“Yes, I know,” Jack responded, briefly.
“What! has she already told you?” Rutherford asked in surprise.
“Only unconsciously; but I read soon after your coming, that her heart was no longer her own.”
Then grasping Rutherford’s hand warmly, he added, in tones vibrating with some deep emotion.
“You have chosen better than you know. I believe I can trust her and her happiness in your hands. God bless you both! and may He bless you in proportion to your love and fidelity toward her!”
CHAPTER XXXIX.
The following day, Mr. Blaisdell suddenly made his appearance at the camp, accompanied by Mr. Rivers and a mining expert who had come out in the interests of a Chicago firm, looking for good paying investments. Houston had received no word of their coming, and the first intimation which he had of their arrival was the sight of the three gentlemen, as he approached the house at dinner time.
“How are you, Houston?” said Mr. Blaisdell, pausing in his walk up and down before the house, and extending his hand, “How’s the work progressing?”