Gabriel Conroy

had blocked up its entrance, and reared its white ladders against its walls, and as the strength of its exhausted inmates slowly declined, communication with the outward world was kept u

nible four figures-a young woman and a child of three or four years wrapped in a single blanket, near the fire; nearer t

he side of the young woman, and, kneeling beside her, placed his hand upon her face. Slight as was the touch, it awakened her. I know not what su

ili

ce-h

it, and pointed warningly

have much to

be content to devour th

d a look that showed too plainly the predominance of that f

only to the quick ear to which it was addressed, "that we have blundered far south of the usual travelled trail. Nothing but a miracle or a misfortune like our own would bring another train this way. We are alone and helpless-in an un

cally, as if accepting the repr

r," he continued, answering the mute protest of the girl's hand, "but even if it were true-if I were capable of leading them, they would not ta

n starving men are thrown together, they are capable of any sacrifice-of any crime, to keep the miserable life that th

ded no further revelation; a face full of inhuman ferocity and watchful eagerness, and yet a face familiar in its outlines-the face of Dumphy! Even with her danger came the swifter instinct of feminine tac

ape; you know what it is-a desperate one, but no more desperate than this passive waiting for a certain end. I ask you again-will you share it with me? When I fi

ister and

emaining strength and all the hopefulness that keeps him up. No, Grace, we must go alone. Remember, our safety means theirs. Their strength will last u

you left me," s

ould, Grace," he

? Help may come at a

. I should not trust your stre

old man-t

ach of help," said the young m

ew on a fresh stick, and stirred the embers. The upspringing flash showed th

fire?" he asked querulously,

rrin

e it

tlessly tu

," said th

appro

, in which he examined Philip's face keenly. "I read y

" said

d the old m

gain tur

ase and papers?"

es

he snow-in

es

cur

cur

you indi

airn of

ces-in German

wherever I could,

oo

y. But before he reached the door he paused, and drawing from his bre

ate of the plant yo

breathless with excitement as he clu

th a sigh of relief, "and yet

eans?" said Philip,

oltz are wrong. It means a discovery. It means that this wh

to starving men," s

t is first germinated in a warm soil and under a kindly sun. It means that if you had not plucked it, it would have fulfilled its destiny under those

the young girl, eagerl

man, bitterly. "In two months we

lfilled my injunctions in regard to my papers and the col

r the pretext of caressing the child, Ashley crossed over to Grace, uttered a few hurried and almost inaudible

ra

Devar

e he

crossed ove

, Grace?" said Devarges,

n't k

erything-did you

d not

ad the inmost thoughts of the gir

fire, and let it

e of a hen's egg incandescent and glowing. With the aid of two half-burnt slicks she managed to extract it

ra

ir

e going

did no

st that you can do. But whether it is or not you will

ence of approaching death, could subdue the woman's nature in Grace. She instant

nd; a man to whose courage, intellect, and end

!-what

evoted friend-and I thought you were his. You

ter. But what do you know of hi

to live alone-among the Indians-or to seek his fortune in Oregon. He is very proud-y

ow the petals of a flower from the stamens," muttered Devarges.

wan cheek of the girl, and she lost her gu

hut, depend upon our going. He and I are the only ones left who have strength enough to make the trial. I can assist him, for, although strong, I require less to support m

"is already spent. Before you return, if you

as if to concentrate his strength for a further effort. But when he again

"come nearer, girl,-I ha

dread of the man which she could not account for had taken

direction of her eyes. "The anodyne still holds

sh-grey slag. The old man took it,

skly on you

it began to exhibit a faint whit

silver," said G

er!" replie

n quickly and mo

now where it lies in bulk-a fortune, Grace, do you hear?-hidden in the bluish stone you put in the fire for me last nig

rriedly, "keep it yourself.

the rankest weed that grows above it is worth more in my eyes. Take it. To the world it means everything-wealth and position. Take it. It will make you as proud and i

drawing away from the shining stone with a half s

be to keep your lover to the fulfilment of his promise to preserve my manuscripts and collection. Think, if you like, that it is an act of retributi

lty. Grace would have called her brother, but with a motion of his hand Devarges restrained her. With a des

mine and locality-yours-say you

t. As she did so a slight shadow darkened the opening by the

but, with a sudden instinct, s

wil

ain defiantly, but the

moved again, but without a sound. A stra

ges," whis

rose quickly and crossed hurriedly to her brother and shook him. A prolonged inspiration, like a mo

ili

e shadow of the mound and slipped down the tunnel into the hut-Mrs. Brackett and Mr. Dumphy. They might have been the meanest predatory animals-so stealthy, so eager, so timorous, so crouching, and yet so agile were their motions. They ran sometimes upright, and sometimes on all fours, hither and thither. They fell over eac

it," said Mrs. Bracket

like suthin' to

take it fro

es

rub

es

Don't y

ha

a baked

sat dum

t? It takes off the cr

stomachs!" answered Mrs

ast with the importa

re there was more!"

he

't get

d Mrs. Brackett, in a tempest of baffled rage and disappointment. "Ye ain'

ing!" sai

to slinking, crouching, baffled animals, eag

lips were moving in the mutterings of

to her companion, the

eary, I

ake him keep his promise.

, de

ll you. H

, de

d feet north of the lone pine. Dig two f

es

wolves ca

es

ep it from rav

in c

ght tear

es

ing be

, de

dead. And over him the man and woman crouched in fearful joy, looking at each other wit