sure you will allow me to say, that if there is any degree of +incongruity between my appearance and the position I hold, it +certainly exists in a much greater degree in your own case. I, of +course, know nothing of your past life; I wish to know nothing of it, +except so far as you yourself would tell me, should you ever choose to +do so, but this much I do know, and have known from the first, that +you are vastly superior to your surroundings here. You claim,--and you +are correct,--that I have had the advantages of excellent birth and +breeding, of culture and wealth, but you are not one whit behind me in +any of these things. Added to all this is the experience which you +have accumulated in these late years, in this particular branch of +work; surely it was not strange that I felt your acquaintance would be +invaluable, could I but secure your friendship sufficiently for you to +be interested in my plans." + +The moon had risen, flooding the little room with a soft, pale light, +but Jack was sitting in the shadow, and Houston could not see the +effect produced by his words. He wondered a little that Jack made no +response, and, after waiting in silence for a moment or two, +continued: + +"There is one other consideration which you have not mentioned, and +which must not be omitted, and that is compensation." + +A sudden movement on Jack's part caused Houston to pause for an +instant, but nothing was said, and he proceeded: + +"I could not think of asking you to share the difficulties and dangers +of this work without abundant compensation. Mr. Cameron, my uncle, who +is interested--" + +"Stop!" said Jack, putting up one hand as if to ward off a blow; his +voice was hoarse, almost stern, and vibrated with some strange, deep +emotion; "If you ever speak to me again of compensation, I will +utterly refuse to help you in any way." + +"I beg your pardon," said Houston, in a low, gentle tone, "I intended +no offense, and I shall certainly respect your wishes." + +"There was no offense," replied Jack, more calmly, "but you spoke a +few moments since of friendship; that word, to a man living the life I +have lived, means volumes; whatever I do, let it be done for +friendship's sake." + +"So let it be!" responded Houston solemnly, strangely moved by Jack's +manner. + +For a long time they talked of the work before them, and Houston spoke +of the expected arrival of Van Dorn within the next day or two, who +was to remain until the end. + +"The end is not far distant," said Jack, "for after his coming I can +give you nearly all the additional proof needed," and he then +proceeded to give information concerning matters of which Houston had +not, as yet, obtained even a clue. An arrangement was made whereby +Houston and Van Dorn, after the arrival of the latter, were to meet +Jack at the cabin, and perfect their plans for the brief campaign +before them. + +At last, as Houston rose to take his leave, he said: "I hope you will +pardon the remark, but while I have not the least doubt of your +friendship toward me in this, I cannot overcome the impression that +you also have some personal interest in this matter." + +"Possibly," replied Jack, gravely, still standing in the shadow as +Houston stepped forth into the moonlight, "but not in the way in which +you think." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + + +The camping party had returned to Silver City, and the old house among +the mountains slowly subsided into its former quiet. Lyle's time had +been so occupied by the numerous demands made upon her by the +departing guests, that Houston had found no opportunity for speaking +with her, as he had planned the previous evening. + +When the day's work was completed, he, with Miss Gladden and Lyle, sat +in the little porch, watching a brief but furious mountain storm, +which had suddenly sprung up, preventing them from taking their +customary evening stroll. + +To the ordinary beauty of the scene around them was added the grandeur +of the tempest, forming a spectacle not easily forgotten. Around the +summits of the lofty peaks the fierce lightnings were playing, +sometimes darting back and forth like the swords of mighty giants, +flashing in mortal combat; sometimes descending swiftly in fiery +chains, then seeming to wrap the whole universe in sheets of flame; +while the crash and roll of the thunder echoed and re-echoed from peak +to peak, the lingering reverberations still muttering and rumbling in +the distance, as the fierce cannonading was again renewed. The wind +rushed, roaring and shrieking, down the canyon, while the rain fell in +gusty, fitful torrents. + +At the end of half an hour, only a few stray drops were falling, the +sun suddenly burst forth in a flood of golden light, and against the +dark background of the storm-cloud, a rainbow spanned the eastern +horizon, its glorious tints seeming almost to rival the gorgeous +colors of the western sky. + +Soon after the storm had passed, Haight was seen approaching the +house. As he came up, he handed a telegraphic dispatch to Houston, +saying: + +"Just got a wire from the boss for you and Morgan; did you know +anything about this kind of an arrangement?" + +Houston opened the telegram, and read: + + "Van Dorn up to-morrow to set up machinery on trial; may not be + able to come myself for a day or two. Have Morgan and Houston give + him all help they can spare, but not to interfere with work. + + Blaisdell." + +Houston read the message carefully, then said to Haight, who stood +awaiting his reply: + +"I knew nothing of their having made any definite arrangement. I +remember hearing Van Dorn say something to Mr. Blaisdell, just before +they all went away, about bringing one of his machines out here, but +Blaisdell didn't seem to give him any encouragement at that time." + +"He evidently has roped the old man in on it, at last," said Haight, +seating himself. + +"It looks like it," Houston answered indifferently. + +"What is the machine anyway?" Haight inquired. "Is it any good?" + +"I cannot tell you," replied Houston, "because I know absolutely +nothing about it, except that it is for the reduction of ores. I heard +Van Dorn allude to it two or three times while he was here, and he +seemed quite enthusiastic about it, which I thought was, of course, +perfectly natural. Where is Morgan?" Houston continued, "have you told +him?" + +Haight shook his head; "Morgan is at the Y, I suppose, as usual, and +nobody will see him before sometime to-morrow. Have you noticed that +fellow lately, Mr. Houston? Half the time he don't seem to know what +he's about." + +"I have noticed that he scarcely appears like himself, of late," +Houston replied; "he seems to have some serious trouble." + +"He's been losing pretty heavy lately, I guess, that's what's the +matter; he's awful reckless in his gambling, it's neck or nothing, +with him. I tell you," Haight continued, watching Houston sharply, +"Morgan would get the G.B. pretty sudden if the boss got onto the way +he's carrying sail." + +"Possibly," said Houston, quietly, "but he will not know of it from +me." + +"No?" said Haight, with a curious, rising reflection. + +"No, indeed," responded Houston, with some warmth, "when a man is in +trouble, it is no time to give him a push downward; besides, I would +not do or say anything to injure Morgan, anyway." + +Haight looked up curiously, and even the faces of the ladies expressed +a slight surprise. + +"I didn't know you and Morgan were such good friends," Haight remarked +wonderingly. + +"I do not know," said Houston, "that either he or I consider that we +are particular friends, though we are friendly enough, but I have +learned this about Morgan; that whatever his principles, or his manner +of life may be, he is far less to be blamed than people would +ordinarily suppose." + +"Well," said Haight, rising, "Morgan and I have been together, off and +on, for the last three years, but I don't know anything about him +except just what I have seen for myself, what anybody can see; of +course his way isn't my way, but then, we don't any of us think alike, +and I've never had any fault to find with him, and we've got along +together first rate. I suppose," he continued, "you will give +directions in the morning for that fellow and his machines, for it +isn't likely that Morgan will be around much before ten o'clock." + +"Very well," said Houston, "I will be up early and will see that one +of the six-horse teams is at the Y to meet him, and I can get through +at the mines in season to be at the office by the time he will reach +there; he probably will not get up before noon, with all that load." + +Happening to glance toward Lyle, as Haight withdrew, Houston read +in her eyes, in their look of eager expectancy, and the firm +determination expressed in her face, that she fully understood the +meaning of what had passed. + +It was equally evident that Miss Gladden had received no hint of the +situation, for at almost the same instant she inquired: + +"Is Mr. Van Dorn going to erect one of his reducing machines here?" + +Houston answered in the affirmative. + +"He will be likely to remain here some time, then, will he not?" + +"In all probability," Houston replied, "it must take considerable time +to get one of those machines in perfect running order." + +"Then of course he will be here when Mr. Rutherford returns, with his +brother; they were all such intimate friends, it will be pleasant for +them to meet here. But I am surprised," she added, "that he is +bringing one of his machines such a distance as this." + +"Why so?" inquired Houston. + +"Because, Mr. Winters told me that although the amalgamator was +undoubtedly a valuable invention, and would prove a great success in a +mining country, Van Dorn was too indolent to even try to introduce it +among mining men, as it would require too much exertion on his part." + +Houston smiled at this accurate description of his class mate. + +Miss Gladden continued: "Mr. Winters said that Van Dorn was a fine +fellow, but that he was never so happy as when engaged in some little +scheme, apparently doing one thing, and in reality, doing something +else, as when he was acting as mining expert for Mr. Winters." + +"Well," said Houston, laughing, "if that is the characteristic of Mr. +Van Dorn, it will not be best to mention it here, as the officers of +the company are very suspicious anyway, and very guarded as to who is +permitted to have access to the mines and mills, and we might +unconsciously make it rather unpleasant for him." + +The next morning, Houston went very early to the stables to order a +team and three or four men to the Y to meet Van Dorn. Having given all +necessary instructions, he returned to the house, but it was still +early, and there was no one but Lyle in the breakfast room. + +At a signal from Houston, she approached the door-way, where he +remained standing, as from that position he could easily watch both +the porch and the interior of the room, to assure himself that they +were safe from listeners. + +"I have just discovered recently," he began in a low tone, "that I am +indebted to you for securing valuable assistance for me in my work +here." + +"Why?" she asked quickly, in surprise, "did Jack tell you that it was +I who asked him to help you?" + +"Certainly," replied Houston, "I naturally wished to know where he +obtained his information, and he told me of your interview with him, +and your persistent efforts in my behalf. I want to thank you, for I +appreciate your conduct under such circumstances; you acted wisely and +nobly, and did the very best thing that could have been done." + +"I am glad that I have your approval," she replied, "my overhearing +what I did was unintentional and unavoidable, but having learned your +plans, and that you needed help, I sought it from the only one +competent to give it, and at the same time perfectly true and worthy +of your confidence." + +"You certainly made a noble use of the knowledge you had obtained; +there are very few, Lyle, who could have been trusted with such a +secret, and who would have proven so trustworthy." + +"If you will pardon me for saying it, Mr. Houston, there is one other, +whom you could, and, in my opinion, should trust with this." + +Houston looked at her inquiringly. + +"I mean Miss Gladden," was her response. + +"I see you have given her no hint," he said, smiling. + +"Not a word," Lyle answered, "it was not my place to do so; you know +best what you wish her to know, and when, but I think you ought to +confide in her fully, for she is a noble woman; you could trust her, +and she would help you." + +"I realize that," Houston replied, "but I did not wish her to be +worried by this; there will probably be more or less danger before it +is all over, and I thought she would be happier not to know." + +Lyle lifted her beautiful head proudly, with a gesture so full of +grace, Houston could not but observe it. + +"If I were in her place," she said, slowly and firmly, and with +peculiar emphasis, "and my lover were in any danger, I would far +rather know it, and give him my help, if possible, my prayers and +sympathy at any rate, than to remain in ignorance, and perhaps +unconsciously hinder him." + +Houston looked at Lyle in astonishment; was this clear-headed woman +the untutored, untrained child of the mountains whom he had always +regarded with a tender, chivalric regard, almost akin to pity? + +Lyle continued; "Do not think that even if you refrain from telling +her this secret, she will not know that it exists; she will be quick +to see indications of a secret understanding between yourself and +others,--between yourself and myself, even,--in which she has no +share. Will that seem to her like confidence, or even justice, on your +part. It will be better for her, for you and for me that you tell her +your plans fully, for you will find her strong and true and brave, +whatever the end shall prove." + +"My dear Lyle," said Houston, slowly, "I believe you are right, and I +will never consider you a child again; but I cannot understand how +you, with your youth and inexperience, can think and act so wisely and +well." + +"We none of us know what we can do or be," she answered gravely, "till +an emergency arises, and we are suddenly shown what is required of +us." + +"I will follow your suggestion at the first opportunity," Houston +said, after a pause, "I shall tell Miss Gladden all that you know +regarding my plans and my work, with but one reservation; for the +present, I do not wish her to know that Mr. Cameron is related to +me." + +Lyle looked slightly surprised, "Very well," she answered, in a tone +of assent, adding, "You are his nephew, are you not?" + +"His nephew and his adopted son," Houston replied, with a peculiar +smile. + +"Ah!" she replied quietly, "I understand; Miss Gladden is to know +nothing at present of your wealth." + +"I have won her love with love, not with gold," he said proudly, "but +she will find, by and by, that the latter is not lacking." + +A remark of Miss Gladden's, which she had made in confidence, soon +after her engagement to Houston, was suddenly recalled to Lyle's mind; +"Whether he has money or not, I do not know or care, for I have enough +for both of us." + +A curious smile flitted over her face for a moment, but she only said, +"You must be very wealthy!" + +"I have enough," Houston responded, "to give to Miss Gladden the home +of which she is worthy, but which she has never known; and," he added, +"there is one thing, my dear Lyle, upon which we are both agreed; +that our home, wherever it shall be, shall be your home also, as our +sister." + +For a moment, Lyle's lips quivered, and she was unable to speak. At +that instant, Haight entered the breakfast room, darting at them a +look of curiosity and suspicion, as they stood together in the +door-way. Houston was pleased to see Lyle's perfect self-control. +Without stirring in the least from her place by his side, she asked, +in the most matter-of-fact tone, whether Mr. Van Dorn would be likely +to arrive from the Y in season for dinner, and what room it would be +best to prepare for him. + +"You had better let him share my room, in case he has no objections," +Houston answered indifferently, "for you like to keep your rooms in +readiness for guests as much as possible, and Rutherford, when he +returns, will probably room with his brother." + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + + +As Houston was hurrying up from the mines at about eleven o'clock, on +his way to the office, he met Morgan, just started on his rounds, and +was shocked at the change which a few hours had made in his +appearance. His heavy gait, his pale, haggard face and bloodshot eyes, +told, not only of late hours and terrible dissipation, but of some +severe mental strain, also. Morgan half smiled, as he saw Houston's +look of pained surprise. + +"Yes," he said, "I know I look pretty hard this morning, but I was up +late; I guess I'll be all right in a day or two. What's this Haight's +been telling me about one of those fellows coming out here with some +mining machinery? Which one is it, that English dude?" + +"No," answered Houston, "Van Dorn, the one with glasses, he was the +inventor, you remember." + +"Well, if he's invented anything that will make old Rivers hand out +any cash, he'd better get a patent on it, that's all I've got to say. +How in thunder the old man ever gave his consent to his coming out +here, monkey-fooling around with his machines, is more'n I can make +out; but if the company want him up here, I'm sure I don't care a +damn. The boss himself isn't coming up, is he?" + +"Not for a day or two," replied Houston. + +"Well," said Morgan, with one of his characteristic shrugs, "I guess +I'll have to spruce up a bit, before he comes." + +"That is so, Morgan," said Houston, kindly, "I wouldn't want Mr. +Blaisdell to see you as you look this morning; I'm too much a friend +of yours myself for that." + +"Oh well, I'll be all right before he gets here. Who's going down to +meet that fellow and his contraptions?" + +"I sent Hayes down with two or three men, and a six-horse team, early +this morning." + +"Good for you!" laughed Morgan, starting on his way, "You'd make a +first-rate boss 'round here; guess I'll have to give you a raise." + +Houston walked slowly down the road after Morgan left him, having +apparently forgotten his haste. The story which Morgan had told him a +few nights before, of his own life, had awakened his pity for the man +as nothing else could have done. He felt that Morgan was in serious +trouble, and in danger of losing his position, and that he was already +where it would take very little to drive him to complete ruin. He +resolved to seize the first opportunity that presented itself, to try +to ascertain the cause of his trouble, and to assist him in any way +that he possibly could. + +On reaching the office, he found considerable work awaiting him, and +for a while, all other thoughts were banished from his mind. About +noon, a heavy rumbling and rattling attracted his attention, and, +going to the door, he saw the slowly approaching team, winding from +side to side of the steep, canyon road, the powerful horses straining +and panting under the heavy load. Perched on the top of the load, +under a wide-spread umbrella, and fanning himself with his straw hat, +was Van Dorn, his face irradiated by a broad smile as he caught sight +of Houston. Two of the men walked beside the team, blocking the +wheels with rocks, as the horses were occasionally stopped to rest. As +they came within speaking distance, Van Dorn sang out merrily: + +"I say, Houston, this is what I call up-hill work; it has been a +pretty hard pull all the way." + +"Yes," said Houston, "particularly hard on you, judging by appearances." + +Van Dorn laughed, and proceeded to close his umbrella, while an +expansive grin broke over the face of one of the workmen, trudging +along the hot, dusty road. At the brow of the hill, the team again +stopped to rest, and Van Dorn descended from his lofty position, +Houston meanwhile giving instructions to the driver: + +"Drive over to the stables, Hayes, and take the horses off and let +them rest; after dinner, put on another set of horses, and drive to +the mills; we will be there to see to the unloading." + +"Well, Everard, old boy, how are you?" exclaimed Van Dorn, as they +started for the office; "I started within five hours after I received +your telegram, and here I am, at your service." + +"When did you reach Silver City? yesterday?" inquired Houston. + +"Yesterday!" exclaimed Van Dorn, "my dear boy, do you think the world +was made in one day? No, sir; I got in the day before, and spent the +remainder of that day, and all of yesterday in cultivating the good +graces of your company. I went straight for their offices, and it took +all the arguments and persuasion I could muster, with some treating, +and a good deal of judicious flattery thrown in, before I could get +the old fellows to consent to my giving the machine a trial. I got +around Blaisdell pretty easy after I had flattered him a little, but +that Rivers is a beast! Said he didn't see why I was so anxious to +have them test the machine, and all that! I explained, of course, that +this was the first I had ever brought it out into the west, and they +were so well known that if I could only get their endorsement, and so +on and so forth. Oh, I want to tell you all about it later, and if you +don't acknowledge that I'm a born diplomat, I'll give up; but at +present, my first business must be to allay these pangs of hunger, +they are becoming unendurable." + +"Certainly, we will go to the house at once," said Houston, preparing +to close the office. + +"Wait a minute!" said Van Dorn, diving furiously into his pockets; "I +attended to that little business that you wrote me about, just +according to directions, and I want you to see if it is perfectly +satisfactory before we go any further, and then I'll have it off my +mind; why, confound it! where is that thing anyway?" he exclaimed, +turning a half dozen pockets inside out, and emptying a heterogeneous +collection upon the desk before him. "Oh, here it is! I knew I had it +safe somewhere; there now, Everard, I took as much pains as if it had +been for myself, it was one of the finest stones I could find; I think +it is a beauty, and I hope you will like it." + +He handed a small case to Houston, partially open, from whose depths +of white velvet a superb diamond ring flashed forth its wondrous rays, +seeming almost to brighten the dingy little room in which they were +standing. + +"It is indeed a beauty," said Houston, "perfect! I could not have made +a better selection myself. I knew I could trust to your good judgment, +Arthur, and I am exceedingly obliged; I'll do as much for you when you +are ready for a ring of this kind." + +"All right, I'm glad if you like it. I believe I sent my congratulations +by letter, but I'll renew them now. I only hope the lady herself will +be pleased with the selection." + +On their way to the house, Van Dorn said: "Ned Rutherford has gone to +the coast to meet his brother, I suppose." + +"Yes; you probably know he and Morton are intending to stop here on +their return?" + +"Yes; Mort, as soon as he found you were here, and especially after I +gave him an inkling of what was going on, said he should certainly +stop as he came back. You ought to have seen him though, when I told +him you were out here! Good gracious! he was simply thunderstruck! He +said Ned had been writing all along about a Houston, from Chicago, +that he had met on the train, and that he was a fine fellow, and all +that; but of course he never dreamed it was you." + +The remainder of the day passed very swiftly, for there was much to be +done. After dinner, Houston and Van Dorn went down to the mills and +superintended the unloading and unpacking of the machinery; then, as +it was too late in the day to begin preparations for its erection, +Houston visited the mines, Van Dorn accompanying him only a little way +into the main shaft. As they came out together, half an hour later, +and started for the office, Van Dorn drew a small piece of ore from +his pocket, saying: + +"I've discovered now where that fine ore on the dump of the famous +Sunrise lode came from." + +"Yes," said Houston, "and you will make other discoveries, shortly." + +At the office there was much to be said on both sides; Van Dorn giving +his friend messages and directions from Mr. Cameron, and giving also +the particulars of his interview with the company, and how he had +finally obtained their consent for the erection of the machinery at +their mills. + +Houston, on his part, related what he had been doing in the few weeks +intervening since Van Dorn's former visit, and explained his new +position as assistant superintendent of the group of mines in which +they were most interested. + +Van Dorn whistled; "That's good!" he exclaimed, "I wondered how it was +that you were going in and out among the mines in that way, I thought +that was something new. Have you found any one whom we can trust to +help us?" + +In reply, Houston told his friend of Jack, of his experience and skill +as a miner, and of his offer to help them. + +Van Dorn was greatly interested, and before they were aware, the +afternoon had passed, and it was time to close the office and return +to the house. + +At the supper table that evening, the diamond ring appeared, flashing +on the white, shapely hand of Leslie Gladden, and she herself looked +radiantly beautiful. + +After the meal was over, Morgan, who was still pale and haggard, and +had been very silent at the table, pulled his hat down over his eyes, +and started down the road. + +"Morgan," called Houston, "where are you going?" + +"I dun'no," he answered moodily, "down to the Y, I guess, by and by." + +"Well, hold on a minute, I will walk down with you a ways; I want to +see you." + +"All right," responded Morgan, walking on very slowly. + +Houston hastily excused himself to Miss Gladden and Van Dorn, and +hurrying after Morgan, soon overtook him. For some time, Houston +talked with him regarding the work for the next day, and the men who +could best be detailed to help Van Dorn. They had reached the same +spot where they had stopped to talk a few nights before, and, as then, +were seated on the rocks. At last, the business arrangements were all +completed, and Morgan made a move as if to start, and then Houston's +real errand in overtaking him became apparent. + +"Morgan, you are not fit to be out to-night, you must have rest, you +will break down living this way." + +"Yes," said Morgan, raising his hollow, heavy eyes to Houston's face, +"I'm about done up, that's a fact." + +"I wouldn't go to the Y to-night, if I were you; come back to the +house and get a good night's rest, it will make a different man of +you." + +Morgan looked undecided for a moment; "'Twouldn't be no use going up +there now," he answered gloomily, "I couldn't rest if I tried. I +haven't slept scarcely any for three nights; but I ain't going to stay +out late to-night as I've been doing; I shan't play after midnight. +I'm going to have two or three games just to see what luck I'll have, +and if I don't have luck, why, that ends it, I ain't going to play all +night." + +"Morgan," said Houston earnestly, "you spoke the other night about +money; now, as I told you then, if you need any money, I'm your +friend, and I'll gladly accommodate you with whatever you need." + +For the first time in all their acquaintance, Morgan's careless, +indifferent manner changed, and for a few moments he seemed touched. + +"Yes, I believe you," he said, after a pause, "I believe you're more +of a friend to me than anybody else. Blaisdell would kick me out +quicker'n it takes to say so, if he knew just how I stand to-night. +Even Haight's got the big-head and puts on his airs since he's seen +I'm down; you're the only one that's showed me any kindness." + +"Now, Morgan, just say what money you need, and you shall have it; I +want to help you out of this," said Houston. + +"No," said Morgan, decidedly, "if I am a gambler, and all that, I +ain't going to take the wages from a fellow that works for less than I +do, to help me out of trouble. The Lord knows you've earnt your money, +for you've worked faithful." + +"Never mind about that, Morgan," said Houston, hastily, "I'm not +wholly dependent on my salary; I had a good little sum of money laid +by before I came out here; there is plenty, I will not miss it, and +you are welcome to it." + +"Much obliged to you, Houston, but I can't take it,--not now, at any +rate,--maybe I'll call on you for it to-morrow, if I don't have luck +to-night." + +"You are welcome to it whenever you want it," said Houston cordially, +his hand on Morgan's shoulder; "I only wish you were not going to the +Y to-night." + +"Well," said Morgan, as he rose slowly, "don't think I don't +appreciate your kindness, for I do. You've heard me say that I didn't +believe in honor in anybody; I guess I'll have to take that back, for +if there is such a thing as honor, you've got it. I don't know how it +is," he said, with a heavy sigh, then added slowly, "I guess you've +been raised different somehow, from most of us out here. The Lord +knows how I was raised." + +He started a few steps down the road, hesitated, and came back. + +"Houston, there's one thing I want to say to you, for you've been good +to me, that's this; look out for Haight; he's no friend of yours, and +I guess you're sharp enough to know it, but maybe you don't know what +a sneaking, cowardly cur he is; look out for him!" + +"Thank you, Morgan, I will." + +"He ain't like me," he continued, "if I don't like anybody I let 'em +know it, and fight 'em fair and square; you can tell that by the way I +bucked up against you, when you first came here," and he smiled at the +recollection, the first time he had smiled in the whole conversation. + +"Morgan," said Houston, "I've been sorry for that a good many times +since; if I had known about you then what you have since told me, I +never would have been so severe in my judgment of you." + +"Oh, that was all right," he answered, "it did me good; I didn't like +you very well at first, but I've always had a liking for you ever +since. Well, so long!" and with a faint smile, Morgan went on his +way. + +Houston stood watching him for a few moments, then turned back in the +direction of the house, little thinking how, or where, they would meet +again. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + + +The next morning dawned fair and cloudless, giving promise of one of +those royal days, so frequent in the almost perfect climate of the +higher altitudes. + +Long before noon the heat would be intense, but in the early morning +there was wafted down from the mountain side, where the pines were +nodding and whispering so mysteriously, a cool, exhilarating breeze, +which kissed the surface of the azure lake, sleeping so peacefully, +and, awakening immediately into smiles, it lay rippling and dimpling +with laughter in the sunlight. + +The vines, transplanted by Miss Gladden and Lyle, under their +fostering care, had transformed the little porch into a bower of +beauty. Here stood Van Dorn, his fair, almost feminine face flushed +with pleasure, and his blue eyes sparkling, as the light breeze played +with the auburn curls clustering about his forehead, and he looked +forth on the beauty of the scene. + +"Ah--h!" he exclaimed, drawing a long breath, "isn't this refreshing +after the stifling heat and dust of the journey out here? Isn't it +glorious?" + +"It is," responded Houston, "this is one of the mornings when it is a +joy just simply to live and breathe." + +Houston was fired with new ambition that morning; he would no longer +have to work alone, keeping his anxieties and doubts, his plans and +discoveries alike to himself; from henceforth he would have +companionship, counsel and assistance, and he felt a new interest and +enthusiasm. + +Immediately after breakfast, the two set forth upon their first day's +work. Going first to the mills, Houston secured the services of two or +three men who could be spared from the ordinary work, to assist Van +Dorn in making preparations for the erection of the machinery; then he +left for his early visit to the mines. + +It was nearly ten o'clock when, having finished his round of duties at +the mines, and coming up to the surface from the cool, underground +workings, he found the heat almost unendurable, and strolled over to +the mills, to see how Van Dorn was progressing. The latter did not +seem averse to stopping for a few moments, and for a while, the two +chatted and laughed with the old, careless abandon of their college +days, without a thought of the more serious side of life, until, +something being needed for the work, which Houston thought was in the +tool-house, they proceeded together to look for it. + +Houston was still searching for the needed implements, when Van Dorn, +who was near the door, called out: + +"I say, Everard, here's a small specimen of humanity who seems to be +looking for you in a desperate hurry," and an instant later, he heard +a familiar voice say: + +"Is the boss in there, mister? Le'me in quick, I wan'ter see 'im!" + +Turning quickly, he saw Bull-dog, breathless, pale and quivering with +excitement. + +"Say, boss," he gasped, before Houston could speak, "they want +yer--down ter the Y,--Morgan has shot hisself!" + +"What is that, boy?" exclaimed Houston hoarsely, clearing the space +between them at a bound. + +"Morgan's shot hisself, 'n they sent us fer yer,--me'n Hank,--he's out +there," with a backward jerk of his thumb over his shoulder toward the +open door. + +Houston sprang to the door; another boy was talking excitedly with Van +Dorn, while his horse stood, panting heavily and covered with dust and +foam. + +"Here's the man you want," said Van Dorn, turning a white face toward +Houston, "Great God, Everard!" he exclaimed, "Morgan has killed +himself!" + +"He is not dead!" exclaimed Houston, turning towards the boy. + +The latter nodded; "They found 'im shot through the head, 'n this was +in his hand, 'n the cops won't let nobody in till you come," and he +handed Houston a bit of paper. + +It was a scrap of newspaper, crumpled and spattered with blood, and, +as Houston smoothed it out, he read on the margin, in characters +wavering and almost illegible, written with a trembling hand, but +still Morgan's writing, "Send to the camp for Houston, he's the only +friend I've got." + +For an instant, it seemed to Houston as though the glorious sunlight +had suddenly turned to blackness, a blackness in which the scrap of +paper gleamed white before him, its red spots glowing like spots of +flame. He seemed again to see Morgan as he looked when parting from +him the previous evening; the haggard face, with its hollow eyes and +faint, pathetic smile, and as he recalled his words in reply to his +own repeated offers of money, there seemed a new meaning in them; +"Maybe I'll call on you for it to-morrow if I don't have luck +to-night." + +But Houston realized there was no time to waste, and in a few moments +he was mounted on a powerful gray horse, on his way to the Y, +notwithstanding Van Dorn's protests on account of the intense heat, +having requested the latter to explain his absence at the house. Just +as he was about to start, Bull-dog begged to be allowed to ride with +him, to which Houston consented, and lifting the little fellow up, +seated him in front of himself. Very little was said, for the horse +seemed to understand what was expected of him, and sped like the wind +down the narrow canyon road, but Houston's hand rested kindly on +Bull-dog's shoulder, steadying the slender frame, and, at the same +time, warming the heart of the forlorn little waif, to whom even the +touch of kindness was something exceedingly rare. + +Houston's mind was occupied with thoughts of the terrible scene he was +rapidly approaching, as well as with memories of his last interview +with Morgan on the preceding night. At last, having crossed a ravine, +the horse slackened his pace, as he climbed the steep ascent on the +other side, and Houston, almost unconsciously, spoke his thoughts +aloud. + +"Poor Morgan!" he said, with a heavy sigh, "poor fellow! If I could +only have saved him from this! God knows I would have given him any +amount of money to have prevented this." + +"'Twouldn't ha' been no use, sir," Bull-dog broke in quickly, eager to +console Houston, "'twouldn't ha' been no use to have give 'im money, +'cause, ye see, them fellers that he played with would ha' got it +all." + +"Who were they?" inquired Houston. + +"Oh, there was Faro Dick and Slicky Sam, and a lot of 'em; Morgan +wasn't no match for fellers like them, they was all too swift fer +him." + +"How do you know?" + +"Oh, I seen 'em playin' lots o' times, and they're all reg'lar +sharpers, 'n Morgan, he'd got reckless, 'n he didn't stan' no show +against 'em." + +Houston looked down wonderingly and pityingly upon the little fellow, +young in years, but who knew so much of the dark side of life, but +nothing more was said, as, having reached the top of the hill, the +station was close at hand. + +Having left his horse in charge of one of the company's men, Houston, +accompanied by Bull-dog as guide, proceeded across the street, to the +group of dirty, disreputable-looking buildings containing the saloons, +gambling houses and dance halls. He had little need of a guide, for, +before the shabbiest and most disreputable of the entire lot, was +gathered a motley crowd, gazing with awestruck curiosity at the +building in which had been enacted the tragedy of the night before. It +was a saloon with gambling rooms in the rear. Here Morgan had played +his last game,--just to see what luck he would have,--as he had said +to Houston, and from which he had come forth ruined, despairing, +desperate. + +Passing through the crowd of jabbering Chinamen and "dagoes," of +miners off shift, drawn hither by curiosity, and of gamblers of all +grades from the professional expert to the "tin-horn," Houston found +his way around the corner of the building, down into an alley, dark, +dismal and reeking with filth. Here were groups of slatternly, unkempt +women, some of whom stared at him with brazen faces, while others +slunk away, not quite lost to shame. + +At last they came to a rickety stair-way, and as they neared the top, +Bull-dog whispered: + +"There's some of 'em now; that tall feller is Faro Dick, he deals down +stairs, and the little, black feller is Slicky, and that short, fat +one, that's Brocky Joe." + +The group gathered about the door-way at the head of the stairs eyed +Houston curiously as he approached. He gave them only a quick, keen +glance, but in that glance he had detected the trio named by Bull-dog, +and they cowered visibly beneath the scorn and contempt which flashed +from his eye, while the entire group of loungers made way, impelled +partly by an unconscious respect for the broad, powerful shoulders, +and splendid, athletic frame. + +Down a dark, narrow hall, Bull-dog led the way to a door guarded by +two men, who touched their caps respectfully to Houston. They were two +of the mining company's watchmen, who were kept at the station to +guard their property, and to preserve order generally, and hence were +designated by the gamins of the place as police and "cops." + +Silently they unlocked and opened the door for Houston, and one of +them entered with him. It was a small room, evidently a woman's, and +its general squalor and dilapidation were made more apparent by +tawdry, shabby bits of finery strewn