“I delivered your message to my father,” she said, “and he has fallen into a restful sleep.”
“Do not disturb him,” said Vance, “in this envelope is a check for $6,000. Tell him to start to-morrow morning for the 500 foot level.”
The impulsive Louise took the proffered envelope from Vance with hands that trembled noticeably, while two great tears dimmed her lustrous blue eyes. “Why have you done this?” she asked.
It is probable that Vance would then and there have told her why, had not Colonel Bonifield appeared in the door. “Mr. Gilder,” said he, “Yo’r presence in my house brings sunshine with it. Yo’ know the worst. Louise tells me she has informed yo of the unfo’tunate geological fo’mation to be found at the 400 foot level in Gray Rocks?”
Louise turned from Vance to her father while he was speaking, and buried her face on his breast, weeping in stilled sobs. When Colonel Bonifield asked her why she was weeping, she handed him the envelope, and pillowed her head deeper on his breast. He opened the envelope and carefully scanned the check. The old man’s eyes were dimmed with tears of gratitude.
One arm was about his daughter, and the other he extended toward Vance, who accepted the proffered hand.
“Suh,” said the Colonel, “Yo’ ovehpoweh me with yo’r confidence. I have been workin’ away so long on Gray Rocks, suh, that I can’t blame my friends if they should lose heart. But, suh, somethin’ keeps a tellin’ me that my effo’ts will yet be rewarded. Yo’ honor me by sharin’ my confidence in the outcome of Gray Rocks; yo’ do, indeed, suh. There’s good blood, Mr. Gilder, cou’sin’ through yo’r veins, and there’s a crown awaitin’ yo’ when once we’ve reached the 500 foot level; yes, suh. I may neveh have mentioned it to yo’, but I once told yo’r father that if he would stay by Gray Rocks, it would make him a millionaire. I have forgotten whether I ever made the obse’vation to yo’ or not, but I wish to assure yo’ at this time, Mr. Gilder, in the presence of Louise, suh, that yo’r confidence in Gray Rocks is well-founded, and she will make yo’ richer than all the possessions left yo’ by yo’r worthy father; yes, suh, much richer.” Louise dried her tears and soon was cheerful as a mountain thrush that had never known a sorrow. The old Colonel declared he had never felt better in his life, and that work should be commenced early the following morning.