Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/250

 see,” she sighed. “But to prove I trust you I’m going to let you into a secret. Come with me.”

Wondering, the two followed her quick steps. Descending a few rods to an overhanging ledge she produced from a natural hiding-place some purple tinted crystals.

“But what are they?” asked Stanley, much puzzled, and finding nothing of moment in her disclosure.

For an answer she held up a finger on which was a beautiful amethyst.

“What! amethysts!” he cried, while Bub’s eyes opened wide.

She nodded her head rapidly. “Father sent one away to the city and had it cut and set in this ring. I know where there’s a mine of them. I found them myself. People in town, the ones we sent the stone to, have been very curious to know where we got it. Of course we told them nothing. I keep these out here for fear someone will drop in on us some day for the purpose of doing a bit of spying. If they saw any uncut gems in the house they would know we got them around here. Sometime I’ll show you the mine.”

“I never knew such things could be found in Maine,” said Stanley.