下载辰思小说免费APP
"Iamgladtohavemetyou，ColonelThorp，"saidMrs。Murray，"andIamquitesureyouwillstandupforwhatisright，"andwithanotherbowthecoloneltookhisleave。
"Now，Harry，youmustgo，too，"saidKate；"youcanseeyourauntagainafterto-morrow，andImustgetmybeautysleep，besidesI
don\'twanttostandupwithamangauntandhollow-eyedforlackofsleep，"andshebundledhimoffinspiteofhisremonstrances。ButeagerasKatewasforherbeautysleep，thelightburnedlateinherroom；andlongaftershehadseenMrs。Murraysnuglytuckedinforthenight，shesatwithRanald\'sopenletterinherhand，readingittillshealmostknewitbyheart。Ittold，amongotherthings，ofhisdifferenceswiththecompanyinregardtostores，wages，andsupplies，andofhiseffortstoestablishareading-roomatthemills，andalibraryatthecamps；buttherewasasentenceatthecloseoftheletterthatKatereadoverandoveragainwiththelightofagreatloveinhereyesandwithacryofpaininherheart。"ThemagazinesandpapersthatKatesendsareagreatboon。
DearKate，whatagirlsheis！Iknownonelikeher；andwhatafriendshehasbeentomeeversincethedayshestoodupformeatQuebec。YourememberItoldyouaboutthat。WhataguyImusthavebeen，butshenevershowedasignofshame。Ioftenthinkofthatnow，howdifferentshewasfromanother！IseeitnowasI
couldnotthen——amanisafoolonceinhislife，butIhavegotmylessonandstillhaveagoodtruefriend。"Oftenshereadandlongsheponderedthelastwords。Itwassoeasytoreadtoomuchintothem。"Agood，truefriend。"Shelookedatthewordstillthetearscame。Thenshestoodupandlookedatherselfintheglass。
"Now，youngwoman，"shesaid，severely，"besensibleanddon\'tdreamdreamsuntilyouareasleep，andtosleepyoumustgoforthwith。"Butsleepwasslowtocome，andstrangetosay，itwasthethoughtofthelittlewomaninthenextroomthatquietedherheartandsenthertosleep，andnextdayshewaslookingherbest。
Andwhentheceremonywasover，andtheguestswereassembledattheweddingbreakfast，therewerenotafewwhoagreedwithHarrywhen，inhisspeech，hethrewdownhisgageaschampionforthepeerlessbridesmaid，whomforthehour——alas，tooshort——hewasprivilegedtocallhis"ladyfair。"ForwhileKatehadnotthebeautyofformandfaceandthefascinationofmannerthatturnedmen\'sheadsandmadeMaimietheenvyofallherset，therewasinherawholesomeness，afearlesssincerity，anobledignity，andthatindescribablecharmofatrueheartthatmadementrustherandloveherasonlygoodwomenareloved。Atlastthebrilliantaffairwasallover，thericeandoldbootswerethrown，thefarewellwordsspoken，andtearsshed，andthentheauntscamebacktotheemptyanddisorderedhouse。
"Well，IamgladforMaimie，"saidAuntFrank；"itisagoodmatch。"
"DearMaimie，"repliedAuntMurray，withagentlesigh，"Ihopeshewillbehappy。"
"Afterallitismuchbetter，"saidAuntFrank。
"Yes，itismuchbetter，"repliedMrs。Murray；andthensheadded，"HowlovelyKatelooked！Whatanoblegirlsheis，"butshedidnotexplaineventoherself，muchlesstoAuntFrank，thenexusofherthoughts。
CHAPTERXXIV
THEWEST
Themeetingoftheshare-holdersoftheBritish-AmericanLumberandCoalCompanywas，onthewhole，astormyone，fortheverybestofreasons——thefailureofthecompanytopaydividends。Theannualreportwhichthepresidentpresentedshowedclearlythattherewasaslightincreaseinexpenditureandaconsiderablefallingoffinsales，anditneededbutalittlemathematicalabilitytoreachtheconclusionthatinacomparativelyshorttimethecompanywouldbebankrupt。Theshare-holderswerethoroughlydisgustedwiththeBritishColumbiaendofthebusiness，andwereonthelookoutforavictim。Naturallytheirchoicefelluponthemanager。Theconcernfailedtopay。Itwasthemanager\'sbusinesstomakeitpayandthefailuremustbelaidtohischarge。Theirconfidenceintheirmanagerwasallthemoreshakenbythereportsthathadreachedthemofhispeculiarfads——hisreading-room，library，etc。Theseweresufficientevidenceofhislackofbusinessability。Hewasundoubtedlyaworthyyoungman，buttherewaseverygroundtobelievethathewassomethingofavisionary，andmenwithgreathesitationintrusthardcashtothemanagementofanidealist。
Itwas，perhaps，unfortunateforMr。St。Clairthatheshouldbeappealedtouponthispoint，forhisreluctancetoexpressanopinionastotheabilityofthemanager，andhisadmissionthatpossiblytheyoungmanmightproperlybetermedavisionary，broughtColonelThorpsharplytohisfeet。
"Mr。St。Clair，"saidthecolonel，inacool，cuttingvoice，"willnothesitatetobeartestimonytothefactthatourmanagerisamanwhoseintegritycannotbetamperedwith。IfImistakenot，Mr。
St。Clairhashadevidenceofthis。"
Mr。St。Clairhastenedtobeartheverystrongesttestimonytothemanager\'sintegrity。
"AndMr。St。Clair，Ihavenodoubt，"wentonthecolonel，"willbeequallyreadytobeartestimonytotheconspicuousabilityourmanagerdisplayedwhilehewasintheserviceoftheRaymondandSt。ClairLumberCompany。"
Mr。St。Clairpromptlycorroboratedthecolonel\'sstatement。
"Wearesureoftwothings，therefore，"continuedthecolonel，"thatourmanagerisamanofintegrity，andthathehasdisplayedconspicuousbusinessabilityinhisformerpositions。"
Atthispointthecolonelwasinterrupted，andhisattentionwascalledtothefactthatthereportsshowedanincreaseofexpenditureforsuppliesandforwages，andontheotherhandafallingoffintherevenuefromthestores。Butthecolonelpassedoverthesepointsasinsignificant。"Itisclear，"heproceeded，"thatthecauseoffailuredoesnotlieinthemanagement，butinthestateofthemarket。Thepoliticalsituationinthatcountryisverydoubtful，andthishasanexceedinglydepressingeffectuponbusiness。"
"Then，"interruptedashare-holder，"itistimethecompanyshouldwithdrawfromthatcountryandconfineitselftoadistrictwherethemarketissureandthefuturemorestable。"
"Whataboutthesefads，Colonel？"askedanothershare-holder；
"thesereading-rooms，libraries，etc？Doyouthinkwepayamantoestablishthatsortofthing？Tomymindtheysimplyputalotofnonsenseintotheheadsoftheworking-menandarethechiefcauseofdissatisfaction。"Uponthispointthecoloneldidnotfeelcompetenttoreply；consequentlythefeelingofthemeetingbecamedecidedlyhostiletothepresentmanager，andaresolutionwasoffereddemandinghisresignation。ItwasalsoagreedthattheboardofdirectorsshouldconsidertheadvisabilityofwithdrawingaltogetherfromBritishColumbia，inasmuchasthefutureofthatcountryseemedtobeveryuncertain。ThereuponColonelThorproseandbeggedleavetowithdrawhisnamefromthedirectorateofthecompany。Hethoughtitwasunwisetoabandonacountrywheretheyhadspentlargesumsofmoney，withoutathoroughinvestigationofthesituation，andhefurtherdesiredtoenterhisprotestagainsttheinjusticeofmakingtheirmanagersufferforafailureforwhichhehadinnowaybeenshowntoberesponsible。Buttheshare-holdersrefusedtoevenconsiderColonelThorp\'srequest，andboththepresidentandsecretaryexhaustedtheireloquenceineulogizinghisvaluetothecompany。AsacompromiseitwasfinallydecidedtocontinueoperationsinBritishColumbiaforanotherseason。ColonelThorpdeclaredthatthereformsandreorganizationschemesinauguratedbyRanaldwouldresultingreatreductionsinthecostofproduction，andthatRanaldshouldbegivenopportunitytodemonstratethesuccessorfailureofhisplans；andfurther，thepoliticalsituationdoubtlesswouldbemoresettled。Thewisdomofthisdecisionwasmanifestedlater。
