"He's been losing pretty heavy lately, I guess, that's what's the matter; he's awful reckless in his gambling, it's neck or nothing, with him. I tell you," Haight continued, watching Houston sharply, "Morgan would get the G.B. pretty sudden if the boss got onto the way he's carrying sail." "Possibly," said Houston, quietly, "but he will not know of it from me." "No?" said Haight, with a curious, rising reflection. "No, indeed," responded Houston, with some warmth, "when a man is in trouble, it is no time to give him a push downward; besides, I would not do or say anything to injure Morgan, anyway." Haight looked up curiously, and even the faces of the ladies expressed a slight surprise. "I didn't know you and Morgan were such good friends," Haight remarked wonderingly. "I do not know," said Houston, "that either he or I consider that we are particular friends, though we are friendly enough, but I have learned this about Morgan; that whatever his principles, or his manner of life may be, he is far less to be blamed than people would ordinarily suppose." "Well," said Haight, rising, "Morgan and I have been together, off and on, for the last three years, but I don't know anything about him except just what I have seen for myself, what anybody can see; of course his way isn't my way, but then, we don't any of us think alike, and I've never had any fault to find with him, and we've got along together first rate. I suppose," he continued, "you will give directions in the morning for that fellow and his machines, for it isn't likely that Morgan will be around much before ten o'clock." "Very well," said Houston, "I will be up early and will see that one of the six-horse teams is at the Y to meet him, and I can get through at the mines in season to be at the office by the time he will reach there; he probably will not get up before noon, with all that load." Happening to glance toward Lyle, as Haight withdrew, Houston read in her eyes, in their look of eager expectancy, and the firm determination expressed in her face, that she fully understood the meaning of what had passed. It was equally evident that Miss Gladden had received no hint of the situation, for at almost the same instant she inquired: "Is Mr. Van Dorn going to erect one of his reducing machines here?" Houston answered in the affirmative. "He will be likely to remain here some time, then, will he not?" "In all probability," Houston replied, "it must take considerable time to get one of those machines in perfect running order." "Then of course he will be here when Mr. Rutherford returns, with his brother; they were all such intimate friends, it will be pleasant for them to meet here. But I am surprised," she added, "that he is bringing one of his machines such a distance as this." "Why so?" inquired Houston.