"I just don't wish to--to be married
now--here--that's all. I ask you to keep your promise--not to ask it
while we remain."

He had feared to lose her a score of times before. He feared it now
more potently than ever. And there was much that he must ask. The
risk of giving her a fright was not to be incurred.

"Very well," he said resignedly, "but--it's very hard to wait."

"Won't you sit down?" she asked him, an impulse of gratitude upon her.
"Now do be good and sensible, and tell me all about Glen."

She returned to the table and resumed her seat.

Bostwick sat opposite and drew his forged letter from his pocket. He
had placed it in Glenmore's envelope after tearing the young man's
letter into scraps.

"This letter," said he, "was sent from way down in the desert--from
Starlight, another new camp. It looks to me as if the boy has struck
something very important. I'll read you what he says--or you can read
it for yourself."

"No, no--read it. I'd rather listen."

He read it haltingly, as one who puzzles over unfamiliar writing. Its
effect sank in the deeper for the method. Beth was open-eyed with
wonder, admiration, and delight over all that Glen had done and was
about to accomplish. She rose to the bait with sisterly eagerness.

"Why, he _must_ have the chance--he's _got_ to have the chance!" she
cried excitedly. "What do you think of it yourself?"

Bostwick fanned the blaze with conservatism.

"It's quite a sum of money and Glen might overestimate the value of the
mine. I've inquired around and learn that the property is considered
tremendously promising. If we--if he actually secures that claim it
will doubtless mean a for---- I don't like to lose my sense of
judgment, but I do want to help the boy along. Frankly, however, I
don't see how I can let him have so much. I couldn't possibly send him
but thirty thousand dollars at the most."

Beth's eyes were blazing with excitement. She had never dreamed that
Searle could be so generous--so splendid. An impulse of gratitude and
admiration surged throughout her being.

"You'd _do_ it?" she said. "You'll do as much as that for Glen?"

"Why, how can I do less?" he answered. "That claim will doubtless be
worth half a million, maybe more--if all I hear is reliable--and I get
it from disinterested parties. The boy has done a good big thing.
I've got to help him out. It seems too bad to offer him only half of
what he needs, but I'm not a