Thespiritofunrestanddissatisfactionappearedagainatthenextannualmeeting，forwhileconditionswereimproving，dividendswerenotyetforthcoming。OnceagainColonelThorpsuccessfullychampionedRanald\'scause，thistimeinsistingthatafurthertestoftwoseasonsbemade，prophesyingthatnotonlywouldthepresentdeficitdisappear，butthattheirpatienceandconfidencewouldbeamplyrewarded。
Yieldingtopressure，anddesiringtoacquainthimselfwithactualconditionsfrompersonalobservation，ColonelThorpconcludedtovisitBritishColumbiatheautumnprecedingtheannualmeetingwhichwastosucceedRanald\'speriodofprobation。
ThereforeitwasthatColonelThorpfoundhimselfonthecoaststeamshipOregonapproachingthecityofVictoria。Hehadnotenjoyedhisvoyage，andwas，consequently，innomoodtoreceivethenotewhichwashandedhimbyabriskyoungmanatthelanding。
"Who\'sthisfrom，Pat，"saidthecolonel，takingthenote。
"Mike，ifyouplease，MichaelCole，ifyoudon\'tmind；andthenoteisfromtheboss，Mr。Macdonald，whohasgoneupthecountry，andcan\'tbeheretowelcomeyou。"
"Goneupthecountry！"roaredthecolonel；"whattheblank，blank，doeshemeanbygoingupthecountryatthisparticulartime？"
ButMr。MichaelColewasquiteundisturbedbythecolonel\'swrath。
"Youmightfindthereasoninthenote，"hesaid，coolly，andthecolonel，glaringathim，openedthenoteandread：
"MYDEARCOLONELTHORP：Iamgreatlydisappointedinnotbeingabletomeetyou。ThetruthisIonlyreceivedyourletterthisweek。Ourmailsarenonetooprompt，andsoIhavebeenunabletore-arrangemyplans。Ifinditnecessarytorunuptheriverforacoupleofweeks。Inthemeantime，thinkingthatpossiblyyoumightliketoseesomethingofourcountry，IhavearrangedthatyoushouldjointhepartyoftheLieutenantGovernorontheirtriptotheinterior，andwhichwilltakeonlyaboutfourweeks\'time。Thepartyaregoingtovisitthemostinterestingdistrictsofourcountry，includingboththefamousminingdistrictofCaribooandthebeautifulvalleyoftheOkanagan。Mr。Cole，myclerk，willintroduceyoutoMr。Blair，ourmemberofParliamentforWestminster，whowillpresentyoutotherestoftheparty。Mr。Blair，Ineednotsay，isoneofthebrightestbusinessmenintheWest。IshallmeetyouatYaleonyourreturn。Ifitisabsolutelyimpossibleforyoutotakethistrip，andnecessarythatIshouldreturnatonce，Mr。Colewillseethataspecialmessengerissenttome，butI
wouldstronglyurgethatyougo，ifpossible。
"Withkindregards。"
"Lookhere，youngman，"yelledthecolonel，"doyouthinkI\'vecomeallthiswaytogogallivantingaroundthecountrywithanyblank，blankroyalparty？"
"Idon\'tknow，Colonel，"saidyoungCole，brightly；"butItellyouI\'dlikemightywelltogoinyourplace。"
"AndwhereinthenationISyourboss，andwhat\'sheafter，anyway？"
"He\'sawayuptheriverlookingafterbusiness，andprettybigbusiness，too，"saidColey，notatalloverawedbythecolonel\'swrath。
"Well，Ihopeheknowshimself，"saidthecolonel。
"Oh，don\'tmakeanymistakeaboutthat，Colonel，"saidyoungCole；
"healwaysknowswherehe\'sgoingandwhathewants，andhegetsit。"Butthecolonelmadenoreply，nordidhedeigntonoticeMr。
MichaelColeagainuntiltheyhadarrivedattheNewWestminsterlanding。
"Thebossdidn\'tknow，"saidColey，approachingthecolonelwithsomedegreeofcare，"whetheryouwouldliketogotothehotelortohisrooms；youcantakeyourchoice。Thehotelisnotofthebest，andhethoughtperhapsyoucouldputupwithhisrooms。"
"Allright，"saidthecolonel；"Iguessthey\'llsuitme。"
ThecolonelmadenomistakeindecidingforRanald\'squarters。
Theyconsistedoftworoomsthatformedonecornerofalong，wooden，single-storybuildingintheshapeofanL。OneoftheseroomsRanaldmadehisdining-roomandbedroom，theotherwashisoffice。Therestofthebuildingwasdividedintothreesections，andconstitutedadining-room，reading-room，andbunk-roomforthemen。Thewallsoftheseroomsweredecoratednotinartisticallywithafewcoloredprintsandwithcutsfromillustratedpapers，manyanddivers。Thefurniturethroughoutwashome-made，withthesingleexceptionofacabinetorganwhichstoodinonecornerofthereading-room。Onthewindowsofthedining-roomandbunk-roomweregreenrollerblinds，butthoseofthereading-roomweredrapedwithcurtainsoffloweredmuslin。Indeedthereading-roomwasdistinguishedfromtheothersbyamoreartisticandelaboratedecoration，andbyagreatervarietyoffurniture。Theroomwasevidentlytheprideofthecompany\'sheart。InRanald\'sprivateroomthesamesimplicityinfurnitureanddecorationwasapparent，butwhenthecolonelwasusheredintothebedroomhiseyefellatonceupontwophotographs，beautifullyframed，hungoneachsideofthemirror。
"Hello，guessIoughttoknowthis，"hesaid，lookingatoneofthem。
Coleybeamed。"Youdo，eh？Well，then，she\'sworthknowin\'andthere\'sonlyoneofherkind。"
"Don\'tknowaboutthat，youngman，"saidthecolonel，lookingattheotherphotograph；"here\'sonethatoughttogoinherclass。"
"Perhaps，"saidColey，doubtfully，"thebossthinksso，Iguess，fromthewayhelooksatit。"
"Youngman，whatsortofafellow\'syourboss？"saidthecolonel，suddenlyfacingColey。
"Whatsort？"Coleythoughtamoment。"Well，\'twouldneedagoodeddicationtotell，butthere\'sonlyoneinhisclass，Itellyou。"
"Thenheowesittothislittlewoman，"pointingtooneofthephotographs，"andshe，"pointingtotheother，"saidso。"
"Thenyoumaybetit\'strue。"
"Idon\'tbetonasurething，"saidthecolonel，hisannoyancevanishinginaslowsmile，hisfirstsincereachingtheprovince。
"Dinner\'llbereadyinhalfanhour，sir，"saidColey，swearingallegianceinhishearttothemanthatagreedwithhiminregardtothephotographthatstoodwithColeyforallthatwashighestinhumanity。
"John，"hesaid，sharply，totheChinesecook，"gotgooddinner，eh？"
"Pittygood，"saidJohn，indifferently。
"Now，lookhere，John，himbigman。"Johnwasnotmuchimpressed。
"Awfulbigman，Itellyou，bigsoldier。"Johnpreservedastolidcountenance。
"John，"saidtheexasperatedColey，"I\'llkickyouacrossthisroomandbackifyoudon\'tlistentome。Wantbigdinner，heapgood，eh？"
"Huh-huh，bellygood，"repliedJohn，withaslightshowofinterest。
"Isay，John，whatyougotfordinner，eh？"askedColey，changinghistactics。
"Ham，eggs，lice，"answeredtheMongolian，imperturbably。
"Geewhiz！"saidColey，"goin\'tofeedtheboss\'uncleonhamandeggs？"
"What？"saidJohn，withsuddeninterest，"Uncleboss，eh？"
"Yes，"saidtheunblushingColey。
"Huh！Coleyheapfool！Getchicken，quick！meatshop，small，eh？"
TheChinamanwasatlastaroused。Pots，pans，andotherutensilswereinimmediaterequisition，aroaringfireseta-going，andinthree-quartersofanhourthecolonelsatdowntoadinnerofsoup，fish，andfowl，withvariousentreesandsidedishesthatwouldhavedonecredittoaNewYorkchef。Thuspotentwasthenameofthebosswithhiscook。
John\'sexcellentdinnerdidmuchtosootheandmollifyhisguest；
butthecolonelwassensitivetoimpressionsotherthanthepurelygastronomic，forthroughoutthecourseofthedinner，hiseyeswanderedtothephotographsonthewall，andinfancyhewasoncemoreinthepresenceofthetwowomen，towhomhefeltpledgedinRanald\'sbehalf。"It\'saone-horselookingcountry，though，"hesaidtohimself，"andnoplaceforamanwithanysnap。Bestthingwouldbetopullout，Iguess，andtakehimalong。"AnditwasinthismindthathereceivedtheHonorableArchibaldBlair，M。P。P。，forNewWestminster，presidentoftheBritishColumbiaCanningCompany，recentlyorganized，andadirectorinhalfadozenotherbusinessconcerns。
