“You seem to have made a study of him,” remarked Jack, quietly.
“Of course,” answered Lyle, “what else are my eyes and my small stock of brains for, but to study everybody and everything that comes in my way? Besides, it’s rather interesting to find a person of some depth, after such shallow people as Mr. Blaisdell and Haight, and that class.”
“Sometimes, Lyle,” said Jack, slowly, “these deep people make a dangerous study; they are likely to become too interesting.”
“Never you fear for me, Jack,” said the girl, with considerable spirit, but kindly, “I know too well how the world would look upon old Jim Maverick’s daughter, to carry my heart on my sleeve.”
Both were silent for a moment, Jack watching her face intently. Mike had left the room. Lyle continued, in a gentler tone,
“Mr. Houston is a perfect gentleman; he would make a safe study for me, even if I didn’t realize my position. He reminds me of you, Jack, in some ways.”
“Of me!” said Jack sarcastically, “your Mr. Houston would doubtless feel nattered at being compared to a weather-beaten miner.”
“You were not always a miner,” retorted Lyle quickly, “and you are a gentleman, and always will be.”
“In your opinion, child,” said Jack pleasantly; then turning the subject, he asked, “What do you think of the ‘lily’ as you styled him, Mr. Rutherford, I think you called his name?”
“Oh, he is a gentlemanly fellow, not so ridiculous as he looks; good-hearted, but not deep like the other,––not half so interesting to study.”