ad they hoped would do so much for them.

Sometimes they brought small presents with them, and I remember one who
watched our efforts admiringly said: "You must be clearing your little
pile by the way you're rustling," and looked blankly incredulous when I
answered: "No; we're only trying to pay back other men their own."

Nevertheless, on occasions when the work was suspended temporarily, I made
a two days' journey to Colonel Carrington's ranch, and spent a few
blissful hours there beneath the cedars with his sister and Grace. Both
seemed pleased to see me, and I managed to console myself for the absence
of the Colonel and Ormond. They returned at sunset, when I took my
departure, and even Ormond was usually disreputable of aspect. Many
difficulties were connected with the development of the Day Spring mine,
and when there was need for it Ormond showed himself a capable man of
action. Night and day the freighters met him riding along the heavy
trails, hurrying in tools and supplies, and the shaft-sinkers said that he
was always foremost when there was risky work to be done. Once also, when
I sat smoking in Calvert's shanty, the latter, who was freely smeared with
the green mountain clay, said:

"We are none of us exactly idlers, but Geoffrey Ormond is tireless. In
fact, I hardly recognize him as the same man, and it is just as well. We
have sunk a good deal in this undertaking, and it will go hard with some
of the Syndicate if we don't get out rich quartz. Ormond in particular
invested, I think, almost recklessly. He's a distant connection of our
leader's, you know, and it's probable he's hoping for Miss Carrington's
hand. There's no doubt that the irascible Colonel would be glad to have
him for a son-in-law, and he is really a very good fellow, but I'm not
sure that Miss Carrington likes him--in that way."

Here Calvert flicked the ash off his cigar, and looked at me before he
continued: "It's not my business, and perhaps I'm gossiping, but Colonel
Carrington is not addicted to changing his mind, and I anticipate a
dramatic climax some day. In any case, she will never with his consent
marry a poor man. You can take my word for it--I'm speaking feelingly."

When, after exchanging a few words of cold politeness with the Colonel, I
rode homeward the next morning I wondered whether Calvert, who certainly
was not given to gossiping, had intended this as a friendly warning. Every
one in their own manner seemed bent on wa