Vance possessed the confidence of youth, and his belief in Gray Rocks was not to be shaken at the first disappointment, while before him rose up, as from a mist, the pleading face of Louise, and he fancied she was asking him to still believe in her father. 9144 He took his check book from his pocket and wrote a check for $4,000, and signing it, handed it to the old miner, saying: “How long, with the present force of men, will it take to reach the 400 foot level?” “My dear Mr. Gilder,” said the colonel, accepting his check, and clasping his hand, “yo’ quite ovehpow’r me, yo’ do indeed, suh. Yo’ may have been bawn in the nawth but yo’ are a Virginian still at heart, with the warm blood cou’sin’through yo’r veins I think, suh, that within three or fou’ mouths we can reach the fou’ hund’ed foot level. I told yo’r father that Gray Rocks was a sure winner, and I am proud, suh, to repeat the statement to you.” “I don’t know,” [137] said Vance, “whether you will strike it at the four hundred foot level or not, but I assure you, Colonel Bonifield, that I have every faith in your sincerity, and I am anxious to develop the mine as rapidly as possible. If my investment should prove a total loss, I assure you I would never hold you responsible.” “I am gettin’ along in years, Mr. Gilder,” said the Colonel, “and while I have not struck it yet, I have every confidence, suh, that we will if we stay by Gray Rocks. My little Louise, of cou’se, was disappointed like myself. We both feared, suh, yo’ would be veihy much disappointed; and I assure yo’, suh, we cared a great deal mo’ about yo’r disappointment than we did about our own. To tell yo’ the truth, suh, that little girl of mine had mo’ faith in yo’r looking at this matteh philosophically than I did; but,” continued the Colonel, pressing Vance’s hand, “I misjudged yo’, Mr. Gilder, I did indeed, suh, and I apologize fo’ it.” After Colonel Bonifield had taken his departure, Vance commenced looking over his accumulated mail. The first thing that claimed his attention was a copy of the Banner containing his article, “Two Honorable Exceptions.” He read it carefully through again with evident pride. Not a word or a single sentence had been cut out. This was gratifying to him, and seemed proof that the managing editor had confidence in his ability to select the wheat from the chaff. He laid down the paper and began opening his letters. Presently the song he was humming died on his lips. He sat upright and stared at a letter which he held in his hand. It read as follows: Banner Office, New York City. DEAR SIR:— I am directed by the managing editor to advise you that your services are no longer required. Enclosed find check in payment of your salary to date. J Respectfully, J. M. M., Ass’t Managing Editor. To Vance Gilder, Esq.