here and there. Curtains of red +damask, faded and ragged, hung at the window, excluding the daylight, +and on a small table a kerosene lamp had burned itself out. But +Houston took little notice of the room; as his eyes became accustomed +to the dim light, he saw but one object. + +Across the bed in one corner of the room, lay Morgan, his left arm +thrown out across the pillows, the other dropped at his side, and a +revolver clenched in his right hand. His head was turned slightly to +one side, exposing the ghastly wound near the temple, his face was +blackened and mutilated, but still bore traces of the terrible strain +of those last few hours of life. + +Houston stepped back, even his firm nerves quivering, and his heart +throbbing with a great sorrow for the life so suddenly quenched in the +darkness of despair. + +On a chair were Morgan's hat and coat, where he had thrown them, and +as Houston turned toward the little table, he saw there a newspaper +from which a scrap had been torn. Taking the bit of paper, containing +Morgan's last message, from his pocket, he compared them; it fitted +exactly, and beside the paper lay a bit of pencil with which those +last words had been written, and to Houston, with his keen perception +and vivid imagination, the whole scene of the previous night with its +minute and pathetic details, seemed passing before his vision. He +turned to the watchman: + +"Open the window," he said, and his voice sounded strange even to +himself, "draw back those curtains, this place is stifling." + +Upon inquiry, Houston found the watchman could give him very little +information. In passing down the alley at about eight o'clock that +morning, his attention had been arrested by screams issuing from the +building. On rushing up-stairs, he saw a crowd gathering about the +door of this room, and, on entering, was shocked at the sight +revealed. Mollie, the girl who usually occupied the room, was +screaming hysterically, but when able to talk explained that she had +been out all night and had but just returned. Morgan was in the habit +of coming to the room, and had a key, but he had not been there of +late, having gambled every night till daylight. + +Her screams had attracted nearly the whole neighborhood, some of whom +corroborated her statements, and one or two testified to having heard +a shot sometime about midnight, but nothing had been thought of it, as +it was supposed to be some row in the gambling rooms below. The +watchman had ordered the crowd out of the room, and sent the messenger +for Houston, and also a telegram to Silver City for the coroner, who +was expected on the noon train. + +As it was nearly noon, Houston decided to step over to the depot, +leaving the room in charge of the watchman. On his way, he heard +various comments from groups gathered here and there. Passing a +half-dozen miners, he heard one of them say: + +"If he'd 'a been a union man, we'd 'a taken care of 'im, but he worked +for the bosses, and helped 'em to make big money, and now, let the +bosses take care of 'im and bury 'im." + +A bitter smile crossed Houston's face, and stepping into the little +telegraph office, he sent a message, first, in his own name, to one of +the undertaking firms of Silver City, for everything that was needed +to be sent up by the special freight that afternoon; and then a brief +dispatch to Mr. Blaisdell, stating what had occurred, but that the +affairs of the company were all right, and there was no necessity for +his coming to the camp immediately. + +A few moments later, the train arrived, bringing the coroner, and as +quickly as possible the inquest was held. Very few facts were +developed beyond those already learned by Houston, excepting the +extent of Morgan's losses. These included not only everything which he +had possessed, even to his watch and a few pieces of jewelry, but in +addition, a large sum of money advanced him by Brocky Joe. Those with +whom he was playing testified that he had quit shortly before +midnight, and left the hall rather hastily. At the time, they thought +he had gone to borrow more money, and perhaps try his luck at some +other place, but nothing more was seen of him, and they soon forgot +the occurrence. + +When all was over and the crowd was slowly dispersing, Houston saw +several members of the gambling fraternity approaching him, headed by +the two designated by Bull-dog as Slicky Sam and Brocky Joe. The +latter, a stout, red-faced individual, with flaming necktie and +blazing diamonds, was evidently speaker for the entire party. + +"We would like," he began, in a high-pitched, falsetto voice, "to +express our regrets for what has occurred, and I wish to state on +behalf of my associates here, and also personally, that there was no +ill feeling toward your friend, and I am perfectly willing to overlook +the small amount of indebtedness; and if there is anything we can do, +in the way of sharing the burial expenses, or anything of the kind, we +shall be glad to do so." + +"Your assistance is not needed," replied Houston, in a cold, cutting +tone, "you have already done your work; you and your ilk have brought +him where he is, and that is enough," and he turned abruptly from +them. + +As he re-entered the room, he met Mollie, who cast an appealing glance +at him. She could not have been over twenty years of age, but she +looked worn and haggard. Her hair was disheveled, large, dark rings +encircled her heavy, lusterless eyes, now swollen with weeping, and +there was a look of helpless and hopeless despair in her glance that +aroused Houston's pity. It was a new experience for him to be brought +into contact with these wrecked and ruined lives, and sorrow for the +one life which had gone out so suddenly and needlessly, made him +pitiful toward all. + +A look of pity, a word of pure, disinterested kindness, was something +new in the life of the poor creature before him, and she began sobbing +afresh: + +"He's gone," she moaned, "and I don't want to live no longer." + +"Did you care so much for him?" asked Houston, wonderingly. + +"Yes," she sobbed, "I never cared for nobody but him. I thought once +he cared for me, but after a while I found he didn't, and then I went +to the bad as fast as I could, but still I cared for him. I never was +very good, for I never had no chance to be, but I'd 'a been different +from what I am, if he'd only 'a cared for me." + +Houston went back into the wretched room, and looked long and sadly at +the one who, in his last moments of despair, had called him his +friend. He recalled the story told him that night among the rocks; he +thought of the life ruined by a mother's neglect and sin, and now of +another life shut out in hopeless misery because of his indifference +and neglect, and Houston realized at that moment, as never before, the +influences, for good or for evil, extending from one human life to +another, spreading onward and onward, + + "As wave follows wave across the sea," + +till the widening circles at last touch the shores of eternity. + +An hour or two later, when Houston stepped over to the depot to meet +the incoming special freight, he was somewhat surprised to see Mr. +Blaisdell step from the train, and in his white face, his firmly set +mouth with its hard lines, and his pale blue eyes, it could readily be +seen that he knew nothing of pity or mercy for the man who had served +him so faithfully. + +"I did not expect you so early, Mr. Blaisdell," said Houston, as they +exchanged greetings, "I thought after receiving my dispatch you would +feel no anxiety, and would probably not come out till the evening +train." + +"Your telegram was a great relief," Mr. Blaisdell answered in an +excited tone, "but I was all ready to come, as, from the tenor of +Haight's message this morning, I feared the worst. You are sure the +affairs of the company are all right?" + +"Perfectly sure," replied Houston, calmly, "so far as money is +concerned, poor Morgan has wronged no one but himself." + +"Well," said Mr. Blaisdell, with a sigh of relief, "I am glad to hear +that, but this is an outrageous affair,--simply outrageous,--a man in +his responsible position, trusted as he has been, coming to such an +end as this, under such circumstances and amid such surroundings! It +is a disgrace to himself, and to those associated with him in +business,--to the entire company!" + +The thought flashed through Houston's mind that a deeper disgrace than +this awaited the company, but he only replied: + +"I had not looked at it in that light, Mr. Blaisdell; I, as one of his +associates, certainly feel no disgrace attached to myself. I had +thought only of the terrible pity for a life so needlessly ruined and +lost." + +"Pity!" said Mr. Blaisdell, contemptuously, "If a man willfully +degrades himself and disgraces his friends, I have no pity for him, he +deserves none for such dishonorable, dishonest conduct." + +"His dishonesty, as you term it, must have been of rather an unusual +type," said Houston, "since I offered him money only last night, and +he refused to take it." + +"So you knew of his habits and offered him money? It was your duty to +have reported him to me." + +"I do not need you, Mr. Blaisdell, or any one else, to tell me what my +duty is here," replied Houston, with dignity, "I did not know until +recently to what extent Morgan was gambling, and when a man is in +trouble, I will never give him a push downward." + +One of the workmen just then came to Houston for instructions +regarding the shipment which he had ordered from Silver City, thus +attracting Mr. Blaisdell's attention in that direction. + +"What is this, Houston?" he exclaimed angrily, "what does this mean? +You certainly had no right, no authority to order these things; the +company will not pay one cent toward the burial of a man who has +proven himself so unworthy of the confidence reposed in him." + +"Mr. Blaisdell," said Houston, calmly, but in a tone his employer had +never heard before, "there is not the least necessity for the company +to pay one cent, or for you to feel any concern in this matter. I have +ordered these things myself, personally, upon my own responsibility." + +For the first time Mr. Blaisdell had found an employe who evidently +did not stand in fear of him, and surprise held him silent for a +moment. + +"Very well," he answered, in an altered tone, "but I must say I can +see no reason for such a quixotic proceeding on your part; I never +supposed you and Morgan were particular friends." + +"Here is my reason," Houston replied, handing him the bit of paper +bearing Morgan's last words; "When a despairing man, in his last +moments, appeals to me as his friend, and his only friend, even though +that man were my worst enemy, I would feel in duty bound to do for him +everything that a friend could do." + +Mr. Blaisdell returned the slip, and there was a new respect indicated +in tone and manner, as he replied: + +"I don't know but you are right, do as you think best. I am going up +to the camp, you can come whenever you are ready." + +"I shall be there in a few hours," said Houston, and they separated. + +A little later, everything that he could do had been done, and as +Houston looked for the last time upon the pale face, where the angel +of death was already smoothing out the lines traced by the last few +days of suffering, and softening the features into a look of +contentment and peace, he was glad that in the last moments of that +life, there had come faith, even in one human being. + +Early the next morning, a little group was gathered in a beautiful, +secluded spot, on the mountain side, overlooking the station. Houston +and Van Dorn were there, and a clergyman from a little parish in a +small town a few miles distant, to whom the sad story had been told, +read the simple but impressive words of the burial service and offered +a brief prayer. And, as the weary body was lowered to its final +resting place, at the foot of the murmuring pines, there came to the +minds of Houston and Van Dorn the memory of the burial of a class-mate +in the old college days, and simultaneously their voices rose on the +clear, morning air, blending in the words chanted on that former +occasion:---- + + "Rest, brother, rest in thy last, long sleep." + +Slowly the little company dispersed, each going his own way. Upon +Houston's mind the events of those last twenty-four hours had left an +impression never to be effaced, but to most in that community one +human life, more or less, was of slight significance. To them, life +was but one great game, in which fortune, reputation, character, +everything which they possessed, whether much or little, was staked on +the high card. No wonder that little thought was given to the losers, +dropping out, one by one! + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + + +The following days were crowded with work for Houston. A bookkeeper +was immediately sent over from Silver City to do the office work, but, +excepting Houston, the company had no man, both competent and who +could be trusted, to fill Morgan's position. It was therefore arranged +that for the next few weeks, until they could ascertain the address of +a former superintendent, who had recently returned east, and +communicate with him, Houston was to superintend the working of all +the mines. + +This involved much additional work and responsibility, but Houston +filled the position so satisfactorily and showed such business tact +and executive ability, that Mr. Blaisdell, on his return to Silver +City, had fully determined to retain him permanently as superintendent +at the mines, and, if possible, secure Barden, their former man, as an +assistant. + +"I tell you, Rivers, that Houston is a capable man, wonderfully +capable," he said, having related to the remaining officers of the +company Houston's success in filling Morgan's position. + +"It seems to me, Blaisdell," said Mr. Brunnell, the benevolent looking +old gentleman whom Houston had seen on his first visit to the offices, +and one of the board of directors, "it seems to me you had better look +out for him yourself; that young man is rising so fast, he's likely to +oust you yet." + +"Well, no, I guess not," replied Mr. Blaisdell confidently, with his +complacent smile, "I don't think you fellows could get along without +me, just yet. I don't know what we would do with him, though, in case +of any disagreement, he's as independent as though he were a +millionaire instead of a salaried clerk; he would never care a rap for +anything we might say, he would take his own way every time," and Mr. +Blaisdell gave an account of his interview with Houston at the Y. + +"Humph!" sniffed Mr. Rivers contemptuously, "You'd better let me +manage that fellow, Blaisdell, he'll run away with you." + +"He'll run away with those mines up there, Blaisdell," chuckled Mr. +Brunnell, peering over his glasses at the general manager, who was +strutting pompously about the office. + +"Well, you fellows may joke as much as you please," said Mr. +Blaisdell, a little testily, "I tell you the man is smart." + +"Confound it! I know he's smart; I tell you he's too damned smart for +you!" responded Mr. Rivers, who had very little respect for Mr. +Blaisdell's business ability, but found him a very convenient +cat's-paw. + +As early as possible after the completion of the new arrangements at +the mines, Houston and Van Dorn, in accordance with a previous +engagement, visited Jack at his cabin. The hour was late, and as they +entered the room already familiar to Houston, a lamp was burning +brightly, but a heavy screen hung over it, concentrating the light +upon the table beneath, on which lay various drawings and tracings, +and allowing only a dim light to pervade the room. + +Houston introduced Van Dorn, whom Jack greeted with characteristic +courtesy, though with something of his old reserve, and having seated +his guests, he at once proceeded to the discussion of the business +which had brought them together. + +In reply to an inquiry of his regarding the present situation of +affairs, Houston informed him of the arrangement just completed by +which he was to have entire charge of the work at the mines for the +next few weeks, until the coming of Mr. Barden. + +"Your present position is much more favorable for your work," replied +Jack, "it is exceedingly doubtful whether the company will have any +use for the services of Mr. Barden." + +Houston then stated briefly what had been done since Van Dorn's +arrival, adding in conclusion, "Of course, we would have accomplished +more within this time, had it not been for the confusion and changes +resulting from Morgan's sudden death." + +"Yes," said Jack, "that has hindered you temporarily, but it will +result to your advantage. All that I regretted was that an examination +which I hoped you and Mr. Van Dorn might be able to make last week, +immediately upon his arrival, will now have to be postponed until next +week, but even that is better as it is." + +"How is that?" inquired Houston, with much interest, "to what do you +refer?" + +"I refer to the Lucky Chance mine; are you familiar with that +property?" + +"Not especially," said Houston, "I have paid no attention to it, as it +was not one in which our company was interested, nor one of which I +was in charge. Since the recent change, I have visited the mine once +with Mr. Blaisdell, but we only went in a short distance, and he +informed me there was but little work done there, and but few men +employed." + +"Yes," replied Jack, with peculiar emphasis, "but that 'little work' +as he terms it yields the company a larger percentage than any other +single mine which they own." + +Houston's face expressed considerable astonishment. "You surprise me," +he exclaimed, "because I thought I knew their best paying properties, +and I never would have supposed that was one of them, either from my +own observation, or from anything I have heard of it." + +"It would not be for the interests of the company to have much said +regarding the mine, or to have the workings investigated very closely. +You are probably aware that the claim adjoins the Yankee Boy?" + +"Certainly," answered Houston, "I am aware of that fact." + +"Very well," replied Jack, rising and going to the table. "I have +prepared some diagrams here which I would like you and Mr. Van Dorn to +examine. Here you will see," he continued, as they drew their chairs +near the table," the boundaries and underground workings of the Lucky +Chance mine, with their approximate measurements. Please look them +over and see if you detect any irregularities." + +Both Houston and Van Dorn studied the diagram carefully for a moment, +when the latter exclaimed: + +"Why, the main tunnel extends more than a hundred feet beyond the +boundary line." + +"Now allow me to substitute this diagram," said Jack, spreading a +larger tracing before them. "This is the same as the other with the +addition of a portion of the boundary lines and underground workings +of the adjoining claim, the Yankee Boy." + +"Ah, I see," said Houston, "the tunnel from the Lucky Chance has been +carried beyond the boundary line in such a direction as to strike the +vein of the adjoining claim." + +"That is it exactly," said Van Dorn, "no wonder the mine pays well!" + +"As I stated before," continued Jack, "these measurements, and, to a +certain extent, the course of the tunnel, are given approximately, as +I had no means of ascertaining the exact data, but I know they are +essentially correct. It only remains for you, gentlemen, to verify +this, by making an examination of the tunnel and taking the courses +and measurements exactly, and also by comparing the ore now taken out +with that originally found in the mine, and with the ore of the Yankee +Boy, and you will then have evidence of the greatest fraud which has +been perpetrated upon the rightful owners of the Yankee Boy, and which +has been carried on for the last four or five years." + +"But how did you discover this?" asked Houston. + +"I first came here," replied Jack, "shortly after the sale of the +Yankee Boy group of properties had been consummated. Within a few +months afterward, the company located the Lucky Chance mine; +development work was carried forward as rapidly as possible, quite a +number of men being employed, of which I was one. It was evident that +in locating this mine, the company hoped they had struck an extension +of the vein of the Yankee Boy lode; it proved of an entirely different +character, however, yielding rather a low-grade ore. The claim was +surveyed and patented as soon as the necessary amount of improvements, +required by law, had been placed upon it. After obtaining patent, the +company then extended the tunnel in an entirely different direction, +and, as you will find upon investigation, beyond the boundary line, +until it intersected a portion of the Yankee Boy vein. Here a body of +very rich ore was struck, and the mine has been a paying property ever +since. For this last work very few men were retained, and but few have +been employed there since, those few being men whom the company +thought could be trusted, or upon whom they had some hold by which +they could compel them to silence. I was employed there until very +recently, and from the first had a thorough understanding of the +course and extent of the different workings, and consequently am +perfectly familiar with them." + +"Everard," said Van Dorn, for whom work of this kind possessed a +special attraction, "I think this is just about the kind of an +expedition we will like." + +"I think so myself," Houston replied, "but at the same time, it is the +most risky piece of work we have yet undertaken, and we will have to +depend upon our friend here for suggestions and advice. You will of +course accompany us?" he added, turning to Jack, who had withdrawn +from the table and was sitting in the dim light. + +"Certainly," responded Jack, "it would be a very dangerous undertaking +for two strangers to go through that part of the mine without a guide +at any time, especially at night, and it will be at best, a hazardous +piece of work." + +"How many are employed there? and what class of men are they?" +inquired Houston. + +"About a dozen on the night shift," Jack replied, "mostly Cornishmen, +but whatever their nationality, it is usually the most treacherous +and brutal men that we have that are employed by the company in that +mine. Maverick used to work there until he was transferred above +ground. It will not be necessary for us to come in contact with +very many of them, however, as they are so widely scattered through +the mine, and on the night shift next week, there will be four +men,--a father and three sons,--who will do just about whatever I +say, especially if a little money is given them. Mr. Houston's new +position as superintendent, will aid us very materially. A visit from +him, with me as guide, will not excite suspicion, but Mr. Van Dorn +will be suspected in a moment, and we must disguise him." + +Van Dorn whistled softly. + +"Could you assume the Irish dialect, on an occasion like this, Mr. Van +Dorn?" Jack inquired. + +"An' shure," exclaimed Van Dorn, with the broadest accent imaginable, +"an' will yez be afther tellin' me, be-dad! why I should not shpake me +own mither tongue?" + +Both Houston and Jack laughed at Van Dorn's ready answer. + +"You will do," Jack said quietly, but in a tone so rich and musical as +to chain the attention of his guests while he proceeded to plan the +details of their visit to the mine. + +In an hour or two, the modus operandi had been fully decided upon, and +nothing remained but to fix the night for their expedition, and this +it was thought best to leave to be determined by circumstances the +following week. The instruments needed for taking measurements were to +be taken down beforehand by Houston, and concealed in a safe place +near the mine, and on the night of the examination, he was to go from +the house directly to the mine, where he would be joined by Jack and +Van Dorn, the latter dressed in a suit of Mike's mining clothes, and +personating him as closely as possible. + +All arrangements being now as nearly complete as possible, Houston and +Van Dorn bade their host a cordial good night, and walked cheerfully +homeward, in the cool, night air, under the star-lit sky, all +unconscious of a pair of eyes, which from behind a large rock, had +eagerly watched for their appearance, and followed their every +movement. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + + +As Houston and Van Dorn disappeared around a turn in the road, the +figure of Haight emerged into the starlight from behind a large rock +where he had been concealed most of the time during their stay at the +cabin. Incidently he had seen them on their way to visit Jack, and the +lateness of the hour combined with the direction in which they were +going, aroused his curiosity to such a degree that he followed them at +a distance, and having seen them enter the cabin, his suspicious +nature was at once on the alert. + +"I guess I'll find out what in the devil this means," he said to +himself, as he paused behind a rock at a little distance, determined +to ascertain what he could regarding their movements. + +It was a long and wearisome watch; once or twice he ventured near the +cabin, to see whether by closer observation he could obtain any clue +to what might be going on within, but the closely shaded window gave +no sign, and beyond an occasional low murmuring of voices, nothing +disturbed the silence, except once a low, ominous growl from Rex, as +he caught sight of Haight's skulking figure from his station just +outside the door. + +When at last the door opened, and Houston and Van Dorn stepped forth +into the calm night, the lynx-eyed watcher failed to detect anything +beyond a friendly leave-taking, after which the two walked homeward, +chatting in the most commonplace manner imaginable. + +"By George!" he soliloquized, as he followed at a safe distance, "I +wonder if I haven't had my labor for my pains! But that did look +mighty queer anyhow, their going 'round to see the old chap, and I'll +wager there's something in it, too. I shouldn't wonder if that Van +Dorn is out here in the interest of that old party who was looking at +mines a while ago, and with Houston's help is going to get a few +pointers. Jack knows pretty well what is going on around here, and +may be a little money would make him talk. I'm going to keep watch of +some of these smart people, and I know of one or two that will help me +about it. If I can get hold of anything, I'll report it to Rivers; +Houston has pulled the wool over Blaisdell's eyes, but Rivers won't +have anybody monkeying round these mines, and if I can once put him on +the track, there'll be a few less of these swells about, and it will +be money in my pocket." + +Late as it was when Houston and Van Dorn returned to the house, Miss +Gladden and Lyle had not retired. Houston had told Miss Gladden the +secret of his business there in the mining camp, and, true to Lyle's +prediction, he had found her, while quick to realize the dangers of +his position, yet able to assist him by her readiness to enter into +his feelings, her interest in his plans and her timely suggestions. +Once she had met Jack since learning Houston's secret, and in a few, +well-chosen words, had conveyed to him her knowledge of the fact that +he was giving her lover aid and protection in his work, and her +gratitude therefor. + +She and Lyle were aware of the import of the visit to the cabin that +night, and they sat in the dusky shadows, looking out into the night, +alternately talking in low tones, and listening for the return of +Houston and his friend. + +Miss Gladden was the first to catch the sound of her lover's voice, as +he and Van Dorn approached the house, and a moment later, they heard +the ringing laugh of the latter. + +"They are evidently in good spirits," remarked Lyle, "their visit must +have been a satisfactory one." + +"Mr. Van Dorn seems so jubilant they must have made some new +discoveries," said Miss Gladden, "he never seems so happy as when he +is ferreting out some fraud, or unearthing some dishonest scheme." + +"There is material enough here to make his happiness complete for some +time," said Lyle rather bitterly, "I only wish every one of the guilty +parties could be brought to justice, but I doubt whether they ever +will be." + +"Why?" exclaimed Miss Gladden in surprise, "do you think Mr. Houston +will fail after all?" + +"No, not that necessarily," Lyle answered, "but even if he succeeds in +getting his evidence together, and his friends come out from the east, +I do not believe they will ever succeed in securing the ones who are +most guilty, who have planned and plotted the whole thing. Over and +over again, people whom they have wronged and defrauded have brought +suit against them, but to no purpose; they are continually involved in +litigation, but they always manage to evade the law in one way or +another, I do not claim to understand how." + +"I would not think they could escape with all the evidence accumulating +against them now," said Miss Gladden thoughtfully. + +"You wouldn't think so," replied Lyle, "but you don't know them. Who +is that?" she asked suddenly, catching sight in the dim light of a +figure approaching the house. + +"It looks like Haight," said Miss Gladden, "but why is he creeping +along so cautiously?" + +"I believe he has been following Mr. Houston," said Lyle, quickly, +"wait a minute, keep perfectly quiet, so he will think every one is +asleep up stairs," and in an instant, she was going swiftly and +noiselessly down the stairs. The door at the foot of the stairs was +partially open, and Lyle could hear Haight, as, after opening the +outside door very carefully, he stepped lightly toward the room +occupied by Houston and Van Dorn; here he paused and listened, but +evidently hearing nothing, he cautiously made his way across to the +room of Mr. and Mrs. Maverick, the door of which was ajar. + +"Jim!" he whispered, "Jim, wake up!" + +"Who's that? What d'ye want?" came the response in a surly tone. + +"Sh! don't make any noise," he whispered, "it's Haight; get up and +come out on the porch, but be quiet about it; I want to have a talk +with you." + +A muttered assent was given, and Haight tip-toed softly out to the +porch, and sat down. + +Lyle crept up-stairs again to Miss Gladden. + +"Don't be frightened," she said, "but I believe Haight must have seen +or heard something;" and she hastily told what she had overheard. + +"Now," said she in conclusion, "the window on the porch is open, and +as soon as they are both outside, I will go there and listen. Even if +I cannot hear all that is said I will probably catch enough to learn +what is going on. You wait for me and keep perfectly quiet." + +A few moments later, Maverick shuffled out on the porch and sat down +beside Haight with a growl. + +"Damned pretty time, I sh'd think, to talk! What in hell do you +want?" + +"Well, you were long enough getting out here," said Haight, in his +smoothest tones, all unaware of a figure that had glided to the open +window behind him, and now knelt within six feet of him. "Now quit +your growling, for you and I are good friends, Jim, and I want your +advice. Jim," he continued in a lower tone, "what would you think two +fellows like Houston and Van Dorn would want with that old chap, +Jack?" + +"Huh?" said Maverick, rather stupidly, "what are ye drivin' at?" + +"Wake up! you're half asleep, Jim! Your two dandy boarders here only +just came home about twenty minutes ago; they've been for the last +three or four hours down there in Jack's cabin, with the windows all +shut tight and curtains down, and still as death. What do you suppose +that means?" + +"Damned if I know," was the laconic response. + +"Now, Jim, don't be so uncommunicative; there may be something in this +for you and me if we just put our heads together, 'two heads are +better than one,' you know, so set your thinking machine to work and +grind out some ideas." + +"Well," said Maverick, slowly, "I dun'no what that Houston, damn him, +would be runnin' 'round after Jack for, unless he wanted to get some +p'inters on the mines some way." + +"That's it, go ahead!" said Haight. + +"Houston," continued Maverick, with an oath and applying a vile +epithet, "is too all-fired smart to notice anybody, and Jack's +another, so they'd be likely to hitch." + +"That's right," said Haight, "now what object would he be likely to +have in getting information from Jack?" + +"I dun'no," said the other, "unless mebbe he's paid by somebody on the +outside." + +"Well," said Haight, "I guess we've got about the same idea of it; +it's my opinion he is paid by somebody, and that somebody is Van Dorn, +or whoever's backing him. I don't put much stock in this machinery +business of his; he don't act like a fellow that needs to go peddling +machines about the country, and I notice he don't seem in any great +rush about putting it up, now he's got here; he ain't one of the kind +that has to rustle for a living, like you and me. I think he's just +out here getting pointers on the mines for that old fellow that was +here a while ago, and he's probably paying Houston a good, round sum +for helping him along, and now they've got Jack roped in on the +deal." + +"Well," said Maverick savagely, "if that's their game, I guess 'twill +be dead easy stoppin' it any time we're a mind to; these 'ere mines is +awfully unsafe places for a tenderfoot to be prowlin' 'round in," and +he laughed a cruel laugh, very familiar to the listener at the +window. + +"That's so," assented Haight, "I think we'd better keep close watch of +these fellows, and if they get too fresh, just have 'em laid out with +a sandbag or two." + +"Better'n that," said Maverick, "to take 'em some time in the mines; +folks like them are likely to get dizzy and fall some times, or get in +the way of the ore buckets and be knocked silly." + +"Well, I'll tell you what I want you to do; I'll keep watch, and if I +know of their going down to the cabin again, I want you to put some +men on to watch out for them; we'll investigate and find out what is +going on. Put on what men you please, and have them report to me, and +we'll find out what this means, and make our plans accordingly." + +"That there's a damned ticklish place to get any of the men to go late +at night," said Maverick reflectively. + +"Why so?" + +"That place is harnted, ye know, by the man on the spotted horse." + +"Oh, nonsense!" ejaculated Haight. + +"It's a fact though; he rides up and down there once in a while, and I +wouldn't want ter see him myself." + +"Oh, hang your ghost!" said Haight, impatiently, "tell your men if +they see it to shoot it." + +"That wouldn't do no good," responded Maverick doggedly, "It's the +sight of it brings bad luck, and sometimes death. There was a fellow +here two years ago, he seen it one night, and the next day he was +killed in the mines; they said the ghost had called him." + +"Well," said Haight, rising, "It would be well if your ghost would +only call Houston and Van Dorn some night; but I want you to do as I +say, anyway." + +Lyle, who had caught nearly every word of this conversation, now rose +quickly and retreated to the kitchen, knowing she would there be safe +from detection, and could also judge of their movements. Nothing +further was said, however; Haight went stealthily up-stairs to his +room, and Maverick, after cursing to himself a few moments, was soon +snoring profoundly, and Lyle then returned to Miss Gladden's room. She +felt a sickening sensation as she repeated the conversation to her +friend, and realized all that it meant. Miss Gladden was inexpressibly +shocked: + +"Lyle, my dear child, is it possible that they would go to such +extreme limits as that. I had thought that he would be in danger of +some assault in the dark, or something of that kind, but to trap him +in the mines! I never dreamed of anything so cowardly, so dastardly! +He will be in constant danger in the performance of his daily round of +duties." + +"Dear Leslie," said Lyle,--for thus Miss Gladden had of late requested +her to address her,--"I have told you, you did not realize what a +place this is, and the worst of all is, that it is my father who is +planning this, after all the kindness which you and Mr. Houston have +shown me! What must you think of us?" + +"Of you, my dear child? I love you and trust you the same as ever," +exclaimed Miss Gladden impulsively, "he is no father of yours!" + +Lyle, in her grief, did not notice the import of Miss Gladden's words, +but she exclaimed passionately: + +"I will never call that man father again as long as I live, and if it +ever comes to that, I will shoot him, rather than let him injure Mr. +Houston." Then, a moment later, she added more calmly: + +"I must not allow myself to become excited, I must think and plan. Do +you know, I was so glad that they have not, as yet, found the real +clue to what is going on, and do not even suspect the truth, and they +must not be allowed even to surmise it; as long as they do not, Mr. +Houston is comparatively safe, and they must not be allowed to watch +him, or get any clue to his movements." + +"But how can you prevent it, dear? You know the country and the people +so much better than I, that you can plan and direct far better than I +can; you command, dear Lyle, and you will find me ready to obey, +afraid of nothing, not death itself, if I can only help him and save +him from his enemies." + +"You had better write a note to him to-night, to give him quietly in +the morning, as you may not have an opportunity for a long talk with +him so early, and tell him what I have told you. Then he can probably +make arrangements with Jack by writing, so that he will not need to go +to the cabin again at present; or, if necessary, I can go for him." + +"But what will they do about their intended examination of the mines? +They will surely be watched then." + +"All they can do is to make their plans as quietly and secretly as +possible, and then go prepared for the worst, but I think I can help +them there; I have a scheme of my own, something that occurred to me +while listening to their conversation, which I will tell you later." + +The note was written, and it was nearly daylight, when the two at last +retired, to rest possibly, but not to sleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + + +For the next ensuing days there were no more visits to the cabin. +According to Lyle's suggestion, a few notes were quietly exchanged +between Houston and Jack; thus their plans were maturing, while there +was nothing which outsiders could detect. + +Meanwhile, Haight had bestowed considerable attention upon Miss +Araminta Bixby, to the unspeakable delight of that individual, and had +so ingratiated himself into her favor that she only too gladly +consented to play the part of spy on the movements of Houston and Van +Dorn. The two Maverick boys had also agreed to report to him whatever +they were able to learn concerning these two. + +Houston and Van Dorn, however, did not seem quite so intimate of late. +They were apparently as good friends as ever, but were not so +frequently seen together. Nearly every evening, Van Dorn started out +for a stroll, sometimes with Lyle, sometimes alone, often sauntering +in the direction of the cabin, but never seen to enter; while Houston, +after spending an hour or two with Miss Gladden, would walk down to +the mines, and entering the various tunnels, or descending the shafts +of one mine and another, would watch the night shift at their work, or +inspect the workings, occasionally taking measurements