"ColonelThorp，thisisMr。Blair，oftheBritishColumbiaCanningCompany，"saidColey，withacurioussuggestionofRanaldinhismanner。
"GladtowelcomeafriendofMr。Macdonald\'s，"saidMr。Blair，alittlemanofaboutthirty，withashrewdeyeandakindlyfrankmanner。
"Well，IguessIcansaythesame，"saidColonelThorp，shakinghands。"Ijudgehisfriendsareoftherightsort。"
"You\'llfindplentyinthiscountrygladtoclassthemselvesinthatlist，"laughedMr。Blair；"Iwouldn\'tundertaketoguaranteethemall，butthoseheliststhatway，youcanprettywellbankon。
He\'sayoungmanforreadingmen。"
"Yes？"saidthecolonel，interrogatively；"he\'sveryyoung。"
"Young，forthatmattersoareweall，especiallyonthissidethewaterhere。It\'sayoungman\'scountry。"
"Prettyyoung，Ijudge，"saidthecolonel，dryly。"Lotsofroomtogrow。"
"Yes，thankProvidence！"saidMr。Blair，enthusiastically；"butthere\'slotsoflifeandlotstofeedit。ButI\'mnotgoingtotalk，Colonel。ItisalwayswastedbreathonanEasterner。I\'llletthecountrytalk。Youarecomingwithus，ofcourse。"
"Hardlythinkso；mytimeisratherlimited，and，well，totellthetruth；I\'mfromacrossthelineanddon\'tcatermuchtoyourroyalties。"
"Royalties！"exclaimedMr。Blair。"Oh，youmeanourgovernor。
Well，that\'sgoodrather，musttellthegovernorthat。"Mr。Blairlaughedlongandloud。"You\'llforgetallthatwhenyouareoutwithusanhour。No，wethinkitwelltohedgeourgovernmentwithdignity，butonthistripweshallleavethegoldlaceandredtapebehind。"
"Howlongdoyouproposetobegone？"
"Aboutfourweeks。ButImakeyouapromise。Ifafterthefirstweekyouwanttoreturnfromanypoint，Ishallsendyoubackwithallspeed。Butyouwon\'twantto，Iguaranteeyouthat。Why，mydearsir，thinkoftheroute，"andMr。Blairwentoffintoarapturousdescriptionofthemarvelsoftheyoungprovince，itsscenery，itsresources，itsclimate，itssport，playinguponeachstringashemarkedtheeffectuponhislistener。BythetimeMr。
Blair\'svisitwasover，thecolonelhadmadeuphismindthathewouldseesomethingofthiswonderfulcountry。
NextdayColeytookhimoverthecompany\'smills，andwasnotalittledisappointedtoseethatthecolonelwasnotimpressedbytheirsizeorequipment。InColey\'seyestheywerephenomenal，andhewasinclinedtoresentthecolonel\'sloftymanner。Theforeman，Mr。Urquhart，ashrewdScotchman，whohadseenthemillsoftheOttawaRiverandthoseinMichiganaswell，understoodhisvisitor\'sattitudebetter；andbesides，itsuitedhisScotchnaturetorefuseanyapproachtoopenadmirationforanythingoutoftheoldland。
Hisordinarycommendationwas，"It\'snothatbad"；andhissuperlativewasexpressedinthedaringconcession，"Aye，it\'llmaybedae，itmichtbewaur。"SohefollowedthecolonelaboutwithdisparagingcommentsthatdroveColeytothevergeofmadness。Whentheycametotheengineroom，whichwasUrquhart\'spride，theclimaxwasreached。
"It\'saweebito\'aplace，an\'nofitforthewark，"saidUrquhart，usheringthecolonelintoasnuglittleengine-room，whereeverybitofbrassshonewithdazzlingbrightness，andeverypartoftheenginemovedinsmooth，sweetharmony。
"Slicklittleengine，"saidthecolonel，withdiscriminatingadmiration。
"It\'snothatbadthenoo，butyesudhaeseenitaforeJem，there，tookahando\'it——awheezin\'rattlin\'pechinthingthatyemichtexpecttaefleeinbitsforthenoiseinthewameo\'t。ButJemmiesortedittillit\'snaedespicableforitssize。Butit\'snofitforthewark。Jemmie，lad，justgie\'titsfillan\'we\'llpitthesawuntilalog，"saidUrquhart，astheywentupintothesawing-
roomwhere，inafewminutes，thecolonelhadanexhibitionofthesawstickingfastinalogforlackofpower。
"Man，yon\'saladthatkenshistrade。He\'sfraeGleska。Heearnshismoney\'swarth。"
"Howdidyoucometogethim？"saidthecolonel，movedtointerestbyUrquhart\'sunwontedpraise。
"Indeed，justthewaywe\'vegotallourbestmen。It\'sthebosspickedhimooto\'thegutter，andthereheisearnin\'histwaandahalfaday。"
"Thebossdidthat，eh？"saidthecolonel，withoneofhisswiftglancesatthespeaker。
"Aye，thathedid，andhe\'sonlyoneo\'many。"
"He\'sgoodatthatsortofbusiness，Iguess。"
"Aye，hekensmenasyecanseefraehisgang。"
"Doesn\'tseemtobeabletomakethecompany\'sbusinesspay，"
venturedthecolonel。
"D\'yethinkyecudfindonethatcud？"pointingtothehaltingsaw。
"Anthat\'sthemachinethatturnedootthaepilesyonder。Giehimachance，though，an\'whenthestuffisdeesposedofye\'llgety\'reprofit。"Urquhartknewwhathewasabout，andthecolonelwentbackwithColeytohisroomsconvincedoftwofacts，thatthecompanyhadaplantthatmighteasilybeimproved，butamanagerthat，intheestimationofthosewhowroughtwithhim，waseasilyfirstinhisclass。RanaldcouldhaveadoptednobetterplanfortheenhancingofhisreputationthanbyallowingColonelThorptogoinandoutamongtheworkmenandhisfriends。Moreandmorethecolonelbecameimpressedwithhismanager\'sgeniusforthepickingofhismenandbindingthemtohisinterests，andasthisimpressiondeepenedhebecamethemoreresolvedthatitwasawasteofgoodmaterialtoretainamaninacountryofferingsuchalimitedscopeforhisabilities。
Butafterfourweeksspentinexploringtheinterior，fromQuesnelletoOkanagan，andinthefollowinginandoutthewater-
waysofthecoastline，thecolonelmetRanaldatYalewithonlyaproblemtobesolved，andhelostnotimeinputtingittohismanager。
"HowinthundercanIgetthosenarrow-gauge，hideboundEasternerstolaunchoutintobusinessinthiscountry？"
"Ican\'thelpyouthere，Colonel。I\'vetriedandfailed。"
"BythegreatSam，soyouhave！"saidthecolonel，withasuddenconvictionofhisownlimitationsinthepast。"Nousetryin\'totell\'emofthis，"swinginghislongarmtowardthegreatsweepoftheFraserValley，clothedwithamightyforest。"It\'sonlyaquestionofholdin\'onforafewyears，thething\'sdeadsure。"
"Ihavebeenthroughagoodpartofit，"saidRanald，quietly，andIamconvincedthatherewehavethepickofCanada，andIventuretosayoftheAmericanContinent。Timber，hundredsofsquaremilesofit，fish——I\'veseenthatriversopackedwithsalmonthatI
couldn\'tshovemycanoethrough——"
"Holdon，now，"saidthecolonel，"givemetime。"
"Simple，sobertruthofmyownproving，"repliedRanald。"AndyousawafringeoftheminesupintheCariboo。TheKootenaiisfullofgoldandsilver，andintheOkanaganyoucangrowfoodandfruitsformillionsofpeople。IknowwhatIamsaying。"
"Tellyouwhat，"saidthecolonel，"youmakemethinkyou\'respeakin\'thetruthanyhow。"Then，withasuddeninspiration，heexclaimed："BythegreatSammy，I\'vegotanidea！"andthen，ashesawRanaldwaiting，added，"ButIguessI\'llletitsoaktillwegetdowntothemill。"
"Doyouthinkyoucouldspareme，Colonel？"askedRanald，inadubiousvoice；"Ireallyoughttorunthroughabitoftimberhere。"
"No，bythegreatSam，Ican\'t！Iwantyoutocomerightalong，"
repliedthecolonel，withemphasis。
"Whatishesaying，Colonel？"askedMr。Blair。
"Wantstorunoffandleavemetopaddlemywayhomealone。Notmuch！Itellyouwhat，wehavesomeimportantbusinesstodobeforeIgoEast。Youhearme？"
