"He is clean-shaven——"
Durant felt his unkempt beard.
"He always dresses in the height of fashion. He's quite a dude, I tell him."
Durant laughed outright.
"And I think him extremely handsome!"
"Sure; judging by his darter!" cried Mops, gallantly. "Oh, I don't mean that!" he hastened to add, fearful of having been too free.
"Oh, but I don't mind your meaning it," laughed Evelyn. "But come, if you've never met my father surely you all know his mine—the wonderful Rainbow Mine."
There was a pregnant pause, and then the Bully spoke, slowly, impressively. "I never knowed an out-an'-out prospector that didn't own the wonderfullest mine goin'—only waiting fer a triflin' circumstance like capital ter come along from the East and open it up and put it on a payin' basis. Why, every man Jack of us owns a placer claim, or hydraulicking concession, a silver or a copper mountain or a glut of gold or summat that entitles him to be It. Why, this here little beggar," he jerked his head toward Bill, "he claims he owns an antimony proposition that if developed ull make J. Peerpunt Morgan take a back seat and Hetty Green look like thirty cents——"
"No 'if' about it. You betcherlife it will!" cried Bill, with warmth.
"Aye!" The Bully nodded his head, condoningly. "And Sandy here claims ter have an option on a——"