At Walcott's request the date of the wedding was set early in January,

he having announced that business would call him to the South the first

week in December for about a month, and that he wished the wedding to

take place immediately upon his return.

The announcement of the engagement and speedily approaching marriage of

the daughter of D. K. Underwood to his junior partner caused a ripple of

excitement throughout the social circles of Ophir and Galena. Though

little known, Walcott was quite popular. It was therefore generally

conceded that the shrewd "mining king," as Mr. Underwood was denominated

in that region, had selected a party in every way eligible as the future

husband of the sole heiress of his fortune. Kate received the

congratulations showered upon her with perfect equanimity, but with a

shade of quiet reserve which effectually distanced all undue familiarity

or curiosity.

Through the daily paper which found its way to the mining camp Darrell

received his first news of Kate's engagement. It did not come as a

surprise, however; he knew it was inevitable; he even drew a sigh of

relief that the blow had fallen, for a burden is far more easily borne

as an actual reality than by anticipation, and applied himself with an

almost dogged persistency to his work.

The winter set in early and with unusual severity. The snowfall in the

mountains was heavier than had been known in years. Much of the time

the canyon road was impassable, making it impracticable for Darrell to

visit The Pines with any frequency, even had he wished to do so.

The weeks passed, and ere he was aware the holidays were at hand. By

special messenger came a little note from Kate informing him of

Walcott's absence and begging him to spend Christmas at the old home.

There had been a lull of two or three days in the storm, the messenger

reported the road somewhat broken, and early on the morning preceding

Christmas the trio, Darrell, Duke, and Trix, started forth, and, after a

twelve hours' siege, arrived at The Pines wet, cold, and thoroughly

exhausted, but all joyfully responsive to the welcome awaiting them.

Christmas dawned bright and clear; tokens of love and good will abounded

on every side, but at an early hour news came over the wires which

shocked and saddened all who heard, particularly the household at The

Pines. There had been a hold-up on the west-bound express the preceding

night, a few miles from Galena, in which the mail and express had been

robbed, and the express clerk, a brave young fellow who stanchly refused

to open the safe or give the combination, had been fatally stabbed. It

was said to be without doubt the work of the same band that had

conducted the hold-up in which Harry Whitcomb had lost his life, as it

was characterized by the same boldness of plan and cleverness of

execution.




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