"Andbesides，Macdonald，Iwantyouforthatbigmeetingofoursnextweek。Yousimplymustbethere。"
"Youflatterme，Mr。Blair。"
"Notabit；youknowtherearealotofhot-headstalkingseparationandthatsortofthing，andIwantsomelevel-headedfellowwhoisinwiththeworkingmentobethere。"
AndasitturnedoutitwasagoodthingforMr。BlairandforthecauseherepresentedthatRanaldwaspresentatthegreatmass-
meetingheldinNewWestminsterthenextweek。ForthepeoplewereexasperatedbeyondallenduranceatthedelayoftheDominioninmakinggoodthesolemnpromisesgivenatthetimeofConfederation，andwereinamoodtolistentotheproposalsfreelymadethattheuselessbondshouldbesevered。"Railwayorseparation，"wasthecry，andresolutionsembodyingthissentimentwereactuallyproposedanddiscussed。ItwasRanald\'sspeech，everyonesaid，thatturnedthetide。Hiscalmlogicmadeclearthefollyofevenconsideringseparation；hisknowledgeof，andhisunboundedfaithin，theresourcesoftheprovince，andmorethanall，hisimpassionedpicturingofthefutureofthegreatDominionreachingfromoceantoocean，knittogetherbytiesofcommoninterest，andacommonloyaltythatwouldbecomemorevividlyrealwhentheprovinceshadbeenbroughtmorecloselytogetherbythepromisedrailway。Theymighthavetowaitalittlelonger，butitwasworthwhilewaiting，andtherewasnofutureinanyotherpolicy。Itwashisfirstspeechatagreatmeeting，andasMr。Blairshookhimwarmlybythehand，thecrowdburstintoenthusiasticcries，"Macdonald！Macdonald！"andinoneofthepausesasinglevoicewasheard，"Glengarryforever！"Thenagainthecrowdbrokeforth，"Glengarry！Glengarry！"forallwhoknewRanaldpersonallyhadheardofthegangthatwereoncetheprideoftheOttawa。AtthatoldcryRanald\'sfaceflusheddeepred，andhehadnowordstoanswerhisfriends\'warmcongratulations。
"SendhimEast，"criedavoice。
"Yes，yes，that\'sit。SendhimtoOttawatoJohnA。It\'sthesameclan！"
SwiftlyMr。Blairmadeuphismind。"Gentlemen，thatisagoodsuggestion。Imakeitamotion。"Itwassecondedinadozenplaces，andcarriedbyastandingvote。ThenRanaldroseagainandmodestlyprotestedthathewasnotthemantogo。Hewasquiteunknownintheprovince。
"Weknowyou！"thesamevoicecalledout，followedbyaroarofapproval。
"And，besides，"wentonRanald，"itisimpossibleformetogetaway；I\'maworkingmanandnotmyownmaster。"
Thenthecolonel，whowassittingontheplatform，roseandbeggedtobeheard。"Mr。Chairmanandgentlemen，Iain\'taCanadian——"
"Nevermind！Youcan\'thelpthat，"sangoutamanfromtheback，witharoaroflaughterfollowing。
"ButifIweren\'tanAmerican，Idon\'tknowanythingthatI\'dratherbe。"(Greatapplause。)"FourweeksagoIwouldn\'thavetakenyourprovinceasagift。NowIonlywishUncleSamcouldpersuadeyoutosell。"(Criesof"Hehasn\'tgotmoneyenough。
Don\'tfoolyourself。")"ButIwanttosaythatthisyoungmanofmine，"pointingtoRanald，"hasgivenyougoodtalk，andifyouwanthimtogoEast，why，I\'lllethimoffforaspell。"(LoudcheersforthecolonelandforMacdonald。)
AweeklateragreatmeetinginVictoriaindorsedtheNewWestminsterresolutionswiththeaddeddemandthattherailwayshouldbecontinuedtoEsquinaltaccordingtotheoriginalagreement。Anotherdelegatewasappointedtorepresentthewishesoftheislanders，andbeforeRanaldhadfullyrealizedwhathadhappenedhefoundhimselfafamousman，andonthewaytotheEastwiththejubilantcolonel。
"Whatwasthegreatidea，Colonel，thatstruckyouatYale？"
inquiredRanald，astheywerefairlysteamingoutoftheEsquinaltharbor。
"Thisisit，myboy！"exclaimedthecolonel，slappinghimontheback。"ThisheretripEast。Nowwe\'vegot\'emovertheropes，bythegreatandeverlastingSammy！"theformofoathindicatingaclimaxinthecolonel\'semotion。
"Gotwho？"inquiredRanald，mystified。
"Themgol-blamed，cross-roadhayseedsdownEast。"Andwiththisthecolonelbecamediscreetlysilent。Heknewtoowellthesensitiveprideofthemanwithwhomhehadtodeal，andhewaschieflyanxiousnowthatRanaldshouldknowaslittleaspossibleoftherealobjectofhisgoingtoBritishColumbia。
"We\'vegottomaketheBritish-AmericanCoalandLumberCompanyknowthetimeofday。It\'sgittin\'-uptimeoutinthiscountry。
Theyweretalkin\'alittleofdrawin\'out。"Ranaldgasped。"Someofthemonly，"thecolonelhastenedtoadd，"butIwantyoutotalklikeyoudidtheothernight，andI\'lltellmylittletale，andifthatdon\'tfetch\'emthenI\'maTurk。"
"Well，Colonel，here\'smyword，"saidRanald，deliberately，"ifthecompanywishtowithdrawtheymaydoso，butmyfutureisboundupwiththatoftheWest，andIhavenofearthatitwillfailme。I
stakemyallupontheWest。"
CHAPTERXXV
GLENGARRYFOREVER
Thecolonelwasanexperiencedtraveler，andbelievedinmakinghimselfcomfortable。Ranaldlookedonwithsomeamusement，andalittlewonder，whilethecolonelarrangedhisthingsaboutthestateroom。
"Mayaswellmakethingscomfortablewhilewecan，"saidthecolonel，"wehavethebetterpartofthreedaysbeforeusonthisboat，andifitgetsrough，itisbettertohavethingsneat。Nowyougoahead，"headded，"andgetyourthingsout。"
"Ithinkyouareright，Colonel。Iamnotmuchusedtotravel，butIshalltakeyouradviceonthis。"
"Well，Ihavetraveledconsiderabletheselasttwentyyears，"
repliedthecolonel。"Isay，wouldyoumindleavingthoseout？"
"What？"
"Thosephotos。They\'rethetwoyouhadupbytheglassinyourroom，aren\'tthey？"Ranaldflushedalittle。
"Ofcourseitain\'tforeveryonetosee，andIwouldnotaskyou，butthosetwoain\'tlikeanyothertwothatIhaveseen，andIhaveseenagoodmanyinfortyyears。"Ranaldsaidnothing，butsetthephotographsonalittlebracketonthewall。
"There，thatmakesthisroomfeelbetter，"saidthecolonel。"Thatthereisthefinest，sweetest，truestgirlthatwalksthissphere，"
hesaid，pointingatKate\'sphotograph，"andtheother，Iguessyouknowallabouther。"
"Yes，Iknowabouther，"saidRanald，lookingatthephotograph；
"itistoherIoweeverythingIhavethatisanygood。AndColonel，"headded，withanunusualburstofconfidence，"whenmylifewasbrokenoffshort，thatwomanputmeinthewayofgettingholdofitagain。"
"Well，theyboththinkapileofyou，"wasthecolonel\'sreply。
"Yes，Ithinktheydo，"saidRanald。"Theyarenotthekindtoforgetamanwhenheisoutofsight，anditisworthtravelingtwothousandmilestoseethemagain。"
"Ain\'titqueer，now，howtheworldisrun？"saidthecolonel。
"There\'stwowomen，now，theverybest；onehasbeenburiedallherlifeinalittleholeinthewoods，andtheotherisgivingherselftoafellowthatain\'tfittocarryherboots。"
"What！"saidRanald，sharply，"Kate？"
"Yes，theysaysheisgoingtothrowherselfawayonyoungSt。
Clair。Heisallright，Isuppose，butheain\'tfitforher。"
Ranaldsuddenlystoopedoverhisvaliseandbeganpullingouthisthings。
"Ididn\'thearofthat，"hesaid。
"Idid，"saidthecolonel；"youseeheisalwaysthere，andactingasifheownedher。Hestucktoherforalongtime，andIguessshegottiredholdingout。"
"Harryisaverydecentfellow，"saidRanald，risingupfromhisunpacking；"Isay，thisboat\'sclose。Letusgoupondeck。"
"Wait，"saidthecolonel，"Iwanttotalkoverourplans，andwecantalkbetterhere。"
"No，"saidRanald；"Iwantsomefreshair。Letusgoup。"Andwithoutfurtherwords，hehurriedupthegangway。ItwassometimebeforeColonelThorpfoundhiminthebowoftheboat，andimmediatelybegantotalkovertheirplans。
"YouspokeofgoingtoTorontofirstthing，"hesaidtoRanald。