here and there. +On one of these trips Jack accompanied him, and on their return, they +completed the arrangements for the visit to the Lucky Chance mine, the +following night. + +On the afternoon of the next day, Houston returned to the house a +little earlier than usual, having finished his work for the day at the +mines and mills, and as he with Miss Gladden and Lyle, sat in the +little porch, they were joined a few moments later by Van Dorn. In low +tones the plans for the evening were discussed. + +"Of course," said Houston, "we shall go prepared for trouble, but I +do not anticipate that we shall meet with any. Even if we are watched, +our course of procedure will differ so slightly from what we have +followed for a week past, I think it will not excite suspicion." + +"They have watched me so many evenings to no purpose, they may be off +guard to-night," said Van Dorn. + +"Don't flatter yourself that you will escape 'Minty's' espionage for a +single night," replied Lyle, "she would remain out all night watching +you to gain a smile from Haight in the morning." + +Van Dorn laughed. "So it is the charming Miss Bixby whose watchful eye +is upon me!" he exclaimed, "I think I will have to enter the lists as +Haight's rival, and see if I cannot win such faithful devotion upon +the right side." + +"After you are gone," said Lyle, "I will soon be able to tell whether +there will be men sent out to watch you to-night; and I shall act +accordingly," she added, with a smile at Miss Gladden. + +"Why, Miss Maverick, what will you do?" inquired Van Dorn, "you must +not expose yourself in any way." + +"I will be in no danger," she answered smiling. + +"I have no idea what Lyle intends to do," said Houston, "but I have +great confidence in her plans, for she knows this class of people +better than we, and I have found her judgment to be relied upon, on +every occasion so far." + +Lyle's beautiful eyes spoke her thanks for his words of appreciation, +as she asked: + +"At what hour will you have completed the examination, and be ready to +leave the mine?" + +"Probably very near twelve o'clock," Houston replied, "we cannot +accomplish our work much before that time, and I do not wish to be out +much later." + +"Well," said Lyle, merrily, but with a slightly mysterious air, "if +you are out at that hour, you may see the phantom horse and his +rider." + +"Why, how is that?" inquired Van Dorn wonderingly, while Houston +remarked: + +"If we see nothing more than phantoms, we shall be very happily +disappointed." + +"All right," she responded, "if the ghost walks to-night, don't be +surprised," and hearing some one enter the dining room to make +preparations for the evening meal, she left them, and the subject of +conversation changed immediately. + +A few hours later, Houston started as usual for the mines. There was +nothing out of the ordinary course of affairs in this, except that the +leave-taking between him and Leslie was unusually tender, but of this +no one knew but themselves. A little earlier, Van Dorn had left for +his customary stroll, giving Lyle an invitation to accompany him, +which she declined on the plea of being very busy. She immediately +withdrew to the kitchen, and smiled to herself presently, as she saw +Minty, with an air of great importance, starting out in the same +direction. She had been gone about half an hour, when Lyle, who was +again seated in the porch, caught sight of her moon-shaped face +peering around the corner of the house in frantic endeavors to attract +Haight's attention. As he was facing in almost an opposite direction, +her efforts were unavailing, and Lyle, who could with difficulty +restrain a smile, added to her embarrassment by inquiring in the +blandest tones: + +"What is it, Araminta? do you wish to see me?" + +At the mention of her name, Haight turned suddenly, just as the +blushing Miss Bixby was stammering out his name, and catching his eye, +she began nodding vigorously, to signify the importance of her +errand. + +For once, Haight's punctilious suavity upon which he prided himself, +deserted him, and exclaiming, partly in anger, and partly as a blind, +"Confound it! what does the fool want of me?" he disappeared around +the house, while Lyle exchanged glances with Miss Gladden, and the +inoffensive young bookkeeper, recently imported from Silver City, +looked on in mute astonishment. + +At the kitchen door, Haight found his agent and spy, her face shining +with delight that she at last had some news to impart. + +"He's went in there to-night, Mr. Haight," she cried breathlessly, "I +seen him; I've watched him every night, but he's never went in till +to-night." + +"You fool!" exclaimed Haight, angrily, "why couldn't you come around +and give me the tip on the quiet, instead of standing there grimacing +like an idiot, making a fool of yourself and me, too? Where are the +boys?" + +Such a greeting was too much for Minty, after her faithfulness; her +anger was too great even for words, she was speechless and without +deigning even a look at Haight, she went into the house, and rushing +to her room, burst into a storm of tears, vowing then and there, +between her sobs, that she would tell Mr. Van Dorn every word that +Haight had said about him. + +Meanwhile, Lyle, from her post of observation in the kitchen, saw +Haight call Jim Maverick out from among a group of miners who had +congregated for an evening's visit, and after a few words, Maverick +signaled to one of the miners, who, with his two companions, came over +and joined them. A few moments later the three started down the road, +and Lyle heard Haight's final instructions to them: + +"Get onto what those fellows are about, if you have to stay till +morning, and if you want any help, send Jake back." + +She knew the men; they were cruel and treacherous, and she was +confident that they were well armed, but they were at the same time, +cowards, and returning to Miss Gladden, she whispered: + +"I shall try my little experiment to-night, and I do not believe there +will be any trouble." + +It was quite dark when the men who had been sent to watch for Van Dorn +reached the little cabin. A lamp was burning within, as could be told +by the lines of light around the edge of the dark shade at the window, +but beyond this, there was neither sign nor sound. Having assured +themselves that there was no way by which they could ascertain what +was going on within, the men sat down behind a little clump of +evergreens, and filling their pipes, prepared to await developments. +Scarcely had they done so, however, when the light suddenly went out. + +"What the divil do they think they're givin' us?" said one of the men, +with an oath. + +"They seen us mos' likely, and they're tryin' to fool us that there's +nobody there." + +"They can't play no such trick on us as that, damn 'em," said the +first speaker, but at that instant the cabin door opened, and two +figures came out. The men sprang quickly to their feet, making no +sound, and listening intently. They heard the lock click in the door, +and Jack's voice bidding Rex take care of the house, to which he +barked in reply; and then came Mike's broad voice: + +"The saints presarve us! but the baste knows more than mony a mon, I'm +afther thinkin'." + +"That he does," replied Jack, "and he is far more faithful." + +The men, astonished, slunk back into the brush, their keen eyes +watching every movement of the two as they passed; there was no +mistaking those figures, or the rough clothes which they wore; it was +Jack and Mike, and their powerful muscle was too well known throughout +the camp, for any man, even the most brutal, to have the slightest +wish to tackle either of them. + +As Jack and his companion passed out of hearing, the men dropped to +the ground, and for a moment the air resounded with their profanity, +while they held a brief consultation. + +"They've tricked us, and that feller's hidin' 'round here," said the +leader, "or else he went on ahead to the mines; he hadn't no time to +go back to the house, for we'd 'a met 'im. There's somethin' in the +wind to-night," he added with an oath, "and I'm goin' to find out what +'tis. You fellers git after them two and keep 'em in sight; the boss +is down there, and mebbe the other feller, too; if ye see 'im, send +Jake to me, and I'll come 'round there and we'll lay for 'em. If he +ain't there, he's here, hidin' somewhere, and I'll watch and settle +his hash for 'im all right when he does show up." + +"We'd better git some more of the boys," said Jake, "if we're goin' to +tackle them fellers with Jack and Mike along; that ain't no kind of a +job I'm hankerin' after." + +"You damned fool!" said the first speaker, "who's said anything 'bout +Jack and Mike? They'll come back the way they've went, and them others +will start up the canyon for the house, and if we three can't hold +'em up, my name ain't Pete Brody; now git!" + +Jack and his partner had met Houston in the Yankee Boy mine. As they +emerged from the shaft a little later, the piercing eyes of Jack and +Houston caught a glimpse of two figures skulking among the rocks at a +distance. Van Dorn was at a slight disadvantage, being somewhat +near-sighted, and having been obliged to take off his glasses when +donning Mike's costume. + +"I know them," said Jack, "they are two of the three that were outside +the cabin, and one of them is about the biggest coward that breathes; +we could dispose of a regiment of such men, but I prefer to get along +without trouble if we can." + +They started for the other mine, Houston taking the lead and Van Dorn +following, while Jack brought up the rear. + +"They are following us," said Jack, after two or three quick glances +behind him, "but at a distance; we will probably have a nearer view of +them later, when we leave the mine." + +As they proceeded through the tunnel of the Lucky Chance mine, they +met very few of the miners; they touched their caps to Houston with a +sort of sullen civility, and greeted his companions with rough jests, +which Jack received with his usual taciturn manner, but to which Van +Dorn, from underneath his disguise, responded with bits of Irish +blarney and wit, which greatly amused his associates. + +Meanwhile, Pete Brody, as he kept his solitary watch before the cabin, +was surprised by the sudden return of Jake. + +"Have ye found 'im?" he inquired eagerly, "Is he down there with the +boss?" + +"No, he's not there." + +"Then, what in hell are you back here for?" + +"Bud sent me," answered Jake; "he said to tell ye they've gone into +the Lucky Chance, and what do ye be thinkin' o' that?" + +"The Lucky Chance!" exclaimed Pete, "then there's some diviltry a +goin' sure, for the old man, he don't let nobody into that mine +'thout he's along; and if that Van-what's-his-name ain't down there +he's right here, that's all, and here I stays." + +"And me and Bud, we're to watch out for the boss?" + +"Yes, lay for 'im and overhaul 'im, and find out what the divil is +goin' on." + +"I guess he's a pretty tough feller to handle, from all I've heerd," +remarked Jake reflectively. + +Pete responded with an oath. "Knock 'im silly, he'll be easy 'nough +handlin' then." + +"Ye don't mean for to do 'im up, do ye Pete?" + +"Well, I guess nobody'd feel very bad if ye did." + +Jake went down the road, and Pete was alone once more. After waiting a +while, he determined to ascertain, if possible, whether there was any +one within the cabin. As he approached the door, there was a low +savage growl from the faithful watcher within. Very stealthily he +tried to open the door, but it was locked, and in response there was +such a furious onset upon the other side, accompanied by such fierce +growls, that he started back involuntarily. + +It was nearly twelve o'clock, and Pete was growing desperate, and +anxious to put an end to his long watch. He retreated to the road, and +stood looking at the cabin, trying to decide whether he should break +in the window and shoot the dog, and run the risk of being shot in +return by whoever might be concealed within, when his attention was +suddenly arrested by a strange sound, as of heavily muffled footsteps +close behind him. He turned quickly, and in the starlight beheld a +sight that seemed to chill the blood in his veins. Not more than fifty +feet distant, and slowly approaching him, were the spotted horse and +his ghostly rider. + +Every detail was perfect, like the description he had often heard +given by others who had seen the frightful apparition: the man dressed +in his miner's clothes, carrying the empty bag from which the gold had +been stolen; his face ghastly white, and the blood streaming from his +breast, while horse and rider were partially shrouded by a white +covering which floated from behind them. + +Nearer and nearer came those strange footsteps, closer and closer the +fearful sight, and still Pete stood, as if turned to stone, his eyes +starting from their sockets, his hair rising, but unable to move or +speak. + +Suddenly a long, low groan issuing from the ghastly lips seemed to +break the spell, and with one terrible shriek, Pete gave two or three +bounds out of the road, and ran for his life, jumping and leaping over +the rocks and through the brush, like a wild man. + +The ghost gave a low, rippling laugh of satisfaction, and turning the +horse, rode rapidly back in the direction from which it had come, +until striking the road from the house to the mines, where the horse +trotted briskly for some distance, but on nearing the mines, once more +resumed his funereal pace. + +The two men concealed in the brush along the road had no warning of +the approaching phantom, until they caught the sound of the strange +footsteps, and peered cautiously out, only to see the fearful sight +that Pete beheld shortly before. + +"Holy Moses!" exclaimed Jake, with a yell, "it's the ghost!" The men +jumped simultaneously into the road, and started for the miners' +quarters, screaming like maniacs. The ghost followed in swift pursuit +until they were some distance past the mines; the men then being +safely disposed of with no danger of their return, it turned slowly in +the direction of the Lucky Chance mine. + +Houston and his friends, having accomplished their task, stepped forth +from the tunnel into the starlight, looking carefully and searchingly +in every direction. + +"There is no one to be seen at present," said Houston in low tones, +"they may be concealed about here, or we may meet them on the road to +the house." + +"Very probably," Jack replied, "we must now proceed with the utmost +caution. Mr. Van Dorn and I will accompany you to the house, and he +had better then go with me to the cabin, in case there should be spies +watching for our return, and it will be safer for him to remain there +until nearly daylight, as none of the men will be out at that time, +and he can return to the house unobserved." + +They had gone but a short distance, however, when, passing around a +curve in the road, they beheld a sight that filled them with +astonishment. + +"Shades of the departed!" exclaimed Houston, "what kind of an +apparition is this?" + +Jack studied the approaching figures for an instant, a smile of +amusement lighting up his usually stern features, while Van Dorn +hastily slipped on his glasses for a better view. + +"That," said Jack, "is evidently the famous phantom of Spotted Horse +gulch, but who has originated the idea?" + +"It must be Lyle," said Houston, "she said the ghost would walk +to-night." + +"Well, by George!" exclaimed Van Dorn, "that is pretty good anyway." + +Slowly the ghost approached, giving the interested observers an +opportunity to note the details of the make-up; the ghastly face, the +heavy beard of dark colored wool, the narrow strips of red flannel +streaming from breast and side, and even the heavy woolen socks upon +the horse's feet, muffling the sound of his steps. Suddenly the slouch +hat was raised, and the shining eyes of Lyle looked out from the +strange disguise, as she announced in triumphant tones: + +"The road is clear, and you are safe!" + +"Lyle," said Houston, "how did you ever think of this? Did you devise +this masquerade?" + +"The idea was mine," she answered, "it occurred to me the other night +while listening to their talk, but Miss Gladden helped me to carry it +out." + +"And was it a success?" asked Van Dorn wonderingly, having more +practical knowledge of mines than of miners, "Were the men frightened?" + +"You would have thought so, could you have seen Pete Brody," Lyle +replied, with a low laugh, "I believe he is running yet, and I +wouldn't be surprised if Jake has lost what few wits he ever +possessed." + +"It was one of the best schemes that could have been devised," said +Jack, gravely, adding, "We probably owe you more than we know." + +Quietly and safely the little party proceeded up the winding road, and +having reached their several destinations, all were soon at rest. Even +the spotted horse, securely stabled in his accustomed place, gravely +munched his wisp of hay without a thought of the ghostly escapade in +which he had borne so prominent a part. + +But in the miners' quarters consternation reigned, as Pete and Bud +related their experiences, Jake being utterly incapacitated for +speech. Even to Jack and Van Dorn, Mike had a fearful tale to tell of +the sight he had witnessed, while alone with Rex in the cabin, and it +was some time before his perturbed Irish fancies could be soothed; and +"the night that the ghost walked," was one long remembered and +frequently recalled by many of the denizens of the little mining +camp. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + + +After the events leading up to the examination of the Lucky Chance +mine, it was considered best for a while to pursue very nearly the +same line of conduct that had been followed for the last ten days, +carefully avoiding any abrupt change which might attract attention. +All necessary data had now been secured, and Houston felt that he +could better afford to remain quiet for a brief time and reconnoiter +the situation, than by any hasty move to excite further suspicion at +the present time. + +At the breakfast table the next morning, however, the thoughts of all +present were partially diverted into different channels, by the +arrival of a telegram for Houston which proved to be a message from +Ned Rutherford, to the effect that he and his brother were on their +way to Silver City, and would be at the mining camp within the next +twenty-four or thirty-six hours. + +Haight had been exceedingly angry on learning from Maverick, early in +the morning, of the failure of the men to report anything definite +concerning the movements of those whom they had been sent out to +watch. He had accomplished nothing, and was uncertain what course next +to pursue, and he too, decided to remain quiet for the present. He +continued to watch Houston and Van Dorn, his ugly suspicions only half +concealed by the smiling exterior which he tried to assume. He had +hastened to make peace with Minty, as he feared the results which +might follow should his plottings become known to Houston, not +dreaming that the latter had woven such a web around, not the mining +company alone, but including also its principal employes, that in +remaining where he was, a fate far worse than his fears awaited him. + +During the day, Miss Gladden and Lyle busied themselves with +preparations for the expected guests. A room on the ground floor, +adjoining and connecting with the one occupied by Houston and Van +Dorn, and with a view of the lake and cascades, was put in readiness; +and books, sketches and bric-a-brac contributed by Houston and Miss +Gladden, and tastefully arranged by Lyle, relieved the blank walls and +plain furniture, and made the place look quite attractive. + +Houston was jubilant over the information acquired by their expedition +of the previous night; nothing out of the usual course occurred that +day, and returning earlier from his customary visit to the mines than +he had done of late, the remainder of the evening was devoted to music +and song. + +After Miss Gladden and Lyle had gone up-stairs, they sat for some time +talking over the events of the last few days, and anticipating the +coming of Rutherford and his brother on the morrow. Many were Miss +Gladden's surmises regarding the stranger, and Lyle then learned for +the first time that he was an intimate friend of Houston's. + +"Everard tells me that though Ned is a pleasant fellow and good +hearted, yet he is not in the least like his brother. He says Morton, +as he always calls him, is a most perfect gentleman in every sense of +the word, and a scholar of rare intellectual attainments, fond of +scientific research, and a brilliant writer." + +"I judged from his picture that the two brothers were very unlike," +said Lyle, "and from your description he will be in many respects a +new specimen to come under my limited observation; I will have to make +a study of him, and see if he is at all like my idea of a literary +person. I would not suppose, though, there would be much to interest +him here; the only rarities he will find are possibly new phases of +ignorance and coarseness and crime." + +Miss Gladden thought, as she looked at Lyle, that if the new-comer did +not find rare beauty of mind and soul, as well as of form and face, in +that secluded region, he certainly must be very unappreciative; but +she only said: + +"You seem to have forgotten what Ned said of his brother, that his +love of the beautiful was so intense, he doubted whether he would ever +want to leave the scenery and surroundings here." + +"That was simply one of Mr. Rutherford's extravagant expressions," +Lyle replied, "the natural surroundings here are certainly beautiful, +but their beauty only makes the conditions mentally and morally the +more painfully conspicuous, and if I can see the contrast so plainly, +who have always lived here and known no other life, how must it look +to one such as he!" + +"Why do you always insist upon it so strongly that you have never +known any other life than this?" inquired Miss Gladden. + +"Why?" asked Lyle, in surprise, "I suppose simply because it is a +fact, the one hateful truth that I despise, and so I say it over and +over to myself, to check these foolish dream-fancies of mine, that +seem as if I had known something better sometime." + +Lyle spoke with more bitterness than Miss Gladden had ever heard +before, and the latter answered gently: + +"If I were in your place, Lyle dear, I would not try to check these +fancies; I would encourage them." + +Lyle gazed at her friend in astonishment. "Encourage them!" she +repeated, "I don't understand your meaning, why would you advise +that?" + +"To see to what they would lead, my dear." Then, as Lyle looked +bewildered, she continued: + +"Did it never occur to you, Lyle, that these fancies, as you call +them, might possibly be an effort on the part of memory to recall +something, long ago forgotten?" + +"I never thought of such a possibility," she replied, slowly. + +Miss Gladden threw one arm about her caressingly. + +"If these were mere fancies why should they occur so persistently, and +why should there be this sense of familiarity, of which you have +spoken, with other and far different associations than these, unless +there is some distinct image hidden away in the recesses of your +brain, which your mind is trying to recall?" + +Lyle had grown very pale; she had caught the idea which Miss Gladden +was trying to convey, and her form trembled, while her lips and +delicate nostrils quivered with suppressed agitation. + +"Leslie," she cried, "do you mean that you think it possible there is +any reality in it,--that I have ever known a different life from +this,--a life anything like that which seems to come back to me?" + +"I think it not only possible, but probable," said her friend, drawing +the trembling girl closer to herself, "and that is why I want you to +encourage these impressions, and see if you will not, after a time, be +able to recall the past more definitely." + +"But why do you believe this?" questioned Lyle, "How did you ever +think of it?" + +"When you first told me of your fancies, as you called them, and of +your dreams, constantly recurring since your earliest childhood, I +felt that they must be produced by something that had really occurred, +some time in the past, but perhaps so long ago that only the faintest +impression was left upon your mind; but however faint, to me it seemed +proof that the reality had existed. The more I have questioned you, +the more I have become convinced of this, and I find I am not alone in +my opinion." + +"Have you talked with Jack, and does he think as you do?" Lyle +questioned. Miss Gladden answered in the affirmative. + +"Is that the reason he has asked me so often regarding my early +life?" + +"Yes, he has questioned you, hoping you might be able to recall +something of those years which you say seem to you only a blank. We +can only surmise regarding your early life, but if you could recall +some slight incident, or some individual, it might prove whether our +surmises were correct." Then, as Lyle remained silent, Miss Gladden +continued: + +"That face which you always see in your dreams, must be the face of +some one you have really seen and known." + +"Yes," Lyle answered dreamily, "I have often thought of that, and have +tried to remember when, or where, it could have been." + +For a few moments, both were silent; Lyle, in her abstraction, +loosened her hair, and it fell around her like a veil of fine-spun +gold. An idea suddenly occurred to Miss Gladden, and rising from her +chair, she gathered up the golden mass, and began to rearrange and +fasten it, Lyle scarcely heeding her action, so absorbed was she in +thought. + +When she had completed her work, she looked critically at Lyle for a +moment, and seeming satisfied with the result, asked her to look in +the glass. Half mechanically, Lyle did as requested, but at the first +glance at the face reflected there, she uttered a low cry, and stood +as if transfixed. Miss Gladden had arranged her hair in a style worn +nearly twenty years before, and in imitation of the photograph which +Jack had shown her. The effect was magical, as it showed Lyle's face +to be an exact counterpart of the beautiful pictured face. + +To Lyle it revealed much more, for to her astonished gaze there was +brought back, with life-like distinctness and realism, the face of her +dreams; the one which she had seen bending tenderly over her since her +earliest recollection, and which had seemed so often to comfort her in +the days of her childish griefs when she had sobbed herself to sleep. + +Suddenly, Miss Gladden saw the face in the glass grow deathly white, +and Lyle, quickly turning toward her friend, exclaimed: + +"I see it now! That is my mother's face that I have seen in my dreams! +And I have seen it living some time, somewhere, but not here. These +people are not my parents; I am no child of theirs. Oh, Leslie, tell +me, is this true?" + +Very gently Miss Gladden soothed the excited girl, telling her that +while her friends knew nothing as yet, for a certainty, regarding her +parentage, they felt that she, in her early life, had had a home and +surroundings far different from those she knew here, and that they +hoped ere long, with her help, to arrive at the whole truth. + +"But how did I ever come to live here with these people?" inquired +Lyle, a new fear dawning in her eyes, "do you suppose they were hired +to take me?" + +"No, never," said Miss Gladden, "as nearly as we can judge, you must +have been stolen." + +"And do you think my own parents are now living?" she asked. + +So far as she was able to do so, Miss Gladden explained the situation, +as Jack had told it to her, making no reference, however, to what he +had said regarding the possibility of Lyle's friends coming to the +mountains, where they would be likely to recognize her. Of this, Miss +Gladden herself understood so little, she thought best not to allude +to it now. + +"But why has Jack never told me of this, and of my mother? He must +have known her," said Lyle. + +"You must remember, dear, that he had no proof that any such relation +really existed; as I understood him, he with others, supposed that +this child was not living, but he was struck with the resemblance +between you and the mother of this child, and the relationship +occurred to him at first as the merest possibility, but grew almost to +a certainty, as the resemblance between you increased; and yet, you +can see that under the circumstances, while you were under the control +and in the power of these people, it would not be best to say anything +until he had some proof as to your identity." + +"I see," Lyle answered, thoughtfully, "but now that I remember her as +my mother, do you suppose that he would talk with me about her, or +help me to find my true relatives?" + +"I hardly know how to answer you," said Miss Gladden slowly, "there is +some mystery about it all, dear, that I do not understand; he might +perhaps talk more freely with you, but with me he appeared willing to +say very little regarding your mother, or your friends. Still, he gave +me a hint, so vague and shadowy I scarcely understood it, but to the +effect that he thought there might, before long, be an opportunity +for a meeting between you and those whom he believed to be your +friends." + +"Well," said Lyle, after a pause, "Jack is a true friend to me, he +knows what is best, and I can afford to wait with even such a +possibility to look forward to. I will not wait in idleness either, I +shall try to find some clue, some evidence as to who I really am, and +something tells me I will succeed." Then she added tenderly, "Do you +know, I believe, whoever my mother may have been, Jack must have loved +her." + +"She certainly was very dear to him," replied Miss Gladden. + +They talked till far into the morning hours, and as they finally +separated for the night, Lyle approached her friend, and throwing her +arms about her neck, she exclaimed, almost in tears: + +"Oh, Leslie, you can never know how glad I am that you have shown me +this, and shown it to me to-night! I have felt so disgraced, so +degraded by the life here, it seemed as if I were a part of it all, a +part of my own hateful surroundings but now, I know I am not; now," +she continued, lifting her head proudly and raising her arms slowly +with a beautiful gesture, "they can fetter me no longer! The chains +that have held me so long and so cruelly are already bursting; even +now, I can rise above them; soon, I shall be free!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + + +Do coming events cast their shadows before? Did the silently-waving +pinions of the angel who "troubled the waters" give any hint of his +beneficent approach? However that may be, certain it is that on the +morning of the day in which the hitherto untroubled depths of Lyle's +womanly nature were to be stirred by the mightiest of influences, +there came to her a prescience, thrilling and vibrating through her +whole being, that this day was to be the crisis, the turning point of +her life. On that day, she was to meet one whose influence upon her +own life she felt would be far greater than that of any human being +she could recall. + +Lyle was not in love. As yet, she knew nothing of what love might be, +but she possessed rare depth of feeling. In her lonely, secluded life, +she had known few emotions, but those few were deep and lasting; and +when, a few months before, she had incidentally seen the photograph of +Morton Rutherford,--only one among many, all unknown to her,--it had +left an impression upon her heart and brain, never to be effaced. + +His was no ordinary face; it would attract the most casual observer, +and to one gifted with Lyle's wonderful insight and perception, and +possessing her fine susceptibilities, there would be revealed such +rare strength and beauty of mind and character combined, that, once +seen, it might not be easily forgotten. + +To Lyle, in her isolation, it seemed a glimpse of a kindred soul, and +she had often wondered what the living face itself might be, and what +acquaintance and friendship with such a soul might mean. She had +looked forward to his coming to the camp with mingled pleasure and +dread. She thoroughly understood the position which she held in the +estimation of the younger Mr. Rutherford; would his brother regard her +with the same half pitying, half patronizing admiration? Would her +narrow, restricted life seem so small and poor to him, with his +superior attainments, that he would altogether ignore her? Or would he +be able, like Mr. Houston and Miss Gladden, to overlook her hateful +and hated environment, and help her rise above it? + +These were the questions which for the past few weeks had perplexed +and troubled her; but the revelation which had come to her on the +previous night had changed the whole current of her thought. What +matter now, how mean or debasing her surroundings, since no taint +from them could attach itself to her? What matter if her life had +been cramped and restricted, since she was soon to rise above it +into the life for which she had been created? Perhaps her natural +sphere was not, after all, so unlike that in which her friends +moved, to which even he was accustomed, the stranger, whose coming +she now anticipated with a strange, unaccountable thrill of +expectation. Would he, with that wonderful power which she felt he +possessed, to elevate or to crush the souls with whom he came in +contact, would he recognize her true sphere, as her other friends +had done, or would he be blinded by her surroundings? + +She could not rest; she rose and looked forth upon the glorious dawn +of the new day, and was impressed as never before, with the beauty of +the vision which met her eyes. To her, it seemed like the dawning of a +new epoch in her life; nay, more than that, like the dawning of a new +life itself. + +Impatient of restraint, she left the house, and went out into the +morning fresh from the hand of the Creator, as yet undefiled by +contact with human life. Hastily climbing a series of rocky ledges, +she reached a broad plateau, and looked about her. The life which she +had so hated and despised seemed suddenly to have dropped forever out +of sight, and she was conscious only of a new beauty, a new glory +surrounding her. + +The mountains, blushing in the first rosy light, lifted their +gleaming, glory-crowned spires heavenward; the cascades chanted +in thunderous, yet rhythmic tones, their unceasing anthem of +praise, their snow-white spray ascending skyward, like clouds of +incense, while the little flowers, clinging to rock and ledge and +mountain-side, turned their sweet faces upward in silent adoration. +The place seemed pervaded by a spirit of universal adoration and +praise, and instinctively, Lyle bowed her head in silent worship; +and as she did so, there came to her, as though revealed by the +lightning's flash, the vision of her mother kneeling beside her, in +those dim days so long ago, clasping her tiny hands within her own, +and teaching her baby lips to lisp the words of prayer. + +For a long time she knelt in that temple made without hands, till +mountain and valley were bathed in glorious sunlight; and when at +last, she descended the rocky footpath, she felt, as she looked forth +upon the new life opening before her, no fear, no shrinking, but +strong to go forward and meet her destiny, whatever it might be. + +All were impressed that morning by Lyle's manner, the added dignity +of bearing, the new expression that looked forth from her soulful +eyes, though none but Miss Gladden understood the cause. + +At the breakfast table, the final plans were made for the reception of +the guests to arrive that day. Word had been received that they were +already in Silver City, and would come out on the noon train. Houston +had telegraphed to the Y for the best team there to be in readiness to +bring them up to the camp, and an hour or so before noon, he and Van +Dorn were to take two horses and ride to the Y to meet them, and +accompany them on their ride up the canyon. A late dinner was to be +served upon their arrival, when the two ladies would be present, as +Lyle no longer acted in the capacity of waiter, Miss Gladden having +some time before insisted that she should preside at the table, and +the blushing Miss Bixby, after much painstaking effort, having been +finally educated up to the point of performing that ceremony very +creditably. + +"Everard," said Miss Gladden after breakfast, as Houston stopped for +his customary chat with her before starting out on his daily routine, +"did you observe Lyle this morning? I never saw her look so lovely;" +adding playfully, "I wonder you did not fall in love with her, she is +far more beautiful than I." + +"Allow me to be judge," he replied, "though I will admit that I think +she grows more beautiful every day. But as to falling in love with +her, I doubt if I would have done that even had I not met you. From +the first she has seemed to me unaccountably like a sister; I cannot +explain why, unless it was because of that child-like, almost +appealing manner she had at that time. She has none of it now, +however, she is developing very rapidly into a noble womanhood, and +yet I still have the same feeling toward her, and I think she regards +me as a brother." + +"That is true," said Miss Gladden, "she cares for you more than for +any of the others, but only, as you say, as a brother. Her heart does +not seem to be very susceptible." + +"She may be none the less susceptible," Houston replied, "but she +realizes her position here, and she is far too proud spirited to carry +her heart upon her sleeve." + +Miss Gladden then related to Houston the events oi the preceding +night, and Lyle's sudden recollection of her own mother. He was much +interested. + +"I am more than glad," he replied, "doubtless the memory of her early +childhood will gradually come back to her, and we may be able to +ascertain her true parentage. I hope so, at least, for I believe +Maverick to be an out and out scoundrel, capable of any villainy, and +I would like to see him brought to justice." + +The room set apart for the expected guests, as well as the dining-room, +was decorated with wild flowers and trailing vines, and in this +pleasant employment, and the preparation of a few dainty dishes for +the table, the forenoon passed swiftly. + +The noon train had scarcely come to a stop at the little station at +the Y, when Ned Rutherford was seen rushing impetuously from the car, +his camera case as usual in one hand, at sight of which the two young +men waiting on the platform burst into a hearty laugh. + +"There he is," said Houston, "the same old Ned!" + +"The very same old boy!" added Van Dorn, as they hastened to meet +him. + +"Hullo, Everard!" cried Ned, jumping upon the platform, "I say, but it +seems mighty good to see you again! How are you, Van Dorn?" + +"How are you, Ned?" said Van Dorn, extending his hand, "we wouldn't +have known you if it hadn't been for that camera box of yours!" + +"That so?" answered Ned, good-naturedly, "well, I always considered it +indispensable, but I didn't suppose my identity would be lost without +it." + +Meanwhile, Houston had hastened to meet the elder brother, and it +could readily be seen that they were more than ordinary friends. + +"Everard, old fellow!" he exclaimed, in response to Houston's +greeting, "this is the greatest pleasure I've had in many a day. I +never dreamed that the Houston of whom Ned wrote such glowing accounts +was my old friend." + +"I used to think sometimes," said Houston, "when Ned was writing you, +that I would like to send you some reminder of old times, a college +password or signal that you would understand; but at that time, I +didn't know Ned very well, and of course I was anxious to conceal my +identity here." + +"That was right," said the elder Rutherford, with a comical glance at +his brother, "Ned is rather injudicious, he belongs to that +unfortunate class of people, with the best of intentions, who usually +succeed in doing as much mischief as others with the worst." + +"Right you are there," said Ned, "I'm always putting my foot in it one +way or another; I wouldn't advise anybody to make a confidant of me, +I'd give them away sure. I say, Everard," he continued, while his +brother and Van Dorn exchanged cordial greetings, "how are you getting +on, and how is the Buncombe-Boomerang combination?" + +"We have been very successful so far, everything is nearly in +readiness, and the combination as you call it, cannot exist much +longer; we will give you full particulars later." + +"And how are the ladies?" Ned inquired further. + +"They are well, and waiting to give you and your brother a royal +welcome." + +"Thank you," Morton Rutherford replied, "I am quite anxious to meet +them, Ned, of course, can speak for himself." + +"That he can, and generally does when the right time comes," responded +that individual, "you will find I am a universal favorite here, in the +camp of the Philistines." + +In a little while they were on their way to camp, Houston and Morton +Rutherford occupying the back seat of the light, canopy-top wagon, +while Van Dorn and Ned took the forward seat with the driver, the +horses and baggage following with one of the mining teams. + +Morton Rutherford gave his friend a glowing account of his journey +through the west, dwelling at considerable length on his enjoyment of +the scenic routes. As they wound upward through the canyon, he grew +ecstatic over the wild beauty and rugged grandeur extending in every +direction, and when they finally drew rein before the long, low +boarding house, nestling at the foot of the mountain, with its rustic, +vine-covered porch, and surrounded on all sides by the wild scenery of +that region, his admiration knew no bounds. + +"What a delightful retreat!" he exclaimed, "what a study for an +artist!" + +Within the porch, among the vines, the ladies awaited their coming, +and Lyle, looking forth from her shady retreat, saw the face whose +image had been imprinted on heart and brain, and at a glance she read +all she had expected to find, and more. There were the fine features, +expressing such depth and power, and yet such delicacy of thought and +feeling, the intellectual brow, the dark, expressive eyes, all as she +had seen them in the picture; but what picture could convey the living +beauty of the whole? It was the face of one whom women would worship, +and men would follow even to death. + +The gentlemen approached the house, Houston and his friend leading the +way. Miss Gladden advanced to meet them, and as Houston introduced Mr. +Rutherford, she extended to him a most gracious and graceful welcome, +and also to Ned. Her gown was white, of soft, clinging material, +trimmed with quantities of rich, rare lace, and brightened here and +there with touches of crimson and gold. She wore a few costly jewels, +and the diamond hilt of a tiny dagger glistened and scintillated in +her auburn-tinted hair. She looked very beautiful, and as Mr. +Rutherford paused to respond to her welcome with a few courteous +words, he thought his friend was surely to be congratulated on the +prize he had won. + +Meanwhile, Ned had discovered Lyle, as she stood partially hidden +among the vines, awaiting her turn, and hastened to greet her in his +impetuous fashion. + +"How do you do, Miss Maverick? I'm awfully glad to see you. I want you +to know my brother," and his cheerful voice sounded on his brother's +ear, as he replied to some remark of Miss Gladden's. + +"Morton, I want to introduce you to our nightingale; Miss Maverick, +allow me to make you acquainted with my brother." + +With a rare smile lighting up his face, Morton Rutherford turned +toward the speaker, and as he did so, saw a vision of the most royal +young womanhood his eyes had ever beheld. She, too, was dressed in +white, but it was a filmy, cloud-like mass, with trimmings of ethereal +blue. She wore no jewels, but a crown of golden hair gleamed like a +coronet above her head, and her delicately molded face had a +spirituelle beauty and radiance unlike any living face he had ever +seen, and which he could only compare to the exquisite Madonna faces, +painted by artists of the old world, and of the olden time. + +And Lyle, coming forward with unconscious, queenly grace, looked for +an instant into that face whose subtle power she already felt, her +wondrous, starry eyes, luminous with a new, strange light, meeting his +with their depth of meaning, their powerful magnetism, and from that +brief instant, life for each was changed, wholly and completely; +whether for good or ill, for weal or woe, neither as yet could say. