Virgie never forgot that delicious hour, neither did her companion, who was every moment growing more deeply interested in the beautiful mountain maiden.

He talked upon many themes, and was surprised to find how fluently she could converse with him, showing how much and how thoroughly she had read, and how wisely and carefully her father had superintended her education.  She was far above the average woman in point of intellect and culture, he told himself and it was a pity that her life should be wasted in that wretched place.

But they were at length interrupted by Chi Lu, who came to tell them that Mr. Abbot was awake, and had asked for them.

They immediately arose to go to him, and found him sitting upon the tiny porch in front of the cottage.

He was looking thinner and more worn, Mr. Heath thought, than when he had last seen him, and his cough was far from troublesome, even though the weather was milder.  It was evident, to him, at least, that the man was in the last stages of consumption, and could not live many months, if weeks, although, as the weather grew warmer, he might rally somewhat.

He greeted the young man warmly, and made many inquiries regarding his trip and the success which he and his party had met with in their sport.

“Very good,” Mr. Heath told him, adding, “And now my friends have gone to Salt Lake City, while I have retraced my steps hither to talk with you about that claim of yours.”

Virgie looked up quickly at this, a lovely flush rising to her cheek.  If only he would become its purchaser.

The eyes of the two young people met, and held each other in a glance that sent the blood coursing more rapidly than usual through their veins.

Mr. Abbot’s face, brightened.

“Then you still think that you know some one who will purchase it?” he said, eagerly.

“Yes, sir—­if—­if it proves all that you have described it, I think I may like to buy it myself,” Mr. Heath answered quietly, but with rising color.

“You! you don’t look like a person who would care to take to mining for a living,” returned his host, in a surprised tone.

“I might say the same of you, sir,” said the young man, smiling.

Mr. Abbot flushed, and for a moment appeared considerably agitated and unable to speak.

Then he said, with something of hauteur in his manner: 

“Sometimes a person is compelled by circumstances, over which he has no control, to adopt a pursuit, which under other conditions he would shun as both unfitting and obnoxious.”

“I beg your pardon, Mr. Abbot,” Mr. Heath hastened to say, in a deprecatory tone.  “I had no intention of calling to mind anything of an unpleasant nature; my reply was lightly and thoughtlessly given.  However, I have always had a desire to see something of mining, and although I may not attempt to work at it myself, I think I should like to own a claim.”