to get rich--real
rich. I wish to buy her the finest house in our native town, give her
horses and carriages; I'll die before I will return poor. The people in
the town have often and often hurt her feelings by their deridings,
telling her that I had forgotten her, that if I did succeed in winning a
fortune I would never return to her, but would marry some one else. They
told her I was a thriftless vagrant, never would get rich, and through
all this she has remained true to me, and every time I receive a letter
from her she urges me to return. I don't know; if my mine turns out all
right I will return, if it don't I will not return, and here I am just
about to learn what the chances are. It means to me life, love, and
happiness, or a return to the endless longing that has inspired me for
the last fifteen years; but, boy, I will never return unless I have a
fortune."

"No wonder you are restless, and I am now as much interested in our
success on your account as I am on my own."

"I have high hopes, lad--yes, high hopes."

On the morning following the dialogue related, all hands were up bright
and early and they started for the mine, and in two hours were on the
ground. Creedon was pale as a pictured ghost while pointing out to
Brooks the indications, and Brooks also was excited as he made his
study.

We will not bore our readers with an account of the investigations made
by Brooks, but will state that at the end of the second day he was
compelled to announce that the mine was valueless.

Desmond thought he had never seen a more disconsolate look on any man's
face than the one that settled over the face of Creedon when the
announcement was made.

"Your mine don't amount to anything in itself," said Brooks, "but it
carries a suggestion; it is a compass that points to where a valuable
mine may be found. We are not in it yet; to-morrow I will make a survey
and I may get indications that will carry us to the ledge where the gold
ores extend in paying quantities--yes, I think I can read the
indications as plainly as though the road were mapped out."

Brooks spent two days, and then said:

"It's all right; there is a mine somewhere, but I must have the proper
instruments and testing utensils. I will leave you and Desmond here in
the mountains and proceed to the nearest settlement and secure what I
need. Creedon, I can almost promise you that we will find a rich
digging, and it will be more accessible than this one."