ere was the more reason
why he should continue his search, and render any assistance if
required. There was another idea that occurred to him, which
eventually decided him to go on. It was that both these trails led to
the decayed sycamore stump, and that the older Slinn might have
something to do with the mysterious letter. Quickening his steps
through the field, he entered the hollow, and reached the intersecting
trail as he expected. To the right it lost itself in the dense woods
in the direction of the ominous stump; to the left it descended in
nearly a straight line to the highway, now plainly visible, as was
equally the boulder on which he had last discovered Mamie sitting with
young Slinn. If he were not mistaken, there was a figure sitting there
now; it was surely a man. And by that half-bowed, helpless attitude,
the object of his search!

It did not take him long to descend the track to the highway and
approach the stranger. He was seated with his hands upon his knees,
gazing in a vague, absorbed fashion upon the hillside, now crowned with
the engine-house and chimney that marked the site of Mulrady's shaft.
He started slightly, and looked up, as Don Caesar paused before him.
The young man was surprised to see that the unfortunate man was not as
old as he had expected, and that his expression was one of quiet and
beatified contentment.

"Your daughters told me you were here," said Don Caesar, with gentle
respect. "I am Caesar Alvarado, your not very far neighbor; very happy
to pay his respects to you as he has to them."

"My daughters?" said the old man, vaguely. "Oh, yes! nice little
girls. And my boy Harry. Did you see Harry? Fine little fellow,
Harry."

"I am glad to hear that you are better," said Don Caesar, hastily, "and
that the air of our country does you no harm. God benefit you, senor,"
he added, with a profoundly reverential gesture, dropping unconsciously
into the religious habit of his youth. "May he protect you, and bring
you back to health and happiness!"

"Happiness?" said Slinn, amazedly. "I am happy--very happy! I have
everything I want: good air, good food, good clothes, pretty little
children, kind friends--" He smiled benignantly at Don Caesar. "God
is very good to me!"

Indeed, he seemed very happy; and his face, albeit crowned with white
hair, unmarked by care and any disturbing impression, had so much of
satisfied youth in it that the grave features of his quest