still think that you know some one who will purchase it?" he
said, eagerly.

"Yes, sir--if--if it proves all that you have described it, I think I may
like to buy it myself," Mr. Heath answered quietly, but with rising color.

"You! you don't look like a person who would care to take to mining for a
living," returned his host, in a surprised tone.

"I might say the same of you, sir," said the young man, smiling.

Mr. Abbot flushed, and for a moment appeared considerably agitated and
unable to speak.

Then he said, with something of hauteur in his manner:

"Sometimes a person is compelled by circumstances, over which he has no
control, to adopt a pursuit, which under other conditions he would shun as
both unfitting and obnoxious."

"I beg your pardon, Mr. Abbot," Mr. Heath hastened to say, in a
deprecatory tone. "I had no intention of calling to mind anything of an
unpleasant nature; my reply was lightly and thoughtlessly given. However,
I have always had a desire to see something of mining, and although I may
not attempt to work at it myself, I think I should like to own a claim."

"Very well; then to-morrow I will show you over the premises; and explain
all that you may wish to know; perhaps, though you may not be quite so
much in favor of a miner's life when you come to realize the difficulties
attending it."

Chi Lu now interrupted with the information that tea was ready, and Mr.
Abbot repeated the invitation that Virgie had already given to their new
friend, insisting further, that he should remain their guest until he
should decide regarding the purchase of the claim.

Upon being assured that it would inconvenience the household in no way, he
consented, nothing loath at the prospect of being allowed to bask in
Virgie's presence, and to have an opportunity to study her character more
fully.

After tea, which was really a dainty meal, far better and more acceptably
served than any the young traveler had eaten since leaving San Francisco
three weeks previous, Mr. Heath, seeing that Mr. Abbot was weary and more
inclined to rest upon the lounge than to converse, asked Virgie if she
would allow him to be her escort and go out for a ramble.

The young girl flushed with pleasure at the request, and cordially
assented.

She wrapped her fleecy shawl once more about her shoulders, and tying a
dainty hat--which Chi Lu's skillful fingers had woven from mountain
grasses, and her own fair hands had trimmed--upon h