CHAPTER XXVII.—AT LAST!

PREFACE.

The breaking of a twig in some vast forest, or the dull echo of a miner’s pick in a rugged mountain canyon, alike suggest the solitude of Nature. The unwritten history of mining prospectors who search for yellow gold, or the advance guards of our civilization in the rich valleys of the West, are replete-with interest and dramatic incident. The “boom” town builder also plays a most conspicuous part in this unwritten drama.

There are no frayed-out remnants of a former greatness to be found on the frontier. A man sells for his intrinsic worth—no more, no less. Conditions that made men great in former generations are here active. and develop manhood in its highest form.

There is hardly a cross-road hamlet without its hotel, and usually a “Dick Ballard” presides. “Brainy men.” such as composed the Waterville Town Company, may be found wherever a new town is building, while a “Rufus Grim” is usually the autocrat of the mining camp.

The old “Colonel” represents a class of sturdy miners whose untiring labor occasionally gives to the world the golden keys of some fabulously rich discovery; while the greater number dedicate their lives to a fruitless search for hidden treasures, and finally die of disappointment and a broken heart.

“Louise,” in her unswerving devotion to her father, is a specimen of superior womanhood whose duplicate may be found in many a ranchman’s home throughout the nestling valleys of our y re at West.

Sometimes I imagine I was with “J. Arthur Boast” in his hiding place when he wrote that last letter and saw the spectral ghost that ever kept him company. The retribution perhaps was just, yet my sympathy lingers around the old prospect shaft.

Many of my readers will doubtless desire to express their criticism of GRAY ROCKS. Nothing will afford me more pleasure than to receive just criticisms, for it will at least enable me to escape similar errors in other stories that I am now engaged in writing.

Sincerely, WILLIS GEORGE EMERSON.

ELM REST, August 20, 1894.

No. 1363 Central Park Boulevard, Chicago.

PARTIAL LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

I. The Mr. Gilder for Whom I am Looking is a Much Older Gentleman..14

II. He Clasped Vance’s Hand Warmly.................................21

III. A Letter Was Handed to Him....................................30

IV. My Salary Has Been Raised,.....................................37

V. Hello, Pardner! How D’.e Do.....................................41

VI. He Offered Vance Some Havanas,.................................50

VII. This ‘ere Town is Comin’ Out of the Kinks in Fine Shape.......60

VIII. He Forgot Time,..............................................68

IX. I Am Going to Give Him a Piece of My Mind......................76

X. Vance Turned and Saw J. Arthur Boast............................82

XI. “You’re the Young Man, I Reckon,” Said Grim, “From New York,”..87

XII. Don’t You Think I Am Horrid to Go on Talking this Way to You?.96

XIII. The Stage Ride..............................................108

XIV. Gentlemen, We Deliberate Upon the Destiny of Waterville......114

XV. Vance Was Presented to Miss Virginia Bonifield,...............124

XVI. We Have Cross-cut Into Whar’ the Vein Ought to Be............135

XVII. “Lost Your Position?” Said Louise, with Unmistakable Concern143

XVIII. Vance Handed Marcus Donald a Copy..........................151

XIX. They Are the Brainiest Lot of Men This Country Has Produced..162

XX. They Started Pell-mell Down the Mountain Load.................171

XXI. You Will Not Be Angry With Father, Will You?.................179

XXII. There Are Times, When It’s Necessary to Put My Foot Down....189

XXIII. “Yes,” Whispered Bertha, “I Love You So Much,”.............207

XXIV. A Dark Form Crouched Near,..................................215

XXV. Where Is the Powder?.........................................228

XXVI. A Guilty Conscience Needs No Accuser........................236

XXVII. Such Tender Things of Earth Are Sanctified in Heaven.......256