"Yes，"saidRanald；"butIthinkIoughttogotoOttawaatonce，andthenIshallseemypeopleinGlengarryforafewdays。ThenI
willbereadyforthemeetingatBayCityanytimeafterthesecondweek。"
"ButyouhavenotputTorontointhere，"saidthecolonel；"youarenotgoingtodisappointthatlittlegirl？Shewouldtakeitprettyhard。Mindyou，shewantstoseeyou。"
"Oh，ofcourseIshallruninforaday。"
"Well，"saidthecolonel，"Iwanttogiveyouplentyoftime。I
willarrangethatmeetingforamonthfromto-day。"
"No，no，"saidRanald，impatiently；"ImustgetbacktotheWest。
Twoweekswilldome。"
"Well，wewillmakeitthree，"saidthecolonel。HecouldnotunderstandRanald\'ssuddeneagernesstosetoutfortheWestagain。
HehadspokenwithsuchenthusiasticdelightofhisvisittoToronto，andnowhewasonlygoingtoruninforadayorso。AndifRanaldhimselfwereasked，hewouldhavefounditdifficulttoexplainhissuddenlackofinterest，notonlyinToronto，butineverythingthatlayintheEast。Hewasconsciousofadeep，dullacheinhisheart，andhecouldnotquiteexplainit。
Afterthecolonelhadgonedownforthenight，Ranaldwalkedthedeckaloneandresolutelyfacedhimself。Hisfirstfranklookwithinrevealedtohimthefactthathispainhadcomeuponhimwiththecolonel\'sinformationthatKatehadgivenherselftoHarry。Itwasrightthatheshouldbedisappointed。Harry，thoughadecentenoughfellow，didnotbegintobeworthyofher；andindeednoonethatheknewwasworthyofher。Butwhyshouldhefeelsosorelyaboutit？ForyearsHarryhadbeenherdevotedslave。Hewouldgivehertheloveofanhonestman，andwouldsurroundherwithallthecomfortsandluxuriesthatwealthcouldbring。Shewouldbeveryhappy。Hehadnorighttogrieveaboutit。Andyethedidgrieve。Thewholeskyoverthelandscapeofhislifehadsuddenlybecomecoldandgray。DuringtheseyearsKatehadgrowntobemuchtohim。Shehadinmanywayshelpedhiminhiswork。Thethoughtofherandherapprovalhadbroughthiminspirationandstrengthinmanyanhourofweaknessandloneliness。
Shehadbeensoloyalandsotruefromtheveryfirst，anditwasabitterthingtofeelthatanotherhadcomebetweenthem。Overandoveragainheaccusedhimselfofsheermadness。WhyshouldshenotloveHarry？Thatneednotmakeheranylesshisfriend。Butinspiteofhisarguments，hefoundhimselfwearyoftheEastandeagertoturnawayfromit。HemusthurryonatoncetoOttawa，andwithallspeedgetdonehisbusinessthere。
AtChicagoheleftthecolonelwithapromisetomeethiminthreeweeksattheheadquartersoftheBritish-AmericanCoalandLumberCompanyatBayCity。HewiredtoOttawa，askinganappointmentwiththegovernment，andafterthreedays\'hardtravelfoundhimselfinthecapitaloftheDominion。Thepremier，SirJohnA。
Macdonald，withthereadycourtesycharacteristicofhim，immediatelyarrangedforahearingofthedelegationfromBritishColumbia。Ranaldwassurprisedattheindifferencewithwhichheapproachedthismeeting。Heseemedtohavelostcapacityforkeenfeelingofanykind。SirJohnA。MacDonaldandhiscabinetreceivedthedelegationwithgreatkindness，andineverypossiblewaystrovetomakethemfeelthatthegovernmentwasgenuinelyinterestedinthewesternprovince，andwereanxioustodoallthatcouldbedoneintheirinterest。Intheconferencethatensued，thedelegateforVictoriatookamoreprominentpart，beinganolderman，andrepresentingthelargerandmoreimportantconstituency。ButwhenSirJohnbegantoaskquestions，theVictoriadelegatewassoonbeyondhisdepth。ThepremiershowedsuchanexactnessofknowledgeandcomprehensivenessofgraspthatbeforelongRanaldwasappealedtoforinformationinregardtotheresourcesofthecountry，andespeciallythecausesandextentofthepresentdiscontent。
"Thecausesofdiscontentareveryeasytosee，"saidRanald；
"allBritishColumbiansfeelhurtatthefailureoftheDominiongovernmenttokeepitssolemnobligations。"
"Istherenothingelsenow，Mr。Macdonald？"
"Theremaybe，"saidRanald，"somelingeringimpatiencewiththegovernmentbydifferentofficials，andthereisacertainamountofannexationsentiment。"
"Ah，"saidSirJohn，"Ithinkwehaveourfingeruponitnow。"
"Donotover-estimatethat，"saidRanald；"Ibelievethatthereareonlyaveryfewwithannexationsentiments，andalltheseareofAmericanbirth。Thegreatbodyofthepeoplearesimplyindignantat，anddisappointedwith，theDominiongovernment。"
"Andwouldyousaythereisnoothercauseofdiscontent，Mr。
Macdonald？"saidSirJohn，withakeenlookatRanald。
"Thereisanothercause，Ibelieve，"saidRanald，"andthatisthepartydepression，butthatdepressionisduetotheuncertaintyinregardtothepoliticalfutureoftheprovince。Whenoncewehearthattherailroadisbeingbuilt，politicalinterestwillrevive。"
"MayIaskwhereyouwereborn？"saidSirJohn。
"InGlengarry，"saidRanald，withatouchofprideinhisvoice。
"Ah，Iamafraidyourpeoplearenotgreatadmirersofmygovernment，andperhapsyou，Mr。Macdonald，shareintheopinionofyourcounty。"
"IhavenoopinioninregardtoDominionpolitics。IamforBritishColumbia。"
"Well，Mr。Macdonald，"saidSirJohn，rising，"thatisright，andyououghttohaveyourroad。"
"DoIunderstandyoutosaythatthegovernmentwillbegintobuildtheroadatonce？"saidRanald。
"Ah，"smiledSirJohn，"Iseeyouwantsomethingdefinite。"
"Ihavecometwothousandmilestogetit。Thepeoplethatsentmewillbecontentwithnothingelse。Itisaserioustimewithus，andIbelievewiththewholeoftheDominion。"
"Mr。Macdonald，"saidSirJohn，becomingsuddenlygrave，"believeme，itisamoreserioustimethanyouknow，butyoutrustmeinthismatter。"
"Willtheroadbebegunthisyear？"saidRanald。
"AllIcansayto-day，Mr。Macdonald，"saidSirJohn，earnestly，"isthis，thatifIcanbringitabout，thebuildingoftheroadwillbestartedatonce。"
"Then，SirJohn，"saidRanald，"youmaydependthatBritishColumbiawillbegratefultoyou，"andtheinterviewwasover。
Outsidetheroom，hefoundCaptainDeLacyawaitinghim。
"ByJove，Macdonald，Ihavebeenwaitingherethree-quartersofanhour。Comealong。Maimiehasanafternoonrighton，andyouareourlion。"Ranaldwouldhaverefused，butDeLacywouldnotacceptanyapology，andcarriedhimoff。
Maimie\'sroomswerecrowdedwithallthegreatsocialandpoliticalpeopleofthecity。Withanairoftriumph，DeLacypilotedRanaldthroughthecrowdandpresentedhimtoMaimie。Ranaldwassurprisedtofindhimselfshakinghandswiththewomanhehadonceloved，withunquickenedpulseandnervescoolandsteady。HereMaimie，whowaslookingmorebeautifulthanever，andwhowasdressedinagownofexquisiterichness，receivedRanaldwithawarmththatwasalmostenthusiastic。
"Howfamousyouhavebecome，Mr。Macdonald，"shesaid，offeringhimherhand；"weareallproudtosaythatweknowyou。"
"Youflatterme，"saidRanald，bowingoverherhand。
"No，indeed。EveryoneistalkingoftheyoungmanfromtheWest。
Andhowhandsomeyouare，Ranald，"shesaid，inalowvoice，leaningtowardhim，andflashingathimoneofherold-timeglances。
"Iamnotusedtothat，"hesaid，"andIcanonlyreplyasweusedtoinschool，\'You，too。\'"
"Oh，nowyouflatterme，"criedMaimie，gayly；"butletmeintroduceyoutomydearfriend，LadyMaryRivers。LadyMary，thisisMr。
MacdonaldfromBritishColumbia，youknow。"
"Oh，yes，"saidLadyMary，withalookofintelligenceinherbeautifuldarkeyes，"Ihaveheardagreatdealaboutyou。Letmesee，youopposedseparation；savedtheDominion，inshort。"
"DidI，really？"saidRanald，"andneverknewit。"
