Year: 1873

golden wealth. Nothing save unnatural
strength could possibly have enabled Gar
rison to bear the heavy load.


He told them, in a subdued tone, Of his
discovery. He had stumbled into an old
pit OF hole, and then when he described
the place, his companions at once arrived
at the conclusion that it must be some
place where former mining operations had
been carried on, and which had been neg
lected the summer through. Garrison told
how the place was so interesected and was
hidden by an overlaid rock that the snow
had not reached the-ore, strewn bottom,
and then they all surmsed that the sum
mer's rain had washed the deposits away,
leaving the pure tilterings.


However, it was, there was the gold, and
even Tom Barton grew exultantly triumph
ant over it. 1t was a large quantity, and
undoubtedly represented great amount,
and they placed it again in the bag and
placed it near the fireplace They could
have slept before, but now grand visions
of their newly acquired wealth banished
all thoughts of repose. They talked in
low whispers of the gold as though they
knew not but some robbef might despoil
them Of their treasure. They dwelt upon
the hope Of reaching the Vera Canyon
settlement on the following day, and ate
unsparingly Gold, ''the root of all evil, -
proved an incentive to each one of them to
act gladly conscious Of their Importance as
men who had Just acquired fortune.


Morning, clear, cold and bright, dawned
cheerily. New life seemed breathed into
I the frames of the exhausted men. They
prepared their morning meal willingly,
] IL.
a freshness and activity which bespoke his
ly-awakened interest in life through the
accession Of the gold. The sun shone
! brightly into the small window, and lit up
the merry party, tinging with golden
hue the far face and lustering locks Of win
some, pretty Myrtle Adams.


II have fallen into good hands, she
said, her bright eyes momentarily dimming
with tears, as she accepted the kind ser
vices Of her companions at the frugal re-
past. Never has a morning meal been
50 gladly attended by me as now. How
can | ever thank you y


Thank us - replied Eugene. Thank
the Father Of All, he continued, earnest
ly ''for His great goodness in leading us
to find you as we did. "


A thrill Of something strongly akin to
love swept over his being, as ne met the
grateful glance of the fair young girl.


you will endeavor to reach the Rensa-
lear claim to-day ?" she asked of him. with
shade of anxiety in her tone.


Yes, if possible. It is very cold and
icy withou., but your presence will be an
incentive to augmented exertion.


Myrtle blushed at the dehcately-convey-
"a compliment, and then, as young Aller-
ton arose and glanced without at the can
yon, busted herself in arranging her shawl
before the fire.


Il think we may try it, if you feel suff-
GENTLY strong" decided Eugene, turning
from the window and addressing Tom Bar
ton.


The old miners fever-ht eyes responded
for him He was strong enough. The
gold was sufficient incentive for him. The
sooner the better for all, he thought.


They divided the gold into four different
packages. and each, Myrtle included, was
intrusted with a portion of it. Then, di-
vesting the hut of such articles were
needful for the journey, they, supplied
with a days rations of provisions,
opened the door Of the old cabin in the
Gulch.


Goodbye, old Gulch, cried Barton.
"We have spent many pleasant, and
many sad day, in you. May you yield
as full fortune to every struggling wan
derer in search of wealth, as to us =


They sank low in the snow as they went
on but, the mountains above gained, they
found a wind-swept path, and went on
with more facility.


In the whole extensive stretch of coun-
try not one human habitation, or signs OF
any, met their view. One unbroken Wis
ion of snow-clad country lay before them,
as if the whole land were bathed in sol
stice of eternal winter.


The declining rays of the sun found
them within ten miles of the Rensselaer,
Claim. Renewed spirits at their close
proximity to a place of safety, caused
them to 90 on with cheerful alacrity. A
long defile in the mountains led them
through deep drift, which surmounted,
they were in full view of the Vera Valley,
spreading for miles below them.


"We are almost at the Claim, said Lu-
gene. turning to his fair young charge.


She replied with bright smile in re-
turn.


''You must be very much fatigued, con
tinued Eugene, in tone Of sympathy for
the tired, fair face.


At that moment, and ere Myrtle could
reply. loud cheer startled the little COM
pany, and, turning, they saw trio Of
horsemen coming up the mountain side.
And, as Myrtle Adams gave utterance to a
glad cry of welcome and surprise, the fore
most of the horsemen had spurred his
steed up to where the little party stood.
and had sprung from his his horse. And
cIasping her in his arms, in a long and
glad embrace, he cried,


Thank Heaven we have found you at
last My daughter, my Myrtle Il


And lying sobbing in joyful gladness in
her fathers arms, Myrtle Adams gave full
vent to her emotions at being restored to
her parents arms-that parent who held
her the more fondly for being his only
child and idol