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + + +It was a very congenial little company that somewhat later gathered +about the dinner table. There were no outsiders present on this +occasion to check their conversation, and the room resounded with +merry laughter as the young men related various reminiscences of their +college days, or as Lyle gave her eastern friends some amusing +glimpses of western life. + +Morton Rutherford added his share to the general enjoyment, as he gave +in an inimitable manner which fascinated his listeners, sketches of +places and people he had met in his western journey; but a close +observer would have noticed that his dark eyes often wandered to the +face of the fair hostess, presiding at the table with such dignity, +and his thoughts much of the time were far removed from the subject of +conversation. + +Of the strange, wild tumult in Lyle's breast there was no token, save +in her heightened color, and the added brilliancy of her eyes. + +The plain, but wholesome mountain fare disappeared rapidly before the +appetites sharpened by the bracing air of that altitude, and still the +little company lingered at the table, loath to tear themselves away. + +Plans were made for a few days and evenings of genuine enjoyment, +before proceeding any further with the business in which all were so +deeply interested. Houston and Van Dorn would of course be more or +less confined by their work, and it was voted that, during the day, +Mr. Rutherford should be entertained by the ladies, or, as the hunting +and fishing season had now opened, he and Ned would be able to find +considerable sport in the surrounding country. But the evenings were +to be spent by the entire party in visits to the different points of +interest and beauty already familiar to some of their number. + +"And one of the first places to visit," said Ned Rutherford, at this +point in the conversation, "will be the cascades; we will go out there +in boats, you know, with the guitar and violin, and have music just as +we did the first time we ever went out. Great Scott! but I never will +forget that night as long as I live!" + +"With the ladies' approval, that will be one of our first trips," said +Houston. + +"You play and sing, do you not, Mr. Rutherford?" Miss Gladden +inquired, addressing the elder brother. + +"Yes, occasionally," he answered, with a peculiar smile. + +"What instrument do you use?" + +"I can accompany myself on several different instruments," he replied, +"but the violin is my favorite; it is capable of more expression than +most others." + +At last the little party adjourned to the porch, and Lyle, under the +pretext of some household duties, excused herself, and escaped to her +own little room. Here her forced composure gave way, and her highly +wrought feelings found relief in a passionate burst of tears, though +why she wept, she could not have told. + +Unconsciously to herself, perhaps, Morton Rutherford had of late +become the hero of her thoughts, partially on account of her high +estimate of him, and also because of the sympathy which she felt would +exist between them in taste and thought and feeling. She had dreamed +of a friendship with him, perhaps more perfect and helpful than any +she had yet known; but they had met, and in that one glance had been +revealed to her a natural affinity deeper than any of which she had +ever dreamed, and the impossibility of a calm, Platonic friendship +between kindred spirits such as theirs. + +Unconsciously to herself, Lyle had that day crossed the great divide, +and womanhood, with its dower of love and joy, of pain and suffering, +was henceforth hers. The mightiest element in her nature, which had +lain dormant all these years, its power unsuspected even by herself, +was now aroused, and even while she felt the throbbing of its new +life, as yet, she knew not its name. She was young, her observation +and her experience had been limited, and there had been no one to +prepare her for the certain awakening of this mighty power, before +whose conquering sway all else must yield. + +She grew more calm, and as she reviewed the few friendships she had +known,--the helpful kindness and tenderness of Jack in whom she had +confided her childish griefs, the chivalry of Everard Houston, who +from the first had constituted himself her champion and protector, and +even the pleasant kindliness of Ned Rutherford, whom she scarcely +deemed more than an acquaintance,--there was suddenly revealed to her +quickened perception the distinction between friendship and love, and +instantly she recognized the stranger who had taken possession of her +heart: Love had come. Love was to be henceforth king, and she stood +trembling and abashed in the presence of the new sovereign. Her tears +flowed silently, but she was far from unhappy; love, even unknown and +unreciprocated, brings its own sweet reward. + +Whether her love would ever be returned by the one whose glance had +awakened it in its might, she dared not even think. She knew not, as +yet, in what light he would regard her. Notwithstanding the friendship +and esteem manifested by the younger brother, she fully understood the +insurmountable barrier which his pride had placed between himself and +her. Would it exist in the mind of the elder brother also? Or would +his keener insight, his superior perception discern her true +position? Time alone would tell. + +A little later, calm and queenly as ever, Lyle rejoined the little +group, who had strolled out a short distance from the house, and were +seated beside the lake, in the cooling shadow of a large rock. + +She could not help observing the smile of pleasure with which Mr. +Rutherford welcomed her approach, but she would not yet trust herself +to hold any protracted conversation with him, and giving him only a +bright little smile of recognition, she seated herself beside Ned, and +began a playful badinage, as they had been accustomed to banter each +other on his former visit. Morton Rutherford watched them curiously, +listening to the war of words with a half smile, and evidently +absorbed in his own thoughts, as, for a while, Miss Gladden and Mr. +Van Dorn had the conversation to themselves, Houston having gone to +the mines. + +As the shadows began to lengthen, and the sun seemed hovering over a +snow-crowned peak that stood out boldly against the western horizon, +Houston was seen approaching the house, and at a little distance, +Maverick and his two sons. Lyle, who was then standing on the outer +edge of the group, talking with Miss Gladden, was quick to observe a +sudden movement on Ned's part, as, turning toward his brother, he made +some brief remark in low tones, regarding the approaching trio. She +well knew the tenor of his remark, and watched closely to see its +effect. + +She saw Morton Rutherford glance in the direction indicated by a +slight motion of Ned's head, and then, though he betrayed no surprise +by word or movement, an expression of astonishment crossed his face, +but only for an instant. His features grew white and stern, and he +watched every movement of the three figures, as, with stealthy, +slouching gait and suspicious looks, they stole around the corner of +the house, and the expression of his eye seemed to Lyle like that of a +judge passing sentence on a condemned criminal. + +He did not look at Lyle immediately, perhaps he was conscious of the +eyes watching him so narrowly from under the heavily drooping lids, +fringed with long, golden lashes, but when he did look toward her, +there was a depth of meaning in those dark eyes which she could not +fathom. + +Twenty-four hours before, Lyle standing there, under those circumstances, +would have been crushed with humiliation, but in the light of the +revelation of the night before, she met his glance with an expression +which to him seemed utterly inscrutable. There was neither shame nor +apology written on her face, as with a calm, bright smile, and the same +self-possessed manner, she turned and passed into the house. + +Upon entering the dining-room, Lyle heard angry words in the kitchen, +and paused to listen. The voice was Maverick's. + +"Who in hell is that new feller you've got up here?" + +"That's the brother of the young feller that was here a spell ago," +answered the voice of Minty, who was just emerging from the pantry. + +"Damn you! who asked you to say anything? Git out of here," he roared, +and Minty made a hasty retreat into the cellar. + +"Who's that new feller out there?" he again demanded of his wife. + +"His name is Rutherford, and he's a brother of the young man that come +out here with Mr. Houston," was her reply. + +"What's his business here?" + +"I guess he hain't got none, he seems to be out here for pleasure like +his brother." + +"Pleasure!" growled Maverick, with an oath, "there's too many of 'em, +damn 'em, out here for pleasure; I'd give some of 'em some pleasure +that they ain't a lookin' for, if I had a chance." + +His wife made no response. + +"What's that girl Lyle tricked out in such finery for?" he next +asked. + +"They're clothes that Miss Gladden give her," Mrs. Maverick replied, +"and it saves us jest so much, so you needn't growl; besides she looks +nice." + +"Looks nice!" said Maverick, contemptuously, "you're always bound to +stick up for her! Look here, old woman," he added, in a lower tone, +but which Lyle could hear, "have you been tellin' that girl anything? +She don't own me for her daddy lately, I notice; now, if you've been +puttin' her or anybody else onto anything of the kind, I can tell you +you'll be damned sorry for it before you git through with me." + +"I hain't said a word, it's jest a notion she's took, I dun'no why. I +hain't said nothin' nor I ain't a goin' to, as long as you behave +yourself, Jim Maverick, but the proofs is all ready in case you don't +treat me and her jest as you'd orter." + +A terrible oath burst from Maverick's lips, but the entrance of the +two boys and Minty, prevented any further conversation on this +subject; and Lyle, seated in the little porch whither she had +retreated from the dining-room, reflected on what she had just heard, +its meaning seeming very clear to her in the light of what Miss +Gladden had told her the night before. + +There were proofs then in existence, probably in that very house, as +to her identity. Her friends were correct in their surmises: she had +been stolen, and the villain who had committed the deed, even now +trembled with apprehension lest his villainy should become known. +Those proofs she must have, and it would be worse than useless to +demand them of either Maverick or his wife. She must search for them. +This she resolved to do, day by day, as opportunity afforded, until +there should be no nook or corner which she had not thoroughly +explored. + +As Lyle recalled all that occurred within the past twenty-four hours, +the most eventful period within her recollection thus far, she felt +that she had virtually broken with the old life and all its +associations, and that she stood upon the threshold of a new life, +higher, nobler,--perhaps sweeter,--than any of which she had ever +dreamed. + +The return of the little company of friends to the house interrupted +her thoughts, but not before she had decided fully as to her future +course. + +After supper, it was decided to spend that first evening on the summit +of one of the nearest mountains, to watch the glories of the sunset, +and to give Morton Rutherford a bird's-eye view of the beautiful +scenery, before introducing him to its details. + +But on the second evening, the entire party set forth for the trip to +the cascades, for which Ned was so especially desirous. + +Mr. Houston and Miss Gladden led the little procession, Houston +carrying her guitar. Ned had constituted himself Lyle's escort by +taking the violin, and they came next, while Morton Rutherford and +Arthur Van Dorn brought up the rear. + +Their two boats were already awaiting them, and Ned, having assisted +Lyle to a seat, turned to Van Dorn. + +"Mr. Van Dorn," he said in his blandest tones, "may we have the +pleasure of your company in our boat?" + +As Van Dorn laughingly accepted the invitation, Morton Rutherford +turned toward his brother, saying: + +"Are you not going to extend an invitation to me, also?" + +"Unfortunately," said Ned, with as much dignity as he could assume, +"this boat will seat but three people." + +"Is that so!" replied his brother, with a curious downward inflection, +"unfortunately, then, for Mr. Houston and Miss Gladden, you will have +to take the other boat, as I am going in this one myself," and +stepping lightly into the boat, he pulled it quickly out into the +water, leaving Ned in a state of bewilderment, alone on shore, as Mr. +Houston and Miss Gladden were already seated in their boat, and +watching this little by-play. + +There was a general laugh at Ned's expense, as he clambered into the +other boat, exclaiming good-naturedly: + +"Well, Mort, that's an awfully shabby trick, but then, it's all I can +expect of you, anyhow." + +"It's all you deserve, after such attempted selfishness on your part," +replied his brother. + +They rowed across the lake in the soft light, the glory of the setting +sun still reflected from the surrounding peaks, the music of their +boat songs accompanied by the dip and plash of the oars. + +At last they reached the cascades, and rounding a little promontory, +the glory of that wondrous scene suddenly burst upon them. For a +moment Mr. Rutherford sat speechless, and Lyle, facing him, silently +enjoyed his surprise and his ecstasy as keenly as he enjoyed the +wonderful beauty about him. In his face, she read the same capacity +for joy or for suffering which Nature had bestowed upon herself, and +when his eyes suddenly met hers again, he saw the tears glistening in +their shining depths, and with quick, intuitive sympathy, readily +understood the cause. + +For a while they rowed back and forth in almost silent admiration; +then the boats were brought side by side at the foot of the cascades, +and the air resounded with song; sometimes their voices all blending +together in exquisite harmony, then in twos and threes, while +occasionally, some beautiful old song would be given as a solo. + +It had been an evening of rare enjoyment for each one, and they were +just about to turn their boats homeward, when Ned Rutherford +exclaimed: + +"I say, don't let us leave this spot until Miss Maverick sings that +song she gave us the first time we came out here, the first we ever +heard her sing. I never can forget that song, and it is always +associated with this place." + +The others joined in the request. Lyle hesitated. Could she trust +herself to sing that song to-night? It was easy to sing when love had +come to another's heart, but could she sing it now that he had come to +her own? + +She consented, and the oars rested once more. With her eyes fixed on +the distant mountains, Lyle began her song: + + "Love is come with a song and a smile." + +At the first words, Morton Rutherford started, and as he fixed his +eyes on the beautiful singer, her fair form and shining hair outlined +against the silvery cascades, it seemed to him the loveliest sight of +his whole life. + +Her voice, exquisitely sweet as she began, gained in expression and +power, until she sang as she had never sung before; and as the last +notes died away, Houston, bending his head low, whispered to Miss +Gladden: + +"Leslie, my dear, do you think now that Lyle's heart is not +susceptible? She never could sing that song in that way if she knew +nothing of love." + +And Miss Gladden made no reply, for her own heart was too full for +words. + +The song was ended, and Lyle's eyes suddenly met the dark ones fixed +upon her face, and though no words were spoken, she read in their +depths that hers was not the only heart to which love had come. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + + +That night the diminutive lamp that did duty in the room assigned to +the two brothers burned till long past the hour of midnight. By its +dim light, Ned Rutherford indited a letter to his fiancee, while his +brother quietly paced back and forth, the entire length of the small +apartment, his hands clasped behind him and his head thrown back,--his +usual attitude when in deep thought. + +"Getting up another article on the application of electric force?" +inquired Ned, as he paused to watch his brother. + +"No," was the reply, "I am thinking at present of a force far more +subtle and more powerful than that of electricity." + +"Why, how's that?" asked Ned in surprise, "I thought electricity was +one of your pet hobbies." + +"Never mind about my pet hobbies," said his brother, with a smile, +"just continue your writing for the present." + +Half an hour later, as Ned folded and sealed the voluminous letter, +and placed upon it the long, foreign address, his brother, watching +him with a curious half smile, said: + +"I shall have to give you credit for a great deal of constancy, Ned, +more than I really supposed you possessed." + +"How's that?" asked Ned, with a slight blush, "to what do you refer." + +"To your fidelity to your affianced," Morton replied, "under the rather +adverse circumstances that attend your suit, and notwithstanding +the unusual attractions by which you have been surrounded here." + +"Well, as to that," said Ned, slowly, "I don't know as I deserve so +very much credit. Houston appropriated Miss Gladden to himself pretty +soon after we came here, and besides, she isn't exactly my style, +after all; she would suit Houston a great deal better than me." + +"Ah," said his brother, quietly, "and what of the younger lady? +Perhaps she is not your style, either?" + +"Well, no, I should say not," Ned replied, with the least perceptible +scorn in his tone, "not but what she is a lovely girl, and I respect +her, and feel sorry for her, but I should think one glimpse of her +family would decide that question, once for all." + +"Ned," said Morton Rutherford, pausing in his walk, directly in front +of his brother, "is it possible that you are so blind as not to see +that Miss Maverick, as you call her,--I prefer to call her Lyle,--has +no connection whatever with the family in which she lives?" + +"Do you think so?" Ned inquired, with surprise, "I remember Houston +and Miss Gladden expressed the same opinion when I was here before, +but I don't think they had any proof that such was the case, and even +if it were so, I don't see how it helps the matter much, for nobody +knows to what sort of a family she really does belong." + +"Ned," said his brother, indignantly, "I know nothing of the opinion +of Houston or Miss Gladden upon this subject, but where are your own +eyes, and where is your reason? If you discovered one of the rarest +and most beautiful flowers known to exist in the plant world, in a +heap of tailings out here among these mines, would you immediately +conclude that, because you had found it there, it must be indigenous +to the spot? Look at that girl, and tell me if there is one trace in +feature, in form, in manner, or in speech, of plebeian blood, and then +will you tell me that she is in any way connected with people such as +these? They are not merely plebeian, they are low, debased, criminal. +They are criminals of the deepest dye, not only capable of any +villainy, but already guilty, and to such a degree that their guilt +has made them shrinking, skulking cowards." + +"But, Mort, if you are correct, and I don't say that you are not, how +does she come to be in such a place as this, with no memory of +anything different?" + +"Through the villainy of that man whom you pointed out to me as her +father; through his villainy, and in no other way." + +"You think she was stolen?" + +"I do; I can see in his face that he has committed some terrible +crime,--perhaps many of them,--and he is afraid to look a stranger in +the eye; and a glance at that beautiful girl is enough to fasten upon +him one of his crimes. She is from a family whose blood is as pure +from any taint, physical, mental, or moral, as is your own, and unless +I am greatly mistaken, she is not wholly unconscious of this +herself." + +"Great Heavens!" exclaimed the younger brother, "I never dreamed of +all this! If it is really as you think, I only wish we could find her +true home, and have her restored to it, and make that scoundrel suffer +for his crime." + +"If it is among the possibilities, it shall be done," said Morton +Rutherford, quietly, but in a tone which startled Ned with its volume +of meaning. The latter looked up in quick surprise, a question on his +lips, but he knew his brother's face too well; the question was not +asked, and he only said: + +"Good for you, Mort, and here's my hand; I'm with you on this, +whatever you do." + +For the next few days, nothing of any special import occurred at the +camp. Houston, soon after the arrival of Morton and Ned Rutherford, +had written to his uncle that preparations were now about completed, +and everything was so nearly in readiness that he and his party had +better come out immediately to one of the western cities, from which +they could be summoned by telegraph on short notice. Accordingly, Mr. +Cameron had already left New York, and in company with his attorney +and the English expert, was now on his way west, Mrs. Cameron also +accompanying him as far west as Chicago, where she was to stop with +friends while he went on to the mines, as she had insisted that she +would feel much happier to be nearer her husband and Everard, so that +she could more easily reach them in the event of any trouble at the +mines. + +Van Dorn was progressing well with his work, and the machine would +soon be ready for its trial test, though he said he would in all +probability first have to go to Silver City, in order to have replaced +one or two small but important parts which had been broken in the +long, westward journey. + +Lyle, in the midst of the strange happiness which had lately come to +her heart, had not forgotten her resolve to search for the proofs, of +such importance to her. On the contrary, she had now a new and +powerful incentive which gave additional zest to her efforts, +although, thus far, they had proved unsuccessful. + +One afternoon, after having made a particularly thorough but fruitless +search, she stole quietly out of the house, and following the little +path along the shore of the lake, soon found herself in her favorite +retreat among the rocks, a secluded place from which there was no sign +of human habitation; only the mountains in their vast solitudes were +visible, their silent grandeur more eloquent than words. It was a spot +that she had loved even in her childhood, and which had, in later +years, been her resort for study and reflection. + +In a brief interview with Jack, at the cabin, the previous evening, +she had told him of her increasingly distinct recollections of her +mother, of the angry words between Maverick and his wife which she had +overheard, and of her search which she felt would yet result in her +obtaining possession of the necessary proofs of her identity. + +To her surprise, Jack, while commending the course which she was +taking, yet seemed strangely averse to talking much with her upon the +subject. At last, as she was leaving the cabin, he had taken her hands +in his, saying, in a strangely tender tone: + +"My dear Lyle, because I say little, you must not think I take no +interest in this affair which concerns you so closely. I am deeply +interested, more deeply than you will probably ever know, but it is +for many reasons a painful subject to me, one full of bitter memories; +but I have one favor to ask of you, my dear child, which I know you +will grant for the sake of the memory of the happy hours we have spent +together,--it is this; that whatever proof you may succeed in finding, +you will first bring to me." + +"Certainly I will, dear Jack," Lyle had replied, wondering at his +manner, "in whom should I confide if not in you, who have been my +first and best friend." + +And he, his dark, piercing eyes looking into the depths of her own, +their gaze softened by tender affection, had replied: + +"Yes, your friend always, Lyle, remember that; none truer or more +devoted to you or your welfare; but before long, my dear, your heart +will learn, if it has not learned already, the difference between +friendship and love." + +With burning cheeks and tearful eyes Lyle recalled his words, and +pondered deeply on the strange bond that seemed, in some way, to exist +between his life and hers, but the longer she tried to solve the +problem, the deeper and more obscure it seemed. + +In the midst of her reflections, she heard a light step upon the rocky +footpath, and looking up, saw Morton Rutherford approaching. So +absorbed was he in the study of the masses of rock about him, on which +had been traced by the finger of the centuries, in wonderful +hieroglyphics, the early history of the earth, that for a time he was +unconscious of her presence there. When he saw her he raised his hat +and came quickly forward. + +"I beg your pardon," he said, in deep, musical tones, "I supposed +myself alone with my own thoughts; am I intruding? if so, send me away +at once." + +"No, stay, if you please," said Lyle. + +"Thank you," he answered, seating himself on the rocks at a little +distance, "you appeared so lost in thought I feared my coming might +annoy you." + +"No," she replied, "my thoughts were too perplexing, I was growing +weary of them." + +Mr. Rutherford glanced at the surrounding mountains; "Were you, too, +trying to fathom the mystery of the eternal hills?" he asked. + +"No," was her reply, "I have never attempted anything so far beyond me +as that; I have found more mysteries in every-day, human life than I +could solve." + +Morton Rutherford was silent for a few moments, then he said in low +tones: + +"I hope you will pardon me when I say, that to me, your own life here, +under the existing circumstances and conditions, is a mystery, one +which seems capable of but one solution." + +"And what would be your solution?" she asked quickly. + +He saw that she understood his meaning, and was watching him intently, +eagerly, and he said: + +"Permit me to reply to your question by asking one in return. Do you +not believe that your life had a beginning elsewhere than here, and +under far different conditions?" + +"It is more than a belief with me, it is a certainty, and yet, strange +as it may appear to you, this knowledge has come to me but recently, +and even now, I know nothing of what those conditions may have been, +except that they were totally unlike these that exist here." + +"You interest me very much are you willing to tell me how you arrived +at this knowledge of which you speak?" + +Very briefly, and without going into details, Lyle, in response to the +magnetic sympathy of those dark eyes, gave a vivid outline of her +life, and of the vague impressions which of late were becoming +distinct recollections, and of her hope of soon finding tangible +evidence regarding the life which was daily growing more and more of a +reality. + +Mr. Rutherford listened with intense interest to the strange story, +and when she had finished, he said slowly, as he took a short turn up +and down the rocky path: + +"Believe me, I have not listened to this through mere, idle curiosity; +much as your story has interested me, it has not surprised me, for I +read the truth almost from our first meeting." + +Lyle gave him a smile of rare sweetness and deep significance; "I am +glad to know that," she said simply. + +"Why so?" he asked, pausing and seating himself beside her; "Did you +think I could fail to recognize the soul that looked out to welcome me +when I first came, no matter amid what surroundings I found it?" Then, +as she remained silent, he continued, his tones thrilling her heart as +no human voice had ever done before: + +"Since the hour that I first met you, Lyle, life has changed for +me,--I think perhaps it will never be quite the same again for either +of us. I know that I love you with a love that, whether reciprocated +or not, can never die; that henceforth, you will be,--you must be,--a +part of my very life. Let me care for you and help you; let me help +you in your search for the home for which you were created, and of +which you are worthy; but, Lyle, before you search any farther for +that home, will you not consent to become the queen of my home, as you +are already the queen of my heart?" + +Lyle lifted her head proudly, though the tears glistened on the long, +golden lashes; "Do you ask me that, here and now, knowing nothing as +yet, of what the future may reveal?" + +"I do; I have no fear for the future if I but have your love. Do you +think that, perhaps, in the days to come, amid other and different +surroundings, you might find some one whose love your heart would +choose in preference to mine?" + +"Never!" cried Lyle, impulsively, turning with outstretched arms to +him, "You are the only one I have ever loved,--the only one I could +ever love!" + +"Then that is enough for me," he replied, drawing her closely to his +breast; "you have come forth from the years of the wretched past, with +a soul star-white and shining, and I have no fears for the future." + +When the little group of friends assembled that evening, it was not +long before some one discovered that a small diamond ring, of +exquisite, antique design, which Morton Rutherford had worn, had, in +some manner, become transferred to Lyle's hand. "Wear this, for the +present," he had said, in taking it from his own hand, "until I can +obtain a costlier one for you," but Lyle had insisted that once placed +upon her hand, there it must remain, as she would prize it far above +any other which money could buy; and such had been the final +decision. + +When this significant fact had been discovered by one of the little +company, the intelligence was speedily telegraphed to the rest, and +Morton and Lyle soon found themselves the recipients of hearty and +affectionate congratulations from the others. + +The astonishment depicted on Ned's face, when he comprehended the turn +affairs had taken, was beyond description, but in the little +excitement which prevailed for a few moments, it passed unnoticed, so +that he had sufficiently recovered himself to join very gracefully in +the general congratulations when his turn came. + +A few hours later, however, as he went out for a stroll with Van Dorn, +while his brother and Houston started out in the direction of Jack's +cabin, his astonishment found expression. + +"Great Scott! but I never was so dumfounded in my life! I tell you +what, Van, I believe people lose their wits when they are in love!" + +"On whose experience do you base your highly original remark, your +brother's or your own?" + +"Well, both, and lots of others besides. I never yet saw a person who +was in love that didn't act just the reverse of what you would expect, +or of what they would under ordinary circumstances. Now, look at us +two, for instance. Look at me! Everybody calls me rash and impetuous, +and Mort is always lecturing me for it, and it's always my way to rush +head-first into anything that comes along, and here I've been making +love, in the regular, orthodox fashion, to a girl I've known ever +since I wore knickerbockers, and playing propriety and all that to my +prospective father-in-law; and now see Mort! the most precise, +deliberate fellow you ever saw, never says or does anything that isn't +exactly suited to the occasion, you know; and here he goes and tumbles +head over heels in love with a pretty girl the first time he sees her, +and when he doesn't know a blessed thing about her, and, by George! +engages himself to her before he's known her a week! If that isn't a +case of clear-gone lunacy, then I never saw one." + +Van Dorn laughed; "Well, of the two, I should prefer your brother's +form of lunacy to yours; if I ever was to be in love, I should want +the misery over as quickly as possible." + +As Houston and his friend, having made a brief call at the cabin, rose +to take their leave, the former observed Jack watching Rutherford's +face with a degree of interest unusual for him to manifest in a +stranger. + +"I want you and my friend, Rutherford, to know each other the little +time he will be here," he said, addressing Jack, "for though I have +never known what it was to have a brother in reality, he seems to me +to more nearly fill that position than any one I have known, and I +have told him of your kindness and assistance, and the strange bond +that has seemed to unite us from the first, though we met as +strangers, so he naturally wishes to meet you." + +There was a peculiar quiver of the lips under the heavy, black beard, +as Jack replied, in deep, full tones, "Mr. Rutherford's face carries +with it its own recommendation, and the fact that he is as a brother +to yourself will insure him a double welcome here as often as he +pleases to come during his stay." + +Houston passed onward into the outer room, pausing to chat with Mike, +while Morton Rutherford lingered, and extending his hand to Jack, said +in low tones: + +"I have another reason for wishing to meet you. From what Lyle has +told me, I know you to have been, until very recently, her only +friend, and to you, as to her friend, and perhaps, in one sense, her +guardian, I wish to state that I love her, and have been so fortunate +as to win her love in return; and that I hope before very long, my +home will be hers." + +"Yes, I know," Jack responded, briefly. + +"What! has she already told you?" Rutherford asked in surprise. + +"Only unconsciously; but I read soon after your coming, that her heart +was no longer her own." + +Then grasping Rutherford's hand warmly, he added, in tones vibrating +with some deep emotion. + +"You have chosen better than you know. I believe I can trust her and +her happiness in your hands. God bless you both! and may He bless you +in proportion to your love and fidelity toward her!