"Yousee，heisnotonlyfamousbutmodest，"saidMaimie；"butthatisanoldcharacteristicofhis。IknewMr。Macdonaldaverylongtimeago。"
"Very，"saidRanald。
"Whenwewerequiteyoung。"
"Veryyoung，"repliedRanald，withgreatemphasis。
"Anddoubtlessveryhappy，"saidLadyMary。
"Happy，"saidRanald，"yes，sohappythatIcanhardlybeartothinkofthosedays。"
"Whyso？"inquiredLadyMary。
"Becausetheyaregone。"
"Butalldaysgoandhavetobepartedwith。"
"Oh，yes，LadyMary。Thatistrueandsomanythingsdiewiththem，as，forinstance，ouryouthfulbeliefsandenthusiasms。I
usedtobelieveineveryone，LadyMary。"
"Andnowinnoone？"
"Godforbid！Idiscriminate。"
"Now，LadyMary，"repliedMaimie，"Iwantmyliontobeledaboutandexhibited，andIgivehimovertoyou。"
ForsometimeRanaldstoodnear，chattingtotwoorthreepeopletowhomLadyMaryhadintroducedhim，butlisteningeagerlyallthewhiletoMaimietalkingtothemenwhowerecrowdedabouther。Howbrilliantlyshetalked，findingitquitewithinherpowerstokeepseveralmenbusyatthesametime；andasRanaldlistenedtohergay，frivoloustalk，moreandmorehebecameconsciousofanunpleasantnessinhertone。Itwasthin，shallow，andheartless。
"Canitbepossible，"hesaidtohimself，"thatonceshehadthepowertomakemyheartquickenitsbeat？"
"TellmeabouttheWest，"LadyMarywassaying，whenRanaldcametohimself。
"IfIbeginabouttheWest，"hereplied，"Imusthavebothtimeandspacetodelivermyself。"
"Come，then。Weshallfindacorner，"saidLadyMary，andforhalfanhourdidRanalddiscoursetoheroftheWest，andsoeloquentlythatLadyMaryquiteforgotthathewasalionandthatshehadbeenintrustedwiththedutyofexhibitinghim。ByandbyMaimiefoundthem。
"Now，LadyMary，youareveryselfish，forsomanypeoplearewantingtoseeourhero，andhereisthepremierwantingtoseeyou。"
"Ah，LadyMary，"saidSirJohn，"youhavecapturedthemanfromGlengarry，Isee。"
"Ihopeso，indeed，"saidLadyMary；"butwhyfromGlengarry？HeisfromtheWest，ishenot？"
"OncefromGlengarry，nowfromtheWest，andIhopehewilloftencomefromtheWest，andhewill，nodoubt，ifthosepeopleknowwhatisgoodforthem。"AndSirJohn，skillfullydrawingRanaldaside，ledhimtotalkofthepoliticalsituationinBritishColumbia，nowandthenputtingaquestionthatrevealedaknowledgesofullandaccuratethatRanaldexclaimed，suddenly，"Why，SirJohn，youknowmoreaboutthecountrythanIdo！"
"Notatall，notatall，"repliedSirJohn；andthen，loweringhisvoicetoaconfidentialtone，headded，"YouarethefirstmanfromthatcountrythatknowswhatIwanttoknow。"AndoncemorehepliedRanaldwithquestions，listeningeagerlyandintelligentlytotheanswerssoenthusiasticallygiven。
"WewanttomakethisDominionagreatempire，"saidSirJohn，ashesaidgoodbytoRanald，"andwearegoingtodoit，butyouandmenlikeyouintheWestmustdoyourpart。"
Ranaldwasmuchimpressedbythepremier\'sgraveearnestness。
"Iwilltry，SirJohn，"hesaid，"andIshallgobackfeelingthankfulthatyouaregoingtoshowustheway。"
"Goingsosoon？"saidMaimie，whenhecametosaygoodby。"WhyI
haveseennothingofyou，andIhavenothadamomenttoofferyoumycongratulations，"shesaid，withasignificantsmile。Ranaldbowedhisthanks。
"AndKate，deargirl，"wentonMaimie，"shenevercomestoseemenow，butIamgladshewillbesohappy。"
Ranaldlookedathersteadilyforamomentortwo，andthensaid，quietly，"IamsureIhopeso，andHarryisaveryluckychap。"
"Oh，isn\'the，"criedMaimie，"andheisjustdaftabouther。Mustyougo？Iamsosorry。Iwantedtotalkaboutoldtimes，thedearolddays。"ThelookinMaimie\'seyessaidmuchmorethanherwords。
"Yes，"saidRanald，withaneasy，franksmile；"theyweredeardays，indeed；Ioftenthinkofthem。AndnowImustreallygo。
SaygoodbytoDeLacyforme。"
Hecameawayfromherwithaninexplicablefeelingofexultation。
Hehadgonewithsomeslighttrepidationinhisheart，tomeether，anditwasnosmallrelieftohimtodiscoverthatshehadlostallpoweroverhim。
"WhatsortofmancouldIhavebeen，Iwonder？"heaskedhimself；
"anditwasonlythreeyearsago。"
NearthedoorLadyMarystoppedhim。"Goingsoearly，andwithoutsayinggoodby？"shesaid，reproachfully。
"Imustleavetownto-night，"hereplied，"butIamgladtosaygoodbytoyou。"
"Ithinkyououghttostay。IamsureHisExcellencywantstoseeyou。"
"Iamsureyouaregoodtothinkso，butIamalsoquitesurethathehasnevergivenathoughttomyinsignificantself。"
"Indeedhehas。Now，can\'tyoustayafewdays？Iwanttoseemore——weallwanttohearmoreabouttheWest。"
"YouwillneverknowtheWestbyhearingofit，"saidRanald，offeringhishand。
"Goodby，"shesaid，"Iamcoming。"
"Good，"hesaid，"Ishalllookforyou。"
AsRanaldapproachedhishotel，hesawamanthatseemedoddlyfamiliar，loungingagainstthedoorandashedrewnear，hediscoveredtohisastonishmentandjoythatitwasYankee。
"Why，Yankee！"heexclaimed，rushingathim，"howintheworlddidyoucometobehere，andwhatbroughtyou？"
"Well，Icameforyou，Iguess。Heardyouweregoingtobehereandwerecomin\'homeafterwards，soIthoughtitwouldbequickerforyoutodrivestraightacrossthantogoroundbyCornwall，soI
hitchedupLisetteandcamerightalong。"
"Lisette！Youdon\'tmeantotellme？Howistheoldgirl？
Yankee，youhavedoneafinething。Nowwewillstartrightaway。"
"Allright，"saidYankee。
"Howlongwillittakeustogethome？"
"\'Bouttwodayseasygoin，\'Iguess。Ofcourseifyouwant，I
guesswecandoitinadayandahalf。Shewilldoallyoutellher。"
"Well，wewilltaketwodays，"saidRanald。
"Iguesswehadbettertakeaprettyearlystart，"saidYankee。
"Can\'twegetoffto-night？"inquiredRanald，eagerly。"Wecouldgetouttenmilesorso。"
"Yes，"repliedYankee。"There\'sagoodplacetostop，abouttenmilesout。Ithinkwehadbettergoalongtheriverroad，andthentakedownthroughtheRussellHillstotheNationCrossing。"
Inhalfanhourtheywereoffontheirtwodays\'triptotheIndianLands。Andtwogloriousdaystheywere。Theopenairwiththesuggestionofthecomingfall，thegreatforestswiththeirvaryinghuesofgreenandbrown，yellowandbrightred，andallbathedinthesmokypurplelightoftheSeptembersun，theseallcombinedtobringtoRanald\'shearttherestandcomfortandpeacethathesosorelyneeded。Andwhenhedroveintohisuncle\'syardinthelateafternoonofthesecondday，hefelthimselfmorecontenttolivethelifeappointedhim；andifanythingmorewereneededtostrengthenhiminthisresolution，andtofithimforthefightlyingbeforehim，hisbriefvisittohishomebroughtittohim。
ItdidhimgoodtolookintothefaceofthegreatMacdonaldBhainoncemore，andtohearhisdeep，steadyvoicewelcomehimhome。Itwasthefaceandthevoiceofamanwhohadpassedthroughmanyasorebattle，andnotwithouthonortohimself。Anditwasgood，too，toreceivethewelcomegreetingsofhisoldfriendsandtofeeltheirprideinhimandtheirhighexpectationofhim。Morethanever，heresolvedthathewouldbeamanworthyofhisrace。
Hisvisittothemansebroughthimmingledfeelingsofdelightandperplexityandpain。Theminister\'swelcomewaskind，buttherewasatingeofself-complacentprideinit。Ranaldwasoneof"hislads，"andheevidentlytookcredittohimselffortheyoungman\'ssuccess。Hughieregardedhimwithreservedapproval。Hewasnowamanandteachingschool，andbeforecommittinghimselftohisold-
timedevotion，hehadtoadjusthismindtothenewconditions。
ButbeforetheeveningwashalfdoneRanaldhadwonhimoncemore。
