it was toward the close of a warm summer day, that our friends drew rein in a grove within sight of the residence of mr. underwood, in precisely the same spot that they had encamped a number of weeks before.
george inwood was rather shabby in his appearance, but he determined to call upon marian, and have a chat with her before he returned east. he washed himself in a running brook, combed out his hair and whiskers, brushed his clothes, and, having made himself as presentable as possible under the circumstances, he told his friends that perhaps he would not return until late in the evening, and that they were by no means to wait for him.
there was a faint moon, as he came up the path made by the passage of many animals, and he could discover no human beings near the house. he missed the voice of marian, but he knew she was there, and that in a few moments more he would be sitting face to face with her.
walking forward, he stepped upon the long, low porch which ran along the entire front of the house, and, seeing no bell near, or knocker upon the open door, he rapped it smartly with his knuckles, and then stepped back and endeavored to feel cool and unconcerned.
in a moment a servant appeared, and he said:
“is miss underwood in?”
“¿pregunta v. par alguno?”
not understanding spanish, inwood stood for a moment embarrassed and silent.
“¿acerca de quien quiere v. informarse? a quien bresca v.?” said the female, quite excitedly.
seeing little probability of coming to an understanding, inwood repeated the words “miss marian underwood,” and then walked into a low broad hall. the servant immediately opened a door on his right, and the young man walked into a broad, well-furnished room. taking his seat on a sofa, which he knew had been brought from the east, he awaited the coming of whomsoever chose to answer his summons.
he had waited scarcely a minute, when a light step caught his ear, and, looking up, marian stood before him. he saw at once she did not recognize him in the dim light, and he concluded not to undeceive her for a moment. rising, and bowing profoundly, he lowered his voice and asked:
“have i the honor to address miss marian underwood?”
“yes, sir,” was the reply, as she still remained standing.
“i am from the east; mr. inwood desires you to receive his kindest wishes.”
“ah! you are acquainted with him?” she said, with[99] great vivacity, exceedingly inspiring to the listener, as she seated herself in front of him. “when did you leave new york?”
“several months ago; i am on my return now.”
“is he well?”
“never better.”
“i am glad to hear it, indeed, as father will be.”
“his father died last autumn—inwood was compelled to leave college, as he found himself penniless.”
“is it possible? may i ask what he is doing now?”
“nothing at all.”
“i wondered that he never wrote to us.”
“i remember very well seeing him put a letter in the office, addressed to you.”
“indeed, i never received it; he must have thought it strange that i never answered it.”
“however, he went to california.”
she gave a start.
“and never inquired after us?”
“yes; he sought your home out with great difficulty, and, miss marian underwood, he sits talking with you this minute.”
there was a start, and a slight scream, but no fainting. sensible ladies don’t faint at such times. the light of the lamp was made instantly brighter, and marian, all trembling and excitement, was seated beside george, looking earnestly in his face.
“can it be possible?” she asked, half smiling and half weeping, “i am really glad to see you.”
“and i am to see you.”
but it is becoming delicate ground, and we will retire.
our friends remained several days at mr. underwood’s, during which, jim explained that his famous “gold trick” consisted in looking upon an opponent as a gold mine, and using his pick accordingly, and george, having received the strongest confirmation of the true, womanly love of marian for himself, he revealed to her the wonderful success which he had met among the mountains, with the enchanted island, and he assured her of his intention to complete his preparatory course, and enter his chosen field—the sacred ministry.
when they parted, they were betrothed, and their future was painted in the roseate colors of hope and youth.
a few days later, as the steamer el dorado steamed through the golden gate, down the great pacific, she carried among her motley passengers the three who have occupied so prominent a part in these pages. the trip to new york was made safely and pleasantly, and without any incident worthy of record.
edwin, as a matter of course, resumed his studies, and jim tubbs settled down with his old mother, whom he had left behind, and who had sustained herself during his absence by weak tea, a strong pipe, and tremendous washing and ironing.
george carried out his intentions in every respect; the debts due his creditors, with interest, were paid to the last cent; and he and his wife are located in the pacific slope in the noble young state of california, engaged heart and hand in their great master’s work.
