"My father gave it to me," was all that Mariposa would say about the ring as they separated for the night.
It was past midnight when Alfonso felt someone pulling at his shoulder. There in the moonlight stood Mariposa beckoning him to come. Quickly dressing, Alfonso left his tent without speaking as the maiden put her fingers to her lips, and quietly following Mariposa they walked by the silver stream into a wild gorge. Graceful pines afforded cover for Mariposa and Alfonso, as swift of foot, they scaled high cliffs, till the Indian girl held aloft her hand, and above in a cleft of white quartz the yellow gold shone brightly in the moon's rays.
When the time came for Alfonso to leave the Yosemite Valley, one of nature's masterpieces, tears filled the eyes of lovely Mariposa. He earnestly thanked Red Cloud and his daughter, and, saying good-bye, mounted his pony, a gift from Mariposa, when the girl ran to him and whispered, "Here, Alfonso, is the ring; bring it back to me when you are rich, but you will forget Mariposa."
"No! no!" replied Alfonso, "I will bring back the ring, and you shall give it to the one who makes you his bride." Then the Indian girl turned her face toward the Bridal Veil Falls, and Alfonso rode sadly out of the valley.
After several years, still wearing the magic band of beaten gold, having developed the Mariposa Gold Mines into property worth millions, Alfonso left the far west to seek beautiful Christine.
CHAPTER XXV
WORKINGS OF THE HARRIS-INGRAM PLAN
A telegram received at Liverpool by Reuben Harris from Marquis Leo Colonna, who at the Colonel's request went on to Amsterdam, verified the facts as to Alfonso's death by drowning. Colonel and Mrs. Harris's journey back to America under leaden and unsympathetic skies was sad indeed.
George and Gertrude met them on the pier at New York. The next day at noon, in deep mourning, they received the remains of Lucille from the yacht "Hallena."