Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/252

 me that gold is also found in Maine.” And he smiled at the conceit of his fancy.

Her eyes became very serious. “Why, didn’t you know that?” she cried. “Gold has been washed out along Swift river up above and around Byron for years. Men have made good day wages up there right along, with an occasional nugget as a bonus. They say they can find color almost anywhere up through that section.”

“Well, I never!” gasped Stanley.

“Gold and pearls and amethysts and tourmalines and—” began Stanley, excitedly.

“And lots of other things that you can learn about later,” laughingly obtruded Laura. “Simply remember this: Maine is one vast storehouse of valuable, marketable gems. While gold is only found in small quantities it has paid day wages. But a fortune can be made out of the gems and is being made today. At Mt. Mica, in Oxford county, the mining of tourmalines has been carried on as a regular business for years. There are other mines just as rich, if you can find them.”

“And I trust you have found such a one,” said Bub earnestly.

“I honestly am inclined to believe I have,” she whispered.