"I want you and my friend, Rutherford, to know each other the little time he will be here," he said, addressing Jack, "for though I have never known what it was to have a brother in reality, he seems to me to more nearly fill that position than any one I have known, and I have told him of your kindness and assistance, and the strange bond that has seemed to unite us from the first, though we met as strangers, so he naturally wishes to meet you." There was a peculiar quiver of the lips under the heavy, black beard, as Jack replied, in deep, full tones, "Mr. Rutherford's face carries with it its own recommendation, and the fact that he is as a brother to yourself will insure him a double welcome here as often as he pleases to come during his stay." Houston passed onward into the outer room, pausing to chat with Mike, while Morton Rutherford lingered, and extending his hand to Jack, said in low tones: "I have another reason for wishing to meet you. From what Lyle has told me, I know you to have been, until very recently, her only friend, and to you, as to her friend, and perhaps, in one sense, her guardian, I wish to state that I love her, and have been so fortunate as to win her love in return; and that I hope before very long, my home will be hers." "Yes, I know," Jack responded, briefly. "What! has she already told you?" Rutherford asked in surprise. "Only unconsciously; but I read soon after your coming, that her heart was no longer her own." Then grasping Rutherford's hand warmly, he added, in tones vibrating with some deep emotion. "You have chosen better than you know. I believe I can trust her and her happiness in your hands. God bless you both! and may He bless you in proportion to your love and fidelity toward her!" CHAPTER XXXIX. The following day, Mr. Blaisdell suddenly made his appearance at the camp, accompanied by Mr. Rivers and a mining expert who had come out in the interests of a Chicago firm, looking for good paying investments. Houston had received no word of their coming, and the first intimation which he had of their arrival was the sight of the three gentlemen, as he approached the house at dinner time. "How are you, Houston?" said Mr. Blaisdell, pausing in his walk up and down before the house, and extending his hand, "How's the work progressing?" "Finely," replied Houston, "the output is steadily increasing, week by week." "Keeps you pretty busy, I suppose? Well, I hope we can give you a little help before long; we've located Barden at last, and he starts for the west next week. Let me introduce you to Mr. Parsons, a mining expert from Chicago; Mr. Parsons, this is Mr. Houston, our general superintendent." Houston exchanged greetings with the stranger, and with Mr. Rivers, the latter watching him closely, though saying very little.