The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-21

post.
What shall you do, uncle? Will you go in
for mining yourself?" asked Mary
Old Joyce sat down on a big boulder and
gazed thoughtfully around him.
4. 1 m too old, my dear, and it wants heap
of capital" he said, musingly. 'No," he
added after pause; they say that there
are some honest men among the prospectors
and capitalists, and shall get them to have
a look at the place and make me an offer for
it as it stands
The next morning Mary was alone, on
charge the farm, for her uncle had ridden
away on his mission to the nearest mining
town, with some rich specimens of quartz in
his saddle bags
Two days later he returned accompanied
py three business-like,. but gentlemanly and
MISUNDERSTANDING men, together with an
experienced mining engineer and essayist,
and small army of workmen.
whist Mary was busy providing for their
wants her pretty garden was quickly con-
Verted into scene of devastation.
NOT only were the rocks speedily exploded
out shaftS were sunk in the garden right up
to the house itself
This will have to come down the seam
extends right under it, besides stretching in
other directions said the scientific man of
the party, and on the following day the latter
mad taken their departure, though only to
prepare for the more extensive operations
Which were to follow.
WE'LL my DEAR" said the farmer, as Mary
and he watched them ride away across the
lonely yeldt,' which was shortly to become the
scene of populous industry and later onEa
nusthng mining town, "well, my dear, the
OLD home has got to go, and we have got to
clear out of it as quickly as we can; but I
nave a cheque for fifty thousand pounds in
my pocket, and a twentieth share in the
company, Which is as good formed al
ready"
Mary clasped her hands with the pretty
gesture which was habitual with her when
excited.
and dot
are rich What will you do?"
We'll I think I should like to see old
England again, and end my days there; SO,
as soon as we can get rid of the stock we
will make a start"
Uncle, have you no relations?" asked
Mary, thoughtfully, three or four days later,
when their preparations were nearly COM
pleted.
ncne that care anything about replied the
farmer. Il shall be glad to see my old friend,
Forester, though when we get to England"
Forester! All! 1 have heard you speak
OF him. He is that university professor, isn't
hep" "a
Yes. He was great chum of mine when
we were youngsters, and for long time af-
ter came out we used to correspond regu-
VIE but for: the last few years we have
sdEorRed lit somehow
.s,A lhsough a thorough farmer to the back
bone, the speaker belonged to the younger
branch of a good old Suffolk family, and was
both public-school and university man.
IS. We seem both to be rather alone in the
world, don't we, uncle?" said Mary, some
what WiStfully
I'VE are, my dear, and I'm getting. too old
to form any new friendships. But never
mind; you have all the world before YOU and
many happy days in store hope
The old colonist gazed across the rolling
veldt with a far-seeing gaze, in which regret
and content were strangely mingled.
Then, with a short sigh, he rose from the
porch W he
his adopted child had been seated, and en-
tered the house.
A little later he reappeared clad in the
sable garments of civilization, which he SO
seldom thought it worth while to wear in
exchange for his working clothes; and, when
he mounted his horse and rode off, Mary knew
that he had gone to visit the lonely church
yard, many miles away, in which his wife
lay buried.
Late in the evening he returned, accom-
panied by clergyman, who devoted his ar
duous life to ministering to that sparsely-
populated district
Half missionary and half physician, his
visits were valued by English, natives and
Beers alike, and he was we'll known to Mary
and her adopted father.
Come and see what they have made of nv
girls garden, parsor," said the farmer GENT
ally
In the ride homewards with his compan-
ion, he had regained his good spirits
In the quickly falling gloom, the Reverned
Mr.. Sanderson followed his host into the de-
vastated region at the back of the house and
Mary brought Up the rear as they carefully
threaded their way over planks and stagings
which covered the numerous pitfalls
.'The search for the root of all evil has
ruined your pretty garden Miss Mary and II
certainly doesn't add to the picturesuueness
of the place. May ask where you first dis
covered the precious metal which has made
such a change in your prospects, Mr.. Joyce?"
said the clergyman.
IF