Very delicate, like a sago lily, only paler." "Were you livin' in Kremmlin' when Belllounds adopted the girl ?" asked Wade.
"Laws no!" was the reply.

"Thet was long before I come to Middle Park.
But I heerd all about it.

The baby was found by gold-diggers up in the mountains.

Must have got lost from a wagon-train thet Indians set on soon after--so the miners said.

Anyway, Old Bill took the baby an' raised her as his own." "How old is she now ?" queried Wade, with a singular change in his tone.
"Columbine's around nineteen." Bent Wade lowered his head a little, hiding his features under the old, battered, wide-brimmed hat.