Quicksilver Passion (103 page)

The moon came out from behind the clouds. Away in the distance, it lit up the silhouette of a beautiful, snow-capped mountain. A thought came to him, and for a moment, he was so overwhelmed by the idea, that he could not speak.

Boys,” he said finally, staring at the majestic peak.
What’s more enduring than a mountain? A hundred, five hundred, a thousand years from now, it will still be there. A woman’s beauty is like a wild flower; it blossoms briefly and then fades. But love, the kind of love that Miss Silver demonstrated, lasts forever. Nothing endures eternally like true love and the mountains!”

Hear! Hear!”

He turned to stare at the beautiful, lonely peak, even as the Nugget’s flames rose still higher.
Boys, let’s rename that summit for our very own heroine. Our grandchildren, our great-grandchildren, will see it and remember Colorado’s most beautiful lady!”

Doc,” one of the miners said,
she’s not a great beauty anymore.”

Oh, yes, she is!” Doc said with such feeling that his voice shook.
To those of us who knew her, she’s more beautiful than ever because of what she did. I say we rename that peak for her. Who agrees to Mt. Silver Heels?”

A roar went up from the miners as they threw their hats in the air.
Yea! Hurrah for our town! Hurrah for Miss Silver! Hurrah for Mt. Silver Heels!”

Doc took out his handkerchief and wiped his eyes.
Emma, let’s stay to make sure the fire doesn’t spread and not disturb our patient tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll tell her about the honor.”

Emma looked up at him.
And then you’ll give her a mirror and tell her about her face, too?”

He had a sense of dread.
She’s still pretty,” he argued.
She needs to understand that.”