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was a singular sense of dread at the mental labor of explanation。 He only
smiled painfully； and began to move away。 〃Look you！〃 said Masters；
peremptorily； 〃ye want about three fingers of straight whiskey to set you
right； and you've got to take it with me。 Dn it； man； it may be the last
drink we take together！ Don't look so skeered！ I meanI made up my
mind about ten minutes ago to cut the whole dd thing； and light out for
fresh diggings。 I'm sick of getting only grub wages out o' this bill。 So
that's what I mean by saying it's the last drink you and me'll take together。
You know my ways： sayin' and doin' with me's the same thing。〃
It was true。 Slinn had often envied Masters' promptness of decision
and resolution。 But he only looked at the grim face of his interlocutor
with a feeble sense of relief。 He was GOING。 And he； Slinn； would not
have to explain anything！
He murmured something about having to go over to the settlement on
business。 He dreaded lest Masters should insist upon going into the
tunnel。
〃I suppose you want to mail that letter；〃 said Masters； drily。 〃The mail
don't go till to…morrow； so you've got time to finish it； and put it in an
envelope。〃
Following the direction of Masters' eyes； Slinn looked down and saw；
to his utter surprise； that he was holding an unfinished pencilled note in his
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A MILLIONAIRE OF ROUGH…AND…READY
hand。 How it came there； when he had written it； he could not tell； he
dimly remembered that one of his first impulses was to write to his wife；
but that he had already done so he had forgotten。 He hastily concealed
the note in his breast… pocket； with a vacant smile。 Masters eyed him half
contemptuously； half compassionately。
〃Don't forget yourself and drop it in some hollow tree for a letter…box；〃
be said。 〃Wellso long！since you won't drink。 Take care of yourself；〃
and； turning on his heel； Masters walked away。
Slinn watched him as he crossed over to his abandoned claim； saw him
gather his few mining utensils； strap his blanket over his back； lift his hat
on his long…handled shovel as a token of farewell； and then stride light…
heartedly over the ridge。
He was alone now with his secret and his treasure。 The only man in
the world who knew of the exact position of his tunnel had gone away
forever。 It was not likely that this chance companion of a few weeks
would ever remember him or the locality again； he would now leave his
treasure alonefor even a day perhapsuntil he had thought out some plan
and sought out some friend in whom to confide。 His secluded life； the
singular habits of concentration which had at last proved so successful had；
at the same time； left him few acquaintances and no associates。 And in
all his well…laid plans and patiently…digested theories for finding the
treasure； the means and methods of working it and disposing of it had
never entered。
And now； at the hour when he most needed his faculties； what was the
meaning of this strange benumbing of them！
Patience！ He only wanted a little resta little time to recover himself。
There was a large boulder under a tree in the highway of the settlementa
sheltered spot where he had often waited for the coming of the stage…coach。
He would go there； and when he was sufficiently rested and composed he
would go on。
Nevertheless； on his way he diverged and turned into the woods； for no
other apparent purpose than to find a hollow tree。 〃A hollow tree。〃 Yes！
that was what Masters had said； he remembered it distinctly； and
something was to be done there； but what it was； or why it should be done；
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A MILLIONAIRE OF ROUGH…AND…READY
he could not tell。 However； it was done； and very luckily； for his limbs
could scarcely support him further； and reaching that boulder he dropped
upon it like another stone。
And now； strange to say； the uneasiness and perplexity which had
possessed him ever since he had stood before his revealed wealth dropped
from him like a burden laid upon the wayside。 A measureless peace stole
over him； in which visions of his new…found fortune； no longer a trouble
and perplexity； but crowned with happiness and blessing to all around him；
assumed proportions far beyond his own weak； selfish plans。 In its even…
handed benefaction； his wife and children； his friends and relations； even
his late poor companion of the hillside； met and moved harmoniously
together； in its far…reaching consequences there was only the influence of
good。 It was not strange that this poor finite mind should never have
conceived the meaning of the wealth extended to him； or that conceiving it
he should faint and falter under the revelation。 Enough that for a few
minutes he must have tasted a joy of perfect anticipation that years of
actual possession might never bring。
The sun seemed to go down in a rosy dream of his own happiness； as
he still sat there。 Later； the shadows of the trees thickened and
surrounded him； and still later fell the calm of a quiet evening sky with
far…spaced passionless stars； that seemed as little troubled by what they
looked upon as he was by the stealthy creeping life in the grasses and
underbrush at his feet。 The dull patter of soft little feet in the soft dust of
the road； the gentle gleam of moist and wondering little eyes on the
branches and in the mossy edges of the boulder； did not disturb him。 He
sat patiently through it all； as if he had not yet made up his mind。
But when the stage came with the flashing sun the next morning； and
the irresistible clamor of life and action； the driver suddenly laid his four
spirited horses on their haunches before the quiet spot。 The express
messenger clambered down from the box； and approached what seemed to
be a heap of cast…off clothes upon the boulder。
〃He don't seem to be drunk；〃 he said； in reply to a querulous
interrogation from the passengers。 〃I can't make him out。 His eyes are
op