"Yes," he responded. "There is something very attractive about both. Only Miss Bright is a remarkably well-poised woman, and Carla is clinging and dependent. Poor Carla! How bitterly she has been wronged! I am glad she has found love and shelter at last."
"So am I, John. Why, the poor child was just starved for love."
"I believe, Mary, that she will develop into a strong character. What she has suffered has been a great lesson to her."
"Poor child! Sometimes when I speak appreciative words to her, she breaks down, and says she doesn't deserve all our kindness. One day when she cried, she said, 'Why does God take mothers away from their children when they need them so?'"
"Well," he responded, "she has at last found a good mother. God bless the mother and the unfortunate girl!"
And stooping, the husband kissed his wife, and started on a long journey to a distant mine.
CHAPTER XI
AN EVENTFUL DAY
After Esther Bright and Wathemah returned from their visit at Murphy Ranch, he became a guest at the Clayton home, and there he remained until his arm was well.