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + + +The following day, Mr. Blaisdell suddenly made his appearance at the +camp, accompanied by Mr. Rivers and a mining expert who had come out +in the interests of a Chicago firm, looking for good paying +investments. Houston had received no word of their coming, and the +first intimation which he had of their arrival was the sight of the +three gentlemen, as he approached the house at dinner time. + +"How are you, Houston?" said Mr. Blaisdell, pausing in his walk up and +down before the house, and extending his hand, "How's the work +progressing?" + +"Finely," replied Houston, "the output is steadily increasing, week by +week." + +"Keeps you pretty busy, I suppose? Well, I hope we can give you a +little help before long; we've located Barden at last, and he starts +for the west next week. Let me introduce you to Mr. Parsons, a mining +expert from Chicago; Mr. Parsons, this is Mr. Houston, our general +superintendent." + +Houston exchanged greetings with the stranger, and with Mr. Rivers, +the latter watching him closely, though saying very little. + +Dinner was served as quickly as possible, as Mr. Parsons was limited +for time, and was to return to Silver City on the evening train. Most +of the conversation at the table was on mines and mining, Mr. +Blaisdell trying to impress each one present, Mr. Parsons in +particular, with his extensive knowledge, both theoretical and +practical, on all that pertained to the subject, as well as with a +sense of the immense value of the properties owned by the company. + +"Mr. W. E. Cameron, of New York, owns some very valuable mines out +here, I understand," said Mr. Parsons casually, his innocent remark +producing rather a startling effect upon the minds of his listeners, +though they, one and all, succeeded in preserving a calm exterior. + +"He has an interest in some very fine properties," replied Mr. +Blaisdell blandly, though with a visible contracting of the muscles +about the mouth, "you are acquainted with Mr. Cameron, I presume?" + +"Oh, no, on the contrary, I never even met the gentleman, but he is +extensively known among the leading business houses of Chicago, and he +was pointed out to me, the day I came away, as the owner of some of +the finest mines in this locality," Mr. Parsons explained, thereby +carrying consternation to the heart of every one present. + +"Did I understand you to say that Mr. Cameron was in Chicago?" +inquired Mr. Blaisdell, while Mr. Rivers' restless eyes were at once +on the alert. + +"Certainly, he was there the day I left; at least, a gentleman with +whom I happened to be talking about western investments, pointed him +out to me, and cited him as the owner of western properties." + +"Ah, yes, did you hear anything said as to whether he was coming this +way?" + +"Nothing, nothing whatever, except what I have stated." + +"It's all right," said Mr. Rivers, speaking for the first time, and in +his quick, incisive way; he feared Mr. Blaisdell had betrayed his +anxiety; "all right, only we would like to know his whereabouts, as it +will be necessary to wire him in a day or two, regarding some ore +shipments. Can you give us the hotel where he was stopping?" + +"I am very sorry that I cannot oblige you, but I have not the least +idea where he was located; I simply saw him passing on the street." + +"It is of no consequence," replied Mr. Blaisdell, with assumed +indifference, "we can of course ascertain his present address from the +New York house; it will take a little more time, that is all. We had +better proceed to the mines at once, if Mr. Parsons is ready." + +When they had left and Haight was on his way to the mills, the four +young men held a few moments' consultation outside the house. + +"By Jingo!" exclaimed Ned Rutherford, "it looks as though old Buncombe +was going to get on to our surprise party that we're planning for him! +What are you fellows going to do about it?" + +"Well," said Van Dorn. "I'm not sure whether this is going to +interfere with our arrangements or not; what do you think, Everard? +will the company 'smell a rat' anywhere?" + +"They are evidently alarmed at the possibility of Mr. Cameron's coming +out here, but there is nothing yet to arouse their suspicions against +us, so I do not think it will interfere materially with our plans at +present. They will be able to learn nothing of my uncle's movements +from the New York house, as he will have forestalled them there. He +had but just reached Chicago when this Parsons left, and as he and Mr. +Whitney wished, if possible, to remain there a few days, to consult +with a legal firm who are personal friends of theirs, I think it best, +in case this company remains quiet, to take no action yet for two or +three days; but if the officers of the company begin to appear +suspicious, or as if they were trying to cover their tracks, the +sooner we telegraph for our party, the better; get them here as +quickly as possible." + +"Yes, that will be best," said Morton Rutherford, "if their suspicions +are aroused, we cannot be too expeditious, for they will be desperate +when they find themselves cornered." + +"We must hold ourselves in readiness to act promptly," Houston added, +"probably within twenty-four hours we will be able to decide which +course to pursue." + +Houston went to his work determined to keep a close watch on the +movements of Blaisdell and Rivers. A couple of hours later, however, +the three men entered the mill where he was engaged superintending the +weighing of some ore; Mr. Rivers went at once to Haight's little +private office, while Blaisdell approached him with the expert. + +"Mr. Houston," he said, "just take Mr. Parsons through the mills and +entertain him for the next half hour. Mr. Rivers and myself will be +engaged about that length of time." + +Houston complied with the request, and in a very short time discovered +that Mr. Parsons' knowledge of metallurgy and mineralogy was +exceedingly limited, but that in exact proportion to his own +ignorance, he had been profoundly impressed by the knowledge which Mr. +Blaisdell had aired for his especial benefit, and the parrot-like way +in which he repeated some of the expressions which Mr. Blaisdell kept +as his "stock in trade," was very amusing. + +Meanwhile Houston was deeply interested in the private meeting held in +Haight's little dingy room, as he felt certain that some issues were +being discussed and decisions reached that would, in their results, be +of the greatest importance to him, and he awaited the reappearance of +the general manager and secretary with considerable expectancy. + +He was not disappointed; a glance at their faces revealed that the +subjects under discussion had not been pleasant. Mr. Blaisdell's face +was white, and set in hard, determined lines, while that of his +companion was flushed with anger, and his cunning, crafty eyes were +full of suspicion, as they glanced repeatedly in Houston's direction. + +"Mr. Parsons," said Mr. Blaisdell, "we will have to ask you to excuse +Mr. Houston, as we have a little business with him, and if you will +step over there in the office and sit down, we will have completed our +business in half or three-quarters of an hour; by that time the team +will be here, in readiness to take us to the train." + +After a few moments of desultory conversation about the work which +Houston knew to be only preliminary, during which Mr. Rivers moved +about in a nervous, restless manner, Mr. Blaisdell said: + +"Mr. Houston, we hear some rather strange reports concerning your +conduct lately; your actions have certainly been highly censurable, +and the least that can be said is that you have exceeded your +authority here in a very marked degree." + +"In what respect have I exceeded my authority?" demanded Houston, +folding his arms, with an expression on his face that made the +general manager regret that he had begun the encounter; but it was too +late to retreat, besides, Rivers was watching him! + +"In your manner of discharging the duties assigned to you; you have +taken advantage of your position in the most reprehensible and +unworthy way, and have overstepped the bounds when you had no right +whatever to do so." + +"I shall have to ask you to be a little more explicit, Mr. Blaisdell," +Houston replied. + +"Why don't you come to the point, Blaisdell?" said Rivers impatiently. +"What's the use of beating about the bush? The long and the short of +it is just this," he added, turning to Houston, "you have been taking +upon yourself what did not concern you, prying around, late at night, +in mines with which you had nothing whatever to do, in company with +miners who had no more business there than you had." + +"To what mine do you refer?" asked Houston, with exasperating +persistency. + +"I mean the Lucky Chance, and you know it," retorted Rivers angrily. + +"Mr. Rivers," said Houston, in a tone that Blaisdell had heard on a +former occasion, and with a steel-like glitter in his eyes that was +anything but attractive to either of the gentlemen present; "Mr. +Blaisdell knows, if you do not, that since my first coming here, +whatever kind of work has been assigned to me, I have thoroughly +familiarized myself with it. When I was given charge of these mines I +had reason to suppose that each and every mine owned by the company +was included under my supervision, and if there were any which the +officers of the company, for reasons of their own, wished excluded +from such supervision, it was their business so to inform me. I have +not been so informed. Mr. Blaisdell himself took me into that mine, +and nothing was said to lead me to suppose that that mine was any +exception to those placed in my charge, and your informant, if he +chose so to do, could tell you that I have inspected in like manner +each and every mine under my supervision, taking with me one or both +of the same men, when the mine happened to be one with which I was not +familiar." + +"His intentions were all right," interposed Mr. Blaisdell, "he was +over-zealous, that was all." + +"Intentions be damned!" said Mr. Rivers, angrily, "he was altogether +too officious, and I won't have it; people in my employ have to know +their place and keep it." + +"That is all very well," said Houston, in cutting tones, "but I will +not ask you, Mr. Rivers, or any one connected with this company, to +tell me my place." + +"What!" exclaimed Rivers in a rage, "let me tell you, young man, it is +to your interest to be a little careful." + +"Is it?" answered Houston scornfully; "Mr. Rivers," he added, +advancing toward that gentleman, "why don't you discharge me? Wouldn't +that be to your interest?" + +Mr. Rivers saw he had gone too far; "No," he answered quickly, though +sullenly, "we have said nothing about discharging you; you are too +efficient a man for us to lose." + +"No, Houston," added Mr. Blaisdell, "we wouldn't think of discharging +you, you're too good a man." + +"No, I'm not too good a man," replied Houston, facing them both with +a look which they understood; "you don't discharge me simply +because,--you don't dare to!" and he emphasized the last words with a +heavy blow upon a rude desk standing near. + +Blaisdell and Rivers exchanged glances, and for a moment were +speechless. The former was the first to recover himself. + +"Come, Houston," he said, in a conciliatory tone, "we won't have any +more words; we all understand one another pretty well, and there'll +be no more complaints or trouble. You go on pretty much as you have +done, and it will be all right. It's time we were getting back now, +but I'll be out here next week with Barden, and we'll fix things +up satisfactory all 'round." + +"When will he get here?" asked Houston. + +"The latter part of next week." + +Houston thought an instant, his party would be there the first or +middle of the week. + +"Very well," he replied, "I tender my resignation now, to take effect +when he comes." + +"Oh, no, Houston, no indeed, why, we couldn't think of such a thing," +said Blaisdell, really alarmed, while Rivers maintained a sullen +silence. + +"I am not particularly anxious to hold this position, I can assure +you; there is very little in it but hard work." + +"Oh, well, well, you stay by us a while longer, and we'll take you +into the company yet." + +"No," said Houston, "it would be no use taking me into the company, I +wouldn't know my place, or keep it," and with that parting shot, he +turned and left them. + +"Blaisdell," said Rivers, his face relaxing for a moment into a grim +smile, "it's just as I told you, your smart young man is too smart for +you. It's my opinion we've caught a tartar;--we're afraid to keep him, +and we don't dare let him go." + + + + +CHAPTER XL. + + +As Houston, on the following morning, in the execution of his daily +round of duties, happened to be passing the Yankee Boy mine, his +attention was arrested by a quantity of powder deposited near the +mouth of the shaft, which the workmen were preparing to take below. + +"What is the meaning of this?" he inquired sternly. "Who has given any +orders for this powder to be brought here?" + +"Them was the boss's orders, sir," replied one of the men, respectfully. + +"The boss? whom do you mean?" + +"Begging your pardon, sir, I meant the boss as was up here yisterday; +Mr. Haight, he told me this morning as these was the orders he give +him." + +"Haight," said Houston, as, a few moments later, he entered the office +of that individual, "did Mr. Blaisdell leave orders yesterday for +powder to be taken over to the Yankee Boy mines?" + +"Yes," replied Haight, with his usual smile, "and I intended to have +spoken to you about it this morning, but I forgot it." + +"What is his object? any blasting to be done?" + +"Yes, we had quite a long consultation together yesterday, he and +Rivers and I, and we decided that it would pay to do some extensive +drifting in those mines, and a good deal of that rock will have to be +blasted." + +"How soon is this blasting to begin?" + +"Well, I can't say exactly, just how soon, probably within the next +seven or eight days." + +"In what direction is the drifting to extend?" + +Haight looked slightly surprised but replied: "We're a little +undecided about that, just what course to take; Rivers was for one +thing, and Blaisdell and I for another. After they have blasted a +ways, we can tell something from the character of the rock in what +direction it will be best to run the drift." + +After a few more questions, some of which Haight did not answer so +readily as might have been expected, Houston left him. He did not +proceed at once to the building where Van Dorn was at work, but first +returned to the mines, where he discovered that the powder was not +only being stored in the Yankee Boy group, but also in the Lucky +Chance, and one or two others of the surrounding mines. A little later +he made an errand to that part of the mills where Van Dorn was to be +found, and quietly calling him to one side, related to him what he had +discovered, and his talk with Haight. + +Van Dorn was more familiar with mines, their methods of operation, and +the rules governing their underground workings, than Houston, and he +immediately exclaimed: + +"By George! that fellow is a fool, Everard, or else he was simply +'stuffing' you; to drift in the direction he mentioned would be a +useless expenditure of time and money, there would be nothing in it, +it is utterly absurd!" + +"I mistrusted as much," said Houston, "and I have my own opinion as to +the meaning of all this, but I wished to get your idea of the matter. +What do you think of it?" + +"It looks to me," said Van Dorn slowly, "as though they were making +preparations to blow up these mines, at a moment's warning." + +"That," said Houston, "was just the conviction that forced itself upon +my mind when I saw that powder, though I will admit I had never once +thought of their resorting to such measures as that." + +"It's about the only thing left for them to do, by George! after the +shape in which they have got things; their idea probably would be, in +the event of Mr. Cameron's coming, to destroy in this way all the +evidence, as they think, existing against them. It shows pretty +conclusively that they have no suspicions of us, for if they knew the +evidence in our possession they would blow us up rather than the +mines. You will telegraph at once for Mr. Cameron, will you not?" + +"At once; we must get him here as quickly and as quietly as we can; +before they put their plans into action, if possible." + +"That is the thing to do; they probably will take no action unless +they hear of his coming. We ought to get a dispatch off before +night." + +"We will," Houston replied, with quiet decision. + +"How will you manage it? It will look rather suspicious for you or me +to leave our work and go down to the Y with a message." + +"Give Morton our dispatch and cipher book, and he will attend to it +better than you or I, for he is an expert operator." + +"By George! that's so, I had forgotten it; he learned telegraphy there +at college just to amuse himself, and had a battery in his room; well, +that's fortunate, he will be just the one for us." + +"It is nearly noon," said Houston, consulting his watch, "we will see +Morton at the house, and arrange the message between us, and he will +send it immediately." + +After dinner, there was a brief consultation in Houston's room with +the result that the following dispatch was formulated, written in +cipher, and addressed to Mr. Whitney, at Chicago, the attorney from +New York, accompanying Mr. Cameron: + + "Come at once, no delay; go to Arlington Hotel, Silver City; keep + dark, do not register. Van Dorn will meet you at hotel." + +Houston realized that they were now rapidly approaching the final +denouement,--the closing act of the drama which might yet prove a +tragedy,--and as he placed the folded slip of paper in Morton +Rutherford's hand, he said with a sigh: + +"This is the beginning of the end." + + + + +CHAPTER XLI. + + +As Morton Rutherford's fingers touched the key of the little +instrument that was to send forth that fateful message, it was the +unconscious touching of a secret spring which was to set in motion a +succession of events of which he little dreamed. + +He remained at the station until the answer came back over the wires: + + "Leave Chicago to-night; will follow instructions to the letter." + +This was on Saturday. On Tuesday the expected party would reach Silver +City, where they were to be met by Van Dorn, who would furnish them +all details and accompany them on the evening train to the Y, from +which point Houston and Morton Rutherford would convey them by team to +the mining camp. + +From Saturday until Tuesday only! but those intervening days were full +of a strange excitement for the little group of friends who were in +the secret, and there was that constant sense of expectancy, combined +with an alert watchfulness, which kept the nerves tense and rigid, and +rendered the mind unusually clear and active. + +On Monday, Van Dorn left for Silver City, his errand ostensibly being +to replace the broken portions of the machinery, now nearly finished, +which were necessary for its completion. + +All felt that the climax to which they had looked forward was now very +near, and Lyle, who perhaps realized the situation the most keenly of +any, was restless and excited, something very unusual for her. + +Her search, thus far unsuccessful, had not been abandoned, and as she +sat in the little porch on that particular afternoon, idle because she +could not fix her attention upon book or work, it seemed as if the +years of her early life among the mountains stood out with more than +usual distinctness. Among other trifling objects, there was suddenly +recalled to her memory a box which used always to stand in Mrs. +Maverick's little bed-room, and which had looked wonderfully +attractive to her childish eyes on account of a flowered red and green +paper with which it was covered. Once, overcome with infantile +curiosity, she had tried to open it, and had received a severe +whipping therefor. She could remember it very distinctly now, a box +about eighteen inches square, with no fastening, but always securely +tied with a stout cord. Late years it had been removed to the little +attic and she had forgotten it. Where was it now? She had not seen it +for months, or was it years? What could it have contained? + +Miss Gladden was occupied with a new magazine. Morton and Ned +Rutherford had gone out for a stroll among the rocks. Quietly Lyle +slipped up-stairs, and going to the dark, dusty attic, began searching +for the object so suddenly recalled to mind. + +She could find no trace of it, however, and had about concluded that +it must have been destroyed, when her attention was arrested by a pile +of old clothing and rubbish on the floor in a particularly dark +corner, behind some large boxes. A slight examination revealed that +there was some solid substance underneath. Hastily overturning the +rubbish, her eyes descried in the dim light the identical red and +green papered box familiar to her childhood. + +With an exclamation of joy she dragged it forth from its hiding place, +and going over to the one tiny window, covered with dust and cobwebs, +she sat down with the newly found treasure, first arranging a pile of +old bedding as a screen between herself and the door, to preclude all +possibility of her whereabouts being discovered. + +With fingers trembling with excitement, she undid the fastenings of +the heavy cord and slowly lifted the cover, not knowing exactly what +she expected or hoped to find, but certain that the key for which she +had searched was close at hand. + +Within the box lay a large parcel wrapped in a newspaper, worn and +yellow with age, and pinned to the parcel was a letter, addressed in a +cramped, almost illegible hand: + + "To Lyle, + to be read after my death." + +Lyle recognized the writing,--it was Mrs. Maverick's, whose +educational advantages, though exceedingly limited, were yet superior +to those of her husband, in that she could read and write, though she +had little idea of the rules of grammar or orthography. + +Lyle unpinned the letter and turned it over curiously in her hands for +a moment; then she laid it aside, saying to herself: + +"I will first see what this package contains, and will probably open +that later." + +She lifted the parcel and began removing the paper wrappings, which +burst like tissue and dropped in pieces, leaving a mass of fine +cambric and dainty laces and embroideries, from which was exhaled a +perfume, faint and subtle, and yet which recalled to Lyle so vividly +the memories of that long-ago forgotten time, that she seemed like one +awakening from a long oblivion to the scenes of a once familiar life. +For a moment, she grew faint and dizzy, and, closing her eyes, leaned +against the wall for support, while she tried to grasp the vision that +seemed just ready to open up before her. But it passed, and with a +sigh she opened her eyes, her gaze falling on the contents of the +package which had fallen open. + +She saw the dress of a little child,--apparently about two years of +age,--a marvelous creation of the finest of white linen and the +daintiest of embroideries; lying within it was a broad sash of blue +silk, neatly folded together, a pair of tiny, blue silk stockings, +and little kid shoes of the same delicate shade; but the shoes and +sash, as well as the dress, were soiled and blackened as if they had +come in contact with charred wood. + +The dress and the little undergarments each and all bore the initials +"M. L. W.," and Lyle pondered over them with wondering eyes, while +handling with reverent touch these relics of her childhood,--a +childhood which she could not recall. + +As she unrolled the blue sash, there dropped from within its folds a +small, pasteboard box, which she hastily opened, exposing to view a +tiny gold locket and chain of rare workmanship and exquisite design. +Upon touching a little spring, it opened, and Lyle gave a low cry of +delight, for there was revealed the same beautiful face which she had +seen in Jack's cabin,--the face of her mother. For some time she gazed +at it through fast-gathering tears, then happening to note the +engraving on the inside of the case, opposite to the picture, she held +it closer to the light, to discern the delicate characters of the +inscription, and read: + + "To Marjorie Lyle Washburn, + Upon her second birthday." + +Lyle Maverick no longer, but Marjorie Lyle Washburn! She repeated the +name over and over to herself,--the magic talisman by which she was to +find the home and friends she sought! + +Kissing the locket reverently, she replaced it in the box, and folding +together the little garments, she again took up the letter. She +studied it for a moment, then resolutely breaking the seal, began to +read its contents. It was slow work, for the writing in many places +was so poor as to be nearly illegible, but, with burning cheeks and +eyes flashing with indignation at what it revealed, she read it to the +end. + +In uncouth phrases and illiterate language, and yet with a certain +pathos, Mrs. Maverick told the story of the death, years before, while +their home was east, in Ohio, of her own little girl between two and +three years of age, and her inconsolable sorrow. A few months +afterward, Jim had suddenly returned from a neighboring town where he +was working, bringing with him a beautiful little girl of the same age +as her own, but unusually advanced for her years, whose father and +mother he claimed had been killed in a railroad accident, and of whose +friends nothing could be learned. His wife had accepted his story in +good faith, and welcomed the motherless little one to her own lonely +heart. Unknown to Jim, who had charged her to burn them, she had also +preserved the garments worn by the little stranger on that day. + +But the little one did not take kindly to her new surroundings but +cried piteously for her mother, night and day, even refusing food of +all kinds, until she was suddenly taken with a strange illness which +lasted for many weeks. When she finally recovered, all memory of her +former life seemed to have been completely blotted out of her mind, +and she no longer called for her mother, except occasionally in her +sleep. Very soon after they had come out to the mines, and nothing of +any importance occurred until Lyle was about seven years old. + +At that time, Jim had suddenly made his appearance at the house one +day, appearing both angry and frightened, and had ordered his wife to +keep Lyle locked up, on pretext of punishing her, until he gave +permission for her release. He would give no explanation, and by his +curses and threats compelled her to obey. + +That day, a fine-looking, elderly gentleman, who had just arrived from +the east to purchase some mining property, came to the house for +dinner, and took his meals there for the two days following, during +which time, Lyle was not allowed her liberty. Not until nearly a year +later did Mrs. Maverick learn that the eastern stranger, whose coming +had so terrified Maverick, was Lyle's grandfather. Jim then confessed +that he had taken the child from the wreck where its mother had lost +her life, and brought her west with him, knowing whose child she was, +and keeping her out of revenge for some wrong which he claimed this +man had done him years before. + +In vain his wife urged to have the child returned to her rightful +home; he threatened her life if she ever breathed the secret to any +living soul. A sense of guilt made her unhappy for a time, but as +years passed she grew more indifferent to it, and as she saw, more and +more, how utterly unlike any of her own family Lyle was growing, she +no longer cared for her as she had done, though she tried to treat her +kindly. Jim's hatred of Lyle seemed to increase with every year, until +his wife sometimes feared that he would resort to personal violence. + +As she found her own health and strength failing she began to reflect +upon the terrible position in which Lyle would find herself in case of +her own death, left alone with Maverick and his two sons, and to save +her from such a fate, she had resolved to write this letter, +acquainting Lyle with her own history so far as she was able to give +it. + +At the close she begged Lyle not to think too harshly of her or +consider that she was altogether to blame in this matter, and +expressed the wish that she might some day find her own friends from +whom she had been taken. + +It would be impossible to describe Lyle's emotions as she finished the +perusal of this strange letter; joy that she had finally found the +evidence she sought, and an intense longing to see those from whom she +had been so cruelly separated all these years, mingled with a fearful +apprehension lest this knowledge might have come too late, when those +whose affection she would claim, might have already passed beyond the +limits of finite, human love, into the love infinite and eternal. And +deep in her heart burned indignation, fierce and strong, against the +one who had wrought all this wretchedness,--carrying additional sorrow +to a home already bereaved, robbing her of the love that was +rightfully hers and of the dower of a happy childhood which could +never be restored,--all to gratify his cowardly revenge! + +In the midst of these reflections, Lyle suddenly recalled the promise +she had given Jack that he should be the first to learn of her +success. It was now time for him to be at the cabin and she would have +an opportunity to see him before the return of the others to the +house. Accordingly, she restored the empty box to its hiding place, +and having concealed the most of its contents in her own room, +started forth on her joyful errand, taking with her the tiny locket +and the letter. + +As she approached the cabin she saw Jack sitting with Rex in the +door-way and knew that he was alone. Jack, to whom her face was an +open book, read the tidings which she had brought before they had +exchanged a word. He rose to meet her, and looking into her radiant +face, he said in gentle tones and with a grave smile: + +"You have good news! Have you found what you hoped to find?" + +"I have," she replied, "and you who have shared all my troubles must +be the first sharer of my joy." + +Together they entered the cabin, and seated in the little, familiar +room, Lyle told the story of her discovery, and opening the locket, +placed it in Jack's hands. + +For a moment he gazed silently at the little trinket, then he said in +low tones, as if half to himself, "It is she, and you are her child, +as I have always believed," then added, "I rejoice with you, Lyle, I +am glad for your sake." + +But even as he spoke, Lyle, notwithstanding the exuberance of her own +joy, could not fail to observe in his face indications of poignant +pain, as he looked at the lovely pictured face, and as she repeated +the name inscribed opposite. + +"Jack!" she suddenly exclaimed, "have I made you suffer by my +thoughtlessness? Forgive me!" + +"No, my dear," he answered tenderly, "you have caused me no pain; if I +suffer, it is on account of bitter memories of which you as yet know +nothing, and I pray you may never know. What letter have you there?" + +Lyle read the letter, Jack silently pacing up and down the room, +listening, with a look of intense indignation deepening on his face, +until she had finished. + +"It is as I have suspected all these years," he said, "the dastardly +villain! the scoundrel! Thank God, it is not yet too late, there are +those who can and will right the wrong, so far as it is possible to +right it." + +At Lyle's request, they compared the picture with the photograph in +Jack's possession; they were one and the same, except that the latter +had been taken a few years earlier. + +"Jack," said Lyle earnestly, "can you tell me anything about my +relatives? Are my grandparents living? and had my parents brothers or +sisters?" + +"I have learned quite recently that your grandparents are still +living," Jack answered slowly, after a pause, "as to the others I +cannot say; even of your own mother I can trust myself to say but very +little, it is too painful!" + +"What would you advise me to do now?" Lyle asked wistfully, but with +slight hesitation. "What would be the best course for me to take?" + +With an expression unlike anything she had ever seen on his face, and +a depth of pathos in his voice she had never heard, he replied very +tenderly: + +"I can no longer advise you, my dear Lyle; take these proofs which you +have found to Everard Houston; he can advise you now far better than +I; show them to him, my dear, and you will have no further need of +counsel or help from me, much as I wish it were in my power to give +both." + +"To Mr. Houston?" Lyle had risen in her surprise, and stood regarding +Jack with tearful, perplexed astonishment; there was a hidden +significance in his words which as yet she could not fathom. "I do not +understand you, Jack; why do you speak as though you could no more be +to me the friend and counselor that you have been?" + +He smiled one of his rare, sweet smiles. "Do as I have suggested, +dear,--then you will understand; and I shall want to see you for a few +moments again to-night, after you have seen him." + +Somewhat reassured by his smile, and yet perplexed by his manner, Lyle +left the cabin and slowly returned to the house, everything about her +seeming unreal, as though she were walking in a dream. + +Miss Gladden was chatting with Morton and Ned Rutherford, and in reply +to Lyle's question whether Mr. Houston had returned, stated that he +was in his room, having just come up from the mines. + +"Thank you, I will see him just a moment," Lyle responded, passing +into the house. + +"You have not heard any bad news, have you?" asked Miss Gladden +apprehensively, noting the peculiar expression on Lyle's face. + +"No," the latter answered with a smile, "it is about nothing regarding +himself that I wish to see him, only something concerning myself." + +The door stood open into Houston's room, and Lyle could see him +standing by the table, arranging some papers which he proceeded to +sort and tie up in separate parcels. + +In response to her light knock he glanced quickly around, and +observing her unusual expression, advanced to meet her, thinking, as +did Miss Gladden, that possibly she had heard something appertaining +to the present situation of affairs at the camp. + +"Good evening, Lyle, come in; you look as though you were the bearer +of important news of some kind." + +"I have news," she replied, "though of importance only to myself; I +need a little counsel, and was told to come to you." + +"You know, Lyle, I will only be too glad to give you any advice, or +render any assistance within my power." + +"Thank you," she answered, at the same time producing the little box +and the letter. "Leslie has probably told you of the manner in which I +learned that the proofs as to my true parentage and my own identity +existed within this house, and of my search for them since that +time." + +Houston bowed in assent. + +"To-day," she continued, "my search proved successful, in so far as +that I have discovered my own name, and also the proofs that I was +stolen by that villain, Maverick, in a spirit of retaliation and +revenge; but I have as yet no knowledge as to who or where my friends +may be. Naturally, I took these proofs to Jack, and asked his advice +as to the best course to pursue, and he has sent me to you." + +"I am more than glad to hear this, my dear Lyle," responded Houston +cordially; "I have always felt a great interest in you, and it will +give me much pleasure if I can assist you in finding your friends, and +I shall appreciate it highly if Jack has intrusted me with this +responsibility." + +Taking the locket from the box, Lyle handed it, unopen, to Houston, +saying as she did so, "This is the only clue I have by which to +find my friends; it contains my mother's picture, and my own +name,--Marjorie Lyle Washburn." + +"Washburn!" exclaimed Houston in surprise, pausing as he was about to +open the locket. "Washburn! Marjorie Washburn! That sounds familiar, +both those names occur in my uncle's family, his wife and his +daughter,--ah, I recall it now, that was the name of my cousin's +little daughter. Strange!