he necessary business was gone through.

So Herbert found himself a half owner of the Blazing Star Mine, of Deer
Creek, Colorado.

"I hope your mine will turn out well, Herbert," said Melville, smiling.

"I wish it might for mother's sake!" said Herbert, seriously.

"It won't be my fault if it don't," said his partner. "I shall stay here
now, and get to work."

"Ought I not to help you?" asked Herbert.

"No; Mr. Melville will want you. I will hire a man here to help me, and
charge it to your share of the expenses."

So the matter was arranged; but Herbert rode over two or three times a
week to look after his property.

CHAPTER XXXIII. GOOD NEWS FROM THE MINE.

"Well, Herbert, what news from the mine?" asked Melville, two weeks
later, on Herbert's return from Deer Creek, whither he had gone alone.

"There are some rich developments, so Jack says. Do you know, Mr.
Melville, he says the mine is richly worth five thousand dollars."

"Bravo, Herbert! That would make your half worth twenty-five hundred."

"Yes," said the boy complacently; "if we could sell at that figure, I
could pay you back and have two thousand dollars of my own. Think of
that, Mr. Melville," continued Herbert, his eyes glowing with pride and
pleasure. "Shouldn't I be a rich boy?"

"You may do even better, Herbert. Don't be in a hurry to sell. That
is my advice. If the present favorable indications continue, you may
realize a considerably larger sum."

"So Jack says. He says he is bound to hold on, and hopes I will."

"You are in luck, Herbert."

"Yes, Mr. Melville, and I don't forget that it is to you I am indebted
for this good fortune," said the boy, earnestly. "If you hadn't bought
the property for me, I could not. I don't know but you ought to get some
share ef the profits."

George Melville shook his head.

"My dear boy," he said, "I have more than my share of money already.
Sometimes I feel ashamed when I compare my lot with others, and consider
that for the money I have, I have done no work. The least I can do is to
consider myself the Lord's trustee, and do good to others, when it falls
in my way."

"I wish all rich men thought as you do, Mr. Melville; the world would be
happier," said Herbert.

"True, Herbert. I hope and believe there is a considerable number who,
like myself, feel under obligations to do good."

"I shall be very glad, on mother's account, if I can go home with money
enough to make her independ