udgeon. All grace and flexibility had gone out
of it, and it had become a mere instrument of toil. It was seamed and
misshapen; yet it had been carefully manicured, and the pointed nails
looked fantastic and animal-like. A great seal-ring bore an elaborate
monogram, while the little finger displayed a collection of diamonds and
emeralds truly dazzling to behold. An impulse of humanity and a sort
of artistic curiosity, much stronger than her discretion, urged Kate to
continue her conversation.

"What were you doing up the gulch?" she said.

The man leaned back in his chair and regarded her a moment before
answering. He realized the significance of her question. He took it as
a sign that she was willing to be friendly. A look of gratitude,
almost tender, sprang into his eyes,--dull gray eyes, they were, with a
kindliness for their only recommendation.

"Makin' my pile," he replied. "I've been in these parts twenty years.
When I come here, I thought I was goin' to make a fortune right off. I
had all th' money that mother could give me, and I lost everything I had
in three months. I went up th' gulch." He paused, and wiped his forehead
with his handkerchief.

There was something in his remark and the intonation which made Kate say
softly:

"I suppose you've had a hard time of it."

"Thar you were!" he cried. "Thar was th' rock--risin', risin', black! At
th' bottom wus th' creek, howlin' day an' night! Lonesome! Gee! No one
t' talk to. Of course, th' men. Had some with me always. They didn't
talk. It's too-too quiet t' talk much. They played cards. Curious, but I
never played cards. Don't think I'd find it amusin'. No, I worked. Came
down here once in six months or three months. Had t' come--grub-staked
th' men, you know. Did you ever eat salt pork?" He turned to Kate
suddenly with this question.

"Why, yes; a few times. Did you have it?"

"Nothin' else, much. I used t' think of th' things mother cooked. Mother
understood cookin', if ever a woman did. I'll never forget th' dinner
she gave me th' day I came away. A woman ought t' cook. I hear American
women don't go in much for cookin'."

"Oh, I think that's a mistake," Kate hastened to interrupt. "All that I
know understand how to serve excellent dinners. Of course, they may not
cook them themselves, but I think they could if it were necessary."

"Hum!" He picked up a long glove that had fallen from Kate's lap and
fingered it before returning it.

"I s'pose you