--what! what is this?" He had opened the +locket and was gazing in astonishment at the beautiful face. +"This,--this is her picture, the picture of my cousin, Edna Cameron +Washburn! What is the meaning of this?" And, unable to say anything +further, he looked to Lyle for an explanation. + +She, too, was nearly speechless with astonishment. "What did you say +was her name?" she stammered. + +Houston repeated the name, while a strange light began to dawn in his +face. + +"She was my mother," Lyle said simply. She could say nothing more, the +walls of the little room seemed to be whirling rapidly about her, and +she could see nothing distinctly. + +Faintly, as though sounding far in the distance, she heard Houston's +voice as he exclaimed: + +"Can it be possible? and yet, you resemble her! Why have I never +thought of it before? She had a little daughter Marjorie, whom we +always supposed was killed in the wreck in which her own life was +lost." + +"And this," said Lyle, holding out the letter, but speaking with great +effort, for the room was growing very dark, and a strange numbness +seemed stealing over heart and brain, "this tells that I was stolen +from the side of my dead mother who was killed in a wreck--" She could +get no farther, and she knew nothing of his reply. A thick darkness +seemed to envelop her, fast shutting out all sense even of life +itself. There was a sound for an instant like the deafening roar of +waters surging about her, and then she seemed sinking down, down into +infinite depths, until she lost all consciousness. For the first time +in her life she had fainted. + +Houston caught her as she was falling, and a moment later the little +group outside were startled by his sudden appearance. + +"Leslie," he said, in quick, low tones, "you and Morton come to my +room. Lyle has fainted." + +"What is the trouble, Everard?" asked Ned, springing to his feet. +"Anything serious?" + +"I think not," was Houston's reply. "Her fainting was the result of +over-excitement. Come into my room, Ned, when she has revived, I think +I have made a discovery in which we will all be interested." + +When he returned Lyle was beginning to revive, though unable to speak, +and leaving her in the care of Leslie and Morton for a few moments, +Houston hastily scanned the letter which Lyle had given him, soon +reading enough of its contents here and there to get a correct idea of +the whole. + +Both Miss Gladden and Morton Rutherford realized that something had +transpired out of the usual order of events. Each believed it +connected with some discovery relating to Lyle's early history, but of +what nature the discovery might be they had no clue. + +As soon as she was able to speak Houston was at her side, and she read +in his face the confirmation of the truth which had dawned upon her +mind as he had repeated her mother's name, but which had seemed to her +past belief. + +"It is really true, and I have not been dreaming?" she asked. + +"It is most certainly true, my dear Lyle," Houston replied, "and I am +very glad to find that you, who have seemed to me like a sister from +our first acquaintance, will soon be my sister in reality." + +Stooping, he kissed her on the forehead, and then in reply to the +glances of astonishment on the part of the others, he said: + +"Leslie, I will have to prepare you for a double surprise, and since +we four are now members of one family, I can speak here without +reserve. When I first won your love, my dear, it was as the salaried +clerk of a disreputable mining company. I was old-fashioned enough to +wish to win your love with love, to feel assured that you cared for me +for my own sake. Lately, you have known that I was the representative +of Mr. Cameron, of New York, but you did not know that I was Mr. +Cameron's nephew and adopted son,--his son in all respects, excepting +that I have not taken his name." He paused a moment, and laid his hand +affectionately on Lyle's shoulder. "I now have a pleasant surprise for +you both. I wish to introduce you to Marjorie Lyle Washburn, my cousin +and my adopted sister." + +With a burst of tears, Miss Gladden knelt beside Lyle, throwing her +arms about her neck, while Lyle whispered: + +"Dear Leslie, you have been like a sister to me in my poverty and +loneliness. I am glad we will not be separated in the life of love and +happiness that awaits me. We will be sisters still, more closely +united than ever." + +Turning to Morton Rutherford, whose emotion seemed nearly as deep as +Miss Gladden's, Houston said: + +"Morton, you remember hearing of my beautiful cousin Edna, and of the +sad death of herself and her little daughter, as we always supposed. +This is her daughter, and I know that when my uncle and aunt meet her, +they will adopt her as their own daughter in her mother's place." + +It would be impossible to depict the scene that followed, the surprise +and delight of Miss Gladden, or the deep joy of Morton Rutherford, but +by and by, when they had become more calm, a knock was heard. Houston +opened the door, and Ned Rutherford, looking in, was entirely unable +to comprehend the scene. Houston held in his hand a small gold locket +and a photograph which he seemed to be comparing with each other. Lyle +looked very pale, but radiantly happy. Morton was standing near, +while Miss Gladden still knelt at her side, her eyes overflowing with +tears of joy. + +"Come in, Ned," said Houston cordially. "We want you here to complete +the family group." + +Ned looked rather bewildered, as he replied: "I just wanted to inquire +for Miss Maverick, to know if she was better." + +"She is much better," said Houston with a smile, but before he could +say anything further, Morton turned toward his brother, saying in +gentle, quiet tones, but with a look in his eye which spoke volumes to +Ned's inner consciousness: + +"Ned, this is Miss Maverick no longer, but Miss Washburn, the +grand-daughter of the Mr. Cameron whom we expect here to-morrow." + +Poor Ned Rutherford! If he had ever laid any claim to dignity and +self-possession, they both deserted him now. Utterly bereft of speech, +he stood for a moment as if petrified. Then approaching Lyle, he +stammered: + +"I beg your pardon, Miss,--Miss Washburn, but that is always Mort's +way, to spring anything on me in such a fashion as to knock me out +completely. I beg your pardon for appearing so stupid, and I +congratulate you on the good news, and extend you my best wishes, +Miss----" + +"Oh, call me Lyle," she interrupted, with a rippling laugh. "I have a +right to that name yet." + +"Is that so?" said Ned, with the air of a drowning man clutching at a +straw. "Thank you; I'm glad that's left for a sort of land mark, you +know. I'll call you 'Lyle' then, 'till I can get accustomed to the new +name," and he sank in a heap in the nearest chair. + +The letter was read, and bitter were the denunciations against +Maverick. + +"The scoundrel! He ought to be lynched this very night," said Ned. +"That's the way they do those things out here." + +"Not late years, Ned," corrected his brother, "and even if they did, +that would not be best." + +"It is a question with me," said Houston, "situated just as we are at +present, and with Mr. Cameron expected in a few hours, whether it +would be wise to do anything about this until after his arrival." + +"I think not," said Morton, "under the circumstances, you do not want +to arouse the antipathy of any of the miners before Mr. Cameron's +coming, and as Maverick knows nothing of this discovery, he will of +course remain here, and Mr. Cameron can advise in this matter as he +thinks best." + +And this was the final decision. + + + + +CHAPTER XLII. + + +A few hours later Lyle stood in the gloaming, taking leave of Jack, in +the quaint, cozy room in the cabin, little dreaming that they stood +there together for the last time. + +They had talked long and earnestly of the new life opening up before +her, and her tears flowed fast as she recalled the happy hours they +had spent together, or as she anticipated the days to come. Her tears +were not the only ones, but the friendly twilight, rapidly deepening, +concealed the others. + +"And to think that you have known so much of this all the time, and +did not tell me!" she exclaimed. + +"It was best, my little one, best for each of us. I was constantly +planning how I might bring this about when the right time came. That +time has come, and as my little girl, whom I have loved as deeply as +any one in the future can ever love her, and whom I have cherished and +helped to the extent of my limited power, goes forth into this new +life, I can and will rejoice in the joy, the love and the happiness +that will be hers. And I know that amid new scenes, new friends and +new loves, she will never quite forget the old friend and the old +love." + +"Never, Jack; I could never forget you, and Everard and Morton will +never forget you. They are coming to see you to-night. Dear Jack, why +could you not give up this lonely life, and go with us to the east? +We would all love you and make you one of us, and our home would be +yours." + +"My dear child," he replied with a slight shudder, "you know not what +you ask. I know the love that prompted it, but never ask it again." + +"Very well," said Lyle, with a sorrowful submission, "but I know what +I can do." And she put her arms about his neck. "I will come out to +the mountains and visit you here." + +Then, as he remained silent, she queried: + +"You would be here, wouldn't you, Jack, where I could find you?" + +Oh, the agony which his strong, loving heart endured! How could he +tell her that even then he never expected to look upon her face again! +He could not. He only said: + +"I cannot tell, dear, my life is an erratic and wandering one. No one, +not even I, can say where I may be." + +"But you have not lived a wandering life lately; you have lived here +for many years." + +"Because the lodestone, the magnet of my heart was here," he answered +half-playfully, half-tenderly. "When that is gone, I shall be likely +to fly off in a tangent again." + +"Oh, Jack, you must not talk so. I want to see you in the years to +come. I must and I will. I feel it," she added brightly. + +For answer, Jack, for the first time, placed his arms about her, and +for a moment folded her closely to his breast. Then, bending his head, +he kissed her reverently, first on the forehead, then on the lips, +saying, "God bless you always, my dear child!" + +She returned the kiss, and as he released her, she whispered: + +"Good-night, dear Jack!" + +"Good-night, my dear," he answered, adding under his breath, "and +good-bye!" + +After she had gone, he sat in the gathering darkness alone, lost in +thought. The collie, returning from attending Lyle on her homeward +walk, divined, with keen, unerring instinct, the sorrow in his +master's heart, and coming close, laid his head upon his knee, in +mute sympathy and affection. His master stroked the noble head, but +his thoughts were far away, and he was only aroused at length by the +sound of voices, as Everard Houston and Morton Rutherford entered the +cabin. The moon had now risen, and the little room in which he sat was +filled with a soft, silver radiance. + +Jack rose to meet his guests, and his quick ear detected the vibration +of a new emotion in Houston's voice, and as they exchanged greetings, +there was something in the clasp of their hands that night that +thrilled the heart of each one as never before. + +At heart, Jack was glad of the presence of Morton Rutherford. He +feared that alone with Houston, after the events of that day, and in +the light of the anticipated events of the morrow, his own emotions +might prove too strong, weakening the perfect self-control which he +felt he must now exercise. The presence of Rutherford acted as a +tonic, and restored the desired equilibrium. + +"Mr. Houston already knows my aversion to a lamp, and if you do not +object, Mr. Rutherford, we will sit for a while in the moonlight." + +"By all means," said Rutherford. "I myself dislike the glare of a +bright light for genuine, friendly intercourse. A soft, subdued light +is much more conducive to mutual confidence and interchange of thought +and feeling." + +"Jack, my dear friend," said Houston, after a few moments of general +conversation upon indifferent subjects, an effort on Jack's part to +ward off the inevitable which he felt was surely coming, "You have +added very materially to our happiness to-day, in that you have helped +us to a happy solution of some of the mysteries that have perplexed +us, and in doing this, have brought us all into much closer relations +with one another." + +"You refer, of course, to Lyle," Jack replied, "but while I am very +glad to have contributed to your happiness, I really deserve no credit +therefor. I have suspected the relationship for some time, and was +only waiting for the necessary proofs, which I felt would be found in +good time." + +"But that is not the only mystery you have solved for us, or for me," +said Houston. "I think we now have a reason for the interest you have +manifested in Lyle, and the kindness you have shown her; and, speaking +for myself, I believe I have found a clue to the strange bond of +mutual sympathy which has united us almost from our first meeting, +even before we had exchanged one word; notwithstanding the coldness +and reserve of your manner, I felt that back of it all you were my +friend, and so it has proved. There has sprung up between us an +affection which I believe to be mutual, and of a depth and power +remarkable for such a brief acquaintance. But to-night there seems, to +my mind, to be a reason for this, which I have been so blind as never +to suspect." + +"And what may that reason be?" inquired Jack, calmly. + +"You will understand of course, my dear friend, as I have often said +to you, I have no wish to question you regarding your life in the +past, or to lead you to make any statements regarding yourself which +you would not make freely and voluntarily; but to me it is evident +that, although we met as strangers, you must sometime have been at +least a trusted friend of the members of my uncle's family, if not +more intimately connected with them." + +After a pause Jack replied, slowly: + +"As you are aware, I once knew Lyle's mother, and her memory is still +unspeakably dear to me. I also knew the other members of Mr. Cameron's +family, but that was all long ago in that past which is gone beyond +recall, and to which any reference only brings the most bitter pain. +When I learned your name and your true business here, I knew, of +course, to what family you belonged, and I may have felt some degree +of interest in you on that account, but the deep affection between us, +which is, as you say, mutual, is, on my part, wholly for your own +sake, because I knew you worthy of it. Regarding Lyle, I observed the +wonderful resemblance between her and her mother, and it has been to +me a source both of joy and of pain, especially of late, since it has +grown so marked, and I have sometimes wondered that you did not +observe it for yourself." + +"Now that I can see the resemblance so plainly, it seems strange that +I did not think of it before," Houston replied. "She has always +reminded me vaguely of some one, I could not recall whom. I can only +account for it from the fact that I really saw my cousin Edna but +seldom after I went to my uncle's home, as she was married very soon, +and then we saw her only occasionally until her death, which occurred +when I was only about twelve years of age. Consequently, my +recollection of her was not particularly distinct. I am anticipating +the meeting between her and my uncle and aunt,--they will recognize +her immediately, and I am confident they will adopt her as their own +daughter, in her mother's place." + +Jack started almost imperceptibly. "You do not expect Mrs. Cameron +here with her husband?" + +"She will not come out with him, but she insisted on coming as far as +Chicago, so that she would be able to reach us more readily in case of +trouble, and I have thought to-day, since this recent discovery, that +if the case against the company seems likely to take some time, I +might go on to Chicago and bring her out to meet Lyle, and I would, of +course, like her to meet Leslie, also." + +Jack remained silent, and withdrew a little farther into the shadow. +It was Morton Rutherford who spoke now. + +"Did you not once tell me, Everard, in the old college days, that Mr. +Cameron had lost a son also?" + +"Yes," said Houston, with a sigh. "That was a far heavier blow for +them than the death of their daughter. He was their joy and pride, +their hearts were bound up in him." + +"Ah," said Jack, in a voice almost cold in its even calmness. "I +remember that Miss Cameron,--as I knew her,--had a brother. Is he also +dead?" + +"We are compelled to believe that he must be dead," Houston answered, +after a pause, in a tone of deep sadness. "He left home soon after his +sister's death, and we have never heard from him since, though his +parents searched for him, not in this country alone, but in others as +well." + +"I beg your pardon for having alluded to it, Everard," said +Rutherford, "you never told me the particulars, and I did not realize +they were so painful." + +"No apologies are necessary among us three friends," Houston replied. +"Guy's parents and I are the only living human beings who know, or +ever will know, the reason for his leaving as he did. My uncle spent +vast sums of money and employed detectives all over the world in his +efforts to find him, and to let him know that the old home was open to +him, and would always be just what it had been in the past. But it was +of no avail, we could not even get any tidings of him, and uncle, long +ago, gave him up for dead, though Aunt Marjorie believes that he is +still living, and that he will yet return." + +"The faith of a good woman is sometimes simply sublime," replied +Rutherford, "and a mother's love is something wonderful. To me it +seems the nearest divine of anything we meet on earth." + +There was no response from the figure sitting motionless in the +shadow. At that moment it required all the force of his tremendous +will power to stem the current of almost uncontrollable emotion, +surging across his soul. + +But the moments passed, other topics were introduced and discussed, +and Jack joined in the conversation as calmly as the others. + +"I suppose," he remarked, as, a little later, he accompanied his +guests to the door, "I suppose that before this time to-morrow, Mr. +Cameron will have already arrived at the camp?" + +"Yes," Houston replied, "we expect him over on the evening train, with +Van Dorn." + +As Houston and Rutherford took leave of Jack, there was something in +his manner, something in the long, lingering hand-clasp which seemed +more like a farewell than like a simple good-night, at which they +silently wondered. + +Could they have looked in upon him an hour later, they would have +understood the cause. Silently he moved about the room, gathering +together the few little keepsakes among his possessions which he most +prized. These he placed in a small gripsack which he carefully locked, +saying to himself, as he looked around the room with a sigh, "Mike can +have the rest." + +Then going to the window, he stood looking out upon the calm, moonlit +scene, which for many years had been the only home he had known. + +"This is my last night here," he soliloquized, "my work here is done. +After to-morrow, Everard Houston will need me no longer, everything in +which I can render him assistance is now done, and his friends will +afford him all needed protection. Lyle has found her own, her future +is provided for. The wrongs which I have witnessed for years in +silence, will be righted without any assistance of mine. There is +nothing more for me to do, and to-morrow I will start forth on the +old, wandering life again." + +His head dropped lower; he was thinking deeply. + +"He said the old home was open, and would always be what it had been +in the past. Home! What would that not mean now, after all these +years! But that was long ago. I am dead to them now,--dead and +forgotten. They will be happy with their new-found daughter, and +Everard will be to them as a son, their happiness will be complete, +and I will not mar it by any reminders of the wretched past." + +He glanced upward at the surrounding peaks. + +"To-morrow I go forth again into the mountains,--those towers of +refuge and strength,--and in their soothing solitudes I shall once +more find peace!" + +Then he retired. But to Jack, resting for the last time in his cabin +home, to those then peacefully sleeping in the little mining camp, or +to the others speeding westward through the night, on the wings of +steam, there came no vision, no thought of what the morrow was, in +reality, to bring. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIII. + + +Tuesday morning dawned,--a day never to be forgotten in the history of +the little mining camp, or in the lives of many outsiders as well. + +A strange thrill of subdued excitement ran through the little group, +assembled before breakfast in the porch, as they realized that the day +to which they had looked forward with varying anticipations had at +last arrived; and there was, unconsciously, a look of watchful +expectancy on every face. + +Even Nature herself seemed in sympathy with them. For a few days the +heat had been intense, devouring with its scorching breath every +vestige of verdure on the mountain sides and foothills, and leaving +them dull and dun. On this particular morning the heat seemed more +terrible than ever, and there was not a breath of air stirring to cool +the oppressive atmosphere. The earth and sky were suffused with a +bright, red light, which gradually died away into a dim, purplish +haze, through which the sun ascended like a ball of fire; while every +blade and leaf hung motionless, as if awaiting breathlessly the coming +of some great catastrophe. + +"This portends a storm," said Houston, as he watched the strange +phenomena. + +"Yes," added Morton Rutherford, "an electric storm, and, if I am not +mistaken, a very severe one." + +"How strange!" exclaimed Leslie, in a low tone, to Lyle, "everything +is so hushed and still; it seems as if the elements, like ourselves, +were just waiting." + +"I don't like it," Lyle answered, "it seems ominous," and she +shuddered visibly. + +There was little breakfast eaten that morning, and the group of +friends adjourned to the porch on the pretext of watching the weather, +thereby attracting the attention of Haight, who still remained at the +table. + +"What's in the wind now, I wonder," he soliloquized. + +"There was some kind of excitement here last evening, and everybody +seems on the qui vive this morning. I guess I'd better look into +this," and calling Minty to him, he gave her a quarter, with his most +insinuating smile, saying in low tones: + +"You find out to-day, if you can, whether there's anything unusual +going on among those folks out there, and let me know." + +She pocketed the money with her customary giggle, as she responded, +nodding her head emphatically, "You jest betcher life I will." + +Haight then departed for the mills, and Houston soon after left for +the mines, while an hour or two later Morton Rutherford, taking one of +the horses, rode leisurely in the direction of the Y, where he was to +await a telegram from Van Dorn, immediately upon the arrival of the +Eastern train at Silver City. + +In due time the message came, in cipher: + + "Party arrived all right; over on evening train." + +To which Rutherford replied as follows: + + "All quiet here. Will wire later if anything occurs." + +Then starting on his return up the canyon, he urged his horse forward +with all possible speed, conscious that the most critical time was now +approaching, and fully decided regarding his course of action on +reaching the camp. + +At the mines, Houston found everything progressing as usual, the work +going forward in the same unending, monotonous routine. + +At the Silver City office of the mining company, however, the greatest +excitement was prevailing. Having been utterly unable to obtain any +clue as to the whereabouts or the intentions of Mr. Cameron, the +mining company, to guard against being taken wholly by surprise, had +devised a new scheme. Every morning had found Mr. Wilson seated on the +early train which left Silver City for the East at five A. M., and +which was sidetracked at a small station about ninety miles distant, +to give the right of way to the regular, West-bound Pacific Express. +Here both trains stopped for about fifteen minutes, affording Mr. +Wilson ample opportunity to pass through the West-bound train, and +satisfy himself whether or not there were any old acquaintances +aboard. Failing to find the party for whom he was seeking, he himself +returned to Silver City on the same train. + +On this particular morning, however, upon cautiously entering one of +the sleepers, he had seen, seated in one section, apparently in close +consultation, three gentlemen, one of whom he immediately recognized +as Mr. Cameron. Opposite and facing him, was an elderly man whose face +Mr. Wilson was unable to see, but the back of whose head presented a +severely judicial appearance, while at Mr. Cameron's right was seated +the English expert who had come out early in the season with Mr. +Winters' party. Evidently, Mr, Cameron was en route for the mines. + +Mr. Wilson had hastily retreated, and, stopping at the little station +only just long enough to send a wire to the company, had returned to +the east-bound train, to continue his journey indefinitely, which had +not been a part of the programme prepared by the officers of the said +company in common with their various other plans. But Mr. Wilson had +suddenly come to the conclusion that there were other localities +better suited to his health just at that particular time than the +great and glorious North West which had so long been his favorite +theme, and whose praises he had so persistently sung. + +It was about ten o'clock when Mr. Wilson's telegram, announcing his +discovery, reached the Silver City office, creating general +consternation. After a hurried consultation, numerous papers and +documents were hastily stored in a private vault belonging to the +officers of the company, a dispatch was sent out over their private +wire to Haight, informing him of the situation and giving certain +instructions; after which Mr. Blaisdell and a confidential clerk +betook themselves to the depot to await the arrival of the Pacific +Express. Concealing themselves among the crowd, they watched Mr. +Cameron and his associates as they left the train, and having waited +till they were safely ensconced within a carriage, ready to start for +their hotel, Mr. Blaisdell then ordered his clerk to take another +carriage and follow them, remaining at the hotel long enough to +ascertain all he possibly could concerning their movements, after +which he was to report at the office. + +Turning once more toward the crowd, Mr. Blaisdell expected to meet Mr. +Wilson, but to his astonishment and perplexity, he was nowhere to be +seen. From the conductor, however, who had thought Mr. Wilson's +conduct rather peculiar, he learned the facts in the case. + +"Yes, sir," said that individual in conclusion, swinging himself on to +the departing train, "if that's the man you're looking for, he's +vamoosed sure, and judging by the way he got aboard that train, he'll +be traveling for some time to come." + +Great was the indignation of the remaining officers of the company on +learning of the sudden departure of their worthy president, and it was +not lessened when, upon investigation at the office, it was discovered +that Mr. Wilson had not only relieved the company of his presence, but +of all the available funds in their private vault as well, which, at +that time, happened to be considerable; nevertheless, for obvious +reasons, it was decided best to say nothing about it for a few days. + +The clerk, on his return from the hotel, stated that none of Mr. +Cameron's party had registered, but had gone immediately to their +rooms, where they had ordered a private lunch served. He had seen +nothing more of them, but had seen Van Dorn there, however, and upon +inquiry had learned that he had been there since the preceding day, +apparently waiting for some one, evidently this party, as, immediately +upon their arrival, he had sent a cipher dispatch to some one at the +Y; and one of the party had been heard to inquire quite particularly +at what time the evening train would leave Silver City for Cokeville, +a small station near the Y. + +It was evident that Van Dorn was in league with Mr. Cameron's party, +and that they intended going out to the camp that evening; prompt +action was necessary. A message was sent to Haight, and after his +reply, it was decided that desperate measures were also necessary. + +While Morton Rutherford was leisurely riding toward the Y, Haight, +sitting at his desk in his dingy, stifling office, suddenly heard his +name clicked by the little telegraphic instrument near him. Having +given the usual signal in return, the following message came over the +wire with peremptory haste: + + "Get everything in readiness at once; Cameron coming on eastern + train with mining expert and attorney. Get everything ready for + the final touch and await further instructions in about two + hours." + +Haight sprang to his feet, and calling one of the men, ordered, "Send +Maverick to me as quickly as you can." + +In a few moments the slouching figure of Maverick stood in the +door-way. + +"Come in, Jim, and shut that door," said Haight, in a quick, decisive +tone that Maverick knew meant business. + +"Jim, in what shape is the powder in those mines? How long would it +take to get everything ready for action?" + +Maverick's eyes gleamed; here evidently was to be a piece of work such +as he enjoyed! + +"The powder's all there," he replied, "all there, jest in the right +places, an' all there is ter do is ter lay the trains 'round there an' +fix a few fuses; 'twouldn't take more'n half an hour, or sech a +matter." + +"Think you could get it all done at noon, while the men are away?" + +"Yes, easy." + +"Very well, now listen; you are to get everything ready so that it +will be nothing but 'a touch and a go,' as soon as I say the word, +understand? Get everything ready this noon, give the men warning that +there's going to be some blasting, and then, as quick as you've had +your dinner, you be around here prompt, and stay within sight of this +room till I send you word to quit. You know the rest, what directions +Blaisdell left the last time he was here; you know what you're to wait +for, and if you get a signal from me, you know what you're to do." + +"You bet I do, and I'll do a damned good job, too," Maverick replied, +with a grin; "but what's the signal, boss?" + +"Let me see, I want something you'll recognize without any trouble, +and that nobody else would notice, or think meant anything. Where will +you be?" + +"Out there, behind them rocks; I can see your winders plain from +there." + +"Yes, but if I made you any signal there, or put anything in the +window, others would see it as well as yourself." + +"I'll tell you what, boss," said Maverick, glancing at the window on +the right of Haight's desk, where hung an old, dilapidated shade, +which had been lowered its full length in an effort to keep out the +intolerable heat, "you let that there shade hang jest as it is till +you want me, and when I see that yanked up, I'll know what it means, +and you'll hear from me in jest about ten minits at the latest. But +say, boss, what's all this racket about, anyhow? Some o' them eastern +chaps comin' out here?" + +"That's none of your business, Jim," said Haight in a joking way, "you +attend to what you've been told, and don't meddle with what don't +concern you." + +"Is old Cameron comin' out here?" persisted Maverick, with an +expression of fear and hatred combined, visible in his countenance. + +"Cameron!" exclaimed Haight, with a slight start, and wondering at +Maverick's appearance, "What do you know about him?" + +"I know he owns these 'ere mines, damn him!" answered Maverick +doggedly. + +"Do you! Well, that's enough, go along, you're not interested in +Cameron." + +"Ain't I though!" said Maverick with a snarl and an oath, the hatred +and wrath increasing in his face; "Me'n him has got an old score to +settle yet. I only wisht he was a goin' ter be in them mines this +afternoon. When's he comin'?" + +"I don't know," answered Haight shortly, "probably before very long +though." + +"When you git word he's comin' I wan'ter know it, that's all," growled +Maverick. + +"Well," said Haight, beginning to lose his temper, "when you see that +curtain raised, you may know he's coming, and pretty damned quick too; +now get out of the way, and attend to your business. Remember I've +told you to give the men warning." + +"Yes," said Maverick, with a leer, "'specially the new superintendent, +you'd like me ter give 'im an extra warnin' I s'pose." + +There was a corresponding leer on Haight's face, as he replied with a +peculiar grimace, + +"You've had your orders; if you are particularly anxious to give +anybody an extra warning, go ahead!" + +With a low, cruel laugh, Maverick withdrew, and a few moments later +was shuffling along in the direction of the mines intent upon the work +of destruction assigned to him, his face distorted with mingled fear +and rage, his usually dull eyes gleaming with the fires of revenge. + +Haight hastened to the house to take a hurried dinner, and having +learned from Minty that Morton Rutherford had gone to the Y, he again +charged her to immediately report to him whatever she might learn, and +returned to the office to await further instructions from the +company. + +To Houston, constantly on the alert for danger signals, Haight's +hurried and excited manner was the first indication of approaching +trouble. It was evident that the company had received some inkling of +impending danger, but of the extent of their information, or the +nature of their communications with Haight, he had no means of +ascertaining. Stating that he wished to see Morton Rutherford +immediately upon his return, and that he would be at the Yankee Boy, +near the entrance to the incline shaft, he hastened back to the mines +at an earlier hour than usual. + +Finding Jack and Mike who had already returned, he told them of his +surmises, and arranged a set of signals,--a certain number of blows on +the rocks above them,--whereby he would give them warning if he found +indications of immediate danger, upon which they were to make their +escape in an opposite direction, by means of a tunnel, designated as +tunnel No. 3, where he would speedily join them. + +On returning to the shaft, he found the majority of the men returning +to their work as usual, Maverick having given them no warning, partly +through his own cowardice, and partly through a determination that +Houston should have no hint of what was to follow. + +Meanwhile, the long threatened storm was rapidly approaching with +signs of unusual severity. Heavy clouds had obscured the sun and were, +moment by moment, growing denser and blacker, while the heat was, if +possible, more intense than before. There was that ominous calm that +presages the coming of the tempest, while the air grew oppressive +almost to suffocation. In the distant canyons, far up among the +mountains, could be heard the muffled roaring of the wind, while the +branches began to sway occasionally under the first hot breath of the +approaching hurricane, which seemed like a blast from a furnace. + +On through the fast-gathering storm rode Morton Rutherford, urging +forward his foam-covered horse, feeling by a certain, unerring +intuition, that that ride through the winding canyon was a race +between life and death. Having reached the camp, and left his +dripping, panting horse at the stables, he walked rapidly on to the +house, arriving shortly after Houston had left, and just in time to +meet Maverick, hurrying to the house for a bit of food, his work of +preparation having taken longer than he anticipated. + +One look at his malignant, demon-like face convinced Rutherford that +he had arrived none too early, and that his own plans must be put in +execution very soon. + +Pausing only long enough to exchange a few words with his brother and +the ladies, in reply to their eager questions, he hurried on to the +mines, he and they all unaware of a figure skulking behind him, in the +fast-deepening gloom, in the direction of the mills. From an open +window, aided by the peculiar condition of the atmosphere in those +altitudes before a storm, which transmits the slightest sound with +wonderful distinctness, Minty had overheard most of the conversation, +and was hastening to fulfill her contract with Haight. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIV. + + +Morton Rutherford was not the only one who had observed the +expression on Maverick's face. To Lyle it seemed she had never seen +such venomous malignity as was in the look which he gave her. +Stepping into the dining room a few moments after Morton had left, she +heard imprecations and curses mingled with her own name and that of +Mr. Cameron, and realized at once that their secret was known; then, +as he hastily left the house, she heard a few words of bitter hatred +which would have no special meaning to his wife, but which Lyle, +knowing what Houston and his friends had been anticipating for the +last few days, readily understood. + +The wind was now raging down the canyon with terrific force, but Lyle +had but one thought, to warn those whom she loved and save them from +danger. Catching up a light wrap which she threw about her shoulders, +she rushed out of the house, passing Miss Gladden and Ned, who were in +the porch watching the storm, and who tried to detain her. + +"Lyle, what is the matter? Where are you going?" they cried. + +"To the mines!" Lyle answered, raising her voice above the roar of the +storm; "They are going to fire the mines, and they are all there, +Morton and Everard and Jack. I must warn them if I can!" + +"Lyle, come back!" shouted Ned, "let me go!" + +She shook her head; "I must go, I know the mines," she cried, and +turning ran down the road, battling with the terrific wind, and was +out of sight, almost before they realized what had happened. + +Meanwhile, Morton Rutherford had found Houston without difficulty. +"They are coming, Everard," he announced, in a low tone, "they will +be here to-night. What are the indications here?" + +"I judge from Haight's manner, that word of some kind has been +received from headquarters, but just what is to be done, or whether +there is any immediate danger, I cannot yet tell." + +"I am going over to Haight's office for a few moments," said +Rutherford, "I may catch some message from the company that will show +us the situation." + +"Just what I was intending to suggest," said Houston. + +"You will remain here until I come back?" + +"Yes, unless I should detect some certain signs of danger; in that +case I shall warn the men, and shall start for tunnel No. 3, that part +of the mine will be safe for a while, in any event." + +"Very well, you will probably hear from me within twenty or thirty +minutes," and Rutherford started for the mills. + +Haight, on returning to the office from dinner, waited some little +time for the expected dispatch. At last it came: + + "Cameron just arrived with Englishman, Lindlay, and attorney; + going out to the mines on evening train. Are at Arlington Hotel, + Van Dorn at same hotel and in telegraphic communication with some + one at the Y. There is a conspiracy somewhere; what do you know? + Answer at once; is everything ready?" + +He was still studying the contents of the telegram, wondering just +what the conspiracy might mean, when Minty slyly entered, and by means +of the information she had secured, furnished him the needed key to +the situation. In a few moments the following answer was returned: + + "The truth is out; have just discovered Houston is Cameron's + nephew, out here in his interests; Van Dorn et al. working with + him. Cameron coming out to-night for the grand coup. Everything is + ready awaiting your orders." + +Just as the message was sent, Maverick passed on his way to his post, +and seeing him, Haight stepped to the door and called him: + +"I say, Jim, I've learned the truth at last about that superintendent +of ours, damn him! You seemed so interested in old Cameron this +morning, I thought you'd like to know that it has turned out that this +Houston is his nephew." + +"Houston, old man Cameron's nephew!" gasped Maverick, with a terrible +oath, and growing fairly livid, "How'd ye get onto that?" + +"No matter how, Jim, but it seems he's been out here all summer +getting onto some of our little business ways and reporting to the old +man, and now he's got the old fellow out here to see the fun. Never +mind, Jim, I guess the fun will be on the other side after all. I'll +attend to my business and you'll attend to yours, but I thought you'd +go at it with a better relish after this little piece of news." + +Maverick passed on his way, regardless of the storm, incapable of +coherent speech, muttering oaths and curses intermingled with the +vilest epithets, Haight watching him with a grim smile for a few +moments. Then going back to his office, he had but just reseated +himself at his desk, when Morton Rutherford entered the outer room. +"Damn him! what is he sneaking around here for?" Haight soliloquized, +at the same time hastily transferring a revolver from his desk to his +pocket, "I'll spoil that mug of his if he attempts any funny business +here." + +This movement was seen by Rutherford, who was watching him closely, +but he appeared to take no notice of it and entered the office as +usual, with a civil greeting to Haight. The latter sprang to his feet, +taking his position close by the shaded window, his right hand +grasping the revolver in his pocket. + +Rutherford's lips curled with scorn and contempt as he looked at +Haight; he saw there could be no semblance of civility between them, +it was to be open war. + +"You are a coward!" he said. + +"And you are a sneak," Haight hissed in reply, "prying around here +when you had better be minding your own business." + +"Let me tell you that I am attending to my own business, and you will +find before you are much older, that I have more right here than +you." + +For a moment Haight hesitated, astonished by Rutherford's words and +manner, then was about to make some reply, when the click of the +instrument attracted his attention. Keeping his eye on Rutherford, he +gave the answering signal with his left hand, then listened intently +for the message. It came, containing the final orders and the farewell +words of the Silver City office: + + "Send the mines to hell, and Houston and his crowd with them. Look + out for yourself. Good-bye." + +In his interest in the message, Haight seemed, for an instant, to have +partially forgotten Rutherford's presence, his eyes dropped toward the +instrument, and in that instant, Rutherford cleared the space between +them at a bound, gripping Haight firmly with one hand, while with the +other he