discovery, its extent, and its probable effect upon the fortunes of
the locality. He noticed, abstractedly, that both Mrs. Bradley and her
cousin showed a real or assumed scepticism of its value. This did
not disturb him greatly, except for its intended check upon Minty's
enthusiasm. He was more conscious, perhaps,--with a faint touch of
mortified vanity,--that his own contemplated departure was of lesser
importance than this local excitement. Yet in his growing conviction
that all was over--if, indeed, it had ever begun--between himself and
Louise, he was grateful to this natural diversion of incident which
spared them both an interval of embarrassing commonplaces. And, with
the suspicion of some indefinable insincerity--either of his own or
Louise's--haunting him, Minty's frank heartiness and outspoken loyalty
gave him a strange relief. It seemed to him as if the clear cool breath
of the forest had entered with her homely garments, and the steadfast
truth of Nature were incarnate in her shining eyes. How far this poetic
fancy would have been consistent or even coexistent with any gleam of
tenderness or self-forgetfulness in Louise's equally pretty orbs, I
leave the satirical feminine reader to determine.

It was late when Bradley at last returned, bringing further and more
complete corroboration of the truth of Sharpe's good fortune. Two
experts had arrived, one from Pine Flat and another from the Summit, and
upon this statement Richardson had offered to purchase an interest in
the discovery that would at once enable the blacksmith to develop his
mine. "I shouldn't wonder, Mainwaring," he added cheerfully, "if he'd
put you into it, too, and make your eternal fortune."

"With larks falling from the skies all round you, it's a pity YOU
couldn't get put into something," said Mrs. Bradley, straightening her
pretty brows.