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Updated: June 27, 2025
Instantly there flashed into Houston's mind the memory of Lyle's warning, and also of Miss Gladden's declaration that she had seen and talked with Jack, but how could his true position be known to either of them? "I have but two friends here, at present," was his reply, "and they are women." "True women are the truest friends," said Jack tersely.
That day, a fine-looking, elderly gentleman, who had just arrived from the east to purchase some mining property, came to the house for dinner, and took his meals there for the two days following, during which time, Lyle was not allowed her liberty. Not until nearly a year later did Mrs. Maverick learn that the eastern stranger, whose coming had so terrified Maverick, was Lyle's grandfather.
However that may be, certain it is that on the morning of the day in which the hitherto untroubled depths of Lyle's womanly nature were to be stirred by the mightiest of influences, there came to her a prescience, thrilling and vibrating through her whole being, that this day was to be the crisis, the turning point of her life.
"She may be none the less susceptible," Houston replied, "but she realizes her position here, and she is far too proud spirited to carry her heart upon her sleeve." Miss Gladden then related to Houston the events oi the preceding night, and Lyle's sudden recollection of her own mother. He was much interested.
Each believed it connected with some discovery relating to Lyle's early history, but of what nature the discovery might be they had no clue. As soon as she was able to speak Houston was at her side, and she read in his face the confirmation of the truth which had dawned upon her mind as he had repeated her mother's name, but which had seemed to her past belief.
"He seems efficient in whatever he undertakes," she replied with a light laugh, "clerking, fighting or love-making, he is successful in all." "How has he succeeded in love-making?" asked Jack quickly. "Ask Miss Gladden," was Lyle's smiling rejoinder. "Is he really in love with her, do you think?"
Lyle's color deepened slightly, as she replied: "I hardly know; it seems sometimes as if I were looking into an altogether different life from this, a different world from that in which I have lived." "How so, my dear?" inquired her friend.
"Ah, well," he answered, with a slight smile, "I hope that between now and that time, some arrangement can be made to Lyle's advantage; but if I may make any suggestion, it would be this; that nothing be said at present regarding this subject to either Mr. or Mrs. Maverick, as it would only arouse their opposition, and perhaps lead to some unpleasant results."
He camped out that night, and next morning had breakfast at Hobson's Station. He stayed one night at Kilcunda, and another at Lyle's station, near the bay.
But on the second evening, the entire party set forth for the trip to the cascades, for which Ned was so especially desirous. Mr. Houston and Miss Gladden led the little procession, Houston carrying her guitar. Ned had constituted himself Lyle's escort by taking the violin, and they came next, while Morton Rutherford and Arthur Van Dorn brought up the rear.
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