knocked the revolver which Haight had hastily drawn, half way +across the room. With a single blow he knocked Haight to the floor, +partially stunning him, but as he regained his senses, he rolled over +towards the window, and with a strength born of desperation, struggled +to his knees, and before Rutherford realized what he was trying to do, +the shade flew upward to the top of the window. Even then, Rutherford +would have thought little of it, had not Haight betrayed himself by a +leer of fiendish triumph. In an instant Rutherford understood that it +had been some pre-arranged signal. + +"You cowardly villain!" he exclaimed, and pausing only long enough to +give him a blow which left him unconscious on the floor, he rushed +forth into the darkness and fury of the storm, in the direction of the +mines. + +As he did so, he stumbled against a small boy, running even more +swiftly in the same direction. + +"Mister, Mister Houston! is that you?" rang out Bull-dog's voice, +above the storm. + +"No, my boy, I am going to find Mr. Houston, to save him if I can." + +"Oh, sir, let me go! I know about it, they're goin' to fire the mines, +I heerd Jake say so, and I was a goin' to find Mister Houston myself; +I'll get there quicker, 'n I know the mine better 'n you." + +"But, my boy, you risk your own life," said Rutherford. + +"Never mind that, sir; Mister Houston, he's been my friend, 'n his +life's worth more'n mine anyhow; I'll risk it," and he was already +rushing on ahead, shouting back to Rutherford, "You go to the tunnels, +sir, you can help him there." + +"Tell him the signal has been given!" called Rutherford, and Bull-dog, +swinging his ragged hat in reply, sped swiftly on through the raging +wind. + +Rutherford paused for a moment, then started in the direction of the +tunnels. At that instant, Lyle, still struggling against the fury of +the wind, had just reached the ground surrounding the mines; in a few +seconds more she would have been within the fatal boundary line, but +Bull-dog's voice, as he rushed past, warned her back. + +"Go back, go back, Miss Lyle! they've given the signal to fire the +mines, I'm goin' to warn 'em; don't be afraid, I'll save 'em, Mister +Houston and Jack," and with these words, he rushed on, disappearing +through the incline shaft. + +Lyle retreated a few steps, and then paused, looking wildly about her, +dreading, expecting, she scarcely knew what. + +Suddenly the darkness seemed divided by a blinding flash, which spread +into a sheet of flame, enveloping her within its lurid folds, while +peal after peal of deafening thunder crashed and roared about her, and +the lightning flashed and gleamed till it seemed as if earth and sky +were commingled in one mass of flaming combat. + +Scarcely had the blinding flashes died in darkness, and the +reverberations of the thunder still echoed and re-echoed among the +surrounding mountains, when the earth began to rock and vibrate +beneath her feet; there was the sound of a terrific explosion, she +felt for an instant a strange sensation as if floating through the +air,--then she knew nothing more; she had been thrown to the ground, +unconscious, by the shock. + +Meanwhile, down the rough, narrow road, leading to the mines, Leslie +Gladden and Ned Rutherford were making their way, having started +immediately after Lyle, but unaccustomed to the furious mountain +storms and unfamiliar with the road, they made slow progress in the +darkness and tempest. + +"Miss Gladden, this is too hard for you," said Ned, as they paused +once, gasping for breath, "I don't believe it is safe either, you +ought never to have come." + +"What do I care for difficulty or danger?" she replied, "Think of Lyle +going through this storm alone; I only pray she may not have been too +late!" + +Scarcely had she finished speaking, when, without an instant's +warning, the timber through which they were passing suddenly seemed +one mass of blinding flame, while almost simultaneously came the +deafening crash of the thunder. + +"Great Heavens! that must have struck awfully near us!" exclaimed Ned, +but no cry escaped from Leslie's lips, as, shuddering, she clasped his +arm more closely and struggled bravely on. + +It was not until a few seconds later, when there came the sound of the +terrible explosion, followed by the bursting and crashing of the +rocks, while the ground quivered and trembled as though shaken by an +earthquake, that, for an instant, her courage failed, and with a low +cry, she sank to the ground, shivering with horror. But only for an +instant, and then she rose to her feet, dizzy and trembling from the +shock, but brave and determined as ever. + +"Come," she said hoarsely, "we must hasten; perhaps we can help them +in some way, even if we are too late to save them." + +Speechless from a horrible, sickening realization of all which that +terrible shock might mean to those whom they were striving to save, +Ned silently helped her forward. They had gone but a few steps, when +there suddenly burst upon the dark and stormy heavens a dull, red +glare, which grew brighter moment by moment, and on emerging from the +timber into the open ground, a frightful scene met their gaze. + +Dense clouds of smoke were pouring from the shafts of the nearest +mine, while, at a little distance, could be seen the mills, their +whole interior already ablaze with light. In that end of the buildings +containing the sorting rooms and Haight's office, the fire was raging, +having come in contact with quantities of chemicals which had +increased its fury. + +"Great Cæsar!" ejaculated Ned, "the mills were struck, and are on +fire." + +But Leslie uttered a sharp cry, and ran swiftly down the path to where +Lyle lay unconscious, followed quickly by Ned. + +"Poor child, poor child!" she moaned, "oh, merciful heaven, she came +too late, and they are all lost!" + +Then, as she knelt beside the unconscious form, there came another +terrific explosion, which seemed to jar even the rocks about them to +their very foundations, while from the already smoking shafts, the +flames now issued, towering higher and higher, and adding new terror +to the scene. + +Men were seen running from all directions, from the distant groups of +mines, rushing to the burning mills, where the little fire corps +belonging to the camp, were already engaged in a futile battle with +the flames; but around the Yankee Boy mine there was no sign of life. + +The rain now began to descend in torrents, and the first dash of the +storm seemed to revive Lyle, whom Leslie and Ned had raised to a +sitting posture in their efforts to restore her to consciousness. +Slowly she opened her eyes with a bewildered look, then springing to +her feet, still weak and trembling, but resolute and determined, she +gazed about her at the flaming shafts and burning mills, and suddenly +cried, + +"Oh, I can remember now! I remember it all, it has come back to +me,--the terrible wreck, the burning cars all around us, and my mother +crushed in the wreck; then the people carried us out and they put me +down beside her, lying so white and still, and then,--then that +villain came and took me away,--I can see it all," and she +shuddered. + +Then looking at Leslie and Ned, who were watching her with startled +faces, she seemed trying to recall the present situation. Before +either of them could speak, however, there came the report of another +explosion, more distant and deeper underground than any that had yet +occurred, and the sound seemed to bring back to Lyle the memory of her +last moments of consciousness before the first terrible shock, while +the faces of her companions were blanched with terror. + +"I know now," she exclaimed quickly, "I was too late, but Bull-dog +warned them, and they are probably safe; we must go to the tunnels, +they will make their escape there, and we may help them." + +She ran swiftly down the path leading the way, while they followed +only too gladly, their hearts filled with new hope. + +The men, finding it impossible to check the flames at the mills, were +flocking in the direction of the Yankee group of mines. Fearing, +however, to approach very near the scene of danger, they gathered in +groups here and there, while a company of wretched women, the wives +and daughters of the few married men who worked in the fated mines, +ran hither and thither, sobbing and wringing their hands in their +agony of fear and suspense for their own loved ones. Seeing Lyle +leading the way to the tunnels, they all, men and women, followed in +the same direction. + +The fury of the storm had passed; a heavy rain was still falling, but +the wind had subsided, and the clouds had lifted and were already +breaking away. + +Arriving at the tunnels, they found a crowd of men, among them a +number who had made their escape from the mines. The hearts of Ned +Rutherford and Lyle throbbed with joy as they descried Morton standing +among the crowd, but Lyle's heart sank again with sickening dread as +she saw no signs of Everard Houston or of Jack, while Leslie Gladden +moaned in despair. Morton Rutherford was unhurt, except for a few +bruises from flying rocks, and he was pleading with some of the men, +and offering large sums of money to any one or two who would go with +him into the tunnel in search of Houston and some of the missing men. + +"Mr. Houston told me that this part of the mine would be safe for some +time," he shouted, "and I will pay a thousand dollars to any one who +will go with me as guide." + +For a moment no one responded, then one of the men who had escaped, +spoke, + +"No sir, I wouldn't go back in that there mine for five thousand +dollars, I'm out, an' I stays out," while another added, "'Twouldn't +be of no use, sir; mos' likely he was catched in some o' them +cave-ins; he stopped to give us all warnin' an' he was about the last +one to start." + +"Cowards!" exclaimed Lyle, stepping forth among them with blazing +eyes, "he risked his life to save yours, and you will not even try to +save him. Morton," she added, turning toward her lover, "I know every +step of the tunnels, and I will go with you." + +The men slunk back like whipped curs, but made no response. The miners +employed by the company throughout this group of mines were of the +lowest class, and they were none too friendly to Houston, while the +better class of men employed in the other mines were not familiar with +these workings. + +Morton Rutherford advanced to meet Lyle; "My darling," he said, in low +tones, "I cannot allow you to subject yourself to danger." + +"I would rather share the danger with you," she replied proudly, +"besides we must save them." + +"I will go, too," said Ned eagerly, "I surely can help." + +Lyle was about to suggest that he remain with Miss Gladden, but Leslie +herself interposed. + +"No, no, I do not need him," she said earnestly, "I would suffer no +more waiting alone, and he may do much good." + +At that instant, two young men from another group of mines stepped +forward; "If you please, sir," said one of them, "we don't want no +money, and we can't act as guides, not being acquainted with the lay +of things around here, but we'd like to help you, for we like Mr. +Houston, and we're his friends." + +Their offer was gladly accepted, and preparations were hastily and +silently made by the little party. Wet cloths and sponges were +fastened across the lower portion of their faces, to prevent their +inhaling the smoke and gases, while ropes were securely tied about +their waists, the ends of which were to be held by persons on the +outside. A frequent jerking of the rope would assure those outside +that all was right in the tunnel, but a suspension of the jerking +would indicate that that person had been overcome by the gases, and he +would be immediately drawn out to the fresh air, by those at the outer +end of the line. + +Pausing only for a bright smile of encouragement to Leslie, Lyle led +the way into the tunnel, followed by Morton and Ned, the two miners +bringing up the rear, and all disappeared in the subterranean +darkness. + + + + +CHAPTER XLV. + + +When Bull-dog's voice rang out above the storm, with its warning to +Lyle, Houston, standing near the entrance of the shaft, alert, +watchful for the first indication of danger, heard the words +distinctly and acted instantly. + +Having given the usual danger signal, he shouted, "To the tunnels, +boys, for your lives! The mine has been fired, go to the tunnels!" + +On returning from giving the agreed signal to Jack and Mike, he heard +Bull-dog's voice above him in the shaft, calling his name and shouting +the warning. + +"Come, my boy," shouted Houston in return, "we'll start for the +tunnels." + +"Yes sir, I'm a comin', I know the way, but don't you wait fer me +'cause you may git catched." + +"I shall not leave you, Bull-dog, we'll go together," Houston +answered, waiting for the little figure gliding swiftly toward him in +the darkness. + +Suddenly the rocks by which they were surrounded began to quiver and +vibrate; there was a deafening roar followed by a terrific crash, and +an instant later, a mass of loosened rock was tearing its way through +the shaft. + +"Cling to the wall, Bull-dog," shouted Houston, at the same time +seizing a projecting ledge with a vise-like grip, and swinging himself +upward, where he hung by his hands and wrists. It was a horrible +position, but his powerful, athletic muscles bore the strain until the +grinding, tearing mass had passed, and he dropped, scratched and +bruised, but otherwise unhurt, to the ground. + +As he did so, he heard a faint moan, and hastening in the direction +from whence it came, found Bull-dog, who, unable to spring high enough +to escape the passing rocks, had been swept along and partially buried +under the debris that followed. + +"My boy, are you hurt?" asked Houston, bending over him in the +darkness, and removing as fast as possible the mass of crushed and +broken rock under which he lay. + +"Not much, I guess," replied the little, familiar voice, in tones that +tried to be brave and cheery, but which quivered with pain, "I tried +to hold on, Mister Houston, but that big rock was a little too much +fer me." + +As Houston at last freed him, the little fellow tried to rise, but +sank quickly back, with an involuntary cry: + +"I guess I'm done fer--Mister Houston," he gasped faintly, "but I +don't care--if you only--get out safe." + +The smoke and gases were now pouring down the shaft, and Houston +realized that there was no time to be lost. Very tenderly he lifted +the little form in his arms, and began, as rapidly as possible, the +descent of the shaft, groping his way amid the rocks, toward the cut +leading to the tunnels, through which he hoped to escape. + +The motion roused Bull-dog who had fainted. "Mister Houston," he +cried, "don't mind me--I wanted to save you, and I guess you can make +it yet, if you hurry and don't bother with me; I won't mind bein' left +here, 'cause I'll know then that you're safe." + +"Don't you worry, my boy," replied Houston, and his own voice +trembled, "we'll reach daylight all right, but we'll reach it +together; I'll never leave you." + +There was no reply except a contented, confiding nestling of the +little head against Houston's shoulder; then, as a second explosion +thundered above them, jarring the foundations of the rocks once more, +he murmured drowsily, "There she goes again," and sank into +unconsciousness. + +The smoke was now so stifling that Houston was obliged to go upon his +hands and knees, carrying Bull-dog in one arm; his progress was +necessarily slow, but to his great joy he succeeded in finding the cut +leading to tunnel No. 3; then, to his horror, he discovered that the +entrance was blocked by a mass of earth and loose rock which had caved +in. + +Laying Bull-dog carefully down, he examined the obstruction, and +found there was a small opening at the top, and that the mass was of +such a character that it could easily be removed with pick and +shovel, but he had nothing. With desperate energy, he began +tearing away the earth and rocks with his hands, then to his intense +relief, after a few moments' work, he heard voices on the other +side. Houston listened; it was Jack and Mike, who, having waited for +him in the tunnel, expecting him to join them immediately, had +become alarmed at his non-appearance, and were returning with +their picks and shovels, which they had taken out with them, calling +him and searching for him. + +Houston shouted, and they hastened to the rescue, and the entrance was +very quickly cleared sufficiently for Houston to crawl through. Before +passing through, himself, however, he lifted Bull-dog, and carefully +handed the unconscious form to Jack. + +"Who is this?" the latter asked in surprise. + +"Bull-dog, the little hero who has saved our lives by sacrificing his +own," Houston replied. + +"Is he still living?" + +"Yes, but unconscious." + +Silently and tenderly Jack handed the little fellow to the tender-hearted +Mike, who at once started toward the tunnel with his burden, while +Jack turned to assist Houston. + +At that instant, there came the third explosion, which was farther +underground than either of those preceding. It was but a short +distance from them, and an immense scale of overhanging rock quivered +for an instant, then fell, throwing its fragments in every direction. +Mike, at the distance which he had already gained, escaped unhurt. +Jack and Houston sprang in opposite directions, but the pieces of +flying rock overtook them, though they escaped being buried beneath +the mass as it fell. They were both thrown to the ground; Houston +staggered to his feet, badly bruised and cut and his left arm broken, +but Jack remained motionless. + +Hearing Houston's call, Mike quickly returned, and he and Houston +found that Jack was still alive, though badly injured about the head. +The full extent of his injuries they realized they would be unable to +ascertain until they could reach the surface. Together they consulted +as to the best course to pursue. Mike wished to go back and get help +immediately, but Houston insisted that they must first remove Jack and +little Bull-dog as speedily as possible, as there was danger of other +explosions following now in rapid succession, and also danger from the +smoke and gases of the gradually approaching flames, which were +consuming the timbering of the various shafts, and would at length +communicate with the tunnels also. + +Instructing Mike to lay Jack's head across his shoulder, Houston then +clasped his right arm closely about Jack's neck and shoulders. Mike, +carrying Bull-dog on one arm, with the other was to lift Jack +underneath the knees; and in this way they started for the tunnel. + +Houston suffered excruciating pain from the arm hanging helpless +at his side, but he traveled forward without a murmur, scarcely +conscious of his own suffering in his anxiety for Jack. The cut was +comparatively short, but their progress was slow. + +Nearly overcome by the suffocating gases and the smoke, and faint from +pain and loss of blood, Houston had just staggered into the tunnel, +when he heard the welcome sound of the voices of Lyle and of Morton +Rutherford, and knew that they were saved. + + + + +CHAPTER XLVI. + + +Meanwhile, the work of destruction went swiftly forward, explosions +following in quick succession and with terrific force, throughout the +Yankee group of mines, and the adjoining claims; while the flames from +the burning shafts were rivaled by those which spread from the mills +to the shops, storehouses and stables, and finally, to the miners' +quarters, till all were speedily reduced to ashes. + +Around the entrance to tunnel No. 3, a large crowd had gathered, not +only from the various mines, but also from neighboring mining camps, +all anxiously awaiting the return of the rescue party. + +At last they appeared. The first to emerge into daylight, was Ned +Rutherford, bearing in his arms the crushed and mutilated form of +little Bull-dog. Behind him came Houston, partially supported by one +of the young miners and by Lyle, his left arm hanging at his side, his +face deathly white beneath the blood and grime, but firm and dauntless +as ever. As he stepped forth into the light, a wild cheer rose on the +air, but Houston, raising his right hand with a deprecatory motion, +silently pointed backward toward the tunnel, where, slowly emerging +into view of the crowd, were Morton Rutherford and Mike, carrying, +with the assistance of the other miner, the bleeding and unconscious +form of Jack. + +The cheers were hushed, and the crowd silently surged about Houston +and the two motionless, unconscious forms laid side by side upon the +ground, their heads pillowed upon the rough jackets of the men, folded +and tenderly placed beneath them by the hands of Lyle and Leslie, the +latter half fainting with excitement. + +The men crowding about Houston congratulated him with a hearty +hand-clasp, unaccompanied by words, except for an occasional inquiry +as to his own condition. + +"I am all right," he said in reply to the latter, "my arm is nothing, +the merest trifle; my only thought is for the two lives which I fear +have been sacrificed for mine." + +Anxiously he bent above the prostrate forms. Jack's head was +frightfully gashed, and his heavy, labored breathing indicated that +his brain was already affected. Houston spoke a word to Morton +Rutherford, who quickly withdrew, and taking the swiftest horse in +camp, was soon speeding down the road to the Y, in a second race +against death. + +Houston next knelt beside Bull-dog; a faint fluttering about the heart +was the only sign of life. The little waif was well known among the +mining camps of that vicinity, and there were few dry eyes in the +crowd as Houston told the story of his heroism. + +Houston saw the end was very near, and gently slipped his right arm +under Bull-dog's head. Slowly the little fellow opened his eyes, +looking, with a happy smile, into the face bending so tenderly over +him. At that instant, the sun, bursting through the clouds, threw a +ray of golden light in shining benediction across the little white +face. His eyes brightened still more; "We're safe!" he whispered +joyously. There was a slight quiver, and the little form was still. + +The sun, shining as brightly and serenely as though storms were +unknown, looked down into that beautiful canyon upon a strange scene +of ruin, desolation and death. Amid the wreck and debris of the +explosions, lay the little hero who had saved so many lives that day, +upon his face a child-like smile which it had never worn in life; +while farther on down the canyon, beside the smoking embers of the +milling plant, lay the one whose signal had wrought all this +destruction. The men, rushing into the burning mills, had found the +electrical apparatus in ruins, as though torn to pieces by giant +hands, and beside it upon the floor lay Haight, a ghastly sight, his +face blackened and distorted, his right arm and side seared and +shriveled, by the mighty servant who had suddenly burst its fetters. + +Slowly and tenderly Jack was borne to the house, and laid in the room +which had been Houston's, which Lyle had made ready for him with +loving care, her tears falling fast as she recalled his farewell of +the preceding night. To the house came also his two faithful friends, +Mike and Rex, for the little cabin was no more, Jack had indeed spent +his last night beneath its roof, though the succeeding night, to which +he had looked forward, was far different from his anticipations. + +Days afterward, his gripsack, packed with such care on that last night +in the cabin, was found by Houston concealed among the rocks, where +Jack had hidden it on the morning of that eventful day, intending, +when his work was done, to set forth upon his wandering life once +more. + +Morton Rutherford, on arriving at the Y, had sent the following cipher +dispatch to Van Dorn: + + "Come out on special at once. The mines have been fired by + telegraphic orders from Silver City office. Everard badly cut and + arm broken, but not seriously injured. Jack but just alive. Bring + surgeons and nurse as quickly as possible." + +Having sent this message, and finding there was a very good physician +at the Y, he sent him at once to the camp, to remain there until the +surgeons should arrive, doing meantime all in his power to relieve the +sufferers. Then giving orders for one of the company's men to take his +horse, and replace it with a fresh one, Morton returned to the station +to await Van Dorn's reply. + +At the house, Jack was being cared for by Mike and one of the older +miners, who had had considerable experience in nursing, Houston doing +everything which his crippled condition and the intense pain he was +suffering, would permit. + +On the arrival of the physician from the Y, he first visited Jack, and +leaving directions to be carried out for his temporary relief, next +attended to the setting of Houston's arm and the dressing of his +wounds. The operation required some time, but at last it was +completed, and Houston returned to Jack's room. + +The room had been darkened, and in accordance with the physician's +directions, Jack's beard had been shaven and his hair closely cut, to +relieve his head as much as possible. His breathing was more natural, +but he lay quiet and motionless as before. + +As Houston approached the bed in the dim light, he scarcely recognized +his friend, so great was the change in his appearance, but as he drew +nearer, he started visibly. Something in the smooth face and closely +clipped head seemed wonderfully familiar, and carried him back to the +days when he had first entered his uncle's home. Bending over him for +an instant, he scanned the features more closely. It was enough! The +face with its patrician features carved in such perfect beauty, though +lined by sorrow, was the face of his cousin,--his boyish hero and +ideal. + +With a quick, dry sob, Houston turned from the bedside, more deeply +moved than any of his associates had ever seen him. + +"Great God!" he exclaimed, in low tones, "it is Guy Cameron! my cousin +Guy!" and bending over the unconscious form once more, while the great +tears coursed slowly down his face, he murmured: + +"Guy, dear old fellow, and you have known me all this time! God grant +this has not come too late!" + +With a low cry, Lyle had sprung to Houston's side, while Leslie and +Ned Rutherford followed, and the others looked on in mute wonder and +astonishment. Her quick ear had caught the name. + +"What name did you say?" she cried eagerly, "Did you say Guy Cameron? +Is Jack--my Jack--is he my mother's brother?" + +Houston bowed in assent, he could not speak. + +"Oh," moaned Lyle, "no wonder that he loved us so! and we have not +loved him half enough!" and dropping on her knees beside the bed, +sobbing bitterly, she seized the hand, nearly as white as the sheet +upon which it lay, and covered it with passionate kisses. + +A few moments later, Morton Rutherford entered the room; Lyle was +still kneeling by the bedside; beside her was Leslie, quietly weeping. +Ned's eyes were suspiciously red, while in one corner, honest-hearted +Mike was vainly trying to check his fast-flowing tears upon the +sleeves of his blouse. Morton looked quickly toward the strangely +altered face upon the pillows, and was struck by its wondrous beauty. + +Glancing inquiringly at Houston, as he advanced to meet him, he asked +anxiously: + +"Is he worse?" + +"No, there is no change yet, one way or another," Houston replied in +low tones, and continued, "Morton, we were speaking last night, at the +cabin, of my uncle's son,--my cousin, Guy Cameron." + +"Yes, I remember." + +"He is found," Houston's voice trembled, and he could say no more, but +Morton understood. He gazed with new and tearful interest upon the +beautiful face in its death-like calm; then beckoning to Houston, he +said, as they passed from the room: + +"Ah, you have at last found the key to the wondrous bond between you, +and to his self-sacrificing love toward you and yours." + +For a few moments they recalled certain incidents in their acquaintance +with the silent, yet gentle and courteous occupant of the little +cabin, and much that had seemed mysterious was now clear and plain in +the light of this recent revelation. + +At last Morton said; "I must hasten back to the Y," at the same time +handing his friend the telegram received from Van Dorn: + + "Leave in half an hour on special, with surgeons and nurse. + Whitney and Lindlay remain here to attend to business. Warrants + for arrests have been issued." + +"That is good," said Houston, with a sigh of relief, "They are already +on their way. And now, my dear Morton, I have one other commission for +you, if you are willing to perform it." + +"You know I am at your service," Morton replied. + +"My aunt, whose faith and love have watched and waited for her son's +return during all these years, must be brought here as quickly as +possible. I am not in very good condition for travel, and do not feel +that I can leave Guy. I know I can trust her in your care, you will be +to her as a son, and such she will regard you when she knows all, and +I commission you in my name to meet her and bring her out here." + +"That I will very gladly do, my dear Everard, and at once; there must +be no delay. By going out this evening, I will be able to take the +early train east from Silver City: the special arrives at 6:10, the +six o'clock train being held at the Y, until after its arrival. I will +return to the Y, meet Mr. Cameron and have a word with him, and go +directly on to Silver City on the regular train." + +Thirty minutes later, having hastily packed a small grip, and taken a +tender farewell of Lyle, who knew his errand, and with tearful eyes +bade him "God-speed," Morton Rutherford left the house, accompanied by +Ned, who was to return with Mr. Cameron and Van Dorn. + +The sun was slowly sinking behind the crests of the mountains, +flooding the surrounding peaks with glory, when a wagon drawn by four +panting, foaming horses, drew up before the house. + +From the front seat beside the driver, Ned Rutherford and Van +Dorn sprang hastily to the ground, turning quickly to assist a +fine-looking, elderly gentleman, with iron-gray hair and beard, +whose dark, piercing eyes bore a strong resemblance to those of +both Houston and Jack. He needed little assistance, however, and +having alighted, turned with firm step and erect bearing, but +with an expression of deep anxiety, toward the house, followed by +the two young men, and by three strangers. + +At that instant Houston appeared within the little porch, his left arm +in a sling, his face pale and haggard, though with a grave smile of +affectionate welcome. + +Even in that brief instant, Mr. Cameron could not but observe the +change which those few short months had wrought in the face of Everard +Houston, the high-born son of wealth and culture, the pet of society; +it had matured wonderfully; alert and keen, yet grave and thoughtful, +he looked as though he had found a deeper and broader meaning to life +than he had ever dreamed of in his luxurious eastern home. + +"My boy!" exclaimed Mr. Cameron, hastening toward him, "are you sure +you have escaped without serious injury?" + +"Quite sure," Houston replied, limping slightly, as he advanced to +meet his uncle, "my arm was hurt, and I am somewhat scratched and +bruised and a little weak, but otherwise, sound as ever." + +"Thank God for that! I don't mind the loss of the property if you are +safe; all the way out here, my boy, I have been reproaching myself for +ever allowing you to come out to this country." + +"My dear uncle," Houston replied, with peculiar emphasis, "I think you +will soon find you have reason to be very glad and grateful that I +came." + +Mr. Cameron introduced the two surgeons and the nurse; "I feared," he +said, "from your sending for these gentlemen that you might be hurt +far more seriously than I knew." + +"No," said Houston, "but the one who has nearly sacrificed his own +life in helping to save mine, needs their best skill, and I sent for +them on his account." + +"That was right," replied Mr. Cameron, "all that money can do shall be +done for him," while one of the surgeons said, "We will see our +patient at once, Mr. Houston, if you please." + +"You will see him very soon," Houston replied with grave courtesy, +"but there are reasons why my uncle must first see him, and alone." + +Mr. Cameron looked surprised, but silently followed Houston into the +room which had been occupied by the two brothers, but which was now +prepared for him. Then observing something peculiar in Houston's +manner as he closed the door, he asked: + +"What is it, my boy?" + +"Pardon me, if I seem abrupt, uncle," Houston answered, "but every +moment is precious in saving a life unspeakably dear to each of us." + +Mr. Cameron looked startled; Houston continued: + +"You have been like a father to me all these years, and I have felt +toward you as a son, but to-day I have the joy of bringing you to the +one, who holds in your heart, and always will hold, precedence even +over myself." + +"Everard, my boy!" exclaimed Mr. Cameron, in tones vibrating with +suppressed emotion, "what is it? Speak quickly, do not keep me in +suspense," + +"My dear uncle," said Houston very tenderly, "the lost is found." + +Mr. Cameron sank, nearly overcome, into the nearest chair, while his +face grew deathly white. + +"Guy?" he gasped, looking upward at Houston. + +"Yes," said the latter brokenly. + +The strong man covered his face with his hands, while his powerful +frame shook with emotion. + +Houston, when he was able to speak, told him, very briefly, of his +meeting with Jack, of their association, and the strange bond of +sympathy and affection between them, of Jack's devotion, and how at +last, he had been enabled to recognize him. + +Controlling himself with a mighty effort, Mr. Cameron rose, saying: + +"Take me to him." + +Opening the door connecting the two rooms, Houston signaled to those +within to leave the room, then led the father into the presence of the +son whom he had so long mourned as dead. + +Mr. Cameron walked to the bedside, and looked long and earnestly upon +the white face, drawn with pain, but still beautiful, and bearing to a +great extent, the imprint of his own features; then as he tenderly +clasped the hand lying upon the sheet, he murmured brokenly, between +great, tearless sobs: + +"It is he, my boy, my son! Thank God, it is not too late!" + + + + +CHAPTER XLVII. + + +There was a long consultation between the physicians and surgeons +following a careful and thorough examination of their patient, before +the rendering of their decision. + +He had received various injuries of a serious character, but the +injury to the head was far the most dangerous of all. There was a +possibility that with the most careful nursing and the most skillful +medical aid, he might live, but his recovery was exceedingly +doubtful,--one chance out of a hundred. + +"Do your best," was Mr. Cameron's reply to this decision, "do your +best, regardless of cost; if you wish counsel, have it; send out +another nurse, the best you can secure, to relieve this one, and I +wish one or the other of you gentlemen to remain here constantly, we +must not be left without a physician. I may as well inform you now," +Mr. Cameron added, with great dignity, in conclusion, "that your +patient is my son." + +Astonishment was depicted upon the faces of the physicians, but Mr. +Cameron continued: + +"For some months my nephew has been out here incognito, engaged in +unearthing the dishonest schemes and plots of the mining company who +constituted our western agents, and I have just discovered that he was +aided in this work by my son, who, unknown to me, was out here in +disguise, working with the same end in view. You will, of course, +understand, gentlemen, that money is no object; do everything within +your power, and you shall be abundantly compensated." + +Thus it was arranged that one or two physicians were constantly at the +house, and when these returned to Silver City for a few hours, others +took their places. + +A competent cook and housekeeper were also sent out from Silver City, +as the excitement resulting from the terrible events of that day, +together with her husband's connection therewith, which had in some +way become generally known, proved too much for the feeble strength of +Mrs. Maverick, and she was prostrated by the shock. + +Minty, terror-stricken by the results which she believed had followed +her report to Haight, and by his fearful fate, in a fit of hysteria, +confessed the share she had taken in the plot, and was summarily +dismissed. + +After the coming of Mr. Cameron with the surgeons and nurse, Lyle and +Leslie had withdrawn from the sick-room, and busied themselves in +caring for Mrs. Maverick, and in superintendence of the necessary +work; Van Dorn, whose astonishment at the revelations of the last two +days was beyond expression, keeping them informed of the condition of +the sufferer. Lyle was pale with excitement, but calmly and bravely +took her place as head of the strangely assorted household, her heart +throbbing wildly as she anticipated the meeting with Mr. Cameron. + +Within the sick-room the soft, gray twilight had deepened into +darkness. At one side of the bed sat the nurse, his fingers upon the +pulse of the patient, while he listened attentively to his breathing, +now becoming irregular, and broken by low moans and occasional +mutterings. On the other side sat Mr. Cameron, his head bowed upon his +hands, his mind going back to the years of Guy's childhood and youth. +How vividly he recalled many little incidents, seemingly trivial when +they occurred, but carefully treasured among the most precious +memories in the long, sad years that followed! With the memory of his +son, his heart's pride and joy, came also that of the beautiful +daughter, with her golden hair and starry eyes, the light of their +home in those happy days. + +Mr. Cameron seemed lost in thought, but in reality, while thus +reviewing the past, his mind was keenly conscious of the present. In +one corner sat the faithful Mike, while at his feet lay the equally +faithful Rex, who could be neither coaxed nor driven from the room, +but remained quietly watching his master's face, an almost human love +and sorrow looking out of his eyes, as he answered the occasional +moans with a low, piteous whine. + +In another corner Everard talked in low tones with the two physicians +who were to remain that night, Mr. Cameron taking cognizance, in the +midst of his own sorrowful thoughts, of every word. + +At length some one called for a light, and a moment later, Mr. Cameron +was conscious of a light step crossing the room, and of a lamp being +placed on the table near the physicians, though none of its rays fell +in the direction of the sufferer. Lifting his head, he saw the lamp +with a screen so attached as to throw a shade over almost the entire +room, leaving only a small portion lighted; but within that brightly +illumined portion he had a glimpse, for an instant, of a face, which +with its radiant eyes and its shining aureole of golden hair, was so +nearly a counterpart of the one but just recalled so vividly to his +mind, that it seemed a living reproduction of the same. Only a +glimpse, for as he started, wondering if it could be a figment of his +own imagination, the face suddenly vanished into the shadow, and the +figure glided from the room. Still it haunted him; could there have +been a real resemblance? or was it only a hallucination of his