only in
the wasted, hollow figure that feebly opened the door to his father.

On which intelligence Mr. Staples was, as usual, promptly on the spot
with his story of Johnny's secret to the father, and his usual eager
questioning to the fast-sinking boy. "And now, Johnny," he said, leaning
over the bed, "tell us ALL. There is One from whom no secrets are hid.
Remember, too, that dear Florry, who is now with the angels, has already
confessed."

Perhaps it was because Johnny, even at that moment, hated the man;
perhaps it was because at that moment he loved and believed in Florry,
or perhaps it was only that because at that moment he was nearer the
greater Truth than his questioner, but he said, in a husky voice, "You
lie!"

Staples drew back with a flushed face, but lips that writhed in a
pained and still persistent eagerness. "But, Johnny, at least tell us
where--wh--wow--wow."

I am obliged to admit that these undignified accents came from Mr.
Staples' own lips, and were due to the sudden pressure of Mr. Medliker's
arm around his throat. The teamster was irascible and prompt through
much mule-driving, and his arm was, from the same reason, strong and
sinewy. Mr. Staples felt himself garroted and dragged from the room,
and only came to under the stars outside, with the hoarse voice of Mr.
Medliker in his ears:--

"You're a minister of the gospel, I know, but ef ye say another word to
my Johnny, I'll knock the gospel stuffin' out of ye. Ye hear me! I'VE
DRIVEN MULES AFORE!"

He then strode back into the room. "Ye needn't answer, Johnny, he's
gone."

But so, too, had Johnny, for he never answered the question in this
world, nor, please God, was he required to in the next. He lay still and
dead. The community was scandalized the next day when Mr. Medliker sent
for a minister from Sacramento to officiate at his child's funeral, in
place of Mr. Staples, and then the subject was dropped.

*****

But the influence of Johnny's hidden treasure still remained as a
superstition in the locality. Prospecting parties were continually made
up to discover the unknown claim, but always from evidence and data
altogether apocryphal. It was even alleged that a miner had one night
seen the little figures of Johnny and Florry walking over the hilltop,
hand in hand, but that they had vanished among the stars at the very
moment he thought he had discovered their secret. And then it was
forgotten; the prosperous Mr. Medliker, now th