HistalesoftheWest，andofhowitwasmakingandmarringmen，ofthenationthatwasbeingbuiltup，andhispictureofthefuturethathesawforthegreatDominion，unconsciouslyrevealedthestrongmanhoodandthehighidealsinthespeaker，andHughiefoundhimselfslippingintotheoldattitudeofdevotiontohisfriend。
ButitstruckRanaldtothehearttoseethemarksofmanyalongday\'sworkuponthefaceofthewomanwhohaddonemoreforhimthanalltherestoftheworld。Herflockoflittlechildrenhadlaiduponheraloadofcareandtoil，whichaddedtotheburdenshewasalreadytryingtocarry，wasprovingmorethanherdelicateframecouldbear。Therewerelinesuponherfacethatonlywearinessoftenrepeatedcutsdeep；buttherewereotherlinesthere，andthesewerelinesofheartpain，andasRanaldwatchedherclosely，withhisheartrunningoverwithloveandpityandindignationforher，hecaughtherfrequentglancestowardherfirstbornthatspokeofanxietyandfear。
"Canitbetheyoungrascalisbringingheranythingbutperfectsatisfactionandjoyinreturnforthesacrificeofhersplendidlife？"hesaidtohimself。Butnowordfellfromhertoshowhimthesecretofherpain，itwasHughie\'sownlipsthatrevealedhim，andastheladtalkedofhispresentandhisfuture，hisimpatienceofcontrol，hislackofsympathytoallhigherideals，hisdeterminationtopleasehimselftotheforgettingofallelse，hisseemingunconsciousnessofthedebtheowedtohismother，allthesebecameeasilyapparent。WithdifficultyRanaldrestrainedhisindignation。Helethimtalkforsometimeandthenopenedoutuponhim。Hereadhimnolonglecture，buthiswordscameforthwithsuchfieryheatthattheyburnedtheirwayclearthroughallthefaultsandflimsyselfishnessoftheyoungermantilltheyreachedthetrueheartofhim。HislastwordsHughieneverforgot。
"Doyouknow，Hughie，"hesaid，andthefireinhiseyesseemedtoburnintoHughie\'s，"doyouknowwhatsortofwomanyouhaveforamother？Anddoyouknowthatifyoushouldlivetobeahundredyears，anddevotedeverydayofyourlifetothedoingofherpleasure，youcouldnotrepaythedebtyouoweher？Beaman，Hughie。ThankGodforher，andfortheopportunityoflovingandcaringforher。"
ThenightofhisfirstvisittothemanseRanaldhadnoopportunityforanyfurthertalkwiththeminister\'swife，buthecameawaywiththeresolvethatbeforehisweek\'svisitwasover，hewouldseeheralone。Onhisreturnhome，however，hefoundwaitinghimatelegramfromColonelThorp，mailedfromAlexandria，announcinganearlydateforthemeetingofshareholdersatBayCity，sothathefounditnecessarytoleaveimmediatelyafterthenextday，whichwastheSabbath。Itwasnosmalldisappointmenttohimthathewastohavenoopportunityofopeninghishearttohisfriend。Butashesatinhisuncle\'sseatatthesideofthepulpit，fromwhichhecouldcatchsightoftheminister\'spew，andwatchedthelookofpeaceandquietcouragegrowuponherfacetillallthelinesofpainandcarewerequitesmoothedout，hefelthisheartfillupwithasenseofshameforallhisweakness，andhissoulknititselfintotheresolvethatifheshouldhavetowalkhisway，bearinghiscrossalone，hewouldseekthesamehighspiritoffaithandpatienceandcouragethathesawshininginhergray-
browneyes。
Aftertheservicehewalkedhomewiththeminister\'swife，seekingopportunityforafewlastwordswithher。Hehadmeanttotellhersomethingofhisheart\'ssorrowanddisappointment，forheguessedthatknowingandlovingKateasshedid，shewouldunderstanditsdepthandbitterness。Butwhenhetoldherofhisearlydeparture，andofthefearthatformanyyearshecouldnotreturn，hisheartwassmittenwithagreatpityforher。Thelookofdisappointmentandalmostofdismayhecouldnotunderstanduntil，withdifficulty，shetoldhimhowshehadhopedthathewastospendsomeweeksathomeandthatHughiemightbemuchwithhim。
"Iwishhecouldknowyoubetter，Ranald。Thereisnooneaboutheretowhomhecanlookup，andsomeofhiscompanionsarenotofthebest。"ThelookofbeseechingpaininhereyeswasalmostmorethanRanaldcouldbear。
"Iwouldgivemylifetohelpyou，"hesaid，inavoicehoarseandhusky。
"Iknow，"shesaid，simply；"youhavebeenagreatjoytome，Ranald，anditwillalwayscomfortmetothinkofyou，andofyourwork，andIliketoremember，too，howyouhelpedHarry。Hetoldmemuchaboutyou，andIamsoglad，especiallyasheisnowtobemarried。"
"Yes，yes，"repliedRanald，hurriedly；"thatwillbeagreatthingforhim。"Then，afterapause，headded："Mrs。Murray，theWestisahardcountryforyoungmenwhoarenot——notveryfirmlyanchored，butifatanytimeyouthinkIcouldhelpHughieandyoufeellikesendinghimtome，Iwillgladlydoforhimallthatonemancandoforanother。AndallthatIcandowillbeaverypoorreturnforwhatyouhavedoneforme。"
"It\'slittleIhavedone，Ranald，"shesaid，"andthatlittlehasbeenrepaidathousand-fold，forthereisnogreaterjoythanthatofseeingmyboysgrowintogoodandgreatmenandthatjoyyouhavebroughtme。"Thenshesaidgoodby，holdinghishandlong，asifhatingtolethimgo。
"Iwillrememberyourpromise，Ranald，"shesaid，"foritmaybethatsomedayIshallneedyou。"AndwhenthechancecametoRanaldbeforemanyyearshadgone，heprovedhimselfnotunworthyofhertrust。
*****
Atthemeetingofshare-holdersoftheBritish-AmericanCoalandLumberCompany，heldinBayCity，thefeelinguppermostinthemindsofthosepresentwasoneofwrathandindignationatColonelThorp，forhestillclungtotheideathatitwouldbeunwisetowinduptheBritishColumbiaendofthebusiness。Thecolonel\'sspeechinreplywasatriumphofdiplomacy。Hebeganbygivingadetailedandgraphicaccountofhistripthroughtheprovince，lightingupthenarrativewithincidentsofadventure，bothtragicandcomic，tosuchgoodpurposethatbeforehehadfinishedhishearershadforgottenalltheiranger。ThenhetoldofwhathehadseenofRanald\'swork，emphasizingthelargenessoftheresultshehadobtainedwithhisveryimperfectequipment。HespokeofthehighplacetheirmanagerheldintheesteemofthecommunityaswitnesshisvisittoOttawaasrepresentative，andlastlyhetoucheduponhisworkforthemenbymeansofthelibrariesandreading-room。Herehewasinterruptedbyanimpatientexclamationonthepartofoneoftheshare-holders。Thecolonelpaused，andfasteninghiseyeupontheimpatientshare-holder，hesaid，intonescoolanddeliberate："Agentlemansays，\'Nonsense！\'I
confessthatbeforemyvisittotheWestIshouldhavesaidthesame，butIwanttosayrighthereandnow，thatIhavecometotheopinionthatitpaystolookafteryourmen——soul，mind，andbody。
You\'llcutmorelumber，getbettercontracts，andincreaseyourdividends。Thereain\'tnomannerofdoubtaboutthat。Now，"
concludedthecolonel，"youmaystillwanttocloseupthatbusiness，butbeforeyoudoso，IwantyoutohearMr。Macdonald。"
Aftersomehesitation，Ranaldwasallowedtospeakforafewminutes。Hebeganbyexpressinghisamazementthatthereshouldbeanythoughtonthepartofthecompanyofwithdrawingfromtheprovinceattheverytimewhenotherfirmswereseekingtofindentrance。Heacknowledgedthattheresultforthelastyearsdidnotwarrantanygreatconfidenceinthefutureoftheirbusiness，butabrighterdayhaddawned，therailroadwascoming，andhehadinhispocketthreecontractsthatitwouldrequirethecompany\'swholeforceforsixmonthstofulfill，andthesecontractswouldbeconcludedthedaythefirstrailwaslaid。
"Andwhenwillthatbe？"interruptedashareholder，scornfully。
