when he tried to consider the God this stricken woman worshiped, Adam could not reconcile himself to her agony. Why? The eternal Why was flung at him. She was a good woman. She had lived a life of sacrifice. She had always been a Christian. Yet she was not spared this horrible torture. Why? What hurt Adam more than anything else was the terror in Genie’s mute lips and the anguish in her speaking eyes. One day, during an hour when Mrs. Linwood rested somewhat easily, she called Adam to her. It happened to be while Genie was absent, listening to the bees or watching the flow of water. “Will you stay here--take care of Genie--until her uncle comes back?” queried the woman, with her low, panting breaths. “I promised you. But I think you should not want me to keep her here too long,” replied Adam, earnestly. “Suppose he does not come back in a year or two?” “Ah! I hadn’t thought of that. What, then, is your idea?” “Well, I’d wait here a good long time,” said Adam, soberly. “Then if Genie’s uncle didn’t come, I’d find a home for her.” “A home--for Genie!... Wansfell, have you considered? That would take money--to travel--to buy Genie--what she ought to--have.” “Yes, I suppose so. That part need not worry you. I have money. I’ll look out for Genie. I’ll find a home for her.” “You’d do--all that?” whispered the woman. “I promise you. Now, Mrs. Linwood, please don’t distress yourself. It’ll be all right.” “It _is_ all right. I’m not--in distress,” she replied, with something tremulous and new in her voice. “Oh, thank God--my faith--never failed!” Adam was not sure what she meant by this, but as he revolved it in his mind, hearing again the strange ring of joy which had been in her voice, he began to feel that somehow he represented a fulfillment and a reward to her. “Wansfell--listen,” she whispered, with more force. “I--I should have told you.... Genie is not poor. No!... She’s rich!... Her father found gold--over in the mountains.... He slaved at digging.... That killed him. But he found gold. It’s hidden inside the hut--under the floor--where I used to lie.... Bags of gold! Wansfell, my child will be rich!” “Well!... Oh, but I’m glad!” exclaimed Adam. “Yes. It sustains me.... But I’ve worried so.... My husband expected me--to take Genie out of the desert.... I’ve worried about that money. Genie’s uncle--John Shaver is his name--he’s a good man. He loved her. He used to drink--but I hope the desert cured him of that. I think--he’ll be a father to Genie.” “Does he know about the gold that will be Genie’s?” “No. We never told him. My husband didn’t trust John--in money matters.... Wansfell, if you’ll say you’ll go with Genie--when her uncle comes--and invest the money--until she’s of age--I will have no other prayer except for her happiness.... I will die in peace.” “I promise. I’ll do my best,” he declared. * * * * *