“Oh! And you really have made up your mind not to begin work for a year?”
“Quite!”
“But—have you thought—it is only tonight I learned that the engineers who leased my mine have struck a rich vein. Suppose it dips toward yours——”
“It does——”
“Have they put on a big force?”
“Naturally. They are rushing things, as they know they will not get the mine another year.”
“Well, suppose their vein runs under your hill—through their side-line?”
He stirred uneasily. “I am watching them. So far the dip is very slight. It may take a turn, or go down straight; or,” and he smiled at her again, “it may pinch out. Nothing is so uncertain as an ore vein.”
“Do you think it will?” asked Ora anxiously.
“No, don’t worry. I was down the other day; and did some prospecting on my own account besides. I think you’ve got a big mine.”