The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-08-25
CHAPTER III

VI the great discovery IN Sylvan
Silver Hollow it would seem that Col
inson as yet knew nothing. In spite
of Keys fears that he might stray
there on his return from SINNERS, he
did rot, nor did he afterwards revisit
the locality. Neither the news Of the
registry OF the claim nor the arrival
Of Keys worlmen ever reached him.
The few travellers who passed his mill
came from the valley to cross the d.
vide on their way to SINNERS. and
returned 10y the longer but easier de-
tour of the stage II ad over Galloper S
Ridge, He had no chance to partici-
pate in the prosperity that flowed from
the opening OF the mine which plentl-
fully besprinkled SINNERS settlement;
he was too far away to profit even by
the chance custom of Keys Sabbath
wandering worBmen. His isolation
from civilization-for those who came
to him from the valley were rude
western emEgrants like himself-re-
manned undisturbed. The return of the
prospecting party to his humble hos
pitality that night had been an eXcep-
I tional case; in his characteristic SIM
plicity he did not dream that it was
because they had nowhere else to go
in their pennilesS condition. 1t was an
incident TO be pleasantly remembered,
but whose non-recurrence did not dis
turb his infinite patience. His pork
BARREL and sack of flour had been re-
plenished by other travellers; his own
wants were few.
1t was day or two after the mid
night visit of the sheriff to Silver Hol-
low that Key galloped down the steep
grade TO Collinsons He was amused
-albiet. in his new Importance, a lit
tie aggrieved also-to find that Collin
son had. as usual COMPOUNDED his de-
scent with that of the generally de-
taShed boulder, and that he was OBJ
liged to add his voice to the general
uproar. This brought Collinson to his
door.
I've had your boss hobbled out
among the chickweed and clover in the
green pasture back o. the MILL and
he's picked up that much that he's
lookin' fat and sassy" he said quiet
", beginning to mechanically unstrap
Keys bride, even while his guest was
in the act of dismounting. His back S
quite healed up
Key could not restrain shrug of
impatience. 1t was three weeks since
they had met; three weeks crammed
with excitement, energy, achievement,
and fortune to Key. and yet this place
and this man were as stupidity I'M
changed as when he had left them
A momentary fancy that this was the
realtty-that he himself was only
awakening from some delusive dream
came over him. But Collinson's next
words were practical.
reckoned that maybe you'd write
from Marysville to Skinner to send
Tor the boss and forward him to We.
for / never kalkilated you'ld come
back"
1t was quite plain from this that
Collinson had heard nothing. But it
was also awkward. as Key would
now have to tell the whole story and
reveal the fact that he had been really
experimenting when Collinson over
took him in the hollow He eyaded
this by po5t-dating his discovery of
the richness of the ore until he had
reached AIarysvilIe. But he found
some difficulty in recounting his
good fortune; he was naturally no
boaster. he had no desire to ir11Dress
Collinson with his penetration, nor the
unoaunted energy he had displayed in
getting up his company and opening
his mine, so that he was actually en-
soarrassed by his own understa tement
and under the grave, patient ewes of
MS companion, told his story at hest
adHleIy- Colhnson's face BETRAYED
neither profound interest nor the
sIg NEST resentment When he had
ended his awkward recital ColIinson
said slowly:
Then Uncle Dick and that other
Parker Teller amt got no show in This
yer find ~ - 'iiis
No said Key, quickly. Don't Won
remember we broke up our partnersbin
that morning and went off our own
ways? You don't suppose he added
with forced half laugh. that if TTrcIe
Dick or Parker had struck a lead a fer
they left me they'd have put me in
Wouldn't they?' asked Collfnson.
gravely.
"of course not" He laughed a little
more naturally, but presently added,
with an uneasy smile: What makes
you think they would?"
N'lthin'H' said Collinson, promptly.
Nevertheless, when they were Gated
before the fire with glasses in their.
hands Collinson returned patiently to
tie subject:
you wuz saying they went their
way and you went yours But your
way was back on the old way that
you'd all gone together"
But Key felt himself on firmer
ground here, and answered deliberately
and truthfully, yes, but I only went
back to the hollow to satisfy myself if
there really was any house there, and
if there was, to warn the occupants of
the approaching fire.
And there was house there?" said
CoIlinson, thoughtfully
"Oaly the ruins" He stopped and
flushed quickly. for he remem bered
that he had denied its existence at
their former meeting. '-That is" he
went on, hurriedly, 81 found out from
The sheriff that there had been a house
there, you know. But" he added. re-
verting to his stronger position, my
going back there was an accident, and
my picking up the outcrop was an acct
dent-and had no more to do with our
partnership prospecting than you had.
In fact" he added, with a reassuring
laugh, you'd have had a better right
To share in my claim, coming there as
you did at that moment, than they
Why, If I'd have known what the thing
was worth, I might have put you in
only II wanted capital and some eX-
perience." He was glad that he had
pitched Upon that excuse-it had only
Just occurred to hin-and he glanced
affably at Collinson. But that gentle
man said. soberly:
mo, you wouldn't nuther"
t'Whv not?" asked Key, half angrily.
Collinson paused. After a nlorient
ne said. 't'Cos I wouldn't hev took
anything outer that place.
Key ielt relieved. From what he
knew OF Collinsonis vagaries he be-