"Ihaveeveryassurance，"saidRanald，quietly，"fromthepremierhimself，thatthebuildingoftherailroadwillbestartedthisfall。"
"DidSirJohnA。MacDonaldgiveyouadefinitepromise？"askedtheman，insurprise。
"Notexactlyapromise，"saidRanald。
Achorusofscornful"Ohs"greetedthisadmission。
"Butthepremierassuredmethatallhisinfluencewouldbethrowninfavorofimmediateconstruction。"
"Formypart，"repliedtheshare-holder，"Iplacenottheslightestconfidenceinanysuchpromiseasthat。"
"AndI，"saidRanald，calmly，"haveeveryconfidencethatworkonthelinewillbestartedthisfall。"AndthenhewentontospeakofthefuturethathesawstretchingoutbeforetheprovinceandthewholeDominion。Thefeelingofoppositionintheairrousedhimlikeacalltobattle，andthethoughtthathewaspleadingfortheWestthathehadgrowntolove，stimulatedhimlikeadraughtofstrongwine。Inthemidstofhisspeechthesecretary，whotillthatmomenthadnotbeenpresent，cameintotheroomwiththeeveningpaperinhishand。Hegaveittothepresident，pointingoutaparagraph。Atoncethepresident，interruptingRanaldinhisspeech，roseandsaid，"Gentlemen，thereisanitemofnewsherethatIthinkyouwillallagreebearssomewhatdirectlyuponthisbusiness。"HethenreadSirJohnA。MacDonald\'sfamoustelegramtotheBritishColumbiagovernment，promisingthattheCanadianPacificRailwayshouldbebegunthatfall。Afterthecheershaddiedaway，Ranaldroseagain，andsaid，"Mr。Presidentandgentlemen，thereisnoneedthatIshouldsayanythingmore。IsimplywishtoaddthatIreturntoBritishColumbianextweek，butwhetherasmanagerforthiscompanyornotthatisamatterofperfectindifferencetome。"
Andsayingthis，helefttheroom，followedbyColonelThorp。
"You\'reallright，pardner，"saidthecolonel，shakinghimvigorouslybythehand，"andiftheydon\'tfeellikeplayinguptoyourlead，then，bythegreatandeverlastingSammy，wewillmakeanewdealandplayitalone！"
"Allright，Colonel，"saidRanald；"IalmostthinkI\'dratherplayitwithoutthemandyoucantellthemso。"
"Whereareyougoingnow？"saidthecolonel。
"I\'vegottogotoTorontoforaday，"saidRanald；"theboysarefoolishenoughtogetupakindofdinnerattheAlbert，andbesides，"headded，resolutely，"IwanttoseeKate。"
"Rightyouare，"saidthecolonel；"anythingelsewouldbemeanerthansnakes。"
ButwhenRanaldreachedToronto，hefounddisappointmentawaitinghim。TheAlbertswerereadytogivehimanenthusiasticreception，buttohisdismaybothHarryandKatewereabsent。HarrywasinQuebecandKatewaswithhermothervisitingfriendsattheNorthernLake，soRanaldwasforcedtocontenthimselfwithaletteroffarewellandcongratulationuponherapproachingmarriage。Inspiteofhisdisappointment，Ranaldcouldnothelpacknowledgingafeelingofrelief。ItwouldhavebeennosmallordealtohimtohavemetKate，tohavetoldherhowshehadhelpedhimduringhisthreeyears\'absence，withoutlettinghersuspecthowmuchshehadbecometohim，andhowsorewashisdisappointmentthatshecouldneverbemorethanfriendtohim，andindeed，noteventhat。Buthisletterwasfullofwarm，frank，brotherlycongratulationandgoodwill。
ThedinnerattheAlbertwasineverywayworthyoftheclubandoftheoccasion，butRanaldwasgladtogetitover。Hewaseagertogetawayfromthecityassociatedinhismindwithsomuchthatwaspainful。
Atlengththelastspeechwasmade，andthelastsongwassung，andthemeninabodymarchedtothestationcarryingtheirherowiththem。Astheystoodwaitingforthetraintopullout，acoachmaninliveryapproachedlittleMerrill。
"AladywishestoseeMr。Macdonald，sir，"hesaid，touchinghishat。
"Well，she\'sgottobequickaboutit，"saidMerrill。"Here，Glengarry，"hecalledtoRanald，"aladyiswaitingoutsidetoseeyou，butIsay，oldchap，youwillhavetomakeitshort，Iguessitwillbesweetenough。"
"Whereisshe？"saidRanaldtothecoachman，"Inhere，sir，"conductinghimtotheladies\'waiting-room，andtakinghisplaceatthedooroutside。Ranaldhurriedintotheroom，andtherestoodKate。
"DearKate！"hecried，runningtowardherwithbothhandsoutstretched，"thisismorethankindofyou，andjustlikeyourgoodheart。"
"Ionlyheardlastnight，Ranald，"shesaid，"fromMaimie，thatyouweretobehereto-day，andIcouldnotletyougo。"Shestooduplookingsobraveandproud，butinspiteofher，herlipsquivered。
"Ihavewaitedtoseeyousolong，"shesaid，"andnowyouaregoingawayagain。"
"Don\'tspeaklikethat，Kate，"saidRanald，"don\'tsaythosethings。Iwanttotellyouhowyouhavehelpedmethesethreelonelyyears，butIcan\'t，andyouwillneverknow，andnowIamgoingback。Ihardlydaredtoseeyou，butIwishyoueverythingthatisgood。Ihaven\'tseenHarryeither，butyouwillwishhimjoyforme。Heisaveryluckyfellow。"
BythistimeRanaldhadregainedcontrolofhimself，andwasspeakinginatoneoffrankandbrotherlyaffection。Katelookedathimwithaslightlypuzzledair。
"I\'veseenMaimie，"Ranaldwenton，"andshetoldmeallaboutit，andIam——yes，Iamveryglad。"StillKatelookedalittlepuzzled，buttheminuteswereprecious，andshehadmuchtosay。
"Oh，Ranald！"shecried，"Ihavesomuchtosaytoyou。Youhavebecomeagreatman，andyouaregood。IamsoproudwhenIhearofyou，"andloweringhervoicealmosttoawhisper，"Iprayforyoueveryday。"
AsRanaldstoodgazingatthebeautifulface，andnoticedthequiveringlipsandthedarkeyesshiningwithtearsshewastoobravetoletfall，hefeltthathewasfastlosinghisgripofhimself。
"Oh，Kate，"hecried，inalow，tensevoice，"Imustgo。Youhavebeenmoretomethanyouwilleverknow。Mayyoubothbehappy。"
"Both？"echoedKate，faintly。
"Yes，"criedRanald，hurriedly，"Harrywill，I\'msure，forifanyonecanmakehimhappy，youcan。"
"I？"catchingherbreath，andbeginningtolaughalittlehysterically。
"What\'sthematter，Kate？Youarelookingwhite。"
"Oh，"criedKate，hervoicebrokenbetweenasobandalaugh，"won\'tHarryandLilyenjoythis？"
Ranaldgazedatherinfearasifshehadsuddenlygonemad。
"Lily？"hegasped。
"Yes，Lily，"criedKate；"didn\'tyouknowLilyLangford，Harry\'sdearestandmostdevoted？"
"No，"saidRanald；"anditisnotyou？"
"Notme，"criedKate，"notintheveryleast。"
"Oh，Kate，tellme，isthisalltrue？Areyoustillfree？Andisthereanyuse？"
"Whatdoyoumean？"criedKate，dancingaboutinsheerjoy，"yousillyboy。"
BythistimeRanaldhadgotholdofherhands。
"Lookhere，oldchap，"burstinMerrill，"yourtrain\'sgoing。Oh，begpardon。"
"Takethenext，Ranald。"
"Merrill，"saidRanald，solemnly，"tellthefellowsI\'mnotgoingonthistrain。"
"Hoorah！"criedlittleMerrill，"IguessI\'lltell\'emyouaregone。MayItellthefellows，Kate？"
"What？"saidKate，blushingfuriously。
"Yes，Merrill，"criedRanald，inavoicestridentwithecstasy，"youmaytellthem。Tellthewholetown。"
Merrillrushedtothedoor。"Isay，fellows，"hecried，"lookhere。"
Themencametroopingathiscall，butonlytoseeRanaldandKatedisappearingthroughtheotherdoor。
"He\'snotgoing，"criedMerrill，"he\'sgone。ByJove！They\'vebothgone。"
"Isay，littleman，"saidbigStarryHamilton，"callyourselftogetherifyoucan。Who\'vebothgone？Inshort，whoisthelady？"
"Why，KateRaymond，youblessedidiot！"criedMerrill，rushingforthedoor，followedbythewholecrowd。
"ThreecheersforMacdonald！"criedStarryHamilton，asthecarriagedroveaway，andafterthethreecheersandthetiger，littleMerrill\'svoiceledthemintheoldbattle-cry，heardlongagoontheriver，butafterwardonmanyahard-foughtfoot-ballfield，"Glengarryforever！"
End
