She had started to make a reply concerning his actions when leaving on that former occasion. The words were pushed aside.
"Oh, my!" she said in a little exclamation, instead. "A nugget!—gold!—not from the—not from your claim?"
His hand slightly trembled.
"From the 'Laughing Water' claim. Named for the girl I'm going to marry."
She gasped, almost audibly. The things he said were so wholly unexpected—so almost naked in their bluntness.
"The girl—some girl you—Isn't it beautiful?" she faltered helplessly. "Of course I don't know—how any girl could have such a singular name."
"Yes you do," he corrected in his shockingly candid way. "You know when Dave gave her the name."
"Do I?" she asked weakly, trying to smile, and feeling some wonderful, welcome sort of fear of the passion with which he fairly glowed. "You are—very positive."
He moved a trifle closer, touching the pin, with a finger, as she held it in her hand. His voice slightly shook as he asked:
"Do you like it?"