cue of the miners. I want to learn something of this
young Sterling. Did you know his father?"

"Yes, he was one of my warmest friends."

"Was his name Gilbert?"

"Yes."

"Do you know whether he ever lived in Crawford County?"

"That is where he came from; he was born and raised there."

"Did you ever hear him speak of owning any property there?"

"I have heard him mention a little old rocky farm that was left to him;
but he always spoke of it as being too poor to have any value. In fact
he once told me that it was not worth the taxes he paid on it."

"I declare, I believe it is the very place! If these Sterlings turn out
to be the people you lead me to think they are, Warren, there's a small
fortune awaiting them."

"What! a fortune awaiting the widow Sterling and Derrick? It can't be!
Why, they haven't a relative in the world."

"That may all be, but what I tell you is true. If this Gilbert Sterling
was a son of Deacon Giles Sterling of Newfields, in Crawford County, his
heirs are the owners of one of the most valuable bits of property in the
State. Why, man, this little old rocky farm you speak of, if it is the
same--and I am inclined to think it must be--lies in the very centre of
the richest oil district that has yet been discovered. The best-paying
well owned by our company is located on its border. For a clear title to
that farm I am authorized to offer twenty-five thousand dollars cash,
and a one-fifth interest in whatever oil may be taken from it."

The next morning Mr. Jones called at the Sterlings', and was amazed to
find Derrick already showing signs of recovery. A splendid constitution
and a determined will, aided by twelve hours of sleep and an abundance
of nourishing food, were already beginning to efface the traces of
hunger and suffering.

The boy gave his visitor a cheerful greeting, and tried to express
something of his gratitude in words, but they failed him utterly.

The other said, "Don't try, Derrick. It's over now, and we all have
cause for the most profound gratitude; but each of us understands the
other's feelings, and there is no need of words between us."

Mrs. Sterling's eyes were filled with happy tears as, sitting beside her
son, she tried to tell something of the pride she felt in him. After a
while she said,

"I know it's wrong, but I can't help trying to look ahead a little, and,
I confess, with some anxiety. I want my boy to do what is right, and I
do not want him to