s knife was
forgotten.

He had fetched down a nugget from the "Laughing Water" claim, a bright
lump of virgin gold, rudely fashioned by nature like a heart. This he
took at once to a jeweler's shop, where more fine diamonds were being
sold than in all the rest of the State, and while it was being soldered
to a pin he returned to the hay-yard for Dave. His business was to
purchase the mare on which, one beautiful morning when the wild peach
was in bloom, Beth Kent had ridden by his side. Dave would have given
him the animal out of hand. Van compelled him to receive a market
price. Even ponies here were valuable, and Dave had been poor all his
life.

"Say, Van," he drawled, when at length the transaction was complete,
"this camp has set me to thinkin'. It's full of these rich galoots,
all havin' an easy time. If ever I git a wad of dough I'm comin' here
and buy five dollars worth of good sardines and eat 'em, every one.
Never have had enough sardines in all my life."

"I'd buy them for you now and sit you down," said Van, "only why start
a graveyard with a friend?"

Some woman who had come and gone from Goldite had disposed of a
beautiful side saddle, exposed in the hay-yard to the weather. Van
paid fifty dollars and became its owner. The outfit for Beth was soon
complete. He ordered the best of feed and attention for her
roan--bills to be rendered to himself--and hastening off to the
jeweler's, found his pin ready and reposing in a small blue box.
Avoiding a number of admiring friends, he slipped around a corner, and
once more appeared at Mrs. Dick's.

Beth was in the dining-room, alone. Her papers were spread upon the
table. She was flushed with the day's excitements,

Van had entered unannounced. His active tread upon the carpet of the
hall had made no sound. When he halted in the doorway, transfixed by
the beauty of the face he saw reflected in the sideboard mirror
opposite, Beth was unconscious of his presence.

She was busily gathering up her documents. Her pretty hands were
moving lightly on the table. Her eyes were downcast, focused where she
worked. Only the wondrous addition of their matchless brown, thought
Van, was necessary to complete a picture of the most exquisite
loveliness he had ever beheld.

He had come there prepared to be sedate--at least not over-bold again,
or too presumptuous. Already, however, a riot of love was in his
veins. He loved as he fought--with all his stren