own? + +About an hour later, Houston, who had observed his uncle's involuntary +start of surprise on seeing Lyle, and who was anxious that he should +learn the truth as early as possible, slipping his arm within that of +his uncle's, led him out upon the porch, where they lighted their +cigars, smoking for a few moments in silence, then talking together in +low tones of the one so dear to each of them, while Houston related +the details of his first meeting and early acquaintance with the +miner, Jack. + +"Even if Guy cannot recover," said Mr. Cameron, in tremulous tones, +when Houston had finished, "Yet if he lives long enough to see and +recognize his mother and myself, and realize our feeling for him--even +then, I shall be more than repaid for your coming out here,--though +all else were lost." + +"Indeed you would," responded Houston, "but I cannot help feeling that +Guy's life will be spared, that he will live to bless your future +years. But my dear uncle," he continued, very slowly, "although you +are yet unaware of it, you have nearly as much, if not an equal cause +for joy in another direction." + +"I do not understand you, Everard; you surely do not allude to the +property?" + +"No, very far from that; did you notice the young girl who came into +Guy's room to-night?" + +"To bring the light?" + +"The same." + +"Yes, and I intended to inquire of you concerning her. Her face +impressed me strangely; I cannot tell whether it was a fact or my own +imagination, but I had been thinking of the children,--Guy and his +sister,--as they were years ago, and it seemed to me that her face, as +I saw it for an instant, was almost an exact counterpart of my own +Edna's, as she used to look, even to the hair and eyes which were very +peculiar." + +"It was no imagination on your part, the resemblance is very marked, +not only in face, but in voice and manner as well." + +"How do you account for it?" asked Mr. Cameron quickly, "Who is she?" + +"She is the one who, of all the world, would have the best right to +resemble your daughter," replied Houston; then, in answer to Mr. +Cameron's look of perplexed inquiry, he continued: + +"Pardon me, uncle, for any painful allusion, but at the time of my +cousin's death, I believe you had no direct proof as to the fate of +her child?" + +"No absolute proof, of course," replied Mr. Cameron, "only the +testimony of those who identified the mother, that there was no child +with her, and no child among any of those saved answering to the +description given, from which we naturally supposed the little one to +have been killed outright. Why, Everard," he exclaimed, as a new +thought occurred to him, "you certainly do not think this Edna's +child, do you?" + +"Why might it not be possible?" inquired Houston, wishing to lead his +uncle gradually up to the truth. + +"Is this her home?" asked Mr. Cameron in turn. + +"Yes," said Houston, "this has been her home, I believe, for the last +ten years." + +"If the supposition mentioned a moment ago were correct, how would she +be here, amid such surroundings?" + +"Do you know the man who runs this house?" Houston asked. + +"A man by the name of Maverick had charge of it when I was out here +years ago; I do not know whether he is still here." + +"He is; do you know him? Did you ever have any business with him +personally?" + +"Yes, I had him in my employ years ago, in the east, and was obliged +to discharge him for dishonesty." + +"Thereby incurring his life-long hatred and enmity, so that years +afterward, he sought to wreak his revenge upon you by stealing from +the wrecked train, where your daughter lost her life, the little +child who would otherwise have been your solace in that time of +bereavement." + +"Everard!" exclaimed Mr. Cameron, "are you sure you are correct? What +proof have you of this?" + +"The proofs were not discovered until recently," Houston replied, +"although we knew that they existed, but now this girl has found a +letter from Maverick's wife confessing the whole crime, and stating +that it was committed through a spirit of revenge; and she also has in +her possession the articles of clothing she wore at the time she was +stolen, together with a locket containing her mother's picture and her +own name,--Marjorie Lyle Washburn." + +"That is enough," said Mr. Cameron briefly, "let me see her, +Everard." + +Houston stepped within the house, reappearing a few moments later, +with Lyle. Very beautiful she looked as she came forward in the soft +radiance of the moonlight, a child-like confidence shining in the +lovely eyes. + +Mr. Cameron rose to meet her, and taking both her hands within his +own, he stood for an instant, gazing into the beautiful face. + +"My dear child, my own Edna!" he said in broken tones, folding her +closely within his arms, "Thank God for another child restored to us +from the dead!" + +Houston returned to the sick-room, leaving Mr. Cameron and Lyle in +their new-found joy. Lyle told him briefly the story of her life, his +eyes growing stern with indignation as he listened to the wrongs she +had endured, then luminous with tenderness, as she told of Jack's +affectionate care for her. + +"Call me 'papa' my child, as you used to in the days of your +babyhood," he said, kissing her, as they rose to return to Guy's room, +"you never even then, would call Mrs. Cameron or myself anything but +'mamma' and 'papa,' and now you shall be as our own child!" + +Together they watched beside the sick-bed until the morning sun +touched the mountain peaks with glory, but there came no relief to the +sufferer, now moaning and tossing in delirium. + +Eastward, across the mountain ranges, Morton Rutherford was speeding +swiftly, scarcely heeding in his sorrow and anxiety, the grandeur and +beauty through which he was passing; while from Chicago, the +sweet-faced mother was hastening westward, all unconscious that she +was being swiftly and surely borne to the answer of her prayers,--that +in that distant western country to which she was journeying, her son +lay calling her in his fever and delirium. + +She had started in response to a dispatch from Morton Rutherford, at +Silver City: + + "Mr. Cameron and Everard Houston safe and well, but wish you to + come out immediately. Wire where I will meet you in St. Paul. Will + explain when I see you. + + "Morton Rutherford." + +The mining camp that morning, presented a strange scene of idleness +and desolation. Many of the mines were in ruins, while the remainder +were shut down. + +They would remain shut down for an indefinite period, Houston told the +men who had gathered about the house for information. The officers of +the company, he further stated, had been arrested and their property +would soon be seized, hence it would be impossible to state when the +mines would be reopened. It was probable that with the next spring, an +entirely new corporation would be organized, and the mining and +milling plant rebuilt, and operated on a much more extensive scale +than before; and should this be the case, he would then and there +vouch that those of his men who had proven themselves trustworthy and +honorable, would be certain of work, should they desire it, in the +newly opened mines. + +The men knew of Jack's condition, and while not a sound was made that +would disturb the sufferer, the better class swung their hats high in +the air, in token of applause, and then walked silently away. + +It was found in the succeeding days that several miners had lost their +lives in the explosions of the Yankee Boy mine; a few were so far +underground that their doom was inevitable, while others, whom Houston +had warned, instead of following his instructions, had endeavored to +escape through the shafts, and had discovered too late that they had +only rushed on to certain death. + +Maverick, the tool by which all this destruction had been wrought, +after his deadly work was done, overcome by his wretched cowardice, +remained concealed until a late hour; then creeping from his hiding +place to gloat over the havoc and ruin he had wrought, he suddenly found +his triumph was short. Under the shelter of a few boards, temporarily +erected, he found the ghastly remains of his companion and director in +crime. Shivering and trembling with fear, he crept up the road till +within sight of the house, arriving just in time to see Houston,--whom +he supposed crushed and buried within the mine,--presenting Lyle to Mr. +Cameron. He lingered long enough to see her clasped in his arms, then +skulked back into the shadow, retreating down the road, gnashing his +teeth with rage and disappointment. The following day search was made +for him, under instructions from Mr. Cameron and Houston, who +offered a large reward for him, living or dead. His body was found in +an old, abandoned shaft on the mountain side, riddled with bullets. +The vengeance of the miners, desperate from the loss of homes and +employment, had overtaken him first. He was buried hastily and with +little ceremony, his two sons having already taken themselves to parts +unknown, fearful lest the penalty of their father's crimes might be +inflicted upon them, and his fate become theirs also. A day or two +later, Mrs. Maverick, who had been prostrated by the shock of the +explosions and the succeeding events, died from a sudden paralysis, +her feeble mind having first been cheered and soothed by the +assurance from Mr. Cameron of his forgiveness for the small share +which she had taken in the withholding Lyle from her true friends and +home. She was given a decent burial in the miners' little cemetery +at the Y, and the house which for so many years had been called by +their name, knew the Mavericks no more. + +Kind hands laid little Bull-dog under the murmuring pines on the +mountain side, near Morgan's last resting place, but in the hearts, of +Houston and his friends, his memory could never grow dim. + +The small community of miners suddenly vanished, the deserted +quarters, with their blackened ruins, seeming little like the busy +camp of but a few days before, resounding with their songs and jests. + +Only in the house nestling at the foot of the mountain there were no +signs of desertion. It was crowded to overflowing, and within its +walls, during those next succeeding days, what combats were waged, +between hope and fear, joy and despair, life and death! + + + + +CHAPTER XLVIII. + + +Five days had passed, days of raging fever and delirium so violent +that already the powerful frame seemed nearly exhausted; the sufferer +calling almost incessantly for the loved ones of his old home, but +oftenest for his mother. Some faint glimmer of recognition must +occasionally have reached those darkened chambers of the brain, since +when attended by Mr. Cameron, Houston or Lyle, he rested more quietly, +though never calling Lyle by her own name, but always by that of his +sister, Edna. + +The fever had subsided, and he was now rapidly passing into a +death-like stupor, hovering between life and death, unconscious of +skilled physicians and trained nurses that came and went, unconscious +of loving friends bending above him, their prayers and efforts +combined with the skill of the former, in the terrible combat against +the mighty foe. + +The physicians watching by the bedside, shook their heads, as they +felt the pulse, fluttering more and more faintly. + +"He is sinking, failing rapidly," they said, "to-night will be the +crisis, the turning point; unless there is a change then for the +better, he will never see the dawning of another day." + +To Mrs. Cameron, journeying westward with Morton Rutherford, the +moments had seemed like hours, the hours like days, since learning for +whose sake had come the summons to that distant country. Only the +speed of the lightning could have satisfied the heart of the mother +hastening to her long-lost son. + +They had been kept informed along the route of Guy's condition, and +now, upon their arrival at Silver City, on the noon train, they found +a special car awaiting them, to convey them at once to the Y, which +had been ordered by telegraphic dispatch from Mr. Cameron. + +The watchers by the bedside heard the sound of swiftly approaching +wheels; Mr. Cameron and Houston stepped quickly out to greet the +sweet-faced woman hastening toward the house on the arm of Morton +Rutherford. + +"Am I in time? Is our boy still living?" were her first words, as her +husband met her with outstretched arms, his face working with deep +emotion. + +"Just in time, thank God!" was the broken reply. + +"Oh, Walter, is there no hope?" she queried, understanding his words +only too well. + +"I must not deceive you, Marjorie, there is the barest possibility +that he may live, no more." + +"He must live, and he will," replied the mother, in tones that +reminded both Houston and Morton Rutherford wonderfully of Lyle. + +Turning toward Houston, Mrs. Cameron greeted him affectionately, and +gently touching the wounded arm, exclaimed: + +"My poor, dear boy, what a terrible risk you have run!" + +To which he replied, "I would go through it all again, Aunt Marjorie, +for the joy I believe it will bring you and yours." + +A few moments later, Mr. Cameron led his wife into the sick-room. Lyle +had already left the room, and there remained only Leslie Gladden, +sitting quietly near the foot of the bed, and the nurse, who +respectfully withdrew from his place beside the patient, as Mrs. +Cameron approached. + +Calmly, though through fast-falling tears, the mother gazed for a +moment upon her son; then dropping upon her knees beside the bed, she +slipped one arm underneath the pillows, and gently drew the wounded +head upon her own breast, tenderly kissing the brow and cheeks; then +taking his hand within her own, she stroked and caressed it, +meanwhile crooning over him in low, murmuring tones, as though he had +been an infant. + +There were no dry eyes in that little room, not excepting even the +nurse, while from the door-way of the adjoining room, Morton +Rutherford, Lyle and Everard Houston watched the scene with hearts too +full for utterance. Something in that gentle touch must have carried +the troubled mind of the sufferer back to the days of his childhood; +gradually the faint moaning ceased, the drawn, tense features relaxed, +and a sweet, child-like smile stole over his face now assuming a +death-like pallor. + +For hours the mother knelt there, her husband by her side, Everard and +Leslie standing near, while in the background, in the dim light, was +Lyle with Morton Rutherford. + +At last, Mr. Cameron, bending over his wife, entreated her to take a +few moments' rest and a little food. She hesitated, but Everard +spoke: + +"You must take some refreshment, Aunt Marjorie, you have had no food +for hours; Leslie and I will watch here, and if there should be the +slightest change, I will call you." + +At the name of Leslie, Mrs. Cameron looked up, with a sweet, motherly +smile, into the beautiful but tear-stained face beside her, and gently +withdrawing from the bedside, she turned and clasped Miss Gladden in +her arms, saying: + +"My dear Leslie, I did not think we would meet for the first time +under such circumstances as these, but I am more than glad to find you +here. Everard has always been, and still is as our own son, and I +welcome you, my dear, as a daughter." + +On entering the dining-room, Mr. and Mrs. Cameron found a most +tempting luncheon prepared for them, but no one in the room, Lyle +having judged they would prefer to be by themselves for awhile. + +As Mrs. Cameron, having partaken of some slight refreshment, was +preparing to return to the sick-room, her husband said: + +"Wait a moment, my dear; there is another joy in store for you, +Marjorie, in that, through Everard's coming out into this country, we +have received back from the dead, as it were, not only our son, but +also a daughter. I want you to meet her now, my dear, so prepare +yourself for a great surprise, and perhaps, something of a shock." + +"I do not understand you, dear," replied Mrs. Cameron, looking +bewildered, "you certainly do not refer to Leslie, I have met her." + +"No, my love, Leslie is a beautiful girl, and will be to us a lovely +daughter, but I refer to a daughter of our own flesh and blood." + +Stepping to an adjoining room, Mr. Cameron called in a low tone, +"Lyle, my dear," returning immediately to his wife's side to support +her in case the shock should prove too much in her present agitated +condition. + +Lyle glided into the room, slowly approaching Mrs. Cameron, who sat +speechless, pale as death, but controlling herself by a visible +effort. + +"Edna, my child! my own Edna!" she cried, rising with outstretched +arms, and clasping Lyle to her breast; then turning toward her +husband, she asked: + +"What does this mean, Walter? Can this be Edna's child?" + +"Yes, my love," he replied, "this is the little Marjorie we have +mourned as dead for so many years." + +For a while they sat clasped in each other's arms, their tears +commingling, while Mr. Cameron briefly explained to his wife the main +facts in Lyle's strange history. + +"She shall be our own daughter, shall she not, Walter? She shall be to +us just what Edna was?" + +"Certainly," was the response, "she is our own daughter, Marjorie Lyle +Cameron." + +They returned to Guy's room, Mrs. Cameron resuming her old place, with +Guy's head upon her breast, his hand in hers, only that now Lyle knelt +beside her. At their side, and very near his son, was Mr. Cameron, +while just back of them were Everard, Leslie and Morton Rutherford. +Ned Rutherford and Van Dorn lingered in the door-way watching, while +at the foot of the bed stood Mike, the tears coursing down his rugged +face. On the other side of the bed stood the physicians and nurse, +their keen eyes watching the subtle changes passing over the face, now +white as marble, and almost as motionless. + +Fainter and shorter grew the gasping breaths, more and more feeble the +pulse, until at last it was evident to every one within that little +room, that life had very nearly ebbed away. + +But there was one who did not, for one instant, lose faith or hope. +The sublime faith which had upheld her through all those years of a +sorrow greater than death, did not desert her now. Lyle seemed to +share her faith, and they alone remained calm and tearless, the +saint-like face of the mother shining with love and trust. + +Suddenly, upon that death-like stillness, her voice rang out, with +startling clearness: + +"Guy! oh, Guy, my darling!" + +And to that soul, slipping through the fast-darkening shadows, almost +within the grasp of the great enemy, there seemed to have come some +echo of those tones, with their piercing sweetness, recalling him to +life; for, with a long, quivering breath, Guy slowly opened his eyes, +gazing, for an instant, with a dreamy smile, upon the faces +surrounding him. His eyes closed with a gentle sigh, but while those +about him anxiously awaited the next breath, they again opened, full +of the light of recognition, while a rapturous smile grew and deepened +upon his face, irradiating his features with joy, his lips moving in a +whisper so faint that only the mother's ear could catch the words: + +"I thought--it was--all--a dream,--but--it--is true," then, exhausted, +he sank into a deep sleep like a child's, his breathing growing more +and more regular and natural, moment by moment. + +The physicians withdrew from the bedside, their vigil was over; "He +will live," they said briefly, while in response, there rose from all +parts of the room, deep sobs of joy. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIX. + + +For the first week or two, Guy Cameron's recovery was slow, but at the +expiration of that time his vigorous constitution reasserted itself, +and he gained rapidly. + +Meanwhile, at Silver City, affairs were progressing under the +efficient management of Mr. Whitney, the clear-headed attorney from +New York. + +When orders for arrest were first issued, it was soon discovered that +the office of the North Western Mining, Land & Investment Company was +practically deserted. None of their books or papers were to be found, +their clerks had been dismissed, and no trace existed of the officers +of the company. No information regarding their whereabouts could be +obtained from any of the officers of the several high-titled companies +occupying the same room, as they were supremely and serenely +unconscious that anything out of the usual order had occurred, and +full of regrets that they were unable to furnish the desired +information. + +Blaisdell was discovered the following day, in company with his eldest +son, in an old abandoned mine about two miles from town, which he +claimed they were working, his limited means not allowing him to +wander far from the scene of his crimes. He was brought back to town +and held pending the discovery of Wilson and Rivers, for whom +detectives were searching in every direction. The former was never +found, but at the end of about two weeks, the latter was run to earth +in an eastern city, where he was masquerading in snow-white wig and +beard and colored eye-glasses, as a retired and invalid clergyman, +living in great seclusion. + +Blaisdell and Rivers were tried on the charge of murder, the most +important witnesses for the prosecution being Everard Houston and +Morton Rutherford; the latter testifying as to the nature of the final +and fatal dispatch sent on that eventful day, in which he was +corroborated by the telegraph operator of the Silver City office, who +had been found and secured as a witness, and who verified Rutherford's +statements regarding the message, but at the same time cleared Mr. +Blaisdell from all connection therewith; the message having been sent +by Rivers in Blaisdell's absence, whether with his knowledge and +consent, they were unable to ascertain. The charge against Blaisdell +was therefore dismissed through lack of evidence, while in Rivers' +case, a verdict was returned for manslaughter, and he was given the +extreme limit of the law, imprisonment for ten years. + +Blaisdell was then speedily arraigned for a new trial on the charge of +embezzlement, the date on which his case was set for hearing being the +same as that upon which his partner in crime was to be transferred to +the state penitentiary. + +On that morning, however, the guard on going to the cell occupied by +Rivers, found him just expiring, having succeeded in smuggling into +his cell a quantity of morphine, how or when, no one could ascertain. +He left a letter in which he stated that no state penitentiary had +ever held him, or ever would, but that "as the game was up" he would +give them a few particulars regarding his past life. He gave his true +name, the name of a man who, twenty-five years before, had been wanted +in the state of New York for a heavy bank robbery and murder. For +years, under an alias, he had belonged to a gang of counterfeiters in +Missouri, but upon the discovery and arrest of the leaders of the +band, he had assumed his present alias and had come west. + +As Blaisdell took his place that morning in the prisoner's box, he was +a pitiable object. Haunted almost to madness by the awful fate of his +associate, confronted by an overwhelming array of evidence, furnished +by Houston, Van Dorn and Lindlay, including also a deposition of Guy +Cameron's, taken in his sick-room, his own abject and hopeless +appearance bore the most damaging testimony against him. His case was +quickly decided, his sentence being for seven years. + +After the trial, Morton Rutherford and Van Dorn returned at once to +the camp, and a day or two later, when business affairs had at last +been satisfactorily adjusted, Mr. Cameron and Houston returned, +bringing with them Mr. Whitney and Lindlay, for a visit of a week +among the mountains, before the entire party should return east. + +It was now early in the fall. Already the nights were frosty, but the +days were royal as only early autumnal days among the mountains can +be. Every breath was exhilarating, each inhalation seeming laden with +some subtle elixir of life. + +Guy Cameron was now convalescent, able to sit with his friends in the +low, rustic porch, or even to join them in short strolls among the +rocks by the lake. + +One afternoon they all sat in and about the porch, in the soft, hazy +sunlight, the vines and shrubbery about them brilliant in their +autumnal tints of crimson and orange and gold. The group was complete, +with the exception of Mr. Cameron and Mr. Whitney, who still lingered +within doors, engaged in drawing up some papers of which no one seemed +to understand the import, excepting Houston, who had just left the +gentlemen to join the group outside. + +It was a strikingly beautiful picture; Mrs. Cameron seated in +the center, with her sweet face and snow-white hair, and on either +side a lovely daughter. Near Lyle were seated Guy Cameron and +Morton Rutherford,--between whom there already existed a deep +affinity,---with their faces of remarkable strength and beauty. +On the grass, just outside the porch, in various easy attitudes, +were Ned Rutherford, Van Dorn and Lindlay, and it was noticeable +that under the influence of late events, even Ned's boyish face +was gradually assuming a far more mature and thoughtful expression. + +As Houston seated himself beside Leslie, both she and Lyle observed +that his face was lighted with a smile of deep satisfaction, but he +remained silent, and the conversation continued as before, the members +of the little group engaged in anticipations of their return to their +respective homes, and in comments upon this particular portion of the +west with which they had become familiar. + +"Which will you love best, Jack, my dear," Lyle asked of Guy in low +tones, using the old form of address still very dear to her, "the +eastern home, or the mountains?" + +"My old home was never so dear to me as now," he replied, "but I am +deeply attached to the mountains; for years they were my only friends, +and I shall wish to look upon them occasionally in the future." + +"Well," Ned Rutherford was saying, "I wouldn't have thought it, but +I've got so attached to this place out here, I'd like an excuse of +some sort,--some kind of business, you know,--that would bring me here +part of the time; what do you think, Mort?" + +"I think our associations here have had a great deal to do with the +attractions of the place, but as a quiet retreat in which to spend a +few weeks of each summer, I can not imagine a more delightful place." + +"Everard, of what are you thinking so deeply?" demanded Lyle, watching +his thoughtful face, "you have not spoken a word since you came out." + +"I am thinking of the evening when first we had Mr. Lindlay and Mr. +Van Dorn as guests in this house; thinking of the contrast between +then and now; that was ushering in the close of the old regime, and +this is the eve of the new." + +"When will the mines be reopened?" inquired Van Dorn. + +"Just as soon as possible after the rebuilding of the plant, next +spring." + +"All these mines will be owned and controlled by the New York company, +will they not?" + +"Yes, and they will probably purchase other good properties." + +"'Pon my soul, but that will make a fine plant, out 'ere!" exclaimed +Lindlay. + +"I should say so," responded Van Dorn. + +Just at that instant, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Whitney appeared, the latter +carrying a large roll of legal cap, covered with his well-known +hieroglyphics. + +"My dear," said Mr. Cameron, seating himself beside his wife and a +little in the rear of the remainder of the group, "Mr. Whitney and +myself have been engaged in drawing up the articles of incorporation +of the new mining company to be organized out here very shortly, and +I thought perhaps you and the young people would be interested in +them. I want to say that they are drawn up subject to the approval of +all parties interested, and after you have heard them read, we want +you to express your opinions, jointly and severally. Mr. Whitney, as I +believe you are the only one who would be able to read those +cabalistic signs, we will now listen to you." + +Amid a general laugh at Mr. Whitney's expense, he began the reading of +the articles of incorporation. The first article, setting forth the +object of the corporation, was read, and by the time Mr. Whitney had +reached the second, the members of the party were all attention. + +"Article II. This corporation shall be known as The Rocky Mountain +Mining Company." + +A murmur of approval ran through the little group, and the sonorous +tones continued: + +"Article III. The officers of the company hereby incorporated shall be +as follows: Walter E. Cameron, president; Walter E. Houston, +vice-president; Guy M. Cameron, treasurer and general manager; Edward +B. Rutherford, Jr., secretary." + +Mr. Cameron, from his post of observation, watching to see the effect +produced by the reading of this document, did not have to wait long. +The faces of the ladies expressed their delight, while Ned Rutherford +was speechless with astonishment; but it was the figure half reclining +in the invalid chair that he watched most closely; it was his son's +approval that he most desired. + +At the mention of his name, Guy Cameron had given a slight start, but +he now lay with closed eyes, the only sign of emotion visible being +that his pale face had grown still paler. Only the preceding day, Guy +and his parents had held their first and only conversation together +regarding the time so long past, Mr. and Mrs. Cameron intending it to +be the first and last allusion which should be made to that sad time. +Guy well knew that all was forgiven; he knew that the unhappy secret +had been guarded with such loving care that his reputation was +untarnished, there was nothing to be recalled against him on his +return; yet he would consent only to a brief visit to the old home; he +would not yet return permanently. + +"Let me first go into business somewhere, and retrieve myself in my +own eyes at least," he had said, "not be taken back as a prodigal." + +Mr. Cameron had conferred with Houston, and both hoped that a +responsible position in the newly organized company, amid the old +familiar scenes and work, and associated with those to whom he had +become personally attached, would more than meet his wishes. Mr. +Cameron had wished to make him general manager on account of his +familiarity with the business, while Houston wished him to hold the +office of treasurer, as token of their perfect trust; hence the two +were combined. + +After all the articles of incorporation had been read in full, the +little group broke up, and crowded around the newly-chosen young +officers with many congratulations. + +"Great Scott!" ejaculated Ned, "I never was so thunder struck in my +life! Accept it? well, I should say so, Mr. Cameron, and with many +thanks; you couldn't have picked out anything that would suit me +better. I guess," he added in a confidential aside to Houston, "I +guess that will fix the old fellow down there in Boston all right." + +Guy grasped his father's hand and Houston's in a manner that removed +every anxiety from their minds. + +"It is more than satisfactory," he said, "more than I could wish." + +The following day, Mr. Whitney, Lindlay and Van Dorn returned east, +leaving the "family party" as they laughingly styled themselves, to +follow later. + +Among the pleasant surprises of those last few days of their stay, it +was discovered that Leslie Gladden, whom Mrs. Cameron and Lyle had +urged to make her home with them upon their return, was the owner of a +palatial residence not many blocks from their own city home, besides +having a snug little fortune in bonds and stocks. + +Houston's surprise was unbounded, but remembering how he had won +Leslie's love, there was little he could say. + +"I thought you once said you never had a home of your own," he +remarked in considerable perplexity. + +"Well," she replied archly, "a residence is not necessarily a home; it +has never been a home to me since my earliest recollection, but it +will be one soon, in the truest sense of the word." + +One morning a few days later, they awoke to find the mountains about +them white with snow, and a light snowfall in the canyon; and though +the latter vanished presently under the balmy breath of a "chinook," +it had given them warning that the winter king was approaching, and +would soon seize the scepter from autumn's hand, to begin his long +reign among the mountains. + +That day, the old house which had witnessed such varied scenes within +the past few months, was closed, and a very joyous party started for +Silver City, the initial point of the long eastward journey, their +hearts throbbing with delight that they were homeward bound. + +In the first carriage rode Mr. and Mrs. Cameron and their newly-found +son and daughter, while following so closely that their merry jokes +and song and laughter were intermingled, were Everard Houston, Leslie +Gladden and the two brothers; and as they passed down the winding +canyon road, casting loving, farewell glances at the friendly peaks, +clad that day in dazzling brightness, and recalled their first coming +to the heart of the Rockies, they were, one and all, agreed that the +end was better than the beginning. + + * * * * * + +According to Houston's prediction, the mines were reopened the +following year, and operated on a far more extensive scale. On the +site of the old mills, an immense building was erected, thoroughly +equipped with the latest improvements in mining machinery and +electrical and mechanical appliances. The old mines were repaired and +extended and new properties were purchased, giving employment to +hundreds of men. Early in the second year, a railroad was constructed +by the company, extending up the canyon from the Y, to the camp, for +the transportation of ore, mining supplies, freight and passengers. + +As the mines were enlarged and new properties developed, quite a +community sprang up in that vicinity, which, after the construction of +the railroad, speedily developed into a typical mining town; and now, +after a lapse of three years, few would recognize the old camp. + +Half way up the steep grade from the Y, is the smelting plant of the +company, while at the terminus of the road, are the long, stone +storehouses, at one end of which is the general office and a pleasant +reception room. Next comes the great milling and reduction plant, +while just beyond are the offices of the company, a fine, three-story +brick building. From this building can be seen, in one direction the +extensive mining works, with their labyrinth of shafts and tunnels, +diggings and dumps; while in another direction are stretched the homes +of the miners, the boarding houses, and, at a little distance, the +post-office, hotel, stores and shops of the little town, as well as a +tasteful church and school house. As one gazes upon the peaceful +picture of the mountain town, there is nothing to recall the frightful +scene of destruction and ruin of only three years past. + +There is little to remind one of former times, until, having followed +the broad, winding road for some distance, one suddenly comes upon a +familiar sight. Nestling at the foot of the pine-covered mountain, on +the site of the old boarding house, is a beautiful, wide-spreading +stone cottage, so built that its numerous bow-windows take in a view +of the azure lake and shining cascades, as well as of the surrounding +peaks and the sunset sky; and on the broad, vine-covered veranda, is a +well-known group, who come from their distant, city homes, to spend a +few weeks of each summer amid the grandeur and beauty of the +mountains, to listen to the whispering of the pines and the music of +the cascades. + +Morton Rutherford and his bride are here; Lyle, physically and +mentally developed into royal, radiant womanhood, more beautiful than +ever, but to whom there comes occasionally an irresistible longing to +revisit her old mountain home, for the years of happiness and love +have obliterated all bitter memories of the loveless, joyless +childhood, and only the remembrance of its beauty remains. + +By her side, is Guy Cameron, his proud, erect bearing showing the +change which these few years have wrought in his life; lonely and +solitary no longer, for near him is a queenly woman, who, knowing the +sad secret of his past, will share and brighten his future. + +Everard Houston and his lovely wife need no introduction, but, beside +them is a little stranger, possessing Leslie's wondrous dark eyes, but +Houston's features,--another little Marjorie,--while beside the wee +maiden is a small chevalier, only two months her senior, rejoicing in +the name of Morton Rutherford. In the dignified, business-like face of +the proud father, it is difficult to recognize the former Ned +Rutherford, but while possessing still the same light-hearted nature, +yet the responsibilities intrusted to him, and the years of constant +association with a man like Everard Houston, have developed a business +ability surprising even to himself. As secretary of the Rocky Mountain +Mining Company, he has proved to be the right man in the right place, +thereby reflecting much credit upon Houston's insight and good +judgment in selecting him for the position. By his side is a fair +woman, the "Grace" of whom he used to dream when first he visited the +mountains. + +Strolling up and down the graveled walks, in consultation regarding +the mines, are two figures, one of whom is easily recognized as Arthur +Van Dorn, mining expert for the company, and superintendent of the +milling and reduction plant. The energetic, business man by his side +is M. T. Donovan, superintendent of the entire mining plant, but a +second glance is necessary to recognize in him, Mike, the old-time +miner, and the faithful friend of Guy Cameron in his years of +loneliness. Donovan and Van Dorn present a striking contrast, but they +are good friends, and the latter's personation of the former, on a +certain occasion, is a standing joke between them. + +There is one more familiar figure, not to be omitted, and that is Rex, +stretched on the soft grass in an attitude of perfect content, his +nose resting on his paws, his eyes fixed on his master's face with the +old-time devotion. + +Beautiful as this picture may be, it is not quite complete without a +glimpse of a far-away, eastern home, where, in the gloaming, beside an +open grate, sit a couple with peaceful faces, crowned with snow-white +hair. They have passed the grand summit of middle age, with its broad +horizons, where hope and ambition are at their zenith, and together +are journeying down the long, gentle declivity; but the clouds of loss +and bereavement and pain that gathered about their path in the years +gone by, have passed, and the valley before them is flooded with +golden light. Their home circle, once broken, is now nearly complete; +the once vacant places by the fireside are again filled, and the old +home, silent for so many years, again resounds with song and laughter, +and echoes once more to the music of childish voices and the patter of +little feet. + +For hours, they sit talking together of the joys which the late years +have brought them; until the moonlight steals in through the open +windows, reverently touching their heads with a silvery radiance, at +the same time looking down in silent, shining benediction upon the +peaceful scene in the heart of the Rockies. + +FINIS + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Award of Justice, by A. Maynard Barbour + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 30028 *** |